FLEIM: A stable, accurate and robust extrapolation method at infinity for computing the ground state of electronic Hamiltonians

The Kohn-Sham method uses a single model system, and corrects it by a density functional the exact user friendly expression of which is not known and is replaced by an approximated, usable, model. We propose to use instead more than one model system, and use a greedy extrapolation method to correct the results of the model systems. Evidently, there is a higher price to pay for it. However, there are also gains: within the same paradigm, e.g., excited states and physical properties can be obtained

Status of aquatic and riparian biodiversity in artificial lake ecosystems with and without management for recreational fisheries: Implications for conservation

1. Humanity is facing a biodiversity crisis, with freshwater-associated biodiversity in a particularly dire state. Novel ecosystems created through human use of mineral resources, such as gravel pit lakes, can provide substitute habitats for the conservation of freshwater and riparian biodiversity. Many of these artificial ecosystems are subject to a high intensity of recreational use, however, which may limit their biodiversity potential. 2. The species richness of several taxa (plants, amphibians, dragonflies, damselflies, waterfowl, and songbirds) was assessed and a range of taxonomic biodiversity metrics were compared between gravel pit lakes managed for recreational fisheries (n = 16) and unmanaged reference lakes (n = 10), controlling for non-fishing-related environmental variation. 3. The average species richness of all the taxa examined was similar among lakes in both lake types and no substantial differences in species composition were found when examining the pooled species inventory. Similarly, there were no differences between lake types in the presence of rare species and in the Simpson diversity index across all of the taxa assessed. 4. Variation in species richness among lakes was correlated with woody habitat, lake morphology (surface area and steepness), and land use, but was not correlated with the presence of recreational fisheries. Thus, non-fishing-related environmental variables had stronger effects on local species presence than recreational fisheries management or the presence of recreational anglers. 5. Collectively, no evidence was found that anglers and recreational fisheries management constrain the development of aquatic and riparian biodiversity in gravel pit lakes in the study region; however, the conservation of species diversity in gravel pit lakes could benefit from an increasing reliance on habitat enhancement activities.Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002347the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds granted by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)the Stiftung Fischerei, Umwelt‐ und Naturschutz Deutschland (FUND Stiftung) the Landesverband Sächsischer Angler e.V.the Landesfischereiverband Bayern e.V.the Angling Association of Lower SaxonyPeer Reviewe

Influence of protected riparian areas on habitat structure and biodiversity in and at small lakes managed by recreational fisheries

Protected areas are a common management tool to conserve habitats and species by controlling access and disturbances by humans. Whenever protected areas result in restricting access to riparian zones in lakes, they may have positive effects on habitats and taxa beyond fish by lowering influences of trampling or boating on plants, by reducing the degree of human-induced disturbances to sensitive taxa such as birds, and by reducing fishing effort. However, especially in small freshwater systems knowledge about the functioning of protected areas that cover only parts of the lake shorelines is limited. We studied small gravel pit lakes in Germany where recreational fishing clubs have voluntarily assigned no-access riparian protected areas on parts of the lake shorelines and examined outcomes for habitat quality, plants, fish and bird populations. A total of 15 lakes were sampled, and we assessed habitat structure and abundance of plants, and fish within and outside protected areas and bird abundance at the lake scale, relying on standardized sampling methods. After controlling for confounding environmental factors related to lake morphology, age, nutrients, and land use, we detected positive contributions of small-scale riparian protected areas on habitat structure, riparian vegetation, local fish abundance and abundance of sensitive songbirds at the lake-scale, but we found no effects on aquatic vegetation and on disturbance-sensitive waterfowl species. Scale-restricted riparian protected areas voluntarily assigned by recreational fishing clubs can have positive outcomes for habitat quality and biodiversity, particularly by reducing trampling and access to anglers and other recreationists. Moreover, through provision of key habitat for young fish, small-scale riparian protected areas can also benefit fish abundance and in turn recreational fisheries.10647625

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

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