University of Notre Dame

About: University of Notre Dame is a education organization based out in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 22238 authors who have published 55201 publications receiving 2032925 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Notre Dame du Lac & University of Notre Dame, South Bend.

Ecosystem Consequences of Changing Inputs of Terrestrial Dissolved Organic Matter to Lakes: Current Knowledge and Future Challenges

Abstract: Lake ecosystems and the services that they provide to people are profoundly influenced by dissolved organic matter derived from terrestrial plant tissues. These terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) inputs to lakes have changed substantially in recent decades, and will likely continue to change. In this paper, we first briefly review the substantial literature describing tDOM effects on lakes and ongoing changes in tDOM inputs. We then identify and provide examples of four major challenges which limit predictions about the implications of tDOM change for lakes, as follows: First, it is currently difficult to forecast future tDOM inputs for particular lakes or lake regions. Second, tDOM influences ecosystems via complex, interacting, physical-chemical-biological effects and our holistic understanding of those effects is still rudimentary. Third, non-linearities and thresholds in relationships between tDOM inputs and ecosystem processes have not been well described. Fourth, much understanding of tDOM effects is built on comparative studies across space that may not capture likely responses through time. We conclude by identifying research approaches that may be important for overcoming those challenges in order to provide policy- and management-relevant predictions about the implications of changing tDOM inputs for lakes.

Evolutionary conservation of motif constituents in the yeast protein interaction network

Abstract: Understanding why some cellular components are conserved across species but others evolve rapidly is a key question of modern biology 1–3 . Here we show that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proteins organized in cohesive patterns of interactions are conserved to a substantially higher degree than those that do not participate in such motifs. We find that the conservation of proteins in distinct topological motifs correlates with the interconnectedness and function of that motif and also depends on the structure of the overall interactome topology. These findings indicate that motifs may represent evolutionary conserved topological units of cellular networks molded in accordance with the specific biological function in which they participate.

Molecular Design of High Capacity, Low Viscosity, Chemically Tunable Ionic Liquids for CO2 Capture

Abstract: The discovery of materials that combine selectively, controllably, and reversibly with CO2 is a key challenge for realizing practical carbon capture from flue gas and other point sources. We report the design of ionic liquids (ILs) with properties tailored to this CO2 separation problem. Atomistic simulations predict that suitably substituted aprotic heterocyclic anions, or “AHAs,” bind CO2 with energies that can be controlled over a wide range suitable to gas separations. Further, unlike all previously known CO2-binding ILs, the AHA IL viscosity is predicted to be insensitive to CO2. Spectroscopic, temperature-dependent absorption, rheological, and calorimetric measurements on trihexyl(tetradecyl)-phosphonium 2-cyanopyrrolide ([P66614][2-CNpyr]) show CO2 uptakes close to prediction as well as insignificant changes in viscosity in the presence of CO2. A pyrazolide-based AHA IL behaves qualitatively similarly but with weaker binding energy. The results demonstrate the intrinsic design advantages of ILs as ...

Psychology's Contributions to Understanding and Addressing Global Climate Change

Abstract: Global climate change poses one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in this century. This article, which introduces the American Psychologist special issue on global climate change, follows from the report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Interface Between Psychology and Global Climate Change. In this article, we place psychological dimensions of climate change within the broader context of human dimensions of climate change by addressing (a) human causes of, consequences of, and responses (adaptation and mitigation) to climate change and (b) the links between these aspects of climate change and cognitive, affective, motivational, interpersonal, and organizational responses and processes. Characteristics of psychology that cross content domains and that make the field well suited for providing an understanding of climate change and addressing its challenges are highlighted. We also consider ethical imperatives for psychologists' involvement and provide suggestions for ways to increase psychologists' contribution to the science of climate change.