22,900 research outputs found
Interactive effects of losing key grazers and ecosystem engineers vary with environmental context
No full textLoss of biodiversity may cause significant changes to ecosystem structure and functioning. Evidence from long-term in situ removal experiments is rare but important in determining the effects of biodiversity loss against a background of environmental variation. Limpets and mussels are thought to be important in controlling community structure on wave-exposed shores in the UK: limpets as key grazers, mussels as ecosystem engineers. A long-term factorial removal experiment revealed interactive effects that varied between 2 shores in SW England. At one site (Harlyn), removing limpets caused a significant shift in community structure, but where limpets were lost, the presence or absence of mussels made little difference. Where limpets were present, however, the removal of mussels changed the structure and variability of the community. At the other site (Polzeath), the loss of mussels caused significant changes in community structure, and limpets played a less important role. At Harlyn, fucoid algae were abundant throughout the year. There were fewer algae at Polzeath, and cover was dominated by the summer bloom of ephemerals. At Harlyn, the limpets played a major role in controlling algae, but their effects were mediated by the presence of mussels. Other grazers were not able to fulfil their role. At Polzeath, mussels were far more important, and ephemeral algae grew on them regardless of the presence or loss of limpets. These findings emphasise the need to assess spatial and temporal variation in the effects of biodiversity loss and the importance of interactive effects of loss of multiple species from different functional groups
CE Challenges: Work to Do
No full textCE has been used for more than two decades now. Despite many successes and advantages, there are still many challenges to be addressed. These challenges are both technical and organisational. In the paper we will address the current challenges of CE. Many challenges are related to the exchange of data and knowledge and to the systems that make data and knowledge exchange possible. Although much progress has been made in enabling extensive data and knowledge exchange and use, much remains to be wished. For example, there are still barriers to data exchange. Technically, these barriers may consist of different formats, differences in infrastructures and systems, and different semantics. There are also organisational and political barriers. For example, investment in information system may heavily impact upstream suppliers, while revenues of better information exchange may predominantly be gained by downstream actors. Without sharing costs and revenues, chain-wide information exchange will not be easily realised. Another barrier is the possible lack of willingness to share information, because of potential misuse of knowledge and loss of power. The paper is organised as follows. First we will describe the current manifestation of CE as described in a recent book. Second, we will list current trends in CE. Third, we will present some Critical Success Factors (CSFs) that are considered relevant for implementing and adapting CE practices. Last, we indicate some research and practical questions to be addressed, especially for areas that have a high potential and actual impact. </p
Synthesis optimization and charge carrier transfer mechanism in LiLuSiO<sub>4</sub>:Ce, Tm storage phosphor
No full textLiLuSiO4:Ce and LiLuSiO4:Ce, Tm show very efficient charge carrier storage properties upon beta irradiation after samples have received treatment in vacuum. They outperform the commercial storage phosphor BaFBr(I):Eu2+ in many aspects. The influence of the synthesis conditions, Ce and Tm concentration, nonstoichiometry and codoping with Ca, Hf, Al and Ge are reported. Based on the results of the synthesis optimization, thermoluminescence (TL) emission and TL excitation spectra a mechanism of charge carrier transfer, storage, and recombination during irradiation and thermal or optical readout is proposed.Accepted Author ManuscriptRST/Fundamental Aspects of Materials and EnergyRST/Luminescence Material
The impact of P(NDI2OD-T2) crystalline domains on the open-circuit voltage of bilayer all-polymer solar cells with an inverted configuration
No full textWe fabricated P(NDI2OD-T2)/PTB7 bilayer all-polymer solar cells with an inverted configuration, where the annealing temperature was systematically varied. The current density-voltage behavior was investigated and the structural properties of the P(NDI2OD-T2) layers were characterized. Absorption spectroscopy, surface morphology, and crystallite analysis showed that increasing phase segregation of P(NDI2OD-T2) films occurred as the annealing temperature increased. We found that, as the P(NDI2OD-T2) stacking improved, with larger domains, the open-circuit voltage decreased and the saturation dark current density increased. This work provides a guide for the processing of P(NDI2OD-T2) layers to maximize the power conversion efficiency of all-polymer solar cells. (C) 2015 Author(s).open1186sciescopu
Data and code for: Variational Graph Author Topic Modeling
No full textThis is the tensorflow implementation of KDD-2022 paper "Variational Graph Author Topic Modeling" by Delvin Ce Zhang and Hady W. Lauw.
VGATM is a Graph Neural Network model that extracts interpretable topics for documents with authors and venues. Topics of documents then fulfill document classification, citation prediction, etc.
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Updated analytical solutions of continuity equation for electron beams precipitation – I. Pure collisional and pure ohmic energy losses
No full textWe present updated analytical solutions of continuity equations for power-law beam electrons precipitating in (a) purely collisional losses and (b) purely ohmic losses. The solutions of continuity equation (CE) normalized on electron density presented in Dobranskis & Zharkova are found by method of characteristics eliminating a mistake in the density characteristic pointed out by Emslie et al. The corrected electron beam differential densities (DD) for collisions are shown to have energy spectra with the index of −(γ + 1)/2, coinciding with the one derived from the inverse problem solution by Brown, while being lower by 1/2 than the index of −γ/2 obtained from CE for electron flux. This leads to a decrease of the index of mean electron spectra from −(γ − 2.5) (CE for flux) to −(γ − 2.0) (CE for electron density). The similar method is applied to CE for electrons precipitating in electric field induced by the beam itself. For the first time, the electron energy spectra are calculated for both constant and variable electric fields by using CE for electron density. We derive electron DD for precipitating electrons (moving towards the photosphere, μ = +1) and ‘returning’ electrons (moving towards the corona, μ = −1). The indices of DD energy spectra are reduced from −γ − 1 (CE for flux) to −γ (CE for electron density). While the index of mean electron spectra is increased by 0.5, from −γ + 0.5 (CE for flux) to −γ + 1(CE for electron density). Hard X-ray intensities are also calculated for relativistic cross-section for the updated differential spectra revealing closer resemblance to numerical Fokker–Planck (FP) solutions
Building on the trust of management: overcoming the paradoxes of principles based regulation
No full textThis paper illustrates how trust in management can be consolidated through the order and mode of application of enforcement measures (negotiating and punitive enforcement measures) which are employed in facilitating and maximising compliance with rules. “Whilst negotiating strategies are introduced initially to develop trust between the regulator and the regulated, resort is made to more punitive strategies where an absence of trust in the compliance activity has been confirmed.” In considering techniques which could be introduced to maximise compliance with rules, standards and principles, this paper not only highlights why responsive and negotiating strategies are more effective than deterrence based strategies in facilitating compliance with rules and principles, but also the importance of introducing some element of fairness and high degree of accountability into the decision making process. Whilst fairness is considered to be of greater significance to decisions founded on principles and discretion, accountability is a benefit and feature which is usually attributed to “bright lines rules”. Even though it is contended that issues related to legitimacy and accountability could still arise with group decisions, this paper seeks to demonstrate that some degree of accountability (along with the fairness attributed to group decisions) could be fostered through corporate and group decision making. Furthermore, the paper highlights how effective communication can be achieved, how such communication – as well as an effective system of communication, is vital to determining the point at which there should be a departure from the systematic application of rules.communication; compliance; principles; enforcement; regulation; trust
Introduction and Author Biographical Notes
No full textThe Introductory Notes include The Cutting EDge\u27s mission statement, editorial board, founder\u27s note, and author\u27s biographies
From the Editors and Author Biographical Notes
No full textLetter from the Editors and Author Biographical Note
Bacillary angiomatosis in HIV-infected patients - An epidemiological and clinical study
No full textBackground: No data were available on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of bacillary angiomatosis (BA) in Germany. Objective:To determine epidemiological and clinical data on HIV-associated BA. Methods: A chart review of all BA cases between 1990 and 1998 was performed in 23 German AIDS treatment units. Results: A total of 21 cases of BA was diagnosed. During th is period, the participating HIV centers treated about 17,000 HIV-infected patients. As a result, a BA prevalence of 1.2 cases/1,000 patients can be assumed. 19 BA were localized in the skin; in 5 cases bones and in 4 cases the liver were involved. Out of 20 patients who received antibiotic therapy, 13 had complete remission. The median time of duration up to complete remission was 32 days (9-82), During the follow-up of the 20 patients, 7 relapses were observed, Conclusion: BA is a rare HIV-associated disease with a prevalence of 1,2 cases/1,000 patients in the presented study. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
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