Spatial and temporal patterns of greenness on the Yamal Peninsula, Russia: interactions of ecological and social factors affecting the Arctic normalized difference vegetation index

The causes of a greening trend detected in the Arctic using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are still poorly understood. Changes in NDVI are a result of multiple ecological and social factors that affect tundra net primary productivity. Here we use a 25 year time series of AVHRR-derived NDVI data (AVHRR: advanced very high resolution radiometer), climate analysis, a global geographic information database and ground-based studies to examine the spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation greenness on the Yamal Peninsula, Russia. We assess the effects of climate change, gas-field development, reindeer grazing and permafrost degradation. In contrast to the case for Arctic North America, there has not been a significant trend in summer temperature or NDVI, and much of the pattern of NDVI in this region is due to disturbances. There has been a 37% change in early-summer coastal sea-ice concentration, a 4% increase in summer land temperatures and a 7% change in the average time-integrated NDVI over the length of the satellite observations. Gas-field infrastructure is not currently extensive enough to affect regional NDVI patterns. The effect of reindeer is difficult to quantitatively assess because of the lack of control areas where reindeer are excluded. Many of the greenest landscapes on the Yamal are associated with landslides and drainage networks that have resulted from ongoing rapid permafrost degradation. A warming climate and enhanced winter snow are likely to exacerbate positive feedbacks between climate and permafrost thawing. We present a diagram that summarizes the social and ecological factors that influence Arctic NDVI. The NDVI should be viewed as a powerful monitoring tool that integrates the cumulative effect of a multitude of factors affecting Arctic land-cover change.

Heterogeneity analysis of Metastasis Associated in Colon Cancer 1 (MACC1) for survival prognosis of colorectal cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND Metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is directly linked to patient survival. We previously identified the novel gene Metastasis Associated in Colon Cancer 1 (MACC1) in CRC and demonstrated its importance as metastasis inducer and prognostic biomarker. Here, we investigate the geographic expression pattern of MACC1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma and tumor buds in correlation with clinicopathological and molecular features for improvement of survival prognosis. METHODS We performed geographic MACC1 expression analysis in tumor center, invasive front and tumor buds on whole tissue sections of 187 well-characterized CRCs by immunohistochemistry. MACC1 expression in each geographic zone was analyzed with Mismatch repair (MMR)-status, BRAF/KRAS-mutations and CpG-island methylation. RESULTS MACC1 was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue as compared to normal mucosa (p���<���0.001). Within colorectal adenocarcinomas, a significant increase of MACC1 from tumor center to front (p���=���0.0012) was detected. MACC1 was highly overexpressed in 55% tumor budding cells. Independent of geographic location, MACC1 predicted advanced pT and pN-stages, high grade tumor budding, venous and lymphatic invasion (p���<���0.05). High MACC1 expression at the invasive front was decisive for prediction of metastasis (p���=���0.0223) and poor survival (p���=���0.0217). The geographic pattern of MACC1 did not correlate with MMR-status, BRAF/KRAS-mutations or CpG-island methylation. CONCLUSION MACC1 is differentially expressed in CRC. At the invasive front, MACC1 expression predicts best aggressive clinicopathological features, tumor budding, metastasis formation and poor survival outcome.

Capacity building in the use of geospatial tools for natural resource management in Tajikistan: Inception report BNWPP project

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) has been contracted by the World Bank Group to conduct a program on capacity development in use of geospatial tools for natural resource management in Tajikistan. The program aimed to help improving natural resource management by fostering the use of geospatial tools among governmental and non-governmental institutions in Tajikistan. For this purpose a database including a Geographic Information System (GIS) has been prepared, which combines spatial data on various sectors for case study analysis related to the Community Agriculture and Watershed Management Project (CAWMP). The inception report is based on the findings resulting from the Swiss Consultant Trust Fund (CTF) financed project, specifically on the experiences from the awareness creation and training workshop conducted in Dushanbe in November 2007 and the analysis of historical land degradation trends carried out for the four CAWMP watersheds. Furthermore, also recommendations from the inception mission of CDE to Tajikistan (5-20 August 2007) and the inception report for the Swiss CTF support were considered. The inception report for the BNWPP project (The Bank-Netherlands Water Partnership Program) discusses the following project relevant issues: (1) Preliminary list of additional data layers, types of data analysis, and audiences to be covered by BNWPP grant (2) Assessing skills and equipment already available within Tajikistan, and implications for training program and specific equipment procurement plans (3) Updated detailed schedule and plans for all activities to be financed by BNWPP grant, and (4) Proposed list of contents for the final report and web-based presentations.

Capacity Building in the Use of Geospatial Tools for Natural Resource Management in Tajikistan: Inception report

The sustainable management of natural resources is a key issue for sustainable development of a poor, mountainous country such as Tajikistan. In order to strengthen its agricultural and infrastructural development efforts and alleviate poverty in rural areas, spatial information and analysis are of crucial importance to improve priority setting and decision making efficiency. However, poor access to geospatial data and tools, and limited capacity in their use has greatly constrained the ability of governmental institutions to effectively assess, plan, and monitor natural resources management. The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) has thus been mandated by the World Bank Group to provide adequate technical support to the Community Agriculture and Watershed Management Project (CAWMP). This support consists of a spatial database on soil degradation trends in 4 watersheds, capacity development in and awareness creation about geographic information technology and a spatial data exchange hub for natural resources management in Tajikistan. CDE���s support has started in July 2007 and will last until December 2007 with a possible extension in 2008.

Hazardous air pollutants and childhood lymphohematopoietic cancer in Southeast Texas, 1995--2004

Southeast Texas, including Houston, has a large presence of industrial facilities and has been documented to have poorer air quality and significantly higher cancer rates than the remainder of Texas. Given citizens��� concerns in this 4th largest city in the U.S., Mayor Bill White recently partnered with the UT School of Public Health to determine methods to evaluate the health risks of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Sexton et al. (2007) published a report that strongly encouraged analytic studies linking these pollutants with health outcomes. In response, we set out to complete the following aims: 1. determine the optimal exposure assessment strategy to assess the association between childhood cancer rates and increased ambient levels of benzene and 1,3-butadiene (in an ecologic setting) and 2. evaluate whether census tracts with the highest levels of benzene or 1,3-butadiene have higher incidence of childhood lymphohematopoietic cancer compared with census tracts with the lowest levels of benzene or 1,3-butadiene, using Poisson regression. The first aim was achieved by evaluating the usefulness of four data sources: geographic information systems (GIS) to identify proximity to point sources of industrial air pollution, industrial emission data from the U.S. EPA���s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), routine monitoring data from the U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) from 1999-2000 and modeled ambient air levels from the U.S. EPA���s 1999 National Air Toxic Assessment Project (NATA) ASPEN model. Further, once these four data sources were evaluated, we narrowed them down to two: the routine monitoring data from the AQS for the years 1998-2000 and the 1999 U.S. EPA NATA ASPEN modeled data. We applied kriging (spatial interpolation) methodology to the monitoring data and compared the kriged values to the ASPEN modeled data. Our results indicated poor agreement between the two methods. Relative to the U.S. EPA ASPEN modeled estimates, relying on kriging to classify census tracts into exposure groups would have caused a great deal of misclassification. To address the second aim, we additionally obtained childhood lymphohematopoietic cancer data for 1995-2004 from the Texas Cancer Registry. The U.S. EPA ASPEN modeled data were used to estimate ambient levels of benzene and 1,3-butadiene in separate Poisson regression analyses. All data were analyzed at the census tract level. We found that census tracts with the highest benzene levels had elevated rates of all leukemia (rate ratio (RR) = 1.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.78). Among census tracts with the highest 1,3-butadiene levels, we observed RRs of 1.40 (95% CI, 1.07-1.81) for all leukemia. We detected no associations between benzene or 1,3-butadiene levels and childhood lymphoma incidence. This study is the first to examine this association in Harris and surrounding counties in Texas and is among the first to correlate monitored levels of HAPs with childhood lymphohematopoietic cancer incidence, evaluating several analytic methods in an effort to determine the most appropriate approach to test this association. Despite recognized weakness of ecologic analyses, our analysis suggests an association between childhood leukemia and hazardous air pollution.^

Burden of invasive pneumococcal disease in Harris County, Texas (2003--2010) and the implication for enhanced public health surveillance of isolates

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) causes significant health burden in the US, is responsible for the majority of bacterial meningitis, and causes more deaths than any other vaccine preventable bacterial disease in the US. The estimated National IPD rate is 14.3 cases per 100,000 population with a case-fatality rate of 1.5 cases per 100,000 population. Although cases of IPD are routinely reported to the local health department in Harris County Texas, the incidence (IR) and case-fatality (CFR) rates have not been reported. Additionally, it is important to know which serotypes of S. pneumoniae are circulating in Harris County Texas and to determine if ���replacement disease��� is occurring. ^ This study reported incidence and case-fatality rates from 2003 to 2009, and described the trends in IPD, including the IPD serotypes circulating in Harris County Texas during the study period, particularly in 2008 and 2010. Annual incidence rates were calculated and reported for 2003 to 2009, using complete surveillance-year data. ^ Geographic information system (GIS) software was used to create a series of maps of the data reported during the study period. Cluster and outlier analysis and hot spot analysis were conducted using both case counts by census tract and disease rate by census tract. ^ IPD age- and race-adjusted IR for Harris County Texas and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.40 (95% CI 1.0, 1.8), 1.71 (95% CI 1.24, 2.17), 3.13 (95% CI 2.48, 3.78), 3.08 (95% CI 2.43, 3.74), 5.61 (95% CI 4.79, 6.43), 8.11 (95% CI 7.11, 9.1), and 7.65 (95% CI 6.69, 8.61) for the years 2003 to 2009, respectively (rates were age- and race-adjusted to each year's midyear US population estimates). A Poisson regression model demonstrated a statistically significant increasing trend of about 32 percent per year in the IPD rates over the course of the study period. IPD age- and race-adjusted case-fatality rates (CFR) for Harris County Texas were also calculated and reported. A Poisson regression model demonstrated a statistically significant increasing trend of about 26 percent per year in the IPD case-fatality rates from 2003 through 2009. A logistic regression model associated the risk of dying from IPD to alcohol abuse (OR 4.69, 95% CI 2.57, 8.56) and to meningitis (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.46, 4.03). ^ The prevalence of non-vaccine serotypes (NVT) among IPD cases with serotyped isolates was 98.2 percent. In 2008, the year with the sample more geographically representative of all areas of Harris County Texas, the prevalence was 96 percent. Given these findings, it is reasonable to conclude that ���replacement disease��� is occurring in Harris County Texas, meaning that, the majority of IPD is caused by serotypes not included in the PCV7 vaccine. Also in conclusion, IPD rates increased during the study period in Harris County Texas.^

Calidad del 'sitio' en el oasis norte, Mendoza (Argentina)

La disminuci��n del agua destinada al uso agr��cola, la salinizaci��n de los acu��feros subterr��neos y el advenimiento de la tecnolog��a de Sistemas de Informaci��n Geogr��fica (SIG) han posibilitado conocer la calidad de los sitios, fundamentalmente los riesgos de salinizaci��n de los suelos del oasis del r��o Mendoza-Argentina. El presente trabajo se fundamenta en dos estudios anteriores: uno de relevantamiento de suelos y el otro de an��lisis de calidad de aguas subterr��neas. En el primero se efect��o la actualizaci��n del relevantamiento de suelos del r��o Mendoza usando SIG. El muestreo de suelos y los an��lisis f��sicos (textura) y qu��micos (salinidad, conductividad el��ctrica) se realizaron en 1974. Los lugares de muestreo y sus atributos, graficados como cobertura de puntos, se extrapolaron a sus zonas de influencia convirti��ndolos en pol��gonos y posteriormente se rasterizaron. El segundo trabajo fue la digitalizaci��n y georreferenciaci��n, tambi��n al sistema de coordenadas Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), de los mapas de las curvas de isosalinidad. La salinidad est�� medida por la conductividad el��ctrica espec��fica del agua subterr��nea de los tres niveles de explotaci��n que existen en la cuenca norte de Mendoza. El monitoreo se realiz�� en el per��odo 1990/1991. Las isol��neas, posteriormente, fueron rasterizadas. Con los procesos de superposici��n y tabulaci��n cruzada de los SIG se integraron las diversas &quot;capas&quot; de datos de suelos y calidades de aguas subterr��neas y se generaron mapas tem��ticos que expresan la clasificaci��n y localizaci��n regional de calidades del sitio, basado fundamentalmente en los riesgos de salinizaci��n de los suelos.

Intercambio cient��fico tecnol��gico : un proyecto concretado

En el marco del Programa de Cooperaci��n Internacional con UFZ de Leipzig-Halle, Alemania y el apoyo de SECYT, UNCuyo, el CIFOT realiza (1998) el ��� Atlas Socioecon��mico y Demogr��fico de los Departamentos del Gran Mendoza" , titulado &quot;Atlas Social de la Ciudad de Leipzig" en Alemania. Tienen como objetivo la generaci��n de Bancos de Datos (tecnolog��a GIS) para el an��lisis estad��stico de indicadores seleccionados y elaboraci��n de Cartograf��a base y tem��tica. Para su elaboraci��n se forma un equipo de trabajo interdisciplinario que apartan al sistema diferentes visiones del mismo tema. Consta de 3 partes: introducci��n con caracter��sticas de las zonas en estudio, otra parte con incorporaci��n de mapas y una tercera que es la traducci��n al ingl��s del texto. Ambos Atlas resultaron ser elementos de gran utilidad en la planificaci��n territorial de un ��rea como el Gran Mendoza, de fuerte presencia frente al Mercosur, y de Liepzig, ciudad europea en transformaci��n desde 1990.

Modelo de indicadores ambientales : observatorio ambiental

Los indicadores ambientales son una herramienta para efectuar el monitoreo de la biodiversidad a trav��s de la recolecci��n sistem��tica de datos obtenidos mediante mediciones u observaciones en series de tiempo y espacio. Se entiende por indicador ambiental a una variable o suma de variables que proporciona una informaci��n sint��tica sobre un fen��meno ambiental complejo que permite conocer y evaluar el estado y variaci��n de la calidad ambiental. Para la caracterizaci��n y detecci��n de indicadores ambientales del litoral de R��o Negro se identifican y jerarquizan los conflictos o problem��ticas del ambiente, a partir de lo cual se seleccionan las principales variables que componen el sistema de indicadores y por ��ltimo, se recopilan los niveles de informaci��n existentes y los que requieren ser relevados e incorporados a bases de datos relacionales. Los requisitos que deben tener los indicadores seleccio nados son: ser medibles (cuali y cuantitativamente), compresibles, f��ciles de usar e interrelacionar, tener dimensi��n espacial y temporal, ser objetivos sensibles a los cambios y permitir el diagn��stico y pron��stico en funci��n de la detecci��n de situaciones de alerta ambiental. Se realiza una aproximaci��n a la selecci��n de variables e indicadores con el fin de definir el modelo de datos y categor��as de agrupamiento. El sistema de indicadores generados se agrupa en funci��n de la disponibilidad de datos existentes y la posibilidad de recopilaci��n para un correcto funcionamiento del prototipo del Observatorio. El modelo adoptado incorpora 3 subsistemas (ambiental, social y econ��mico) interrelacionando con 3 nodos institucionales (que proveen y/o precisan estos datos para la toma de decisiones). Cada indicador se describe en una ficha metodol��gica, cuyo dise��o es normalizado para un correcto funcionamiento del Observatorio. La implementaci��n del modelo de indicadores exige contar con una infraestructura que permita la aplicaci��n de mediciones, observaciones y registros y contar adem��s, con personal id��neo para una correcta manipulaci��n y an��lisis.

Image analysis from TEM and AFM micrograph, Table S1, S2, S3, Figure S1, Figure S2

We report on metal enrichment along a natural pH gradient owing to increased CO2 degassing at cold, shal- low seeps of Vulcano Island in the Mediterranean Sea, off Sicily. We assessed composition of unfiltered and filtered seawater (b100 nm) along acidic zones ranging between ambient and pH 5, and showed that most seep derived elements are present as nanoclusters which then aggregate into larger colloids while mixing with ambient seawater along a pH gradient. Size and elemental composition of such naturally occurring nanoparticles assessed by modern characterisation methods were in good agreement with the results from conventional analytical methods. We provide analytical evidence for the presence in the water column of a large fraction of seep derived ele- ments (e.g. approximately 50% of iron, over 80% of Mn, 100% of Cr, S and Zn) in the form of nano sized par- ticles (e.g. b100 nm) even at typical open ocean pHs. We launch in situ sampling protocols and sample preparation procedures for multi-method suitable to obtain accurate measurements on nanoparticles from environmental samples. Based on our results a first insight to the formation of natural nanoparticles at cold CO2 seeps is presented and the persistence of such nano-clusters in the surrounding seawater is stipulated.

MorphCol 2004-2013. A collection of Fortran 77 programs for morphometry

This is a technical description in html format of simple fortran programs for Macintosh for the morphometric analysis of tests planktonic foraminifera under reflected light, with special focus on the Neogene group of Globorotalia menardii. The second part of this report gives information and performance tests about the development of AMOR (Automated Measurement system for the mORphometry of microfossils). AMOR is Windows based and helps to orientate and collect digital images of menardiform globorotalids. The above fortran programs may be useful to extract and analyze some morphometric parameters from images collected with AMOR. After unzipping the archive file please open the Start.html file using a common web browser like firefox. In case of any questions or problems, please contact Michael W. Knappertsbusch (mailto:michael.knappertsbusch@unibas.ch).

Early Oligocene continental climate ofthe Paleogene Basin in Hungary and Slovenia

This paper concentrates on the Early Oligocene palaeoclimate of the southern part of Eastern and Central Europe and gives a detailed climatological analysis, combined with leaf-morphological studies and modelling of the palaeoatmospheric CO2 level using stomatal and d13 C data. Climate data are calculated using the Coexistence Approach for Kiscellian floras of the Palaeogene Basin (Hungary and Slovenia) and coeval assemblages from Central and Southeastern Europe. Potential microclimatic or habitat variations are considered using morphometric analysis of fossil leaves from Hungarian, Slovenian and Italian floras. Reconstruction of CO2 is performed by applying a recently introduced mechanistic model. Results of climate analysis indicate distinct latitudinal and longitudinal climate patterns for various variables which agree well with reconstructed palaeogeography and vegetation. Calculated climate variables in general suggest a warm and frost-free climate with low seasonal variation of temperature. A difference in temperature parameters is recorded between localities from Central and Southeastern Europe, manifested mainly in the mean temperature of the coldest month. Results of morphometric analysis suggest microclimatic or habitat difference among studied floras. Extending the scarce information available on atmospheric CO2 levels during the Oligocene, we provide data for a well-defined time-interval. Reconstructed atmospheric CO2 levels agree well with threshold values for Antarctic ice sheet growth suggested by recent modelling studies. The successful application of the mechanistic model for the reconstruction of atmospheric CO2 levels raises new possibitities for future climate inference from macro-flora studies.

Fragmentaci��n socio-territorial y calidad de vida urbana en Bah��a Blanca

Desde este trabajo se pretende dar cuenta del deterioro de las condiciones de vida existentes de la poblaci��n y de la fragmentaci��n socio-espacial, a trav��s de la aplicaci��n de un ��ndice-resumen de Calidad de Vida para el aglomerado urbano de Bah��a Blanca. Con este prop��sito se analizan las siguientes dimensiones: vivienda, educaci��n, salud y ambiente, as�� como la combinaci��n de las variables que participan en la configuraci��n socio-espacial. De este modo, la investigaci��n demuestra las fragmentaciones y diferenciaci��n de ��reas, plasmadas en profundas desigualdades en cuanto a condiciones habitacionales y disponibilidad de servicios p��blicos urbanos. La fuente de informaci��n para la medici��n de las diferencias de calidad de vida de la poblaci��n bahiense corresponde a los datos del Censo 2001 en el nivel de radios censales y su tratamiento se realiz�� mediante la aplicaci��n de REDATAM+SP. Adem��s, se utiliz�� para la representaci��n cartogr��fica un Sistema de Informaci��n Geogr��fica, lo que permiti�� un an��lisis intraurbano m��s detallado.

Cartograf��as migratorias urbanas : Distribuci��n espacial de la poblaci��n extranjera en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (2010)

El presente art��culo se propone estudiar la distribuci��n espacial de los migrantes internacionales en la Ciudad Aut��noma de Buenos Aires, mediante un an��lisis estad��stico-cartogr��fico que toma como fuente de datos el Censo Nacional de Poblaci��n, Hogares y Viviendas 2010. Se realiza un an��lisis socioespacial a partir de datos censales georeferenciados mediante Sistemas de Informaci��n Geogr��fica (SIG), y se trabaja a partir de la construcci��n de mapas tem��ticos y el c��lculo de indicadores estad��sticos de distribuci��n espacial. En este sentido, desde un abordaje metodol��gico cuantitativo que combina una escala macrosocial (en tanto abarca a esta ciudad en su totalidad) y microespacial (en la medida que permite visualizar diferencias que se producen a nivel intraurbano), se analiza c��mo la presencia urbana de estos grupos, resultado de trayectorias sociales y espaciales diferentes, se manifiesta en patrones de localizaci��n particulares en el territorio urbano

Spatially explicit estimates of length and biomass of Micromesistius poutassou (Blue Whiting) and Clupea harengus (Norwegian spring spawning herring) from acoustic and trawl surveys in the North-East Atlantic (2004-2012)

Acoustic estimates of herring and blue whiting abundance were obtained during the surveys using the Simrad ER60 scientific echosounder. The allocation of NASC-values to herring, blue whiting and other acoustic targets were based on the composition of the trawl catches and the appearance of echo recordings. To estimate the abundance, the allocated NASC -values were averaged for ICES-squares (0.5�� latitude by 1�� longitude). For each statistical square, the unit area density of fish (rA) in number per square nautical mile (N*nm-2) was calculated using standard equations (Foote et al., 1987; Toresen et al., 1998). To estimate the total abundance of fish, the unit area abundance for each statistical square was multiplied by the number of square nautical miles in each statistical square and then summed for all the statistical squares within defined subareas and over the total area. Biomass estimation was calculated by multiplying abundance in numbers by the average weight of the fish in each statistical square then summing all squares within defined subareas and over the total area. The Norwegian BEAM soft-ware (Totland and God�� 2001) was used to make estimates of total biomass.