GENETIC VARIATION, LOCAL ADAPTATION AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN NORTH AMERICAN RED OAK SPECIES, QUERCUS RUBRA L. AND Q. ELLIPSOIDALIS E. J. HILL

Forest trees, like oaks, rely on high levels of genetic variation to adapt to varying environmental conditions. Thus, genetic variation and its distribution are important for the long-term survival and adaptability of oak populations. Climate change is projected to lead to increased drought and fire events as well as a northward migration of tree species, including oaks. Additionally, decline in oak regeneration has become increasingly concerning since it may lead to decreased gene flow and increased inbreeding levels. This will in turn lead to lowered levels of genetic diversity, negatively affecting the growth and survival of populations. At the same time, populations at the species’ distribution edge, like those in this study, could possess important stores of genetic diversity and adaptive potential, while also being vulnerable to climatic or anthropogenic changes. A survey of the level and distribution of genetic variation and identification of potentially adaptive genes is needed since adaptive genetic variation is essential for their long-term survival. Oaks possess a remarkable characteristic in that they maintain their species identity and specific environmental adaptations despite their propensity to hybridize. Thus, in the face of interspecific gene flow, some areas of the genome remain differentiated due to selection. This characteristic allows the study of local environmental adaptation through genetic variation analyses. Furthermore, using genic markers with known putative functions makes it possible to link those differentiated markers to potential adaptive traits (e.g., flowering time, drought stress tolerance). Demographic processes like gene flow and genetic drift also play an important role in how genes (including adaptive genes) are maintained or spread. These processes are influenced by disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic. An examination of how genetic variation is geographically distributed can display how these genetic processes and geographical disturbances influence genetic variation patterns. For example, the spatial clustering of closely related trees could promote inbreeding with associated negative effects (inbreeding depression), if gene flow is limited. In turn this can have negative consequences for a species’ ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In contrast, interspecific hybridization may also allow the transfer of genes between species that increase their adaptive potential in a changing environment. I have studied the ecologically divergent, interfertile red oaks, Quercus rubra and Q. ellipsoidalis, to identify genes with potential roles in adaptation to abiotic stress through traits such as drought tolerance and flowering time, and to assess the level and distribution of genetic variation. I found evidence for moderate gene flow between the two species and low interspecific genetic differences at most genetic markers (Lind and Gailing 2013). However, the screening of genic markers with potential roles in phenology and drought tolerance led to the identification of a CONSTANS-like (COL) gene, a candidate gene for flowering time and growth. This marker, located in the coding region of the gene, was highly differentiated between the two species in multiple geographical areas, despite interspecific gene flow, and may play a role in reproductive isolation and adaptive divergence between the two species (Lind-Riehl et al. 2014). Since climate change could result in a northward migration of trees species like oaks, this gene could be important in maintaining species identity despite increased contact zones between species (e.g., increased gene flow). Finally I examined differences in spatial genetic structure (SGS) and genetic variation between species and populations subjected to different management strategies and natural disturbances. Diverse management activities combined with various natural disturbances as well as species specific life history traits influenced SGS patterns and inbreeding levels (Lind-Riehl and Gailing submitted).

GIS-integrated mathematical modeling of social phenomena at macro- and micro- levels—a multivariate geographically-weighted regression model for identifying locations vulnerable to hosting terrorist safe-houses: France as case study

Adaptability and invisibility are hallmarks of modern terrorism, and keeping pace with its dynamic nature presents a serious challenge for societies throughout the world. Innovations in computer science have incorporated applied mathematics to develop a wide array of predictive models to support the variety of approaches to counterterrorism. Predictive models are usually designed to forecast the location of attacks. Although this may protect individual structures or locations, it does not reduce the threat—it merely changes the target. While predictive models dedicated to events or social relationships receive much attention where the mathematical and social science communities intersect, models dedicated to terrorist locations such as safe-houses (rather than their targets or training sites) are rare and possibly nonexistent. At the time of this research, there were no publically available models designed to predict locations where violent extremists are likely to reside. This research uses France as a case study to present a complex systems model that incorporates multiple quantitative, qualitative and geospatial variables that differ in terms of scale, weight, and type. Though many of these variables are recognized by specialists in security studies, there remains controversy with respect to their relative importance, degree of interaction, and interdependence. Additionally, some of the variables proposed in this research are not generally recognized as drivers, yet they warrant examination based on their potential role within a complex system. This research tested multiple regression models and determined that geographically-weighted regression analysis produced the most accurate result to accommodate non-stationary coefficient behavior, demonstrating that geographic variables are critical to understanding and predicting the phenomenon of terrorism. This dissertation presents a flexible prototypical model that can be refined and applied to other regions to inform stakeholders such as policy-makers and law enforcement in their efforts to improve national security and enhance quality-of-life.

Training perceptions, engagement and performance:comparing work engagement and personal role engagement

The purpose of this study was to compare two engagement constructs (work engagement and personal role engagement) with regards to their relationship with training perceptions and work role performance behaviours. It was hypothesised that personal role engagement would show incremental validity above that of work engagement at predicting work role performance behaviours and be a stronger mediator of the relationships between training perceptions and such behaviours. Questionnaire data was gathered from 304 full-time working adults in the UK. As predicted, personal role engagement was found to explain additional variance above that of work engagement for task proficiency, task adaptability, and task proactivity behaviours. Moreover, personal role engagement was a stronger mediator of the relationship between training perceptions and task proficiency as well as between training perceptions and task adaptability. Both work engagement and personal role engagement mediated the relationship between training perceptions and task proactivity to a similar degree. The findings suggest that personal role engagement has better practical utility to the HRD domain than work engagement, and indicates that future research may benefit from adopting the personal role engagement construct.

The role of additive manufacturing in patient specific solutions

This dissertation investigates de role of the new additive manufacturing techniques in the treatment of pathologies with a patient-specific approach. Throughout this work the development methodology of these said products is explained in order to understand the different stages required to achieve a tailor made solution. The goal is to demonstrate the importance of the manufacturing technique and its capabilities to tailor-fit devices to patients and the adaptability of the process to tackle the most diverse situations. Three real cases are documented in order to prove the viability of the method and to showcase its advantages. Whenever possible patient-specific solutions are compared to their “off-the-shelf” counterparts in order to establish the pros and cons of each one of them. The dissertation is an insight into a possible future for the medical devices industry, where customization is expected to be the standard approach in the treatment of patients.

Parental Adjustment to Disability, Stress Indicators and the Influence of Social Support

Research into families of children and young people with disability maintain that parents or caregivers seem to experience higher levels of global stress than parents of children without disabilities, thereby presenting a high risk of developing disorders in their health and quality of life. The aim of this study is to understand the differences in parental stress and social support among groups of parents whose children have different disabilities in the context of parental adjustment to disability. Considering that adjustment is related to the effectiveness with which the family uses its resources and the support of their social network, we intend to analyse the differences of stress and social support among groups of parents of children with different problems and to clarify the relationships between the variables under study in order to adapt family intervention strategies. For this purpose a comparative, descriptive-correlational study was undertaken. The convenience sample included 152 parents of children with different disabilities (82 with intellectual disability, 37 with motor problems and 33 with autism) supported by schools and institutions in Viseu. The instruments used were: a Portuguese version of the Parenting Stress Index (Abidin, 1995), the Social Support Questionnaire – short version (Pinheiro & Ferreira, 2001) and a Parental Questionnaire (demographic and family data). Data were collected in schools and institutions that support people with disabilities, located in the Municipality of Viseu (Portugal). The results revealed significant differences between groups of parents in the partial results of parental stress, specifically in the Hyperactivity/Distract (DI), Acceptability (AC) and Adaptability (AD), dimensions of the Child Domain subscale (CD stress) and the Role Restriction (RO), dimension of Parent Domain subscale (PD stress). With regard to social support dimensions, we found significant differences between parents in the extent and availability of the social support network (SSQN).

Como construir com inteligência

A seleção deste tema deve-se ao fato de para além de ser um tema bastante interessante, o fato de possuir também uma perspetiva futura muito interessante, sobretudo quando contextualizado como solução de problemas tais como dependência energética, poluição e excesso de população. Apesar de muitos dos conceitos ligados ao tema não serem assim tão recentes, a verdade é que os recentes avanços tecnológicos, (informática e robótica), associados a novas ideologias, (preservação do meio ambiente e energias renováveis), e a diferentes conjunturas, nomeadamente a crise económica de 2009, trouxe uma nova perspetiva sobre o tema e sobre as suas potencialidades. Consultando a Internet é possível reunir varias informações sobre como construir com inteligência passando por temáticas como os edifícios Inteligentes, a sustentabilidade ou até mesmo os serviços de saúde em casa, contudo ainda é algo difícil perceber qual a importância que estes aspetos podem vir a desempenhar no futuro. Isto advém em grande medida, da própria dificuldade dos autores em concordar sobre o que realmente é um edifício inteligente e qual pode ser a sua importância para as cidades no futuro. Desta forma o objetivo deste trabalho passa por abordar os conceitos base do que são edifícios inteligentes desde a sua génese até ao presente, não só a partir do ponto de vista tecnológico como também do ponto de vista ambiental e da forma como estes se articulam, principalmente num período de dificuldade económica como o vivido nos dias de hoje. Hoje em dia torna-se demasiado redutor só pensar os edifícios inteligentes a partir da sua componente tecnológica uma vez que a sua adaptabilidade permite que sejam uma solução para um número muito maior de problemas, alguns dos quais onde a componente tecnológica perde o seu lugar de destaque para a componente ambiental, onde um design inteligente pode potenciar grandes melhorias com o mínimo de gastos económicos. Em conclusão um edifício Inteligente é nos dias de hoje muito mais que a soma das suas partes seja ela tecnológica, económica ou ambiental. A “verdadeira” Inteligência está em conjugar o melhor de cada vertente potenciando o que têm de melhor de forma a proporcionarem uma qualidade de vida acrescida ao utilizador sem comprometer o meio e sem implicar gastos económicos incomportáveis.

WORKFORCE DIVERSIFICATION

According to the State Human Resources Division, discrimination complaints are significant. In order to reduce the number of complaints within the South Carolina Department of Transportation, this project on workplace diversification was devised. Diversification has benefits in the workplace that include increased adaptability, broader service range, variety of viewpoints, and more effective execution . Increased adaptability allows employees from diverse backgrounds to bring individual talents and experience to the workplace. A broader service range allows employees with different skills and experience such as language to provide additional services. Improving the diversification will ultimately align this agency with an Affirmative Action Plan and decrease discrimination complaints.

Quand les interactions avec les professionnels orientent le choix des sources de soutien des proches aidants accompagnant à domicile une personne âgée atteinte d’un trouble de l’humeur

Méthodologie: Théorisation ancrée, Interactionnisme symbolique

Life Design Counseling Group Intervention With Portuguese Adolescents

This article examines the process and outcome of a life design counseling group intervention with students in Grades 9 and 12. First, we applied a quasi-experimental methodology to analyze the intervention’s effectiveness in promoting career certainty, career decision-making, self-efficacy, and career adaptability in a sample of 236 students. Second, focus groups comprising 33 participants were conducted, examining participants’ perceptions of the intervention process and outcome. Our findings showed that the intervention had a significant effect on both career certainty and career self-efficacy, but it had no effect on career adaptability. Our results also showed that My Career Story (MCS) had a stronger effect on Grade 12 students. Focus group participants reported on the usefulness of MCS, as well as on its benefits, which include increased information as well as a sense of direction, self-discovery, connection, and increased self-awareness. Grade 9 participants expressed more difficulties in narrating self-experience than Grade 12 participants did. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

O Mosteiro de São Bento de Cástris: memória e identidade

Memória e identidade encontram-se intrinsecamente ligadas ao património arquitectónico. Sensíveis ao passar do tempo, estes conceitos adaptaram-se atribuindo aos sítios novos significados. O Mosteiro de São Bento de Cástris em Évora, classificado como Monumento Nacional e sendo o primeiro mosteiro cisterciense a Sul do Tejo, foi também celeiro agrícola e mais tarde instituição de acolhimento de menores, encontra-se actualmente desocupado. Questiona-se assim, qual a actual identidade deste lugar? Através do estudo dos valores culturais materiais e imateriais do lugar, no período entre 1957 a 2016, esta investigação procurará identificar esta identidade através do registo das memórias recentes do lugar, da bibliografia específica e da análise do conjunto edificado. Considerando os princípios emanados pela UNESCO que consideram que a preservação do património deve respeitar a autenticidade e integridade dos bens culturais, que permanece na identidade registada na memória, procurouse entender a relação entre a contínua utilização do mosteiro e a estima colectiva por este património arquitectónico, essencial para a continuidade da sua identidade no futuro; The Monastery of São Bento de Cástris: Memory and Identity ABSTRACT: Memory and identity are intrinsically connected to architectural heritage. Their adaptability through time, results in the development of new meanings to the places. The Monastery of São Bento de Cástris in Évora, classified as National Heritage, the first Cistercian monastery built in the South of Portugal, was later a farm barn, a foster care institution and is now empty. Thus a question is posed: what is the current identity of this monastery? Through the study of the place’s material and immaterial cultural values, focus on the period from 1957-2016, this research aims to identify the identity based on the memories of the place, in specific bibliography, and in the analysis of the built environment. Following the UNESCO principles which consider that heritage conservation should respect the integrity and authenticity of the cultural assets, the impact of the continuous usage of the monastery was studied as a method to understand the collective esteem for this architectural heritage, which is vital to the preservation of its identity in the future.

Adaptabilidade e estabilidade de progênies de meios-irmãos de pinhão-manso em diferentes regiões do Brasil.

RESUMO: Programas de melhoramento do pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas L.) intensificaram-se nos últimos cinco anos, tendo sido selecionadas, localmente, plantas em diversas regiões do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar a interação genótipos x ambientes da produção de grãos de pinhão-manso, avaliada em três regiões brasileiras, e o progresso genético obtido com a seleção. A partir de progênies de meios-irmãos, selecionadas pela Embrapa Semiárido e pela EPAMIG, foram instalados, no ano de 2008, três testes de progênies, nos municípios de Planaltina, DF, Nova Porteirinha, MG e Pelotas, RS, utilizando-se delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e cinco plantas por parcela. Como testemunhas foram utilizadas sementes de plantas não selecionadas e um dos materiais genéticos comercializados no Brasil. A interação genótipo x ambiente foi significativa. Foram identificadas oito progênies de adaptabilidade geral, três progênies de baixa adaptabilidade, duas progênies de adaptabilidade específica a ambientes favoráveis e duas progênies de adaptabilidade específica a ambientes desfavoráveis, em diferentes regiões do Brasil. As estimativas de progresso genético indicam eficiência da seleção massal, com ganhos de 28, 76 e 177%, nos municípios de Planaltina, DF, de Nova Porteirinha, MG, e de Pelota, RS, respectivamente. Observa-se que os ganhos de seleção obtidos pelo método centroide são mais equilibrados entre ambientes e, por isso, preferíveis. As novas médias, estimadas com o plantio das progênies selecionadas, em toneladas por hectare, são de 2,34 ton.ha-1, em Planaltina, DF; de 2,37 ton.ha-1, em Nova Porteirinha, MG, e de 2,09 ton.ha-1 , em Pelotas, RS. ABSTRACT: Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) breeding programs have intensified in the past five years, locally selecting plants from various Brazilian regions. The objective of this study was to quantify the genotype x environment interaction of the physic nut grain production and the genetic progress obtained with the selection. From Half-sib progenies selected by Embrapa and EPAMIG, in 2008, three progeny trials were installed in the cities of Planaltina-DF, Nova Porteirinha-MG and Pelotas-RS, using a randomized block design with three replications of five plants per plot. Non-selected plant seeds and genetic material commercialized in Brazil were used as control. The genotype x environment interaction was significant for the J. curcas grain yield expression. We identified eight progenies of broad adaptability, three progenies of low adaptability, two progenies of specific adaptability to favorable environments and two progenies of specific adaptability to unfavorable environments of different Brazilian regions. Estimates of genetic progress indicate mass selection efficiency, with genetic gains of 28%, 76% and 177% in the Planaltina-DF, New Porteirinha-MG and Pelotas-RS, respectively. The genetic gains obtained by the centroid method were more balanced among environments, and therefore, preferable. The new means estimated with the cultivating of the selected progenies are: 2.34 ton.ha-1 in Planaltina-DF, 2.37 ton.ha-1 in Nova Porteirinha- MG and 2.09 ton.ha-1 in Pelotas-RS.

Genome-wide detection of CNVs and their association with meat tenderness in Nelore cattle.

Brazil is one of the largest beef producers and exporters in the world with the Nelore breed representing the vast majority of Brazilian cattle (Bos taurus indicus). Despite the great adaptability of the Nelore breed to tropical climate, meat tenderness (MT) remains to be improved. Several factors including genetic composition can influence MT. In this article, we report a genome-wide analysis of copy number variation (CNV) inferred from Illumina1 High Density SNP-chip data for a Nelore population of 723 males. We detected >2,600 CNV regions (CNVRs) representing 6.5% of the genome. Comparing our results with previous studies revealed an overlap in 1400 CNVRs (>50%). A total of 1,155 CNVRs (43.6%) overlapped 2,750 genes. They were enriched for processes involving guanosine triphosphate (GTP), previously reported to influence skeletal muscle physiology and morphology. Nelore CNVRs also overlapped QTLs for MT reported in other breeds (8.9%, 236 CNVRs) and from a previous study with this population (4.1%, 109 CNVRs). Two CNVRs were also proximal to glutathione metabolism genes that were previously associated with MT. Genome-wide association study of CN state with estimated breeding values derived from meat shear force identified 6 regions, including a region on BTA3 that contains genes of the cAMP and cGMP pathway. Ten CNVRs that overlapped regions associated with MT were successfully validated by qPCR. Our results represent the first comprehensive CNV study in Bos taurus indicus cattle and identify regions in which copy number changes are potentially of importance for the MT phenotype.

Effect of heat stress on milk production of goats from Alpine and Saanen breeds in Brazil.

The purpose of this bibliography review was to approach the thermal comfort rates on milk production of goats from Alpine and Saanen breeds in Brazil. The caloric stress caused by weather changes to which the animals are submitted, influence on the mechanisms of normal physiological processes of the body. Thus, the effect on the lactation process in goats can be mentioned, where it decreases the amount of water in the body with the consequent decrease in synthesis and milk ejection interfering in the production of hormone prolactin and growth hormone. The animal?s interaction with the environment must be considered when the aim in livestock farming is welfare, because the different responses of the animal to the peculiarities of each region are crucial for the success of the animal adaptation. So, the correct identification of the factors that influence the productive life of the animal, such as the stress caused by the seasonal fluctuations of the environment, allow production systems management, making it possible to make them sustainable and viable. The maintenance of these parameters in normal levels is very important, to the point of being used in the evaluation of climate adaptability of breeds to a certain environmental condition. In this way, the concerns about animal welfare and environmental comfort are due to the climatic variables and the behavioral, physiological and productive responses are prevailing when implementing the suitability of certain production systems.

Bioenergetics of cancer cells in anoxia and role of the miRNAs in melanoma resistance to targeted therapies

Tumours are characterized by a metabolic rewiring that helps transformed cells to survive in harsh conditions. The endogenous inhibitor of the ATP-synthase IF1 is overexpressed in several tumours and it has been proposed to drive metabolic adaptation. In ischemic normal-cells, IF1 acts limiting the ATP consumption by the reverse activity of the ATP-synthase, activated by ΔΨm collapse. Conversely, IF1 role in cancer cells is still unclear. It has been proposed that IF1 favours cancer survival by preventing energy dissipation in low oxygen availability, a frequent condition in solid tumours. Our previous data proved that in cancer cells hypoxia does not abolish ΔΨm, avoiding the ATP-synthase reversal and IF1 activation. In this study, we investigated the bioenergetics of cancer cells in conditions mimicking anoxia to evaluate the possible role of IF1. Data obtained indicate that also in cancer cells the ΔΨm collapse induces the ATP-synthase reversal and its inhibition by IF1. Moreover, we demonstrated that upon uncoupling conditions, IF1 favours cancer cells growth preserving ATP levels and energy charge. We also showed that in these conditions IF1 favours the mitochondrial mass renewal, a mechanism we proposed driving apoptosis-resistance. Cancer adaptability is also associated with the onset of therapy resistance, the major challenge for melanoma treatment. Recent studies demonstrated that miRNAs dysregulation drive melanoma progression and drug-resistance by regulating tumour-suppressor and oncogenes. In this context, we attempted to identify and characterize miRNAs driving resistance to vemurafenib in patient-derived metastatic melanoma cells BRAFV600E-mutated. Our results highlighted that several oncogenic pathways are altered in resistant cells, indicating the complexity of both drug-resistance phenomena and miRNAs action. Profiling analysis identified a group of dysregulated miRNAs conserved in vemurafenib-resistance cells from distinct patients, suggesting that they ubiquitously drive drug-resistance. Functional studies performed with a first miRNA confirmed its pivotal role in resistance towards vemurafenib.

Analyzing urban green adaptation opportunities: concepts, approaches, & strategies for existing neighborhoods

Over the last decades, the growing evidence of human-caused climate change has raised awareness of the consequences of exceeding global temperature by 2˚C. This awareness has led to a contemporary approach to the conceptualization and management of green adaptation policies in spatial planning. This thesis aims to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing the adaptability of existing neighborhoods to green strategies. The reliability of the proposed method is examined in the cities of Bologna and Imola and proved to be applicable in other geoghraphical locations. This thesis integrates three key themes of conceptual and implementation principles for urban green adaptation. This thesis initially defines methods for narrowing uncertainties in urban planning energy forecasting modeling by exploring the roles of integrated energy planning. The second is by exploring green retrofitting strategies in building, this thesis examines the effects of various energy-saving factors in roofing scenarios including a green roof, rooftop greenhouse, and insolated roof. Lastly, this thesis analyzes green strategies in urban spaces to enhance thermal comfort through facing urban heat exposure related to urban heat island effects. The roles of integrated energy policies and green strategic thinking are discussed to highlight various aspects of green adaptation on the neighborhood scale. This thesis develops approaches by which cities can face the challenges of current green urban planning and connect the conceptual and practical aspects of green spatial planning. Another point that this thesis highlight is that due to the interdependency of individuals and places, it is difficult to assure whether all the adaptation policies on a large scale are enhancing the resiliency of the neighborhood or they are simply shuffling the vulnerability through the individuals and places. Besides, it asserts that neglecting to reflect on these reallocations of the effects generates serious complications, and will result in long-term dysfunctional consequences.