The clam and the dam: A Bayesian belief network approach to environmental flow assessment in a data scarce region

The Volta clam, Galatea paradoxa, is a freshwater macrobenthic bivalve which is endemic to the Lower Volta River in Ghana. The range of occurrence of the clam has been influenced by the flow regime in the Lower Volta which is in turn controlled by operation of two dams located upstream. Previous research has documented the changes to the Lower Volta due to the dams and attempts have been made to design environmental flows (e-flows), freshwater flows to sustain ecosystems, to inform the re-operation of the dams. The past attempts were based on the pre-dam, natural flow regime of the Lower Volta. In this study, a designer e-flow approach is explored using the Volta clam as an indicator species. Using knowledge garnered from various sources on the lifecycle, habitat and the local conditions corresponding to historical and current states of the Volta clams, the factors influencing its extent are visualized and quantified in a Bayesian belief network (BBN). Based on this BBN, an e-flow recommendation for the Lower Volta is for low flows, between 50 m³/s and 330 m³/s, for four months during the Volta clam veliger larva and recruitment life stages which occur in November to March. In addition, it is recommended that full breaching of the sandbar which regularly builds up at the Volta Estuary is done annually and that sand winning on the river bed is prohibited. These e-flow and management recommendations will have consequences for other water users and these have to be investigated, for instance by flow experiments and trade-off analysis. The results show that a BBN is potentially suitable for modelling the linkages between flows, management practices and the status of ecological indicators for the development of e-flows for highly modified rivers in data scarce regions.

A Bayesian Belief Network learning tool integrates multi-scale effects of riparian buffers on stream invertebrates

Riparian forest buffers have multiple benefits for biodiversity and ecosystem services in both freshwater and terrestrial habitats but are rarely implemented in water ecosystem management, partly reflecting the lack of information on the effectiveness of this measure. In this context, social learning is valuable to inform stakeholders of the efficacy of riparian vegetation in mitigating stream degradation. We aim to develop a Bayesian belief network (BBN) model for application as a learning tool to simulate and assess the reach- and segment-scale effects of riparian vegetation properties and land use on instream invertebrates. We surveyed reach-scale riparian conditions, extracted segment-scale riparian and subcatchment land use information from geographic information system data, and collected macroinvertebrate samples from four catchments in Europe (Belgium, Norway, Romania, and Sweden). We modelled the ecological condition based on the Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) index, a macroinvertebrate-based index widely used in European bioassessment, as a function of different riparian variables using the BBN modelling approach. The results of the model simulations provided insights into the usefulness of riparian vegetation attributes in enhancing the ecological condition, with reach-scale riparian vegetation quality associated with the strongest improvements in ecological status. Specifically, reach-scale buffer vegetation of score 3 (i.e. moderate quality) generally results in the highest probability of a good ASPT score (99-100%). In contrast, a site with a narrow width of riparian trees and a small area of trees with reach-scale buffer vegetation of score 1 (i.e. low quality) predicts a high probability of a bad ASPT score (74%). The strengths of the BBN model are the ease of interpretation, fast simulation, ability to explicitly indicate uncertainty in model outcomes, and interactivity. These merits point to the potential use of the BBN model in workshop activities to stimulate key learning processes that help inform the management of riparian zones.

A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research

Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.

Modeling Water Quality in Watersheds: From Here to the Next Generation

In this synthesis, we assess present research and anticipate future development needs in modeling water quality in watersheds. We first discuss areas of potential improvement in the representation of freshwater systems pertaining to water quality, including representation of environmental interfaces, in-stream water quality and process interactions, soil health and land management, and (peri-)urban areas. In addition, we provide insights into the contemporary challenges in the practices of watershed water quality modeling, including quality control of monitoring data, model parameterization and calibration, uncertainty management, scale mismatches, and provisioning of modeling tools. Finally, we make three recommendations to provide a path forward for improving watershed water quality modeling science, infrastructure, and practices. These include building stronger collaborations between experimentalists and modelers, bridging gaps between modelers and stakeholders, and cultivating and applying procedural knowledge to better govern and support water quality modeling processes within organizations.

Assessment of Socio-Economic and Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources in Four European Lagoon Catchments

This study demonstrates the importance of considering potential land use and management changes in climate impact research. By taking into account possible trends of economic development and environmental awareness, we assess effects of global warming on water availability and quality in the catchments of four European lagoons: Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), Mar Menor (Spain), Vistula Lagoon (Poland and Russia), and Tyligulskyi Liman (Ukraine). Different setups of the process-based soil and water integrated model (SWIM), representing one reference and four socio-economic scenarios for each study area: the "business as usual", "crisis", "managed horizons", and "set-aside" scenarios are driven by sets of 15 climate scenarios for a reference (1971-2000) and near future (2011-2040) scenario period. Modeling results suggest a large spatial variability of potential impacts across the study areas, due to differences in the projected precipitation trends and the current environmental and socio-economic conditions. While climate change may reduce water and nutrients input to the Ria de Aveiro and Tyligulsyi Liman and increase water inflow to the Vistula Lagoon the socio-economic scenarios and their implications may balance out or reverse these trends. In the intensely managed Mar Menor catchment, climate change has no notable direct impact on water resources, but changes in land use and water management may certainly aggravate the current environmental problems. The great heterogeneity among results does not allow formulating adaptation or mitigation measures at pan-European level, as initially intended by this study. It rather implies the need of a regional approach in coastal zone management.

Developing stakeholder-driven scenarios on land sharing and land sparing - Insights from five European case studies

Empirical research on land sharing and land sparing has been criticized because preferences of local stakeholders, socio-economic aspects, a bundle of ecosystem services and the local context were only rarely integrated. Using storylines and scenarios is a common approach to include land use drivers and local contexts or to cope with the uncertainties of future developments. The objective of the presented research is to develop comparable participatory regional land use scenarios for the year 2030 reflecting land sharing, land sparing and more intermediate developments across five different European landscapes (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Spain). In order to ensure methodological consistency among the five case studies, a hierarchical multi-scale scenario approach was developed, which consisted of i) the selection of a common global storyline to frame a common sphere of uncertainty for all case studies, ii) the definition of three contrasting qualitative European storylines (representing developments for land sharing, land sparing and a balanced storyline), and iii) the development of three explorative case study-specific land use scenarios with regional stakeholders in workshops. Land use transition rules defined by stakeholders were used to generate three different spatially-explicit scenarios for each case study by means of high-resolution land use maps. All scenarios incorporated various aspects of land use and management to allow subsequent quantification of multiple ecosystem services and biodiversity indicators. The comparison of the final scenarios showed both common as well as diverging trends among the case studies. For instance, stakeholders identified further possibilities to intensify land management in all case studies in the land sparing scenario. In addition, in most case studies stakeholders agreed on the most preferred scenario, i.e. either land sharing or balanced, and the most likely one, i.e. balanced. However, they expressed some skepticism regarding the general plausibility of land sparing in a European context. It can be concluded that stakeholder perceptions and the local context can be integrated in land sharing and land sparing contexts subject to particular process design principles.

The Art of Scientific Performance

Humanity builds upon scientific findings, but the credibility of science might be at risk in a 'postfactual' era of advanced information technologies. Here we propose a systemic change for science, to turn away from a growth paradigm and to refocus on quality, characterized by curiosity, surprise, discovery, and societal relevance.

Automatic Method for Processing Mass Data in Clinical Medicine (FOSDIC)

1. The need for automatic data processing techniques in investigative medicine is briefly-stated and stresse’d.

2. Among the more widely used methods for collection, storage and analysis of large scale data, the punch cards, although suitable for direct computer input, leave a limited input speed.

3. A new system developed jointly by the Bureau of the Census and the National Bureau of Standards, called FOSDIC is described.

4. FOSDIC is basically an analog scanner actuated by a digital computer. It automatically reads, recodes and transcribes the information on magnetic tape in binary language.

5. FOSDIC. consists of four parts: a scanning unit, a program unit, a tape unit and a console.

6. Printed documents of suitable size and format are used for data collection; they are microfilmed” and the information contained therein is automatically scanned and recorded on digital magnetic tape, suitable for direct input to a digital electronic computer.

7. Some of the advantages offered by this system are stressed: they are speed and versatility in the scanning and transcribing process, flexibility in the size and format of the printed document and space saving in the storage of microfilmed documents.

8. FOSDIC system is being used in several research projects in progress; in one project reduction of clinical information is the aim, in other ones correlation between analog records such as the electrocardiogram with clinical information is pursued. Since the clinical information is collected from more than one hospital, uniformity in the collected documents is an important factor.

Integrative assessment of climate change for fast-growing urban areas: Measurement and recommendations for future research

Over the 20^th century, urbanization has substantially shaped the surface of Earth. With population rapidly shifting from rural locations towards the cities, urban areas have dramatically expanded on a global scale and represent crystallization points of social, cultural and economic assets and activities. This trend is estimated to persist for the next decades, and particularly the developing countries are expected to face rapid urban growth. The management of this growth will require good governance strategies and planning. By threatening the livelihoods, assets and health as foundations of human activities, another major global change contributor, climate change, became an equally important concern of stakeholders. Based on the climate trends observed over the 20^th century, and a spatially explicit model of urbanization, this paper investigates the impacts of climate change in relation to different stages of development of urban areas, thus evolving a more integrated perspective on both processes. As a result, an integrative measure of climate change trends and impacts is proposed and estimated for urban areas worldwide. We show that those areas facing major urban growth are to a large extent also hotspots of climate change. Since most of these hotspots are located in the Global South, we emphasize the need for stakeholders to co-manage both drivers of global change. The presented integrative perspective is seen as a starting point to foster such co-management, and furthermore as a means to facilitate communication and knowledge exchange on climate change impacts.

The American Society of Transplantation Consensus Conference on the Use of Hepatitis C Viremic Donors in Solid Organ Transplantation

The availability of direct-acting antiviral agents for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has resulted in a profound shift in the approach to the management of this infection. These changes have affected the practice of solid organ transplantation by altering the framework by which patients with end-stage organ disease are managed and receive organ transplants. The high level of safety and efficacy of these medications in patients with chronic HCV infection provides the opportunity to explore their use in the setting of transplanting organs from HCV-viremic patients into non-HCV-viremic recipients. Because these organs are frequently discarded and typically come from younger donors, this approach has the potential to save lives on the solid organ transplant waitlist. Therefore, an urgent need exists for prospective research protocols that study the risk versus benefit of using organs for hepatitis C-infected donors. In response to this rapidly changing practice and the need for scientific study and consensus, the American Society of Transplantation convened a meeting of experts to review current data and develop the framework for the study of using HCV viremic organs in solid organ transplantation.

Sensitive Analysis of Protein Adsorption to Colloidal Gold by Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation

It is demonstrated that the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to aqueous gold colloids can be quantified with molecular resolution by differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS). This method separates colloidal particles of comparable density by mass. When proteins adsorb to the nanoparticles, both their mass and their effective density change, which strongly affects the sedimentation time. A straightforward analysis allows quantification of the adsorbed layer. Most importantly, unlike many other methods, DCS can be used to detect chemisorbed proteins (“hard corona”) as well as physisorbed proteins (“soft corona”). The results for BSA on gold colloid nanoparticles can be modeled in terms of Langmuir-type adsorption isotherms (Hill model). The effects of surface modification with small thiol-PEG ligands on protein adsorption are also demonstrated.

Computational and Experimental Investigation of the Structure of Peptide Monolayers on Gold Nanoparticles

The self-assembly and self-organization of small molecules on the surface of nanoparticles constitute a potential route toward the preparation of advanced proteinlike nanosystems. However, their structural characterization, critical to the design of bionanomaterials with well-defined biophysical and biochemical properties, remains highly challenging. Here, a computational model for peptide-capped gold nanoparticles (GNPs) is developed using experimentally characterized Cys-Ala-Leu-Asn-Asn (CALNN)- and Cys-Phe-Gly-Ala-Ile-Leu-Ser-Ser (CFGAILSS)-capped GNPs as a benchmark. The structure of CALNN and CFGAILSS monolayers is investigated using both structural biology techniques and molecular dynamics simulations. The calculations reproduce the experimentally observed dependence of the monolayer secondary structure on the peptide capping density and on the nanoparticle size, thus giving us confidence in the model. Furthermore, the computational results reveal a number of new features of peptide-capped monolayers, including the importance of sulfur movement for the formation of secondary structure motifs, the presence of water close to the gold surface even in tightly packed peptide monolayers, and the existence of extended 2D parallel β-sheet domains in CFGAILSS monolayers. The model developed here provides a predictive tool that may assist in the design of further bionanomaterials.

Water Quality Is a Poor Predictor of Recreational Hotspots in England

Maintaining and improving water quality is key to the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems, which provide important benefits to society. In Europe, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) defines water quality based on a set of biological, hydro-morphological and chemical targets, and aims to reach good quality conditions in all river bodies by the year 2027. While recently it has been argued that achieving these goals will deliver and enhance ecosystem services, in particular recreational services, there is little empirical evidence demonstrating so. Here we test the hypothesis that good water quality is associated with increased utilization of recreational services, combining four surveys covering walking, boating, fishing and swimming visits, together with water quality data for all water bodies in eight River Basin Districts (RBDs) in England. We compared the percentage of visits in areas of good water quality to a set of null models accounting for population density, income, age distribution, travel distance, public access, and substitutability. We expect such association to be positive, at least for fishing (which relies on fish stocks) and swimming (with direct contact to water). We also test if these services have stronger association with water quality relative to boating and walking alongside rivers, canals or lakeshores. In only two of eight RBDs (Northumbria and Anglian) were both criteria met (positive association, strongest for fishing and swimming) when comparing to at least one of the null models. This conclusion is robust to variations in dataset size. Our study suggests that achieving the WFD water quality goals may not enhance recreational ecosystem services, and calls for further empirical research on the connection between water quality and ecosystem services.

On the Nexus of the Spatial Dynamics of Global Urbanization and the Age of the City

A number of concepts exist regarding how urbanization can be described as a process. Understanding this process that affects billions of people and its future development in a spatial manner is imperative to address related issues such as human quality of life. In the focus of spatially explicit studies on urbanization is typically a city, a particular urban region, an agglomeration. However, gaps remain in spatially explicit global models. This paper addresses that issue by examining the spatial dynamics of urban areas over time, for a full coverage of the world. The presented model identifies past, present and potential future hotspots of urbanization as a function of an urban area's spatial variation and age, whose relation could be depicted both as a proxy and as a path of urban development.

Singlet Oxygen Generation by Laser Irradiation of Gold Nanoparticles

The formation of singlet oxygen by irradiation of gold nanoparticles in their plasmon resonance band with continuous or pulsed laser light has been investigated. Citrate-stabilized nanoparticles were found to facilitate the photogeneration of singlet oxygen, albeit with low quantum yield. The reaction caused by pulsed laser irradiation makes use of the equilibrated hot electrons that can reach temperatures of several thousand degrees during the laser pulse. Although less efficient, continuous irradiation, which acts via the short-lived directly excited primary "hot" electrons only, can produce enough singlet oxygen for photodynamic cancer therapy and has significant advantages for practical applications. However, careful design of the nanoparticles is needed, since even a moderately thick capping layer can completely inhibit singlet oxygen formation. Moreover, the efficiency of the process also depends on the nanoparticle size.

A critical update on endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene variations in women with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion: genetic association study, systematic review and meta-analyses

A number of case-control studies investigated the association between idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion (IRSA) and variations in the gene encoding endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3), but yielded contradictory results. Our aim was to test the association of the NOS3 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron 4 and +894 G/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with IRSA in Slovenian women (148 IRSA and 149 control women), conduct a systematic review of literature on the association between NOS3 gene variations and IRSA, and perform meta-analyses of studies that met the inclusion criteria, defined by virtue of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology evidence-based guidelines for recurrent spontaneous abortion. Genotyping was performed using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The systematic review of literature (English language) was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases, to 1 November 2014. We determined no association of IRSA with the VNTR in intron 4 and +894 G/T SNP in Slovenian women. Furthermore, 16 case-control studies were identified on the association between 15 NOS3 gene variations and IRSA. However, significant inconsistencies exist in the selection criteria of patients and controls between studies. The meta-analysis of VNTR in intron 4 was performed on five studies (894 patients, 944 controls), whereas the meta-analysis of +894 G/T SNP included six studies (1111 patients, 1121 controls). The association with IRSA was significant for the +894 G/T SNP under the dominant genetic model (GT+TT versus GG) based on fixed (odds ratio (OR) = 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28-1.86, P = <0.01) and random effects models (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.03-2.31, P = 0.03). In conclusion, the GT and TT genotypes of the +894 G/T SNP in women might contribute to a predisposition to IRSA. Additional genetic association and functional studies in different populations with larger numbers of participants and a uniformly defined IRSA are needed to clarify the contribution of NOS3 +894 G/T gene variation to IRSA.

The roughness of the protein energy landscape results in anomalous diffusion of the polypeptide backbone

Recombination of photolysed protein disulfide bonds confirms subdiffusional backbone motion and measures the roughness of the protein's energy landscape.

Simulating land management options to reduce nitrate pollution in an agricultural watershed dominated by an alluvial aquifer

The study area (Alegria watershed, Basque Country, Northern Spain) considered here is influenced by an important alluvial aquifer that plays a significant role in nitrate pollution from agricultural land use and management practices. Nitrates are transported primarily from the soil to the river through the alluvial aquifer. The agricultural activity covers 75% of the watershed and is located in a nitrate-vulnerable zone. The main objective of the study was to find land management options for water pollution abatement by using model systems. In a first step, the SWAT model was applied to simulate discharge and nitrate load in stream flow at the outlet of the catchment for the period between October 2009 and June 2011. The LOADEST program was used to estimate the daily nitrate load from measured nitrate concentration. We achieved satisfactory simulation results for discharge and nitrate loads at monthly and daily time steps. The results revealed clear variations in the seasons: higher nitrate loads were achieved for winter (20,000 kg mo NO-N), and lower nitrate loads were simulated for the summer (<1000 kg mo NO-N) period. In a second step, the calibrated model was used to evaluate the long-term effects of best management practices (BMPs) for a 50-yr period by maintaining actual agricultural practices, reducing fertilizer application by 20%, splitting applications (same total N but applied over the growing period), and reducing 20% of the applied fertilizer amount and splitting the fertilizer doses. The BMPs were evaluated on the basis of local experience and farmer interaction. Results showed that reducing fertilizer amounts by 20% could lead to a reduction of 50% of the number of days exceeding the nitrate concentration limit value (50 mg L) set by the European Water Framework Directive.

Simulating Landscape Sediment Transport Capacity by Using a Modified SWAT Model

Sediment delivery from hillslopes to rivers is spatially variable and may lead to long-term delays between initial erosion and related sediment yield at the watershed outlet. Consideration of spatial variability is important for developing sound strategies for water quality improvement and soil protection at the watershed scale. Hence, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was modified and tested in this study to simulate the landscape transport capacity of sediment. The study area was the steeply sloped Arroio Lino watershed in southern Brazil. Observed sediment yield data at the watershed outlet were used to calibrate and validate a modified SWAT model. For the calibration period, the modified model performed better than the unaltered SWAT2009 version; the models achieved Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) values of 0.7 and -0.1, respectively. Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies were less for the validation period, but the modified model's NSE was higher than the unaltered model (-1.4 and -12.1, respectively). Despite the relatively low NSE values, the results of this first test are promising because the model modifications lowered the percent bias in sediment yield from 73 to 18%. Simulation results for the modified model indicated that approximately 60% of the mobilized soil is deposited along the landscape before it reaches the river channels. This research demonstrates the modified model's ability to simulate sediment yield in watersheds with steep slopes. The results suggest that integration of the sediment deposition routine in SWAT increases accuracy in steeper areas while significantly improving its ability to predict the spatial distribution of sediment deposition areas. Further work is needed regarding (i) improved strategies for spatially distributed sediment transport measurements (for improving process knowledge and model evaluation) and (ii) extensive model tests in other well instrumented experimental watersheds with differing topographic configurations and land uses.

High-resolution sizing of monolayer-protected gold clusters by differential centrifugal sedimentation

Differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS) has been applied to accurately size ligand-protected gold hydrosols in the 10 to 50 nm range. A simple protocol is presented to correct for particle density variations due to the presence of the ligand shell, which is formed here by either polyethylene glycol-substituted alkane thiols (PEG-alkane thiols) of different chain length or oligopeptides. The method gives reliable data for all particle sizes investigated and lends itself to rapid routine sizing of nanoparticles. Unlike TEM, DCS is highly sensitive to small changes in the thickness of the organic ligand shell and can be applied to monitor shell thickness variations of as little as 0.1 nm on particles of a given core size.

The impact of Best Management Practices on simulated streamflow and sediment load in a Central Brazilian catchment

The intense use of water for both public supply and agricultural production causes societal conflicts and environmental problems in the Brazilian Federal District. A serious consequence of this is nonpoint source pollution which leads to increasing water treatment costs. Hence, this study investigates in how far agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) might contribute to sustainable water resources management and soil protection in the region. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to study the impact of those practices on streamflow and sediment load in the intensively cropped catchment of the Pipiripau River. The model was calibrated and validated against measured streamflow and turbidity-derived sediment loads. By means of scenario simulations, it was found that structural BMPs such as parallel terraces and small sediment basins ('Barraginhas') can lead to sediment load reductions of up to 40%. The implementation of these measures did not adversely affect the water yield. In contrast, multi-diverse crop rotations including irrigated dry season crops were found to be disadvantageous in terms of water availability by significantly reducing streamflow during low flow periods. The study considers rainfall uncertainty by using a precipitation data ensemble, but nevertheless highlights the importance of well established monitoring systems due to related shortcomings in model calibration. Despite the existing uncertainties, the model results are useful for water resource managers to develop water and soil protection strategies for the Pipiripau River Basin and for watersheds with similar characteristics.

A new multiscale approach for monitoring vegetation using remote sensing-based indicators in laboratory, field, and landscape

Remote sensing is an important tool for studying patterns in surface processes on different spatiotemporal scales. However, differences in the spatiospectral and temporal resolution of remote sensing data as well as sensor-specific surveying characteristics very often hinder comparative analyses and effective up- and downscaling analyses. This paper presents a new methodical framework for combining hyperspectral remote sensing data on different spatial and temporal scales. We demonstrate the potential of using the "One Sensor at Different Scales" (OSADIS) approach for the laboratory (plot), field (local), and landscape (regional) scales. By implementing the OSADIS approach, we are able (1) to develop suitable stress-controlled vegetation indices for selected variables such as the Leaf Area Index (LAI), chlorophyll, photosynthesis, water content, nutrient content, etc. over a whole vegetation period. Focused laboratory monitoring can help to document additive and counteractive factors and processes of the vegetation and to correctly interpret their spectral response; (2) to transfer the models obtained to the landscape level; (3) to record imaging hyperspectral information on different spatial scales, achieving a true comparison of the structure and process results; (4) to minimize existing errors from geometrical, spectral, and temporal effects due to sensor- and time-specific differences; and (5) to carry out a realistic top- and downscaling by determining scale-dependent correction factors and transfer functions. The first results of OSADIS experiments are provided by controlled whole vegetation experiments on barley under water stress on the plot scale to model LAI using the vegetation indices Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and green NDVI (GNDVI). The regression model ascertained from imaging hyperspectral AISA-EAGLE/HAWK (DUAL) data was used to model LAI. This was done by using the vegetation index GNDVI with an R (2) of 0.83, which was transferred to airborne hyperspectral data on the local and regional scales. For this purpose, hyperspectral imagery was collected at three altitudes over a land cover gradient of 25 km within a timeframe of a few minutes, yielding a spatial resolution from 1 to 3 m. For all recorded spatial scales, both the LAI and the NDVI were determined. The spatial properties of LAI and NDVI of all recorded hyperspectral images were compared using semivariance metrics derived from the variogram. The first results show spatial differences in the heterogeneity of LAI and NDVI from 1 to 3 m with the recorded hyperspectral data. That means that differently recorded data on different scales might not sufficiently maintain the spatial properties of high spatial resolution hyperspectral images.

Measurement of energy landscape roughness of folded and unfolded proteins

The dynamics of protein conformational changes, from protein folding to smaller changes, such as those involved in ligand binding, are governed by the properties of the conformational energy landscape. Different techniques have been used to follow the motion of a protein over this landscape and thus quantify its properties. However, these techniques often are limited to short timescales and low-energy conformations. Here, we describe a general approach that overcomes these limitations. Starting from a nonnative conformation held by an aromatic disulfide bond, we use time-resolved spectroscopy to observe nonequilibrium backbone dynamics over nine orders of magnitude in time, from picoseconds to milliseconds, after photolysis of the disulfide bond. We find that the reencounter probability of residues that initially are in close contact decreases with time following an unusual power law that persists over the full time range and is independent of the primary sequence. Model simulations show that this power law arises from subdiffusional motion, indicating a wide distribution of trapping times in local minima of the energy landscape, and enable us to quantify the roughness of the energy landscape (4-5 k(B)T). Surprisingly, even under denaturing conditions, the energy landscape remains highly rugged with deep traps (>20 k(B)T) that result from multiple nonnative interactions and are sufficient for trapping on the millisecond timescale. Finally, we suggest that the subdiffusional motion of the protein backbone found here may promote rapid folding of proteins with low contact order by enhancing contact formation between nearby residues.

Amyloid-derived peptide forms self-assembled monolayers on gold nanoparticle with a curvature-dependent β-sheet structure

Using a combination of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) techniques, the secondary structure of peptides anchored on gold nanoparticles of different sizes is investigated. The structure of the well-studied CALNN-capped nanoparticles is compared to the structure of nanoparticles capped with a new cysteine-terminated peptide, CFGAILSS. The design of that peptide is derived from the minimal amyloidogenic sequence FGAIL of the human islet polypeptide amylin. We demonstrate that CFGAILSS forms extended fibrils in solution. When constrained at a nanoparticle surface, CFGAILSS adopts a secondary structure markedly different from CALNN. Taking into account the surface selection rules, the FTIR spectra of CFGAILSS-capped gold nanoparticles indicate the formation of β-sheets which are more prominent for 25 nm diameter nanoparticles than for 5 nm nanoparticles. No intermolecular (13)C-(13)C dipolar coupling is detected with rotational resonance SSNMR for CALNN-capped nanoparticles, while CALNN is in a random coil configuration. Coupling is detected for CFGAILSS-capped gold nanoparticles, however, consistent with an intermolecular (13)C-(13)C distance of 5.0 ± 0.3 Å, in agreement with intermolecular hydrogen bonding in a parallel β-sheet structure.

The intracellular Ig fold: a robust protein scaffold for the engineering of molecular recognition

Protein scaffolds that support molecular recognition have multiple applications in biotechnology. Thus, protein frames with robust structural cores but adaptable surface loops are in continued demand. Recently, notable progress has been made in the characterization of Ig domains of intracellular origin--in particular, modular components of the titin myofilament. These Ig belong to the I(intermediate)-type, are remarkably stable, highly soluble and undemanding to produce in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Using the Z1 domain from titin as representative, we show that the I-Ig fold tolerates the drastic diversification of its CD loop, constituting an effective peptide display system. We examine the stability of CD-loop-grafted Z1-peptide chimeras using differential scanning fluorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance and demonstrate that the introduction of bioreactive affinity binders in this position does not compromise the structural integrity of the domain. Further, the binding efficiency of the exogenous peptide sequences in Z1 is analyzed using pull-down assays and isothermal titration calorimetry. We show that an internally grafted, affinity FLAG tag is functional within the context of the fold, interacting with the anti-FLAG M2 antibody in solution and in affinity gel. Together, these data reveal the potential of the intracellular Ig scaffold for targeted functionalization.

Measurement of circular dichroism dynamics in a nanosecond temperature-jump experiment

The use of a fast temperature jump (T-jump) is a very powerful experiment aiming at studying protein denaturation dynamics. However, probing the secondary structure is a difficult challenge and rarely yields quantitative values. We present the technical implementation of far-UV circular dichroism in a nanosecond T-jump experiment and show that this experiment allows us to follow quantitatively the change in the helical fraction of a poly(glutamic acid) peptide during its thermal denaturation with 12 ns time resolution.

Influence of different nitrate-N monitoring strategies on load estimation as a base for model calibration and evaluation

Model-based predictions of the impact of land management practices on nutrient loading require measured nutrient flux data for model calibration and evaluation. Consequently, uncertainties in the monitoring data resulting from sample collection and load estimation methods influence the calibration, and thus, the parameter settings that affect the modeling results. To investigate this influence, we compared three different time-based sampling strategies and four different load estimation methods for model calibration and compared the results. For our study, we used the river basin model Soil and Water Assessment Tool on the intensively managed loess-dominated Parthe watershed (315 km(2)) in Central Germany. The results show that nitrate-N load estimations differ considerably depending on sampling strategy, load estimation method, and period of interest. Within our study period, the annual nitrate-N load estimation values for the daily composite data set have the lowest ranges (between 9.8% and 15.7% maximum deviations related to the mean value of all applied methods). By contrast, annual estimation results for the submonthly and the monthly data set vary in greater ranges (between 24.9% and 67.7%). To show differences between the sampling strategies, we calculated the percentage deviation of mean load estimations of submonthly and monthly data sets as related to the mean estimation value of the composite data set. For nitrate-N, the maximum deviation is 64.5% for the submonthly data set in the year 2000. We used average monthly nitrate-N loads of the daily composite data set to calibrate the model to achieve satisfactory simulation results [Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) 0.52]. Using the same parameter settings with submonthly and monthly data set, the NSE dropped to 0.42 and 0.31, respectively. Considering the different results from the monitoring strategy and the load estimation method, we recommend both the implementation of optimized monitoring programs and the use of multiple load estimation methods to improve water quality characterization and provide appropriate model calibration and evaluation data.

Pimp your landscape: a tool for qualitative evaluation of the effects of regional planning measures on ecosystem services

The article presents the platform "Pimp your landscape" (PYL), which aims firstly at the support of planners by simulating alternative land-use scenarios and by an evaluation of benefits or risks for regionally important ecosystem services. Second, PYL supports an integration of information on environmental and landscape conditions into impact assessment. Third, PYL supports the integration of impacts of planning measures on ecosystem services. PYL is a modified 2-D cellular automaton with GIS features. The cells have the major attribute "land-use type" and can be supplemented with additional information, such as specifics regarding geology, topography and climate. The GIS features support the delineation of non-cellular infrastructural elements, such as roads or water bodies. An evaluation matrix represents the core element of the system. In this matrix, values in a relative scale from 0 (lowest value) to 100 (highest value) are assigned to the land-use types and infrastructural elements depending on their effect on ecosystem services. The option to configure rules for describing the impact of environmental attributes and proximity effects on cell values and land-use transition probabilities is of particular importance. User interface and usage of the platform are demonstrated by an application case. Constraints and limits of the recent version are discussed, including the need to consider in the evaluation, landscape-structure aspects such as patch size, fragmentation and spatial connectivity. Regarding the further development, it is planned to include the impact of land management practices to support climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in regional planning.

How can we make progress with decision support systems in landscape and river basin management? Lessons learned from a comparative analysis of four different decision support systems

This article analyses the benefits and shortcomings of the recently developed decision support systems (DSS) FLUMAGIS, Elbe-DSS, CatchMODS, and MedAction. The analysis elaborates on the following aspects: (i) application area/decision problem, (ii) stakeholder interaction/users involved, (iii) structure of DSS/model structure, (iv) usage of the DSS, and finally (v) most important shortcomings. On the basis of this analysis, we formulate four criteria that we consider essential for the successful use of DSS in landscape and river basin management. The criteria relate to (i) system quality, (ii) user support and user training, (iii) perceived usefulness and (iv) user satisfaction. We can show that the availability of tools and technologies for DSS in landscape and river basin management is good to excellent. However, our investigations indicate that several problems have to be tackled. First of all, data availability and homogenisation, uncertainty analysis and uncertainty propagation and problems with model integration require further attention. Furthermore, the appropriate and methodological stakeholder interaction and the definition of 'what end-users really need and want' have been documented as general shortcomings of all four examples of DSS. Thus, we propose an iterative development process that enables social learning of the different groups involved in the development process, because it is easier to design a DSS for a group of stakeholders who actively participate in an iterative process. We also identify two important lines of further development in DSS: the use of interactive visualization tools and the methodology of optimization to inform scenario elaboration and evaluate trade-offs among environmental measures and management alternatives.

Squaring the circle? Combining models, indicators, experts and end-users in integrated land-use management support tools

The most important challenges faced in the field of integrated land-use management are (i) harmonizing and integrating different datasets, (ii) selecting appropriate indicators, (iii) fitting suitable models to adequate scales, and finally (iv) integrating data, indicators and models into systems that allow both a high level of participation and flexibility with the adaptation to a variety of questions and applications. The articles of this special issue "Squaring the Circle? Combining Models, Indicators, Experts and End-Users in Integrated Land-Use Management Support Tools" demonstrate the challenges that are related to this topic. The case studies present examples of such integrated systems in order to recommend best practices to support land-use management and to reveal existing shortcomings. As a conclusion, seven features of a successful applicable integrated land-use management support system are derived: (1) ability to deal with discontinuity in information and datasets, (2) contribution to solve the problem of indicator diversity, (3) structuring the decision-making process, (4) support of participation processes in generating decisions, (5) development, comparison and evaluation of land-use alternatives, (6) assessment of the efficiency and trade-offs of management options, and (7) assistance of stakeholders in group communication processes.

Inflicting controlled nonthermal damage to subcellular structures by laser-activated gold nanoparticles

We show that low-intensity laser irradiation of cancer cells containing endosomal gold nanoparticles leads to endosome rupture and escape of the nanoparticles into the cytosol without affecting the cells' viability. The low light intensity of our experiments allows us to rule out photothermal effects as the underlying mechanism, and we present results that suggest photoinduced radicals as the photogenerated active species. This nonthermal mechanism may also be important in the context of cell death at higher laser intensities, which had been reported previously.

Heart-hand syndrome of Slovenian type: a new kind of laminopathy

BACKGROUND

Heart-hand syndromes are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterised by the association of congenital cardiac disease and limb deformities. Laminopathies are a group of diseases caused by mutations in the LMNA gene encoding A-type lamins.

RESULTS

We report a new LMNA mutation (c.1609-12T>G, IVS9-12 T>G) that creates a new cryptic splicing site with the retention of 11 intronic nucleotides in the mRNA. This LMNA mutation segregates with a new type of heart-hand syndrome in a previously reported family suffering from adult onset progressive conduction system disease, atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, sudden death, dilated cardiomyopathy, and brachydactyly with predominant foot involvement. Analysis of the fibroblasts of two affected family members identified for the first time a truncated lamin A/C protein resulting from the frame shift created by the new splicing site, together with nuclear envelope abnormalities confirming that this LMNA mutation is pathogenic.

CONCLUSIONS

This new heart-hand syndrome should therefore be considered as a new kind of laminopathy. As part of laminopathies with heart involvement, patients presenting with this phenotype and their relatives are at risk for developing sudden cardiac death and should beneficiate from appropriate LMNA genetic diagnosis.