Mitochondrial DNA Regionalism and Historical Demography in the Extant Populations of Chirocephalus kerkyrensis (Branchiopoda: Anostraca)

Background: Mediterranean temporary water bodies are important reservoirs of biodiversity and host a unique assemblage of diapausing aquatic invertebrates. These environments are currently vanishing because of increasing human pressure. Chirocephalus kerkyrensis is a fairy shrimp typical of temporary water bodies in Mediterranean plain forests and has undergone a substantial decline in number of populations in recent years due to habitat loss. We assessed patterns of genetic connectivity and phylogeographic history in the seven extant populations of the species from Albania, Corfu Is. (Greece), Southern and Central Italy. Methodology/Principal Findings: We analyzed sequence variation at two mitochondrial DNA genes (Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16s rRNA) in all the known populations of C. kerkyrensis. We used multiple phylogenetic, phylogeographic and coalescence-based approaches to assess connectivity and historical demography across the whole distribution range of the species. C. kerkyrensis is genetically subdivided into three main mitochondrial lineages; two of them are geographically localized (Corfu Is. and Central Italy) and one encompasses a wide geographic area (Albania and Southern Italy). Most of the detected genetic variation (<81%) is apportioned among the aforementioned lineages. Conclusions/Significance: Multiple analyses of mismatch distributions consistently supported both past demographic and spatial expansions with the former predating the latter; demographic expansions were consistently placed during interglacial warm phases of the Pleistocene while spatial expansions were restricted to cold periods. Coalescence methods revealed a scenario of past isolation with low levels of gene flow in line with what is already known for other co-distributed fairy shrimps and suggest drift as the prevailing force in promoting local divergence. We recommend that these evolutionary trajectories should be taken in proper consideration in any effort aimed at protecting Mediterranean temporary water bodies

Attractiveness of an interactive public art installation

Interaction experiences with public art installations are becoming ubiquitous recently, however, interaction is usually unidirectional and the actual experience not very rich. This work reports on an interactive public art installation aiming at increasing the level of social connectedness among visitors, and the results of evaluating the attractiveness of the installation. By connecting visitors and computers physiologically, the installation has clear impact on social interaction and it also shows the attractiveness to people from aspects such as creativity, novelty, inviting and motivating. In this work we also found that the AttrakDiff instrument to be useful and convenient in evaluating the attractiveness of public art installations

Power scaling of supercontinuum seeded megahertz-repetition rate optical parametric chirped pulse amplifiers

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifiers with high average power are possible with novel high-power Yb:YAG amplifiers with kW-level output powers. We demonstrate a compact wavelength-tunable sub-30-fs amplifier with 11.4 W average power with 20.7% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency. For parametric amplification, a beta-barium borate crystal is pumped by a 140 W, 1 ps Yb: YAG InnoSlab amplifier at 3.25 MHz repetition rate. The broadband seed is generated via supercontinuum generation in a YAG crystal

Experience the world with archetypal symbols : an new form of aesthetics

According to the theories of symbolic interactionism, phenomenology of perception and archetypes, we argue that symbols play the key role in translating the information from the physical world to the human experience, and archetypes are the universal knowledge of cognition that generates the background of human experience (the life-world). Therefore, we propose a conceptual framework that depicts how people experience the world with symbols, and how archetypes relate the deepest level of human experience. This framework indicates a new direction of research on memory and emotion, and also suggests that archetypal symbolism can be a new resource of aesthetic experience design

Ottoman Transcultural Memories: Introduction

This introduction lays out the context and aims for the special issue’s focus on Ottoman transcultural memories. We explain the pertinence of transcultural memories for the Ottoman Empire, and we discuss contemporary politicizations of Ottoman nostalgia, or neo-Ottomanism. We define the key terms in our analyses, rooting our approach in memory studies, and distinguishing a transcultural approach to memory from comparable approaches in postcolonial studies. The introduction further sets out how the special issue refigures memory studies, transcultural and Ottoman studies. The issue’s contents are outlined, with the interdisciplinary and transmedial contributions necessarily driven by the diverse archives of Ottoman transcultural memories. Creative selections are informed by the affective resonance of Ottoman transcultural memories, in turn refiguring postmemory

ICE report T2.1.2 - ICE general methodology

Intelligent Community Energy (ICE) project reportThis document describes a proposed methodological approach to the design and implementation of smart energy island systems. It is informed by a desk review of the available literature on smart energy islands (see T2.1.1 ICE deliverable report), current thinking in electricity system planning, and the particular challenges facing isolated systems (eg. Ushant). The approach consists of a series of sequential steps and iterations between steps that aim to guide communities through the process of creating a smart energy system. Unique to this approach is the emphasis of fostering local skills, businesses and industry in the delivery of the program with the aim of retaining these long-term benefits within the community. The document lays out the specific considerations of the proposed generic methodology for the isolated system smart energy transition. The conceptual overview of the methodology is presented and the rationale behind this choice of framework is supported. The framework comprises a set of guidelines based on the understanding of the best practices in ongoing smart energy transition projects and the approaches to electricity system planning. Within the scope of the ICE methodological approach the role of the different key players in the implementation of the methodology and the rationale behind the choices made regarding technologies, policies and so on are detailed. These includes stakeholder engagement, assessing energy demand and supply outlook and issues around balancing. Options, system reliability, scenarios and the implementation, monitoring and revision of the energy transition aspects are then considered. The ultimate goal of the document is to provide a blueprint for smart energy transitions in isolated and peripheral territories and to allow transferability of the methodology. The result here is that the specificities including business models related to issues featuring isolated territories are all covered by this generic approach. In turn, the document aims to empower policymakers and stakeholders with the outlook, circumstantial evidence, and innovation on how to develop smart energy transition strategies for isolated and peripheral territories. Following an introduction to the aims and scope of the methodology and a schematic overview of the key elements, seven key processes are described: • Section 2 emphasises the significance of stakeholder engagement to successful implementation and proposes some guidelines for community involvement • Section 3 explores important considerations in the assessment of current energy demand patterns and their evolution through time • Section 4 presents guidelines in the identification and assessment of available energy supply options • Section 5 explores the issues and approaches to ensuring electricity system stability and reliability • Section 6 provides guidance on how communities might synthesise various sources of information to create a range of credible future scenarios and identify a preferred plan • Section 7 discusses implementation, in particular drawing attention to the crucial importance of ongoing monitoring and revision • Section 8 outlines the key area for consideration to ensure local business involvement in smart energy island transitionINTERRE