AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds

Functional traits offer a rich quantitative framework for developing and testing theories in evolutionary biology, ecology and ecosystem science. However, the potential of functional traits to drive theoretical advances and refine models of global change can only be fully realised when species‐level information is complete. Here we present the AVONET dataset containing comprehensive functional trait data for all birds, including six ecological variables, 11 continuous morphological traits, and information on range size and location. Raw morphological measurements are presented from 90,020 individuals of 11,009 extant bird species sampled from 181 countries. These data are also summarised as species averages in three taxonomic formats, allowing integration with a global phylogeny, geographical range maps, IUCN Red List data and the eBird citizen science database. The AVONET dataset provides the most detailed picture of continuous trait variation for any major radiation of organisms, offering a global template for testing hypotheses and exploring the evolutionary origins, structure and functioning of biodiversity

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Commodity flight simulation: a SWOT analysis

The development of commodity flight simulation, in the form of PC game technology, continues to advance at a rapid pace. Indeed, the software industry is now being driven primarily by the requirements of gaming, digital media, and other entertainment applications. This has largely been due to the commoditisation of computer hardware, which is apparent when considering recent trends in CPU and graphics processor development. The Flight Simulation industry has benefited from this trend of hardware commoditisation, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In this paper we present a SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis of the commodity flight simulation software industry, including flight modeling, scenery generation, multiplayer technology, artificial intelligence, mission planning, and event handling. Issues such as data portability, economics, licensing, intellectual property, interoperability, developer extensibility, robustness, qualification, and maintainability are addressed.Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) is used as a case study of how a commodity flight simulator has been extended to include extensive programmatic access to its core engine. Examples will be given on how the base platform of this application can be extended by third party developers and the power this extensibility model provides to the industry.This paper is presented to highlight particular technology trends in the commodity flight simulation industry, the fidelity that commodity flight simulations can provide, and to provide a high-level overview of the strengths and weaknesses thereof

Interview with Kenneth George about "Ethics, Iconoclasm, and Qur'anic Art in Indonesia"

Interview by Kathryn Zyskowski

Architecture for service profiling

Service oriented architecture is gaining momentum. However, in order to be successful, the proper and up-to-date description of services is required. Such a description may be provided by service profiling mechanisms, such as one presented in this article. Service profile can be defined as an up-to-date description of a subset of non-functional properties of a service. It allows for service comparison on the basis of non-functional parameters, and choosing the service which is most suited to the needs of a user. In this article the notion of a service profile along with service profiling mechanism is presented as well as the architecture of a profiling system. © 2006 IEEE

Uniwersalne urządzenie do oceny wytrzymałości kinetycznej produktów ciśnieniowej aglomeracji

This paper presents a universal prototype testing device for determining the kinetic durability of products of pressure agglomeration (pellets and briquettes). The device presented in the paper is equipped with replaceable test chambers enabling to combine Pfost's and Holmen's methods for the determination of kinetic durability of pellets, and a method for the determination of kinetic durability of briquettes. Equipping the device with an air blower and perforated chamber walls increases aggressiveness and allows an outlet for crushed particles from the chamber. The presented device will allow to perform tests that would make it possible to determine relationships between density and strength parameters of briquettes and pellets.W pracy przedstawiono uniwersalne prototypowe urządzenie badawcze do określania wytrzymałości kinetycznej produktów ciśnieniowej aglomeracji (granulatu i brykietów). Przedstawione w pracy urządzenie posiada wymienne komory testujące, co pozwala na połączeniu metody Pfosta i Holmena do określania wytrzymałości kinetycznej granulatu oraz metody określania wytrzymałości kinetycznej brykietu. Zastosowanie nadmuchu powietrza i perforowanych ścianek komór w urządzeniu zwiększa agresywność i pozwala wyprowadzić rozkruszone cząstki z komory. Przedstawione urządzenie pozwoli na prowadzenie badań pozwalających ustalenie zależności pomiędzy gęstością a parametrami wytrzymałościowymi brykietów i granulatu

Convergence: commodity flight simulation and the future

The development of commodity flight simulation, in the form of PC game technology, continues to advance at a rapid pace. Indeed, the software industry is now being driven primarily by the requirements of gaming, digital media, and other entertainment applications. This has largely been due to the commoditisation of computer hardware, which is apparent when considering recent trends in central processing unit and graphics processor development.The flight simulation industry has benefited from this trend of hardware commoditisation, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. It is, however, yet to fully realise the potential for leveraging commodity-off-the-shelf (COTS) software. In this paper the opportunities presenting themselves for the next 25 years of flight simulation are discussed, as the aviation and games software industry’s requirements converge. A SWOT (strengths-weaknesses-opportunitiesthreats) analysis of the commodity flight simulation software industry is presented, including flight modelling, scenery generation, multiplayer technology, artificial intelligence, mission planning, and event handling.Issues such as data portability, economics, licensing, intellectualproperty, interoperability, developer extensibility, robustness, qualification, and maintainability are addressed. Microsoft Flight Simulator is used as a case study of how commodity flight simulation has been extended to include extensive programmatic access to its core engine. Examples are given on how the base platform of this application can be extended by third-party developers and the power this extensibility model provides to the industry.This paper is presented to highlight particular technology trends in the commodity flight simulation industry, the fidelity that commodity flight simulations can provide, and to provide a high-level overview of the strengths and weaknesses thereof