ORCID Profile
0000-0002-7590-4632
Current Organisations
Universitat de Barcelona
,
Children's Medical Research Institute
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Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 04-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-14378
Abstract: & & Risk assessments in coastal zones usually address the maritime and continental domains separately by considering marine hazards and hydrometeorological extreme drivers in idually. Although this may be reasonable for many coastlines, there are environments where this uncoupled approach will underestimate their overall risk to climate hazards and, in consequence, will affect the development of efficient adaptation plans. One of these environments is the Mediterranean, due to the magnitude of in idual climate hazards, the frequency of compound events (it has been identified as one of the European areas with the highest probability of compound flooding), as well as the level of exposure along its coastal zone.& & & & In this sense, there is an increasing number of studies addressing compound risks in the coastal zone, with most of them dealing with compound flooding. In this work, we adopt a complementary approach to help coastal managers to identify hotspot areas by classifying the coastal zone into management units of homogeneous cumulative compound risk. To this end, a Compound Coastal Zone Risk index has been developed which integrates the risks associated with the impact of marine and extreme hydrometeorological hazards. Here the risk is defined in basis of three components characterizing hazards, vulnerability and exposure, with the first two ones being specific to the intrinsic characteristics of each subdomain (marine and hydro-meteorological), whereas the last one characterizes exposed values of the coastal zone, being this area affected by both hazards.& & & & The marine composite sub-index assesses the magnitude of hazards in terms of a sea-storm indicator (in terms of waves and storm-surge conditions), background decadal-scale shoreline evolution (to characterize erosion hazards), and SLR (both inundation and erosion). This is combined with an indicator that accounts for the & #8220 coastal& #8221 system vulnerability, which includes the geomorphology, beach width (which acts as buffer zone) and the existence of accommodation space at a given time, since both variables are t-dependent.& & & & The hydrometeorological composite sub-index assesses the magnitude of hazards in terms of a rainfall indicator (to characterize short very-intense episodes, cumulative daily values and extreme events associated to a given probability), maximum wind gust and lightning density. This is combined with an indicator that accounts for the & #8220 terrestrial& #8221 system vulnerability, similar to the flash flood potential index.& & & & All these indicators are assessed at the smallest possible spatial scale to be as accurate as possible. Then, they are integrated at municipal scale to characterize each management unit with a representative value which permits to classify them in terms of their integrated risk while retaining information on the partial contribution of each component. The final work will present the compound index in detail, as well as the partial sub-indexes, and it will be applied along about 800 km of the Spanish Mediterranean coast to identify the most risky stretches to cumulative compound climate hazards. The index is validated by comparing obtained values with damage data recorded along the study area after the impact of marine and hydrometeorological hazards.& & & & This work has been developed in the framework of the M-CostAdapt project (FEDER/MCIU-AEI/CTM2017-83655-C2-1-2-R).& &
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S13059-021-02539-0
Abstract: Congenital heart diseases are the major cause of death in newborns, but the genetic etiology of this developmental disorder is not fully known. The conventional approach to identify the disease-causing genes focuses on screening genes that display heart-specific expression during development. However, this approach would have discounted genes that are expressed widely in other tissues but may play critical roles in heart development. We report an efficient pipeline of genome-wide gene discovery based on the identification of a cardiac-specific cis -regulatory element signature that points to candidate genes involved in heart development and congenital heart disease. With this pipeline, we retrieve 76% of the known cardiac developmental genes and predict 35 novel genes that previously had no known connectivity to heart development. Functional validation of these novel cardiac genes by RNAi-mediated knockdown of the conserved orthologs in Drosophila cardiac tissue reveals that disrupting the activity of 71% of these genes leads to adult mortality. Among these genes, RpL14 , RpS24 , and Rpn8 are associated with heart phenotypes. Our pipeline has enabled the discovery of novel genes with roles in heart development. This workflow, which relies on screening for non-coding cis -regulatory signatures, is amenable for identifying developmental and disease genes for an organ without constraining to genes that are expressed exclusively in the organ of interest.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1002/DVG.23246
Abstract: Development of the embryonic head is driven by the activity of gene regulatory networks of transcription factors. LHX1 is a homeobox transcription factor that plays an essential role in the formation of the embryonic head. The loss of LHX1 function results in anterior truncation of the embryo caused by the disruption of morphogenetic movement of tissue precursors and the dysregulation of WNT signaling activity. Profiling the gene expression pattern in the Lhx1 mutant embryo revealed that tissues in anterior germ layers acquire posterior tissue characteristics, suggesting LHX1 activity is required for the allocation and patterning of head precursor tissues. Here, we used LHX1 as an entry point to delineate its transcriptional targets and interactors and construct a LHX1-anchored gene regulatory network. Using a gain-of-function approach, we identified genes that immediately respond to Lhx1 activation. Meta-analysis of the datasets of LHX1-responsive genes and genes expressed in the anterior tissues of mouse embryos at head-fold stage, in conjunction with published Xenopus embryonic LHX1 (Xlim1) ChIP-seq data, has pinpointed the putative transcriptional targets of LHX1 and an array of genetic determinants functioning together in the formation of the mouse embryonic head.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 03-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-2060
Abstract: & & The Mediterranean coast of Spain is well known for its pleasant weather, which results in high population densities and large number of tourists. The littoral area is constituted by a rich variety of ecosystems combined with a well-developed industry and agricultural land. The attractive Mediterranean climate has another side of the story, due partially to the Spanish mountain ranges along the east coast. This results in extreme rainfall events that drive flash floods that carry significant economic, environmental and social impact to the affected areas. The mentioned scenario gets more complex when considering the climate change that is already experienced in the Mediterranean region. Among others, the increase in extreme precipitation events envisioned by global climate models. Considering that storms and flash floods are the highest occurrence and most expensive events, it is fair to analyse the adaptation measures in place for the studied area.& & & & The present work shows the comparative analysis of three recent case studies of major compound hazard events happened in the Mediterranean coast of Spain with special focus on littoral impacts and within a short time frame of 4 months: September 2019, October 2019, and January 2020. The nearness of the events left short time for recovery between them, as well as added aggravation due to the accumulated environmental and economic impacts caused to the region and the Covid-19 pandemics. The work presents a wide range of data (meteorological, hydrological, economical, impact data, etc.), collected from the press and social media as well as from official sources such as CCS, Meteorological agencies, Civil Protection, and others. This allows developing a multidisciplinary approach from the point of view of hydrology, meteorology, sea sciences and social science.& & & & The analysis of the events is made from a holistic point of view including details as varied as the geographical areas affected up to municipality level, circumstances of casualties, location of extreme hydrometeorological values recorded during the events, environmental impact and economic loss. Furthermore, the different factors driving to each compound hazard event (floods, windstorms, sea surges, ...) and cascade effects have been analysed. Moreover, an analysis of the adaptation measures present at the time is done, along with suggestions of complementary or better adaptation measures for the three cases. Even though the data collection and analysis are made for the entire affected area within the Iberian Peninsula, the impacts and adaptation measures considered in this communication have a focus on the coastal area, including its various littoral ecosystems, coastal infrastructures, tourist sector, etc.& & & & This work has been done in the framework of the M-CostAdapt (CTM2017-83655-C2-1& -R) research project, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN-AEI/FEDER, UE).& &
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 03-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-3041
Abstract: & & The Earth and humanity face real existential threats.& The problems are well known: global warming, & strong& climate change& /strong& (& strong& CC& /strong& ), deforestation, pollution, temperature increase, bio ersity loss and so on.& & & & CC is the most dangerous threat of our time.& It & #8220 affects every single living being and every ecological niche, with poorer communities suffering disproportionately& #8221 (session abstract).& Action and knowledge are needed to combat this crisis so that future generations are saved.& & & & It is important that people learn about CC and its effects, and then learn how to act.& & strong& Climate literacy/learning& /strong& (& strong& CL& /strong& ) is the only way in which people can come to understand and become literate so as to make decisions that are grounded in & strong& geoethical & /strong& rinciples.& As the session abstract says, & #8220 the more people are knowledgeable about the changes affecting their lives, the more they will be able to make informed decisions and to adapt and mitigate& #8221 .& & & & & & Many & strong& CL paths& /strong& exist, all the way down from masters level courses, through collective initiatives, to in idual actions.& In our presentation, we will review a variety of CL actions and methods.& These include:& & & ul& & li& En-ROADS, a simulation model, developed by Climate Interactive, for negotiating scenarios to limit future global warming.& & /li& & li& Fridays For Future (FFF), & #8220 a global climate strike movement that started in August 2018& #8221 .& & & /li& & li& Online participatory simulation to learn about the effect of CC on the oceans, with people from many countries.& /li& & li& PhD programme on CC impacts on natural coastal risks and adaptation pathways for the Mediterranean coast.& /li& & li& University courses in environmental science and in ecology.& /li& & li& Youth Climate Leaders (YCL), an organisation created by four Brazillain women & #8220 to offer solutions to help young people tackle [...] the climate crisis and structural unemployment& #8221 .& & & /li& & li& Associations, experience volunteering.& /li& & li& Conferences, participation.& /li& & li& Designing, playing and debriefing games.& /li& & li& MOOCs, our experience with several online courses on CC and CL.& /li& & li& Reading and video documentaries.& /li& & /ul& & & We also encourage attendees to share their thoughts and outline their own CL experiences and methods.& We will also attempt to answer questions that the audience may have.& &
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 03-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-1377
Abstract: & & Modern, educational simulation/games (s/g) have a rich legacy, stretching back to the 1960s.& They are used today for communicating science in educational, environmental or governmental organizations.& Other uses are to help groups and organizations conduct research, solve complex problems or make collective decisions.& & & & Over the last two decades, a particularly powerful, but underused, form of s/g has developed, called participatory simulation (PS).& It contains (elements of) game, simulation, role-play, experience, human interaction, decision-making, negotiation, engagement, stakeholder, etc.& It is often large scale, open ended, goal and results oriented, free form and data driven.& Of course, debriefing is a crucial component.& & & & Last summer (2020), the International Oceans-Climate School (IOCS), of the Ocean Open University (OOP), France, planned to organize an in-person summer school with a PS as its capstone event.& We then postponed and made it an autumn school.& It then became clear that this also was impossible, and so, after some hesitation, we scrambled to turn it into an online PS (OPS).& & & & The theme was & #8220 & em& The Mediterranean and climate change: Impacts, people, action& /em& & #8221 .& Our overarching goal was to help participants understand the & strong& oceans-climate nexus& /strong& and to become better & strong& ocean-climate-literate stakeholders& /strong& .& The IOCS is an official event of the & strong& Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission& /strong& (IOC) of UNESCO, as part of the & strong& UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development& /strong& .& & & & The school ran over three days, with the OPS over two days.& We searched for a platform that would accommodate the flexibility needed for the OPS we chose Discord.& We had participants originating from Brazil, France, India, Italy, Iran, Spain, Tunisia and the UK ages ranged from 19 to 60 years.& It was a great success.& A detailed, online feedback form two weeks after the event collected participants& #8217 opinions, including:& & & ul& & li& & em& & #8220 It was a wonderful experience.& #8221 , :I felt very good with all the participants.& #8221 , & #8220 When I describe the experience to friends I always say that it was something really useful for my personal and professional growth.& #8221 , & #8220 It was a very enriching experience for me to meet all these people with different training and knowledge, coming from different countries.& #8221 , & #8220 Enriching moments, so much more to discover.& #8221 , & #8220 What a great experience! I felt happy, engaged and surrounded by beautiful minds.& #8221 & /em& & /li& & /ul& & & We will run the event again in the Spring and the late summer or autumn, with different geoscience themes.& The success of the October 2020 event raises several research questions, including:& & & ul& & li& How do the online and the in-person versions compare?& /li& & li& What are the advantages and drawbacks of each?& /li& & li& Which is more effective for what objectives and what results?& /li& & li& How do the two versions stack up in regard to conducting research on such events?& /li& & li& What are the implications of OPS for geoliteracy?& /li& & /ul& & & Our presentation will describe the event in more detail, offer tentative answers to the above questions, and help you decide if you wish to participate in the next event.& Co-authors include both organizers and participants.& &
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 04-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-8482
Abstract: & & This contribution shows a multi-disciplinary forensic investigation of the catastrophic flood event that took place in the northern part of Spain between the 22& sup& nd& /sup& and 23& sup& rd & /sup& of October 2019. The case study has been selected for three reasons. Besides flash-floods and floods in several parts of the region of interest, the event also recorded windstorms, one tornado, snowfalls, thunderstorms, strong sea surges, and landslides, that made a good paradigm of a compound and multi-hazard event. The second reason is because the event has been analyzed from three approaches. Firstly, the hydrometeorological perspective, which includes monitoring through meteorological radar and observation stations, as well as the consequences on the surface. Second, from the socio-economic perspective, both in terms of economic impact and in terms of social perception, for which a citizen science experiment was designed with the FLOODUP tool and in collaboration with the Museu de la Vida Rural de l'Espluga de Francol& #237 (a museum located in the village the event hit the most). FLOODUP is an App developed to improve the population risk awareness and sensibilization face to climate change, that can be also used to collect information. In this case it was used during the period of home confinement due to the pandemics to collect information about the emergency management and impacts. This part also includes the cascading effects, as well as what the Covid-19 pandemic meant in the difficulty of recovery. A third approach analyzes the early warning, emergency management and recovery, in addition to various human initiatives that were carried out. Finally, the third consideration follows the ex le of pair-events comparison developed in the framework of the IAHS Panta Rhei hydrological decade 2013- 2022 like (ex: Kreibich et al., 2017). In this case, the October 2019 event is compared with the floods of October 1994, specifically regarding the Francol& #237 basin. Maximum precipitation recorded in this last event was 410 mm between 9 and 11 October, with a maximum discharge of the Francol& #237 River of 900 m& sup& & /sup& /s in Montblanc. As a consequence of it, 10 bridges were destroyed, 10 people lost their life and more than 230 & #8364 millions in damages were produced. On the 2019 event maximum precipitation was of 293 mm between 22 and 23 October, the maximum discharge in Montblanc was of 544 m& sup& & /sup& /s and 5 people lost their life and damages were above 44 & #8364 millions. Finally, the event is contextualised in the flood trend observed in the region due to climate and environmental changes. & The presentation concludes with the discussion on the potential measures of adaptation that have been already applied or could be applied.& & & & This work has been done in the framework of the M-CostAdapt (CTM2017-83655-C2-1& -R) research project, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN-AEI/FEDER, UE).& & & & Reference. Kreibich, H., S. Vorogushyn, J.C.J.H. Aerts, et al. 2017. Adaptation to flood risk & #8211 results of international paired flood event studies. Special collection & #8220 Avoiding Disasters: Strengthening Societal Resilience to Natural Hazards& #8221 in the journal Earth& #8217 s Future. Earth& #8217 s Future,5,953& #8211 , doi:10.1002/2017EF000606& &
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 28-03-2022
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU22-7178
Abstract: & & Extreme weather events are increasing and will follow this trend due to climate change. In this scenario, adaptation, and mitigation in the face of them becomes essential both through technological innovations and through behavioural changes. In recent years, progress has been made in scientific knowledge on extreme hydrometeorological phenomena and climate change, and more funding is available for adaptation to climate change, both from European funds (e.g. Next Generation funds), country-level or regional funding. However, there are difficulties for to become this into a change in behaviors and actions to be more resilient to extreme phenomena both at the level of the general population and the public and private sector. This leads us to wonder if the knowledge and tools that are being generated are adjusted to the needs of these audiences in relation to adaptation and what are the facilities and barriers to carry out these changes towards more resilient patterns.& & & & In order to analyze this aspect, a study has been carried out in which the viability and fitting of products and tools to improve the resilience of different type of end-users have been tested. For this, the first step was to conceptualize the tools and define hypotheses associated with them. The next step was to design the interviews to validate these hypotheses. Forty interviews were conducted with representatives of local administration, flood management companies, in iduals, and so on. The interviews were customized to suit these different sectors and audiences. The answers served to validate or invalidate the starting hypotheses. In addition to the interviews, sources of expert information were consulted to identify similar strategies or tools and their level of success in their execution.& & & & The interviews have made it possible to identify barriers to the implementation of changes both in in idual habits (such as less interest than expected in attending participatory processes), and in organizations: budgetary limitations, political calendar or little knowledge/interest in knowing historical events. Motivations and interests were also identified, such as having a platform with centralized information on extreme phenomena or the prestige of collaborating with the academy to find optimal solutions to this problem.& & & & This research has been done in the framework of the C3-Riskmed project (FEDER/MICINN-AEI/ PID2020-113638RB-C22) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and EU Horizon 2020 project I-CHANGE (grant agreement 101037193).& &
Location: Spain
No related grants have been discovered for Tennille Sibbritt.