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Pollution of a watershed by different land uses and agricultural practices is becoming a major challenging factor that results in deterioration of water quality affecting human health and ecosystems. Sustainable use of available water resources warrants reduction of Non-Point Source (NPS) pollutants from receiving water bodies through best management practices (BMPs). A hydrologic model such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) can be used for analyzing the impacts of various BMPs and implementing of different management plans for water quality improvement, which will help decision makers to determine the best combination of BMPs to maximize benefits. The objective of this study is to assess the potential reductions of sediments and nutrient loads by utilizing different BMPs on the Yarra River watershed using the SWAT model. The watershed is subdivided into 51 sub-watersheds where seven different BMPs were implemented. A SWAT model was developed and calibrated against a baseline period of 1998–2008. For calibration and validation of the model simulations for both the monthly and annual nutrients and sediments were assessed by using the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) statistical index. The values of the NSE were found more than 0.50 which indicates satisfactory model predictions. By utilizing different BMPs, the highest pollution reduction with minimal costs can be done by 32% targeted mixed-crop area. Furthermore, the combined effect of five BMPs imparts most sediments and nutrient reductions in the watershed. Overall, the selection of a BMP or combinations of BMPs should be set based on the goals set in a BMP application project., Validerad;2023;Nivå 2;2023-03-21 (johcin);Full text license: CC BY

This dissertation presents three chapters of contemporary research in environmental and development economics. Each chapter echoes a common theme, in that achievement of regional goals constitute 'Wicked Problems' and that the approaches that parties may take to address these specific regional goals may have complex interactions with other regional goals. Decision-making, cost analysis, and multipurpose efficacy of the approaches that regional parties may take to achieve goals are evaluated in environmental and development contexts and implications for program analysis and policy design are discussed. The first chapter of this dissertation seeks to understand how regulated parties, i.e. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), choose from the strategies at their disposal to achieve compliance with their Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) obligations. To address declining Chesapeake Bay water quality, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set extensive nutrient and sediment reduction goals under the 2010 Chesapeake Bay TMDL. Virginia has responded by passing along explicit nutrient and sediment reduction requirements to its MS4s, which can choose from a variety of urban stormwater, land use change, source control, and restoration practices to achieve reductions toward these requirements. MS4s in Virginia have also been granted flexibility to achieve reduction requirements through purchase of nutrient and sediment credits toward requirements through trade. In spite of the cost-savings that these credits provide, MS4s' interest in trading for these credits has been low. MS4s instead generally engage in onsite nutrient and sediment reduction themselves, in spite of the high costs of doing so. In response to low interest in trade, case analysis of MS4s' Bay TMDL compliance behavior and semi-structured interviews are conducted to better understand the role of trade in compliance strategy and the reasons for its non-use. Findings reveal

Pollution of a watershed by different land uses and agricultural practices is becoming a major challenging factor that results in deterioration of water quality affecting human health and ecosystems. Sustainable use of available water resources warrants reduction of Non-Point Source (NPS) pollutants from receiving water bodies through best management practices (BMPs). A hydrologic model such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) can be used for analyzing the impacts of various BMPs and implementing of different management plans for water quality improvement, which will help decision makers to determine the best combination of BMPs to maximize benefits. The objective of this study is to assess the potential reductions of sediments and nutrient loads by utilizing different BMPs on the Yarra River watershed using the SWAT model. The watershed is subdivided into 51 sub-watersheds where seven different BMPs were implemented. A SWAT model was developed and calibrated against a baseline period of 1998–2008. For calibration and validation of the model simulations for both the monthly and annual nutrients and sediments were assessed by using the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) statistical index. The values of the NSE were found more than 0.50 which indicates satisfactory model predictions. By utilizing different BMPs, the highest pollution reduction with minimal costs can be done by 32% targeted mixed-crop area. Furthermore, the combined effect of five BMPs imparts most sediments and nutrient reductions in the watershed. Overall, the selection of a BMP or combinations of BMPs should be set based on the goals set in a BMP application project., Validerad;2023;Nivå 2;2023-03-21 (johcin);Full text license: CC BY

En determinadas regiones del cerebro de los mamíferos, nuevas neuronas nacen a lo largo de la vida del individuo debido a la existencia de células madre neurales (NSCs). La neurogénesis en el cerebro adulto ocurre en dos zonas determinadas: la zona subventricular (ZSV) de los ventrículos laterales y la zona subgranular (ZSG) del giro dentado del hipocampo. Señales locales, como los ligandos de la familia de las Wnt, regulan la proliferación y diferenciación de las NSCs. Otras señales, como las Proteínas Morfogenéticas de Hueso (BMPs), están implicadas en el mantenimiento de la quiescencia de las NSCs. Sin embargo, los mecanismos moleculares que subyacen a este proceso no están totalmente caracterizados. En esta tesis mostramos que las células madre y progenitores hipocampales adultos (AH-NSPCs) expresan receptores de la familia de las BMPs, y señalizan a través de estos receptores para regular la diferenciación de las NSCs. En nuestro trabajo se muestra como la señalización de BMP2/4 a través del receptor de tipo I BMPR1A es suficiente para aumentar la neurogénesis a partir de células madre hipocampales in vitro, y que esta señalización determina el linaje neuronal en las primeras 24 horas del proceso. También hemos observado que la señalización de BMPs incrementa la expresión del gen Lef1, miembro de la ruta canónica de las Wnt, sugiriendo un efecto sinérgico entre ambas rutas. Estos resultados muestran un posible “crosstalk” entre la señalización de las proteínas BMPs y las Wnt durante la neurogénesis hipocampal adulta. De la misma forma, en este trabajo barajamos la posibilidad de que las proteínas BMPs pudieran participar en el proceso de maduración neuronal. Nuestros resultados muestran que BMP2/4/6, pero no BMP7, aumentan la complejidad morfológica de las nuevas neuronas generadas a partir de AH-NSPCs in vitro, afectando a la longitud tanto de las neuritas primarias como secundarias. También mostramos como el silenciamiento y la

Reinforcing the small water cycle is considered to be a holistic approach to both water resource and landscape management. In an agricultural landscape, this can be accomplished by incorporating agricultural conservation practices; their incorporation can reduce surface runoff, increase infiltration, and increase the water holding capacity of a soil. Some typical agricultural conservation practices include: conservation tillage, contour farming, residue incorporation, and reducing field sizes; these efforts aim to keep both water and soil in the landscape. The incorporation of such practices has been extensively studied over the last 40 years. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model two basins in the Czech Republic (one at the farm-scale and a second at the management-scale) to determine the effects of agriculture conservation practice adoption at each scale. We found that at the farm-scale, contour farming was the most effective practice at reinforcing the small water cycle, followed by residue incorporation. At the management-scale, we found that the widespread incorporation of agricultural conservation practices significantly reinforced the small water cycle, but the relative scale and spatial distribution of their incorporation were not reflected in the SWAT scenario analysis. Individual farmers should be incentivized to adopt agricultural conservation practices, as these practices can have great effects at the farm-scale. At the management-scale, the spatial distribution of agricultural conservation practice adoption was not significant in this study, implying that managers should incentivize any adoption of such practices and that the small water cycle would be reinforced regardless.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

The Río Gallegos upper basin is integrated by several water courses: San José and Turbio creeks and Rubens and Penitente rivers confluence`s conform the Gallegos· river. Differents anthropic activities are developed in the basin: coal mining, since 1936, is the main historical economic activity. 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio town`s (population near 10.000 inhabitans) are narrow related with this activity. The urban sewage compound by either domestic or industrial effluents are directly dumped into the water courses without treatment at all. The response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to human activities was studied extensively in different geographical regions. Meanwhile they had not been neither studied nor used on the water resource in the study area depict the high environmental impact of the activities that take place there. Different physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The benthic macroinvertebrates community was characterized and different biotic indexes were applied to determine the watercourses environmental ́s state of this basin ́s sector. An raise rate in conductivity, iron and QOD values, among others, was detected at the site closest to the industrial activity. This alteration made modifications in the benthic macroinvertebrate community, which presented significant differences between the sites sampled. Diverses biotic indices were used, being the Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) the one of them that showed the greatest sensitivity for the determination of the environmental quality of the water resource. The results shown that the watercourses ́s quality varies between: heavily contaminated in the vicinity of industrial activity, and incipient contamination in places furthest away from these activities mainly beyond the river· confluence mentioned. The main environmental impact is caused by urban sewage and mining activity., La cuenca superior del río Gallegos se encuentra integrada por diferentes cursos de agua, cuya confluencia conforma el río Gallegos. En la cuenca se desarrollan diversas actividades antrópicas, siendo la minería del carbón el principal desarrollo industrial desde 1936. Relacionadas a esta industria se encuentran las localidades de 28 de Noviembre y Río Turbio, cuyos efluentes,tanto urbanos como industriales,son vertidos directamente a los cursos de agua de la cuenca. En el presente estudio,se analizaron los cambios en la composición de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos sujeta a las alteraciones antrópicas y se evaluó la respuesta de distintos índices bióticos en relación con diferentes variables ambientales. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos estacionales de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, se hicieron análisis fisicoquímicos del agua y se aplicaron distintos índices bióticos para determinar el estado ambiental de este sector de la cuenca. En el sitio más cercano a la actividad industrial se detectó un incremento en los valores de Conductividad y DQO,así como también del contenido de hierro soluble en el agua. Se detectaron cambios en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos,observándose diferencias significativas entre los distintos sitios estudiados. El índice Biotic Monitoring Patagonian Streams (BMPS) mostró la mejor respuesta para evaluar la calidad ambiental del recurso hídrico en el área de estudio. La aplicación de este índice biótico muestra que la calidad de los cursos de agua estudiados varía entre fuertemente contaminados,en cercanías de la actividad industrial minera, y contaminación incipiente en los sitios control y los más alejados de esta actividad.

La preeclampsia es una patología específica del embarazo que se caracteriza por la aparición de novo de hipertensión y proteinuria a partir de la semana 20 de gestación (Rana y cols. 2013). Es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad tanto materna como fetal y perinatal en los países desarrollados. Según las recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), la preeclampsia se diagnostica cuando se presenta una presión arterial (PA) elevada (≥140/90 mmHg) acompañada por una proteinuria considerable (≥300 mg/24 h) a partir de la segunda mitad del embarazo. Además de estos síntomas, la preeclampsia suele ir acompañada de disfunción endotelial, crecimiento fetal retardado, aparición de edemas, etc. Por todo ello, la preeclampsia es considerada un trastorno complejo y multisistémico (Pennington y cols. 2012). Debido a esto, y ante el incremento de evidencias que ponen en duda la idoneidad de la proteinuria y el crecimiento fetal retardado para el diagnóstico correcto de la preeclampsia, el American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ha propuesto una serie criterios para un mejor diagnóstico, los cuales son recogidos en la Tabla 1 (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists y cols. 2013). Generalmente, la preeclampsia se clasifica en función del grado de hipertensión, proteinuria o disfunción orgánica materna, en estadio leve o grave, aunque también existe una clasificación en función del momento de la gestación en el que aparecen las manifestaciones clínicas (von Dadelszen y cols. 2003) (Tabla 2). La progresión de la patología desde los estadios más leves a otros más graves puede ser rápida, inesperada y, a veces, fulminante. Las formas más lesivas de la enfermedad, como pueden ser HELLP (del inglés, Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count) y eclampsia, se asocian con una mayor tasa de mortalidad materna y fetal, tanto en la gestación como en el periodo neonatal (Pennington y cols. 2012; Sibai y Coppage 2004, Hasta la fecha, el único tratamiento efectivo para el tratamiento de la preeclampsia ha sido la finalización del embarazo, ya sea por una interrupción voluntaria o a través de la inducción del parto y expulsión de la placenta. Aunque el parto pre-término reduce los efectos lesivos de la preeclampsia sobre el bebé, el nacimiento prematuro puede producir otra serie de complicaciones secundarias, tales como problemas respiratorios, visuales, etc., derivadas de una gestación interrumpida. Estos problemas pueden llegar a poner en un grave riesgo la vida del bebé o, incluso, derivar en patologías que lo acompañarán toda su vida (Lopez-Rodriguez y cols. 2017; Leung y cols. 2018; Guyton y Hall 2008b). Todo esto pone de relieve la necesidad de tratamientos efectivos que permitan tratar la enfermedad sin poner fin al embarazo., Por otro lado, la prevención primaria de la preeclampsia en aquellas mujeres consideradas “de riesgo” es un tema de debate y objeto de investigación activa. Entre los tratamientos utilizados se incluyen suplementos de calcio y vitamina D, administración de magnesio o zinc, aspirina a bajas dosis o la administración de suplementos de vitaminas C y E, y otros antioxidantes (Poston y cols. 2006; Sasan y cols. 2009; Bujold y cols. 2010; Hofmeyr y cols. 2014). Sin embargo, ninguno de estos tratamientos ha demostrados ser lo suficientemente efectivo en la prevención del desarrollo de la preeclampsia (Eiland y cols. 2012). En los últimos años, se están llevando a cabo diversas líneas de investigación para intentar elucidar los mecanismos implicados en el establecimiento y el desarrollo de la enfermedad, con el fin de poder desarrollar nuevos tratamientos efectivos, así como un mejor y precoz diagnóstico. Recientemente, se ha propuesto el empleo de moléculas solubles presentes en el plasma de las mujeres con preeclampsia como potentes biomarcadores de diagnóstico y pronóstico de la enfermedad. En esta línea, se han descrito incrementos de factores pro-angiogénicos, disminución de factores anti-angiogénicos, o una desregulación de los estrógenos como posibles biomarcadores. Entre los factores pro-angiogénicos destacan la forma soluble del receptor de membrana endoglina (sEng), así como la forma soluble del receptor de membrana Flt-1 (sFlt-1), que están presentes en altas concentraciones en el plasma de estas pacientes, y cuya elevación de sus niveles se asocia estrechamente con el desarrollo de la enfermedad. La elevación de la concentración en plasma de sFlt-1 se observa a partir de la semana 5-6 de gestación, mientras que sEng aumenta entre el mes 2 y 3 de gestación. Es decir, que estos marcadores aparecen elevados semanas antes de la aparición de las manifestaciones clínicas, lo que los convierte en marcadores tempranos. Además, niveles elevados sEng y sFlt-1 se han corre, A pesar de la manifiesta relación de estos factores solubles con la preeclampsia, sus orígenes y sus mecanismos de liberación no han sido completamente dilucidados. Tal como se ha mencionado anteriormente, en la actualidad se considera que la placenta puede ser el órgano central de la preeclampsia (De Maria y See 1966; Roberts y Escudero 2012). En concreto, se señala la posible alteración en la remodelación de las arterias espirales (Browne y Veall 1953; Brosens 1964). Generalmente, la causa de los defectos en la remodelación arterial se asocia con una alteración de la invasión de los trofoblastos endovasculares (Kaufmann y cols. 2003; Pijnenborg y cols. 2006). Esto hace que no se produzca el reemplazo de células del endotelio por los trofoblastos, y como consecuencia, los vasos se mantienen en un estado de baja capacitancia (Cnossen y cols. 2008; Meler y cols. 2010). Además, se ha observado que el calibre de las arterias uterinas de las mujeres con preeclampsia son mucho menores que en mujeres con embarazo normal, siendo más similares a los valores de las mujeres no gestantes (Brosens y cols. 1972). Todo esto genera hipoperfusión placentaria, y por lo tanto una restricción en el aporte de nutrientes y oxígeno. Esta hipoperfusión puede originar otros cambios patológicos en el resto de la placenta, tales como depósitos de fibrina entre la capa de sincitiotrofoblastos, daños en la vasculatura intrínseca de la placenta, reducción de la superficie de contacto de las vellosidades coriónicas y liberación de restos celulares a la circulación sistémica, procedentes de la necrosis trofoblástica (Fisher 2015). Todas estas alteraciones contribuirían a la generación del daño placentario, que culminaría el desarrollo de la patología.

Les Bmps sont des morphogènes jouant des rôles dans l’embryogenèse et l’organogenèse du tube digestif. Les BR-Smads, Smad1, Smad5 et Smad8, sont les effecteurs intracellulaires de cette cascade de signalisation et ils assurent la biodiversité des réponses biologiques associées aux Bmps. Plusieurs études ont démontrées des rôles importants pour le TGF-β dans le cancer colorectal et l’inflammation intestinale. Cependant, très peu d’études se sont attardées aux rôles pouvant être joués par d’autres membres de la superfamille du TGF-β dans ces pathologies. Dans cette étude, le modèle de souris possédant la délétion de Smad5 strictement à l’épithélium a permis de démontrer le rôle spécifique de cet effecteur dans les diverses actions associées à la signalisation des Bmps dans ce compartiment cellulaire. La perte conditionnelle de Smad5 cause un allongement villositaire, une hyper migration et une relocalisation cytoplasmique de la E-cadhérine dans les cellules épithéliales. Cette étude permet de démontrer l’importance de la signalisation des Bmps dans les maladies inflammatoires intestinales, puisque les défauts occasionnés par la perte de Smad5 au niveau de l’épithélium entrainent une plus grande susceptibilité à l’inflammation intestinale et des défauts importants dans la réparation la barrière épithéliale. Des mutations causant l’inhibition de la signalisation des Bmps sont fréquemment retrouvées chez des patients atteints du syndrome de JPS possédant un risque élevé de développer le cancer colorectal. Des études ont démontré l’implication des Bmps dans le maintien de l’homéostasie et l’initiation de la polypose intestinale, sans toutefois discriminer le mécanisme et le type cellulaire responsable de l’induction de ce phénotype. Les études antérieures du laboratoire ont permis de démontrer que la perte des Bmps strictement épithéliale était insuffisante pour initier la polypose colique, suggérant une implication de cette signalisation au niveau des cellules extra-épit

Skeletal development is regulated by the coordinated activity of signaling molecules that are both produced locally by cartilage and bone cells and also circulate systemically. During embryonic development and postnatal bone remodeling, receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) superfamily members play critical roles in the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and other bone cells. Recently, several molecules that regulate RTK signaling have been identified, including the four members of the Sprouty (Spry) family (Spry1-4). We report that Spry2 plays an important role in regulation of endochondral bone formation. Mice in which the Spry2 gene has been deleted have defective chondrogenesis and endochondral bone formation, with a postnatal decrease in skeletal size and trabecular bone mass. In these constitutive Spry2 mutants, both chondrocytes and osteoblasts undergo increased cell proliferation and impaired terminal differentiation. Tissue-specific Spry2 deletion by either osteoblast- (Col1-Cre) or chondrocyte- (Col2-Cre) specific drivers led to decreased relative bone mass, demonstrating the critical role of Spry2 in both cell types. Molecular analyses of signaling pathways in Spry2(-/-) mice revealed an unexpected upregulation of BMP signaling and decrease in RTK signaling. These results identify Spry2 as a critical regulator of endochondral bone formation that modulates signaling in both osteoblast and chondrocyte lineages.

The trajectory of aquaculture growth in sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated closer attention to the use of environmental best management practices (BMPs). Two BMPs in particular, water reuse and floating feeds, are being promoted for adoption by pond fish farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigated: (1) the effect of water source and feed type on water quality; (2) the effect of water source and feed type on tilapia growth; and (3) the quality of potential effluents from ponds using different water source and feed types. The study was conducted in Ghana using on-farm experiments involving monitoring of water quality and growth of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus for 160 days. Although considered low-intensity production systems, nutrients and solids in the study ponds exceeded levels expected in intensive culture ponds by wide margins, whereas BOD5 was within the range for semi-intensive ponds. Floating feed was associated with higher water quality, especially dissolved oxygen, and higher growth, but water source did not significantly affect growth. Water reuse appears to be a viable BMP for sustainable aquaculture in the region, but the use of floating feed as BMP will depend on the economic profitability of floating feed use.

The trajectory of aquaculture growth in sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated closer attention to the use of environmental best management practices (BMPs). Two BMPs in particular, water reuse and floating feeds, are being promoted for adoption by pond fish farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigated: (1) the effect of water source and feed type on water quality; (2) the effect of water source and feed type on tilapia growth; and (3) the quality of potential effluents from ponds using different water source and feed types. The study was conducted in Ghana using on-farm experiments involving monitoring of water quality and growth of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus for 160 days. Although considered low-intensity production systems, nutrients and solids in the study ponds exceeded levels expected in intensive culture ponds by wide margins, whereas BOD5 was within the range for semi-intensive ponds. Floating feed was associated with higher water quality, especially dissolved oxygen, and higher growth, but water source did not significantly affect growth. Water reuse appears to be a viable BMP for sustainable aquaculture in the region, but the use of floating feed as BMP will depend on the economic profitability of floating feed use.

Diffuse nutrient loads are a common problem in developed and agricultural watersheds. While there has been substantial investment in best management practices (BMPs) to reduce diffuse pollution, there remains a need to better prioritize controls at the watershed scale as reflected in recent US-EPA guidance for watershed planning and Total Maximum Daily Load development. We implemented spatial optimization techniques among four diffuse source pathways in a mixed-use watershed in Northern Vermont to maximize total reduction of phosphorus loading to streams while minimizing associated costs. We found that within a capital cost range of 138 to 321 USD ha-1 a phosphorus reduction of 0.29 to 0.38 kg ha−1 year−1, is attainable. Optimization results are substantially more cost-effective than most scenarios identified by stakeholders. The maximum diffuse phosphorus load reduction equates to 1.25 t year−1using the most cost-effective technologies for each diffuse source at a cost of $3,464,260. However, 1.13 t year−1 could be reduced at a much lower cost of $976,417. This is the practical upper limit of achievable diffuse phosphorus reduction, above which additional spending would not result in substantially more phosphorus reduction. Watershed managers could use solutions along the resulting Pareto optimal curve to select optimal combinations of BMPs based on a water quality target or available funds. The results demonstrate the power of using spatial optimization methods to arrive at a cost-effective selection of BMPs and their distribution across a landscape.

The trajectory of aquaculture growth in sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated closer attention to the use of environmental best management practices (BMPs). Two BMPs in particular, water reuse and floating feeds, are being promoted for adoption by pond fish farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigated: (1) the effect of water source and feed type on water quality; (2) the effect of water source and feed type on tilapia growth; and (3) the quality of potential effluents from ponds using different water source and feed types. The study was conducted in Ghana using on-farm experiments involving monitoring of water quality and growth of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus for 160 days. Although considered low-intensity production systems, nutrients and solids in the study ponds exceeded levels expected in intensive culture ponds by wide margins, whereas BOD5 was within the range for semi-intensive ponds. Floating feed was associated with higher water quality, especially dissolved oxygen, and higher growth, but water source did not significantly affect growth. Water reuse appears to be a viable BMP for sustainable aquaculture in the region, but the use of floating feed as BMP will depend on the economic profitability of floating feed use.

The trajectory of aquaculture growth in sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated closer attention to the use of environmental best management practices (BMPs). Two BMPs in particular, water reuse and floating feeds, are being promoted for adoption by pond fish farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigated: (1) the effect of water source and feed type on water quality; (2) the effect of water source and feed type on tilapia growth; and (3) the quality of potential effluents from ponds using different water source and feed types. The study was conducted in Ghana using on-farm experiments involving monitoring of water quality and growth of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus for 160 days. Although considered low-intensity production systems, nutrients and solids in the study ponds exceeded levels expected in intensive culture ponds by wide margins, whereas BOD5 was within the range for semi-intensive ponds. Floating feed was associated with higher water quality, especially dissolved oxygen, and higher growth, but water source did not significantly affect growth. Water reuse appears to be a viable BMP for sustainable aquaculture in the region, but the use of floating feed as BMP will depend on the economic profitability of floating feed use.

Among the osteogenic growth factors used for bone tissue engineering, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are the most extensively studied for use in orthopaedic surgery. BMP-2 and BMP-7 have been widely investigated for developing therapeutic strategies and are the only two approved for use in several clinical applications. Due to the chemical and biological characteristics of these molecules, their authorised uses are always in combination with a carrier based on collagen type I. Although the use of these growth factors is considered safe in the short term, the very high doses needed to obtain significant osteoinduction make these treatments expensive and their long-term safety uncertain, since they are highly pleiotropic and have the capacity to induce ectopic ossification in the surrounding tissues. Therefore it is necessary to improve the currently used BMP-collagen system in terms of efficiency, biosecurity and costs. There are several strategies to increase the clinical effectiveness of these treatments. In this review we summarize the most promising results and our related work focused on this field through two different approaches: i) the development of recombinant BMPs with additional features, and ii) complementing these systems with other growth factors or molecules to enhance or accelerate osteogenesis

In cities hard surfaces prevent rainwater from infiltrating to the ground, which causes runoff,stormwater, that needs to be taken care of. With future changes in climate patterns winters in Scania, southern Sweden, will be warmer, with more rain and less snow and more days with more than 10 mm of precipitation. More intensive rains increase the chance of flooding of urban drainage systems. Open sewer systems and local stormwater treatment have become ways to combine stormwater treatment with green space in the cities. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are used within open sewer systems to retain, store and infiltrate precipitation. At the same time the Biotope Area Factor (or Green Area Factor) has become more commonly used as a method to improve the ecological situation of cities. It rates different categories of surfaces after ecological functions, among others, their ability to evapotranspirate, retain and infiltrate precipitation and stormwater. In this paper it is investigated whether the Biotope Area Factor can be used as an instrument to implement local stormwater treatment on private property in cities. The weightings (between 1,0 and 0,0)of the categories in the Biotope Area Factor developed in Malmö, Sweden in 1999 are compared with calculations on the same categories' ability to store, intercept and/or infiltrate precipitation from twenty storms with a frequency between 1 and 10 years and a duration between 1 and 24 hours. The results show that some of the weightings of the categories used in the Biotope Area Factor correspond to their calculated weightings, while other weightings are either overestimated or underestimated compared to their hydrological function. Using the Biotope Area Factor improves the surfaces' ability to store, intercept and/or infiltrate precipitation, yet for it to be used as an instrument to implement local stormwater treatment on private property in cities the weightings need to be modified to better correspond to the categories', Populärvetenskaplig sammanfattning: Städernas hårdgjorda ytor hindrar nederbörd från att infiltrera ner i marken, vilket ger dagvatten som måste tas om hand. I och med ett framtida ändrat klimat kommer vintrarna i Skåne att bli varmare, med mer regn och mindre snö och antalet dagar med kraftig nederbörd att bli fler. Med mer intensiva regn ökar risken att städernas vattenledningsnät översvämmas. Öppen dagvatten- hantering och lokalt omhändertagande av dagvatten (LOD) har blivit vanligare som sätt att kombinera dagvattenhantering med gröna ytor i städerna. Olika tekniker, så kallade BMP:s (efter engelskans ”best management practice”) används inom öppen dagvattenhantering och LOD för att hålla tillbaka, lagra och infiltrera nederbörd. Samtidigt har grönytefaktorn blivit en allt vanligare metod för att förbättra den ekologiska situationen i städerna. I den värderas olika sorters ytor (grönytekategorier) efter hur väl de fyller olika ekologiska funktioner, bland dem förmåga att evapotranspi- rera, hålla tillbaka och infiltrera nederbörd. I det här arbetet undersöks huruvida grönytefaktorn kan användas som ett verktyg för att implementera LOD på privat mark i städerna. Malmö stads grön- ytefaktor från 1999, där grönytekategorierna tilldelas delfaktorer mellan 1,0 och 0,0, jämförs med beräkningar av de olika grönytekategoriernas förmåga att lagra, interceptera eller infiltrera nederbörd vid tjugo nederbördsvolymer med återkomsttider på mellan ett och tio år. Resultaten visade att vissa av grönytekategoriernas delfaktorer överensstämde med beräknade delfaktorer, medan andra antingen var övervärderade eller undervärderade i förhållande till kategoriernas hydrologiska funktion. Genom att använda grönytefaktorn ökar ytornas förmåga att lagra, interceptera och/eller infiltrera nederbörd, men för att grönytefaktorn ska kunna användas som ett verktyg för LOD bör delfaktorerna modifieras så att de bättre motsvarar kategoriernas hydrologiska funktion. Beräkningarna bör baseras på

Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) are believed to be involved in several health problems, including liver fibrosis. However, the mechanism of Hcy induced liver injury remains to be further investigated. Although all hepatic cell types are involved in fibrogenesis, the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered to be central events. Moreover, it is reported that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In this experiment, we examined the expression of BMPs in rat liver with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and in HSC cell lines at both mRNA and protein levels. The principal findings suggest that the expression of BMP-13 was significantly reduced in the liver of rats after 4 and 12 weeks of HHcy compared with that in control. Furthermore, there were significant increase in cell proliferation and modification of HSCs after Hcy treatment. In conclusion, a long term high methionine diet can cause a reduction of BMP-13 in the liver. The reduction of BMP-13 in the liver may contribute to liver injury induced by a high methionine diet.

This study examines the use of bioretention as a strategy to reduce the thermal impact associated with urban stormwater runoff in developing cold water stream watersheds. Temperature and flow data were collected during ten controlled trials at a bioretention facility located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It was determined that bioretention has the ability to reduce the temperature of thermally charged stormwater runoff received from an asphalt surface. Significant reductions in average and peak temperatures were observed. However, this facility was unable to consistently reduce the temperature below the threshold for trout health. The ability of bioretention to reduce runoff flow rates could also serve to reduce the thermal impact. Based on these results it was concluded that bioretention appears to have the capability to reduce the thermal impact of urban stormwater runoff on cold water stream ecosystems.

Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) are believed to be involved in several health problems, including liver fibrosis. However, the mechanism of Hcy induced liver injury remains to be further investigated. Although all hepatic cell types are involved in fibrogenesis, the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered to be central events. Moreover, it is reported that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In this experiment, we examined the expression of BMPs in rat liver with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and in HSC cell lines at both mRNA and protein levels. The principal findings suggest that the expression of BMP-13 was significantly reduced in the liver of rats after 4 and 12 weeks of HHcy compared with that in control. Furthermore, there were significant increase in cell proliferation and modification of HSCs after Hcy treatment. In conclusion, a long term high methionine diet can cause a reduction of BMP-13 in the liver. The reduction of BMP-13 in the liver may contribute to liver injury induced by a high methionine diet.

Les Bmps sont des morphogènes appartenant à la superfamille du Tgf-[beta] et sont impliqués dans plusieurs processus cellulaires tels que la prolifération, la migration, la différenciation et le maintien de l'homéostasie autant chez l'embryon que chez l'adulte. La liaison des Bmps aux récepteurs entraîne l'activation au niveau du cytoplasme de facteurs de transcription nommés les BR-Smads (Smadl, 5 et 8). Parmi les rôles attribués à la voie de signalisation des Bmps, très peu d'études ont démontré précisément quels BR-Smads médiaient ces rôles et fonctions. Une étude au sein de notre laboratoire avait préalablement caractérisé les rôles de la voie de signalisation des Bmps au niveau de l'épithélium intestinal suite à la délétion conditionnelle de Bmpr1a chez la souris. Nous avons voulu déterminer les rôles spécifiques de chaque BR-Smad au niveau de l'épithélium intestinal. Nous avons utilisé le système de délétion conditionnelle Cre/loxP afm d'effectuer la délétion individuelle de Smad1, Smad5 ou Smad8 strictement au sein des cellules épithéliales intestinales à l'aide de la Cre recombinase sous le contrôle du promoteur tronqué de la Villine . Des analyses de prolifération et de migration par incorporation de BrdU ont permis de démontrer que Smadl était impliqué dans le contrôle de la prolifération tandis que Smad5 était impliqué dans la migration des cellules épithéliales intestinales. Le marquage des différents types de cellules sécrétrices composant l'épithélium de l'intestin ont été effectués. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de démontrer que les rôles des Bmps dans la différenciation des cellules caliciformes seraient médiés par Smadl et Smad5 alors que Smadl serait le seul BR-Smad impliqué dans la différenciation des cellules de Paneth. Les défauts dans la détermination des cellules entéroendocrines observés chez les souris Bmpr1a[indice supérieur deltaCE1] n'ont pas été observés suite à la délétion individuelle de chacun des BR-Smads. Ce résultat suggère donc

Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) are believed to be involved in several health problems, including liver fibrosis. However, the mechanism of Hcy induced liver injury remains to be further investigated. Although all hepatic cell types are involved in fibrogenesis, the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered to be central events. Moreover, it is reported that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In this experiment, we examined the expression of BMPs in rat liver with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and in HSC cell lines at both mRNA and protein levels. The principal findings suggest that the expression of BMP-13 was significantly reduced in the liver of rats after 4 and 12 weeks of HHcy compared with that in control. Furthermore, there were significant increase in cell proliferation and modification of HSCs after Hcy treatment. In conclusion, a long term high methionine diet can cause a reduction of BMP-13 in the liver. The reduction of BMP-13 in the liver may contribute to liver injury induced by a high methionine diet.

As highway runoff is one major source of non-point pollution in urban areas, removal of contaminants in runoff should be of great concern. In this paper, the necessity of highway runoff treatment in Shanghai was approved, systemic comparisons between runoff treatments were listed, detailed discussions on treatment approach selection were given based upon the availability of land. Three design models for highway runoff treatment were proposed; one focused on the urban highway, one focused on the suburb highway, and the third focused on the urban-suburb area. A survey among scientists studying runoff in China showed that the use of constructed wetlands was a remedy that was highly approved. They also supported the establishment of an urban runoff database. This paper will assist in the development of suitable treatment strategies for highway runoff in urban areas in China.

As highway runoff is one major source of non-point pollution in urban areas, removal of contaminants in runoff should be of great concern. In this paper, the necessity of highway runoff treatment in Shanghai was approved, systemic comparisons between runoff treatments were listed, detailed discussions on treatment approach selection were given based upon the availability of land. Three design models for highway runoff treatment were proposed; one focused on the urban highway, one focused on the suburb highway, and the third focused on the urban-suburb area. A survey among scientists studying runoff in China showed that the use of constructed wetlands was a remedy that was highly approved. They also supported the establishment of an urban runoff database. This paper will assist in the development of suitable treatment strategies for highway runoff in urban areas in China.

The objectives of this research were: 1. To classify maintenance facilities by ten or fewer “typologies” (categories) to analyze storm water collection and drainage from the sites and to estimate the cost of installing or implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs), identified by INDOT, to prevent or reduce contamination of the drainage that migrates to waters of the state; 2. To prepare an Environmental Management System (EMS) modeled on the ISO 14001 Standard and “pilot” the EMS in an INDOT District; conduct EMS Awareness training for affected employees. The research included the conduct of on-site operations and environmental assessments at 50 INDOT maintenance facilities and the subsequent grouping of these facilities into 5 scoring categories to facilitate estimating the cost of upgrading each facility to the next higher category and to the highest scoring category. Costs for facilities in each category and for all categories are provided and a cost per funding cycle is estimated. An Environmental Management System Manual, conforming to the ISO 14001:2004 Standard was prepared with the INDOT EMS Committee. The EMS is intended to apply to all employees and all contractors statewide. Employee training and full implementation of the EMS will be completed in late 2007. INDOT intends to seek third-party certification of its EMS. The 50 Facility Site Assessment Reports and the EMS Manual are included in this report.

The objectives of this research were: 1. To classify maintenance facilities by ten or fewer “typologies” (categories) to analyze storm water collection and drainage from the sites and to estimate the cost of installing or implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs), identified by INDOT, to prevent or reduce contamination of the drainage that migrates to waters of the state; 2. To prepare an Environmental Management System (EMS) modeled on the ISO 14001 Standard and “pilot” the EMS in an INDOT District; conduct EMS Awareness training for affected employees. The research included the conduct of on-site operations and environmental assessments at 50 INDOT maintenance facilities and the subsequent grouping of these facilities into 5 scoring categories to facilitate estimating the cost of upgrading each facility to the next higher category and to the highest scoring category. Costs for facilities in each category and for all categories are provided and a cost per funding cycle is estimated. An Environmental Management System Manual, conforming to the ISO 14001:2004 Standard was prepared with the INDOT EMS Committee. The EMS is intended to apply to all employees and all contractors statewide. Employee training and full implementation of the EMS will be completed in late 2007. INDOT intends to seek third-party certification of its EMS. The 50 Facility Site Assessment Reports and the EMS Manual are included in this report.

The objectives of this research were: 1. Research existing data for structural and non-structural BMPs pertaining to the Phase II NPDES Stormwater Construction and Post-Construction Minimum Control Measures. Identify BMPs suitable for use in construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and retrofitting activities along INDOT roadways and facilties. 2. Give consideration to the Indiana geological and meteorological conditions and the INDOT resources available for maintenance of water quality BMPs. 3. Review documents on the INDOT Publications List and make recommendations regarding potential revisions and/or additions to the documents to adequately address the NPDES Stormwater Program requirements as they pertain to INDOT activities.

The objectives of this research were: 1. Research existing data for structural and non-structural BMPs pertaining to the Phase II NPDES Stormwater Construction and Post-Construction Minimum Control Measures. Identify BMPs suitable for use in construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and retrofitting activities along INDOT roadways and facilties. 2. Give consideration to the Indiana geological and meteorological conditions and the INDOT resources available for maintenance of water quality BMPs. 3. Review documents on the INDOT Publications List and make recommendations regarding potential revisions and/or additions to the documents to adequately address the NPDES Stormwater Program requirements as they pertain to INDOT activities.

Id2 cDNA was isolated from a subtractive screen of stage-12 quail caudal somites. In situ hybridisation analysis identified the previously un-described expression of Id2 mRNA in distinct medial and lateral domains of the somitic dermamyotome in both quail and chick embryos. Id2 expression in somites was highly dynamic being first initiated in the lateral domain of the dermamyotome of stage-8-10 embryos, followed by expression in a separate medial domain. Id2 mRNA during subsequent embryonic development could be detected in both medial and lateral domains in the anterior to mid regions while the posterior, recently segmented somites, showed expression only in the lateral domain, which was eventually down regulated in the anterior-most somites. Tissue manipulation studies revealed that Id2 expression in somites required positive signalling from not only axial structures and lateral plate mesoderm but also surface ectoderm. In addition, Id2 expression was also observed in anterior and posterior domains of developing avian limb buds and interdigital tissue.

Populärvetenskaplig sammanfattning: Dagens täta städer skapar många utmaningar för miljön. Hårda ytor gör att risken för översvämningar ökar och antropogenisk värme bidrar till att staden blir varmare än sin omgivning. Med hjälp av takvegetation, s k gröna tak, kan man minska dessa problem. Gröna tak är vanligast i Tyskland men börjar bli mer och mer vanligt i Sverige och används för att minska mängden dagvatten och att kyla taket och den omgivande luften vid avdunstning. Dessutom medverkar vegetation till en fördröjning av dagvattnet, vilket potentiellt kan minska det maximala avrinningsflödet. Extensiva gröna tak, vilka är nästan underhållsfria, har modellerats på ett område i Lund med en hög andel offentliga byggnader. Området inkluderar universitetet och universitetssjukhuset och har en yta på ca 140 hektar. Ett dataskikt med byggnader delades in i takytor och lutningar och material uppskattades i fält. En modell skapades i Matlab där energi- och vattenbalansen simulerades för juli och augusti 2004 för att se vilka effekter gröna tak kan medföra. En eventuell fördröjning av dagvattnet har inte beräknats och en egen ekvation för evapotranspiration har använts. Resultaten visar att 85 % av alla takytor på offentliga byggnader, eller nästa 14 % av områdets area, är lämpliga för gröna tak. Detta bestäms främst av maxlutningen på 25 grader. Gröna ytor skulle uppskattningsvis öka från 42 % till 55 %. Simuleringarna visade att avrinningen från taken minskade med 22 % för regnintensiva juli och 58 % för augusti, vilken var en månad med ganska normal nederbörd. Omvandlingen av hårda ytor till naturlig vegetation med avdunstning minskade medeltemperaturen på takytorna under dagtid med 9°C. Temperaturminskningen leder i sin tur till en minskning av det sensibla värmeflödet, vilket kan bidra till en temperaturminskning av den omgivande luften. En kostnadsberäkning visade att gröna tak skulle som minst kosta ca 400 kr/m2 (exkl. moms). Modellens känsligaste variabel var albed, Gröna tak kan minska problem med s.k. urban heat islands och kan användas för dagvattenhantering. Andra miljöfördelar som en förbättring av luftkvalitet, biodiversitet och bullerminskning finns också. Detta projekt fokuserar på lokala (kommunala) medel för att skapa en bättre miljö med extensiva gröna tak, vilka är nästan underhållsfria. Ett delområde i Lund som inkluderar Universitetet och Universitetssjukhuset och har en hög andel offentliga byggnader har simulerats att ha gröna tak. Energi- och vattenbalansen har modellerats för två sommarmånader. Värmelagring i byggnader har inte studerats. 85 % av alla takytor på offentliga byggnader, eller nästan 14 % av områdets area, är lämpliga för gröna tak. Gröna ytor skulle öka från 42 % till 55 %. Avrinningen från taken minskade med 22 % för juli och 58 % för augusti. Medeltemperaturen på takytorna under dagtid minskade med 9°C. Ökningen av det latenta värmeflödet och minskningen av yttemperaturen förde med sig en minskning av sensibel värme och därmed en potentiell reducering av urban heat island. Andra medel som t ex dammar och kanaler är också viktiga i dagvattenhantering men gröna tak använder fördelaktigt oanvända takytor och kyler samtidigt byggnader. Att anlägga gröna tak på existerande byggnader är inte vanligt men resultaten i denna studie visar att gröna tak på stora takytor kan gynna det lokala klimatet., Green roofs have the potential to mitigate problems with an urban heat island and to act as an element in stormwater management. Other environmental benefits exist as well, such as improvement of air quality, biological diversity and noise reduction. This project focuses on local community efforts to create a better environment through the use of extensive green roofs, which require almost no maintenance. A sub area in Lund, Sweden, encompassing the University and University Hospital and with a high proportion of municipal buildings was simulated as having green roofs. The energy and water balances were modeled for two summer months. Storage heat changes were not analyzed. 85% of all municipal building areas, or almost 14% of the total area, were suitable as green roofs. Green space would increase from 42% to 55%. Runoff reduction for July and August were 22% and 58%, respectively. Daytime roof surface temperatures decreased 9° C on average. The increase in latent heat, also called evaporative cooling, and reduced surface temperatures brought a decrease in sensible heat and thus a potential mitigation of the urban heat island effect. Other methods such as ponds and channels also serve to improve stormwater management but green roofs have the advantage of using free space and cool buildings at the same time. Applying green roofs on existing buildings is not very common, but this study shows that doing so on large roof areas can be beneficial to the local environment.

The purpose of the study was to conduct research and prepare documents, data tables, reports and GIS maps to be included in the INDOT SWQMP that address each of the following Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) specified in the federal and state regulation: (1) public education and outreach; (2) public participation and involvement; (3) illicit discharge detection with elimination; (4) construction site runoff control; (5) post-construction runoff control and (6) pollution prevention and good housekeeping. The MCMs are minimum measures which, when implemented by INDOT, will ensure that storm water quality meets the minimum water quality standards. The research focused on the major provisions of the storm water regulations for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) that will need to be addressed in INDOT’s storm water permit application. The study developed various databases, relying on GIS and other tools, to identify: (1) the INDOT maintenance facilities and highway segments within Indiana’s 147 MS4 communities; (2) receiving waters to which storm water from facilities and highways migrates; (3) “sensitive” areas, such as public swimming areas, surface drinking water intakes, waters containing endangered species and state outstanding and exceptional use waters, which could be degraded by contaminated storm water; and (4) available water quality monitoring data of the receiving waters in all MS4 areas. The study reviewed the department’s current policies, practices and procedures implemented as Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality and concludes with recommendations for expanding its efforts to meet the requirements of the storm water regulation.

The purpose of the study was to conduct research and prepare documents, data tables, reports and GIS maps to be included in the INDOT SWQMP that address each of the following Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) specified in the federal and state regulation: (1) public education and outreach; (2) public participation and involvement; (3) illicit discharge detection with elimination; (4) construction site runoff control; (5) post-construction runoff control and (6) pollution prevention and good housekeeping. The MCMs are minimum measures which, when implemented by INDOT, will ensure that storm water quality meets the minimum water quality standards. The research focused on the major provisions of the storm water regulations for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) that will need to be addressed in INDOT’s storm water permit application. The study developed various databases, relying on GIS and other tools, to identify: (1) the INDOT maintenance facilities and highway segments within Indiana’s 147 MS4 communities; (2) receiving waters to which storm water from facilities and highways migrates; (3) “sensitive” areas, such as public swimming areas, surface drinking water intakes, waters containing endangered species and state outstanding and exceptional use waters, which could be degraded by contaminated storm water; and (4) available water quality monitoring data of the receiving waters in all MS4 areas. The study reviewed the department’s current policies, practices and procedures implemented as Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality and concludes with recommendations for expanding its efforts to meet the requirements of the storm water regulation.

The objectives of this research were: 1. to identify the source, character, currency and format of environmental, ecological, geological and other data for each existing facility site and organize it in a “hard copy” and/or computerized framework to aid the prioritization and planning process for facility upgrades to protect the environment, for regulatory compliance, and for potential replacement or relocation of existing sites; 2. to identify and assess the criteria currently employed by INDOT to select locations for new and/or relocated facilities, including the ASTM Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment criteria, and to recommend additional criteria including those required to mitigate potential environmental impacts at new sites, if necessary; 3.-4. to recommend Best Management Practices for implementation at existing sites to protect the environment and for new facilities sited at locations where potential environmental impacts exist, and to provide cost estimates of Best Management Practices involving engineering upgrades for existing and new facilities; 5. to recommend procedures and policies for decommissioning facilities prior to their closure and relocation. The research entailed a review of available GIS databases from all government, institutional and private sources and the preparation of specific GIS maps depicting locations of INDOT facilities and highways and the publication of a directory and CD-ROM for use by INDOT staff. The GIS database investigation identified nine environmental sensitivity criteria that could be used to prioritize facilities relative to the potential threat they pose to the surrounding environment. The study included a thorough investigation of the literature concerning best management practices (BMPs) for control of storm water. A CD-ROM was prepared which included documents from 23 public, institutional and private sources and their hyperlinks. The study concludes with an analysis of the ASTM Phase I and II Standards

It is only in recent years that maintenance and landscape crews in transportation began to think of themselves as land managers, with some historic exception. Combining interstate and state highway rights-of-way, they care for some 12 million acres of land across the nation. Because their highway corridors slice through your lands, neighbors need to know what they do and why they do it. Together roadside managers are willing to partner with adjacent landowners and agencies to implement current best management practices (BMPs). Some BMPs to address age-old questions of safety, construction costs, and environmental impacts follow, along with suggestions for future change.