102,704 research outputs found
A new approach for estimating northern peatland gross primary productivity using a satellite-sensor-derived chlorophyll index
Carbon flux models that are largely driven by remotely sensed data can be used to estimate gross primary productivity (GPP) over large areas, but despite the importance of peatland ecosystems in the global carbon cycle, relatively little attention has been given to determining their success in these ecosystems. This paper is the first to explore the potential of chlorophyll-based vegetation index models for estimating peatland GPP from satellite data. Using several years of carbon flux data from contrasting peatlands, we explored the relationships between the MERIS terrestrial chlorophyll index (MTCI) and GPP, and determined whether the inclusion of environmental variables such as PAR and temperature, thought to be important determinants of peatland carbon flux, improved upon direct relationships. To place our results in context, we compared the newly developed GPP models with the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) GPP product. Our results show that simple MTCI-based models can be used for estimates of interannual and intra-annual variability in peatland GPP. The MTCI is a good indicator of GPP and compares favorably with more complex products derived from the MODIS sensor on a site-specific basis. The incorporation of MTCI into a light use efficiency type model, by means of partitioning the fraction of photosynthetic material within a plant canopy, shows most promise for peatland GPP estimation, outperforming all other models. Our results demonstrate that satellite data specifically related to vegetation chlorophyll content may ultimately facilitate improved quantification of peatland carbon flux dynamics
X-ray Emission from the Radio Jet in 3C 120
We report the discovery of X-ray emission from a radio knot at a projected
distance of 25" from the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy, 3C 120. The data were
obtained with the ROSAT High Resolution Imager (HRI). Optical upper limits for
the knot preclude a simple power law extension of the radio spectrum and we
calculate some of the physical parameters for thermal bremsstrahlung and
synchrotron self-Compton models. We conclude that no simple model is consistent
with the data but if the knot contains small regions with flat spectra, these
could produce the observed X-rays (via synchrotron emission) without being
detected at other wavebands.Comment: 6 pages latex plus 3 ps/eps figures. Uses 10pt.sty and
emulateapj.sty. Accepted for publication in the ApJ (6 Jan 99
Comparison of life history parameters for landed and discarded fish captured off the southeastern United States
Commercial fisheries that are managed with minimum size limits protect small fish of all ages and may affect size-selective mortality by the differential removal of fast growing fish. This differential removal may decrease the average size at age, maturation, or sexual transition of the exploited population. When fishery-independent data are
not available, a comparison of life history parameters of landed with those of discarded fish (by regulation) will
indicate if differential mortality is occurring with the capture of young but large fish (fast growing phenotypes).
Indications of this differential size-selective mortality would include the following: the discarded portion of the target fish would have similar age ranges but smaller sizes at age, maturation, and sexual transition as that of landed fish. We examined three species with minimum size limits but different exploitation histories. The known heavily exploited species (Rhomboplites aurorubens [vermilion snapper] and Pagrus pagrus [red porgy]) show signs of this
differential mortality. Their landed catch includes many young, large fish, whereas discarded fish had a similar age range and mean ages but smaller sizes at age than the landed
fish. The unknown exploited species, Mycteroperca phenax (scamp), showed no signs of differential mortality due
to size-selective fishing. Landed catch consisted of old, large fish and discarded scamp had little overlap in age ranges, had significantly different mean ages, and only small differences in size at age when compared to comparable
data for landed fish
X-ray variability in M87
We present the evidence for X-ray variability from the core and from knot A
in the M87 jet based on data from two observations with the Einstein
Observatory High Resolution Imager (HRI) and three observations with the ROSAT
HRI. The core intensity showed a 16% increase in 17 months ('79-'80); a 12%
increase in the 3 years '92 to '95; and a 17% drop in the last half of 1995.
The intensity of knot A appears to have decreased by 16% between 92Jun and
95Dec. Although the core variability is consistent with general expectations
for AGN nuclei, the changes in knot A provide constraints on the x-ray emission
process and geometry. Thus we predict that the x-ray morphology of knot A will
differ significantly from the radio and optical structure.Comment: 9 pages latex plus 6 ps figs. To appear in Monthly Notices of the RA
On the absence of Shapiro-like steps in certain mesoscopic S-N-S junctions
In DC transport through mesoscopic S-N-S junctions, it is known that the
Josephson coupling decreases exponentially with increasing temperature, but the
phase dependence of the conductance persists to much higher temperatures and
decreases only as 1/T. It is pointed out here that, despite the fact that such
a phase-dependent conductance does bring about an AC current for a pure DC
voltage, it cannot, by itself, lead to the formation of Shapiro steps.Comment: 1 page, to be published in PRL (as Comment
Glucocorticoid receptor action in metabolic and neuronal function [version 1; referees: 3 approved]
Glucocorticoids via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) have effects on a variety of cell types, eliciting important physiological responses via changes in gene expression and signaling. Although decades of research have illuminated the mechanism of how this important steroid receptor controls gene expression using in vitro and cell cultureâbased approaches, how GR responds to changes in external signals in vivo under normal and pathological conditions remains elusive. The goal of this review is to highlight recent work on GR action in fat cells and liver to affect metabolism in vivo and the role GR ligands and receptor phosphorylation play in calibrating signaling outputs by GR in the brain in health and disease. We also suggest that both the brain and fat tissue communicate to affect physiology and behavior and that understanding this âbrain-fat axisâ will enable a more complete understanding of metabolic diseases and inform new ways to target them
The abundance of interstellar sulphur and zinc in high density sight-lines
On the basis of early absorption line studies of individual lines of sight with the Copernicus satellite, chlorine, sulphur and zinc were classed together as elements which showed little or no depletion, relative to hydrogen, in the interstellar medium. The abundances of other less volatile elements, such as Fe and Mg were found to vary widely from one sight-line to another with gas-phase abundances in some cases being orders of magnitude below their solar counterparts. Detailed studies are reported of the depletion/density behavior of two other volatile elements which were previously considered to be virtually undepleted, S and Zn, using equivalent width data from both Copernicus and IUE observations. The results provide further evidence that the established dependence of depletion on n bar (H) extends to volatile elements and show that their use as tracers of metallicity, or for estimating hydrogen column densities, may lead to large errors in sight-lines through dense regions. It now appears that such elements may take part in the surface chemistry of grains and be important constituents of grain mantle material, although they probably do not contribute significantly to the bulk mass of grains. Due to the very similar atomic masses and ionization potentials of sulphur and phosphorous, the thermal velocity distributions of the singly ionized species of these elements in interstellar clouds should be very similar. However, a comparison of Doppler widths (b-values) derived for SIT and PIT in the same sight-lines from the Bohlin et al Copernicus equivalent width measurements has revealed an unexpected systematic discrepancy of a factor of approx. 1.7. This Discrepancy indicates that the normally adopted oscillators strengths of the PII lambda lambda 1153 and 1302 A lines may require revision
Examining Disequilibrium in an Immersion Experience
This study examines the disequilibrium raised by a cultural immersion experience, using the structure of White racial identity development, in an effort to better scaffold the immersion experience in the future. Thirty-two students participated in an immersion experience in Quito, Ecuador. The study follows their experience as they strive to make sense of their experience and begin to understand and unpack their own sense of privilege. The six stages of racial identity development are used as a grid through which to view and consider the experiences of teacher candidates in a cultural immersion experience. Two predominant themes included schools/classroom management, and language/culture/race
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