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Strategic energy planning to achieve universal electricity access and meet the future energy needs of African nations is essential to formulate effective policy measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Africa can not afford a cost-prohibiting green energy transition to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7. In this study, I employ open-access energy models, enhanced with geospatial data, to identify least-cost power generation investment options for forty-eight African nations. Different levels of electricity consumption per capita and costs of renewables are considered across four scenarios. According to the analysis, to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 in Africa, the power generation capacity needs to increase between 211GW-302GW, depending on electricity consumption levels and the cost of renewables considered, leading electricity generation to rise between 6,221PJ- 7,527PJ by 2030. Higher electricity generation levels lead to higher penetration of fossil fuel technologies in the power mix of Africa. Natural gas will be the dominant fossil fuel source by 2030, while the decreasing costs of renewables will lead solar to overtake hydropower. To meet the same electricity demand levels, decreasing the cost of renewables can enable a less carbon-intensive power system, although higher capacity is also needed. However, Africa is still hard to achieve its green revolution. Depending on electricity consumption levels and costs of renewables considered, grid-connected technologies are estimated to supply 85%-90% of total electricity generated in Africa in 2030, mini-grid technologies 1%-6%, and stand-alone technologies 8%-11%. Off-grid solar and hybrid mini-grid solar technologies are essential in electrifying residential areas. Higher penetration of renewable energy sources in the energy mix creates local jobs and increases cost-efficiency. The analysis demonstrates that 6.9 million to 9.6 million direct jobs, depending on the po, QC 20220629

L'aprenentatge integrat de continguts i llengües estrangeres (més conegut per AICLE, o CLIL segons les seves sigles en anglès) representa una metodologia d'ensenyament amb un consens molt ampli, com ho demostren les nombroses iniciatives promogudes durant la darrera dècada, en línia amb les polítiques de foment del plurilingüisme de la UE, el recolzament de les quals va ser renovat recentment arran de l'anunci de la Comissió Europea de promoure la posada en marxa de l'anomenat Espai Europeu d'Educació en l'horitzó del 2025. En aquest sentit, el programa d'innovació pedagògica Generació Plurilingüe (GEP) ha estat una de les darreres iniciatives del Departament d'Educació de la Generalitat de Catalunya per fomentar l'aplicació de l'AICLE a les aules i s'ha acompanyat amb diversos materials disponibles al portal del centre de recursos pedagògics específics de suport a la innovació i la recerca educativa. Tanmateix, crida l'atenció la minsa disponibilitat de recursos AICLE específics per als estudis de Formació Professional i, més concretament, per als dels cicles formatius superiors la família d'Informàtica. Així doncs, a banda de posar de rellevància la gran importància de potenciar el plurilingüisme a aquests cicles (tot fent una revisió de l'estat de l'art de l'AICLE), el present treball també té com a objectiu principal intentar contribuir a omplir el buit detectat mitjançant el disseny i aplicació de materials didàctics específics al centre de pràctiques associat.

[EN] Groundwater is a vitally important resource for humans. One of the main problems derived from the overexploitation of aquifers is land subsidence, which in turn carries other associated natural risks. Advanced Differential satellite radar interferometry (A-DInSAR) techniques provide valuable information on the surface displacements of the ground, which serve to characterize both the deformational behaviour of the aquifer and its properties. RESERVOIR is a research project belonging to the European PRIMA programme, whose main objective is to design sustainable groundwater management models through the study of four areas of the Mediterranean subjected to water stress. One of the main tasks of the project is the integration of the terrain deformation data obtained with satellite remote sensing techniques in the hydrogeological and geomechanical models of the aquifers. In the present work, a first evaluation of the deformation of the ground in each study area is carried out using the tools contained in the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). This is a service financed by the European Space Agency (ESA) that allows processing directly on its server, without need to store data or applications locally., [ES] Las aguas subterráneas son un recurso de vital importancia para el ser humano. Una de las principales problemáticas derivadas de la sobreexplotación de acuíferos es la subsidencia del terreno, que a su vez lleva asociados otros riesgos naturales. Las técnicas avanzadas de interferometría radar diferencial de satélite (A-DInSAR) aportan información muy valiosa sobre los desplazamientos superficiales del terreno, que sirven para caracterizar tanto el comportamiento geomecánico del acuífero como sus propiedades. RESERVOIR es un proyecto de investigación perteneciente al programa europeo PRIMA, cuyo principal objetivo es diseñar modelos sostenibles de gestión de aguas subterráneas mediante el estudio de cuatro zonas del Mediterráneo sometidas a estrés hídrico. Una de las principales tareas del proyecto es la integración de los datos de deformación del terreno obtenidos con técnicas de teledetección por satélite en los modelos hidrogeológicos y geomecánicos de los acuíferos. En el presente trabajo se realiza una primera evaluación de la deformación del terreno en cada zona de estudio utilizando las herramientas contenidas en la Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). Este servicio financiado por la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) permite realizar procesados directamente en su servidor, sin necesidad de almacenar datos ni aplicaciones en local.

[EN] Groundwater is a vitally important resource for humans. One of the main problems derived from the overexploitation of aquifers is land subsidence, which in turn carries other associated natural risks. Advanced Differential satellite radar interferometry (A-DInSAR) techniques provide valuable information on the surface displacements of the ground, which serve to characterize both the deformational behaviour of the aquifer and its properties. RESERVOIR is a research project belonging to the European PRIMA programme, whose main objective is to design sustainable groundwater management models through the study of four areas of the Mediterranean subjected to water stress. One of the main tasks of the project is the integration of the terrain deformation data obtained with satellite remote sensing techniques in the hydrogeological and geomechanical models of the aquifers. In the present work, a first evaluation of the deformation of the ground in each study area is carried out using the tools contained in the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). This is a service financed by the European Space Agency (ESA) that allows processing directly on its server, without need to store data or applications locally., [ES] Las aguas subterráneas son un recurso de vital importancia para el ser humano. Una de las principales problemáticas derivadas de la sobreexplotación de acuíferos es la subsidencia del terreno, que a su vez lleva asociados otros riesgos naturales. Las técnicas avanzadas de interferometría radar diferencial de satélite (A-DInSAR) aportan información muy valiosa sobre los desplazamientos superficiales del terreno, que sirven para caracterizar tanto el comportamiento geomecánico del acuífero como sus propiedades. RESERVOIR es un proyecto de investigación perteneciente al programa europeo PRIMA, cuyo principal objetivo es diseñar modelos sostenibles de gestión de aguas subterráneas mediante el estudio de cuatro zonas del Mediterráneo sometidas a estrés hídrico. Una de las principales tareas del proyecto es la integración de los datos de deformación del terreno obtenidos con técnicas de teledetección por satélite en los modelos hidrogeológicos y geomecánicos de los acuíferos. En el presente trabajo se realiza una primera evaluación de la deformación del terreno en cada zona de estudio utilizando las herramientas contenidas en la Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). Este servicio financiado por la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) permite realizar procesados directamente en su servidor, sin necesidad de almacenar datos ni aplicaciones en local.

[EN] Groundwater is a vitally important resource for humans. One of the main problems derived from the overexploitation of aquifers is land subsidence, which in turn carries other associated natural risks. Advanced Differential satellite radar interferometry (A-DInSAR) techniques provide valuable information on the surface displacements of the ground, which serve to characterize both the deformational behaviour of the aquifer and its properties. RESERVOIR is a research project belonging to the European PRIMA programme, whose main objective is to design sustainable groundwater management models through the study of four areas of the Mediterranean subjected to water stress. One of the main tasks of the project is the integration of the terrain deformation data obtained with satellite remote sensing techniques in the hydrogeological and geomechanical models of the aquifers. In the present work, a first evaluation of the deformation of the ground in each study area is carried out using the tools contained in the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). This is a service financed by the European Space Agency (ESA) that allows processing directly on its server, without need to store data or applications locally., [ES] Las aguas subterráneas son un recurso de vital importancia para el ser humano. Una de las principales problemáticas derivadas de la sobreexplotación de acuíferos es la subsidencia del terreno, que a su vez lleva asociados otros riesgos naturales. Las técnicas avanzadas de interferometría radar diferencial de satélite (A-DInSAR) aportan información muy valiosa sobre los desplazamientos superficiales del terreno, que sirven para caracterizar tanto el comportamiento geomecánico del acuífero como sus propiedades. RESERVOIR es un proyecto de investigación perteneciente al programa europeo PRIMA, cuyo principal objetivo es diseñar modelos sostenibles de gestión de aguas subterráneas mediante el estudio de cuatro zonas del Mediterráneo sometidas a estrés hídrico. Una de las principales tareas del proyecto es la integración de los datos de deformación del terreno obtenidos con técnicas de teledetección por satélite en los modelos hidrogeológicos y geomecánicos de los acuíferos. En el presente trabajo se realiza una primera evaluación de la deformación del terreno en cada zona de estudio utilizando las herramientas contenidas en la Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). Este servicio financiado por la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) permite realizar procesados directamente en su servidor, sin necesidad de almacenar datos ni aplicaciones en local.

[EN] Groundwater is a vitally important resource for humans. One of the main problems derived from the overexploitation of aquifers is land subsidence, which in turn carries other associated natural risks. Advanced Differential satellite radar interferometry (A-DInSAR) techniques provide valuable information on the surface displacements of the ground, which serve to characterize both the deformational behaviour of the aquifer and its properties. RESERVOIR is a research project belonging to the European PRIMA programme, whose main objective is to design sustainable groundwater management models through the study of four areas of the Mediterranean subjected to water stress. One of the main tasks of the project is the integration of the terrain deformation data obtained with satellite remote sensing techniques in the hydrogeological and geomechanical models of the aquifers. In the present work, a first evaluation of the deformation of the ground in each study area is carried out using the tools contained in the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). This is a service financed by the European Space Agency (ESA) that allows processing directly on its server, without need to store data or applications locally., [ES] Las aguas subterráneas son un recurso de vital importancia para el ser humano. Una de las principales problemáticas derivadas de la sobreexplotación de acuíferos es la subsidencia del terreno, que a su vez lleva asociados otros riesgos naturales. Las técnicas avanzadas de interferometría radar diferencial de satélite (A-DInSAR) aportan información muy valiosa sobre los desplazamientos superficiales del terreno, que sirven para caracterizar tanto el comportamiento geomecánico del acuífero como sus propiedades. RESERVOIR es un proyecto de investigación perteneciente al programa europeo PRIMA, cuyo principal objetivo es diseñar modelos sostenibles de gestión de aguas subterráneas mediante el estudio de cuatro zonas del Mediterráneo sometidas a estrés hídrico. Una de las principales tareas del proyecto es la integración de los datos de deformación del terreno obtenidos con técnicas de teledetección por satélite en los modelos hidrogeológicos y geomecánicos de los acuíferos. En el presente trabajo se realiza una primera evaluación de la deformación del terreno en cada zona de estudio utilizando las herramientas contenidas en la Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). Este servicio financiado por la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) permite realizar procesados directamente en su servidor, sin necesidad de almacenar datos ni aplicaciones en local.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is a clonal disorder characterized by the presence of the Ph-chromosome and the BCR-ABL tyrosine-kinase (TK). Target-therapy with Imatinib has greatly improved its outcome. Deeper and faster responses are reported with the second-generation TKI Nilotinib. Sustained responses may enable TKI discontinuation. However, even in a complete molecular response, some patients experience disease recurrence possibly due to persistence of quiescent leukemic CD34+/lin−Ph+ stem cells (LSCs). Degree and mechanisms of LSCs clearance during TKI treatment are not clearly established. The PhilosoPhi34 study was designed to verify the in-vivo activity and timecourse of first-line Nilotinib therapy on BM CD34+/lin−Ph+ cells clearance. Eighty-seven CP-CML patients were enrolled. BM cells were collected and tested for Ph+ residual cells, at diagnosis, 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. FISH analysis of unstimulated CD34+/lin− cells in CCyR patients were positive in 8/65 (12.3%), 5/71 (7%), 0/69 (0%) evaluable tests, respectively. Per-Protocol analysis response rates were as follows: CCyR 95% at 12 months, MR4.5 31% and 46% at 12 and 36 months, respectively. An exploratory Gene Expression Profiling (GEP) study of CD34+/lin− cells was performed on 30 patients at diagnosis and after, on 79 patients at diagnosis vs 12 months of nilotinib treatment vs 10 healthy subjects. Data demonstrated some genes significantly different expressed: NFKBIA, many cell cycle genes, ABC transporters, JAK-STAT signaling pathway (JAK2). In addition, a correlation between different expression of some genes (JAK2, OLFM4, ICAM1, NFKBIA) among patients at diagnosis and their achievement of an early and deeper MR was observed.

Exploration of territories not previously analyzed by landslide experts provides interesting findings. The Chgega landslide, in northern Tunisia, represents a paradigmatic mass movement. It can be classified as a complex landslide, or more specifically as vast rock spreading that evolved into a block slide. It involves a great block of limestone—about 900 m long and 400 m wide—sliding over ductile clays and marls. The viscoplastic creep of the clays drives the landslide and creates, in its crown, a graben ~800 m long and ~120 m wide that breaks the summit of Chgega Mountain. Using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technologies, we demonstrate that this complex landslide is currently active and moreover shows progressive movement without clear episodic accelerations. The velocity of the limestone block is just above 2 mm/yr. The occurrence of gravity-induced joints indicates that the movement has an orientation towards 333° of azimuth on average, conditioned by the landscape around Chgega. These results were obtained through the analysis of a 3D model and a high-resolution orthoimage created from photographs acquired by an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV). We may conclude that the landslide movement is determined by normal faults with directions N060°E and N140–150°E. This characterization of the Chgega landslide can serve as the basis for future studies about the origin of this slope movement. Furthermore, the data provided here may support the recognition of Chgega as a singular geological point that deserves to be declared a geosite.

Ge is considered a promising anode candidate for Li-ion batteries (LIBs); however, its practical applicability is hindered by the relatively slow Li-ion diffusion owing to the stiffness of the diamond-like structure. Inspired by little difference in electronegativity between Ge and P, we have designed a novel layered GeP anode for LIBs, which can be readily synthesized using a mechano-chemical method and a subsequent low-temperature annealing. In particular, GeP demonstrates the best performances among all Ge-based anode materials studied, attributed to its fast Li-ion diffusion compared to Ge counterpart and a unique Li-storage mechanism that involves intercalation, conversion, and alloying, as confirmed by XRD, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Specially, the initial layered crystal structure of GeP can be reconstructed during charging due to its low formation energy, thus offering remarkable reversibility during cycling. Further, this study implies that the formation energy of crystal structures could be an important parameter for strategic design of large-capacity anode materials for LIBs.

Ge is considered a promising anode candidate for Li-ion batteries (LIBs); however, its practical applicability is hindered by the relatively slow Li-ion diffusion owing to the stiffness of the diamond-like structure. Inspired by little difference in electronegativity between Ge and P, we have designed a novel layered GeP anode for LIBs, which can be readily synthesized using a mechano-chemical method and a subsequent low-temperature annealing. In particular, GeP demonstrates the best performances among all Ge-based anode materials studied, attributed to its fast Li-ion diffusion compared to Ge counterpart and a unique Li-storage mechanism that involves intercalation, conversion, and alloying, as confirmed by XRD, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Specially, the initial layered crystal structure of GeP can be reconstructed during charging due to its low formation energy, thus offering remarkable reversibility during cycling. Further, this study implies that the formation energy of crystal structures could be an important parameter for strategic design of large-capacity anode materials for LIBs.

Ge is considered a promising anode candidate for Li-ion batteries (LIBs); however, its practical applicability is hindered by the relatively slow Li-ion diffusion owing to the stiffness of the diamond-like structure. Inspired by little difference in electronegativity between Ge and P, we have designed a novel layered GeP anode for LIBs, which can be readily synthesized using a mechano-chemical method and a subsequent low-temperature annealing. In particular, GeP demonstrates the best performances among all Ge-based anode materials studied, attributed to its fast Li-ion diffusion compared to Ge counterpart and a unique Li-storage mechanism that involves intercalation, conversion, and alloying, as confirmed by XRD, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Specially, the initial layered crystal structure of GeP can be reconstructed during charging due to its low formation energy, thus offering remarkable reversibility during cycling. Further, this study implies that the formation energy of crystal structures could be an important parameter for strategic design of large-capacity anode materials for LIBs.

Ge is considered a promising anode candidate for Li-ion batteries (LIBs); however, its practical applicability is hindered by the relatively slow Li-ion diffusion owing to the stiffness of the diamond-like structure. Inspired by little difference in electronegativity between Ge and P, we have designed a novel layered GeP anode for LIBs, which can be readily synthesized using a mechano-chemical method and a subsequent low-temperature annealing. In particular, GeP demonstrates the best performances among all Ge-based anode materials studied, attributed to its fast Li-ion diffusion compared to Ge counterpart and a unique Li-storage mechanism that involves intercalation, conversion, and alloying, as confirmed by XRD, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Specially, the initial layered crystal structure of GeP can be reconstructed during charging due to its low formation energy, thus offering remarkable reversibility during cycling. Further, this study implies that the formation energy of crystal structures could be an important parameter for strategic design of large-capacity anode materials for LIBs.

An improved regional assessment of the productivity of grasslands depends on comprehensive knowledge of the interactions between climatic drivers, vegetation properties and human activity. Managed grasslands in Europe display highly dynamic responses, which contribute to the challenge in making representative model simulations. Therefore, we investigated the relationships between vegetation state changes and productivity of meadow grasslands by comparing three study sites in Southern Germany (DE-Fen, DE-RbW, DE-Gwg), which are characterised by different management intensities and elevations. Weekly observations of vegetation height, leaf area, above-ground biomass and plant functional types were compared to estimates of the gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) determined from atmospheric surface exchange of carbon dioxide. We found that the cumulative GEP of these grasslands correlated positively with management intensity and negatively with elevation at the seasonal scale. The differences in above-ground vegetation properties among the three sites were most pronounced during spring and contributed to significant differences in annual carbon (200%) and nitrogen (4%) biomass yields. Nevertheless, when periods between harvests were considered individually, the relationship between GEP and above-ground biomass, leaf area and vegetation height appeared to follow unified patterns for all sites. In addition, our study highlights a substantial potential for systematic error based on the techniques used to quantify vegetation properties and a mitigating approach was evaluated that includes continuous automated observations of vegetation height. These outcomes can serve as a reference for modelling studies on the seasonal allocation of carbon and vegetation properties in managed humid temperate grassland systems.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder with heterogeneous biological and clinical features. The biomolecular mechanisms of CML response to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors are not fully defined. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a gene expression profiling (GEP) study of selected bone marrow (BM) CD34+/lin-cells of chronic-phase CML patients at diagnosis and after 12 months of TKI nilotinib to investigate molecular signatures characterizing both conditions. METHODS:We selected and counted BM CD34+/lin- cells of 30 CML patients at diagnosis and during 3, 6 and 12 months of first-line nilotinib treatment. GEP was performed between CD34+/lin- cells of patients at diagnosis and the same patients after 12 months of nilotinib. RESULTS: The number of BM CD34+/lin- cells dramatically decreased after 3, 6 and 12 months of nilotinib. GEP detected 264 statistically significant differentially expressed genes at diagnosis vs. 12 months of nilotinib. Functional enrichment analysis revealed groups of genes belonging to 14 pathways differentially active during nilotinib treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, lipid, glucose and sphingolipid metabolism, insulin resistance, complement and coagulation, platelet activation, cytoscheleton, cell adhesion, transport, B cell differentiation, RAS-signaling pathway, proliferation, growth factors, and apoptosis were significantly deregulated between CML patients at diagnosis and after 12 months of nilotinib.

[EN] This paper presents a teaching methodology for introducing specific modeling tools and their methods in the contents of the subject Irrigation Engineering, corresponding to the degree of Agricultural Engineering in Spanish universities. Modeling tools can be powerful educational resources allowing for a better understanding of the physical problems addressed in different subjects of scientific-technological careers. In particular, a Gene Expression Programming based approach is applied for estimating stem water potential, a key variable in irrigation scheduling, and, consequently, a crucial issue for Agricultural Engineers. This activity is scheduled in three practical sessions for the mentioned subject. Students learn a crucial topic in irrigation engineering and the fundamentals of a very robust modeling tool. The application of this methodology for solving a specific problem contributes to improving the understanding of the theoretical topic scheduled in the subject program. At the same time, students learn a new way of facing specific problems that might be encountered in their professional practice.

The first European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA collaboration in an airborne campaign to support ESA's FLuorescence EXplorer (FLEX) mission was conducted in North Carolina, USA during September-October 2013 (FLEX-US 2013) at the Parker Tract Loblolly Pine (LP) Plantation (Plymouth, NC, USA). This campaign combined two unique airborne instrument packages to obtain simultaneous observations of solar-induced fluorescence (SIF), LiDAR-based canopy structural information, visible through shortwave infrared (VSWIR) reflectance spectra, and surface temperature, to advance vegetation studies of carbon cycle dynamics and ecosystem health. We obtained statistically significant results for fluorescence, canopy temperature, and tower fluxes from data collected at four times of day over two consecutive autumn days across an age class chronosequence. Both the red fluorescence (F685) and far-red fluorescence (F740) radiances had highest values at mid-day, but their fluorescence yields exhibited different diurnal responses across LP age classes. The diurnal trends for F685 varied with forest canopy temperature difference (canopy minus air), having a stronger daily amplitude change for young vs. old canopies. The Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) was positively correlated with this temperature variable over the diurnal cycle. Tower measurements from mature loblolly stand showed the red/far-red fluorescence ratio was linearly related to canopy light use efficiency (LUE) over the diurnal cycle, but performed even better for the combined morning/afternoon (without midday) observations. This study demonstrates the importance of diurnal observations for interpretation of fluorescence dynamics, the need for red fluorescence to understand canopy physiological processes, and the benefits of combining fluorescence, reflectance, and structure information to clarify canopy function versus structure characteristics for a coniferous forest

This paper proposes an improved theoretical prediction equation for Concrete-filled steel tubes (CFT) subjected to compressive forces. This ultimate load capacity is inferred from a database of 344 experimental results reported in the literature by using Gene expression programming (GEP). Moreover, a series of structural comparisons between design provisions, other mechanically-derived expressions and the proposed prediction are addressed. The levels of accuracy, practical use and phenomenological understanding of the phenomenon are pinpointed. The results obtained are in good agreement with both the experimental and theoretical predictions. Advantages and disadvantages of such type of predictions are pinpointed., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)

The first European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA collaboration in an airborne campaign to support ESA's FLuorescence EXplorer (FLEX) mission was conducted in North Carolina, USA during September-October 2013 (FLEX-US 2013) at the Parker Tract Loblolly Pine (LP) Plantation (Plymouth, NC, USA). This campaign combined two unique airborne instrument packages to obtain simultaneous observations of solar-induced fluorescence (SIF), LiDAR-based canopy structural information, visible through shortwave infrared (VSWIR) reflectance spectra, and surface temperature, to advance vegetation studies of carbon cycle dynamics and ecosystem health. We obtained statistically significant results for fluorescence, canopy temperature, and tower fluxes from data collected at four times of day over two consecutive autumn days across an age class chronosequence. Both the red fluorescence (F685) and far-red fluorescence (F740) radiances had highest values at mid-day, but their fluorescence yields exhibited different diurnal responses across LP age classes. The diurnal trends for F685 varied with forest canopy temperature difference (canopy minus air), having a stronger daily amplitude change for young vs. old canopies. The Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) was positively correlated with this temperature variable over the diurnal cycle. Tower measurements from mature loblolly stand showed the red/far-red fluorescence ratio was linearly related to canopy light use efficiency (LUE) over the diurnal cycle, but performed even better for the combined morning/afternoon (without midday) observations. This study demonstrates the importance of diurnal observations for interpretation of fluorescence dynamics, the need for red fluorescence to understand canopy physiological processes, and the benefits of combining fluorescence, reflectance, and structure information to clarify canopy function versus structure characteristics for a coniferous forest

Background Asymptomatic multiple myeloma (AMM) evolves from monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) and progresses to symptomatic myeloma characterized by end organ damage. Here, three main questions are addressed: i) Which factors determine evolution and progression of asymptomatic myeloma, and what is their molecular background? ii) Is progression driven by ongoing molecular (clonal) evolution? iii) When to call a plasma cell “malignant”? Methods CD138-purified plasma-cell samples of 2369 consecutive patients with MGUS (n=304), asymptomatic (n=432) and symptomatic myeloma (n=1633) were subjected to interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (n=31898 measurements), and of these n=951 (n=62 MGUS, n=259 AMM, and n=630 symptomatic myeloma) likewise to gene expression profiling (GEP). Sixty-five patients were followed longitudinally. Serum/urine samples (n=8398) allowed modelling plasma cell doubling time in AMM and MGUS (n=322, and n=196, respectively). Results Accumulation rate, tumor mass, and molecular characteristics determine progression to symptomatic myeloma. Progression-associated chromosomal aberrations are multiplicatively associated with myeloma cell doubling time, explaining their increasing frequency from MGUS to asymptomatic- to symptomatic myeloma. Their number, rather than single aberrations, determines progression. The developed GEP-based HDAMM-score predicts progression of AMM-, symptomatic and MGUS-patients, as scores for symptomatic patients predict AMM-progression. The bulk of altered gene expression is already present in MGUS-patients with minor subsequent differences to AMM and symptomatic myeloma. Longitudinal patient samples rarely (9%) show de-novo-appearance of progression-associated aberrations. In evolution and progression of AMM, doubling times (18.0/5.1 years) and number of doublings (0.62/0.92) are incompatible with common de novo appearance of progression-driving aberrations. Conclusions Evolution and progression of AMM, Hintergrund Das asymptomatische Multiple Myelom entwickelt sich aus einer Monoklonalen Gammopathie unklarer Signifikanz (MGUS) und progrediert zum symptomatischen Myelom, welches durch Endorganschäden charakterisiert ist. Hier wurde untersucht: i) Welche Faktoren determinieren Evolution und Progression des asymptomatischen Myeloms und was ist deren molekularer Hintergrund? ii) Wird die Progression durch eine anhaltende molekulare (klonale) Evolution bedingt? iii) Wann sollte eine Plasmazelle als „maligne” bezeichnet werden? Methoden CD138-aufgereinigte Plasmazellproben von 2369 konsekutiven Patienten mit MGUS (n=304), asymptomatischem Myelom (AMM; n=432) und symptomatischem Myelom (MM; n=1633) wurden mittels Interphase Fluoreszenz in situ Hybridisierung (n=31898 Untersuchungen), n=951 ebenfalls mittels globaler Genexpressionsanalysen (n=62 MGUS, n=259 AMM und n=630 MM Proben), sowie 65 longitudinal untersucht. Serum- und Urinproben (n=8398) ermöglichten die Modellierung der Plasmazell-Verdopplungszeit bei AMM (n=322) und MGUS (n=196). Ergebnisse Akkumulationsrate, Tumormasse und molekulare Charakteristika determinieren die Pro-gression zum symptomatischen Myelom. Progressionsassoziierte chromosomale Aberrationen wirken multiplikativ auf die Verdopplungszeit von Myelomzellen, was deren zunehmende Häufigkeit von MGUS, AMM zum symptomatischen Myelom erklärt. Entscheidender als die Einzelaberration ist deren Gesamtzahl. Der entwickelte GEP-basierte HDAMM-Score prädiktiert die Progression von AMM, symptomatischem Myelom und MGUS-Patienten, Scores für symptomatischen Patienten die AMM-Progression. MGUS-Patienten zeigen bereits den Hauptteil alterierter Genexpression, mit nur kleinen Unterschieden zu AMM und symptomatischen Patienten. Longitudinale Patientenproben weisen selten (9%) de novo progressionsassoziierte chromosomale Aberration auf. Verdopplungszeit (18,0/5,1 Jahre) und Zahl der Verdopplungen (0,62/0,92) während Evolution bzw. Progression des AMM sind in Widerspr

Turf is an essential part of urban landscapes and an effective sink for soil organic carbon, yet little is known about the relative carbon fixation (CF) capabilities among various turfgrass species and cultivars and how CF is influenced by irrigation practices. Ten commonly used cool-season and warm-season turfgrasses were evaluated for CF and water use efficiency (WUE) rates under optimal and deficit irrigation practices. Cool- season species consisted of: Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass (KB/PR); fineleaf fescue (FF); tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass (TF/KB); and tall fescue (TF). Warm- season species included: zoysiagrass (ZOY); st. Augustinegrass (SA); seashore paspalum (SP); bermudagrass (328B and 419B); and buffalograss (BUF). CF was measured and calculated as gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) along with WUE using an open-path infrared gas analyzer. KB/PR, FF, TF/KB, TF, and SP had the highest GEP under deficit irrigation. When grouped, GEP was significantly higher during recovery under deficit irrigation (p<0.0001) for cool-season compared to warm-season turfgrasses, indicating that C3 photosynthesis is labile and C4 photosynthesis is stabile during recovery. Overall, WUE for warm-season grasses was higher than cool-season grasses (p<0.0001). However, species did not differ in WUE between optimal and deficit irrigation, suggesting that WUE is conserved when water is limited. Our results confirmed that warm-season turfgrasses are the most appropriate species for water conservation in regions where they are adapted.

Turf is an essential part of urban landscapes and an effective sink for soil organic carbon, yet little is known about the relative carbon fixation (CF) capabilities among various turfgrass species and cultivars and how CF is influenced by irrigation practices. Ten commonly used cool-season and warm-season turfgrasses were evaluated for CF and water use efficiency (WUE) rates under optimal and deficit irrigation practices. Cool- season species consisted of: Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass (KB/PR); fineleaf fescue (FF); tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass (TF/KB); and tall fescue (TF). Warm- season species included: zoysiagrass (ZOY); st. Augustinegrass (SA); seashore paspalum (SP); bermudagrass (328B and 419B); and buffalograss (BUF). CF was measured and calculated as gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) along with WUE using an open-path infrared gas analyzer. KB/PR, FF, TF/KB, TF, and SP had the highest GEP under deficit irrigation. When grouped, GEP was significantly higher during recovery under deficit irrigation (p<0.0001) for cool-season compared to warm-season turfgrasses, indicating that C3 photosynthesis is labile and C4 photosynthesis is stabile during recovery. Overall, WUE for warm-season grasses was higher than cool-season grasses (p<0.0001). However, species did not differ in WUE between optimal and deficit irrigation, suggesting that WUE is conserved when water is limited. Our results confirmed that warm-season turfgrasses are the most appropriate species for water conservation in regions where they are adapted.

This paper presents the development of a new model to predict the lateral capacity of piles inserted into clayey soils and subjected to lateral loads. Gene Expression Programming (GEP) has been utilized for this purpose. The data used for development of the GEP model is collected from the literature and comprise 38 data points. The data are divided into two subsets: Training set for model calibration and independent validation set for model verification. Predictions from the GEP model are compared with the results of experimental data. The model has achieved a coefficient of correlation, r, of 0.95 for training and validation sets and average prediction ratio (APR) of 0.97 and 1.04 for training and validation sets respectively. The results indicate that the GEP model performs very well and able to predict the pile lateral capacity accurately.

Účelem této diplomové práce je seznámit čtenáře s projektem vypracování učebnice v oboru ICT. První část práce popisuje obecně vzdělávací cíle v České republice, rámcové vzdělávací programy a metodiku tvorby školních vzdělávacích programů pro SOŠ a SOU. Práce dále popisuje výukové metody a konkrétní druhy pro výuku předmětu ICT. V praktické části je čtenář seznámen s modifikovanými osnovami předmětu ICT, kde je zařazena nově i výuka tvorby webových prezentací, s průzkumem, který proběhl mezi žáky na toto téma a s popisem tvorby samotné učebnice., The purpose of this thesis is to acquaint the reader with the project of making ICT textbook. First part of this thesis describes widely educational objectives in the Czech republic, General Educational Programs and methodology of making School Educational Programs for high schools. This thesis also describes teaching methods and specific kinds for ICT teaching. In the practical part, the reader is acquiant with modified ICT textures, where is newly added creating web pages, with the survey about this topic and with description of making the textbook., Ústav automatizace a řídicí techniky, obhájeno

In most cases gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors grow slowly. Interferon-α and somatostatin analogs have shown symptomatic, biochemical, and, in a minority of cases, antiproliferative activity. Generally, they are proposed as single-agent therapy. However, based on in vitro and in vivo evidence, the combined use of these drugs was proposed in several non-randomized trials, indicating that there is an additive effect of the combination. Nevertheless, the three randomized trials published so far did not show a statistically significant survival benefit for the combination compared to the same agents alone, even though an advantage for the combination came out in all three studies. On the other hand, data from non-randomized trials would justify the sequential use of the two drugs or the combination after progression on single agent therapy. Therefore, at present the up-front combined use of interferon-α and somatostatin analog is not justified, whereas it could be indicated after progression to single-agent therapy. Further larger, international, prospective, randomized, multicentric clinical trials studying homogeneous populations would be necessary to give a final answer, but the rarity and heterogeneity of this malignancy does not assure that it will be possible.

THIS ENTRY CONTAINS BOTH A DUTCH AND AN ENGLISH VERSION. FOR THE ENGLISH SUMMARY SCROLL DOWN. Ten behoeve van de maatlatontwikkeling voor de handhaving van de Europese Kaderrichtlijn Water worden in dit document twee parameters ontwikkeld voor de Nederlandse kwelders en schorren: 1. een areaal-referentie. De KRW gaat uit van een areaal-referentie vóór bedijkingen. In deze studie over kwelders en schorren is uitgegaan van reeds gepubliceerde historische referenties met bedijkingen. Nieuw is dat rekening is gehouden met de verschillende randvoorwaarden per (deel)waterlichaam, waardoor een areaal-referentie hoger (stuifdijken, Spartina) of lager (Afsluitdijk, Oosterschelde-kering) uitkomt. Soms is het huidige areaal als referentie of als goede ecologische toestand gebruikt. In enkele gevallen ligt het huidige areaal tot duizende hectares onder de historische referentie: gehele Waddenzee west, Oosterschelde, vasteland Waddenzee oost. 2. een kwaliteitsreferentie. Voor de KRW is voor kwelders en schorren een kwaliteitsreferentie ontwikkeld op basis van een vergelijking van vegetatiezones (inclusief climax stadia) in de karteerjaren rond 1980, 1990 en 2000. De vegetatiezones sluiten aan bij de bestaande vegetatiesleutel (Salt97) en bij de internationale Waddenzee-monitoring (TMAP). ENGLISH In this document we have developed two parameters for the Dutch salt marshes on behalf of the development of metrics with regard to the upholding of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD): 1. an acreage reference condition. The WFD departs from a pre-embankment acreage reference condition. This study on salt marshes started from historical references with embankments that were published already. It is new that the various preconditions per water body have been taken into account, making acreage-references turning out higher (entrapment dikes, Spartina) or lower (Afsluitdijk, Oosterschelde-barrier). Sometimes the present acreage has been applied as Reference Condition or as Good Eco

THIS ENTRY CONTAINS BOTH A DUTCH AND AN ENGLISH VERSION. FOR THE ENGLISH SUMMARY SCROLL DOWN. Ten behoeve van de maatlatontwikkeling voor de handhaving van de Europese Kaderrichtlijn Water worden in dit document twee parameters ontwikkeld voor de Nederlandse kwelders en schorren: 1. een areaal-referentie. De KRW gaat uit van een areaal-referentie vóór bedijkingen. In deze studie over kwelders en schorren is uitgegaan van reeds gepubliceerde historische referenties met bedijkingen. Nieuw is dat rekening is gehouden met de verschillende randvoorwaarden per (deel)waterlichaam, waardoor een areaal-referentie hoger (stuifdijken, Spartina) of lager (Afsluitdijk, Oosterschelde-kering) uitkomt. Soms is het huidige areaal als referentie of als goede ecologische toestand gebruikt. In enkele gevallen ligt het huidige areaal tot duizende hectares onder de historische referentie: gehele Waddenzee west, Oosterschelde, vasteland Waddenzee oost. 2. een kwaliteitsreferentie. Voor de KRW is voor kwelders en schorren een kwaliteitsreferentie ontwikkeld op basis van een vergelijking van vegetatiezones (inclusief climax stadia) in de karteerjaren rond 1980, 1990 en 2000. De vegetatiezones sluiten aan bij de bestaande vegetatiesleutel (Salt97) en bij de internationale Waddenzee-monitoring (TMAP). ENGLISH In this document we have developed two parameters for the Dutch salt marshes on behalf of the development of metrics with regard to the upholding of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD): 1. an acreage reference condition. The WFD departs from a pre-embankment acreage reference condition. This study on salt marshes started from historical references with embankments that were published already. It is new that the various preconditions per water body have been taken into account, making acreage-references turning out higher (entrapment dikes, Spartina) or lower (Afsluitdijk, Oosterschelde-barrier). Sometimes the present acreage has been applied as Reference Condition or as Good Eco