Toward Scalable Docker-Based Emulations of Blockchain Networks

Blockchain, like any other technology, needs a strong testing methodology to support its evolution. Setting up meaningful blockchain tests is a notoriously complex task for several reasons: software is complex, large number of nodes are involved, network is non ideal, etc. Developers usually adopts small virtual laboratories or costly real devnets, based on real software. Researchers usually prefer simulations of a large number of nodes, based on simplified models. In this paper, we aim to obtain the advantages of both approaches, i.e., performing large, realistic, unexpensive, and flexible experiments, using real blockchain software within a virtual environment. To do that, we tackle the challenge of running large blockchain networks in a single physical machine, leveraging Linux and Docker. We analyze a number of problems that arise when large blockchain networks are emulated and we provide technical solutions for all of them. Finally, we describe our experience of emulating a fairly large blockchain network, comprising more than 3000 containers, for research purposes

Herramientas basadas en indicadores tróficos para la implementación del enfoque ecosistémico en pesquerías con escasez de datos: ejemplos de Argelia y Bahía Bou-Ismail

Over the past decade, the Algerian government has undertaken several incentives financed by state subsidies, via a range of development plans for fishing activities. Although these have led to the growth and modernization of the fishing fleet and the creation of various jobs, this increased fishing pressure has not maximized production as anticipated. In fact, catch is decreasing, and there are clear signs of stock overexploitation for several species, particularly sardines, for which catches have fallen dramatically. This study analyses the impact of fishing from an ecosystem perspective, with a view to the implementation of ecosystem approach to fishery management (EAFM) at the level of Algerian fisheries. To this end, a series of trophic indicators are used. The analysis shows that ecosystems at both national level and in the Bou-Ismail Bay are excessively exploited, and are altered by overexploitation and probably eutrophication. This situation is demonstrated in particular by the decrease in the average trophic level of catch, which is synonymous with “Fishing Down Marine Food Webs” (FDMW).Durante la década pasada, el gobierno argelino puso en marcha varios incentivos de financiación estatal, a través de una serie de planes de desarrollo para actividades pesqueras. A pesar de que este hecho ha originado crecimiento y modernización en la flota pesquera, además de la creación de puestos de trabajo, este aumento de la presión pesquera no ha permitido aumentar la producción pesquera como se había previsto. De hecho, las capturas están decreciendo y hay claros signos de sobreexplotación en varias especies, particularmente la sardina, para la cual las capturas han descendido drásticamente. Este estudio analiza el impacto de la pesca desde una perspectiva ecosistémica, con vistas a implementar el enfoque ecosistémico en la ordenación pesquera argelina. Se utilizan una serie de indicadores tróficos para este fin. El análisis muestra que los ecosistemas están muy explotados, alterados por la sobreexplotación y probablemente eutrofizados, tanto a nivel nacional como en la bahía de Bou-Ismail. Esta situación ha quedado demostrada concretamente por el descenso en el nivel trófico medio de las capturas, que significa la pesca de los niveles inferiores de la cadena trófica marina

Urban Evolution: The Role of Water

The structure, function, and services of urban ecosystems evolve over time scales from seconds to centuries as Earth’s population grows, infrastructure ages, and sociopolitical values alter them. In order to systematically study changes over time, the concept of “urban evolution” was proposed. It allows urban planning, management, and restoration to move beyond reactive management to predictive management based on past observations of consistent patterns. Here, we define and review a glossary of core concepts for studying urban evolution, which includes the mechanisms of urban selective pressure and urban adaptation. Urban selective pressure is an environmental or societal driver contributing to urban adaptation. Urban adaptation is thesequential process by which an urban structure, function, or services becomes more fitted to its changing environment or human choices. The role of water is vital to driving urban evolution as demonstrated by historical changes in drainage, sewage flows, hydrologic pulses, and long-term chemistry. In the current paper, we show how hydrologic traits evolve across successive generations of urban ecosystems via shifts in selective pressures and adaptations over time. We explore multiple empirical examples including evolving: (1) urban drainage from stream burial to stormwater management; (2) sewage flows and water quality in response to wastewater treatment; (3) amplification of hydrologic pulses due to the interaction between urbanization and climate variability; and (4) salinization and alkalinization of fresh water due to human inputs and accelerated weathering. Finally, we propose a new conceptual model for the evolution of urban waters from the Industrial Revolution to the present day based on empirical trends and historical information. Ultimately, we propose that water itself is a critical driver of urban evolution that forces urban adaptation, which transforms the structure, function, and services of urban landscapes, waterways, and civilizations over time

A competitive cell-permeable peptide impairs Nme-1 (NDPK-A) and Prune-1 interaction: therapeutic applications in cancer.

The understanding of protein–protein interactions is crucial in order to generate a second level of functional genomic analysis in human disease. Within a cellular microenvironment, protein–protein interactions generate new functions that can be defined by single or multiple modes of protein interactions. We outline here the clinical importance of targeting of the Nme-1 (NDPK-A)–Prune-1 protein complex in cancer, where an imbalance in the formation of this protein–protein complex can result in inhibition of tumor progression. We discuss here recent functional data using a small synthetic competitive cell-permeable peptide (CPP) that has shown therapeutic efficacy for impairing formation of the Nme-1–Prune-1 protein complex in mouse preclinical xenograft tumor models (e.g., breast, prostate, colon, and neuroblastoma). We thus believe that further discoveries in the near future related to the identification of new protein–protein interactions will have great impact on the development of new therapeutic strategies against various cancers

TENTH WORKSHOP ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES BASED ON LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS, EXPLOITATION CHARACTERISTICS, AND OTHER RELEVANT PARAMETERS FOR DATA-LIMITED STOCKS (WKLIFE X)

The Workshop on the Development of Quantitative Assessment Methodologies based on Life history traits, exploitation characteristics, and other relevant parameters for data-limited stocks (WKLIFE X), chaired by Carl O'Brien (UK) and Manuela Azevedo (Portugal) met virtually 5–9 October 2020, to further develop methods for stock assessment and catch advice for stocks in Categories 3 and 4, focusing on the provision of sound advice rules that are within the ICES MSY framework. This tenth workshop was convened to further address the challenges to the evidence base for the provision of ICES advice with specific reference to data-limited stocks. There is an increasing number of fish stocks in Categories 3 and 4 for which assessment of status relative to MSY proxy reference points is available but for which short-term forecasts and MSY-based ad vice are not available. For assessments using the stochastic surplus production model in contin uous time (SPiCT), WKLIFE X developed and evaluated ‘fractile rules’ that account for uncer tainty and allow to consider any percentile and demonstrated that ‘fractile rules’ are more effec tive and precautionary than the median rule (50th percentile) and the ‘2-over-3’ rule. Additional work on advice rules for stocks in Category 3 based on life-history traits (k), tested through sim ulation and management strategy evaluation (MSE), showed that the addition of specific multi pliers based on the stock’s life-history characteristics decreases the risk of the control rule´s per formance. Annex 3 to this report contains the revised technical guidance on methods and advice rules for stocks in Category 3. The revision of the accumulated decade of ICES documentation on methods and advice for data-limited stocks into a stand-alone technical guidance document requires significant effort and dedicated work beyond the time available at the WKLIFE X meet ing. It is proposed that a dedicated workshop be established to undertake and complete the up dating and revision into a single reference documentICES, U

Three years field trials to assess the effect of kaolin made particles and copper on olive-fruit fly (B.oleae Gmelin) infestations in Sicily

In most countries of Mediterranean Basin, Bactrocera oleae (Gmel), the olive fruit fly, is the key pest insect on olives. In Sicily this pest causes losses of fruits and a poor quality olive oil. Many researchers have recently carried out some field studies which were based on the use of kaolin and copper against the olive-fruit fly. In the last years these products have been effective several times in reducing olive fly infestation. Kaolin had, also, some important effect in reducing heat-stress in fruit crops and olive-trees. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of kaolin and copper treatment on olive infestations in Sicily and to evaluate chemical and sensory parameters of oils extracted. For this reason, within 2003-2005, the IX Servizio of Assessorato Regionale Agricoltura e Foreste, selected some olive groves where to carry out trials with kaolin and copper and to realize information and divulgation activities

Solea solea: landings data and LPUE standardization from official logbooks in Atlantic Iberian waters

Time series of abundance indices are the main source of information to calibrate stock assessment models. Standardized LPUEs (Landings per unit effort) derived from fishery-dependent data can be used as a proxy of the species abundance. In this study we present a first attempt of standardization of landings per unit of effort (LPUE) for soleid species. Soleid species, in particular the common sole (Solea solea), are important fisheries resources with high economic value, targeted by the Spanish fleet in Iberian Atlantic waters. Nevertheless, information on these resources is scarce. Time series data from 2009 to 2020 from the official logbooks of the Spanish fleet operating in the ICES subdivisions 8.c and 9.a. have been analysed in order to provide some insights into this fishery. Uncertainties in the accuracy of the identification of the species led to the aggregation of 6 taxa: Solea solea, Solea senegalensis, Solea elongata, Solea spp., Pegusa lascaris and Pegusa cadenati, as one single category, being the common sole, Solea solea, the most important taxon in terms of economic value and landings. Landings per unit of effort (LPUE) based on the estimated soleid species landed weight by fishing days (unit effort), for the most important métiers in terms of landings, were used as response variable. Generalised linear mixed models, fitted with a Gamma distribution, were employed, and several explanatory variables were tested to be included in the models: year, quarter, month, ICES division, statistical rectangle, landing port, vessel characteristics (LOA category, vessel power), depth, fishing time and number of fishing operations

The missing whales: relevance of “struck and lost” rates for the impact assessment of historical whaling in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

The massive impact that open-boat historical whaling (18th to 20th centuries) had on whale populations has been traditionally estimated from records of oil and baleen plate production. However, an unknown proportion of hunted whales were struck, wounded, eventually killed, but lost, and not included in these records, suggesting that whaling impact may be critically underestimated. Whaling logbooks provide a key source for assessing past catches and losses. Here, we extract detailed records of 19875 days of activity in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean from 255 logbooks of offshore whaling voyages. During the period considered (1776–1923), whalers first targeted southern right whales (Eubalaena australis, 2497 sightings and 658 catches), gradually substituted by sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus, 1157 sightings and 843 catches) after 1840. Loss rate factors, calculated to account for the number of “struck and lost” whales, decreased across time for both species, and were particularly high (ranging 1.09–1.6) for the southern right whale, whose population was drastically reduced by whaling, as compared to previous estimates based on rough catch records. Accurate accounting for these “lost” individuals is essential for reconstructing the impact of whaling on cetacean populations and for a proper assessment of their initial population size and demographic trends.Postprint2,27

Supporting Spatial Management of Data-Poor, Small-Scale Fisheries With a Bayesian Approach

Marine conservation areas are an important tool for the sustainable management of multispecies, small-scale fisheries. Effective spatial management requires a proper understanding of the spatial distribution of target species and the identification of its environmental drivers. Small-scale fisheries, however, often face scarcity and low-quality of data. In these situations, approaches for the prioritization of conservation areas need to deal with scattered, biased, and short-term information and ideally should quantify data- and model-specific uncertainties for a better understanding of the risks related to management interventions. We used a Bayesian hierarchical species distribution modeling approach on annual landing data of the heavily exploited, small-scale, and data-poor fishery of Chwaka Bay (Zanzibar) in the Western Indian Ocean to understand the distribution of the key target species and identify potential areas for conservation. Few commonalities were found in the set of important habitat and environmental drivers among species, but temperature, depth, and seagrass cover affected the spatial distribution of three of the six analyzed species. A comparison of our results with information from ecological studies suggests that our approach predicts the distribution of the analyzed species reasonably well. Furthermore, the two main common areas of high relative abundance identified in our study have been previously suggested by the local fisher as important areas for spatial conservation. By using short-term, catch per unit of effort data in a Bayesian hierarchical framework, we quantify the associated uncertainties while accounting for spatial dependencies. More importantly, the use of accessible and interpretable tools, such as the here created spatial maps, can frame a better understanding of spatio-temporal management for local fishers. Our approach, thus, supports the operability of spatial management in small-scale fisheries suffering from a general lack of long-term fisheries information and fisheries independent data.En prens