The total carbon column observing network

A global network of ground-based Fourier transform spectrometers has been founded to remotely measure column abundances of CO(2), CO, CH(4), N(2)O and other molecules that absorb in the near-infrared. These measurements are directly comparable with the near-infrared total column measurements from space-based instruments. With stringent requirements on the instrumentation, acquisition procedures, data processing and calibration, the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) achieves an accuracy and precision in total column measurements that is unprecedented for remote-sensing observations (better than 0.25% for CO(2)). This has enabled carbon-cycle science investigations using the TCCON dataset, and allows the TCCON to provide a link between satellite measurements and the extensive ground-based in situ network.     

Detection of the membrane-retained carboxy-terminal tail containing polypeptides of the amyloid precursor protein in tissue from Alzheimer's disease brain

A major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the presence of extracellular amyloid plaques consisting primarily of amyloid beta peptide (A beta) which is derived from a larger beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP is processed via secretory and endosomal/lysosomal pathways by a group of proteases called secretases. During the processing of APP, the carboxy-terminal tail fragment has been suggested to remain within the cell. To investigate the fate of this fragment, we generated an antibody specific for a nine amino acid residue, the sequence of which was derived from the carboxy-terminal putative cytoplasmic tail of APP. Computer analysis of the entire APP gene, searching for regions of greatest antigenicity, surface probability, hydrophilicity, and presence of beta turns, indicated that the cytoplasmic tail region is an immunodominant region of APP. The peptide coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin protein, produced a very high titer antibody (1:1 x 10(6)). To evaluate the specificity of the antibody, immunoprecipitation of in vitro transcribed and translated DNA encoding the carboxy-terminal amino acids of APP in wheat germ extract was carried out. A single immunoprecipitated band of the correct size was seen by SDS-PAGE. The antibody was also able to specifically detect the accumulation of the stable C-terminal tail containing fragments of APP in neurites of the amygdala and hippocampus regions of the human brain tissue from AD subjects, but did not react with age-matched control normal brain tissue. The localization of the C-terminal tail of APP within the brain tissue of AD patients underscores the likely importance of the C-terminus in the pathogenesis of AD.     

Spatial policy in the United Kingdom: Regulatory experimentation in the after-Fordist era

Adopting insights from regulation theory and recent literature on re-scaling, this paper examines the historical development of British urban and regional policy in the United Kingdom. It is first shown that spatial policies in the post-war period can to some degree be considered as part of the Fordist mode of regulation. It is then argued that recent policy innovations can be analysed as attempts to make spatial policy compatible with other regulatory mechanisms and with the current round of accumulation. Thus, attempts are undertaken to create a `post-Fordist institutional fix', i.e., an ensemble of rules, institutions and discourses that can to a certain degree facilitate capital accumulation during a particular period. These attempts appear to be partially successful. On the one hand, new policy mechanisms seem to be in line with other neo-liberal or Third Way policies and some shortcomings of previous policies have been overcome. But on the other hand, spatial policy is characterised by new tensions and contradictions. The central state seems to overestimate its own ability to encourage local and regional governments to make use of `endogenous potential'. In addition, current policies do not sufficiently account for the detrimental effects of inter-territorial competition.     

Molecular Connections between Cancer Cell Metabolism and the Tumor Microenvironment

Cancer cells preferentially utilize glycolysis, instead of oxidative phosphorylation, for metabolism even in the presence of oxygen. This phenomenon of aerobic glycolysis, referred to as the “Warburg effect”, commonly exists in a variety of tumors. Recent studies further demonstrate that both genetic factors such as oncogenes and tumor suppressors and microenvironmental factors such as spatial hypoxia and acidosis can regulate the glycolytic metabolism of cancer cells. Reciprocally, altered cancer cell metabolism can modulate the tumor microenvironment which plays important roles in cancer cell somatic evolution, metastasis, and therapeutic response. In this article, we review the progression of current understandings on the molecular interaction between cancer cell metabolism and the tumor microenvironment. In addition, we discuss the implications of these interactions in cancer therapy and chemoprevention.     

Detection of Extent of Sea Level Rise in a Coastal Lake System using IRS Satellite Imagery

Coastal lakes are often under the threat of sea water ingress causing the depletion of fresh water bodies. Salinization due to sea water ingress causes impact on water resources especially in coastal areas. Thus there is scarcity of fresh water in this region. Climate change causes rise in sea level and this leads to increase of salinity in coastal lakes. Satellite imagery analysis now plays a prominent role in the quick assessment of water quality in a vast area. This study is an attempt to assess the extent of a lake system affected by sea water (Akkulam-Veli lake, Kerala, India) using Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS P6 LISS III imagery. Field data were collected on the date of the satellite overpass. Simple regression equation using radiance in red band is found to yield superior results for the prediction of sodium content whereas polynomial equation using radiance of red band is found to yield superior results for the prediction of chloride content than the simple and multiple regression equations using spectral ratios and radiance from the individual bands from satellite imagery. The refractive index of water containing sodium chloride is more when compared with that of fresh water and this in turn results in high reflection of visible light in the red band when compared to blue and green bands. Hence the radiance of red band gives direct measure of sodium and chloride in lake water. IRS P6-LISS III imagery can be effectively used for the assessment of sea water affected area of the lake system.     

Engineering living systems on chips: from cells to human on chips

Engineering living systems on chips is an emerging direction with a goal to mimic physiologically accurate biological functions that can be applied to a diversity of applications, such as reliable in vitro drug-screening systems for reducing the need for animal testing. Taking advantages of creative platforms from electromechanical systems technology and from advanced biomaterials to mimic 3D extracellular matrix, these approaches to recapitulating organ-level structures and functions may bring unprecedented benefits to clinical translation of nanomedicines in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries and to advanced tissue engineering for regenerative medicine. In this review, we discuss recent progress on the engineering of living systems on chips and highlight advanced technologies that integrate a variety of physiological cues including mechanical, chemical, and electrical signals with precise spatiotemporal controls. We also discuss current challenges and future directions of these approaches, analyzing the benefits of continued research in this field.     

Weather extremes and household welfare in rural Kenya

Households in rural Kenya are sensitive to weather shocks through their reliance on rain-fed agriculture and livestock. Yet the extent of vulnerability is poorly understood, particularly in reference to extreme weather. This paper uses temporally and spatially disaggregated weather data and three waves of household panel survey data to understand the impact of weather extremes –including periods of high and low rainfall, heat, and wind– on household welfare. Particular attention is paid to heterogeneous effects across agro-ecological regions. We find that all types of extreme weather affect household well-being, although effects sometimes differ for income and calorie estimates. Periods of drought are the most consistently negative weather shock across various regions. An examination of the channels through which weather affects welfare reveals that drought conditions reduce income from both on- and off-farm sources, though households compensate for diminished on-farm production with food purchases. The paper further explores the household and community characteristics that mitigate the adverse effects of drought. In particular, access to credit and a more diverse income base seem to render a household more resilient.     

Introduction to the special issue: International Conference on Vision Systems

Machine Vision and Applications -