Framework and guidelines for implementing the proposed IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT)

Recently, Blackburn et al. (2014) developed a simple, objective and transparent method for classifying alien taxa in terms of the magnitude of their detrimental environmental impacts in recipient areas. Here, we present a comprehensive framework and guidelines for implementing this method, which we term the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa, or EICAT. We detail criteria for applying the EICAT scheme in a consistent and comparable fashion, prescribe the supporting information that should be supplied along with classifications, and describe the process for implementing the method. This comment aims to draw the attention of interested parties to the framework and guidelines, and to present them in their entirety in a location where they are freely accessible to any potential users

Sensorintegriertes Multifunktionswerkzeug zur Prozessoptimierung (SiMP) im Verbundvorhaben "iFeZ" - Intelligentes Formwerkzeug der Zukunft

Im Rahmen des Vorhabens "iFeZ - Intelligentes Formwerkzeug der Zukunft" widmete sich das DLR vor dem Hintergrund einer erfahrungsbasierten Fertigung von FVK-Luftfahrtbauteilen mit einem hohen Anteil manueller und damit variierender Prozessschritte der Umsetzung eines sensorintegrierten und multifunktionalen Formwerkzeuges innerhalb einer intelligent vernetzten Produktionsumgebung zur aktiven Prozessgestaltung mit dem Ziel einer nachhaltigen Komponentenfertigung. Die Aktivitäten im Teilvorhaben "Sensorintegriertes Multifunktionswerkzeug zur Prozessoptimierung" (SIMP) konzentrieren sich auf Untersuchungen zur Sensierung der Fertigungsteilprozesse Tränkung und Aushärtung von Faserverbundbauteilen und umfasste die Definition geometrischer und laminatspezifischer Bauteilqualitätskriterien sowie die Sensorauswahl und -entwicklung zur Erfassung der relevanter Größen. Neben dem Nachweis zur Funktionsfähigkeit der Einzeltechnologien erfolgte die Implementierung in ein vorhandenes Formwerkzeug mittels Digital Mock Up. Weiterhin wurde die Integration in die Gesamtanlageninfrastruktur vorgenommen sowie eine vollständig vernetzte Systemumgebung auf Basis bereitgestellter Services aufgebaut. Die Analyse und Validierung erfolgte in Fertigungsversuchen am Funktionsmuster: Spant. Neben dem Potential der Live-Visualisierung der erfassten Daten konnte deren Kopplung mit der Prozesssimulation zur Bauteil-Zustandsbeschreibung auf Basis von Sensorstützstellen und Simulationsmodellen gezeigt werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen gleichermaßen die Möglichkeit der digitalen Transformation für vorhandene Produktionssysteme als auch das Potential der Daten für mehr Produktionseffizienz bei Faserverbunden. Within the framework of the project "iFeZ - Intelligent mold of the future", the DLR, against the background of an experience-based production of FRP aerospace components with a high proportion of manual and thus varying process steps, devoted itself to the implementation of a sensor-integrated and multifunctional mold within an intelligently networked production environment for active process design with the aim of sustainable component production. The activities in the sub-project "Sensor-integrated multifunctional mold for process optimisation" (SIMP) focus on investigations into the sensing of the sub-processes impregnation and curing of fibre composite components and include the definition of geometric and laminate-specific component quality criteria as well as sensor selection and development to record the relevant variables. In addition to the verification of the functionality of the individual technologies, the implementation in an existing mold was carried out by means of digital mock-up (DMU). Furthermore, the integration into the overall plant infrastructure was carried out and a fully networked system environment was set up on the basis of services. The analysis and validation was realised in experiments on the functional model: Z-frame. In addition to the potential of live visualization of the collected data, its coupling with process simulation for state description based on sensors and simulation models could be shown. The results demonstrate both the possibility of digital transformation for existing production systems and the potential of the data for more production efficiency in fiber composites

Framework and guidelines for implementing the proposed IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT)

Recently, Blackburn et al. (2014) developed a simple, objective and transparent method for classifying alien taxa in terms of the magnitude of their detrimental environmental impacts in recipient areas. Here, we present a comprehensive framework and guidelines for implementing this method, which we term the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa, or EICAT. We detail criteria for applying the EICAT scheme in a consistent and comparable fashion, prescribe the supporting information that should be supplied along with classifications, and describe the process for implementing the method. This comment aims to draw the attention of interested parties to the framework and guidelines, and to present them in their entirety in a location where they are freely accessible to any potential users.Peer Reviewe

Troubling travellers: are ecologically harmful alien species associated with particular introduction pathways?

Prioritization of introduction pathways is seen as an important component of the management of biological invasions. We address whether established alien plants, mammals, freshwater fish and terrestrial invertebrates with known ecological impacts are associated with particular introduction pathways (release, escape, contaminant, stowaway, corridor and unaided). We used the information from the European alien species database DAISIE (www.europe-aliens.org) supplemented by the EASIN catalogue (European Alien Species Information Network), and expert knowledge. Plants introduced by the pathways release, corridor and unaided were disproportionately more likely to have ecological impacts than those introduced as contaminants. In contrast, impacts were not associated with particular introduction pathways for invertebrates, mammals or fish. Thus, while for plants management strategies should be targeted towards the appropriate pathways, for animals, management should focus on reducing the total number of taxa introduced, targeting those pathways responsible for high numbers of introductions. However, regardless of taxonomic group, having multiple introduction pathways increases the likelihood of the species having an ecological impact. This may simply reflect that species introduced by multiple pathways have high propagule pressure and so have a high probability of establishment. Clearly, patterns of invasion are determined by many interacting factors and management strategies should reflect this complexity

Ecological Impacts of Alien Species: Quantification, Scope, Caveats, and Recommendations

Despite intensive research during the past decade on the effects of alien species, invasion science still lacks the capacity to accurately predict the impacts of those species and, therefore, to provide timely advice to managers on where limited resources should be allocated. This capacity has been limited partly by the context-dependent nature of ecological impacts, research highly skewed toward certain taxa and habitat types, and the lack of standardized methods for detecting and quantifying impacts. We review different strategies, including specific experimental and observational approaches, for detecting and quantifying the ecological impacts of alien species. These include a four-way experimental plot design for comparing impact studies of different organisms. Furthermore, we identify hypothesis-driven parameters that should be measured at invaded sites to maximize insights into the nature of the impact. We also present strategies for recognizing high-impact species. Our recommendations provide a foundation for developing systematic quantitative measurements to allow comparisons of impacts across alien species, sites, and tim

Ecological impacts of alien species: quantification, scope, caveats, and recommendations

Despite intensive research during the past decade on the effects of alien species, invasion science still lacks the capacity to accurately predict the impacts of those species and, therefore, to provide timely advice to managers on where limited resources should be allocated. This capacity has been limited partly by the context-dependent nature of ecological impacts, research highly skewed toward certain taxa and habitat types, and the lack of standardized methods for detecting and quantifying impacts. We review different strategies, including specific experimental and observational approaches, for detecting and quantifying the ecological impacts of alien species. These include a four-way experimental plot design for comparing impact studies of different organisms. Furthermore, we identify hypothesis-driven parameters that should be measured at invaded sites to maximize insights into the nature of the impact. We also present strategies for recognizing high-impact species. Our recommendations provide a foundation for developing systematic quantitative measurements to allow comparisons of impacts across alien species, sites, and time

Scientists\u27 Warning on Invasive Alien Species

Biological invasions are a global consequence of an increasingly connected world and the rise in human population size. The numbers of invasive alien species - the subset of alien species that spread widely in areas where they are not native, affecting the environment or human livelihoods - are increasing. Synergies with other global changes are exacerbating current invasions and facilitating new ones, thereby escalating the extent and impacts of invaders. Invasions have complex and often immense long-term direct and indirect impacts. In many cases, such impacts become apparent or problematic only when invaders are well established and have large ranges. Invasive alien species break down biogeographic realms, affect native species richness and abundance, increase the risk of native species extinction, affect the genetic composition of native populations, change native animal behaviour, alter phylogenetic diversity across communities, and modify trophic networks. Many invasive alien species also change ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services by altering nutrient and contaminant cycling, hydrology, habitat structure, and disturbance regimes. These biodiversity and ecosystem impacts are accelerating and will increase further in the future. Scientific evidence has identified policy strategies to reduce future invasions, but these strategies are often insufficiently implemented. For some nations, notably Australia and New Zealand, biosecurity has become a national priority. There have been long-term successes, such as eradication of rats and cats on increasingly large islands and biological control of weeds across continental areas. However, in many countries, invasions receive little attention. Improved international cooperation is crucial to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. Countries can strengthen their biosecurity regulations to implement and enforce more effective management strategies that should also address other global changes that interact with invasions

Study on the clinical application of pulsed DC magnetic technology for tracking of intraoperative head motion during frameless stereotaxy

BACKGROUND: Tracking of post-registration head motion is one of the major problems in frameless stereotaxy. Various attempts in detecting and compensating for this phenomenon rely on a fixed reference device rigidly attached to the patient's head. However, most of such reference tools are either based on an invasive fixation technique or have physical limitations which allow mobility of the head only in a restricted range of motion after completion of the registration procedure. METHODS: A new sensor-based reference tool, the so-called Dynamic Reference Frame (DRF) which is designed to allow an unrestricted, 360° range of motion for the intraoperative use in pulsed DC magnetic navigation was tested in 40 patients. Different methods of non-invasive attachment dependent on the clinical need and type of procedure, as well as the resulting accuracies in the clinical application have been analyzed. RESULTS: Apart from conventional, completely rigid immobilization of the head (type A), four additional modes of head fixation and attachment of the DRF were distinguished on clinical grounds: type B1 = pin fixation plus oral DRF attachment; type B2 = pin fixation plus retroauricular DRF attachment; type C1 = free head positioning with oral DRF; and type C2 = free head positioning with retroauricular DRF. Mean fiducial registration errors (FRE) were as follows: type A interventions = 1.51 mm, B1 = 1.56 mm, B2 = 1.54 mm, C1 = 1.73 mm, and C2 = 1.75 mm. The mean position errors determined at the end of the intervention as a measure of application accuracy were: 1.45 mm in type A interventions, 1.26 mm in type B1, 1.44 mm in type B2, 1.86 mm in type C1, and 1.68 mm in type C2. CONCLUSION: Rigid head immobilization guarantees most reliable accuracy in various types of frameless stereotaxy. The use of an additional DRF, however, increases the application scope of frameless stereotaxy to include e.g. procedures in which rigid pin fixation of the cranium is not required or desired. Thus, continuous tracking of head motion allows highly flexible variation of the surgical strategy including intraoperative repositioning of the patient without impairment of navigational accuracy as it ensures automatic correction of spatial distortion. With a dental cast for oral attachment and the alternative option of non-invasive retroauricular attachment, flexibility in the clinical use of the DRF is ensured