scholarly journals Human-induced soil erosion and landscape changes in the Mongolian Altai – a biogeochemical multi-proxy approach from Lake Khar Nuur

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Bliedtner ◽  
Paul Strobel ◽  
Julian Struck ◽  
Brigitta Enyedi ◽  
Tobias Bromm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Landscape Changes ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Fecal Sterols ◽  
Mongolian Altai ◽  
Terrestrial Input ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Impact

<p>During the “Paleoanthropocene”, humans have become one of the major factors affecting Earth surface processes, with intensified soil erosion being one of the most notable human-induced process. Especially semi-arid regions are vulnerable to human-induced soil erosion and landscape changes, which is particularly true for the Mongolian Altai, where extensive pastoralism and the rise of nomadic empires strongly influenced landscape changes. So far, only little is known about the impact of humans in the Mongolian Altai and whether landscape changes are naturally or human-driven. Therefore, our study investigates a 5 ka sediment core from Lake Khar Nuur, which is located at ~2500 m a.s.l. in the Mongolian Altai. More specifically, we carried out a biogeochemical multi-proxy approach to disentangle between natural and anthropogenic signals in the Khar Nuur sediments, which includes extensive <sup>14</sup>C-dating, XRF analyses, CNS analyses and their stable isotopes, and fecal sterols.</p><p>For the 5 ka sediments from Khar Nuur, XRF, C<sub>org</sub> and bulk δ<sup>13</sup>C results show alternating phases of in-situ produced aquatic sediments/organic material versus increased terrestrial input from the catchment. Since no hardwater effect is observed for Khar Nuur sediments, phases of dominated in-situ aquatic production (i.e. high Ca/Ti ratios, higher C<sub>org</sub> and positive bulk δ<sup>13</sup>C values) gave <sup>14</sup>C-ages close to the timing of sediment deposition/biomass formation. In contrast, during phases of increased terrestrial input (i.e. low Ca/Ti ratios, low C<sub>org</sub> and negative bulk δ<sup>13</sup>C values), <sup>14</sup>C-ages become successively older and show larger age offsets compared to their timing of deposition in the lake. Thus, clear evidence is given that old organic carbon became mobilized from the catchment soils by increased soil erosion during three terrestrial phases from ~4.3 to 3.7 cal. ka BP, ~3.2 to 2.8 cal. ka BP and ~2.0 to 0.7 cal. ka BP. Abundances of fecal sterols start to increase at ~2 cal. ka BP, and human and herbivore feces strongly increase until ~1 cal. ka BP. This increase in fecal sterols falls directly into the last erosive phase between ~2.0 to 0.7 cal. ka BP and indicate that soil erosion during that time was mainly human-induced by increased pastoralism. Moreover, beginning human presence at ~2 cal. ka BP corresponds to the Xiongnu (the Huns), whereas the strongly increased anthropogenic activity in the region at ~1 cal. ka BP falls into a period where Turks, Uighurs and Mongols are present in western Mongolia and the Altai. Thus, soil erosion and landscape changes in the Mongolian Altai are strongly driven by the rise of pastoralism and nomadic empires during the late Holocene.</p>

scholarly journals Improved In Situ Hybridization Efficiency with Locked-Nucleic-Acid-Incorporated DNA Probes

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 5311-5317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kengo Kubota ◽  
Akiyoshi Ohashi ◽  
Hiroyuki Imachi ◽  
Hideki Harada
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Fluorescence Intensity ◽  
Dna Probes ◽  
Locked Nucleic Acid ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Hybridization Efficiency ◽  
Probe Hybridization ◽  
Major Factors

ABSTRACT Low signal intensity due to poor probe hybridization efficiency is one of the major drawbacks of rRNA-targeted in situ hybridization. There are two major factors affecting the hybridization efficiency: probe accessibility and affinity to the targeted rRNA molecules. In this study, we demonstrate remarkable improvement in in situ hybridization efficiency by applying locked-nucleic-acid (LNA)-incorporated oligodeoxynucleotide probes (LNA/DNA probes) without compromising specificity. Fluorescently labeled LNA/DNA probes with two to four LNA substitutions exhibited strong fluorescence intensities equal to or greater than that of probe Eub338, although these probes did not show bright signals when they were synthesized as DNA probes; for example, the fluorescence intensity of probe Eco468 increased by 22-fold after three LNA bases were substituted for DNA bases. Dissociation profiles of the probes revealed that the dissociation temperature was directly related to the number of LNA substitutions and the fluorescence intensity. These results suggest that the introduction of LNA residues in DNA probes will be a useful approach for effectively enhancing probe hybridization efficiency.

Factors affecting the amplitude of the τ angle in proteins: a revisitation

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 618-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Balasco ◽  
Luciana Esposito ◽  
Luigi Vitagliano
Keyword(s):  
Protein Structures ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Backbone Conformation ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Open Issues

The protein folded state is the result of the fine balance of a variety of different forces. Even minor structural perturbations may have a significant impact on the stability of these macromolecules. Studies carried out in recent decades have led to the convergent view that proteins are endowed with a flexible spine. One of the open issues related to protein local backbone geometry is the identification of the factors that influence the amplitude of the τ (N—Cα—C) angle. Here, statistical analyses performed on an updated ensemble of X-ray protein structures by dissecting the contribution of the major factors that can potentially influence the local backbone geometry of proteins are reported. The data clearly indicate that the local backbone conformation has a prominent impact on the modulation of the τ angle. Therefore, a proper assessment of the impact of the other potential factors can only be appropriately evaluated when small (φ, ψ) regions are considered. Here, it is shown that when the contribution of the backbone conformation is removed by considering small (φ, ψ) areas, an impact of secondary structure, as defined byDSSP, and/or the residue type on τ is still detectable, although to a limited extent. Indeed, distinct τ-value distributions are detected for Pro/Gly and β-branched (Ile/Val) residues. The key role of the local backbone conformation highlighted here supports the use of variable local backbone geometry in protein refinement protocols.

scholarly journals The Treaty of Lisbon and International Intervention

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 16-34
Author(s):  
Eoin O'Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
United Nations Security Council ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Treaty Of Lisbon ◽  
International Intervention ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Eu Foreign Policy ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Impact

The Treaty of Lisbon was designed to significantly strengthen the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union (EU). This paper assesses the impact of the Treaty’s innovations on the conduct of European foreign policy with respect to international intervention. It seeks to do so through case study analysis of two international crises where the Treaty’s effects in this regard could be seen: the civil wars in Libya and Mali. This study focuses on the coordination of European states within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It looks primarily at three major factors affecting the conduct of an effective EU foreign policy: the formation of a cohesive policy; effective institutional implementation; and the tensions between national and collective interests within the EU.

scholarly journals Effects of Design Quality on Delay in Residential Construction Projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-129
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Mahamid
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Frequent Change ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Schedule Delay ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Design Schedule ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Project Delay

This study is conducted to establish the effect of design quality on project delay in building projects. It aims at: 1) investigating the major factors of design quality, 2) identifying the main delay factors in building projects, 2) establishing the relationship between design quality and delay in building projects. To achieve these objectives, a questionnaire survey is performed. Seventeen (17) factors that might affect design quality, and 15 delay factors are listed in a questionnaire form. Sixty (60) contractors and 40 consultants are asked to identify the severity of the identified factors. Results indicate that the top factors affecting design quality are: delay in payments by client for design services, staff allocation for many projects at the same time, copying and modifying from previous work to minimize time and cost, tight design schedule, lack of designer knowledge with techniques and materials available in the market. The study also concludes that the top five delay factors include: payments delay, poor labor productivity, lack of skilled manpower, frequent change orders and rework. Regression analysis for data collected from 36 building projects shows a good correlation between design quality and delay in projects. This study is the first one that addresses the problem of design quality in the West Bank in Palestine. Furthermore, it is the first study that addresses the effect of design quality on project delay in Palestine and the neighboring countries. It is hoped to be helpful for researchers and professionals to understand the impact of design quality on schedule delay.

scholarly journals Debt and Economic Growth in South Asia

2001 ◽  
Vol 40 (4II) ◽  
pp. 677-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehana Siddiqui ◽  
Afia Malik
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Income Country ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Low Income Country ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Impact

After 1980s, in most developing countries, the rate of debt accumulation and increase in debt servicing are highlighted as major factors affecting the growth rate of output. Most of these countries lost their competitiveness in the international market mainly as a result of insufficient exchange rate adjustments. In addition, the weakening of terms of trade, economic mismanagement and crisis of governance also lowered growth rates in the developing countries. The downward pressure was larger in the countries facing higher debt burden as these countries faced higher interest rates, decline in the external resource inflow, lower export earnings, lower domestic output and lower imports. In case of South Asian countries, the external debt scenario has changed over time. According to World Bank (2001) Pakistan’s ranking worsened to ‘severely-indebted low income country’ from ‘moderately-indebted low income country’ in 1997, where as India’s ranking improved to ‘less indebted low income’ country from ‘moderately indebted’ in 1997. The rapid accumulation of debt, rising repayment burden and the economically and politically resource inflow or rescheduling motivated rescheduling of debt (as in case of Pakistan) has raised concerns regarding the impact of debt on the growth process of the South Asian countries.

scholarly journals Characterization of satellite based proxies for estimating nucleation mode particles over South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 25825-25867
Author(s):  
A.-M. Sundström ◽  
A. Nikandrova ◽  
K. Atlaskina ◽  
T. Nieminen ◽  
V. Vakkari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Nucleation Mode ◽  
Sink Term ◽  
Major Factors

Abstract. In this work satellite observations from the NASA's A-Train constellation were used to derive the values of primary emission and regional nucleation proxies over South Africa to estimate the potential for new particle formation. As derived in Kulmala et al. (2011), the satellite based proxies consist of source terms (NO2, SO2 and UV-B radiation), and a sink term describing the pre-existing aerosols. The first goal of this work was to study in detail the use of satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) as a substitute to the in situ based condensation sink (CS). One of the major factors affecting the agreement of CS and AOD was the elevated aerosol layers that increased the value of column integrated AOD but not affected the in situ CS. However, when the AOD in the proxy sink was replaced by an estimate from linear bivariate fit between AOD and CS, the agreement with the actual nucleation mode number concentration improved somewhat. The second goal of the work was to estimate how well the satellite based proxies can predict the potential for new particle formation. For each proxy the highest potential for new particle formation were observed over the Highveld industrial area, where the emissions were high but the sink due to pre-existing aerosols was relatively low. Best agreement between the satellite and in situ based proxies were obtained for NO2/AOD and UV-B/AOD2, whereas proxies including SO2 in the source term had lower correlation. Even though the OMI SO2 boundary layer product showed reasonable spatial pattern and detected the major sources over the study area, some of the known minor point sources were not detected. When defining the satellite proxies only for days when new particle formation event was observed, it was seen that for all the satellite based proxies the event day medians were higher than the entire measurement period median.

Factors Affecting the Outsourcing Activities in Public and Private Sector Banks in India

2021 ◽  
pp. 231971452110531
Author(s):  
Poonam Rautela ◽  
Madhulika P. Sarkar ◽  
Rekha Goel
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Public Sector Banks ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Public And Private Sector ◽  
The Impact

This article aims to identify the major factors which prove as motivation and influence for a bank while deciding what, when, how and whom to outsource. A survey questionnaire was developed and responses were collected from 434 bank employees from two major groups of public sector banks and private sector banks in India. Exploratory factor analysis has been used to find out the latent factors for outsourcing decisions. Results of the study find Strategic competitive advantage, better customer service, better use of resources, capitalization on technological advancements, and cost-effectiveness as the major motivating factors for outsourcing the IT/IS, HR, marketing services, financial and other services. The present research article will be of great help for banks to measure the impact of outsourcing on the profitability, productivity, liquidity, and market share of the banks.

scholarly journals Sustainability of denitrifying bioreactors with various fill media

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 442-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malá Jitka ◽  
Bílková Zuzana ◽  
Hrich Karel ◽  
Schrimpelová Kateřina ◽  
Kriška Michal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Hydraulic Retention Time ◽  
Agricultural Runoff ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Pine Sawdust ◽  
Spruce Wood ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
The Impact

Nitrogen losses from utilised agricultural areas are responsible for water quality degradation and eutrophication. Denitrifying bioreactors can be used to reduce high nitrate concentrations in agricultural runoff in situ. The main factors affecting their function are the bioreactor fill medium and process parameters such as hydraulic retention time, temperature and inlet concentration of nitrates. The paper presents the results of laboratory experiments achieved with bioreactors filled with eight different wood-based materials, namely mulch, a mixture of spruce and pine sawdust, a mixture of pine and larch bark, and chips made of oak, poplar, larch, beech, and spruce wood. A sustainability index was used to assess the impact of the bioreactor on the environment. The best results were shown by beech, mulch and poplar and were achieved with hydraulic retention times 1.6–0.7–2.2 days, respectively, and inlet NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup>-N concentration of 43.1 mg/L.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Impacts of COVID-19 Lockdown and Spring Festival on Air Quality over Yangtze River Delta Region

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 735
Author(s):  
Zeeshan Javed ◽  
Aimon Tanvir ◽  
Yuhang Wang ◽  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Mingjie Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Yangtze River ◽  
Yangtze River Delta ◽  
In Situ Measurements ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Spring Festival ◽  
The Yrd ◽  
The Impact

The emergence of the novel corona virus and the resulting lockdowns over various parts of the world have substantially impacted air quality due to reduced anthropogenic activity. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown and Spring Festival on air quality of four major cities of Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Hefei, and Hangzhou. In situ measurements were taken for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3). In situ measurements from 1 January to 25 April were taken two years prior to COVID-19 (2018–19), during COVID-19 lockdown (2020), and one year after the COVID-19 (2021). The results indicated that the concentration of NO2 and PM2.5 dropped considerably during the lockdown days compared to normal days while the O3 concentration showed an upsurge. The NO2 showed reduction of about 54% on average during lockdown level 1 in 2020 whereas, PM 2.5 showed reduction of about 36% through the YRD. A substantial drop was observed in concentration of NO2 during the Spring Festival holidays throughout the YRD from 2019 to 2021.

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