Towards Uniform Gene Bank Documentation In Europe – The Experience From The EFABISnet Project

In the EFABISnet project, a collaborative effort of EAAP, FAO and partners from 14 European countries, in cooperation with the European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP), national information systems for monitoring the animal genetic resources on breed level were established in Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. The network was soon extended beyond the project plans, with the establishment of EFABIS databases in Finland, Greece, and Hungary. The network was then complemented by a set of inventories of national gene bank collections to strengthen the documentation of ex situ conservation programmes. These documentation systems were established by the National Focal Points for management of farm animal genetic resources. Here we present the experience gained in establishment of these national inventories of gene banks and their relevance to the Strategic Priority Areas of the Global Plan of Action which could be useful for other areas in the world

Milieueffecten van maatregelen gewasbescherming

In de in dit werkdocument beschreven modelstudie zijn berekeningen uitgevoerd over 15 teelten in de sectoren akkerbouw, vollegrondsgroenten, bloembollen fruitteelt en boomkwekerij. De milieueffectiviteit van de maatregelen is getoetst aan de hand van de reductie in Milieu Indicator Punten (MIP) voor de milieubelasting van oppervlaktewater door drift bij gewasbescherming (conform de toetsingsparameter in de Tussenevaluatie). Tevens is het effect op andere milieucompartimenten onderzocht. Voor de MIP-berekeningen is het Milieutechnisch en Economisch Bedrijfsmodel voor de Open Teelten (MEBOT) aangepast

Discovery of two simultaneous non-harmonically related Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in the 2005 outburst of the black-hole binary GRO J1655-40

We studied the low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (LFQPOs) in the black hole GRO J1655-40 during the 2005 outburst, using data from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer. All LFQPOs could be identified as either type B or type C using previously proposed classification schemes. In the soft state of the outburst the type-C LFQPOs reached frequencies that are among the highest ever seen for LFQPOs in black holes. At the peak of the outburst, in the ultra-luminous state, the power spectrum showed two simultaneous, non-harmonically related peaks which we identified as a type-B and a type-C QPO. The simultaneous presence of a type-C and type-B QPO shows that at least two of the three known LFQPO types are intrinsically different and likely the result of distinct physical mechanisms. We also studied the properties of a broad peaked noise component in the power spectra of the ultra-luminous state. This noise component becomes more coherent with count rate and there are strong suggestions that it evolves into a type-B QPO at the highest observed count rates.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

Reflective Journaling: A Theoretical Model and Digital Prototype for Developing Resilience and Creativity

Reflection is commonly discussed as a tool for personal and professional development that is becoming increasingly important in today’s global and digital world. In this paper, we propose a model that suggests ways in which reflection, in the form of Reflective Journaling, can support the development of creativity and resilience, which are needed to enable individuals to function effectively in a fast-changing environment. In addition, the model proposes ways in which external support and progress monitoring can be used in conjunction with skills in adaptive resilience and structured creativity, to support the maintenance of reflective journaling as a habit, in the longer term, thus creating virtuous cycles of skills and behaviours that can reinforce each other. Based on our model, and additional user research, we describe the design of a first digital prototype that aims to support the use of Reflective Journaling and to develop creativity and resilience through suggested mechanisms. Initial evaluations of our prototype are positive. It has been well-received by early test users, and has the potential to address all the connections defined. We therefore suggest that the theoretical model can be used to develop digital tools, such as the one included, to help those who wish to develop the habit of reflective journaling, and through that a range of other skills associated with resilience and creative thinking. We see this as a starting point for investigating this potential in more depth

Aanvullend advies op actualisatie maatregelen duurzame gewasbescherming 2009 : een selectie aan maatregelen waarmee op korte termijn het meest bereikt kan worden in de praktijk

PPO Wageningen UR, heeft in opdracht van het Ministerie van LNV in het kader van het convenant gewasbescherming maatregelen gecatalogiseerd die bijdragen aan het verlagen van de milieubelasting en aan het stimuleren van geïntegreerde gewasbescherming. Dit traject startte in 2004 en actualisatie vond plaats in 2006, 2007 en 2009. Na drie jaar actualisatie is een ontwikkeling in maatregelen zichtbaar. Deze publicatie bevat adviezen over maatregelen waarmee het meest bereikt wordt in de maatschappij

The hard to soft spectral transition in LMXBs - affected by recondensation of gas into an inner disk

Soft and hard spectral states of X-ray transient sources reflect two modes of accretion, accretion via a geometrically thin, optically thick disk or an advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF). The luminosity at transition between these two states seems to vary from source to source, or even for the same source during different outbursts, as observed for GX 339-4. We investigate how the existence of an inner weak disk in the hard state affects the transition luminosity. We evaluate the structure of the corona above an outer truncated disk and the resulting disk evaporation rate for different irradiation. In some cases, recent observations of X-ray transients indicate the presence of an inner cool disk during the hard state. Such a disk can remain during quiescence after the last outburst as long as the luminosity does not drop to very low values (10^-4 to 10^-3 of the Eddington luminosity). Consequently, as part of the matter accretes via the inner disk, the hard irradiation is reduced. The hard irradiation is further reduced, occulted and partly reflected by the inner disk. This leads to a hard-soft transition at a lower luminosity if an inner disk exists below the ADAF. This seems to be supported by observations for GX 339-4.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

α-Klotho Expression in Human Tissues.

CONTEXT: α-Klotho has emerged as a powerful regulator of the aging process. To date, the expression profile of α-Klotho in human tissues is unknown, and its existence in some human tissue types is subject to much controversy. OBJECTIVE: This is the first study to characterize systemwide tissue expression of transmembrane α-Klotho in humans. We have employed next-generation targeted proteomic analysis using parallel reaction monitoring in parallel with conventional antibody-based methods to determine the expression and spatial distribution of human α-Klotho expression in health. RESULTS: The distribution of α-Klotho in human tissues from various organ systems, including arterial, epithelial, endocrine, reproductive, and neuronal tissues, was first identified by immunohistochemistry. Kidney tissues showed strong α-Klotho expression, whereas liver did not reveal a detectable signal. These results were next confirmed by Western blotting of both whole tissues and primary cells. To validate our antibody-based results, α-Klotho-expressing tissues were subjected to parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (data deposited at ProteomeXchange, PXD002775) identifying peptides specific for the full-length, transmembrane α-Klotho isoform. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented confirm α-Klotho expression in the kidney tubule and in the artery and provide evidence of α-Klotho expression across organ systems and cell types that has not previously been described in humans.K.L. received a Genzyme-Sanofi Fellowship in Nephrology grant. T.F.H. is funded by the NIHR award to the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and by NIHR grant 14/49/147. The Cambridge Aorta Study is funded by the British Heart Foundation.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Endocrine Society via http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-1800

Association of MMP-2 polymorphisms with severe and very severe COPD: a case control study of MMPs-1, 9 and 12 in a European population.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but are poorly understood. A number of candidate genes have been proposed on the basis of the pathogenesis of COPD. These include the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes which play a role in tissue remodelling and fit in with the protease--antiprotease imbalance theory for the cause of COPD. Previous genetic studies of MMPs in COPD have had inadequate coverage of the genes, and have reported conflicting associations of both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and SNP haplotypes, plausibly due to under-powered studies. METHODS: To address these issues we genotyped 26 SNPs, providing comprehensive coverage of reported SNP variation, in MMPs- 1, 9 and 12 from 977 COPD patients and 876 non-diseased smokers of European descent and evaluated their association with disease singly and in haplotype combinations. We used logistic regression to adjust for age, gender, centre and smoking history. RESULTS: Haplotypes of two SNPs in MMP-12 (rs652438 and rs2276109), showed an association with severe/very severe disease, corresponding to GOLD Stages III and IV. CONCLUSIONS: Those with the common A-A haplotype for these two SNPs were at greater risk of developing severe/very severe disease (p = 0.0039) while possession of the minor G variants at either SNP locus had a protective effect (adjusted odds ratio of 0.76; 95% CI 0.61 - 0.94). The A-A haplotype was also associated with significantly lower predicted FEV1 (42.62% versus 44.79%; p = 0.0129). This implicates haplotypes of MMP-12 as modifiers of disease severity

Modelling global livestock diversity : a fuzzy cognitive mapping approach

For modelling global trends in agrobiodiversity better insight in the relationship between drivers (and related pressures) and agrobiodiversity is needed. In a previous study of the authors a number of indicators for genetic diversity were proposed as being suitable for modelling. In this working document it was investigated if a global agrobiodiversity map for livestock could be produced based on one of these earlier suggested indicators. The Global Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) was interrogated for one livestock species (cattle) to investigate whether sufficient data of good quality is available to produce such a global map. Additionally, a fuzzy cognitive mapping approach was used to make a qualitative description of livestock diversity in relation to drivers of change. In the FCM 21 factors were identified by the workshop participants to describe the livestock diversity system, of which 10 appeared to be most influential. For these most important factors a list of relevant (proxy) indicators with their potential for use was suggested. These suggested indicators could be the basis for further research in which the so-called archetype methodology could be used to get insight in hotspots of livestock diversity