Showing papers by "Université catholique de Louvain published in 2005"

The HITRAN 2008 molecular spectroscopic database

Abstract: This paper describes the contents of the 2016 edition of the HITRAN molecular spectroscopic compilation. The new edition replaces the previous HITRAN edition of 2012 and its updates during the intervening years. The HITRAN molecular absorption compilation is composed of five major components: the traditional line-by-line spectroscopic parameters required for high-resolution radiative-transfer codes, infrared absorption cross-sections for molecules not yet amenable to representation in a line-by-line form, collision-induced absorption data, aerosol indices of refraction, and general tables such as partition sums that apply globally to the data. The new HITRAN is greatly extended in terms of accuracy, spectral coverage, additional absorption phenomena, added line-shape formalisms, and validity. Moreover, molecules, isotopologues, and perturbing gases have been added that address the issues of atmospheres beyond the Earth. Of considerable note, experimental IR cross-sections for almost 300 additional molecules important in different areas of atmospheric science have been added to the database. The compilation can be accessed through www.hitran.org. Most of the HITRAN data have now been cast into an underlying relational database structure that offers many advantages over the long-standing sequential text-based structure. The new structure empowers the user in many ways. It enables the incorporation of an extended set of fundamental parameters per transition, sophisticated line-shape formalisms, easy user-defined output formats, and very convenient searching, filtering, and plotting of data. A powerful application programming interface making use of structured query language (SQL) features for higher-level applications of HITRAN is also provided.

The Genome of the African Trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei

Abstract: African trypanosomes cause human sleeping sickness and livestock trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. We present the sequence and analysis of the 11 megabase-sized chromosomes of Trypanosoma brucei. The 26-megabase genome contains 9068 predicted genes, including ∼900 pseudogenes and ∼1700 T. brucei–specific genes. Large subtelomeric arrays contain an archive of 806 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes used by the parasite to evade the mammalian immune system. Most VSG genes are pseudogenes, which may be used to generate expressed mosaic genes by ectopic recombination. Comparisons of the cytoskeleton and endocytic trafficking systems with those of humans and other eukaryotic organisms reveal major differences. A comparison of metabolic pathways encoded by the genomes of T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania major reveals the least overall metabolic capability in T. brucei and the greatest in L. major. Horizontal transfer of genes of bacterial origin has contributed to some of the metabolic differences in these parasites, and a number of novel potential drug targets have been identified.

The genome of the kinetoplastid parasite, Leishmania major.

Abstract: Leishmania species cause a spectrum of human diseases in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. We have sequenced the 36 chromosomes of the 32.8-megabase haploid genome of Leishmania major (Friedlin strain) and predict 911 RNA genes, 39 pseudogenes, and 8272 protein-coding genes, of which 36% can be ascribed a putative function. These include genes involved in host-pathogen interactions, such as proteolytic enzymes, and extensive machinery for synthesis of complex surface glycoconjugates. The organization of protein-coding genes into long, strand-specific, polycistronic clusters and lack of general transcription factors in the L. major, Trypanosoma brucei, and Trypanosoma cruzi (Tritryp) genomes suggest that the mechanisms regulating RNA polymerase II-directed transcription are distinct from those operating in other eukaryotes, although the trypanosomatids appear capable of chromatin remodeling. Abundant RNA-binding proteins are encoded in the Tritryp genomes, consistent with active posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression.

Halloysite clay minerals — a review

Abstract: Halloysite clay minerals are ubiquitous in soils and weathered rocks where they occur in a variety of particle shapes and hydration states. Diversity also characterizes their chemical composition, cation exchange capacity and potassium selectivity. This review summarizes the extensive but scattered literature on halloysite, from its natural occurrence, through its crystal structure, chemical and morphological diversity, to its reactivity toward organic compounds, ions and salts, involving the various methods of differentiating halloysite from kaolinite. No unique test seems to be ideal to distinguish these 1:1 clay minerals, especially in soils. The occurrence of 2:1 phyllosilicate contaminants appears, so far, to provide the best explanation for the high charge and potassium selectivity of halloysite. Yet, hydration properties of the mineral probably play a major role in ion sorption. Clear trends seem to relate particle morphology and structural Fe. However, future work is required to understand the possible mechanisms linking chemical, morphological, hydration and charge properties of halloysite.

A brief introduction to the ABINIT software package

Abstract: A brief introduction to the ABINIT software package is given. Available under a free software license, it allows to compute directly a large set of properties useful for solid state studies, including structural and elastic properties, prediction of phase (meta)stability or instability, specific heat and free energy, spectroscopic and vibrational properties. These are described, and corresponding applications are presented. The emphasis is also laid on its ease of use and extensive documentation, allowing newcomers to quickly step in.

Convergence in Multiagent Coordination, Consensus, and Flocking

Abstract: We discuss an old distributed algorithm for reaching consensus that has received a fair amount of recent attention. In this algorithm, a number of agents exchange their values asynchronously and form weighted averages with (possibly outdated) values possessed by their neighbors. We overview existing convergence results, and establish some new ones, for the case of unbounded intercommunication intervals.

Introducing inulin-type fructans.

Abstract: Inulin is a generic term to cover all beta(2-->1) linear fructans. Chicory inulin is a linear beta(2-->1) fructan (degree of polymerisation (DP) 2 to 60; DPav=12), its partial enzymatic hydrolysis product is oligofructose (DP 2 to 8; DPav=4), and by applying specific separation technologies a long-chain inulin known as inulin HP (DP 10 to 60; DPav=25) can be produced. Finally, a specific product known as oligofructose-enriched inulin is obtained by combining chicory long-chain inulin and oligofructose. Because of the beta-configuration of the anomeric C2 in their fructose monomers, inulin-type fructans resist hydrolysis by intestinal digestive enzymes, they classify as 'non-digestible' carbohydrates, and they are dietary fibres. By increasing faecal biomass and water content of the stools, they improve bowel habits, but they have characteristic features different from other fibres. They affect gastrointestinal functions not because of their physico-chemical properties but rather because of their biochemical and physiological attributes. In the colon, they are rapidly fermented to produce SCFA that are good candidates to explain some of the systemic effects of inulin-type fructans. Fermentation of inulin-type fructans in the large bowel is a selective process; bifidobacteria (and possibly a few other genera) are preferentially stimulated to grow, thus causing significant changes in the composition of the gut microflora by increasing the number of potentially health-promoting bacteria and reducing the number of potentially harmful species. Both oligofructose and inulin are prebiotic. They also induce changes in colonic epithelium stimulating proliferation in the crypts, increasing the concentration of polyamines, changing the profile of mucins, and modulating endocrine as well as immune functions. From a nutrition labelling perspective, inulin-type fructans are not only prebiotic dietary fibres; they are also low-calorie carbohydrates [6.3 kJ/g (1.5 kcal/g)]. Supported by the results of a large number of animal studies and human nutrition intervention trials, the claim 'inulin-type fructans enhance calcium and magnesium absorption' is scientifically substantiated, but different inulin-type fructans have probably a different efficacy (in terms of effective daily dose), the most active product being the oligofructose-enriched inulin. A series of animal studies demonstrate that inulin-type fructans affect the metabolism of lipids primarily by decreasing triglyceridaemia because of a reduction in the number of plasma VLDL particles. The human data largely confirm the animal experiments. They demonstrate mainly a reduction in triglyceridaemia and only a relatively slight decrease in cholesterolaemia mostly in (slightly) hypertriglyceridaemic conditions. Inulin appears thus eligible for an enhanced function claim related to normalization of blood triacylglycerols. A large number of animal data convincingly show that inulin-type fructans reduce the risk of colon carcinogenesis and nutrition intervention trials are now performed to test that hypothesis in human subjects known to be at risk for polyps and cancer development in the large bowel.

Introducing environmental variables in nonparametric frontier models : a probabilistic approach

Abstract: This paper proposes a general formulation of a nonparametric frontier model introducing external environmental factors that might influence the production process but are neither inputs nor outputs under the control of the producer. A representation is proposed in terms of a probabilistic model which defines the data generating process. Our approach extends the basic ideas from Cazals et al. (2002) to the full multivariate case. We introduce the concepts of conditional efficiency measure and of conditional efficiency measure of order-m. Afterwards we suggest a practical way for computing the nonparametric estimators. Finally, a simple methodology to investigate the influence of these external factors on the production process is proposed. Numerical illustrations through some simulated examples and through a real data set on Mutual Funds show the usefulness of the approach.

Incidence and prognosis of intraabdominal hypertension in a mixed population of critically ill patients: a multiple-center epidemiological study.

Abstract: Objective: Intraabdominal hypertension is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in surgical and trauma patients. The aim of this study was to assess, in a mixed population of critically ill patients, whether intraabdominal pressure at admission was an independent predictor for mortality and to evaluate the effects of intraabdominal hypertension on organ functions. Design: Multiple-center, prospective epidemiologic study. Setting: Fourteen intensive care units in six countries. Patients: A total of 265 consecutive patients admitted for >24 hrs during the 4-wk study period. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Intraabdominal pressure was measured twice daily via the bladder. Data recorded on admission were the patient demographics with Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and type of admission; during intensive care stay, Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment score and intraabdominal pressure were measured daily together with fluid balance. Nonsurvivors had a significantly higher mean intraabdominal pressure on admission than survivors: 11.4 4.8 vs. 9.5 4.8 mm Hg. Independent predictors for mortality were age (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01‐1.06; p .003), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.05‐1.15; p < .0001), type of intensive care unit admission (odds ratio, 2.5 medical vs. surgical; 95% confidence interval, 1.24‐5.16; p .01), and the presence of liver dysfunction (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.06‐5.8; p .04). The occurrence of intraabdominal hypertension during the intensive care unit stay was also an independent predictor of mortality (relative risk, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.12‐3.06; p .01). Patients with intraabdominal hypertension at admission had significantly higher Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment scores during the intensive care unit stay than patients without intraabdominal hypertension. Conclusions: Intraabdominal hypertension on admission was associated with severe organ dysfunction during the intensive care unit stay. The mean intraabdominal pressure on admission was not an independent risk factor for mortality; however, the occurrence of intraabdominal hypertension during the intensive care unit stay was an independent outcome predictor. (Crit Care Med 2005; 33:315‐322)

The curse of dimensionality in data mining and time series prediction

Abstract: Modern data analysis tools have to work on high-dimensional data, whose components are not independently distributed. High-dimensional spaces show surprising, counter-intuitive geometrical properties that have a large influence on the performances of data analysis tools. Among these properties, the concentration of the norm phenomenon results in the fact that Euclidean norms and Gaussian kernels, both commonly used in models, become inappropriate in high-dimensional spaces. This papers presents alternative distance measures and kernels, together with geometrical methods to decrease the dimension of the space. The methodology is applied to a typical time series prediction example.

A model intercomparison of changes in the Atlantic thermohaline circulation in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration

Abstract: [ 1] As part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, integrations with a common design have been undertaken with eleven different climate models to compare the response of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation ( THC) to time-dependent climate change caused by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration. Over 140 years, during which the CO2 concentration quadruples, the circulation strength declines gradually in all models, by between 10 and 50%. No model shows a rapid or complete collapse, despite the fairly rapid increase and high final concentration of CO2. The models having the strongest overturning in the control climate tend to show the largest THC reductions. In all models, the THC weakening is caused more by changes in surface heat flux than by changes in surface water flux. No model shows a cooling anywhere, because the greenhouse warming is dominant.

Dengue fever: new paradigms for a changing epidemiology.

Abstract: Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease of public health significance. Compared with nine reporting countries in the 1950s, today the geographic distribution includes more than 100 countries worldwide. Many of these had not reported dengue for 20 or more years and several have no known history of the disease. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2.5 billion people are at risk of dengue infection. First recognised in the 1950s, it has become a leading cause of child mortality in several Asian and South American countries.This paper reviews the changing epidemiology of the disease, focusing on host and societal factors and drawing on national and regional journals as well as international publications. It does not include vaccine and vector issues. We have selected areas where the literature raises challenges to prevailing views and those that are key for improved service delivery in poor countries.Shifts in modal age, rural spread, and social and biological determinants of race- and sex-related susceptibility have major implications for health services. Behavioural risk factors, individual determinants of outcome and leading indicators of severe illness are poorly understood, compromising effectiveness of control programmes. Early detection and case management practices were noted as a critical factor for survival. Inadequacy of sound statistical methods compromised conclusions on case fatality or disease-specific mortality rates, especially since the data were often based on hospitalised patients who actively sought care in tertiary centres.Well-targeted operational research, such as population-based epidemiological studies with clear operational objectives, is urgently needed to make progress in control and prevention.

Efficient and provably-secure identity-based signatures and signcryption from bilinear maps

Abstract: In this paper we describe a new identity-based signcryption (IBSC) scheme built upon bilinear maps. This scheme turns out to be more efficient than all others proposed so far. We prove its security in a formal model under recently studied computational assumptions and in the random oracle model. As a result of independent interest, we propose a new provably secure identity-based signature (IBS) scheme that is also faster than all known pairing-based IBS methods.

Continuous peripheral nerve blocks in hospital wards after orthopedic surgery: a multicenter prospective analysis of the quality of postoperative analgesia and complications in 1,416 patients

Abstract: Background:Continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) is the technique of choice for postoperative analgesia after painful orthopedic surgery. However, the incidence of neurologic and infectious adverse events in the postoperative period are not well established. This issue was the aim of the study.Me

Thermohaline circulation hysteresis: A model intercomparison

Abstract: We present results from an intercomparison of 11 different climate models of intermediate complexity, in which the North Atlantic Ocean was subjected to slowly varying changes in freshwater input. All models show a characteristic hysteresis response of the thermohaline circulation to the freshwater forcing; which can be explained by Stommel's salt advection feedback. The width of the hysteresis curves varies between 0.2 and 0.5 Sv in the models. Major differences are found in the location of present-day climate on the hysteresis diagram. In seven of the models, present-day climate for standard parameter choices is found in the bi-stable regime, in four models this climate is in the mono-stable regime. The proximity of the present-day climate to the Stommel bifurcation point, beyond which North Atlantic Deep Water formation cannot be sustained, varies from less than 0.1 Sv to over 0.5 Sv.

Reference frames for representing visual and tactile locations in parietal cortex.

Abstract: The ventral intraparietal area (VIP) receives converging inputs from visual, somatosensory, auditory and vestibular systems that use diverse reference frames to encode sensory information. A key issue is how VIP combines those inputs together. We mapped the visual and tactile receptive fields of multimodal VIP neurons in macaque monkeys trained to gaze at three different stationary targets. Tactile receptive fields were found to be encoded into a single somatotopic, or head-centered, reference frame, whereas visual receptive fields were widely distributed between eye- to head-centered coordinates. These findings are inconsistent with a remapping of all sensory modalities in a common frame of reference. Instead, they support an alternative model of multisensory integration based on multidirectional sensory predictions (such as predicting the location of a visual stimulus given where it is felt on the skin and vice versa). This approach can also explain related findings in other multimodal areas.

Enhanced antiinflammatory capacity of a Lactobacillus plantarum mutant synthesizing modified teichoic acids.

Abstract: Teichoic acids (TAs), and especially lipoteichoic acids (LTAs), are one of the main immunostimulatory components of pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. Their contribution to the immunomodulatory properties of commensal bacteria and especially of lactic acid bacteria has not yet been investigated in detail. To evaluate the role of TAs in the interaction between lactic acid bacteria and the immune system, we analyzed the antiinflammatory properties of a mutant of Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB8826 affected in the TA biosynthesis pathway both in vitro (mononuclear cells stimulation) and in vivo (murine model of colitis). This Dlt- mutant was found to incorporate much less d-Ala in its TAs than the WT strain. This defect significantly impacted the immunomodulation reactions induced by the bacterium, as shown by a dramatically reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes stimulated by the Dlt- mutant as compared with the parental strain. Concomitantly, a significant increase in IL-10 production was stimulated by the Dlt- mutant in comparison with the WT strain. Moreover, the proinflammatory capacity of L. plantarum-purified LTA was found to be Toll-like receptor 2-dependent. Consistent with the in vitro results, the Dlt- mutant was significantly more protective in a murine colitis model than its WT counterpart. The results indicated that composition of LTA within the whole-cell context of L. plantarum can modulate proinflammatory or antiinflammatory immune responses.

Fatal Family Outbreak of Bacillus cereus-Associated Food Poisoning

Abstract: Bacillus cereus is a well-known cause of food-borne illness, but infection with this organism is not commonly reported because of its usually mild symptoms. A fatal case due to liver failure after the consumption of pasta salad is described and demonstrates the possible severity of the emetic syndrome.

New insights in the molecular biology and physiology of Streptococcus thermophilus revealed by comparative genomics

Abstract: Streptococcus thermophilus is a major dairy starter used for the manufacture of yoghurt and cheese. The access to three genome sequences, comparative genomics and multilocus sequencing analyses suggests that this species recently emerged and is still undergoing a process of regressive evolution towards a specialised bacterium for growth in milk. Notably, S. thermophilus has maintained a well-developed nitrogen metabolism whereas its sugar catabolism has been subjected to a high level of degeneracy due to a paucity of carbon sources in milk. Furthermore, while pathogenic streptococci are recognised for a high capacity to expose proteins at their cell surface in order to achieve cell adhesion or to escape the host immune system, S. thermophilus has nearly lost this unique feature as well as many virulence-related functions. Although gene decay is obvious in S. thermophilus genome evolution, numerous small genomic islands, which were probably acquired by horizontal gene transfer, comprise important industrial phenotypic traits such as polysaccharide biosynthesis, bacteriocin production, restriction-modification systems or oxygen tolerance.

Radio-frequency plasma functionalization of carbon nanotubes surface O2, NH3, and CF4 treatments

Abstract: Inductive coupled rf-plasma at 13.56 MHz was used to modify multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). This technique can be easily used to tailor the chemical composition of carbon nanotubes by attaching a wide variety of functional groups at their surface: oxygen-, nitrogen-, and fluorine-containing groups have been grafted. The influence of various plasma conditions (power, type of gas, treatment time, pressure, position of the CNT sample inside the chamber) on the functionalization of the MWCNT surface was analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that for too high oxygen plasma power, chemical etching occurs at the surface of the CNT, thus destroying its structure. On the other hand, for optimal values of the plasma parameters, functional groups (hydroxide, carbonyl, carboxyl, amine, fluorine, etc.) were found to bond to the CNT surface, suggesting that both the concentration and type of the functional groups are in close connection with the plasma conditions. These results were compared to interaction energies predicted by ab initio calculations for different functional groups under consideration, showing that functionalization by oxygen plasma produces mainly functional groups with lower interaction energy.

Infantile Hemangiomas: Current Knowledge, Future Directions. Proceedings of a Research Workshop on Infantile Hemangiomas

Abstract: Ilona J. Frieden, M.D.,* Anita N. Haggstrom, M.D.,† Beth A. Drolet, M.D.,‡ Anthony J. Mancini, M.D.,§ Sheila Fallon Friedlander, M.D.,¶ Laurence Boon, M.D., Ph.D.,** Sarah L. Chamlin, M.D.,§ Eulalia Baselga, M.D.,†† Maria C. Garzon, M.D.,‡‡ Amy J. Nopper, M.D.,§§ Dawn H. Siegel, M.D.,* Erin W. Mathes, M.D.,* Deborah S. Goddard, M.D.,¶¶ Joyce Bischoff, Ph.D.,¶¶ Paula E. North, M.D., Ph.D.,*** and Nancy B. Esterly, M.D.†††

Overview of Results of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy with 3 Radiolabeled Somatostatin Analogs

Abstract: A new treatment modality for inoperable or metastasized gastroenteropancreatic tumors is the use of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs. Initial studies with high doses of [(111)In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)(0)]octreotide in patients with metastasized neuroendocrine tumors were encouraging, although partial remissions were uncommon. Another radiolabeled somatostatin analog that is used for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is [(90)Y-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide. Various phase 1 and phase 2 PRRT trials have been performed with this compound. Despite differences in the protocols used, complete and partial remissions in most of the studies with [(90)Y-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide were in the same ranges, 10%-30%; these ranges were higher than those obtained with [(111)In-DTPA(0)]octreotide. Treatment with the newest radiolabeled somatostatin analog, [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate, which has a higher affinity for the subtype 2 somatostatin receptor, resulted in complete or partial remissions in 30% of 76 patients. Tumor regression was positively correlated with a high level of uptake on OctreoScan imaging, a limited hepatic tumor mass, and a high Karnofsky performance score. Treatment with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs is a promising new tool in the management of patients with inoperable or metastasized neuroendocrine tumors. Symptomatic improvement may occur with all (111)In-, (90)Y-, or (177)Lu-labeled somatostatin analogs that have been used for PRRT. The results obtained with [(90)Y-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide and [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate are very encouraging in terms of tumor regression. Also, if kidney protective agents are used, the side effects of this therapy are few and mild, and the duration of the therapy response for both radiopharmaceuticals is more than 2 y. These data compare favorably with those for the limited number of alternative treatment approaches.

Oligofructose Promotes Satiety in Rats Fed a High‐Fat Diet: Involvement of Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To analyze the putative interest of oligofructose (OFS) in the modulation of food intake after high-fat diet in rats and to question the relevance of the expression and secretion of intestinal peptides in that context. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Male Wistar rats were pretreated with standard diet or OFS-enriched (10%) standard diet for 35 days followed by 15 days of high-fat diet enriched or not with OFS (10%) treatment. Body weight, food intake, triglycerides, and plasma ghrelin levels were monitored during the treatment. On day 50, rats were food-deprived 8 hours and anesthetized for blood and intestinal tissue sampling for further proglucagon mRNA, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, and GLP-2 quantification. RESULTS: The addition of OFS in the diet protects against the promotion of energy intake, body weight gain, fat mass development, and serum triglyceride accumulation induced by a high-fat diet. OFS fermentation leads to an increase in proglucagon mRNA in the cecum and the colon and in GLP-1 and GLP-2 contents in the proximal colon, with consequences on the portal concentration of GLP-1 (increase). A lower ghrelin level is observed only when OFS is added to the standard diet of rats. DISCUSSION: In rats exposed to high-fat diet, OFS is, thus, able to modulate endogenous production of gut peptides involved in appetite and body weight regulation. Because several approaches are currently used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity with limited effectiveness, dietary fibers such as OFS, which promote the endogenous production of gut peptides like GLP-1, could be proposed as interesting nutrients to consider in the management of fat intake and associated metabolic disorders.

Prosocial Behavior and Religion: New Evidence Based on Projective Measures and Peer Ratings

Abstract: An important discrepancy seems to exist between self-reports and laboratory studies regarding prosociality among religious people. Some have even suggested that this involves moral hypocrisy on the part of religious people. However, the assumption of the four studies reported here is that the impact of religiousness on prosociality is limited but exists, and does not reflect self-delusion. In Study 1 (N = 106), religious young adults tended not to use indirect aggression in dealing with hypothetical daily hassles. In Study 2 (N = 105), female students' religiosity was associated with willingness to help close targets in hypothetical situations but the effect was not extended to unknown targets. In Studies 3 (N = 315, 105 triads) and 4 (N = 274, 109 targets), religious targets not only reported high altruistic behavior and empathy, but were also perceived as such by peers (friends, siblings, or colleagues) in three out of four cases. Other results from the studies suggested that the prosociality of religious people is not an artifact of gender, social desirability bias, security in attachment, empathy, or honesty.

Projected changes in mineral soil carbon of European croplands and grasslands, 1990–2080

Abstract: We present the most comprehensive pan-European assessment of future changes in cropland and grassland soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks to date, using a dedicated process-based SOC model and state-of-the-art databases of soil, climate change, land-use change and technology change. Soil carbon change was calculated using the Rothamsted carbon model on a European 10 x 10' grid using climate data from four global climate models implementing four Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emissions scenarios (SRES). Changes in net primary production (NPP) were calculated by the Lund-Potsdam-Jena model. Land-use change scenarios, interpreted from the narratives of the IPCC SRES story lines, were used to project changes in cropland and grassland areas. Projections for 1990-2080 are presented for mineral soil only. Climate effects (soil temperature and moisture) will tend to speed decomposition and cause soil carbon stocks to decrease, whereas increases in carbon input because of increasing NPP will slow the loss. Technological improvement may further increase carbon inputs to the soil. Changes in cropland and grassland areas will further affect the total soil carbon stock of European croplands and grasslands. While climate change will be a key driver of change in soil carbon over the 21st Century, changes in technology and land-use change are estimated to have very significant effects. When incorporating all factors, cropland and grassland soils show a small increase in soil carbon on a per area basis under future climate (1-7 t C ha(-1) for cropland and 3-6 t C ha(-1) for grassland), but when the greatly decreasing area of cropland and grassland are accounted for, total European cropland stocks decline in all scenarios, and grassland stocks decline in all but one scenario. Different trends are seen in different regions. For Europe (the EU25 plus Norway and Switzerland), the cropland SOC stock decreases from 11 Pg in 1990 by 4-6 Pg (39-54%) by 2080, and the grassland SOC stock increases from 6 Pg in 1990 to 1.5 Pg (25%) under the B1 scenario, but decreases to 1-3 Pg (20-44%) under the other scenarios. Uncertainty associated with the land-use and technology scenarios remains unquantified, but worst-case quantified uncertainties are 22.5% for croplands and 16% for grasslands, equivalent to potential errors of 2.5 and 1 Pg SOC, respectively. This is equivalent to 42-63% of the predicted SOC stock change for croplands and 33-100% of the predicted SOC stock change for grasslands. Implications for accounting for SOC changes under the Kyoto Protocol are discussed.