Showing papers by "University of Canterbury published in 2021"
TL;DR: Why COVID-19 is an analogue to the ongoing climate crisis, and why there is a need to question the volume growth tourism model advocated by UNWTO, ICAO, CLIA, WTTC and other tourism organizations are discussed.
Abstract: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is challenging the world. With no vaccine and limited medical capacity to treat the disease, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI) are the main strategy to contain ...
2,508 citations
Daniel J. Klionsky1, Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz2, Sara Abdelfatah3, Mahmoud Abdellatif4 +2980 more•Institutions (777)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes.
Abstract: In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
1,129 citations
State University of New York Upstate Medical University1, Heidelberg University2, University of Melbourne3, Capital Medical University4, Harvard University5, Monash University, Clayton campus6, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai7, Montreal Children's Hospital8, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul9, Peking University10, University of Southampton11, University of Toronto12, University of Washington13, King Khalid University14, King's College London15, Aga Khan University16, Karolinska Institutet17, Radboud University Nijmegen18, Vrije Universiteit Brussel19, University of Nottingham20, Aarhus University21, University of Cologne22, Trinity College, Dublin23, University of Würzburg24, University of Bergen25, University Medical Center Groningen26, University of Wyoming27, University of California, San Francisco28, University of California, Berkeley29, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust30, Duke University31, University of Amsterdam32, Örebro University33, Chongqing Medical University34, Tel Aviv University35, Washington University in St. Louis36, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro37, University College Cork38, University of British Columbia39, University of Pittsburgh40, Oregon Health & Science University41, University of Montpellier42, University of Ibadan43, University of São Paulo44, Hebrew University of Jerusalem45, University of Sydney46, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research47, University of Canterbury48, Autonomous University of Barcelona49, Stellenbosch University50, University of California, Davis51, National Medical College52, Hofstra University53, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston54, University of Southern Denmark55, University of California, Irvine56, Cardiff University57, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology58, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht59, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven60, University of the Free State61, University of Turin62, Johns Hopkins University63, University of Zurich64
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented 208 empirically supported statements about ADHD using meta-analysis, which allow for firm statements about the nature, course, outcome causes and treatments for disorders that are useful for reducing misconceptions and stigma.
295 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an overview of a next-generation instrument, IceCube-Gen2, which will sharpen our understanding of the processes and environments that govern the Universe at the highest energies.
Abstract: The observation of electromagnetic radiation from radio to γ-ray wavelengths has provided a wealth of information about the Universe. However, at PeV (1015 eV) energies and above, most of the Universe is impenetrable to photons. New messengers, namely cosmic neutrinos, are needed to explore the most extreme environments of the Universe where black holes, neutron stars, and stellar explosions transform gravitational energy into non-thermal cosmic rays. These energetic particles havemillions of times higher energies than those produced in the most powerful particle accelerators on Earth. As neutrinos can escape from regions otherwise opaque to radiation, they allow an unique view deep into exploding stars and the vicinity of the event horizons of black holes. The discovery of cosmic neutrinos with IceCube has opened this new window on the Universe. IceCube has been successful in finding first evidence for cosmic particle acceleration in the jet of an active galactic nucleus. Yet, ultimately, its sensitivity is too limited to detect even the brightest neutrino sources with high significance, or to detect populations of less luminous sources. In thiswhite paper, we present an overview of a next-generation instrument, IceCube-Gen2, which will sharpen our understanding of the processes and environments that govern the Universe at the highest energies. IceCube-Gen2 is designed to: (a) Resolve the high-energy neutrino sky from TeV to EeV energies (b) Investigate cosmic particle acceleration through multi-messenger observations (c) Reveal the sources and propagation of the highest energy particles in the Universe (d) Probe fundamental physics with high-energy neutrinos IceCube-Gen2 will enhance the existing IceCube detector at the South Pole. It will increase the annual rate of observed cosmic neutrinos by a factor of ten compared to IceCube, and will be able to detect sources five times fainter than its predecessor. Furthermore, through the addition of a radio array, IceCube- Gen2 will extend the energy range by several orders of magnitude compared to IceCube. Construction will take 8 years and cost about $350M. The goal is to have IceCube-Gen2 fully operational by 2033. IceCube-Gen2 will play an essential role in shaping the new era of multimessenger astronomy, fundamentally advancing our knowledge of the highenergy Universe. This challenging mission can be fully addressed only through the combination of the information from the neutrino, electromagnetic, and gravitational wave emission of high-energy sources, in concert with the new survey instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum and gravitational wave detectors which will be available in the coming years.
172 citations
University of Winchester1, Massey University2, Dublin City University3, University of the Sunshine Coast4, Oxford Brookes University5, University of Canterbury6, Lincoln University (New Zealand)7, University of Gloucestershire8, Swansea University9, University of Portsmouth10, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill11, University of Southampton12
TL;DR: The initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations.
137 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the performance of the reconstruction and identification algorithms for electrons and photons with the CMS experiment at the LHC is presented, based on proton-proton collision data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and recorded in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 136 fb$^{-1}$.
Abstract: The performance is presented of the reconstruction and identification algorithms for electrons and photons with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The reported results are based on proton-proton collision data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and recorded in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 136 fb$^{-1}$. Results obtained from lead-lead collision data collected at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=$ 5.02 TeV are also presented. Innovative techniques are used to reconstruct the electron and photon signals in the detector and to optimize the energy resolution. Events with electrons and photons in the final state are used to measure the energy resolution and energy scale uncertainty in the recorded events. The measured energy resolution for electrons produced in Z boson decays in proton-proton collision data ranges from 2 to 5%, depending on electron pseudorapidity and energy loss through bremsstrahlung in the detector material. The energy scale in the same range of energies is measured with an uncertainty smaller than 0.1 (0.3)% in the barrel (endcap) region in proton-proton collisions and better than 1 (3)% in the barrel (endcap) region in heavy ion collisions. The timing resolution for electrons from Z boson decays with the full 2016-2018 proton-proton collision data set is measured to be 200 ps.
123 citations
TL;DR: The Theory Construction Methodology (TCM) as mentioned in this paper is a set of theoretical principles that putatively explain these phenomena, and the theory is used to construct a formal model, which is then used to evaluate the explanatory adequacy of the model by formalizing its empirical phenomena.
Abstract: This article aims to improve theory formation in psychology by developing a practical methodology for constructing explanatory theories: theory construction methodology (TCM). TCM is a sequence of five steps. First, the theorist identifies a domain of empirical phenomena that becomes the target of explanation. Second, the theorist constructs a prototheory, a set of theoretical principles that putatively explain these phenomena. Third, the prototheory is used to construct a formal model, a set of model equations that encode explanatory principles. Fourth, the theorist investigates the explanatory adequacy of the model by formalizing its empirical phenomena and assessing whether it indeed reproduces these phenomena. Fifth, the theorist studies the overall adequacy of the theory by evaluating whether the identified phenomena are indeed reproduced faithfully and whether the explanatory principles are sufficiently parsimonious and substantively plausible. We explain TCM with an example taken from research on intelligence (the mutualism model of intelligence), in which key elements of the method have been successfully implemented. We discuss the place of TCM in the larger scheme of scientific research and propose an outline for a university curriculum that can systematically educate psychologists in the process of theory formation.
107 citations
TL;DR: A novel approach to the prediction of transport behaviours of multiphysics systems, offering significant reductions in the computational time and cost is put forward, based on machine learning techniques that utilize the data generated by computational fluid dynamics for training purposes.
Abstract: Comprehensive analyses of transport phenomena and thermodynamics of complex multiphysics systems are laborious and computationally intensive. Yet, such analyses are often required during the design of thermal and process equipment. As a remedy, this paper puts forward a novel approach to the prediction of transport behaviours of multiphysics systems, offering significant reductions in the computational time and cost. This is based on machine learning techniques that utilize the data generated by computational fluid dynamics for training purposes. The physical system under investigation includes a stagnation-point flow of a hybrid nanofluid (Cu−Al2O3/Water) over a blunt object embedded in porous media. The problem further involves mixed convection, entropy generation, local thermal non-equilibrium and non-linear thermal radiation within the porous medium. The SVR (Support Machine Vector) model is employed to approximate velocity, temperature, Nusselt number and shear-stress as well as entropy generation and Bejan number functions. Further, PSO meta-heuristic algorithm is applied to propose correlations for Nusselt number and shear stress. The effects of Nusselt number, temperature fields and shear stress on the surface of the blunt-body as well as thermal and frictional entropy generation are analysed over a wide range of parameters. Further, it is shown that the generated correlations allow a quantitative evaluation of the contribution of a large number of variables to Nusselt number and shear stress. This makes the combined computational and artificial intelligence (AI) approach most suitable for design purposes.
107 citations
TL;DR: ForestGEO as discussed by the authors is a network of scientists and long-term forest dynamics plots (FDPs) spanning the Earth's major forest types, which together provide a holistic view of forest functioning.
103 citations
Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies1, University of Washington2, Bureau of Meteorology3, Colorado State University4, University of Tasmania5, University of California, San Diego6, Scripps Institution of Oceanography7, University of Colorado Boulder8, Monash University9, University of Melbourne10, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign11, National Center for Atmospheric Research12, University of Utah13, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology14, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation15, Queensland University of Technology16, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration17, Peking University18, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research19, University of Canterbury20
TL;DR: This article used in situ probes, radar, lidar, and other instruments to make comprehensive measurements of thermodynamics, surface radiation, cloud, precipitation, aerosol, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), and ice nucleating particles over the Southern Ocean cold waters, and in ubiquitous liquid and mixed-phase clouds common to this pristine environment.
Abstract: Weather and climate models are challenged by uncertainties and biases in simulating Southern Ocean (SO) radiative fluxes that trace to a poor understanding of cloud, aerosol, precipitation, and radiative processes, and their interactions. Projects between 2016 and 2018 used in situ probes, radar, lidar, and other instruments to make comprehensive measurements of thermodynamics, surface radiation, cloud, precipitation, aerosol, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), and ice nucleating particles over the SO cold waters, and in ubiquitous liquid and mixed-phase clouds common to this pristine environment. Data including soundings were collected from the NSF-NCAR G-V aircraft flying north-south gradients south of Tasmania, at Macquarie Island, and on the R/V Investigator and RSV Aurora Australis. Synergistically these data characterize boundary layer and free troposphere environmental properties, and represent the most comprehensive data of this type available south of the oceanic polar front, in the cold sector of SO cyclones, and across seasons. Results show largely pristine environments with numerous small and few large aerosols above cloud, suggesting new particle formation and limited long-range transport from continents, high variability in CCN and cloud droplet concentrations, and ubiquitous supercooled water in thin, multilayered clouds, often with small-scale generating cells near cloud top. These observations demonstrate how cloud properties depend on aerosols while highlighting the importance of dynamics and turbulence that likely drive heterogeneity of cloud phase. Satellite retrievals confirmed low clouds were responsible for radiation biases. The combination of models and observations is examining how aerosols and meteorology couple to control SO water and energy budgets.
99 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a 3D computational model involving a detailed chemical-kinetic mechanism for ammonia-oxygen combustion in a micro-combustor is developed and validated with the experimental measurements available in the literature before conducting comprehensive analyses.
Albert M. Sirunyan1, Robin Erbacher2, C. A. Carrillo Montoya, Wagner Carvalho3 +2448 more•Institutions (210)
TL;DR: In this paper, evidence for Higgs boson decay to a pair of muons was presented, which was performed using proton-proton collision data at 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$−1}, recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC.
Abstract: Evidence for Higgs boson decay to a pair of muons is presented. This result combines searches in four exclusive categories targeting the production of the Higgs boson via gluon fusion, via vector boson fusion, in association with a vector boson, and in association with a top quark-antiquark pair. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collision data at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{−1}$, recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC. An excess of events over the back- ground expectation is observed in data with a significance of 3.0 standard deviations, where the expectation for the standard model (SM) Higgs boson with mass of 125.38 GeV is 2.5. The combination of this result with that from data recorded at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5.1 and 19.7 fb$^{−1}$, respectively, increases both the expected and observed significances by 1%. The measured signal strength, relative to the SM prediction, is $ {1.19}_{-0.39}^{+0.40}{\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)}_{-0.14}^{+0.15}\left(\mathrm{syst}\right) $. This result constitutes the first evidence for the decay of the Higgs boson to second generation fermions and is the most precise measurement of the Higgs boson coupling to muons reported to date.[graphic not available: see fulltext]
Technische Universität München1, University of Zurich2, United States Forest Service3, University of Würzburg4, University of Toronto5, Australian National University6, University of Bayreuth7, National University of Tucumán8, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic9, Lancaster University10, Universidade Federal de Lavras11, Bavarian Forest National Park12, Goethe University Frankfurt13, University of the French West Indies and Guiana14, Environmental Change Institute15, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul16, Norwegian University of Life Sciences17, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad18, University of Marburg19, University of Toulouse20, University of Northern British Columbia21, National University of Benin22, University of Granada23, Queensland University of Technology24, Forest Research Institute Malaysia25, University of Salzburg26, Natural Resources Canada27, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences28, Chuo University29, University of Eastern Finland30, Bern University of Applied Sciences31, Chinese Academy of Sciences32, East China Normal University33, University of the Philippines Los Baños34, University of the Sunshine Coast35, National University of Mongolia36, Griffith University37, University College Cork38, Edge Hill University39, Tribhuvan University40, University of Haifa41, University of Canterbury42, Scion43, University of Hamburg44, University of Antananarivo45, Sao Paulo State University46, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg47, Murdoch University48, University of Tasmania49, Beijing Forestry University50
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a field experiment of wood decomposition across 55 forest sites and 6 continents and find that the deadwood decomposition rates increase with temperature, and the strongest temperature effect is found at high precipitation levels.
Abstract: The amount of carbon stored in deadwood is equivalent to about 8 per cent of the global forest carbon stocks1. The decomposition of deadwood is largely governed by climate2–5 with decomposer groups—such as microorganisms and insects—contributing to variations in the decomposition rates2,6,7. At the global scale, the contribution of insects to the decomposition of deadwood and carbon release remains poorly understood7. Here we present a field experiment of wood decomposition across 55 forest sites and 6 continents. We find that the deadwood decomposition rates increase with temperature, and the strongest temperature effect is found at high precipitation levels. Precipitation affects the decomposition rates negatively at low temperatures and positively at high temperatures. As a net effect—including the direct consumption by insects and indirect effects through interactions with microorganisms—insects accelerate the decomposition in tropical forests (3.9% median mass loss per year). In temperate and boreal forests, we find weak positive and negative effects with a median mass loss of 0.9 per cent and −0.1 per cent per year, respectively. Furthermore, we apply the experimentally derived decomposition function to a global map of deadwood carbon synthesized from empirical and remote-sensing data, obtaining an estimate of 10.9 ± 3.2 petagram of carbon per year released from deadwood globally, with 93 per cent originating from tropical forests. Globally, the net effect of insects may account for 29 per cent of the carbon flux from deadwood, which suggests a functional importance of insects in the decomposition of deadwood and the carbon cycle. Multi-year field experiments across six continents suggest that insects have an important contribution to decomposition and carbon release from forest deadwood.
TL;DR: An overview of the approaches and methods used to characterise additives and their leaching behaviour from plastic pollution and the limitations of these methods are highlighted and compared with industry standardised approaches are compared.
TL;DR: In this article, a 3D computational model was developed by considering a detailed chemical-kinetic mechanism to evaluate the effects of the perforated plate porosity σ, 2) the perorated plate thickness t1, 3) peroroded orifice off-z axis distance d, and 4) inlet thermodynamic pressure Pin.
Abstract: Ammonia (NH3), as a carbon-free fuel with a high hydrogen content, has been considered as a promising candidate to be applied for transportation, propulsion, and power generation sectors. However, due to the presence of nitrogen atoms, direct combustion of NH3 features a high NOx emission, which could hinder its wide application. Thus it is important to mitigate or minimize these emissions. For this, a three-dimensional (3D) computational model is developed by considering a detailed chemical-kinetic mechanism. The effects of 1) the perforated plate porosity σ , 2) the perforated plate thickness t1, 3) the perforated orifice off-z axis distance d, and 4) inlet thermodynamic pressure Pin are evaluated. Numerical results indicate that σ plays an important role in determining the NO formation. This is the combined effect of the strong species preferential diffusion and low flame temperature within the recirculation zone. Furthermore, varying t1 is shown to affect the NO generation rate due to the varied recirculation zone. Although the flow field is affected by d to some degree, it has a negligible effect on the NO generation. Finally, the emission behavior is found to have a strong dependence on Pin. Approximately 50% reduction of NO emission is achieved as the inlet pressure is varied from 1 to 3 atm. The present work opens up an applicable way to enable low-NOx ammonia-fueled power systems, and some of the findings could be applied for hydrocarbon systems design.
TL;DR: In this article, a search for leptoquarks produced singly and in pairs in proton-proton collisions is presented, where the lepton is considered to be a scalar particle of charge −1/3e coupling to a top quark plus a tau lepton ( t τ ) or a bottom quark including a neutrino ( b ν ), or a vector particle of a charge +2/3 e coupling to t ν or b τ.
TL;DR: The main focus of this paper is on the comprehensive review of the technological advances and characteristics of five common types of transient wave-based anomaly detection methods for fluid pipe systems, namely (1) reflection-based method; (2) damping-basedmethod; (3) FRF peak pattern-based methods; (4) time domain full-waveform inversion method; and (5) frequency domain full
Albert M. Sirunyan1, Armen Tumasyan1, Wolfgang Adam, J. W. Andrejkovic +2404 more•Institutions (215)
TL;DR: In this paper, a data set of proton-proton collisions collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at s = 13 TeV from 2016 to 2018 corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of up to 140 fb−1 is analyzed.
Abstract: A search is presented for physics beyond the standard model (SM) using electron or muon pairs with high invariant mass. A data set of proton-proton collisions collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at s = 13 TeV from 2016 to 2018 corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of up to 140 fb−1 is analyzed. No significant deviation is observed with respect to the SM background expectations. Upper limits are presented on the ratio of the product of the production cross section and the branching fraction to dileptons of a new narrow resonance to that of the Z boson. These provide the most stringent lower limits to date on the masses for various spin-1 particles, spin-2 gravitons in the Randall-Sundrum model, as well as spin-1 mediators between the SM and dark matter particles. Lower limits on the ultraviolet cutoff parameter are set both for four-fermion contact interactions and for the Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos, and Dvali model with large extra dimensions. Lepton flavor universality is tested at the TeV scale for the first time by comparing the dimuon and dielectron mass spectra. No significant deviation from the SM expectation of unity is observed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors characterized the maize response to simultaneous drought and cold stress using physiological measurements, as well as comparative transcriptomics combined with metabolomics and hormonal analyses during the stress treatments and recovery stages.
Abstract: Although simultaneous drought and cold stress occurs, especially in northwestern and eastern regions of China, and is an important factor limiting agricultural productivity, there are few studies focusing on plant responses to a combination of drought and cold stress. Here, by partially overlapping drought and cold stresses, we characterized the acclimation of maize (Zea mays B73) to these two stresses using physiological measurements, as well as comparative transcriptomics combined with metabolomics and hormonal analyses during the stress treatments and recovery stages. The combined drought and cold stress and drought stress alone were accompanied by a decline in photosynthetic capacity and enhanced transcriptional response, and subsequent recovery of these following removal from stress, whereas cold stress alone was accompanied by irreversible damage to photosynthetic capacity and chloroplast structure. The stress combination induced transcription-associated metabolomic alterations, in which raffinose, trehalose-6-phosphate, and proline accumulated, and monosaccharide abundance increased. Concomitantly, the increased abscisic acid (ABA) content and upregulated ABA signaling pathway may have provided the transcriptional regulation for the metabolic changes. In a parallel experiment, ABA treatments prior to exposure of the plants to cold stress primed the plants to survive the cold stress, thus confirming a key role for the endogenous ABA activated by the drought pretreatment in acclimation of the plants to cold. We present a model showing that the plant response to the combined stress is multi-faceted and reveal an ABA-dependent maize acclimation mechanism to the stress combination.
University of Coimbra1, Oregon State University2, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais3, University of Canberra4, Rhodes University5, University of Évora6, University of Lisbon7, Trinity College, Dublin8, Instituto Superior de Agronomia9, University of Aveiro10, University of Canterbury11, Daejin University12, United States Environmental Protection Agency13, Tongji University14, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos15, University of New Brunswick16, Karatina University17, Acadia University18, Universidad de las Américas Puebla19, University of Western Ontario20
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify major gaps in the biological assessment and rehabilitation of rivers worldwide by focusing on the best examples in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North, Central, and South America.
Abstract: The biological assessment of rivers i.e., their assessment through use of aquatic assemblages, integrates the effects of multiple-stressors on these systems over time and is essential to evaluate ecosystem condition and establish recovery measures. It has been undertaken in many countries since the 1990s, but not globally. And where national or multi-national monitoring networks have gathered large amounts of data, the poor water body classifications have not necessarily resulted in the rehabilitation of rivers. Thus, here we aimed to identify major gaps in the biological assessment and rehabilitation of rivers worldwide by focusing on the best examples in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North, Central, and South America. Our study showed that it is not possible so far to draw a world map of the ecological quality of rivers. Biological assessment of rivers and streams is only implemented officially nation-wide and regularly in the European Union, Japan, Republic of Korea, South Africa, and the USA. In Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, and Singapore it has been implemented officially at the state/province level (in some cases using common protocols) or in major catchments or even only once at the national level to define reference conditions (Australia). In other cases, biological monitoring is driven by a specific problem, impact assessments, water licenses, or the need to rehabilitate a river or a river section (as in Brazil, South Korea, China, Canada, Japan, Australia). In some countries monitoring programs have only been explored by research teams mostly at the catchment or local level (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, Chile, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) or implemented by citizen science groups (e.g., Southern Africa, Gambia, East Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada). The existing large-extent assessments show a striking loss of biodiversity in the last 2-3 decades in Japanese and New Zealand rivers (e.g., 42% and 70% of fish species threatened or endangered, respectively). A poor condition (below Good condition) exists in 25% of South Korean rivers, half of the European water bodies, and 44% of USA rivers, while in Australia 30% of the reaches sampled were significantly impaired in 2006. Regarding river rehabilitation, the greatest implementation has occurred in North America, Australia, Northern Europe, Japan, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea. Most rehabilitation measures have been related to improving water quality and river connectivity for fish or the improvement of riparian vegetation. The limited extent of most rehabilitation measures (i.e., not considering the entire catchment) often constrains the improvement of biological condition. Yet, many rehabilitation projects also lack pre-and/or post-monitoring of ecological condition, which prevents assessing the success and shortcomings of the recovery measures. Economic constraints are the most cited limitation for implementing monitoring programs and rehabilitation actions, followed by technical limitations, limited knowledge of the fauna and flora and their life-history traits (especially in Africa, South America and Mexico), and poor awareness by decision-makers. On the other hand, citizen involvement is recognized as key to the success and sustainability of rehabilitation projects. Thus, establishing rehabilitation needs, defining clear goals, tracking progress towards achieving them, and involving local populations and stakeholders are key recommendations for rehabilitation projects (Table 1). Large-extent and long-term monitoring programs are also essential to provide a realistic overview of the condition of rivers worldwide. Soon, the use of DNA biological samples and eDNA to investigate aquatic diversity could contribute to reducing costs and thus increase monitoring efforts and a more complete assessment of biodiversity. Finally, we propose developing transcontinental teams to elaborate and improve technical guidelines for implementing biological monitoring programs and river rehabilitation and establishing common financial and technical frameworks for managing international catchments. We also recommend providing such expert teams through the United Nations Environment Program to aid the extension of biomonitoring, bioassessment, and river rehabilitation knowledge globally.
TL;DR: In this paper, the optical properties and direct radiative effects of airborne microplastics (without aerosol-cloud interactions) are calculated and compared with the total ERF due to aerosol−radiation interactions.
Abstract: Microplastics are now recognized as widespread contaminants in the atmosphere, where, due to their small size and low density, they can be transported with winds around the Earth1–25. Atmospheric aerosols, such as mineral dust and other types of airborne particulate matter, influence Earth’s climate by absorbing and scattering radiation (direct radiative effects) and their impacts are commonly quantified with the effective radiative forcing (ERF) metric26. However, the radiative effects of airborne microplastics and associated implications for global climate are unknown. Here we present calculations of the optical properties and direct radiative effects of airborne microplastics (excluding aerosol–cloud interactions). The ERF of airborne microplastics is computed to be 0.044 ± 0.399 milliwatts per square metre in the present-day atmosphere assuming a uniform surface concentration of 1 microplastic particle per cubic metre and a vertical distribution up to 10 kilometres altitude. However, there are large uncertainties in the geographical and vertical distribution of microplastics. Assuming that they are confined to the boundary layer, shortwave effects dominate and the microplastic ERF is approximately −0.746 ± 0.553 milliwatts per square metre. Compared with the total ERF due to aerosol–radiation interactions27 (−0.71 to −0.14 watts per square metre), the microplastic ERF is small. However, plastic production has increased rapidly over the past 70 years28; without serious attempts to overhaul plastic production and waste-management practices, the abundance and ERF of airborne microplastics will continue to increase. Preliminary modelling of airborne microplastics suggests that they may be exerting a minor cooling influence on the present-day atmosphere, and continued production could have increasing effects on the climate system in future.
Leibniz Association1, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University2, Humboldt University of Berlin3, University of Bucharest4, Free University of Berlin5, University of New Brunswick6, Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute7, University of Barcelona8, University of Leeds9, Chinese Academy of Sciences10, Norwegian University of Life Sciences11, American Museum of Natural History12, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos13, Carleton University14, IMDEA15, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven16, Naturalis17, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology18, University of Hong Kong19, Ateneo de Manila University20, Museum für Naturkunde21, Technische Universität München22, Ghent University23, Zoological Society of London24, University of Ghana25, University of Potsdam26, University of Costa Rica27, University of Duisburg-Essen28, University of Koblenz and Landau29, Utah State University30, Finnish Environment Institute31, University of Nevada, Reno32, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications33, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences34, Kabale University35, EARTH University36, Trinity College, Dublin37, Stockholm Resilience Centre38, University of Münster39, Norwegian Institute for Water Research40, University of Otago41, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources42, University of the Philippines Diliman43, National Institute for Environmental Studies44, Ilia State University45, University of Douala46, University of Mississippi47, Rhodes University48, World Wide Fund for Nature49, University of Giessen50, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies51, North Carolina State University52, University of the South Pacific53, Stellenbosch University54, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna55, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology56, University of Bern57, Tribhuvan University58, Kathmandu University59, University of Helsinki60, University of Vermont61, Braunschweig University of Technology62, François Rabelais University63, University of Kansas64, Goethe University Frankfurt65, University of Canterbury66, University of California, Santa Barbara67, Federal University of Paraná68, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ69
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identified 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity, and proposed a global biodiversity research agenda aiming to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally.
Abstract: Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.
Albert M. Sirunyan1, Armen Tumasyan1, Wolfgang Adam, J. W. Andrejkovic +2389 more•Institutions (210)
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the absolute luminosity scale of individual bunch crossings using beam-separation scans (the van der Meer method), with a relative precision of 1.3 and 1.0% in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Abstract: The measurement of the luminosity recorded by the CMS detector installed at LHC interaction point 5, using proton–proton collisions at s√=13TeV in 2015 and 2016, is reported. The absolute luminosity scale is measured for individual bunch crossings using beam-separation scans (the van der Meer method), with a relative precision of 1.3 and 1.0% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The dominant sources of uncertainty are related to residual differences between the measured beam positions and the ones provided by the operational settings of the LHC magnets, the factorizability of the proton bunch spatial density functions in the coordinates transverse to the beam direction, and the modeling of the effect of electromagnetic interactions among protons in the colliding bunches. When applying the van der Meer calibration to the entire run periods, the integrated luminosities when CMS was fully operational are 2.27 and 36.3 fb−1 in 2015 and 2016, with a relative precision of 1.6 and 1.2%, respectively. These are among the most precise luminosity measurements at bunched-beam hadron colliders.
TL;DR: In this paper, a single-center cohort study was conducted to describe their physical, cognitive, psychological, and biological outcomes at 3 months following intensive care unit (ICU)-discharge (M3).
Abstract: PURPOSE: Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) required critical care. Mid-term outcomes of the survivors need to be assessed. The objective of this single-center cohort study was to describe their physical, cognitive, psychological, and biological outcomes at 3 months following intensive care unit (ICU)-discharge (M3). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All COVID-19 adults who survived an ICU stay ≥ 7 days and attended the M3 consultation at our multidisciplinary follow-up clinic were involved. They benefited from a standardized assessment, addressing health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), sleep disorders (PSQI), and the three principal components of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS): physical status (Barthel index, handgrip and quadriceps strength), mental health disorders (HADS and IES-R), and cognitive impairment (MoCA). Biological parameters referred to C-reactive protein and creatinine. RESULTS: Among the 92 patients admitted to our ICU for COVID-19, 42 survived a prolonged ICU stay and 32 (80%) attended the M3 follow-up visit. Their median age was 62 [49-68] years, 72% were male, and nearly half received inpatient rehabilitation following ICU discharge. At M3, 87.5% (28/32) had not regained their baseline level of daily activities. Only 6.2% (2/32) fully recovered, and had normal scores for the three MoCA, IES-R and Barthel scores. The main observed disorders were PSQI > 5 (75%, 24/32), MoCA < 26 (44%, 14/32), Barthel < 100 (31%, 10/32) and IES-R ≥ 33 (28%, 9/32). Combined disorders were observed in 13/32 (40.6%) of the patients. The EQ-5D-3L visual scale was rated at 71 [61-80]. A quarter of patients (8/32) demonstrated a persistent inflammation based on CRP blood level (9.3 [6.8-17.7] mg/L). CONCLUSION: The burden of severe COVID-19 and prolonged ICU stay was considerable in the present cohort after 3 months, affecting both functional status and biological parameters. These data are an argument on the need for closed follow-up for critically ill COVID-19 survivors.
TL;DR: Evaluating fire extinguisher training using a VR simulation with a non-interactive training video and evaluates the trainees learning of a fire extinguishers basic operation steps, showed that the VR trainees scored better than video trainees, in terms of knowledge acquisition, retention of information and change of self-efficacy.
Abstract: Fire is a major hazard in built environments. Fires in buildings cause fatalities, serious injuries and tremendous damage. Most fires can be extinguished in the early stages of the fire’s development, with the right equipment and correct use of the equipment. However, as there can be as little as a few minutes between a fire starting and very dire consequences, rapid and correct responses are critical. Implementing effective training solutions is necessary to enable members of the public, who are not experts in fire safety, to use a fire extinguisher correctly. This can assist to build resilience to fires. In recent decades, virtual reality (VR) has aroused the fire safety community’s attention, as a smart, safe and effective training method compared to the traditional methods of lectures, non-interactive videos, and brochures. VR has been used for training for fire emergency preparedness and to collect data about evacuee decision-making, but VR has rarely been applied to a fully immersive training experience about fire extinguishers operation steps. Fire extinguisher operation steps are Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. Each step is critical to quickly extinguish a fire. This paper compares fire extinguisher training using a VR simulation with a non-interactive training video and evaluates the trainees learning of a fire extinguisher’s basic operation steps, in terms of knowledge acquisition, retention of information and change of self-efficacy. The results showed that the VR trainees scored better than video trainees, in terms of knowledge acquisition, even if the same trend was observed for long term retention of information. It was also observed that VR training provided a higher increment of self-efficacy right after the training. The VR group participants had maintained the same level of self-efficacy even 3–4 weeks after the training, while the video group had shown a significant drop of self-efficacy.
TL;DR: Three-dimensional numerical simulations with a simplified reaction mechanism are conducted to investigate the effect of implementing a perforated plate in an ammonia-fueled micro-power systems on the NOx emission behavior and shed lights on reducing NOx emissions by implementing a well-designed perforate plate for practical micro- power systems.
University of Southampton1, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research2, University College London3, Lund University4, Australian National University5, University of Barcelona6, Landcare Research7, University of La Laguna8, Swansea University9, University of Amsterdam10, Leiden University11, Spanish National Research Council12, University of Canterbury13, University of Oxford14, University of Copenhagen15, University of Auckland16, University of Bayreuth17, University of Bergen18
TL;DR: A quantitative palaeoecological study of 27 islands around the world, focusing on pollen records of vegetation composition before and after human arrival, finds a consistent pattern of acceleration of vegetation turnover after human invasion, with median rates of change increasing by a factor of six.
Abstract: Islands are among the last regions on Earth settled and transformed by human activities, and they provide replicated model systems for analysis of how people affect ecological functions. By analyzing 27 representative fossil pollen sequences encompassing the past 5000 years from islands globally, we quantified the rates of vegetation compositional change before and after human arrival. After human arrival, rates of turnover accelerate by a median factor of 11, with faster rates on islands colonized in the past 1500 years than for those colonized earlier. This global anthropogenic acceleration in turnover suggests that islands are on trajectories of continuing change. Strategies for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration must acknowledge the long duration of human impacts and the degree to which ecological changes today differ from prehuman dynamics.
TL;DR: In this paper, a new conceptualization and framework for the dynamics of wellbeing co-creation in service research is proposed, which can shed new light on the cocreation of wellbeing.
Abstract: Purpose
People are responsible for their wellbeing, yet whether they take ownership of their own or even others' wellbeing might vary from actor to actor Such psychological ownership (PO) influences the dynamics of how wellbeing is co-created, particularly amongst actors, and ultimately determines actors' subjective wellbeing The paper's research objective pertains to explicating the concept of the co-creation of wellbeing and conceptualizing the dynamics inherent to the co-creation of wellbeing with consideration of the influences of all involved actors from a PO perspective
Design/methodology/approach
To provide a new conceptualization and framework for the dynamics of wellbeing co-creation, this research synthesizes wellbeing, PO and value co-creation literature Four healthcare cases serve to illustrate the effects of engaged actors' PO on the co-creation of wellbeing
Findings
The derived conceptual framework of dynamic co-creation of wellbeing suggests four main propositions: (1) the focal actor's wellbeing state is the intangible target of the focal actor's and other engaged actors' PO, transformed throughout the process of wellbeing co-creation, (2) PO over the focal actor's wellbeing state is subject to the three interrelated routes of exercising control, investing in the target, and intimately knowing the target, which determine the instigation of wellbeing co-creation, (3) the level of PO over the focal actor's wellbeing state can vary, influence and be influenced by the extent of wellbeing co-creation, (4) the co-creation of wellbeing, evoked by PO, is founded on resource integration, which influences the resources–challenges equilibrium of focal actor and of all other engaged actors, affecting individual subjective wellbeing
Originality/value
This article provides a novel conceptual framework that can shed new light on the co-creation of wellbeing in service research Through the introduction of
PO the transformation of lives and wellbeing can be better understood
TL;DR: Open clusters are unique tracers of the history of our own Galaxy's disc as mentioned in this paper, and according to their membership analysis based on Gala astrometry, out of the 226 potential clusters falling in the footprint of the disc's disc, only five clusters were found to be open.
Abstract: Open clusters are unique tracers of the history of our own Galaxy's disc. According to our membership analysis based on Gala astrometry, out of the 226 potential clusters falling in the footprint o ...