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Dispersal is a key process affecting population persistence and major factors affecting dispersal rates are the amounts, connectedness and properties of habitats in landscapes. We present new data on the butterfly Maniola jurtina in flower-rich and flower-poor habitats that demonstrates how movement and behaviour differ between sexes and habitat types, and how this effects consequent dispersal rat
Most in vitro reporter gene assays used to assess estrogenic contamination are based on human estrogen receptor α (hERα) activation. However, fish bioassays can have distinct response to estrogenic chemicals and mixtures, questioning the relevance of human-based bioassays for assessing risk to this species. In this study, zebrafish liver cells stably expressing zebrafish ERβ2 (ZELHβ2) and human br
Human use of natural resources poses a great challenge to social-ecological and socio-technical sys- tems alike: supply risks, pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation on the one hand, but also issues of global justice and societal well-being on the other hand. In order to test potential im- pacts of developments and strategies relevant to resource policy, the SimRess project first
WORLD6 model was developed and applied to simulate potential future supply and scarcity of a num- ber of natural resources within the system dynamics modelling workpackage of the SimRess project. The main objective of this report is to outline the overall structure of the WORLD6 model and provide a detailed description of the “resources” module implemented in the model.In the WORLD6 model, resourc
Exploring the patterns of genetic structure in the context of geographical andphenotypic variation is important to understand the evolutionary processesinvolved in speciation. We investigated population and subspecies differentiationin the Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, a high latitude wader thatbreeds in arctic and temperate zones from northeast Canada across Eurasia tothe Russian Far
OBJECTIVE: To study the information gained by extending a well-established instrument of dependence/independence in activities of daily living with a self-rating of difficulty, and to illustrate the relevance and usefulness of this combined approach with cross-national data. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Cross-sectional survey study data collected with 1918 very old persons in 5 European countries. METHODS
Various proteases in the brain contribute to ischemic brain injury. We investigated the involvement of the asparaginyl endopeptidase legumain after experimental stroke. On the basis of gene array studies and in situ hybridizations, we observed an increase of legumain expression in the peri-infarct area of rats after transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) for 120 mins with a maxim
An alternative formulation of the Lund fragmentation model for string states without gluons is presented. It is shown that the fragmentation process can be factorised into a product of transition operators with well-defined eigenfunctions and corresponding eigenvalues. The physical properties of these functions are studied and possible applications are suggested. A fragmentation model for multigl
Nascent US carbon markets reward farmers for reforesting agricultural land, with consequent ecological co-benefits. We use a dynamic optimization model to determine the likelihood of an orchard farmer in northern California converting to forest under 90 plausible future scenarios. We find reforestation to be a highly unlikely outcome, occurring only 4.0% of the time under current economic, biophys
The critical rates of extraction of some metals was explored using a methodology based on the thinking behind critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen deposition developed in Europe 1990-2010. With a long term sustainability view in mind, critical rates based on 5,000 and 10,000 years were estimated and found to widely exceed the present extraction rates. Huge advances in recycling, as well as a si
The total resources form copper, zinc and lead was estimated from a reworking of the literature. The data was used as input to the integrated systems dynamics model BRONZE, and used to estimate the global supply of these metals and the by-products antimony, indium, germanium, tellurium, cadmium, bismuth and selenium. The runs show that copper, zinc and lead go through peak production around 2050 a
The global supply of cobalt was simulated by combining 3 different system dynamics models; BRONZE, PGM and STEEL. The present use of cobalt shows a low degree of recycling and systemic losses are significant. The reserves of cobalt are not very large (20-25 million ton extractable) as compared to metals like copper, zinc or iron, and after 2170 cobalt will have run out under a business-as-usual sc
Interaction of synthetic TiO2 (anatase) nanoparticles in aqueous suspension at pH 5 was investigated as a function of time in the presence of various organic molecules in terms of adsorption and aggregation behaviour. ζ-potential and average particle diameter were determined with electrophoretic and dynamic light scattering, respectively, while batch adsorption experiments were used to quantify th
Studies on the natural human exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and their elements composition are practically non-existent in South America. In order to understand the natural exposure of the typical Brazilian population to PM2.5 and their trace element composition, we measured PM2.5 concentrations and collected mass on filters for nine continuous hours during a typical workday of volun
With 450,000 km2 Kobresia (syn. Carex) pygmaea dominated pastures in the eastern Tibetan highlands are the world's largest pastoral alpine ecosystem forming a durable turf cover at 3000–6000 m a.s.l. Kobresia's resilience and competitiveness is based on dwarf habit, predominantly below-ground allocation of photo assimilates, mixture of seed production and clonal growth, and high genetic diversity.
This paper presents results from a risk assessment of recycling pre-treated bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration as a subbase layer in certain asphalt paved constructions in Sweden. Based on a model for assessing environmental and health risks at contaminated areas, previously developed by the Swedish EPA and by the Swedish Geotechnical Institute, target values for total content and
The WORLD6 model is a fully integrated dynamic world systems model. It includes a biophysical global economic model, based on first principles of physics and thermodynamics, forcing it to be fully consistent with the underlying mass- and energy balances. The WORLD6 model first creates value from extraction of natural resources, input of human labour, the efficiency effect of mechanization and auto
Rivers have traditionally been viewed as negligible sources of iron (Fe) to marine waters, as most Fe gets lost during estuarine mixing. However, recent findings demonstrate that Fe from boreal rivers display a higher resistance towards salinity-induced aggregation, presumably due to stabilizing interactions with organic matter. Previous studies have shown that Fe (oxy)hydroxides are selectively r
The intensification of agricultural practices throughout the twentieth century has had large detrimental effects on biodiversity and these are likely to increase as the human population rises, with consequent pressure on land. To offset these negative impacts, agri-environment schemes have been widely implemented, offering financial incentives for land-owners to create or maintain favourable habit
Agroforestry systems, which incorporate trees into agricultural land, could contribute to sustainable agricultural intensification as they have been shown to increase land productivity, biodiversity and some regulating ecosystem services. However, the effect of temperate agroforestry systems on pest control and pollination services has not been comprehensively reviewed, despite the importance of t
