The PREDICTS database: a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts

Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species' threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project - and avert - future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups - including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems - http://www.predicts.org.uk). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015.

Two amino acid substitutions convert a guanylyl cyclase, RetGC-1, into an adenylyl cyclase

Guanylyl cyclases (GCs) and adenylyl cyclases (ACs) have fundamental roles in a wide range of cellular processes. Whereas GCs use GTP as a substrate to form cGMP, ACs catalyze the analogous conversion of ATP to cAMP. Previously, a model based on the structure of adenylate cyclase was used to predict the structure of the nucleotide-binding pocket of a membrane guanylyl cyclase, RetGC-1. Based on this model, we replaced specific amino acids in the guanine-binding pocket of GC with their counterparts from AC. A change of two amino acids, E925K together with C995D, is sufficient to completely alter the nucleotide specificity from GTP to ATP. These experiments strongly validate the AC-derived RetGC-1 structural model and functionally confirm the role of these residues in nucleotide discrimination.

Atmospheric histories and global emissions of halons H-1211 (CBrClF 2 ), H-1301 (CBrF 3 ), and H-2402 (CBrF 2 CBrF 2 )

We report ground-based atmospheric measurements and emission estimates for the halons H-1211 (CBrClF₂), H-1301 (CBrF₃), and H-2402 (CBrF₂CBrF₂) from the AGAGE (Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration global networks. We also include results from archived air samples in canisters and from polar firn in both hemispheres, thereby deriving an atmospheric record of nearly nine decades (1930s to present). All three halons were absent from the atmosphere until ~1970, when their atmospheric burdens started to increase rapidly. In recent years H-1211 and H-2402 mole fractions have been declining, but H-1301 has continued to grow. High-frequency observations show continuing emissions of H-1211 and H-1301 near most AGAGE sites. For H-2402 the only emissions detected were derived from the region surrounding the Sea of Japan/East Sea. Based on our observations, we derive global emissions using two different inversion approaches. Emissions for H-1211 declined from a peak of 11 kt yr���¹ (late 1990s) to 3.9 kt yr���¹ at the end of our record (mean of 2013–2015), for H-1301 from 5.4 kt yr���¹ (late 1980s) to 1.6 kt yr���¹, and for H-2402 from 1.8 kt yr���¹ (late 1980s) to 0.38 kt yr���¹. Yearly summed halon emissions have decreased substantially; nevertheless, since 2000 they have accounted for ~30% of the emissions of all major anthropogenic ozone depletion substances, when weighted by ozone depletion potentials.

Pamphlets - homoeopathic.

Title from spine.

James H. Kidd

On verso: Copied from a tin-type. Taken in Yorktown Va., in February 1864, the day of the arrival from the Kilpatrick raid on Richmond at which time I was commanding the 6th Mich. Calvary with the rank of major. Was promoted to Colonel the May following. Age 24. J.W.K.

Family of James Burrill Angell

Standing (Adults) L-R: Marion Waterhouse Angell (Mrs. J.R.); James Rowland Angell; Andrew C. McLaughlin; Fanny C. Cooley. Angell (Mrs. A.C.); Alexis Caswell Angell; Sarah Caswell Angell (daughter of A.C), Lois Angell McLaughlin

Middle Row: James Waterhouse Angell (son of J.R.), Marion Angell (McAlpin) (daughter of James R.) James Burrill Angell, Isabel McLaughlin

Front Row: Constance McLaughlin (Green); Robert Cooley Angell (son of A.C.); Esther Lois McLaughlin (Donahue) David Blair McLaughlin; Rowland Hazard McLaughlin; James Burrill Angell II (son of A.C.): James Angell McLaughlin

Reports of cases decided in the Court of appeal.

Editors: v.1-6, Christopher Robinson; v.26-27, J.F. Smith. V. 7-25 "reported under the authority of the Law Society of Upper Canada."

Plant diseases /

Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-144)

The voyages of Captain Luke Foxe of Hull and Captain Thomas James of Bristol in search of a Northwest Passage in 1631-32, with narratives of the earlier northwest voyages of Frobisher, David, Weymouth, Hall, Knight, Hudson, Button, Gibbons, Bylot, Baffin, Hawkridge, and others,

Mode of access: Internet.

Memorial of James Fenimore Cooper.

Edited by G.P. Putnam. cf. Sabin.

Letter of Sir Matthew Barrington, Bart. to the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart.

941.58C692 v. 24 imperfect: p. 41-[42] wanting.

The masterpieces and the history of literature, analysis, criticism, character and incident /

Published in 1898 under title: The literature of all nations and all ages.