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The article presents a study on broader diets for archaic Homo populations in the Mediterranean. It outlines the analysis on the diet of homo sapiens along with Neanderthals to determine their methods of completing scarce resources. An overview of the taphonomic research of leporid assemblages from France is also provided.

In molecular ecology, the development of efficient molecular markers for fungi remains an important research domain. Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer ( ITS) region was proposed as universal DNA barcode marker for fungi, but this marker was criticized for Indel-induced alignment problems and its potential lack of phylogenetic resolution. Our main aim was to develop a new phylogenetic gene and a putative functional marker, from single-copy gene, to describe fungal diversity. Thus, we developed a series of primers to amplify a polymorphic region of the Glycoside Hydrolase GH63 gene, encoding exo-acting α-glucosidases, in basidiomycetes. These primers were validated on 125 different fungal genomic DNAs, and GH63 amplification yield was compared with that of already published functional markers targeting genes coding for laccases, N-acetylhexosaminidases, cellobiohydrolases and class II peroxidases. Specific amplicons were recovered for 95% of the fungal species tested, and GH63 amplification success was strikingly higher than rates obtained with other functional genes. We downloaded the GH63 sequences from 483 fungal genomes publicly available at the JGI mycocosm database. GH63 was present in 461 fungal genomes belonging to all phyla, except Microsporidia and Neocallimastigomycota divisions. Moreover, the phylogenetic trees built with both GH63 and Rpb1 protein sequences revealed that GH63 is also a promising phylogenetic marker. Finally, a very high proportion of GH63 proteins was predicted to be secreted. This molecular tool could be a new phylogenetic marker of fungal species as well as potential indicator of functional diversity of basidiomycetes fungal communities in term of secretory capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

t Spatio-temporal storm properties have a large impact on catchment hydrological response. The sensitivity of simulated flash floods to convective rain-cell characteristics is examined for an extreme storm event over a 94 km2semi-arid catchment in southern Israel. High space–time resolution weather radar data were used to derive and model convective rain cells that then served as input into a hydrological model. Based on alterations of location, direction and speed of a major rain cell, identified as the flooding cell for this case, the impacts on catchment rainfall and generated flood were examined. Global sensitivity analysis was applied to identify the most important factors affecting the flash flood peak discharge at the catchment outlet. We found that the flood peak discharge could be increased three-fold by relatively small changes in rain-cell characteristics. We assessed that the maximum flash flood magnitude that this single rain cell can produce is 175 m3/s, and, taking into account the rest of the rain cells, the flash flood peak discharge can reach 260 m3/s.Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor R.J. MooreCitation Morin, E. and Yakir, H., 2013. Hydrological impact and potential flooding of convective rain cells in a semi-arid environment. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (7), 1275–1284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2013.841315 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The spaceborne weather radar onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite can be used to adjust Ground-based Radar (GR) echoes, as a function of the range from the GR site. The adjustment is based on the average linear radar reflectivity in circular rings around the GR site, for both the GR and attenuation-corrected NearSurfZ TRMM Precipitation Radar (TPR) images. In previous studies, it was found that in winter, for the lowest elevation of the Cyprus C-band radar, the GR/TPR equivalent rain rate ratio was decreasing, on average, of approximately 8dB per decade. In this paper, the same analysis has been applied to another C-band radar in the southeastern Mediterranean area. For the lowest elevation of the “Shacham” radar in Israel, the GR/TPR equivalent rain rate ratio is found to decrease of approximately 6dB per decade. The average departure at the “reference”, intermediate range is related to the calibration of the GR. The negative slope of the range dependence is considered to be mainly caused by an overshooting problem (increasing sampling volume of the GR with range combined with non-homogeneous beam filling and, on average, a decreasing vertical profile of radar reflectivity). To check this hypothesis, we have compared the same NearSurfZ TPR images versus GR data acquired using the second elevation. We expected these data to be affected more by overshooting, especially at distant ranges: the negative slope of the range dependence was in fact found to be more evident than in the case of the lowest GR elevation for both the Cypriot and Israeli radar. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of ultrafiltration (UF) in downstream processing becomes increasingly important. Downstream processing involves complex biological mixture which can not be well-known with simple analytical techniques. That leads to very poor theoretical data on the UF of such solutions. As a consequence, the integration of this operation in downstream processing is somewhere limited and empirical, requiring a lot of experiments. This paper proposes a new method to overcome this difficulty and to transpose data obtained in a laboratory set-up to a larger pilot unit. The approach is based on non steady state mass balance equations. On the assumption of constant transmission rates, these equations can be analytically solved. When these assumptions are not accurate, a numerical resolution is proposed. In this study, the simulated results are faced with experimental data obtained with a synthetic bio-solution constituted from a protein hydrolysate (yeast extract) and β-lactoglobulin, filtered on an inorganic Carbosep membrane (cut-off 15 kDa). The contribution of this method to simulate and scale-up UF units is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is well known that the fibroblast–collagen-matrix contraction model is a unique way to study mechanical interactions that regulate wound contraction of connective tissue cells. This contraction, due to cell traction, plays important roles in wound healing and pathological contractures. A continuum model initially used for the study of mesenchymal morphogenesis is revisited and numerically investigated by assuming that the extracellular matrix has adaptive-elastic properties. The set of non-linear partial differential equations is solved numerically by a finite difference method and the obtained results are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences generated from Xerocomus pruinatus and Scieroderma citrinum ectomycorrhizospheres revealed that similar bacterial communities inhabited the two ectomycorrhizospheres in terms of phyla and genera, with an enrichment of the Burkholderia genus. Compared to the bulk soil habitat, ectomycorrhizospheres hosted significantly more Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water volume estimates of shallow desert lakes are the basis for water balance calculations, important both for water resource management and paleohydrology/climatology. Water volumes are typically inferred from bathymetry mapping; however, being shallow, ephemeral, and remote, bathymetric surveys are scarce in such lakes. We propose a new, remote‐sensing‐based, method to derive the bathymetry of such lakes using the relation between water occurrence, during >30 year of optical satellite data, and accurate elevation measurements from the new Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite‐2 (ICESat‐2). We demonstrate our method at three locations where we map bathymetries with ~0.3 m error. This method complements other remotely sensed, bathymetry‐mapping methods as it can be applied to: (a) complex lake systems with subbasins, (b) remote lakes with no in‐situ records, and (c) flooded lakes. The proposed method can be easily implemented in other shallow lakes as it builds on publically accessible global data sets. Plain Language Summary: Lakes in desert environments are often remote and shallow and only get filled once in a long while. They are an important water resource and could be used to decipher past environmental conditions. However, detailed maps of lake‐floor terrain, which are required to effectively study these lakes are typically not available. The deepest parts of the lakes are filled with water more frequently than their shallow margins. Thus, we suggest here to relate water occurrence in those lakes with accurate satellite‐based elevation measurements, to obtain a valuable lake‐floor terrain map. We demonstrate the usefulness of our method by comparing results with other globally available data. Previous methods struggle with complex‐terrain lakes or lakes that are partially flooded during their survey, while our method yields high‐resolution accurate maps even in such lakes. Key Points: A new methodology to produce bathymetry maps of shallow desert lakes was developed, based on globally available data setsThe methodology enables mapping the bathymetry of lakes with subbasins or partially flooded lakes, both major limitations of other methodsThe derived bathymetry error is ~30 cm, rather than ~2.5 m for other globally available data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sahara was wetter and greener during multiple interglacial periods of the Quaternary, when some have suggested it featured very large (mega) lakes, ranging in surface area from 30,000 to 350,000 km2. In this paper, we review the physical and biological evidence for these large lakes, especially during the African Humid Period (AHP) 11–5 ka. Megalake systems from around the world provide a checklist of diagnostic features, such as multiple well-defined shoreline benches, wave-rounded beach gravels where coarse material is present, landscape smoothing by lacustrine sediment, large-scale deltaic deposits, and in places, tufas encrusting shorelines. Our survey reveals no clear evidence of these features in the Sahara, except in the Chad basin. Hydrologic modeling of the proposed megalakes requires mean annual rainfall ≥1.2 m/yr and a northward displacement of tropical rainfall belts by ≥1000 km. Such a profound displacement is not supported by other paleo-climate proxies and comprehensive climate models, challenging the existence of megalakes in the Sahara. Rather than megalakes, isolated wetlands and small lakes are more consistent with the Sahelo-Sudanian paleoenvironment that prevailed in the Sahara during the AHP. A pale-green and discontinuously wet Sahara is the likelier context for human migrations out of Africa during the late Quaternary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy small ruminants account for approximately 21% of all sheep and goats in the world, produce around 3.5% of the world’s milk, and are mainly located in subtropical-temperate areas of Asia, Europe, and Africa. Dairy sheep are concentrated around the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, where their dairy products are typical ingredients of the human diet. Dairy goats are concentrated in low-income, fooddeficit countries of the Indian subcontinent, where their products are a key food source, but are also present in high-income, technologically developed countries. This review evaluates the status of the dairy sheep and goat sectors in the world, with special focus on the commercially and technically developed industries in France, Greece, Italy, and Spain (FGIS). Dairy small ruminants account for a minor part of the total agricultural output in France, Italy, and Spain (0.9 to 1.8%) and a larger part in Greece (8.8%). In FGIS, the dairy sheep industry is based on local breeds and crossbreeds raised under semi-intensive and intensive systems and is concentrated in a few regions in these countries. Average flock size varies from small to medium (140 to 333 ewes/farm), and milk yield from low to medium (85 to 216 L/ewe), showing substantial room for improvement. Most sheep milk is sold to industries and processed into traditional cheese types, many of which are Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) cheeses for gourmet and export markets (e.g., Pecorino, Manchego, and Roquefort). By comparing break-even milk price among FGIS countries, we observed the following: (1) most Greek and French dairy sheep farms were unprofitable, with the exception of the intensive Chios farms of Greece; (2) milk price was aligned with cost of production in Italy; and (3) profitable farms coexisted with unprofitable farms in Spain. In FGIS, dairy goat production is based on local breeds raised under more extensive systems than sheep. Compared with sheep, average dairy goat herds are smaller (36 to 190 does/ farm) but milk yield is greater (153 to 589 L/doe), showing room for improvement. Goat milk is mainly processed on-farm into dairy products for national markets, but some PDO goat milk cheeses (e.g., Murcia al Vino) are exported. Processed goat milk is sold for local human consumption or dehydrated for export. Mixed sheep-goat (e.g., Feta) and cow-sheep-goat milk cheeses are common in many countries. Strategies to improve the dairy sheep and goat sectors in these 4 countries are proposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi develop a mutualistic symbiotic interaction with the roots of their host plants. During this process, they undergo a series of developmental transitions from the running hyphae in the rhizosphere to the coenocytic hyphae forming finger-like structures within the root apoplastic space. These transitions, which involve profound, symbiosis-associated metabolic changes, also entail a substantial transcriptome reprogramming with coordinated waves of differentially expressed genes. To date, little is known about the key transcriptional regulators driving these changes, and the aim of the present study was to delineate and functionally characterize the transcription factor (TF) repertoire of the model ECM fungus Laccaria bicolor. Results: We curated the L. bicolor gene models coding for transcription factors and assessed their expression and regulation in Poplar and Douglas fir ectomycorrhizae. We identified 285 TFs, 191 of which share a significant similarity with known transcriptional regulators. Expression profiling of the corresponding transcripts identified TF-encoding fungal genes differentially expressed in the ECM root tips of both host plants. The L. bicolor core set of differentially expressed TFs consists of 12 and 22 genes that are, respectively, upregulated and downregulated in symbiotic tissues. These TFs resemble known fungal regulators involved in the control of fungal invasive growth, fungal cell wall integrity, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, invasive stress response and fruiting-body development. However, this core set of mycorrhiza-regulated TFs seems to be characteristic of L. bicolor and our data suggest that each mycorrhizal fungus has evolved its own set of ECM development regulators. A subset of the above TFs was functionally validated with the use of a heterologous, transcription activation assay in yeast, which also allowed the identification of previously unknown, transcriptionally active yet secreted polypeptides designated as Secreted Transcriptional Activator Proteins (STAPs). Conclusions: Transcriptional regulators required for ECM symbiosis development in L. bicolor have been uncovered and classified through genome-wide analysis. This study also identifies the STAPs as a new class of potential ECM effectors, highly expressed in mycorrhizae, which may be involved in the control of the symbiotic root transcriptome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endosymbiosis of bacteria by eukaryotes is a defining feature of cellular evolution. In addition to well-known bacterial origins for mitochondria and chloroplasts, multiple origins of bacterial endosymbiosis are known within the cells of diverse animals, plants and fungi. Early-diverging lineages of terrestrial fungi harbor endosymbiotic bacteria belonging to the Burkholderiaceae. We sequenced the metagenome of the soil-inhabiting fungus Mortierella elongata and assembled the complete circular chromosome of its endosymbiont, Mycoavidus cysteinexigens, which we place within a lineage of endofungal symbionts that are sister clade to Burkholderia. The genome of M. elongata strain AG77 features a core set of primary metabolic pathways for degradation of simple carbohydrates and lipid biosynthesis, while the M. cysteinexigens (AG77) genome is reduced in size and function. Experiments using antibiotics to cure the endobacterium from the host demonstrate that the fungal host metabolism is highly modulated by presence/absence of M. cysteinexigens. Independent comparative phylogenomic analyses of fungal and bacterial genomes are consistent with an ancient origin for M. elongata - M. cysteinexigens symbiosis, most likely over 350 million years ago and concomitant with the terrestrialization of Earth and diversification of land fungi and plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron beam welding (EBW) of shrouds in Inconel-713LC low pressure gas turbine blades was associated with cracking in fusion zone (FZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ) leading to a high scrap rate in manufacturing of gas turbine blades. In this study, in order to develop a detailed map of cracks and understand the root cause of cracking, a comprehensive microstructural and numerical analysis was performed. The elemental mapping in scanning electron microscope (SEM)-energy dispersive spectral analysis revealed segregation of alloying elements in the cracked area of FZ and HAZ. In other words, one of the cracking mechanisms in FZ and HAZ was found to be segregation induced liquation and subsequent cracking due to thermal and mechanical tensile stresses generated during EBW. Cracking in FZ also occurred because of low strength of the solidifying weld metal as well as solidification contraction. As well, γ ′ dissolution and reprecipitation in HAZ leading to decreased ductility and generation of contraction stresses was another mechanism for cracking in HAZ. The numerical model was capable to predict the cracking location as well as cracking orientation with respect to the weld line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the costliest natural hazards around the globe is flash floods, resulting from localized intense convective precipitation over short periods of time. Since intense convective rainfall (especially over the continents) is well correlated with lightning activity in these storms, a European Union FP6 FLASH project was realized from 2006 to 2010, focusing on using lightning observations to better understand and predict convective storms that result in flash floods. As part of the project, 23 case studies of flash floods in the Mediterranean region were examined. For the analysis of these storms, lightning data were used together with rainfall estimates in order to understand the storms' development and electrification processes. In addition, these case studies were simulated using mesoscale meteorological models to better understand the local and synoptic conditions leading to such intense and damaging storms. As part of this project, tools for short-term predictions (nowcasts) of intense convection across the Mediterranean and Europe, and long-term forecasts (a few days) of the likelihood of intense convection, were developed and employed. The project also focused on educational outreach through a special Web site supplying real-time lightning observations, real-time experimental nowcasts, medium-range weather forecasts and educational materials. While flash floods and intense thunderstorms cannot be prevented, long-range regional lightning networks can supply valuable data, in real time, for warning the public, end-users and stakeholders of imminent intense rainfall and possible flash floods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The level of genetic diversity and genetic structure in the Perigord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.) has been debated for several years, mainly due to the lack of appropriate genetic markers. Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are important for the genome organisation, phenotypic diversity and are one of the most popular molecular markers. In this study, we surveyed the T. melanosporum genome (1) to characterise its SSR pattern; (2) to compare it with SSR patterns found in 48 other fungal and three oomycetes genomes and (3) to identify new polymorphic SSR markers for population genetics. The T. melanosporum genome is rich in SSRs with 22,425 SSRs with mono-nucleotides being the most frequent motifs. SSRs were found in all genomic regions although they are more frequent in non-coding regions (introns and intergenic regions). Sixty out of 135 PCR-amplified mono-, di-, tri-, tetra, penta, and hexa-nucleotides were polymorphic (44%) within black truffle populations and 27 were randomly selected and analysed on 139 T. melanosporum isolates from France, Italy and Spain. The number of alleles varied from 2 to 18 and the expected heterozygosity from 0.124 to 0.815. One hundred and thirty-two different multilocus genotypes out of the 139 T. melanosporum isolates were identified and the genotypic diversity was high (0.999). Polymorphic SSRs were found in UTR regulatory regions of fruiting bodies and ectomycorrhiza regulated genes, suggesting that they may play a role in phenotypic variation. In conclusion, SSRs developed in this study were highly polymorphic and our results showed that T. melanosporum is a species with an important genetic diversity, which is in agreement with its recently uncovered heterothallic mating system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cu–In electrodeposited layers were annealed using rapid thermal processing (RTP) in a reactive atmosphere containing sulfur vapors. The CuInS2 formation mechanism during sulfurization of electrodeposited precursors proceeds mainly through direct sulfurization of the metallic Cu–In alloy, forming spinel CuIn5S8 and chalcopyrite CuInS2 ternary phases. During the heating step, the Cu–In metallic alloy gets richer in copper as the temperature increases and transforms from CuIn2 to Cu11In9, then Cu16In9 and finally to Cu7In3. The use of rapidly cooled samples stopped after different durations of the process along with ex-situ XRD analysis enabled us to differentiate the Cu16In9 and Cu7In3 phases. Finally, the efficiency of the solar cells made with the two-step electrodeposition and RTP low-cost process reaches 11% (active area 0.421cm2), which is close to the results obtained for cells made with PVD precursors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The functional complexity of the Tuber melanosporum transcriptome has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we applied high-throughput Illumina RNAsequencing (RNA-Seq) to the transcriptome of T. melanosporum at different major developmental stages, that is free-living mycelium, fruiting body and ectomycorrhiza. Sequencing of cDNA libraries generated a total of c. 24 million sequence reads representing > 882 Mb of sequence data. To construct a coverage signal profile across the genome, all reads were then aligned to the reference genome assembly of T. melanosporum Mel28. We were able to identify a substantial number of novel transcripts, antisense transcripts, new exons, untranslated regions (UTRs), alternative upstream initiation codons and upstream open reading frames. This RNA-Seq analysis allowed us to improve the genome annotation. It also provided us with a genome-wide view of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms generating an increased number of transcript isoforms during major developmental transitions in T. melanosporum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil fungi play a major role in ecological and biogeochemical processes in forests. Little is known, however, about the structure and richness of different fungal communities and the distribution of functional ecological groups (pathogens, saprobes and symbionts). • Here, we assessed the fungal diversity in six different forest soils using tag-encoded 454 pyrosequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1). No less than 166 350 ITS reads were obtained from all samples. In each forest soil sample (4 g), approximately 30 000 reads were recovered, corresponding to around 1000 molecular operational taxonomic units. • Most operational taxonomic units (81%) belonged to the Dikarya subkingdom (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota). Richness, abundance and taxonomic analyses identified the Agaricomycetes as the dominant fungal class. The ITS-1 sequences (73%) analysed corresponded to only 26 taxa. The most abundant operational taxonomic units showed the highest sequence similarity to Ceratobasidium sp., Cryptococcus podzolicus, Lactarius sp. and Scleroderma sp. • This study validates the effectiveness of high-throughput 454 sequencing technology for the survey of soil fungal diversity. The large proportion of unidentified sequences, however, calls for curated sequence databases. The use of pyrosequencing on soil samples will accelerate the study of the spatiotemporal dynamics of fungal communities in forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between counterproductive behaviors (CPBs) and psychological well-being in a teamwork setting. Moreover, we examined the moderating effect of task interdependence. CPBs are considered in light of four dimensions, namely parasitism, interpersonal aggression, boastfulness, and misuse of resources. Data were collected from a sample of 249 individuals working in a Canadian prison. The study was based on two measurement times. The results reveal that the four dimensions of CPBs are negatively related to psychological well-being and that relationships involving interpersonal aggression and boastfulness are moderated by task interdependence. This study highlights the importance for managers to identify the presence of CPBs in their team as soon as possible so as to be able to remedy them before they affect team members’ psychological well-being. Moreover, interpersonal aggression and boastfulness may be particularly detrimental in a context of high interdependence. This study further extends the nomological network of CPBs. Indeed, the results indicate that the presence of CPBs may harm employees’ mental health. Furthermore, this study shows that a contextual characteristic (i.e., task interdependence) may amplify the detrimental effect of some CPBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Little is known about terpene emissions released by plants in response to abiotic factors, except for climate-related factors. Standard emissions (E S) of monoterpenes (E SM) and sesquiterpenes (E SS) of Rosmarinus officinalis, Pinus halepensis and Cistus albidus in siliceous and calcareous sites were examined. Their dependency on some nutrients in these soils was also analyzed. The study was carried out in the south of France at the end of March, when C. albidus exhibited a leaf growth state, while the other two species exhibited a pre-budbreak state. The results revealed that E S of all major monoterpenes released by R. officinalis and E S of α-pinene and α-humulene of P. halepensis were higher in plants growing in calcareous soils. In contrast, for C. albidus, E SM and E S of β-bourbonene and α-humulene were higher in siliceous soils. E SM of all species was mainly correlated with nitrogen (N) and available phosphorous (PA), while dependency on Ca2+ or K+ was variable. None of these nutrients was significantly correlated with E SS, suggesting that sesquiterpene synthesis pathway requires different nutrient supplies. While higher soil nutrient content stimulated E SM of R. officinalis and P. halepensis, it had a negative effect on E SM of C. albidus, probably because C. albidus exhibited a different phenological state. Considering the soil nature, and particularly N and PA as inputs in plant terpene inventories could hence contribute to obtain more accurate terpene estimates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Long-term administration of prostacyclin (PGI2) improves the hemodynamic state, symptoms, and survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, but it increases mortality in patients with heart failure despite obvious hemodynamic benefits when it is given acutely. We evaluated the mechanisms of action of PGI2 in patients with heart failure and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Nineteen patients with end-stage heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, all candidates for heart transplantation, underwent right- and left sided cardiac catheterization with micromanometer-tipped catheters and were tested for PGI2 at incremental doses. PGI2 infusion significantly improved pulmonary hemodynamics with a 47% reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance (p=0.0003) and a doubling of pulmonary artery compliance (p <0.0001), reflecting improvement in pulmonary vascular tone. The dose of PGI2 necessary to reach this hemodynamic effect correlated significantly to the baseline severity of pulmonary artery compliance (r=0.54, p=0.01). Furthermore, PGI2 produced a significant positive inotropic effect (contractile element maximum velocity increased from 1.10+/-0.09 to 1.33+/-0.13 circ/s, p <0.009). The hemodynamic effects of PGI2 infusion were independent of the plasma and urinary levels of endogen prostaglandins. Thus, PGI2 at therapeutic doses exerts a positive inotropic effect in patients with heart failure, which may explain the increased mortality rate observed with the long-term use of PGI2 in this type of patient. The spectacular acute benefits on right ventricular afterload, however, may be useful in unstable patients with heart failure and secondary pulmonary hypertension or in transplanted patients with acute right ventricular failure of the donor heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hydrological models can help to identify site-specific uninformative data. • We introduce a method to identify parameter similarity within a GLUE framework. • In arid areas, parameterization holds only across limited conditions. • Antecedent soil moisture and flood magnitude influence effective parameters. • Parameter transfer between catchments is influenced by MAP and storm type. The performances of hydrological models in arid areas are significantly lower than other climates. The reasons are numerous, from the scales involved, to specific processes and the lack of adequate measurements. Effective parameters have been often observed to change between runoff events, limiting the predictive capacity of the models. We look at the problems that can be found in an operational setting and present an analysis to improve the understanding of the errors. Our method characterizes the conditions where the model fails systematically, and the conditions where the parameterization holds between floods. We applied KINEROS2 to 24 years of radar rainfall and streamflow data in 6 arid catchments. A GLUE probabilistic framework is used to characterize model performance, and a method is developed to identify floods with similar calibration. The analysis shows that uninformative conditions are difficult to generalize. A basin-specific analysis can help to identify conditions where the model fails and exclude them from calibration. Despite the large uncertainties, similar catchments display groups of floods with similar parameterization. In some basin we find that it is important to quantify antecedent moisture conditions. Hydrological models show some consistency within limited conditions. These conditions, however, depend on the errors involved, and are site-specific. There is some potential for parameter transfer, but proximity alone might not be enough, and other factors such as mean annual rainfall or storm type, should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]