Analysis of Abrupt Transitions in Ecological Systems

The occurrence and causes of abrupt transitions, thresholds, or regime shifts between ecosystem states are of great concern and the likelihood of such transitions is increasing for many ecological systems. General understanding of abrupt transitions has been advanced by theory, but hindered by the lack of a common, accessible, and data-driven approach to characterizing them. We apply such an approach to 30–60 years of data on environmental drivers, biological responses, and associated evidence from pelagic ocean, coastal benthic, polar marine, and semi-arid grassland ecosystems. Our analyses revealed one case in which the response (krill abundance) linearly tracked abrupt changes in the driver (Pacific Decadal Oscillation), but abrupt transitions detected in the three other cases (sea cucumber abundance, penguin abundance, and black grama grass production) exhibited hysteretic relationships with drivers (wave intensity, sea-ice duration, and amounts of monsoonal rainfall, respectively) through a variety of response mechanisms. The use of a common approach across these case studies illustrates that: the utility of leading indicators is often limited and can depend on the abruptness of a transition relative to the lifespan of responsive organisms and observation intervals; information on spatiotemporal context is useful for comparing transitions; and ancillary information from associated experiments and observations aids interpretation of response-driver relationships. The understanding of abrupt transitions offered by this approach provides information that can be used to manage state changes and underscores the utility of long-term observations in multiple sentinel sites across a variety of ecosystems.Organismic and Evolutionary Biolog

Population policies and education: exploring the contradictions of neo-liberal globalisation

The world is increasingly characterised by profound income, health and social inequalities (Appadurai, 2000). In recent decades development initiatives aimed at reducing these inequalities have been situated in a context of increasing globalisation with a dominant neo-liberal economic orthodoxy. This paper argues that neo-liberal globalisation contains inherent contradictions regarding choice and uniformity. This is illustrated in this paper through an exploration of the impact of neo-liberal globalisation on population policies and programmes. The dominant neo-liberal economic ideology that has influenced development over the last few decades has often led to alternative global visions being overlooked. Many current population and development debates are characterised by polarised arguments with strongly opposing aims and views. This raises the challenge of finding alternatives situated in more middle ground that both identify and promote the socially positive elements of neo-liberalism and state intervention, but also to limit their worst excesses within the population field and more broadly. This paper concludes with a discussion outling the positive nature of middle ground and other possible alternatives

Construction of Precision sMDT Detector for ATLAS Muon Spectrometer Upgrade

This paper describes the small-diameter monitored drift-tube detector construction at the University of Michigan as a contribution to the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer upgrade for the high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Measurements of the first 30 chambers built at Michigan show that the drift tube wire position accuracy meets the specification of 20 microns. The positions of the platforms for alignment and magnetic field sensors are all installed well within the required precision. The cosmic ray test measurements show single wire tracking resolution of 100 +- 7 microns with an average detection efficiency above 99 %. The infrastructure, tooling, techniques, and procedures for chamber production are described in detail. The results from the chamber quality control tests of the first 30 constructed chambers are reported.Comment: 35 pages, 41 figure

Traditional beliefs and practices in the postpartum period in Fujian Province, China: a qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Zuo yuezi </it>is the month postpartum in China associated with a variety of traditional beliefs and practices. We explored the current status of <it>zuo yuezi </it>from social, cultural and western medical perspectives.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We interviewed family members (36) and health workers (8) in Fujian Province, selecting one rural and one rapidly developing urban county. We asked about their traditional beliefs and their behaviour postpartum. We used a framework approach to identify main themes. We categorised reported behaviour against their probable effects on health, drawing on Western standards.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Respondents reported that <it>zuo yuezi </it>was commonly practiced in urban and rural families to help the mother regain her strength and protect her future health. <it>Zuo yuezi </it>included: dietary precautions, such as eating more food and avoiding cold food; behavioural precautions, such as staying inside the home, avoiding housework and limiting visitors; hygiene precautions, such as restricting bathing and dental hygiene; and practices associated with infant feeding, including supplementary feeding and giving honeysuckle herb to the infant. Respondents reported that the main reasons for adhering to these practices were respect for tradition, and following the advice of elders. Categorised against Western medical standards, several <it>zuo yuezi </it>practices are beneficial, including eating more, eating protein rich food, avoiding housework, and daily vulval and perineal hygiene. A few are potentially harmful, including giving honeysuckle herb, and avoiding dental hygiene. Some women reported giving infants supplementary feeds, although <it>zuo yuezi </it>emphasises breast feeding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Zuo yuezi </it>is an important ritual in Fujian. In medical terms, most practices are beneficial, and could be used by health staff to promote health in this period. Further research on reported potentially harmful practices, such as supplements to breast feeding, is needed.</p

Spin-valley locking, bulk quantum Hall effect and chiral surface state in a noncentrosymmetric Dirac semimetal BaMnSb2_2

Spin-valley locking in the band structure of monolayers of MoS$_2$ and other group-VI dichalcogenides has attracted enormous interest, since it offers potential for valleytronic and optoelectronic applications. Such an exotic electronic state has sparsely been seen in bulk materials. Here, we report spin-valley locking in a bulk Dirac semimetal BaMnSb$_2$. We find valley and spin are inherently coupled for both valence and conduction bands in this material. This is revealed by comprehensive studies using first principle calculations, tight-binding and effective model analyses, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and quantum transport measurements. Moreover, this material also exhibits a stacked quantum Hall effect. The spin-valley degeneracy extracted from the plateau height of quantized Hall resistivity is close to 2. This result, together with the observed Landau level spin splitting, further confirms the spin-valley locking picture. In the extreme quantum limit, we have also observed a two-dimensional chiral metal at the side surface, which represents a novel topological quantum liquid. These findings establish BaMnSb$_2$ as a rare platform for exploring coupled spin and valley physics in bulk single crystals and accessing 3D interacting topological states.Comment: Updated acknowledgemen

Prediction models for estimating pruned biomass obtained from Platanus hispanica Münchh. used for material surveys in urban forests

The amount of urban biomass waste derived from pruning operations represents a potential source of bioenergy little studied or considered in local bio-economies. This research focused on direct quantification of lignocellulosic residual biomass yielded during tree pruning, characterization of basic tree parameters and development of indirect biomass prediction models. Sample individuals of 30 Platanus hispanica Munchh. with mean diameter at breast height 23.56 cm, crown diameter 8.44 m, crown base height 3.76 m, and total height 11.57 m were examined. Wood formed 43.34% of pruned biomass before the drying process and wood moisture content in wet basis reached 40.16%. Mean quantity of dry biomass obtained per tree was 23.98 kg and standard deviation was 15.16 kg. Allometric relationships were analyzed. Significant coefficients of determination were observed for dry biomass and diameter at breast height (R-2 = 0.87), as well as for dry biomass and conical and parabolic crown volume (R-2 = 0.78). The best result (R-2 = 0.93) was obtained from a multiple regression model with several explicative variables. Indirect biomass prediction equations and characteristics of yielded residuals derived from this research can be useful for biomass planning and management purposes. These equations can be implemented for urban inventories, and the application of logistic models. The significance of this topic is beyond doubt for urban environment, especially for the possibilities of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and perspectives of biomass utilization as a biofuel. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Sajdak, M.; Velázquez Martí, B.; López Cortés, I.; Fernández Sarriá, A.; Estornell Cremades, J. (2014). Prediction models for estimating pruned biomass obtained from Platanus hispanica Münchh. used for material surveys in urban forests. Renewable Energy. 66:178-184. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2013.12.005S1781846