bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repatriation of Rhododendron Plants to China
Authors: Paterson David
Published: December 2020

A Darwin Initiative grant awarded to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1994 gave the opportunity to train some Chinese horticulturists and repatriate a number of rhododendrons back to China from the Garden in Edinburgh. The Chinese partners in the programme were Hua Xi Alpine Botanic Garden and Guizhou Botanic Garden. The initial stages of the project involved training and the selection of suitable species. Following some trials and discussion about possible genetic contamination of native populations from imported material, work on propagating the plants started. Once rooted the plants were packed and transported to China. Following site preparation the young plants were planted in nursery beds. Two hundred and thirty plants, representing almost 100 species, were planted. Of these more than 80% established successfully. Seed was also collected in China from small populations of endemic species of rhododendron to include in the project. The final stage of the project involved help with garden design at Hua Xi.
Fit for Purpose?
Authors: Rae David
Published: December 2020

Collection statistics provide valuable evidence against which to judge the development or decline of live plant collections. At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) a recent audit of the collections and review of key indicators have proved very useful and will now be used on a regular basis as a sort of 'health check' of the collections. Additionally, targets have been set to improve weak aspects of the collection and to drive up standards. It is intended that, over time, these measures will increase the value of the collections and ensure that they are 'fit for purpose'.
Ex Situ Horticulture of Welwitschia mirabilis
Authors: Ursem Bob
Published: December 2020

Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f. occurs in the Namib Desert of Namibia and Angola. It survives on fog which condenses on its leaves, supplemented by flooding every six to ten years. The seeds contain germination-inhibiting alkaloids which must be washed out by rainfall before germination can take place. Many seeds are also infected with the fungus Aspergillus niger which causes high levels of mortality in newly germinated seeds. A strategy for the control of this black smut fungus is described along with techniques for seed sowing and cultivation.
Plant Health and How it Affects Private Gardens: Experience from a Botanic Garden Pathologist
Authors: Helfer Stephan
Published: December 2020

Like many other botanic gardens the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) provides advice about plant pests and diseases to amateur gardeners. This paper summarises the main problem plant categories (such as trees and vegetables), plant problems (such as pests or fungal infection) and other observations, such as number of enquiries by month noted by pathology staff at the Garden over the last twenty years.
Preliminary Observations on Fruit Handling, Seed Germination and Chloroplast Inheritance of an Amenotaxus Hybrid Arising at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from A. argotaenia (F) x A. formosana (M)
Authors: Gosling Peter G , McCartan Shelagh A , Ives Lorelie M , Cunningham Victoria J. , Squirrell Jane , Thomas Philip
Published: December 2020

Seed quality of Amentotaxus species is generally considered to be poor. This paper describes some general observations on the collection, processing and germination of seeds of an Amentotaxus hybrid (A. argotaenia [F] 3x A. formosana [M]) that originated at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 2005. It also includes the details of five different methods for incubating/culturing the hybrid seeds – three of these methods resulted in almost 100% germination. DNA analysis confirmed the hybrid origin of the seeds and in common with many conifers, chloroplast inheritance was shown to be via the paternal side.
The Value of Living Collection Catalogues and Catalogues Produced From the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Authors: Rae David
Published: December 2020

Many botanic gardens produce catalogues of plants growing in their gardens on either a regular or ad hoc basis. These catalogues are useful for reference and archive purposes and their production has added benefits such as the necessity to stocktake the collection and clarify nomenclature prior to publication. Many now also contain interesting introductory material such as collection statistics, histories of the gardens and information about significant plants in the collection. This paper describes the value of producing catalogues, reviews four diverse approaches to catalogues (from the Arnold Arboretum, Ness Botanic Gardens, Oxford Botanic Garden and Utrecht Botanic Garden) and then describes the catalogues produced by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, before culminating in a description of Edinburgh’s 2006 Catalogue.
The Development of the New University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Authors: Wray Nicholas
Published: December 2020

in 2002 the decision was made to move the university of bristol botanic garden (ubbg) from its then current location. this move would be the third in the garden’s history. the four core collections for the new garden were selected in line with modern international policies on botanic garden management, recent research and the university of bristol’s teaching needs. the themes of these collections are evolution, rare and threatened native and local flora, useful plants and Mediterranean-type flora. this paper describes the development of the plant collection policy, the vision and concept for the new garden, together with a detailed explanation of the work to relocate the existing plant collections, and the design and establishment of the new garden.
The Value of Ecological Plantings in Public Gardens
Authors: Flynn Chris
Published: December 2020

This paper has been developed from a third year dissertation written as part of the Diploma in Horticulture course at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It serves as an overview of the subject of ecological planting and its potential applications within public gardens. It also outlines some scientific benefits regarding ecological studies, the impact that this type of planting may have on horticulture (both in gardens and the nursery trade), and the educational benefits for the public and school groups. The case study below looks at the viability of representing a section of Snow Gum Grassy Woodland (a vegetation type found in New South Wales, Australia) outside in Coates Wood, Wakehurst Place, UK.
The Wadi Jawrah Mimusops Garden
Authors: Al-Abbasi Tarik , Hall Matthew , Miller Tony , Rae David , Al-Wetaid Abdullah , Al-Harbi Rabah , Al-Shammari Khalaf , Llewellyn Othman , Morris Leigh
Published: December 2020

The Wadi Jawrah Mimusops Garden is a new botanic garden which is under construction on a 25ha site in Jizan province, southern Saudi Arabia. The garden is being established around a stand of 14 Mimusops laurifolia (Forssk) Friis trees, the second largest stand of this species in the Arabian Peninsula. The major objectives of this garden are to conserve these trees, recreate the rare valley forest habitat of which they are characteristic, establish a nursery for the propagation and ecological restoration of rare species, and to provide a valuable resource for conservation education in the region. This paper covers these aims, the conservation importance of M. laurifolia and valley forest and some challenges and recommendations for the new garden.
Restoring the wild
Authors: Oldfield Sara
Published: December 2020

No abstract
Review and Verification of the Birch Collections at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland
Authors: Forman Susan
Published: December 2020

Without careful record-keeping and a rigorous verification process, living plant collections are of limited scientific value. Living collections need to be managed to ensure that plants are correctly identified, that full provenance information is collated and recorded, that current taxonomic or classification systems are used and, lastly, that nomenclature is accurate. To achieve this, a number of tasks need to be undertaken, including maintaining accurate records of a plant’s provenance, collecting and preparing voucher specimens in a herbarium, reviewing the scientific literature and identifying and correctly naming the individual plant. Every plant in a collection essentially has three elements to its identity: first, its provenance (how it came into the collection, and from where); second, that the individual plant is correctly associated with the correct provenance information (there may be several accessions of the same taxon in a collection); and third, that it is correctly identified and named. The first element is supported by a (preferably electronic) record system; the second is evidenced through the use of an accession number and qualifier that identify the individual plant. The third element of identity is open to reinterpretation when, for example, a specimen reaches maturity and flowers for the first time, or through taxonomic or nomenclatural changes. The entire process involves a range of disciplines and techniques, from record-keeping, archiving, mapping, literature searching, taxonomy, labelling and herbarium techniques, and provides a student with the opportunity to experience the full compass of activities undertaken at a botanic garden.
Starting a conservation collection of Sorbus pseudomeinichii
Authors: McHaffie Heather , Frachon Natacha , Robertson Ashley
Published: December 2020

There are three endemic Sorbus species on the Isle of Arran in Scotland: Sorbus arranensis, S. pseudofennica and S. pseudomeinichii. The latter is the most recently discovered and is represented in the wild by a single individual. Seed propagation and vegetative propagation by chip budding were initiated for all three species at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). This has been successful and there are now conservation collections of these species growing at RBGE.
Sabal bermudana L.H. Bailey (The Sabal Palm) :
Authors: Elliott Alan , Mullany Paul
Published: December 2020

Sabal bermudana, known as the Sabal palm, is, at over 200 years of age, frequently listed as the oldest living specimen growing at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Bown, 1992; Fletcher & Brown, 1970; Govier et al., 2001; Rae, 2011; RBGE, 2012). Edmondson & Rowley (1998) even speculated that the Sabal dated from John Hope’s time as Regius Keeper of RBGE between 1760 and 1786. However, the earliest date most commonly cited is 1822, the year that the plant was transferred, along with much of the collection, from the Leith Walk garden to RBGE’s current site at Inverleith. This article is a summary of its history and cultivation, and offers a description of recent horticultural activities to replace existing supports using novel and possibly unique materials.
The Cultivation of Valdivia gayana J. RÉMY.
Authors: Hughes Kate , Ensoll Andrew , Gardner Martin F.
Published: December 2020

Valdivia gayana J. Rémy. is a herbaceous, sometimes sub-shrubby member of Escalloniaceae, a family dominated by woody species. It has a limited distribution in southern Chile and, to the knowledge of the authors, has not been cultivated in gardens outside Chile before. It is an unusual species in many senses and the collection and cultivation from seed at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is described here and suggestions for propagating the plant from cuttings are made.
Forward Planning for Scottish Gardens in the Face of Climate Change
Authors: Smart Chris , Elliott Alan
Published: December 2020

The impact of climate change and its effects on gardens has so far received limited academic attention. This paper offers a partial correction of this imbalance by investigating the potential impact of climate change on a selection of common Scottish garden plants. A climate envelope modelling approach was taken, whereby wild species distribution data were used to build climate ‘envelopes’ or descriptions of the native climates of selected species. The envelope models were projected onto future climate scenarios for Scotland, allowing observations to be made regarding the climatic suitability of Scotland, both currently and into the future, for each of the plants studied. The models and predictions for four species are described here along with strengths and limitations of the methodology. It is suggested that this approach, or variations of it, could become a useful tool in forward planning for gardens in assisting efforts to mitigate the effect of climate change.
How Tropical Epiphytes at the Eden Project Contribute to Rainforest Canopy Science
Authors: Donald Julian , Maxfield Pete , Murray Don , Ellwood M.D. Farnon
Published: December 2020

Understanding the ecological patterns and ecosystem processes of tropical rainforest canopies is becoming increasingly urgent in the face of widespread deforestation. However, accessing rainforest canopies is far from simple, and performing manipulative experiments in the canopy is particularly challenging. Botanic gardens provide an ideal ‘halfway house’ between field experiments and controlled laboratory conditions. As an ideal venue for testing equipment and refining ideas, botanic gardens also provide scientists with a direct route to public engagement, and potentially to research impact. Here we describe the ‘fernarium’, an adjustable canopy research platform for the standardisation, manipulation and detailed study of epiphytic bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) at the Eden Project in Cornwall. The fernarium provides a platform not only for the scientific study of bird’s nest ferns, but for public engagement, science communication and a wider understanding of the urgent environmental issues surrounding tropical rainforests. We include some preliminary results from an experiment in which the microbial community of a fern soil at the Eden Project was found to be similar in composition to that of a fern from lowland tropical rainforest in Malaysian Borneo. This study illustrates how preliminary experiments in an indoor rainforest can inform experimentaltechniques and procedures fundamental to the scientific study of genuine rainforest canopies.
The Oman Botanic Garden (3):
Authors: Lupton Darach
Published: December 2020

This article follows two others published in Sibbaldia in 2008 and 2009 about the development of Oman Botanic Garden (OBG) and highlights the subsequent progress of key elements of the collection. Significant revisions to the design of OBG are discussed, as are developments in landscape design principles and aspirations. The growth and management of the OBG herbarium and seed bank collections and propagation department are described, with a focus on on operational challenges and achievements. Numerical data are presented to demonstrate the growth in all three departments, and images of facilities and species in the collections are shown. The overarching challenges, achievements and ambitions for the future of OBG are conveyed throughout.
Barcodes are Dead, Long Live Barcodes!
Authors: Havinga Reinout , Ostgaard Havard
Published: December 2020

The use of barcodes for record keeping in botanic gardens has been pioneered before, but attempts have not always been successful. It has even been claimed that, for use in living collections, barcodes are altogether obsolete. This is difficult to imagine given the success of barcodes in almost any professional logistic or auto-ID application. We have tried to find the ‘sweet spots’ of barcode use and have implemented the technology at the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. Integrated with the list-making functionality in the collection management software, barcodes have proved to be an invaluable tool in improving the quality and accuracy of the inventory.
The National Botanic Garden of Nepal
Authors: Hughes Kate , Lamichhane Dipak
Published: December 2020

The National Botanic Garden of Nepal (NBG) lies 16km south of Kathmandu, at the base of Phulchowki, the highest mountain in the Kathmandu Valley. It was inaugurated in 1962 by King Mahendra and since that time the collections have developed, many of them into named areas and groupings. The year 2016 was the bicentenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Great Britain, and this was marked in the NBG with the development of a Biodiversity Education Garden. This was created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), and the occasion signified a revitalisation of collaborative relations between the NBG and British botanic gardens which started in the early 1960s with the appointment to NBG of British horticulturists Geoffrey Herklots and, later, Tony Schilling. The history of the garden, its layout and collections, and the activities and outcomes of the recent collaborations are described and illustrated with colour photographs.
Effects of Pre-Treatment of Gibberellic Acid Solution on Musa sikkimensis Seeds
Authors: Purdom William , Glover Julie
Published: December 2020

Musa sikkimensis Kurz (Musaceae) is one of the most popular banana species in the western world. It is near-hardy, surviving temperatures down to 0°C, but its propagation and cultivation are little researched. This study investigates the effects of gibberellic acid treatment on germination of Musa sikkimensis seeds. Enhanced germination rates will offer nurseries, botanic gardens and amenity growers the opportunity to increase their cultivation success. The findings are compared with those of other Musa species.
The Restoration of Erica verticillata
Authors: Hitchcock Anthony , Rebelo Anthony G.
Published: December 2020

The Threatened Species Programme at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, is integrated to include both ex situ and in situ conservation activities. Plant conservation is driven by South Africa’s Strategy for Plant Conservation which was developed in response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

This case study examines the conservation of Erica verticillata (whorl heath), a flagship for threatened species at Kirstenbosch, and documents the integration of ex situ with in situ conservation at three areas on the Cape Flats. The whorl heath was thought to be extinct by 1950. Horticulturists have since rediscovered eight clones in botanic gardens worldwide, the Heather Society and commercial growers. Ex situ conservation in botanic garden collections and the Millennium Seed Bank has since allowed in situ conservation in the critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos vegetation type. The process of restoring the whorl heath presented many challenges. Initially attempts were hampered by limited available knowledge on suitable niche habitats. Pioneering work carried out at Rondevlei Nature Reserve identified the suitable habitat and this was applied in subsequent in situ work at Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area and at Tokai Park – the only natural areas remaining in or near this species’ historical distribution range. Successful re-establishment of this species depends upon its capacity to recruit after fire, which is an essential ecological process in the fynbos. Many clones have been in cultivation for a long time and are poor seed producers: seed production was first recorded at Rondevlei only after additional clones were planted together. Only one population (Rondevlei) to date has seen a fire and thus has recruited seedlings; however these are competing with vigorous companion plants.

The study continues and is currently exploring the role of herbivory in the restoration process. The key lesson learnt to date is the need to include sustainable management of the entire ecosystem in the restoration process and not limit it to single species. Success in restoring a species depends upon a healthy stand of the vegetation type in place, along with pollinators and other key fauna and other natural ecosystem processes. It is recommended that successful re- establishment of a species in fynbos requires the reintroduced population to survive three fire cycles.
The 10th Flora Malesiana Symposium
Authors: Wilkie Peter
Published: December 2020

The 10th Flora Malesiana Symposium was held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) between 11 and 15 July 2016 and was attended by 185 researchers from 25 countries. Over five days, taxonomists, horticulturists and conservationists came together to present and discuss their research on the plant diversity of the Malesian region. Over 160 presentations were given and a series of very popular workshops was run.
Obituary
Authors: Wilkie Peter
Published: December 2020

An obituary of Tony Whitten, who died on 29 November 2017
The Flora Malesiana Account of Grammitid Ferns (Polypodiaceae)
Authors: Parris Barbara S
Published: December 2020

Fourteen genera and approximately 373 species of grammitid ferns (formerly Grammitidaceae, now Polypodiaceae) occur in Malesia. The Flora Malesiana account of the group is 75% complete (280 species). The genera are illustrated and briefly described. Current studies involve working through species that have long been herbarium dumping grounds containing numerous undescribed species, such as Calymmodon cucullatus (Nees & Blume) C.Presl, Prosaptia contigua (G.Forst.) C.Presl, Radiogrammitis hirtella (Blume) Parris (as Grammitis hirtella) and Tomophyllum subfalcatum (Blume) Parris (as Ctenopteris subfalcata).
How the Cultivation of Wild Plants in Botanic Gardens can Change their Genetic and Phenotypic Status and What This Means for their Conservation Value
Authors: Ensslin Andreas , Godefroid Sandrine
Published: December 2020

The discipline of horticulture, growing and propagating plants under artificial conditions, has a centuries-long tradition and has developed into a vital industry of breeding, propagating and trading ornamental and wild plants around the globe. Botanic gardens have always been at the centre of horticultural training and have provided excellence and advancements in the field. In recent decades, botanic gardens have also become an active part of ex situ conservation activities by storing seeds of endangered wild plants, growing living collections for conservation purposes, or propagating plants for direct reintroduction measures. While this shift in focus has been necessary and very important, ex situ collections of wild plants have been criticised for beinggenetically impoverished, potentially hybridised with congeners, or adapted to the artificial garden conditions and potentially having lost specific adaptations to their original wild habitat. In this review, we provide an overview of these potential threats to wild plants in ex situ living collections and outline examples of how ex situ cultivation can affect genetic diversity, trait expression and adaptive responses of the plants. We evaluate what these changes could mean for the conservation value of the collections, and discuss how they could be avoided by refining horticultural practices.
Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics
Authors: Sharp Lizzie , Hurst Clare , Draculic Jassy , Cromey Matthew
Published: December 2020

Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae are two recently differentiated fungal species responsible for box blight, a disease that threatens the Buxus genus. Infection can be introduced to gardens on new plants and is spread through the use of tools. The fungus survives on stem lesions and fallen leaves when spores are dispersed by rainsplash. In this study, 195 Calonectria UK isolates collected by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Advisory Service were identified to species level. Detached stem assays were performed to assess how long stem and leaf lesions remain infectious, and their sensitivity to fungicides. A survey was also carried out at three National Trust properties on the effect of clipping on box blight distribution and severity. It was found that C. henricotiae was only present in and after 2011. C. henricotiae is more thermotolerant, and the increase in prevalence may be a result of increasing temperature and longer dry spells in the UK. Sporulation could occur multiple times on both stem and leaf lesions in humid conditions, although spore production dropped markedly after six sporulation events. Fungicides were effective at preventing spore production on stem lesions. Long dry spells may also reduce Calonectria’s ability to sporulate, leading to limited box blight spread between plants.
A methodological approach and criteria for assessing the effectiveness of company's digital transformation
Authors: Savrukov A.N. , Savrukov N.T. , Kozlovskaya E.A.
Published: December 2020

Subject. The article addresses the totality of economic relations and problems emerging in the process of digital transformation of companies.
Objectives. The focus is on the development of key indicators to measure the effectiveness of digital transformation implemented by companies.
Methods. We employ methods of economic analysis, synthesis, and comparison. The study rests on scholarly works on corporate finance, financial management and digital technology.
Results. We define the concept of digital transformation and substantiate its possible directions for companies. We also suggest using the digital transformation index. It includes additive convolution and the use of the distance method. The paper underpins the criteria enabling a comparative analysis, comprehensive and reliable assessment of the effectiveness of digital transformation of company divisions. The digital transformation index can be useful as part of monitoring and managing the implementation of digital transformation measures.
Conclusions and Relevance. Practical use of the presented approach to assessing the effectiveness of digital transformation will help create a basis for making managerial decisions aimed at improving the efficiency of the company.
Aspects of diagnosis and treatment of oligosymptomatic choledocholithiasis in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis
Authors:   The Danylo Halytsky National Medical University in Lviv, Kolomiytsev V.I. , Terletskiy O.M. ,   The Danylo Halytsky National Medical University in Lviv, Lukavetskiy O.V.
Published: December 2020

Aim. Developing optimal approaches in the diagnostic algorithm and treatment of patients with acute calculous cholecystitis complicated by oligosymptomatic choledocholithiasis. Material and Methods. The results of treatment of 215 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis complicated by oligosymptomatic choledocholithiasis were analyzed, 166 of which-were studied retrospectively, and 49 - prospectively. Female patients predominated (74.0%); the average age was 56.0±1.06 years. Blood serum biochemistry, transabdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and blood and bile microRNA were used for the diagnosis. Results and Discussion. After verification of the diagnosis by applying several tests and developed multivariate models based on determining the blood and bile microRNA, and the model consisting of 5 factors for the prediction of the presence of choledocholithiasis (alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, the common bile duct diameter according to transabdominal ultrasound), the main therapeutic option to resolve biliary duct problems in 183 (85.1%) patients were endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with sphincterotomy and stone extraction. In the second step, 159 (74.0%) patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One-step interventions (laparoscopic cholecystectomy and stones removal / intraoperative therapeutic ERC) due to association with acute cholecystitis changes in the hepatoduodenal ligament were performed on 7 (3.3%) patients only. Conclusions. In patients with acute calculous cholecystitis, using a 5-factor model has a fairly high prognostic value for the prediction of choledocholithiasis, and the additional use of quantifying the expression levels of miRNA-122 and miRNA-21 significantly improves the diagnosis of asymptomatic choledocholithiasis. The optimal approach to the treatment of such patients is to perform therapeutic ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Keywords: acute calculous cholecystitis, oligosymptomatic choledocholithiasis, transabdominal ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Causal link in iatrogenic crimes: problems of correlation of the categories of causality in forensic examination and Russian criminal law
Authors: Berchanskiy Kirill Alekseevich
Published: December 2020

The subject of this research is the Russian case law of conducting legal proceedings against the representatives of medical sphere based on the constituent elements of crime established by the Part 2 of the Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – infliction of death by negligence due to improper discharge of professional duties. The subject of this research also includes legal norms that regulate the procedure of forensic medical examination in the Russian Federation, norms of medical legislation, as well as corresponding provisions of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The object of this research is the social relations emerging in the event of causing death due to improper provision of medical care, conduct of forensic medical examination, as well as consideration of such cases by the courts. The scientific novelty consists in comprehensive approach towards its implementation that would include the analysis of relevant practice of Russian courts on iatrogenic crimes. As a result of this research, the author outlines the key problems faced by the Russian courts in assessment of causal link in iatrogenic crimes, first and foremost committed by medical negligence. The detailed analysis of legal norms that regulate the procedure forensic medical examination allowed determining the possible reasons for discrepancies in forensic practice, which, in turn, lead to discrepancies in judicial practice. Based on the historical method of interpretation, the author detected the presence and origins of fundamental contradictions in the relevant legislation. The comparative-analytical method applied to the Russian criminal and forensic legislation allowed identifying the key issued that currently impede the efficient and just consideration of iatrogenic cases; the solution approach depending on priorities of the government in criminal law policy is proposed.
Indigenous population of the New World in reports of the discoverers, pirates, and privateers of Elizabethan era
Authors: Mikheev Dmitry Vladimirovich , Grebneva Irina Vladimirovna
Published: December 2020

The American continent found by the Europeans at the dawn of the Age of Discovery, immediately drawn the eye of adventurers who dreamt of fame and wealth. Special attention is turned to the representatives of England, who quite missed division of the world between the two great Catholic powers of that time – Portugal and Spain. English explorers were interested not only in natural resources of the New World, but particularly in its inhabitants. Testimonies on the First Nations were reported to Europe mainly by the Spaniards, often in an overly tendentious manner. The discoverers, pirates and privateers of Elizabethan era were interested in all details that can be useful to Europeans, such as appearance, language, culture and lifestyle of indigenous population of the New World, peculiarities of their social structure, religious attitude. The evolution of ideas and formation of image of the holds special place in the modern historical science. Review of the testimonies of English discovers, pirates and privateers who first arrived to the American continent during Elizabethan era, allows reconstructing impression on region at the early stages of its colonization, as well as tracing the peculiarities of perception of the New World in Protestant England right before the country turned into one of the world's leading colonial powers. Examination of the First Nations that inhabited the American continent not only satiated the thirst for knowledge of the English explorers, but also served as the practical purpose for seeking allies in the fight against Spaniards and Portuguese in the region. The common features of forming image of strong and kind indigenous people suffering from Spanish tyranny were aimed at consolidation of Spanish “Black Legend”, which lays the foundation for English trade and colonial expansion in the region in future years.
White Mountain as a Place of Remembrance
Authors: Papp Ingrid
Published: December 2020

Emperor Ferdinand II’s Catholic troops won a crushing victory over the Protestants’ army at the battle of White Mountain (Bílá Hora), near Prague, on 8 November 1620. Shortly after that, White Mountain became a place of remembrance and a symbol of prevail for the Catholic Bohemians. Servite monastery and a church attached to it, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, were built on the battlefield, with support from the Emperor, which symbolised the victory of the Emperor’s troops and that of the Catholic Church. White Mountain was an important place for Protestants as well. For Protestant Bohemians, the defeat was the beginning of the end of their religious freedom. Their works keep quiet about the events leading to and succeeding the battle. However, their narratives about the events of their personal lives and sufferings did use the name of this symbolic place as a point of reference for a new time frame. For them, White Mountain was a place, a cause, and a take-off of losing their homes and properties, and those of their compelled escapes and exiles.
The Mystery of Alterity reflected in Christian Teachings (Învăţături hristianiceşti) (1700)
Authors: Pașca-Tușa Stelian , Bud Paula , Oneţiu Elena
Published: December 2020

The transliteration1 of the Romanian books printed with Cyrillic characters, a procedure assumed through the research project MCVRO, offers to the readers that are passionate about the old writings, the possibility to discover texts that have an impressive cultural value. The volume Christian Teachings (Învăţături hristianiceşti), published by Antim Ivireanu in 1700, comprises a series of Christian reflections on several problems which are extremely actual. Our attention will be focused on the theme of alterity theorized and applied to the daily realities from that time. The study wishes to emphasize the extent to which the behavioural paradigms proposed by the author may be applied nowadays.
Thermochromic AIE Dual Phosphorescence via Temperature-Dependent sp3-Linked Donor-Acceptor Electronic Coupling
Authors: Wang Tao , Hu Zhubin , Nie Xiancheng , Huang Linkun , Miao Hui , Sun Xiang , Zhang Guoqing
Published: December 2020

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) has proven to be a viable strategy to achieve highly efficient RTP in bulk by restricting molecular motions. Here we show that by utilizing triphenylamine (TPA) as an electronic donor which connects to an acceptor via an sp3 linker, six TPA-based AIE-active RTP luminophores were obtained. Both the TPA AIE-gen and the sp3-linkage can suppress aggregation-caused quenching. Consequently, dual phosphorescence bands emitting from localized donor and acceptor triplet states, respectively, could be recorded at lowered temperatures; at room temperature, only a single RTP band corresponding to the lowest triplet state is present, presumably due to thermally assisted electronic coupling between the two states. The reported molecular construct serves as an “intermediary case” between a fully conjugated donor-acceptor system and a do-nor/acceptor binary mix, which may provide important clues on the design and control of molecular systems with complex excited-state dynamics.
Comparative Study of Deep Generative Models on Chemical Space Coverage
Authors: Zhang Jie , Mercado Rocío , Engkvist Ola , Chen Hongming
Published: December 2020

In recent years, deep molecular generative models have emerged as novel methods for de novo molecular design. Thanks to the rapid advance of deep learning techniques, deep learning architectures such as recurrent neural networks, generative autoencoders, and adversarial networks, to give a few examples, have been employed for constructing generative models. However, so far the metrics used to evaluate these deep generative models are not discriminative enough to separate the performance of various state-of-the-art generative models. This work presents a novel metric for evaluating deep molecular generative models; this new metric is based on the chemical space coverage of a reference database, and compares not only the molecular structures, but also the ring systems and functional groups, reproduced from a reference dataset of 1M structures. In this study, the performance of 7 different molecular generative models was compared by calculating their structure and substructure coverage of the GDB-13 database while using a 1M subset of GDB-13 for training. Our study shows that the performance of various generative models varies significantly using the benchmarking metrics introduced herein, such that generalization capability of the generative model can be clearly differentiated. Additionally, the coverage of ring systems and functional groups existing in GDB-13 was also compared between the models. Our study provides a useful new metric that can be used for evaluating and comparing generative models.
Mixed Hierarchical Local Structure in a Disordered Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Sapnik Adam , Bechis Irene , Collins Sean M. , Johnstone Duncan , Divitini Giorgio , J Smith Andrew , Chater Philip A. , Addicoat Mathew , Johnson Tim , Keen David A. , Jelfs Kim , Bennett Thomas
Published: December 2020

Amorphous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of materials. However, their structural characterisation represents a significant challenge. Fe‑BTC, and the commercial equivalent Basolite® F300, are MOFs with incredibly diverse catalytic ability, yet their disordered structures remain poorly understood. Here, we use advanced electron microscopy to identify a nanocomposite structure of Fe‑BTC where nanocrystalline domains are embedded within an amorphous matrix, whilst synchrotron total scattering measurements reveal the extent of local atomic order within Fe‑BTC. We use a polymerisation-based algorithm to generate an atomistic structure for Fe-BTC, the first example of this methodology applied to the amorphous MOF field outside the well-studied zeolitic imidazolate framework family. This demonstrates the applicability of this computational approach towards the modelling of other amorphous MOF systems with potential generality towards all MOF chemistries and connectivities. We find that the structures of Fe-BTC and Basolite® F300 can be represented by models containing a mixture of short- and medium-range order with a greater proportion of medium-range order in Basolite® F300 than in Fe-BTC. We conclude by discussing how our approach may allow for high-throughput computational discovery of functional, amorphous MOFs.
Theoretical Studies of the Acid-Base Equilibria in a Model Active Site of the Human 20S Proteasome
Authors: Uranga Jon , Hasecke Lukas , Proppe Jonny , Fingerhut Jan , Mata Ricardo A.
Published: December 2020

The 20S Proteasome is a macromolecule responsible for the chemical step in the ubiquitin-proteasome system of degrading unnecessary and unused proteins of the cell. It plays a central role both in the rapid growth of cancer cells as well as in viral infection cycles. Herein, we present a computational study of the acid-base equilibria in an active site of the human proteasome, an aspect which is often neglected despite the crucial role protons play in the catalysis. As example substrates, we take the inhibition by epoxy and boronic acid containing warheads. We have combined cluster quantum mechanical calculations, replica exchange molecular dynamics and Bayesian optimization of non-bonded potential terms in the inhibitors. In relation to the latter, we propose an easily scalable approach to the reevaluation of non-bonded potentials making use of QM/MM dynamics information. Our results show that coupled acid-base equilibria need to be considered when modeling the inhibition mechanism. The coupling between a neighboring lysine and the reacting threonine is not affected by the presence of the inhibitor.
Assessing the Sequence Dependence of Pyrimidine-Pyrimidone (6-4) Photoproduct in a Duplex Double-Stranded DNA: A Challenge for Microsecond Range Simulation
Authors: Gillet Natacha , Bartocci Alessio , Dumont Elise
Published: December 2020

Sequence dependence of the (6-4)photoproduct dynamics when embedded in six 25-bp duplexes is evaluated along extensive unbiased and enhanced (replica exchange with solute tempering, REST2) molecular dynamics simulations. The structural reorganization as the central pyrimidines become covalently tethered is traced back in terms of non-covalent interactions, DNA bending and extrusion of adenines of the opposite strands. The close sequence pattern impacts the conformational landscape around the lesion, inducing a different upstream and downstream flexibilities. Moreover, REST2 simulations allow to probe structures possibly important for damaged DNA recognition.
RİSK YÖNETİMİNİN NERESİNDEYİZ? OTOMOTİV SEKTÖRÜ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: KÜÇÜKOĞLU Mübeyyen
Published: December 2020

Otomotiv sektörü incelendiğinde, içerisinde birçok alt sektör ve faaliyeti barındırdığı ve bu nedenle birçok risk unsurunu da taşıdığı bir gerçektir. Bu doğrultuda, otomotiv sektöründe bir örneklem üzerinde risk yönetiminin mevcut durumunu ortaya koymak amacıyla bir çalışma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular sonucunda; otomotiv sektörünün yapısı itibariyle işletmelerin iç ve dış risklerinin farkına vararak yönetmek durumunda kaldıkları görülmüştür. Bu doğrultuda, risk yönetim süreci işletmelerin büyük bir kısmında yıllar öncesinde başlamış olup, yaygın bir şekilde uygulanmaktadır. İşletmelerin risk yönetim sürecini başlatmalarında etkili olan nedenler arasında işletmenin hedeflerini, stratejilerini etkileyecek risklerin önlenmesi, finansal risklere karşı önlem alma ihtiyacı ve yasal zorunluluklar ilk sıralardadır. Odaklanılan risk gruplarına bakıldığında ise, finansal riskler yine ön planda bulunmakta, onu stratejik riskler izlemektedir.
OKUL ÖNCESİ EĞİTİME DEVAM EDEN 5 YAŞ ÇOCUKLARININ UYGULANAN ETKİNLİKLERE İLİŞKİN GÖRÜŞLERİNİN BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: KILIÇ Zeynep , ÜNSAL Fatma , YORULMAZ Alper
Published: December 2020

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı 5 yaş çocuklarının okul öncesi eğitim kurumlarında uygulanan etkinlikler hakkındaki düşüncelerini ve bu düşünceler üzerinden çocukların ihtiyaçlarını belirlemektir. Araştırmanın amacına uygun olarak nitel araştırma desenlerinden durum çalışması deseni kullanılmıştır. Çalışma grubu, kolay ulaşabilirlik ilkesi göz önünde bulundurularak oluşturulmuştur. Araştırmaya 2017-2018 eğitim öğretim yılı güz-bahar döneminde İstanbul ili, Kadıköy ilçesi, Göztepe semtinde okul öncesi eğitime devam eden 19’u kız, 23’ü erkek olmak üzere toplam 42 çocuk dahil edilmiştir. Veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile toplanmıştır. Veri toplama süreci sonunda elde edilen verilerin analizinde betimsel analiz kullanılmış ve elde edilen bilgilerin sayısal değerlerle ifade edilebilmesi için frekans ve yüzde değerleri belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın sonucunda çocukların en sevdiği etkinlikler sırasıyla sanat, oyun, matematik, hareket, fen ve drama olarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmaya katılan çocukların tamamına yakınının en sevdikleri etkinlikler sınıfta yapılmaktadır. Çocukların az bir kısmı en sevdikleri etkinlikleri sınıf içinde yapmak isterken, yarıdan fazlası ise en sevdikleri etkinlikleri bahçede yapmak istediklerini belirtmişlerdir. Çocuklardan kendi günlerini tasarlamaları istediğinde, etkinlerde pasif-aktif dengesinin doğal olarak ortaya çıktığı ve çocukların tasarımlarında daha aktif olmalarına imkân tanıyan bir gün planladıkları belirlenmiştir.
LANDSLIDE VULNERABILITY ASSESMENT (LVAs) IN LUYANG AREA, KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, MALAYSIA
Authors: Roslee Rodeano , Madri Ahmad Nazrul , Zikiri Mohd Fauzi
Published: December 2020

Landslide issues in Malaysia is successfully attract the interest and attention of stakeholders and the community of scientists to reduce the risk. Landslides are influenced by many factors that range from the intensity, duration and extent of a triggering factor (e.g. earthquake and rainfall) to the local physical conditions such as landform, morphological, geological materials and structures, hydrological and land uses. In this paper, we present the results of the Landslide Vulnerability Assessment (LVAs). Vulnerability is defined as the degree of losses of a given element at risk of being exposed to the occurrence of a landslides of a given magnitude or intensity, and often expressed on a scale of 0 (no loss) to 1 (total loss). The selection of the best LVAs depends on the exposed elements, landslide types and the scale of analysis. The concept of LVAs also refers to the feasibility of elements at risks on engineering structures, infrastructure facilities, communication systems, commercial (including insurance disclosures) and social. The vulnerability parameters include in assessing LVAs in this study are 1) physical implication (building structures, internal materials, property damage, infrastructural facilities and stabilization actions), social status (injury, fatalities, safety, loss of accommodation and public awareness) and interference on environment (affected period, daily operation & diversity). LVAs for study area produced by combining or overlaid of all Physical Vulnerability (Vp), Social Vulnerability (Vs) and Environmental Vulnerability (Ve) maps. The results for the Total of LVAs indicates that 30% (0.90 sq.m) of the study area classified as Very Low, 8% (0.24 sq.m) as Low, 8% (0.24 sq.m) as Moderate, 28% (0.84 sq.m) as High, 8% (0.24 sq.m) as Very High and 18% (0.54 sq.m) as Extremely High. Landslide Vulnerability level at a “high” to “very high” degree can leave an impact on individuals and society. This study found that residential, commercial, public and industrial infrastructure has higher vulnerability rather than the agricultural and forestry areas. This LVAs approach is suitable as a guideline for preliminary development planning, control and manage the landslide hazard / risk in the study area and potentially to be extended with different background environments.
ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RISK EVALUATION OF HERBICIDES ON NON-TARGET ENVIRONMENTAL RECEPTORS
Authors: Okieimen. Felix Ebodaghe , Ogeleka Doris Fovwe , Peretiemo -Clarke Beatrice Oghenetega
Published: December 2020

Globally, with the application of over 4 billion tons of herbicides yearly to suppress or kill weeds, the uncontrollable / unregulated use and disposal of these sometimes-recalcitrant chemicals could result in deleterious effects on non-target ecological receptors. This evaluation recorded varying degree of toxic effects on the environmental receptors (onions – Allium cepa L) and (snails – Archachatina marginata). The highest effective concentration (EC50) for onions was recorded in Dragon® (0.042 ± 0.008 mg L-1) while the lowest effective concentration was in Uproot® (2.185 ± 0.52 mg L-1). Similarly, the highest EC50 in the snail test was obtained in Cotrazine® (0.41 ± 0.012 mg kg-1) and the lowest in Striker® (9.51 ± 0.94 mg kg-1). The risk level estimated using the Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment Matrix (ERAM) revealed that the least toxic herbicide were rated E 3 (P;A;E;C) or 15 (P;A;E;C) while the most toxic herbicides were rated E 5 (P;A;E;C) or 25 (P;A;E;C), which was considered medium to high risk to plants (P), animal (A), the environment (E) and community (C). The use, handling and disposal of these lethal herbicides should be prudently managed so as to safe guide non-target species in the environment of application.
A RESEARCH ON THE PRESENT SITUATION OF SPIRITUAL BELIEF OF POSTGRADUATE
Authors: Chuanlei Liu , Huilan Jing , Meng Yuan
Published: December 2020

The thesis discusses the spiritual belief of Chinese Postgraduate. Bymeans of the questionnaires filled by 500 Postgraduate, we yielded the following: (1) social belief ranked the first, pragmatistic belief the second，and supernatural belief the last: (2) ethno-cism, life worship, family go after and political belief ranked the first: religion, deity worship and money worship ranked the last.