Freshwater ecosystem services in mining regions : modelling options for policy development support

The ecosystem services (ES) approach offers an integrated perspective of social-ecological systems, suitable for holistic assessments of mining impacts. Yet for ES models to be policy-relevant, methodological consensus in mining contexts is needed. We review articles assessing ES in mining areas focusing on freshwater components and policy support potential. Twenty-six articles were analysed concerning (i) methodological complexity (data types, number of parameters, processes and ecosystem-human integration level) and (ii) potential applicability for policy development (communication of uncertainties, scenario simulation, stakeholder participation and management recommendations). Articles illustrate mining impacts on ES through valuation exercises mostly. However, the lack of ground-and surface-water measurements, as well as insufficient representation of the connectivity among soil, water and humans, leave room for improvements. Inclusion of mining-specific environmental stressors models, increasing resolution of topographies, determination of baseline ES patterns and inclusion of multi-stakeholder perspectives are advantageous for policy support. We argue that achieving more holistic assessments exhorts practitioners to aim for high social-ecological connectivity using mechanistic models where possible and using inductive methods only where necessary. Due to data constraints, cause-effect networks might be the most feasible and best solution. Thus, a policy-oriented framework is proposed, in which data science is directed to environmental modelling for analysis of mining impacts on water ES

Дослідження глобалізаційних процесів вітчизняними вченими

Аналізуються окремі праці вітчизняних учених у сфері дослідження проблематики глобалізаційного розвитку. Розглянуті головні положення наукових поглядів авторів у вивченні процесів трансформації держави, суспільства, інститутів політики та пра­ва. Обгрунтовано пріоритети політичної інституціоналізації сучасного світу на заса­дах гуманізації, інтелектуалізації та соціалізації.Анализируются отдельные работы отечественных ученых в области исследования проблематики глобализационного развития. Рассмотрены главные положения научных взглядов авторов в изучении процессов трансформации государства, общества, инсти­тутов политики и права. Обосновано приоритеты политической институционализа­ции современного мира на основе гуманизации, интеллектуализации и социализации.Separate works of domestic scientists in area research problematics of globalization development are analyzed. The main positions of scientific views of authors in studying of processes of transformation of the state, a society, policy and right institutionalization are considered. It is proved priorities political institute the modern world on the basis of a human­ization, intellectualization and socialization

Instantaneous Q₁₀ of night‐time leaf respiratory CO₂ efflux:measurement and analytical protocol considerations

The temperature sensitivity (e.g. Q10) of night‐time leaf respiratory CO2 efflux (RCO2) is a fundamental aspect of leaf physiology. The Q10 typically exhibits a dependence on measurement temperature, and it is speculated that this is due to temperature‐dependent shifts in the relative control of leaf RCO2. Two decades ago, a review hypothesized that this mechanistically caused change in values of Q10 is predictable across plant taxa and biomes. Here, we discuss the most appropriate measuring protocol among existing data and for future data collection, to form the foundation for a future mechanistic understanding of Q10 of leaf RCO2 at different temperature ranges. We do this primarily via a review of existing literature on Q10 of night‐time RCO2 and only supplement to a lesser degree with own original data. Based on mechanistic considerations, we encourage that instantaneous Q10 of leaf RCO2 to represent night‐time should be measured: only at night‐time; only in response to short‐term narrow temperature variation (e.g. max. 10°C) to represent a given midpoint temperature at a time; in response to as many temperatures as possible within the chosen temperature range; and on still attached leaves

Actualización del plan de mejoramiento del área logística de la empresa TRAVEL’S LIFE

El objetivo general de la investigación es estandarizar el proceso de planeación de los viajes y actividades ofertados por la empresa. En el marco del fortalecimiento del sector turístico, y en el fomento del intercambio cultural a nivel global, resulta pertinente la creación de empresas y organizaciones que trabajen bajo la premisa de acortar distancias y suprimir barreras para lograr que cada vez más personas tengan la oportunidad de conocer los lugares más emblemáticos e históricos de cada país. De igual manera, y atendiendo a la alta demanda que presenta el sector turístico, es necesario que las empresas trabajen diariamente con el propósito de mejorar y estandarizar sus actividades para lograr una optimización en los procesos, de tal manera que alcancen la eficiencia adecuada y brindar un servicio de calidad

Defects of Protein Phosphatase 2A Causes Corticosteroid Insensitivity in Severe Asthma

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid insensitivity is a major barrier of treatment for some chronic inflammatory diseases, such as severe asthma, but the molecular mechanism of the insensitivity has not been fully elucidated. The object of this study is to investigate the role of protein phosphate 2A (PP2A), a serine/threonine phosphatase, on corticosteroid sensitivity in severe asthma. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Corticosteroid sensitivity was determined by the dexamethasone ability to inhibit TNFα-induced IL-8 or LPS-induced TNFα production. PP2A expression, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) nuclear translocation defined as the nuclear/cytoplasmic GR ratio and phosphorylation of GR-Ser²²⁶, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) and PP2A were analysed by Western-blotting. Phosphatase activity was measured by fluorescence-based assay. Okadaic acid (OA), a PP2A inhibitor, reduced corticosteroid sensitivity with reduced GR nuclear translocation and increased GR phosphorylation in U937 monocytic cells. PP2A knockdown by RNA interference showed similar effects. IL-2/IL-4 treatment to U937 reduced corticosteroid sensitivity, and PP2A expression/activity. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from severe asthma, the PP2A expression and activity were significantly reduced with concomitant enhancement of PP2A(C)-Tyr³⁰⁷ phosphorylation compared with those in healthy volunteers. As the results, GR-Ser²²⁶ and JNK1 phosphorylation were increased. The expression and activity of PP2A were negatively correlated with phosphorylation levels of GR-Ser²²⁶. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation assay in U937 cells revealed that PP2A associated with GR and JNK1 and IL-2/IL-4 exposure caused dissociation of each molecule. Lastly, PP2A overexpression increased corticosteroid sensitivity in U937 cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: PP2A regulates GR nuclear translocation and corticosteroid sensitivity possibly by dephosphorylation of GR-Ser²²⁶ via dephosphorylation of upstream JNK1. This novel mechanism will provide new insight for the development of new therapy for severe asthma

Modelling the Impact of Radiation Changes on the Terrestrial Carbon Sink - over the 1900-2100 period

Solar Radiation is one of the main requirements for plant functioning and any changes in this field are likely to affect plant photosynthesis. Changes in the solar radiation reaching the land surface caused by aerosols emitted from volcanoes and various anthropogenic sources have occurred during the industrial era. The aim of this study is to estimate the impact of changes in radiation during the 1900-2100 period on land productivity and carbon storage. We use an offline version of the land surface scheme of the Hadley centre model (Cox et al. 1998) which has been modified to account for variations of direct and diffuse radiation on sunlit and shaded canopy photosynthesis. Additionally, we use short wave and photosynthetic active radiation fields simulated by the Hadley centre climate model which takes into account the scattering and absorption of light by tropospheric and stratospheric aerosols. We describe the simulation of the land carbon cycle through the Pinatubo event but also the dimming-brightening period, and diagnose the impact that changes in diffuse radiation had on the atmospheric [CO2] growth-rate. We will also discuss the implications of these results for the future land carbon-sink, under likely changes in the atmospheric aerosol loading

Assessing the freshwater quality of a large-scale mining watershed : the need for integrated approaches

Water quality assessments provide essential information for protecting aquatic habitats and stakeholders downstream of mining sites. Moreover, mining companies must comply with environmental quality standards and include public participation in water quality monitoring (WQM) practices. However, overarching challenges beyond corporate environmental responsibility are the scientific soundness, political relevance and harmonization of WQM practices. In this study, a mountainous watershed supporting large-scale gold mining in the headwaters, besides urban and agricultural landuses at lower altitudes, is assessed in the dry season. Conventional physicochemical and biological (Biological Monitoring Water Party-Colombia index) freshwater quality parameters were evaluated, including hydromorphological and land-use characteristics. According to the indicators used, water quality deterioration by mining was absent, in contrast to the effects of urban economic activities, hydromorphological alterations and (less important) agricultural pollutants. We argue that mining impacts are hardly captured due to the limited ecological knowledge of high-mountain freshwaters, including uncharacterized mining-specific bioindicators, environmental baselines and groundwater processes, as well as ecotoxicological and microbial freshwater quality components. Lessons for overcoming scientific and operational challenges are drawn from joint efforts among governments, academia and green economy competitiveness. Facing a rapid development of extractive industries, interinstitutional and multidisciplinary collaborations are urgently needed to implement more integrated freshwater quality indicators of complex mining impacts

Estrogens promote misfolded proinsulin degradation to protect insulin production and delay diabetes

Summary: Conjugated estrogens (CE) delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in postmenopausal women, but the mechanism is unclear. In T2D, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fails to promote proinsulin folding and, in failing to do so, promotes ER stress and β cell dysfunction. We show that CE prevent insulin-deficient diabetes in male and in female Akita mice using a model of misfolded proinsulin. CE stabilize the ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) system and promote misfolded proinsulin proteasomal degradation. This involves activation of nuclear and membrane estrogen receptor-α (ERα), promoting transcriptional repression and proteasomal degradation of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and ERAD degrader, UBC6e. The selective ERα modulator bazedoxifene mimics CE protection of β cells in females but not in males. : Estrogens prevent diabetes in women, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Xu et al. report that estrogens activate the endoplasmic-reticulum-associated protein degradation pathway, which promotes misfolded proinsulin degradation, suppresses endoplasmic reticulum stress, and protects insulin secretion in mice and in human pancreatic β cells. Keywords: estrogens, beta cell, islet, endoplasmic reticulum stress, proinsulin misfolding, diabetes, bazedoxifene, sex dimorphism, ERAD, SER

Implementación de datamart sobre jurisprudencia - Tribunal Constitucional JURISDAT

Describe el tratamiento de los pronunciamientos de jurisprudencia del Tribunal Constitucional a través de su página web. Luego de analizar el sistema de consulta y como presenta la información al usuario, se propone la implementación de un datamart que almacene las sentencias y resoluciones emitidas en los últimos años. El datamart será desarrollado utilizando herramientas de Business Intelligence para que sirva de manera efectiva a abogados, jueces, fiscales, organizaciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales, y en general a todo interesado en esta información. La investigación busca mostrar las ventajas de usar aplicaciones de Business Intelligence en información histórica o calificada como antecedentes, adaptar una aplicación ETL para la extracción de datos de los archivos html, que son la única fuente de información disponible, usar el modelamiento dimensional como base de los cubos de información según los campos requeridos en la tabla de hechos, y mostrar correctamente la información clasificada en base a los cubos de información, para su visualización en tablas o reportes por los usuarios de la aplicación.Tesi

Topline Results From Prospective, Double-masked, Placebo Controlled Phase 2 Clinical Study Evaluating Luminate® (ALG-1001) in Patients with Symptomatic Focal Vitreomacular Adhesion

Purpose : To investigate the safety and efficacy of Luminate (ALG-1001), a synthetic anti-angiogenic and vitreolytic oligopeptide, administered intravitreally in patients with focal vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) or vitreomacular traction (VMT)