Showing papers by "University of East Anglia published in 2002"
TL;DR: In this article, the changes in agriculture and biodiversity in Britain since the 1940s have been quantified, showing that since 1945, there has been a 65% decline in the number of farms, a 77% reduction in farm labour and an almost fourfold increase in yield.
Abstract: Summary 1. Agriculture represents the dominant land use throughout much of western Europe, and a significant part of European biodiversity is associated with this habitat. We attempted to quantify the changes in agriculture and biodiversity in Britain since the 1940s. 2. There have been widespread declines in the populations of many groups of organisms associated with farmland in Britain and north-west Europe. The declines have been particularly marked amongst habitat specialists; many of the taxa still common on farmland are habitat generalists. 3. Farming practices have become increasingly intensive in the post-war period, with a dramatic reduction in landscape diversity. Since 1945, there has been a 65% decline in the number of farms, a 77% decline in farm labour and an almost fourfold increase in yield. Farms have become more specialized; the greatly increased use of machinery has made operations quicker and more efficient, but has resulted in the removal of 50% of the hedgerow stock. Autumn sowing of crops has become predominant, with winter stubbles now far less prevalent. The number and extent of chemical applications has increased greatly, but the net amount applied, and their persistence, has decreased in recent years. 4. Intensification has had a wide range of impacts on biodiversity, but data for many taxa are too scarce to permit a detailed assessment of the factors involved. Reduction in habitat diversity was important in the 1950s and 1960s; reduction in habitat quality is probably more important now. 5. As a case study, the declines in populations of seed-eating birds populations were assessed in relation to changing agricultural management. Generally, the declines were likely to be caused by a reduced food supply in the non-breeding season, although other factors may be important for particular species. 6. Agriculture will face a number of challenges in the medium term. While research into the mechanisms underlying species and habitat associations, and their interaction with scale, will be critical in under-pinning management, consideration of farmer attitudes and socio-economic factors is likely to be as important. Biodiversity may benefit from integrated farming techniques but these need to incorporate environmental objectives explicitly, rather than as a fringe benefit.
1,497 citations
University of Cambridge1, Conservation International2, University of East Anglia3, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science4, University of Pittsburgh5, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds6, World Conservation Monitoring Centre7, University of British Columbia8, University of Washington9, Stanford University10
TL;DR: It is estimated that the overall benefit:cost ratio of an effective global program for the conservation of remaining wild nature is at least 100:1.
Abstract: On the eve of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, it is timely to assess progress over the 10 years since its predecessor in Rio de Janeiro. Loss and degradation of remaining natural habitats has continued largely unabated. However, evidence has been accumulating that such systems generate marked economic benefits, which the available data suggest exceed those obtained from continued habitat conversion. We estimate that the overall benefit:cost ratio of an effective global program for the conservation of remaining wild nature is at least 100:1.
1,467 citations
TL;DR: The concept of the use of the natural inhibitors, such as the TIMPs, in gene based therapies is being assessed in animal models and should provide useful insights into the cell biology of degradative diseases.
Abstract: Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are the major cellular inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) sub-family, exhibiting varying efficacy against different members, as well as different tissue expression patterns and modes of regulation. Other proteins have modest inhibitory activity against some of the MMPs, including domains of netrins, the procollagen C-terminal proteinase enhancer (PCPE), the reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK), and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI-2), but their physiological significance is not at all clear. Alpha2-macroglobulin, thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2 can bind to some MMPs and act as agents for their removal from the extracellular environment. In contrast, few effective inhibitors of other members of the metzincin family, the astacins or the distintegrin metalloproteinases, ADAMs have been identified. Many of these MMP inhibitors, including the TIMPs, possess other biological activities which may not be related to their inhibitory capacities. These need to be thoroughly characterized in order to allow informed development of MMP inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents. Over activity of MMPs has been implicated in many diseases, including those of the cardiovascular system, arthritis and cancer. The development of synthetic small molecule inhibitors has been actively pursued for some time, but the concept of the use of the natural inhibitors, such as the TIMPs, in gene based therapies is being assessed in animal models and should provide useful insights into the cell biology of degradative diseases.
1,138 citations
TL;DR: This work focuses on studies showing that males assess mating status and relative fecundity of females, and reveals that modulation of ejaculate investment by males can sometimes result in sperm limitation for females.
Abstract: Sperm are produced in astronomical numbers compared with eggs, and there is good evidence that sperm competition is the force behind the evolution of many tiny sperm. However, sperm production inevitably has costs. Recent research shows that male ejaculate expenditure is dynamic in both time and space, and that males are sensitive to risks of sperm competition and can vary ejaculate size accordingly. We focus on studies showing that males assess mating status and relative fecundity of females, and reveal that modulation of ejaculate investment by males can sometimes result in sperm limitation for females.
1,097 citations
TL;DR: Recent advances in understanding of the role of JAs in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses are reviewed.
Abstract: Plant responses to many biotic and abiotic stresses are orchestrated locally and systemically by signaling molecules known as the jasmonates (JAs). JAs also regulate such diverse processes as pollen maturation and wound responses in Arabidopsis. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of
1,064 citations
TL;DR: A multifactorial model of the formation and maintenance of persecutory delusions is presented, which includes the (non-defended) direct roles given to emotion in delusion formation, the detailed consideration of both the content and form of delusions, and the hypotheses concerning the associated emotional distress.
Abstract: A multifactorial model of the formation and maintenance of persecutory delusions is presented. Persecutory delusions are conceptualized as threat beliefs. The beliefs are hypothesized to arise from a search for meaning for internal or external experiences that are unusual, anomalous, or emotionally significant for the individual. The persecutory explanations formed reflect an interaction between psychotic processes, pre-existing beliefs and personality (particularly emotion), and the environment. It is proposed that the delusions are maintained by processes that lead to the receipt of confirmatory evidence and processes that prevent the processing of disconfirmatory evidence. Novel features of the model include the (non-defended) direct roles given to emotion in delusion formation, the detailed consideration of both the content and form of delusions, and the hypotheses concerning the associated emotional distress. The clinical and research implications of the model are outlined.
776 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate how the national adaptation studies carried under the UNFCCC are broadening the paradigm, from the impacts/mitigation to vulnerability/adaptation, and how the design and prioritisation of adaptation policies and measures.
740 citations
TL;DR: The historical background of the DISCO, its structure and the results of an inter-rater reliability study with parents of 82 children aged 3 to 11 years with autistic spectrum disorder, learning disability, language disorder or typical development are described.
Abstract: Background: The Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) is a schedule for the diagnosis of autistic spectrum and related disorders and assessment of individual needs. It enables information to be recorded systematically for a wide range of behaviours and developmental skills and is suitable for use with all ages and levels of ability. In addition to helping the clinician to obtain a profile of each individual's pattern of development and behaviour, the DISCO also enables identification of specific features found in autistic spectrum disorders that are relevant for use with established diagnostic systems. Method: This paper describes the historical background of the DISCO, outlines its structure and reports the results of an inter-rater reliability study with parents of 82 children aged 3 to 11 years with autistic spectrum disorder, learning disability, language disorder or typical development. Results: Inter-rater reliability for the items in the interview was high (kappa coefficient or intra-class correlation at .75 or higher). This level of agreement was achieved for over 80% of the interview items.
629 citations
TL;DR: A high-resolution pollen record from western Greece shows that the amplitude of millennial-scale oscillations in tree abundance during the last glacial period was subdued, with temperate tree populations surviving throughout the interval, providing evidence for the existence of an area of relative ecological stability.
Abstract: A high-resolution pollen record from western Greece shows that the amplitude of millennial-scale oscillations in tree abundance during the last glacial period was subdued, with temperate tree populations surviving throughout the interval. This provides evidence for the existence of an area of relative ecological stability, reflecting the influence of continued moisture availability and varied topography. Long-term buffering of populations from climatic extremes, together with genetic isolation at such refugial sites, may have allowed lineage divergence to proceed through the Quaternary. Such ecologically stable areas may be critical not only for the long-term survival of species, but also for the emergence of new ones.
594 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that an economic solution to the problem of invasive species has two components: one is to use incentives to change human behavior so as to enhance protection against the introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive behavior, and the other is to develop institutions that support the weakest members of global society.
Abstract: We postulate that the causes of the problem of invasive alien species are primarily economic and, as such, require economic solutions. Invasive alien species are of increasing concern for four reasons. First, introductions are increasing sharply, while mechanisms for excluding or eradicating alien species have been either withdrawn or progressively weakened. Both trends are due to the liberalization of and increase in international travel and trade, an economic phenomenon. Second, the costs of invasions are rising rapidly due partly to increasing human population density, and partly to increasing intensity of production in genetically impoverished agricultural systems. Third, biological invasions are associated with a high degree of uncertainty both because they involve novel interactions, and because invasion risks are endogenous. Actual risks depend on how people react to the possibility of invasions. Fourth, the exclusion and control of invasive species is a "weakest-link" public good. This places the well-being of society in the hands of the least effective provider. We argue that an economic solution to the problem of invasive species has two components. One is to use incentives to change human behavior so as to enhance protection against the introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive behavior. The other is to develop institutions that support the weakest members of global society, converting a "weakest-link" to a "best-shot" public good.
551 citations
TL;DR: In this article, Mole fraction based equations for aqueous phase activities, together with equilibrium constants for the formation of gases and solids, have been combined with a Gibbs free energy minimization algorithm to create equilibrium phase partitioning models of inorganic atmospheric aerosols.
Abstract: [1] Mole fraction based equations for aqueous phase activities, together with equilibrium constants for the formation of gases and solids, have been combined with a Gibbs free energy minimization algorithm to create equilibrium phase partitioning models of inorganic atmospheric aerosols. The water content, phase state (solid or liquid), and gas/aerosol partitioning are predicted for known ionic composition, relative humidity, and temperature. The models are valid from <200 to 328 K for the subsystems (H+-SO42−-NO3−-Cl−-Br−-H2O) and (H+-NH4+-SO42−-NO3−-H2O), and 298.15 K only for (H+-NH4+-Na+-SO42−-NO3−-Cl−-H2O). The models involve no simplifying assumptions and include all solid phases identified in bulk experiments, including hydrated and double salt forms not treated in most other studies. The Henry's law constant of H2SO4 is derived as a function of temperature, based upon available data, and the model treatment of the solubility of HBr in aqueous H2SO4 is revised. Phase diagrams are calculated for the (NH4)2SO4/H2SO4/H2O system to low temperature. The models are also used to explore the importance of the double salts in urban inorganic aerosols. These Aerosol Inorganics Model (AIM) models can be run on the Web for a variety of problem types at http://mae.ucdavis.edu/wexler/aim.html and http://www.uea.ac.uk/∼e770/aim.html, and their use is summarized here.
TL;DR: Three methods for parameterizing lip image sequences for recognition using hidden Markov models are compared and two are top-down approaches that fit a model of the inner and outer lip contours and derive lipreading features from a principal component analysis of shape or shape and appearance, respectively.
Abstract: The multimodal nature of speech is often ignored in human-computer interaction, but lip deformations and other body motion, such as those of the head, convey additional information. We integrate speech cues from many sources and this improves intelligibility, especially when the acoustic signal is degraded. The paper shows how this additional, often complementary, visual speech information can be used for speech recognition. Three methods for parameterizing lip image sequences for recognition using hidden Markov models are compared. Two of these are top-down approaches that fit a model of the inner and outer lip contours and derive lipreading features from a principal component analysis of shape or shape and appearance, respectively. The third, bottom-up, method uses a nonlinear scale-space analysis to form features directly from the pixel intensity. All methods are compared on a multitalker visual speech recognition task of isolated letters.
TL;DR: The widespread use of antiretroviral therapy does appear to be having a beneficial effect on recovery from cryptosporidiosis and on the frequency of infection in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients.
Abstract: Cryptosporidium spp. are a major cause of diarrheal disease in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient individuals. They also cause waterborne disease in both the United States and United Kingdom. Studies on the mechanisms of immunity to cryptosporidiosis indicate the importance of the T-cell response. The spectrum and severity of disease in immunocompromised individuals with cryptosporidiosis reflect this importance since the most severe disease is seen in individuals with defects in the T-cell response. The most commonly studied group is that of patients with AIDS. These patients suffer from more severe and prolonged gastrointestinal disease that can be fatal; in addition, body systems other than the gastrointestinal tract may be affected. The widespread use of antiretroviral therapy does appear to be having a beneficial effect on recovery from cryptosporidiosis and on the frequency of infection in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. Other diseases that are associated with increased risk of severe cryptosporidiosis, such as primary immunodeficiencies, most notably severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, are also predominantly associated with T-cell defects. Of the remaining groups, children with acute leukemia seem to be most at risk from cryptosporidiosis. There is less evidence of severe complications in patients with other malignant diseases or in those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy.
TL;DR: It is proposed that the cell wall can signal stress responses in plants, and cev1 mutant phenotype could be reproduced by treating wild-type plants with cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors, and the cellulose synthase mutant rsw1 also had constitutive expression of VSP.
Abstract: Biotic and abiotic stresses stimulate the synthesis of jasmonates and ethylene, which, in turn, induce the expression of genes involved in stress response and enhance defense responses. The cev1 mutant has constitutive expression of stress response genes and has enhanced resistance to fungal pathogens. Here, we show that cev1 plants have increased production of jasmonate and ethylene and that its phenotype is suppressed by mutations that interrupt jasmonate and ethylene signaling. Genetic mapping, complementation analysis, and sequence analysis revealed that CEV1 is the cellulose synthase CeSA3. CEV1 was expressed predominantly in root tissues, and cev1 roots contained less cellulose than wild-type roots. Significantly, the cev1 mutant phenotype could be reproduced by treating wild-type plants with cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors, and the cellulose synthase mutant rsw1 also had constitutive expression of VSP. We propose that the cell wall can signal stress responses in plants.
28 May 2002
TL;DR: It is shown that a good calibration can be achieved simply by recording a sequence of images of a fixed outdoor scene over the course of a day, and that the resulting calibration is close to that achievable using measurements of the camera's sensitivity functions.
Abstract: Illumination conditions cause problems for many computer vision algorithms. In particular, shadows in an image can cause segmentation, tracking, or recognition algorithms to fail. In this paper we propose a method to process a 3-band colour image to locate, and subsequently remove shadows. The result is a 3-band colour image which contains all the original salient information in the image, except that the shadows are gone.We use the method set out in [1] to derive a 1-d illumination invariant shadow-free image. We then use this invariant image together with the original image to locate shadow edges. By setting these shadow edges to zero in an edge representation of the original image, and by subsequently re-integrating this edge representation by a method paralleling lightness recovery, we are able to arrive at our sought after full colour, shadow free image. Preliminary results reported in the paper show that the method is effective.A caveat for the application of the method is that we must have a calibrated camera. We show in this paper that a good calibration can be achieved simply by recording a sequence of images of a fixed outdoor scene over the course of a day. After calibration, only a single image is required for shadow removal. It is shown that the resulting calibration is close to that achievable using measurements of the camera's sensitivity functions.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Overall, SYT-SSX fusion type appears to be the single most significant prognostic factor by multivariate analysis in patients with localized disease at diagnosis, and appears to exert part of its impact on prognosis before presentation through its association with stage at diagnosis.
Abstract: Synovial sarcomas are aggressive spindle cell sarcomas containing in some cases areas of epithelial differentiation. They consistently show a specific t(X;18;p11;q11), which usually represents either of two gene fusions, SYT-SSX1 or SYT-SSX2 , encoding putative transcriptional proteins differing at 13 amino acid positions. Previous studies have suggested that patients with SYT-SSX2 tumors do better than those with SYT-SSX1 tumors, but the study groups were too limited to be conclusive. To address this issue more definitively, we collected data on SYT-SSX fusion type, pathology, and clinical course in a retrospective multi-institutional study of 243 patients (age range, 6–82) with synovial sarcoma. SYT-SSX1 and SYT - SSX2 fusions were detected in 147 tumors (61%) and 91 tumors (37%), respectively. Histologically, 61 (25%) were classified as biphasic type and 180 (74%) as monophasic type based on the presence or absence of areas of glandular epithelial differentiation, respectively. Median and 5-year overall survivals for the SYT - SSX1 and SYT - SSX2 groups were 6.1 years and 53%, and 13.7 years and 73%, respectively. Overall survival was significantly better among SYT - SSX2 cases ( P = 0.03), among cases localized at diagnosis ( P P = 0.01). Age, sex, histological type, and axial versus peripheral primary site had no impact on overall survival. The impact of fusion type on survival remained significant when stratified for primary tumor size ( P = 0.03) but was no longer significant when stratified for disease status at presentation. This may reflect the tendency for patients with SYT - SSX1 tumors to present more often with metastatic disease ( P = 0.05). Cox regression identified disease status ( P P = 0.04) as the only factors independently predictive of overall survival in the subset of 160 patients with information on all of the factors. Within the subset of patients with localized disease at diagnosis ( n = 202), the median and 5-year survival for the SYT-SSX1 and the SYT-SSX2 groups were 9.2 years and 61% versus 13.7 years and 77%, respectively. Patients whose tumors contained the SYT-SSX2 fusion ( P = 0.08) or were smaller ( P = 0.12) showed a trend toward better survival by log-rank test, whereas tumor histology had no impact ( P = 0.8). In a Cox regression analysis considering all of the factors, SYT - SSX fusion type emerged as the only independent significant factor ( P = 0.04) for overall survival within the subset of 133 patients with localized disease at diagnosis who had information on all of the factors. Among other comparisons, there was a strong association of fusion type and morphology ( P SYT-SSX2 tumors showing absence of glandular differentiation (monophasic histology) and almost all of the biphasic tumors containing SYT-SSX1 . There was also a statistically significant association of fusion type and patient sex ( P = 0.03); specifically, the male:female ratio of SYT - SSX1 cases was 1:1, whereas for SYT - SSX2 cases, it was close to 1:2. Overall, SYT-SSX fusion type appears to be the single most significant prognostic factor by multivariate analysis in patients with localized disease at diagnosis. SYT-SSX fusion type also appears to exert part of its impact on prognosis before presentation through its association with stage at diagnosis. In addition, the associations of SYT-SSX fusion type with patient sex and tumor epithelial differentiation point to interesting mechanistic biological differences.
TL;DR: The wheat gluten proteins correspond to the major storage proteins that are deposited in the starchy endosperm cells of the developing grain and are brought together to form a continuous viscoelastic network when flour is mixed with water to form dough.
Abstract: The wheat gluten proteins correspond to the major storage proteins that are deposited in the starchy endosperm cells of the developing grain. These form a continuous proteinaceous matrix in the cells of the mature dry grain and are brought together to form a continuous viscoelastic network when flour is mixed with water to form dough. These viscoelastic properties underpin the utilization of wheat to give bread and other processed foods. One group of gluten proteins, the HMM subunits of glutenin, is particularly important in conferring high levels of elasticity (i.e. dough strength). These proteins are present in HMM polymers that are stabilized by disulphide bonds and are considered to form the ‘elastic backbone’ of gluten. However, the glutamine–rich repetitive sequences that comprise the central parts of the HMM subunits also form extensive arrays of interchain hydrogen bonds that may contribute to the elastic properties via a ‘loop and train’ mechanism. Genetic engineering can be used to manipulate the amount and composition of the HMM subunits, leading to either increased dough strength or to more drastic changes in gluten structure and properties.
TL;DR: The development of molecular genetic methods for phylogenetic reconstruction has been a significant advance for evolutionary biologists, providing a tool for answering questions about the diversity among the flora and fauna on such islands as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: By their very nature oceanic island ecosystems offer great opportunities for the study of evolution and have for a long time been recognized as natural laboratories for studying evolution owing to their discrete geographical nature and diversity of species and habitats. The development of molecular genetic methods for phylogenetic reconstruction has been a significant advance for evolutionary biologists, providing a tool for answering questions about the diversity among the flora and fauna on such islands. These questions relate to both the origin and causes of species diversity both within an archipelago and on individual islands. Within a phylogenetic framework one can answer fundamental questions such as whether ecologically and/or morphologically similar species on different islands are the result of island colonization or convergent evolution. Testing hypotheses about ages of the individual species groups or entire community assemblages is also possible within a phylogenetic framework. Evolutionary biologists and ecologists are increasingly turning to molecular phylogenetics for studying oceanic island plant and animal communities and it is important to review what has been attempted and achieved so far, with some cautionary notes about interpreting phylogeographical pattern on oceanic islands.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the sustainability of these extraction rates by basin and by taxa, using extraction-to-production (E:P ) mass-balance equations, and concluded that the current situation of bushmeat extraction in African rain forests is more precarious than previously thought.
Abstract: We calculated extraction and production rates of bushmeat species in two main tropical, moist-for- est regions, the Amazon and Congo basins. Extraction was estimated from the average number of animals consumed per person per year from anthropological studies that reported animal kills brought into settle- ments in the regions. We calculated extraction rates (kg/km 2 /year) for 57 and 31 mammalian taxa in the Congo and Amazon, respectively. We then examined the sustainability of these extraction rates by basin and by taxa, using extraction-to-production ( E:P ) mass-balance equations. Production (tonnes/year) was calculated as the product of r max (the intrinsic rate of natural increase), mammal biomass, and total area of forest in each region. Species exploitation rates at specific body masses were significantly greater in the Congo than in the Amazon. The E:P ratio for the Congo was 2.4, 30 times the Amazon's ratio of 0.081. Thus, Congo Basin mammals must annually produce approximately 93% of their body mass to balance current extraction rates, whereas Amazonian mammals must produce only 4% of their body mass. We calculated sustainability levels derived from Robinson and Redford's harvest model for each taxa. On a basin-wide level, 60% and none of the mammal taxa in the Congo and Amazon basins, respectively, were exploited unsustainably. To evaluate the effect of error on the estimates of E:P , we conducted a sensitivity analysis, which suggests that the mass- balance was most sensitive to error in standing stock but that our results are robust. We estimated that over 5 million tons of wild mammal meat feed millions in Neotropical (0.15 million) and Afrotropical (4.9 mil- lion) forests annually. Our Congo basin estimates are four times higher than those calculated for the region by other workers, and we conclude that the current situation of bushmeat extraction in African rain forests is more precarious than previously thought.
TL;DR: COI1 is expected to form a functional E3-type ubiquitin ligase in plants and to regulate expression of jasmonate responsive genes, possibly by targeted ubiquitination of a histone deacetylase.
Abstract: Jasmonates (JAs) regulate Arabidopsis thaliana wound and defence responses, pollen development, and stress-related growth inhibition. Significantly, each of these responses requires COI1, an F-box protein. Other F-box proteins interact with SKP1 and cullin proteins to form SCF complexes that selectively recruit regulatory proteins targeted for ubiquitination. To determine whether COI1 also functions in an SCF complex, we have characterized Arabidopsis proteins that bind to COI1. An Arabidopsis cDNA expression library was screened in yeast for clones that produce proteins which can bind to COI1. We recovered two SKP1 homologues and a histone deacetylase. The Arabidopsis F-box protein TIR1 interacted with SKP1 proteins, but not with the histone deacetylase. Mutant COI1 proteins revealed that the F-box is required for interaction with SKP1s, but that sequences in leucine-rich repeat domains are required for interaction with the histone deacetylase. Epitope-tagged COI1 was introduced into Arabidopsis plants and cell cultures. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the interaction in planta of COI1 with SKP1-like proteins and histone deacetylase, and also indicated that COI1 interacted with cullin. These results suggest that COI1 forms an SCFCOI1 complex in vivo. COI1 is therefore expected to form a functional E3-type ubiquitin ligase in plants and to regulate expression of jasmonate responsive genes, possibly by targeted ubiquitination of a histone deacetylase.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that scenarios represent heuristic tools that encourage social learning in climate impact assessment, and explore the advantages and disadvantages of a scenario-based approach using examples from regional climate impact assessments in the UK.
Abstract: Climate impact assessment needs to take account of two interrelated processes: socio-economic change and climate change. To date, future change in socio-economic systems has not been sufficiently integrated with an analysis of climate change impacts. Participative and synthetic scenario approaches offer a means for dealing with critical issues of indeterminacy, innovation, reflexivity and framing in analysing change in socio-economic systems, paving the way for a coherent way of handling of socio-economic futures in impact assessment. We argue that scenarios represent heuristic tools that encourage social learning in climate impact assessment. The advantages and disadvantages of a scenario-based approach are explored using examples from regional climate impact assessment in the UK.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine how the linkages between conservation and development are conceptualized, and the types of policy prescriptions and associated models and practice of integrating conservation and Development.
Abstract: This paper examines attempts to integrate the objectives of biodiversity conservation and social and economic development through a variety of approaches associated with different forms of protected areas and generally labelled as ‘integrated conservation and development’. It examines how the linkages between conservation and development are conceptualized, and the types of policy prescriptions and associated models and practice of integrating conservation and development. It identifies misconceptions about four key aspects that are common in conventional integrated conservation and development approaches. These difficulties involve the conceptualization of community, participation, empowerment and sustainability. Integrated conservation and development projects have often floundered as a result of over-simplification of these factors. It assesses attempts made to overcome these common misconceptions through examining the experiences of two innovative approaches to integrating conservation and development in the Caribbean and in Amazonia. It concludes that fundamental changes are necessary to institutions and management and decision-making strategies to address these issues and to effectively meet conservation and development objectives.
TL;DR: Genetic analysis shows Rcr3 is allelic to the L. pimpinellifolium Ne gene, which suppresses the Cf-2–dependent autonecrosis conditioned by its L. esculentum allele, ne (necrosis).
Abstract: Little is known of how plant disease resistance (R) proteins recognize pathogens and activate plant defenses. Rcr3 is specifically required for the function of Cf-2, a Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium gene bred into cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) for resistance to Cladosporium fulvum. Rcr3 encodes a secreted papain-like cysteine endoprotease. Genetic analysis shows Rcr3 is allelic to the L. pimpinellifolium Ne gene, which suppresses the Cf-2-dependent autonecrosis conditioned by its L. esculentum allele, ne (necrosis). Rcr3 alleles from these two species encode proteins that differ by only seven amino acids. Possible roles of Rcr3 in Cf-2-dependent defense and autonecrosis are discussed.
TL;DR: It is found that emigration and remittances have offsetting effects on resilience within an evolving social and political context, and diversification and increasing income levels are beneficial for resilience.
Abstract: We argue that all aspects of demographic change, including migration, impact on the social resilience of individuals and communities, as well as on the sustainability of the underlying resource base. Social resilience is the ability to cope with and adapt to environmental and social change mediated through appropriate institutions. We investigate one aspect of the relationship between demographic change, social resilience, and sustainable development in contemporary coastal Vietnam: the effects of migration and remittances on resource-dependent communities in population source areas. We find, using longitudinal data on livelihood sources, that emigration and remittances have offsetting effects on resilience within an evolving social and political context. Emigration is occurring concurrently with, not driving, the expansion of unsustainable coastal aquaculture. Increasing economic inequality also undermines social resilience. At the same time diversification and increasing income levels are beneficial for resilience.
TL;DR: In this article, tree-ring widths from 880 living, dry dead, and subfossil northern Swedish pines (Pinus syl vestris L) have been assembled into a continuous and precisely dated chronology (the Tornetrask chronology) covering the period 5407 BC to 1997.
Abstract: Tree-ring widths from 880 living, dry dead, and subfossil northern Swedish pines (Pinus syl vestris L) have been assembled into a continuous and precisely dated chronology (the Tornetrask chronology) covering the period 5407 BC to ad 1997 Biological trends in the data were removed with autoregressive standardization (ARS) to emphasize year-to-year variability, and with regional curve stan dardization (RCS) to emphasize variability on timescales from decades to centuries The strong association with summer mean temperature (June–August) has enabled the production of a temperature reconstruction for the last 7400 years, providing information on natural summer-temperature variability on timescales from years to centuries Numerous cold episodes, comparable in severity and duration to the severe summers of the seventeenth century, are shown throughout the last seven millennia Particularly severe conditions suggested between 600 and 1 BC correspond to a known period of glacier expansion The relatively warm
TL;DR: FISH and post-FISH chemical staining for PHA were used to determine that bacteria from a novel gamma-Proteobacteria cluster were phenotypically GAOs in one laboratory-scale SBR and two full-scale wastewater treatment plants.
Abstract: Laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) as models for wastewater treatment processes were used to identify glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs), which are thought to be responsible for the deterioration of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The SBRs (called Q and T), operated under alternating anaerobic–aerobic conditions typical for EBPR, generated mixed microbial communities (sludges) demonstrating the GAO phenotype. Intracellular glycogen and poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) transformations typical of efficient EBPR occurred but polyphosphate was not bioaccumulated and the sludges contained 1·8% P (sludge Q) and 1·5% P (sludge T). 16S rDNA clone libraries were prepared from DNA extracted from the Q and T sludges. Clone inserts were grouped into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) by restriction fragment length polymorphism banding profiles. OTU representatives were sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. The Q sludge library comprised four OTUs and all six determined sequences were 99·7% identical, forming a cluster in the γ-Proteobacteria radiation. The T sludge library comprised eight OTUs and the majority of clones were Acidobacteria subphylum 4 (49% of the library) and candidate phylum OP10 (39% of the library). One OTU (two clones, of which one was sequenced) was in the γ-Proteobacteria radiation with 95% sequence identity to the Q sludge clones. Oligonucleotide probes (called GAOQ431 and GAOQ989) were designed from the γ-Proteobacteria clone sequences for use in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); 92% of the Q sludge bacteria and 28% of the T sludge bacteria bound these probes in FISH. FISH and post-FISH chemical staining for PHA were used to determine that bacteria from a novel γ-Proteobacteria cluster were phenotypically GAOs in one laboratory-scale SBR and two full-scale wastewater treatment plants. It is suggested that the GAOs from the novel cluster in the γ-Proteobacteria radiation be named ‘Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis’.
TL;DR: The success of bank filtration is dependent on the microbial activity and chemical transformations that are commonly enhanced in the colmation layer within the river bed compared to those that take place in surface or ground waters as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: In this article, a detailed description of the statistical patterns of climate forcing of tree growth (annual maximum latewood density and ring-width time series), across a network of 387 specially selected conifer sites that circle the extra-tropical Northern Hemisphere.
Abstract: A detailed description is presented of the statistical patterns of climate forcing of tree growth (annual maximum latewood density and ring-width time series), across a network of 387 specially selected conifer sites that circle the extra-tropical Northern Hemisphere. The in‘ uence of summer temperature dominates growth. A mean April–September response is optimum for describing the major forcing signal over the whole densito-metric network, though a shorter June–July season is more relevant in central and eastern Siberia. The ring- width chronologies also have a shorter optimum (June–August) seasonal signal, but this is much weaker than the density signal. The association between tree-ring density and precipitation variability (as measured by partial correlations to account for the correlation between temperature and precipitation) is considerably weaker than with temperature. The ring-width response to precipitation is dominated by ‘noise’ and local site in‘ uences, though a negative response to winter p...
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that chondrocytes in aging or diseased cartilage become senescent with associated phenotypic changes contributing to development or progression of OA.
Abstract: Replicative senescence occurs when normal somatic cells stop dividing. Senescent cells remain viable, but show alterations in phenotype, e.g. altered expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); these enzymes are known to be involved in cartilage destruction. It is assumed that cells deplete their replicative potential during aging, and age is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, we hypothesized that chondrocytes in aging or diseased cartilage become senescent with associated phenotypic changes contributing to development or progression of OA. Articular cartilage was obtained from OA patients undergoing arthroplasty, with 'normal' cartilage from trauma surgery for hip fracture. Senescent cells were identified using the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) marker. Telomere length was assessed using Southern blot. MMP expression was measured at the mRNA level using Taqman RT-PCR. No SA-beta-gal staining was observed in control cartilage regardless of patient age. In contrast, SA-beta-gal staining was observed in damaged OA cartilage adjacent to the lesion. Cultured chondrocytes isolated from sites near a lesion contained a greater percentage of SA-beta-gal positive cells than cultures isolated from distal sites or normal cartilage. Mean telomere length was shorter in cells near the lesion compared to distal sites in the same joint; thus the former population has undergone cell division. The expression of collagenases MMP-1, -8 and -13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 was altered in OA cartilage, but no difference was detected between lesion and distal sites in the same joint (i.e. no correlation was found between senescent cells and proteinase/ inhibitor expression).
TL;DR: In this paper, a critical review of the application of metapopulation theory to the regional dynamics of plants is presented, in particular for populations with long-lived seedbanks.
Abstract: Summary 1 We present a critical review of the application of metapopulation theory to the regional dynamics of plants. We consider whether there is evidence that regional populations of plants show a metapopulation structure. We then review the alternatives to the metapopulation regional population structure for plants. 2 Although metapopulation theory primarily deals with regional dynamics, it is, however, also commonly applied to patch dynamics within local populations (‘metapatch’ systems). These apparently analogous systems are very different: systems of patchy local populations do not exhibit the dissociation of processes operating at different spatial scales that is characteristic of metapopulations. 3 The parameters of classical metapopulation studies, such as colonization, re-colonization and extinction, may be hard to measure for many plant populations, in particular for populations with long-lived seedbanks. 4 The assumption of metapopulation theory that suitable habitat occurs as discrete patches within a matrix of unsuitable habitat is not always true, as regional populations of some species may exist on largely uninterrupted swathes of suitable habitat. Alternatively, suitable patches may be hard or impossible to define a priori. 5 Using detailed case studies from the literature we outline a possible classification of the spatial dynamics of plants at both regional and local scales. 6 At the regional scale we define: metapopulations, in the classic sense, where regional persistence is governed by the processes of patch colonization, extinction and recolonization; regional ensembles, systems of essentially unconnected local populations persisting in an ill-defined mosaic of suitable and unsuitable habitat; and spatially extended populations, essentially a single extended population occupying large tracts of suitable habitat, but whose regional dynamics are essentially a simple extension of local dynamics. 7 Although a range of forms of local spatial dynamics exist, these are qualitatively different from the forms of population structure at the regional level.