Genomewide meta-analysis identifies loci associated with IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels with impact on age-related traits

The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis can be manipulated in animal models to promote longevity, and IGF-related proteins including IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) have also been implicated in risk of human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Throug

Structural studies of the exocellular polysaccharide from Sphingomonas paucimobilis strain I-886

International audienc

Modelling the decadal trend of ecosystem carbon fluxes demonstrates the important role of functional changes in a temperate deciduous forest

Temperate forests are globally important carbon sinks and stocks. Trends in net ecosystem exchange have been observed in a Danish beech forest and this trend cannot be entirely attributed to changing climatic drivers. This study sought to clarify the mechanisms responsible for the observed trend, using a dynamic ecosystem model (CoupModel) and model data fusion with multiple constraints and model experiments. Experiments with different validation datasets showed that a multiple constraints model data fusion approach that included the annual tree growth, the seasonal canopy development, the latent and sensible heat fluxes and the CO2 fluxes decreased the parameter uncertainty considerably compared to using CO2 fluxes as validation data alone. The fitted model was able to simulate the observed carbon fluxes well (R2=0.8, mean error=0.1gCm−2d−1) but did not reproduce the decadal (1997–2009) trend in carbon uptake when global parameter estimates were used. Annual parameter estimates were able to reproduce the decadal scale trend; the yearly fitted posterior parameters (e.g. the light use efficiency) indicated a role for changes in the ecosystem functional properties. A possible role for nitrogen demand during mast years is supported by the inter-annual variability in the estimated parameters. The inter-annual variability of photosynthesis parameters was fundamental to the simulation of the trend in carbon fluxes in the investigated beech forest and this demonstrates the importance of functional change in carbon balance

Soil Dynamic Models: Predicting the Behavior of Fertilizers in the Soil

This chapter provides an overview of the most dominant processes for the situation where organic biobased derivatives are added to the soil, with emphasis on decomposition, production of mineral nutrients, and losses to the environment. Organic compounds in the soil (organic matter, organic fertilizers, biobased derivatives, soil biomass) are subject to microbiological conversion reaction. Decomposition of organic matter usually occurs relatively quickly as long as enough molecular oxygen is present. Two major models can be distinguished in modeling mineralization of organic matter: multi‐pool models with a constant decomposition rate factor and models with a time‐dependent decomposition rate factor. Leaching is the loss of nutrients via draining of water as a result of excess rainfall or irrigation. It is of environmental concern as it contributes to the contamination of the groundwater and surface‐water systems. The chapter presents an overview of processes for some selected soil dynamic models.<br/