Attribution of climate change: a methodology to estimate the potential contribution to increases in potato yield in Scotland since 1960

Maincrop potato yields in Scotland have increased by 3035 similar to t similar to ha-1 since 1960 as a result of many changes, but has changing climate contributed anything to this? The purpose of this work was to answer this question. Daily weather data for the period 19602006 were analysed for five locations covering the zones of potato growing on the east coast of Scotland (between 55.213 and 57.646 similar to N) to determine trends in temperature, rainfall and solar radiation. A physiologically based potato yield model was validated using data obtained from a long-term field trial in eastern Scotland and then employed to simulate crop development and potential yield at each of the five sites. Over the 47 similar to years, there were significant increases in annual air and 30 similar to cm soil temperatures (0.27 and 0.30 similar to K similar to decade-1, respectively), but no significant changes in annual precipitation or in the timing of the last frost in spring and the first frost of autumn. There was no evidence of any north to south gradient of warming. Simulated emergence and canopy closure became earlier at all five sites over the period with the advance being greater in the north (3.7 and 3.6 similar to days similar to decade-1, respectively) than the south (0.5 and 0.8 similar to days similar to decade-1, respectively). Potential yield increased with time, generally reflecting the increased duration of the green canopy, at average rates of 2.8 similar to t similar to ha-1 decade-1 for chitted seed (sprouted prior to planting) and 2.5 similar to t similar to ha-1 decade-1 for unchitted seed. The measured warming could contribute potential yield increases of up to 13.2 similar to t similar to ha-1 for chitted potato (range 7.119.3 similar to t similar to ha-1) and 11.5 similar to t similar to ha-1 for unchitted potato (range 7.115.5 similar to t similar to ha-1) equivalent to 3439% of the increased potential yield over the period or 2326% of the increase in actual measured yields.

Aerosol contribution to the rapid warming of near-term climate under RCP 2.6

The importance of aerosol emissions for near term climate projections is investigated by analysing simulations with the HadGEM2-ES model under two different emissions scenarios: RCP2.6 and RCP4.5. It is shown that the near term warming projected under RCP2.6 is greater than under RCP4.5, even though the greenhouse gas forcing is lower. Rapid and substantial reductions in sulphate aerosol emissions due to a reduction of coal burning in RCP2.6 lead to a reduction in the negative shortwave forcing due to aerosol direct and indirect effects. Indirect effects play an important role over the northern hemisphere oceans, especially the subtropical northeastern Pacific where an anomaly of 5-10\,Wm$^{-2}$ develops. The pattern of surface temperature change is consistent with the expected response to this surface radiation anomaly, whilst also exhibiting features that reflect redistribution of energy, and feedbacks, within the climate system. These results demonstrate the importance of aerosol emissions as a key source of uncertainty in near term projections of global and regional climate.

Cloud bands over southern Africa: seasonality, contribution to rainfall variability, and modulation by the MJO

Tropical-extratropical cloud band systems over southern Africa, known as tropical temperate troughs (TTTs), are known to contribute substantially to South African summer rainfall. This study performs a comprehensive assessment of the seasonal cycle and rainfall contribution of TTTs by using a novel object-based strategy that explicitly tracks these systems for their full life cycle. The methodology incorporates a simple assignment of station rainfall data to each event, thereby creating a database containing detailed rainfall characteristics for each TTT. This is used to explore the importance of TTTs for rain days and climatological rainfall totals in October–March. Average contributions range from 30 to 60 % with substantial spatial heterogeneity observed. TTT rainfall contributions over the Highveld and eastern escarpment are lower than expected. A short analysis of TTT rainfall variability indicates TTTs provide substantial, but not dominant, intraseasonal and interannual variability in station rainfall totals. TTTs are however responsible for a high proportion of heavy rainfall days. Of 52 extreme rainfall events in the 1979–1999 period, 30 are associated with these tropical-extratropical interactions. Cut-off lows were included in the evolution of 6 of these TTTs. The study concludes with an analysis of the question: does the Madden-Julian Oscillation influence the intensity of TTT rainfall over South Africa? Results suggest a weak but significant suppression (enhancement) of intensity during phase 1(6).

A contribution to the wireless transmission of power

A resonant transmitter–receiver system is described for the wireless transmission of energy at a useful distance for grid-coordinate power and information. Experimental results are given showing delivery of power of an unmodified Tesla resonator contrasted with a modified version achieving improved efficiency over a 4 m range. A theoretical basis is provided to back up the experimental results obtained and to link the study with previous research in the field. A number of potential routes are suggested for further investigations and some possible applications of the technology are considered.

Contribution to The World Goes Pop exhibition catalogue

Biographies for artists Barel, Joav (p.174), Brudascu, Cornel (p.177), Bucan, Boris (p.178), Chicago, Judy (p.182), Ivekovic, Sanja (p.197), Komar and Melamid (p.200), Lach-Lachowicz, Natalia (p.203), Otasevic, Dusan (p.212), Overstreet, Joe (p.214), Pininska - Beres, Maria (p.215), Rosler, Martha (p.222), Schifano, Mario (p.223), Self, Colin (p.224), Tajiri, Thinkichi (p.228), Tanaami, Keiichi (p.229), Tilson, Joe (p.231), Vardea, Chryssa (p.233), Yokoo, Tadanori (p.234), Zelibska, Jana (p.235) and Zielinski, Jerzy (p.236).

Contribution to the ground-based follow-up of the Gaia space mission

The Gaia Space Mission [Mignard, F., 2005. The three-dimensional universe with Gaia. ESA/SP-576; Perryman, M., 2005. The three-dimensional universe with Gaia. ESA/SP-576] will observe several transient events as supernovae, microlensing, gamma ray bursts and new Solar System objects. The satellite, due to its scanning law, will detect these events but will not be able to monitor them. So, to take these events into consideration and to perform further studies it is necessary to follow them with Earth-based observations. These observations could be efficiently done by a ground-based network of well-equipped telescopes scattered in both hemispheres. Here we focus our attention at the new Solar System objects to be discovered and observed by the Gaia satellite [Mignard, F., 2002. Observations of Solar System objects by Gaia I. Detection of NEOS. Astron. Astrophys. 393, 727] mainly asteroids, NEOs and comets. A dedicated ground-based network of telescopes as proposed by Thuillot [2005. The three-dimensional universe with Gaia. ESA/SP-576] will allow to monitor those events, to avoid losing them and to perform a quick characterization of some physical properties which will be important for the identification of these objects in further measurements by Gaia. We present in this paper, the beginning of the organization of a Latin-American ground-based network of telescopes and observers joining several institutions in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and other Latin-American countries aiming to contribute to the follow-up of Gaia science alerts for Solar System objects. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemostratigraphy of the Tamengo Formation (Corumba Group, Brazil) A contribution to the calibration of the Ediacaran carbon-isotope curve

The Corumba Group cropping out in the southern Paraguay Belt in Brazil is one of the most complete Ediacaran sedimentary archives of palaeogeographic climatic biogeochemical and biotic evolution in southwestern Gondwana The unit hosts a rich fossil record including acritarchs vendotaenids (Vendo taenia Eoholynia) soft-bodied metazoans (Corumbella) and skeletal fossils (Cloudina Titanotheca) The Tamengo Formation made up mainly of limestones and marls provides a rich bio- and chemostratigraphic record Several outcrops formerly assigned to the Cuiaba Group are here included in the Tamengo Formation on the basis of lithological and chemostratigraphical criteria High-resolution carbon isotopic analyses are reported for the Tamengo Formation showing (from base to top) (1) a positive delta(13)C excursion to +4 parts per thousand PDB above post-glacial negative values (2) a negative excursion to -3 5 parts per thousand associated with a marked regression and subsequent transgression (3) a positive excursion to +5 5 parts per thousand and (4) a plateau characterized by delta(13)C around +3 parts per thousand A U-Pb SHRIMP zircon age of an ash bed Interbedded in the upper part of the delta(13)C positive plateau yielded 543 +/- 3 Ma which is considered as the depositional age (Babinski et al 2008a) The positive plateau in the upper Tamengo Formation and the preceding positive excursion are ubiquitous features in several successions worldwide including the Nama Group (Namibia) the Dengying Formation (South China) and the Nafun and Ara groups (Oman) This plateau is constrained between 542 and 551 Ma thus consistent with the age of the upper Tamengo Formation The negative excursion of the lower Tamengo Formation may be correlated to the Shuram-Wonoka negative anomaly although delta(13)C values do not fall beyond -3 5 parts per thousand in the Brazilian sections Sedimentary breccias occur just beneath this negative excursion in the lower Tamengo Formation One possible interpretation of the origin of these breccias is a glacioeustatic sea-level fall but a tectonic interpretation cannot be completely ruled out Published by Elsevier B V

Impact assessment and quality analysis of corporate social responsability (CSR) programs of mining companies and their contribution to sustainable development in the communities they operate: case study Tenke Fungurume Mining SA in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Purpose – This case study presents an impact assessment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs of the TFM Company in order to understand how they contribute to the sustainable development of communities in areas in which they operate. Design/Methodology/Approach - Data for this study was collected using qualitative data methods that included semi-structured interviews and Focus Group Discussions most of them audio and video recorded. Documentary analysis and a field visit were also undertaken for the purpose of quality analysis of the CSR programs on the terrain. Data collected was analyzed using the Seven Questions to sustainability (7Qs) framework, an evaluation tool developed by the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) North America chapter. Content analysis method was on the other hand used to examine the interviews and FGDs of the study participants. Findings - Results shows that CSR programs of TFM SA do contribute to community development, as there have been notable changes in the communities’ living conditions. But whether they have contributed to sustainable development is not yet the case as programs that enhance the capacity of communities and other stakeholders to support these projects development beyond the implementation stage and the mines operation lifetime need to be considered and implemented. Originality/Value – In DRC, there is paucity of information of research studies that focus on impact assessment of CSR programs in general and specifically those of mining companies and their contribution to sustainable development of local communities. Many of the available studies cover issues of minerals and conflict or conflict minerals as mostly referred to. This study addressees this gap.

Contribution to the chemoreception capacity of juvenile Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta, L.)

Loggerhead sea turtle juveniles (Caretta caretta), pelagic stage, are found in waters of Madeira archipelago. Pelagic turtles are in the main growth phase of their life cycle and consequently higher energy needs. However, knowledge about the ecology of pelagic loggerhead sea turtles is still quite rudimentary, mainly about the mechanisms that lead them to find food in the vast ocean. Studies with other pelagic species, such as procellariiform birds, revealed that the olfactory system play an important role for the detection of feeding areas, through the detection of concentration peaks of DMS (dimethylsulfide), a scent compound that naturally exists in the marine environment and it is related to areas of high productivity. Based on the assumption that loggerhead sea turtles use a similar mechanism, behavioural experiments were conducted in order to analyze the chemoreception capacity to DMS (airborne chemoreception - theoretically responsible for the long distance detection of areas with food patches; and aquatic chemoreception - theoretically responsible for the short distance detection of preys). The first step was to observe if pelagic loggerheads demonstrate sensitivity to DMS and the second was to verify if they really use the DMS, in natural conditions, as an airborne cue to find areas where food patches might be available. Four juveniles of loggerhead sea turtles were tested in captivity and three wild turtles in the open ocean. The results of airborne chemoreception experiments in captivity revealed that one turtle clearly demonstrated sensitivity to DMS and the sea experiments confirmed this result. However, the experiments were not conclusive on the question whether the pelagic turtles actually use the DMS as an airborne cue to detect long distance food patches. In aquatic chemoreception experiments was not observed sensitivity to DMS by the three sea turtles tested. In the classical conditioning experiment, where DMS and food were given nearly at the same time revealed that after a certain period of time, the sea turtle tested did not associated the DMS stimulus with a possible food reward. The main cause of mortality of loggerhead sea turtles in Madeira waters is due to the accidental capture (bycatch) by deep pelagic longlines fishery which the target species is the black-scabbard (Aphanopus carbo) fish. Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is one of the baits used in this fishery. Aquatic chemoreception experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the attractiveness of the chub mackerel for sea turtles. For the three sea turtles tested, the results showed that in 90% of the cases the sea turtles were extremely attracted by the underwater smell of this fish.

Contribution to the laboratory diagnosis of human cryptosporidiosis

A criptosporidiose humana é uma infecção causada pelo Cryptosporidium sp, um protozoário coccídio de patogenicidade emergente e responsável por severa e prostrante diarréia aquosa em humanos, principalmente em indivíduos imunodeprimidos. O diagnóstico, feito através da utilização de esfregaços de fezes submetidos a técnicas de concentração e coloração específica pela fucsina-carbólica tem oferecido bons resultados em nosso laboratório. Tendo em vista o longo tempo despendido para a observação dos esfregaços considerando-se a pequenez das formas e o contraste da coloração, realizamos modificações no procedimento técnico da coloração ácido-resistente que resultaram em sensível melhoria das preparações: a fucsina-carbólica passou a ser deixada sobre o esfregaço por período de 3 minutos (LENNETTE et al., 1985) e procedeu-se a substituição da solução de álcool-ácido sulfúrico a 5% (HENRIKSEN & POHLENZ, 1981) por solução de ácido clorídrico a 0,5% em álcool etílico 70%, por cerca de 2 minutos (contribuição original). Estas alterações promoveram melhor remoção do excesso de fucsina-carbólica, aumentando a eficiência da etapa de descoloração e consequentemente otimizando o contraste do processo de coloração. Nestas condições, as lâminas examinadas em microscópio óptico em aumentos de 250x e 1000x tiveram a visualização dos oocistos do protozoário facilitada, sendo os mesmos observados em contraste destacado com pigmentação intensa de cor rosa-avermelhada contra coloração de fundo azulada. Vale destacar que estas modificações oferecem vantagens de rápido processamento do material e facilidade de visualização do protozoário, diminuindo o tempo de microscopia, tornando a análise das lâminas mais rápida e menos cansativa, agilizando o diagnóstico.

Contribution to the study of diarrhea etiology in neonate dairy calves in São Paulo state, Brazil

Amostras fecais de 203 bezerros com diarréia, idade inferior a 30 dias, de ambos os sexos e de diferentes propriedades do Estado de São Paulo foram examinadas num período de dois anos. Cultivos para pesquisa bacteriana foram feitos em agar acrescido de 10% de sangue bovino e agar Levine. As placas foram incubadas por até 96 horas, em condições aeróbias, a 37°C, com observação dos aspectos de colônia e estudos morfológicos, bioquímicos e realização de outros testes, quando pertinentes. O teste de ELISA foi aplicado para pesquisa de Rotavirus. Cryptosporidium spp. também foi pesquisado e identificado. Resultados revelaram envolvimento de vários patógenos de forma isolada, assim como associados. Rotavirus foi encontrado em 51 (25,1%) das amostras, sendo em 58,8% só, em 41.7% associado a outros microrganismos. Cryptosporydium spp foi isolado em 43 (21.3%) das amostras, sendo só em 65,1% delas e associado a outros enteropatógenos em 34,9%. No exame parasitológico foram encontrados ovos de estrongilídeos em 5 (2,5%) das amostras, não excedendo mais de dois ovos por campo examinado. Ao exame microbiológico, um ou mais microrganismos foram isolados. Escherichia coli foi encontrada em 100% das amostras. As pesquisas de toxina termoestável e do antígeno de aderência K99 realizada nas 73 amostras de E.coli foram negativas, e o grupo sorológico das mesmas foi determinado, sendo 34,2%, 17,8% e 47,9% das amostras pertencentes aos sorogrupos O8, O11 e O101, respectivamente. Salmonella Dublin e Salmonella typhimurium foram isoladas em 5,4% e 6,1% das amostras examinadas, respectivamente.

Contribution to the study of aortic mural structure of opossum (Didelphis albiventris)

Opossum is considered one of the most primitive mammals, with transition evolutive characteristics. In mammals, the aorta artery is referred as the main body blood vessel. The arteries wall structural organization follows a basic pattern, being contituted of three tunics: Intima, Median and Adventicial. After euthanasia, three samples of opossum had segments from the aorta artery ascendent, thoracic descending and abdominal descending portions removed, fixed in phormalin at 10% for 48 hours. Then, the material was washed in alcohol 70% several times, dehydrated in alcohois of growing concentrations, diafanized in xylol and included in "paraplast". Cuts with 5 to 7 mu m of thickness were placed in histological laminae and submitted to color methods of Hematoxilin-Eosin, Masson, Mallory and Calleja Tricromics. It was observed that in the different portions ascendent, thoracic and abdominal descending of aorta, the intima tunic presents much thick, made up of a layer of smooth muscular cells and elastic fibers, forming a limiting internal elastic membrane. In the three portions studied, the median tunic was the most evident layer, constituted of colagen fibers, smooth muscular cells arranged in a circular manner and elastic fibers, showing a variation in the mural elements proportion. It was evidenced the presence of a external elastic lamina, marking the transition between the median and adventicial tunic, formed by elastic fibers condensation. The aortic adventicial tunic showed to be little organized, having in its structure predominantely colagen fibers beans with some isolated smooth muscular fibers or in small fascicules among a few elastic fibers.

Contribution to the embryology of Leiothrix fluitans (Eriocaulaceae : Poales)

This paper presents a contribution to the understanding of the embryology, especially microsporogenesis, the antipodal cell behavior, and the early stages of the micropylar seed operculum, in Leiothrix fluitans, to elucidate these aspects both within the subgenus Rheocaulon and within the genus in Eriocaulaceae. Contrarily to previous descriptions of this same species, our results show the following: microsporogenesis is of the successive type and results in isobilateral microspore tetrads; the antipodal cells gradually fuse together to form a conspicuous cyst; and the inner integument, which does not develop into an endothelium, shows evidence of the initiation of the seed operculum in its micropylar end. Such features are common to the family as a whole. Evidenced for the first time in the family, the chalazal end of the ovule differentiates into a hypostase closely associated to the antipodal cyst. These overall features of L. fluitalls point out previous misinterpretations on some of its embryological aspects, especially those concerning the only report of simultaneous microsporogenesis and proliferation of the antipodal cells. Furthermore, the results presented here allow us to reinforce the uniformity of the embryological aspects within the Eriocaulaceae, strengthening the cystic arrangement of the antipodal cells as a potential autapomorphy of the family within the other Poales (commelinids). (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.