bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Future distribution of invasive weed species across the major road network in the state of Montana, USA
Authors: Adhikari Arjun , Rew Lisa J. , Mainali Kumar P. , Adhikari Subodh , Maxwell Bruce D.
Published: May 2020

Invasive plant species are a significant global problem, with the potential to alter structure and function of ecosystems and cause economic damage to managed landscapes. An effective course of action to reduce the spread of invasive plant species is to identify potential habitat incorporating changing climate scenarios. In this study, we used a suite of species distribution models (SDMs) to project habitat suitability of the eleven most abundant invasive weed species across road networks of Montana, USA, under current (2005) conditions and future (2040) projected climates. We found high agreement between different model predictions for most species. Among the environmental predictors, February minimum temperature, monthly precipitation, solar radiation, and December vapor pressure deficit accounted for the most variation in projecting habitat suitability for most of the invasive weed species. The model projected that habitat suitability along roadsides would expand for seven species ranging from + 5 to + 647% and decline for four species ranging from − 11 to − 88% under high representative concentration pathway (RCP 8.5) greenhouse gas (GHG) trajectory. When compared with current distribution, the ensemble model projected the highest expansion habitat suitability with six-fold increase for St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), whereas habitat suitability of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) was reduced by − 88%. Our study highlights the roadside areas that are currently most invaded by our eleven target species across 55 counties of Montana, and how this will change with climate. We conclude that the projected range shift of invasive weeds challenges the status quo, and requires greater investment in detection and monitoring to prevent expansion. Though our study focuses across road networks of a specific region, we expect our approach will be globally applicable as the predictions reflect fundamental ecological processes.
Pulmonary embolism in neurocritical care-introduction of a novel grading system for risk stratification: the Frankfurt AMBOS score
Authors: Dubinski Daniel , Keil Fee , Won Sae-Yeon , Behmanesh Bedjan , Jahnke Kolja , Seifert Volker , Geisen Christof , Konczalla Juergen , Senft Christian
Published: May 2020

Pulmonary embolism (PE) due to deep vein thrombosis is a complication with severe morbidity and mortality rates. Neurocritical care patients constitute an inhomogeneous cohort with often strict contraindications to conventional embolism treatment. The aim of the present study is to identify risk factors for pulmonary embolism for intensified risk stratification in this demanding cohort. In this retrospective analysis, 387 neurocritical care patients received computed tomography for clinical suspicion of PE (304 neurosurgical and 83 neurological patients). Analysed parameters included age, gender, disease pattern, the presence of deep vein thrombosis, resuscitation, in-hospital mortality, present anticoagulation, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking status, hypertension and ABO blood type. Computed tomography confirmed 165 cases of pulmonary embolism among 387 patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism (42%). Younger age (p < 0.0001), female gender (p < 0.006), neurooncological disease (p < 0.002), non-O blood type (p < 0.002) and the absence of Marcumar therapy (p < 0.003) were identified as significant risk factors for pulmonary embolism. On the basis of the identified risk factors, the AMBOS score system is introduced. Neurocritical care patients with high AMBOS score are at elevated risk for PE and should therefore be put under intensified monitoring for cardiovascular events in neurocritical care units.
Cyber security in New Space
Authors: Manulis M. , Bridges C. P. , Harrison R. , Sekar V. , Davis A.
Published: May 2020

Developments in technologies, attitudes and investment are transforming the space environment, achieving greater accessibility for an increasing number of parties. New and proposed constellations will increase the in-orbit satellite population by the order of thousands, expanding the threat landscape of the space industry. This article analyses past satellite security threats and incidents to assess the motivations and characteristics of adversarial threats to satellites. The ground and radio frequency communications were the most favoured targets; however, the boom of satellites constellations in the upcoming years may shift this focus towards the space segment which must be addressed. Key technology advancements and open issues in the satellite industry related to security and operational requirements are also discussed.
Ammonia Decomposition Enhancement by Cs-Promoted Fe/Al2O3 Catalysts
Authors: Parker Luke A. , Carter James H. , Dummer Nicholas F. , Richards Nia , Morgan David J. , Golunski Stanislaw E. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: May 2020

A range of Cs-doped Fe/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared for the ammonia decomposition reaction. Through time on-line studies it was shown that at all loadings of Cs investigated the activity of the Fe/Al2O3 catalysts was enhanced, with the optimum Cs:Fe being ca. 1. Initially, the rate of NH3 decomposition was low, typically < 10% equilibrium conversion (99.7%@500°C) recorded after 1 h. All catalysts exhibited an induction period (typically ca. 10 h) with the conversion reaching a high of 67% equilibrium conversion for Cs:Fe = 0.5 and 1. The highest rate of decomposition observed was attributed to the balance between increasing the concentration of Cs without blocking the active site. Analysis of H2-TPR and XPS measurements indicated that Cs acts as an electronic promoter. Previously, Cs has been shown to act as a promoter for Ru, where Cs alters the electron density of the active site, thereby facilitating the recombination of N2 which is considered the rate determining step. In addition, XRD and N2 adsorption measurements suggest that with higher Cs loadings deactivation of the catalytic activity is due to a layer of CsOH that forms on the surface and blocks active sites.

Graphic Abstract
Short-form RON (sf-RON) enhances glucose metabolism to promote cell proliferation via activating β-catenin/SIX1 signaling pathway in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Ziliang , Yang Yufei , Hu Shuang , He Jian , Wu Zheng , Qi Zihao , Huang Mingzhu , Liu Rujiao , Lin Ying , Tan Cong , Xu Midie , Zhang Zhe
Published: May 2020

Recepteur d’origine nantais (RON) has been implicated in cell proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance of various human malignancies. The short-form RON (sf-RON) encoded by RON transcripts was overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues, but its regulatory functions remain illustrated. Here, we found that sf-RON promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation by enhancing glucose metabolism. Furthermore, sf-RON was proved to induce the β-catenin expression level through the AKT1/GSK3β signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the binding sites of β-catenin were identified in the promoter region of SIX1 and it was also demonstrated that β-catenin positively regulated SIX1 expression. SIX1 enhanced the promoter activity of key proteins in glucose metabolism, such as GLUT1 and LDHA. Results indicated that sf-RON regulated the cell proliferation and glucose metabolism of gastric cancer by participating in a sf-RON/β-catenin/SIX1 signaling axis and had significant implications for choosing the therapeutic target of gastric cancer.
Small field islands systems include a large proportion of the regional orthopteran species pool in arable landscapes
Authors: Riggi Laura G. A. , Berggren Åsa
Published: May 2020

The tendency of species richness to increase with patch area is one of the most robust empirical generalisations in ecology and its logic drives conservation actions. Indeed, preference is often given to conserving large, highly connected areas over small isolated patches. However, small habitats have been shown to be important biodiversity refuges in managed landscapes. Field islands are small remnants of natural habitat patches surrounded by cropland. While their island-like position in a species-poor crop field makes them potentially strategic habitats for biodiversity conservation, they have not received much attention in ecological studies. We investigated how local (i.e. field island area and habitat diversity) and landscape factors (i.e. proportion of arable land) affected orthopteran species richness, community mean dispersal and habitat specificity in 71 field islands in central Sweden. We found that despite low numbers of species per field island, due to their intrinsic small size, taken together, a system of small field island increased species richness and included a large proportion of the regional species pool in the arable landscape in central Sweden. Furthermore, we found that patch area and habitat diversity determined orthopteran community composition in field islands. More diverse and, to a lesser extent, larger field islands benefit sedentary and habitat specialist species. This study shows that more care should be taken to incorporate and potentially also prioritize small and permanent habitat patches in the management of agricultural landscapes. The protection of field islands with diverse habitats may be important for the maintenance of sedentary and specialist species.
On the robustness of multidimensional counting poverty orderings
Authors: Azpitarte Francisco , Gallegos Jose , Yalonetzky Gaston
Published: May 2020

Counting poverty measures have gained prominence in the analysis of multidimensional poverty in recent decades. Poverty orderings based on these measures typically depend on methodological choices regarding individual poverty functions, poverty cut-offs, and dimensional weights whose impact on poverty rankings is often not well understood. In this paper we propose new dominance conditions that allow the analyst to evaluate the robustness of poverty comparisons to those choices. These conditions provide an approach to evaluating the sensitivity of poverty orderings superior to the common approach of considering a restricted and arbitrary set of indices, cut-offs, and weights. The new criteria apply to a broad class of counting poverty measures widely used in empirical analysis of poverty in developed and developing countries including the multidimensional headcount and the adjusted headcount ratios. We illustrate these methods with an application to time-trends in poverty in Australia and cross-regional poverty in Peru. Our results highlight the potentially large sensitivity of poverty orderings based on counting measures and the importance of evaluating the robustness of results when performing poverty comparisons across time and regions.
Dialect, language, nation: 50 years on
Authors: Joseph John E. , Rutten Gijsbert , Vosters Rik
Published: May 2020

Over 50 years ago, the Norwegian-American linguist Einar Haugen published a seminal paper entitled ‘Dialect, language and nation’ (Am Anthropol 68:922–935, 1966b), in which he expounds his four-step model of standardization, explaining the development from dialect to standard following a process of norm selection, codification, acceptance and elaboration. In this article, we start by discussing the life and work of Einar Haugen, situating him within the history of linguistic thought throughout his career. Next, we zoom in on his standardization framework more specifically, discussing the relevant aspects of his four-box matrix, but also comparing his initial proposals to later influential publications on the subject expanding on his ideas, most notably by Milroy and Milroy (Authority in language. Investigating language prescription and standardisation, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1985) and Joseph (The rise of language standards and standard languages, Frances Pinter, London, 1987b). Finally, we will proceed to give an overview of what we perceive to be major lacunae or shortcomings in Haugen’s standardization framework, focusing on specific elements missing, unclear or in need of refinement in one of the four originally defined steps, but also discussing Haugen’s fairly restrictive understanding of the directionality of language change, the narrow empirical scope of traditional standardization research, the crucial role played by ideology in the development of a standard variety, and the strong monolingual bias and relative absence of language contact in traditional accounts of standardization.
Split-Brain: What We Know Now and Why This is Important for Understanding Consciousness
Authors: de Haan Edward H. F. , Corballis Paul M. , Hillyard Steven A. , Marzi Carlo A. , Seth Anil , Lamme Victor A. F. , Volz Lukas , Fabri Mara , Schechter Elizabeth , Bayne Tim , Corballis Michael , Pinto Yair
Published: May 2020

Recently, the discussion regarding the consequences of cutting the corpus callosum (“split-brain”) has regained momentum (Corballis, Corballis, Berlucchi, & Marzi,Brain,141(6), e46, 2018; Pinto et al.,Brain, 140(5), 1231–1237, 2017a; Pinto, Lamme, & de Haan,Brain, 140(11), e68, 2017; Volz & Gazzaniga,Brain,140(7), 2051–2060, 2017; Volz, Hillyard, Miller, & Gazzaniga,Brain,141(3), e15, 2018). This collective review paper aims to summarize the empirical common ground, to delineate the different interpretations, and to identify the remaining questions. In short, callosotomy leads to a broad breakdown of functional integration ranging from perception to attention. However, the breakdown is not absolute as several processes, such as action control, seem to remain unified. Disagreement exists about the responsible mechanisms for this remaining unity. The main issue concerns the first-person perspective of a split-brain patient. Does a split-brain harbor a split consciousness or is consciousness unified? The current consensus is that the body of evidence is insufficient to answer this question, and different suggestions are made with respect to how future studies might address this paucity. In addition, it is suggested that the answers might not be a simple yes or no but that intermediate conceptualizations need to be considered.
Apocalypse Now!: From Freud, Through Lacan, to Stiegler’s Psychoanalytic ‘Survival Project
Authors: Featherstone Mark
Published: May 2020

The objective of this article is to explore the value of psychoanalysis in the early twenty-first century through reference to Freud, Lacan, and Stiegler’s work on computational madness. In the first section of the article I consider the original objectives of psychoanalysis through reference to what I call Freud’s ‘normalisation project’, before exploring the critique of this discourse concerned with the defence of oedipal law through a discussion of the post-modern ‘individualisation project’ set out by Deleuze and Guattari and others. Tracking the development of ‘the individualisation project’ in history, I consider its connections with the cybernetic theories of Wiener and Shannon in the psycho-cyber-utopianism of the 1990s, before moving on to consider the other side of the psychoanalytic-cybernetic interaction through a discussion of Jacques Lacan’s rereading of Freud’sBeyond the Pleasure Principlein the second section of the article. In reading Lacan’s seminar on Freudian drive in terms of the cybernetic repression of death, I set up the conclusion to the article which involves a discussion of Bernard Stiegler’s ‘survival project’ that relies on a recognition of the limit of death in order to produce human significance and oppose the madness of our contemporary computational reality.
Mass Violence and the Continuum of Destruction: A study of C. P. Taylor’s Good
Authors: Hardie-Bick James
Published: May 2020

There are important studies that have directly focused on how, in times of conflict, it is possible for previously law abiding people to commit the most atrocious acts of cruelty and violence. The work of Erich Fromm (Escape from Freedom), Hannah Arendt (Eichmann in Jerusalem), Zygmunt Bauman (Modernity and the Holocaust) and Ernest Becker (Escape from Evil) have all contemplated the driving force of aggression and mass violence to further our understanding of how people are capable of engaging in extreme forms of cruelty and violence. This paper specifically addresses these issues by focusing on C. P. Taylor’s playGood.This provocative play examines how a seemingly ‘good’ and intelligent university professor can gradually become caught up in the workings of the Third Reich. Taylor highlights the importance of appreciating how people can be steadily incorporated into an ideologically destructive system. I argue that the theatre is a powerful medium to explore these complex issues. The audience ofGoodfind themselves confronted with the following question—‘What would you have done?’
Organic Matter in the Solar System—Implications for Future on-Site and Sample Return Missions
Authors: Martins Zita , Chan Queenie Hoi Shan , Bonal Lydie , King Ashley , Yabuta Hikaru
Published: May 2020

Solar system bodies like comets, asteroids, meteorites and dust particles contain organic matter with different abundances, structures and chemical composition. This chapter compares the similarities and differences of the organic composition in these planetary bodies. Furthermore, these links are explored in the context of detecting the most pristine organic material, either by on-site analysis or sample return missions. Finally, we discuss the targets of potential future sample return missions, as well as the contamination controls that should be in place in order to successfully study pristine organic matter.
Ganging up on Trump? Sino-German Relations and the Problem with Soft Balancing against the USA
Authors: Biba Sebastian
Published: May 2020

Soft balancing has recently been framed as a general foreign policy strategy that is basically open to any state. However, what coalitions can actually engage in joint soft-balancing behavior? To date, the literature has focused on more traditional foe-foe constellations and less traditional friend-friend constellations. In the former, all the soft-balancing partners are foes of the opponent; in the latter, all the soft-balancing partners are friends/allies of the opponent. But what about mixed soft-balancing coalitions in which one partner is a foe of the opponent whereas another partner is an ally/friend of the opponent? This article sets out to argue that such mixed soft-balancing coalitions are not possible. It moreover contends that the reason for this is the fact that the execution of soft-balancing behavior is more demanding and more consequential than one might think upon hearing the term “soft.” The hurdles for the ally/friend of the opponent in such a (theoretical) mixed soft-balancing coalition are therefore too high to actually follow through with such a strategy. To support its arguments, the article analyzes a crucial case study based on a most-likely-case design. More precisely, it looks into Sino-German reactions to US president Donald Trump’s “America First” approach. The article indeed finds that while both China and Germany have lamented Trump’s “America First” approach, the leap for Germany as a US ally and friend to translating the complaints about Trump into tangible soft-balancing activities together with China has simply been too big. Even though Germany and China are themselves close partners, Germany ultimately remains too close to the USA, and US positions on China, for Sino-German soft balancing against the USA to be a workable option.
Professionalisierung pädagogischer Fachkräfte in Kindertageseinrichtungen – Über das Zusammenspiel von Wissen, Einstellungen und Handeln
Authors: Kratzmann Jens , Sawatzky Alla , Sachse Steffi
Published: May 2020

Im Beitrag wird anhand einer randomisierten Interventionsstudie in Kindertageseinrichtungen geprüft, ob sich durch eine längerfristig angelegte In-House-Weiterbildungsmaßnahme eine Veränderung der Praxis zu einer mehrsprachigkeitsintegrierenden Einrichtung erreichen lässt. Weiter wird ein Professionalisierungsmodell des Zusammenwirkens zwischen Wissen, Einstellungen und Performanz anhand von Strukturgleichungsmodellen geprüft. Datengrundlage bildet eine Stichprobe von $$n=199$$
n
=
199
Fachkräften aus 19 Kindergärten in insgesamt 54 Gruppen. Die verwendeten Konstrukte lagen aus zwei Messzeitpunkten aus dem Jahr 2015 und 2018 vor. Die Ergebnisse zeigen heterogene Effekte der Intervention auf die Einstellungen und stabile Effekte auf das Wissen der Fachkräfte. Hinsichtlich der Performanz der Fachkräfte zeigt sich in einzelnen Aspekten eine Entwicklung zugunsten der Interventionsgruppe. Veränderung von Praxis zu einer mehrsprachigkeitsintegrierenden Lernumgebung erscheint als ein langwieriger Prozess, der nach den Ergebnissen der Strukturgleichungsmodelle von Einstellungen der Fachkräfte mit beeinflusst erscheint, sich jedoch nicht auf deren Wissenserweiterung zurückführen lässt.
Environmental sustainability assessment of a biomass-based chemical industry in the Visegrad countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia
Authors: Cséfalvay Edit , Hajas Tamás , Mika László T.
Published: May 2020

Three recently introduced ethanol equivalent-based sustainability metrics i.e., the sustainability value of resource replacement, the sustainability value of the fate of waste, and the sustainability indicator were used to assess the environmental sustainability of the possible bioethanol-based chemical industry in the Visegrad countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The production of basic chemicals such as ethylene, propylene, toluene, xylenes, styrene, and benzene from bioethanol was evaluated. The theory is based on the utilization of cornstarch-based, first-generation bioethanol as a feedstock to produce bio-ethylene, which could be subsequently used as a starting material of well-established chemical technologies to synthesize the listed bulk chemicals. The analysis, which is a non-life-cycle assessment-based approach enlightened that although the switch of the chemical industry from crude oil to bioethanol would be theoretically feasible, the actual bioethanol production was far less than required to cover the raw material needs. Due to the high conversion and selectivity of the reactions studied, the sustainability value of the fate of the waste approached the sustainable value in case of ethylene production (i.e., 1), and the sustainability value of resource replacement acted as the limiting factor in sustainability indicator calculation. We showed a possibility to replace fossil-fuel resources with bioethanol, though the actual bioethanol volumes are not enough to cover the resource needs. Of the Visegrad countries, Slovakia shows the highest sustainability, but none of them can reach the minimum sustainable value of 0.5 up to now.
A Performance Comparison of Low-Cost Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectrometers to a Conventional Laboratory Spectrometer for Rapid Biomass Compositional Analysis
Authors: Wolfrum Edward J. , Payne Courtney , Schwartz Alexa , Jacobs Joshua , Kressin Robert W.
Published: May 2020

The performance of a conventional laboratory near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer and two NIR spectrometer prototypes (a Texas Instruments NIRSCAN Nano evaluation model (EVM) and an InnoSpectra NIR-M-R2 spectrometer) are compared by collecting reflectance spectra of 270 well-characterized herbaceous biomass samples, building calibration models using the partial least squares (PLS-2) algorithm to predict five constituents of the samples from the reflectance spectra, and comparing the resulting model statistics. The prediction models developed using spectra from the Foss XDS spectrometer were slightly better than the prediction models developed using spectra from either the TI NIRSCAN Nano EVM and the InnoSpectra NIR-M-R2 as measured by the root mean square error (RMSECV) and the correlation coefficient (R2_cv) for “leave-one-out” cross-validation (CV). The models built from the two prototype units were not statistically significantly different from each other (p = 0.05). The Foss spectrometer has a larger wavelength range (400–2500 nm) compared with the two prototypes (900–1700 nm). When the spectra from the Foss XDS spectrometer were truncated so their wavelength range matched the wavelength range of the two prototype units, the resulting model was not statistically significantly different from the models from either prototype.
Seaweed Reproduction and Harvest Rebound in Southcentral Alaska: Implications for Wild Stock Management
Authors: Ulaski Brian P. , Konar Brenda , Otis Edward O.
Published: May 2020

In Alaska, interest in harvesting seaweeds for personal use is growing and information on potential impacts of this activity on sustainability of wild populations is lacking. This study provides information on reproductive timing and size, standing crop, and harvest rebound of three commonly harvested seaweeds in Southcentral Alaska: the rockweed,Fucus distichus; the sugar kelp,Saccharina latissima; and the bull kelp,Nereocystis luetkeana. From March through October 2018, seaweeds were surveyed for reproductive status and harvested to determine how much biomass was available. From the harvests, individuals were measured to determine the size when they first become reproductive. Harvested plots were re-harvested to determine biomass regrowth after 2, 4, and 6 months.FucusandNereocystiswere broadly reproductive over the summer, whileSaccharinawas not. The presence of reproductiveFucusandNereocystisthroughout the summer could buffer the impacts of late season harvesting. Depending on the species (e.g.,Fucus), individuals that became reproductive at a larger size were associated with lower density and lower biomass areas with slower recovery. The amount of biomass available for harvest and the amount that regrew following a harvest were temporally variable but had spatial differences that were consistent throughout the summer. Regrowth following harvesting for all three species was generally low after only 2 months, but the amount of biomass after 6 months post-harvesting was sometimes comparable to non-harvested areas. This study demonstrated that to varying extents, seaweed harvesting may be sustainable if timing of reproduction, available biomass, and regrowth are all considered.
Ein Vorteilhaftigkeitsvergleich zwischen fondsgebundenen Altersvorsorgeprodukten nach dem Investmentsteuerreformgesetz
Authors: Gurr Paul
Published: May 2020

Der demografische Wandel und die damit einhergehende Entwicklung der gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung in Deutschland erfordern die Investition in privatwirtschaftliche Altersvorsorgeprodukte. Ein dabei in Betracht kommendes Altersvorsorgeprodukt ist die fondsgebundene Rentenversicherung. Mit Inkrafttreten des Investmentsteuerreformgesetzes zum 1. Januar 2018 ergeben sich weitgreifende Änderungen hinsichtlich der Besteuerung von Fonds sowie fondsgebundenen Rentenversicherungen. In diesem Beitrag wird die Vorteilhaftigkeit zwischen einem Fondssparplan und einer fondsgebundenen Rentenversicherung nach dem Investmentsteuerreformgesetz analysiert. Es zeigt sich, dass bei isolierter Betrachtung der Steuerbelastung die fondsgebundene Rentenversicherung regelmäßig vorteilhafter ist als ein Fondssparplan. Die Vorteilhaftigkeit kehrt sich jedoch grundsätzlich um, sobald Kosten berücksichtigt werden. Insgesamt lässt sich feststellen, dass mit der optimalen Produktwahl die Nachsteuer-Rendite wesentlich erhöht werden kann.
Late Palaeozoic Volcanism in Central Europe—Geoheritage Significance and Use in Geotourism
Authors: Migoń Piotr , Pijet-Migoń Edyta
Published: May 2020

Five areas in Central Europe, each hosting abundant geological evidence of Carboniferous to Permian volcanic activity, are analysed in terms of their volcanism-related geoheritage and opportunities to develop geotourist product. One area is located in the eastern part of Germany (Geopark Porphyrland), two in northern Czechia (Bohemian Paradise, Broumovsko) and two in south-west Poland (Wałbrzych region, Land of Extinct Volcanoes). Four main geoheritage themes are identified: geology and palaeovolcanology, mineralogy, geomorphology, and heritage stone resources. Each of the regions considered in the paper may be characterized by its core geoheritage theme and secondary themes, less evidently exposed. These themes are optimal foundations to develop geo-interpretation and geotourism. Challenges include difficulties in relating rock record to long eroded volcanic landforms, provision of adequate solutions for mineral collectors and proper conservation of quarries which offer best insights into the history of volcanic processes from c 300 Ma ago.
Implementation of triple bottom line to a business model canvas in reverse logistics
Authors: Wit Bogdan , Pylak Korneliusz
Published: May 2020

Waste generation, especially hazardous waste, can strongly affect the environment and human lives. There is an urgent need to implement sustainable hazardous waste management tools to reduce their harmful impact on the environment stemming from incorrect waste management. However, there is still a lack of business model concepts combining sustainable development and risk management in reverse logistic value chains for hazardous waste. Therefore, the authors develop a novel sustainable business model canvas for both an entity and the logistics system using the Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas integrated with the concept of sustainable development in economic, social and environmental areas (Triple Bottom Line, TBL) and risk-related elements. Then, using the developed sustainable business model canvas, the model for the logistics system for the treatment of hazardous waste containing asbestos was successfully created. The model was implemented in the prototype of computer software in the form of electronic network services.
Play distribution and the hydrocarbon potential of the Mannar Basin, Sri Lanka
Authors: Kularathna E. K. C. W. , Pitawala H. M. T. G. A. , Senaratne A. , Ratnayake A. S.
Published: May 2020

The Mannar Basin is a frontier failed rift basin between India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan part has an area exceeding 42,000 km2. Although the recent two gas discoveries have confirmed the existence of an active petroleum system in the Mannar Basin, a major portion of the basin is still poorly explored. This article summarized the progress of current exploration activities and the hydrocarbon potential of the Mannar Basin. This basin began to evolve since the Upper Jurassic and experienced two rifting events; an early Late Jurassic syn-rift phase associated with East–West Gondwana break up; and a later, earliest Cretaceous syn-rift phase associated with Antarctica separation from greater India around 142 Ma. Rifting was followed by a post-rift phase comprising a thermal sag period and an inversion period. Three potential source rocks intervals have been interpreted at Maastrichtian–Campanian, Albian–Aptian, and Late Jurassic stratigraphic levels. The basin modelling work has confirmed that (1) mature potential source rocks (mainly Type II) exist below the Maastrichtian–Campanian strata and (2) the best potential source rocks (mainly Type II) exist at Albian–Aptian stratigraphic levels. The Late Jurassic source rocks have more potential for gas, while other sources have potential for both oil and gas. According to basin modelling results, Maastrichtian–Campanian and Albian–Aptian source rocks reach the oil window in the present-day depocentre around 45 Ma and 80 Ma, respectively. The Late Jurassic source rocks (mainly Type III) reach the gas window around 112 Ma in the present-day depocentre. Five play levels were defined for the whole stratigraphic section of the Mannar Basin. Tertiary play level is dominated by submarine fans, mounds and rollover anticline like structures. The Upper Cretaceous play is dominated by forced-fold structures, intra-basalt turbidite sands, and sub-volcanic sand-rich systems. The Lower Cretaceous play is dominated by reefs and abrupt margin pinch outs. The Upper Jurassic play is dominated by abrupt margin pinch outs. The Basement play consists of weathered basement rocks. The main challenge of the Mannar Basin is imaging below the flood volcanic layer, which inhibits the penetration of seismic energy and results in low-quality seismic data. Therefore, hydrocarbon potential assessments have become a major challenge below the Upper Cretaceous. The interpretation shows that the basin has a low risk for the source and reservoir, and high risk for seal and traps. New exploration activity would unlock more potential areas for hydrocarbon accumulations. Finally, the findings of this study can help for better understanding of hydrocarbon potential areas and current progress of exploration activities in the Mannar Basin, Sri Lanka.
Reallocation of foliicolous species of the genus Strigula into six genera (lichenized Ascomycota, Dothideomycetes, Strigulaceae)
Authors: Jiang Shu-Hua , Lücking Robert , Xavier-Leite Amanda Barreto , Cáceres Marcela E. S. , Aptroot André , Portilla Carlos Viñas , Wei Jiang-Chun
Published: May 2020

Strigulasensu lato has been previously defined based on phenotype characters as a rather broad genus including tropical to temperate species growing on a wide array of substrata. In this study, based on a multilocus phylogenetic approach, we show that foliicolous species form six well-delimited clades that correlate with diagnostic phenotype features, including thallus morphology, carbonization of the involucrellum and excipulum, ascospore dimensions, and type of macroconidia. Given the topology, with five of the six clades emerging on long stem branches, and the strong phenotypical differentiation between the clades, we recognize these at the genus level, making mostly use of previously established genus names. Four genera, namelyPhylloporis,Puiggariella,Raciborskiella, andRacoplaca, are resurrected for theS. phyllogena,S. nemathora,S. janeirensis, andS. subtilissimagroups, respectively, whereas one new genus,Serusiauxiellagen. nov., is introduced for a novel lineage with peculiar macroconidia. The only sequenced non-foliicolous species,S. jamesii, is not closely related to these six foliicolous lineages but clusters withFlavobatheliumandPhyllobathelium, revealing it as an additional undescribed genus-level lineage being treated elsewhere. Within the new genusSerusiauxiella, three new species are described:Serusiauxiella filiferasp. nov.,S. flagellatasp. nov., andS. sinensissp. nov. In addition, ten new combinations are proposed:Phylloporis austropunctatacomb. nov.,P. radiatacomb. nov.,P. vulgariscomb. nov.,Puiggariella confluenscomb. et stat. nov.,P. nemathoracomb. nov.,P. nigrocinctacomb. nov.,Racoplaca maculatacomb. nov.,R. melanobaphacomb. nov.,R. transversoundulata, andR. tremenscomb. nov. We also report on a peculiar, previously unrecognized growth behaviour of the macroconidial appendages inStrigulas.lat.
A schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors
Authors: Espín Silvia , Andevski Jovan , Duke Guy , Eulaers Igor , Gómez-Ramírez Pilar , Hallgrimsson Gunnar Thor , Helander Björn , Herzke Dorte , Jaspers Veerle L. B. , Krone Oliver , Lourenço Rui , María-Mojica Pedro , Martínez-López Emma , Mateo Rafael , Movalli Paola , Sánchez-Virosta Pablo , Shore Richard F. , Sonne Christian , van den Brink Nico W. , van Hattum Bert , Vrezec Al , Wernham Chris , García-Fernández Antonio J.
Published: May 2020

Birds of prey, owls and falcons are widely used as sentinel species in raptor biomonitoring programmes. A major current challenge is to facilitate large-scale biomonitoring by coordinating contaminant monitoring activities and by building capacity across countries. This requires sharing, dissemination and adoption of best practices addressed by the Networking Programme Research and Monitoring for and with Raptors in Europe (EURAPMON) and now being advanced by the ongoing international COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility. The present perspective introduces a schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors. We provide guidance on sample collection with a view to increasing sampling capacity across countries, ensuring appropriate quality of samples and facilitating harmonization of procedures to maximize the reliability, comparability and interoperability of data. The here presented protocol can be used by professionals and volunteers as a standard guide to ensure harmonised sampling methods for contaminant monitoring in raptors.
Comparison of effect of shot-peening with HFMI treatment or use of LTT consumables on fatigue strength of 1300 MPa yield strength steel weldments
Authors: Harati Ebrahim , Svensson Lars-Erik , Karlsson Leif
Published: May 2020

In this paper, T-joint samples in a 1300 MPa yield strength steel were produced using conventional or low transformation temperature (LTT) type consumables. The welded samples were either subjected to high-frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatment or to shot-peening. Fatigue testing was performed under fully reversed, constant amplitude bending load. Shot-peening gave a significant increase in fatigue strength for more than around 50,000 cycles. Shot-peened LTT welds had the highest fatigue strength, with conventional welds being shot-peened having slightly lower fatigue strength. HFMI treatment of conventional and LTT welds improved the fatigue strength also, but to a lesser extent, keeping the slope in the SN diagram close to three, while shot-peened samples had a slope of 5–7. Significant differences in compressive residual stress were seen between the different welds, with the most compressive stress found in the shot-peened samples. This was probably one of the main reasons for the improved fatigue life of shot-peened samples.
Compressive properties of Min-mod-type limiters in modelling shockwave-containing flows
Authors: Li Guangning , Bhatia Dinesh , Wang Jian
Published: May 2020

The long-ignored compressive properties of Min-mod-type limiter is investigated in this manuscript by demonstrating its potential in numerically modelling shockwave-containing flows, especially in shock wave/boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) problems. Theoretical studies were firstly performed based on Sweby’s total variation diminishing (TVD) limiter region and Spekreijse’s monotonicity-preserving limiter region to indicate Min-mod-type limiters’ compressive properties. The influence of limiters on the solution accuracy was evaluated using a hybrid-order analysis method based on the grid-independent study in three typical shockwave-containing flows. The conclusions are that, Min-mod-type limiter can be utilized as a dissipative and/or compressive limiter, but depending on the reasonable value of the compression parameter. The compressive Min-mod limiter tends to be more attractive in modelling shockwave-containing flows as compared to other commonly preferred limiters because of its stable computational process and its high-resolution predictions. However, the compressive Min-mod limiter may suffer from its slightly poor convergence, as that observed in other commonly accepted smooth limiters in modelling SWBLI problems.
Analysis of Four Polymorphisms Located at the Promoter of the Estrogen Receptor Alpha ESR1 Gene in a Population With Gender Incongruence
Authors: Fernández Rosa , Delgado-Zayas Enrique , Ramírez Karla , Cortés-Cortés Joselyn , Gómez-Gil Esther , Esteva Isabel , Almaraz Mari Cruz , Guillamon Antonio , Pásaro Eduardo
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Gender incongruence defines a state in which individuals feel discrepancy between the sex assigned at birth and their gender. Some of these people make a social transition from male to female (trans women) or from female to male (trans men). By contrast, the word cisgender describes a person whose gender identity is consistent with their sex assigned at birth.

Aim

To analyze the implication of the estrogen receptor α gene (ESR1) in the genetic basis of gender incongruence.

Main Outcome Measures

Polymorphisms rs9478245, rs3138774, rs2234693, rs9340799.

Method

We carried out the analysis of 4 polymorphisms located at the promoter of the ESR1 gene (C1 = rs9478245, C2 = rs3138774, C3 = rs2234693, and C4 = rs9340799) in a population of 273 trans women, 226 trans men, and 537 cis gender controls. For SNP polymorphisms, the allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by χ2 test. The strength of the SNP associations with gender incongruence was measured by binary logistic regression. For the STR polymorphism, the mean number of repeats were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U test. Measurement of linkage disequilibrium and haplotype frequencies were also performed.

Results

The C2 median repeats were shorter in the trans men population. Genotypes S/S and S/L for the C2 polymorphism were overrepresented in the trans men group (P = .012 and P = .003 respectively). We also found overtransmission of the A/A genotype (C4) in the trans men population (P = .017), while the A/G genotype (C4) was subrepresented (P = .009]. The analyzed polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium. In the trans men population, the T(C1)-L(C2)-C(C3)-A(C4) haplotype was overrepresented (P = .019) while the T(C1)-L(C2)-C(C3)-G(C4) was subrepresented (P = .005).

Conclusion

The ESR1 is associated with gender incongruence in the trans men population.
Procleave: Predicting Protease-Specific Substrate Cleavage Sites by Combining Sequence and Structural Information
Authors: Li Fuyi , Leier Andre , Liu Quanzhong , Wang Yanan , Xiang Dongxu , Akutsu Tatsuya , Webb Geoffrey I. , Smith A. Ian , Marquez-Lago Tatiana , Li Jian , Song Jiangning
Published: May 2020

Proteases are enzymes that cleave and hydrolyse the peptide bonds between two specific amino acid residues of target substrate proteins. Protease-controlled proteolysis plays a key role in the degradation and recycling of proteins, which is essential for various physiological processes. Thus, solving the substrate identification problem will have important implications for the precise understanding of functions and physiological roles of proteases, as well as for therapeutic target identification and pharmaceutical applicability. Consequently, there is a great demand for bioinformatics methods that can predict novel substrate cleavage events with high accuracy by utilizing both sequence and structural information. In this study, we present Procleave, a novel bioinformatics approach for predicting protease-specific substrates and specific cleavage sites by taking into account both their sequence and 3D structural information. Structural features of known cleavage sites were represented by discrete values using a LOWESS data-smoothing optimization method, which turned out to be critical for the performance of Procleave. The optimal approximations of all structural parameter values were encoded in a conditional random field (CRF) computational framework, alongside sequence and chemical group-based features. Here, we demonstrate the outstanding performance of Procleave through extensive benchmarking and independent tests. Procleave is capable of correctly identifying most cleavage sites in the case study. Importantly, when applied to the human structural proteome encompassing 17,628 protein structures, Procleave suggests a number of potential novel target substrates and their corresponding cleavage sites of different proteases. Procleave is implemented as a webserver and is freely accessible at http://procleave.erc.monash.edu/.
Human Color Vision and Tetrachromacy
Authors: Jameson Kimberly A. , Satalich Timothy A. , Joe Kirbi C. , Bochko Vladimir A. , Atilano Shari R. , Kenney M. Cristina
Published: May 2020

Human color perception is widely understood to be based on a neural coding system involving signals from three distinct classes of retinal photoreceptors. This retina processing model has long served as the mainstream scientific template for human color vision research and has also proven to be useful for the practical design of display technologies, user interfaces, and medical diagnosis tools that enlist human color perception behaviors. Recent findings in the area of retinal photopigment gene sequencing have provided important updates to our understanding of the molecular basis and genetic inheritance of individual variations of human color vision. This Element focuses on new knowledge about the linkages between color vision genetics and color perception variation and the color perception consequences of inheriting alternative, nonnormative, forms of genetic sequence variation.
One British Thing: A Manuscript Recipe Book, ca. 1690–1730
Authors: Bouchard Jack B. , Herbert Amanda E.
Published: May 2020

A single eighteenth-century British manuscript recipe book, bound in parchment decorated with gold tooling, can tell us an enormous amount about Britain's gastronomic and imperial ambitions. That is because this book, now known by its call number, V.a.680, and held by the Folger Shakespeare Library, contains recipes like “Indian Pickle,” which included ginger, garlic, cauliflower, mustard, turmeric, and long pepper. How did this distinctly South Asian recipe find its way into a London recipe book? In this essay, we explore how British households engaged with and circulated new ideas about food during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We analyze two remarkable recipes, one for mutton kebabs and another for sago pudding, both brought to Britain through emerging imperial projects. Although one recipe originated in the eastern Mediterranean and the other in Southeast Asia, both were changed and altered to suit British metropolitan tastes. We then examine the book itself as a material object created and altered over time, offering evidence of the ways that seventeenth- and eighteenth-century manuscripts were amended, torn apart, repaired, organized, and ultimately professionalized over multiple generations. As physical testaments to the social alliances and networks of knowledge of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Britons, manuscript recipe books were tools of empire, used to appropriate, translate, and transmit the global foodways that permeated Britain's earliest colonial schemes.
“Fruits of Unrulie Multitudes”: Liberty, Popularity, and Meanings of Violence in the English Atlantic, 1623–1625
Authors: Beaver Daniel C.
Published: May 2020

Using neglected evidence of organized, state-like, internecine violence among English settlers in New England during the 1620s and 1630s, this essay engages with recent archipelagic approaches to the early modern English public sphere and with studies of the English state and political culture in order to argue for the existence of an important, semipublic Atlantic political discourse during the decades preceding the civil wars in the British Isles. It focuses on the distinctive political dynamics of Atlantic fishing stages during the early seventeenth century and on the violent confrontation between the Dorchester and Plymouth companies in 1625 over the control of the Cape Ann stage on Massachusetts Bay. The rumors, news, and formal reports that flowed from such incidents show how diffuse English ideologies assumed the form of opposed groups, armed and mobilized in the manner of free states, and confirmed fears of such violent episodes as threats to orderly governance in a political society conceived in Atlantic imperial terms. By examining the communication of and responses to this perceived threat during the late 1620s and 1630s, the essay reveals how an Atlantic discourse of “liberty,” “orderly commonweal,” and “popularity” influenced English political culture and policy and the institutions of Atlantic governance before the English Civil War.
Everyday Nationalism and Making Identity Count
Authors: Vucetic Srdjan , Hopf Ted
Published: May 2020

The literature on “everyday nationalism” foregrounds constructivist practice theory as well as interpretivist methodologies. Our project—Making Identity Count—does something similar but with an aim to advance the study of International Relations rather than the study of nationalism. Here, we suggest that these two approaches are basically complementary, and that a theoretical and methodological cross-fertilization between them may yield new insights in both fields.