The role of eco-evolutionary experience in invasion success

Invasion ecology has made considerable progress in identifying specific mechanisms that potentially determine success and failure of biological invasions. Increasingly, efforts are being made to interrelate or even synthesize the growing number of hypotheses in order to gain a more comprehensive and integrative understanding of invasions. We argue that adopting an eco-evolutionary perspective on invasions is a promising approach to achieve such integration. It emphasizes the evolutionary antecedents of invasions, i.e. the species’ evolutionary legacy and its role in shaping novel biotic interactions that arise due to invasions. We present a conceptual framework consisting of five hypothetical scenarios about the influence of so-called ‘eco-evolutionary experience’ in resident native and invading non-native species on invasion success, depending on the type of ecological interaction (predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism). We show that several major ecological invasion hypotheses, including ‘enemy release’, ‘EICA’, ‘novel weapons’, ‘naive prey’, ‘new associations’, ‘missed mutualisms’ and ‘Darwin’s naturalization hypothesis’ can be integrated into this framework by uncovering their shared implicit reference to the concept of eco-evolutionary experience. We draft a routine for the assessment of eco-evolutionary experience in native and non-native species using a food web-based example and propose two indices (xpFocal index and xpResidents index) for the actual quantification of eco-evolutionary experience. Our study emphasizes the explanatory potential of an eco-evolutionary perspective on biological invasions

A study of the characteristics of graphene oxide films irradiated by an Nd:YVO₄ nanosecond pulse laser to form reduced graphene oxide

In recent years considerable research focus has been directed to graphene like materials that display properties that are similar to the excellent physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics of graphene. In this respect, one major research area is the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and especially the laser reduction of graphene oxide.The main aim of this thesis was to develop, construct and test an experimental system to create laser reduced graphene oxide films, and to classify the degree of reduction by measured changes in the surface characteristics, conductivity and resistance, and chemical composition of the surface. The objective was to achieve laser reduced graphene oxide with optimum high-quality graphene like features.A system was developed using an Nd:YVO₄ laser with wavelength 1064nm and was successfully used to create reduced graphene oxide with the findings compared, with some success, to theoretical predictions and those of other researchers.Many researchers have completed major experimental programmes that involve time consuming, expensive and repetitive tests where systematic and incremental changes are made to a large number of variables to establish the optimum characteristics of the degree of reduction. To avoid such repeat testing a primary objective of the thesis was to develop a system that yielded the optimum information from a single test. Such an experimental setup was successfully developed, and the resultant pattern of reduced graphene oxide was termed a z-scan.The z-scan pattern was created by a range of fluence values which ranged from below the threshold value to create reduction through to those that caused full ablation of the surface. Good agreement was observed between the experimental results and the predicted pattern of the damage threshold which was observed at a fluence of 13.8 mJcm⁻². To better understand the quality of the reduced GO at points over the surface of the z-scan a further series of tests with large area irradiated surfaces at different fluence values were completed.The roughness of these irradiated large area samples was independent of fluence but was enhanced by an order of magnitude when compared to that measured for GO. The conductivity of the irradiated sample was shown to increase with increase in laser fluence in an almost linear way.Raman spectra demonstrated the usual D, G and 2D peaks and, in line with other researchers the reduction was interpreted by the ID/IG and I2D/IG ratios. As fluence was increased the relationship between the ID/IG ratio had an overall downward trend in the range 1.21 to 0.75 with a flattening of the relationship at 0.75 corresponding to a fluence circa 35 mJcm⁻². Examination of the I2D/IG ratio showed that there was a gradual increase from a value of 0.23 to 0.31 but in this case with a saturation value at a fluence circa 32 mJcm⁻². Hence it was concluded that a fluence in the range 32 mJcm⁻² to 35 mJcm⁻² resulted in the optimum reduction of the GO. Similarly, the XPS results recorded a significant change in the carbon and oxygen species in the GO and rGO. The oxygen content was shown to reduce significantly at a fluence of ~35 mJcm⁻² with a flattening off at higher values of fluence to a constant value. A corresponding increase in the C-C carbon occurred and the carbon/oxygen peak ratio increased significantly in the range 29.1 mJcm⁻² to 36.5 mJcm⁻² with an overall increase from 3.5 at a fluence of 21.8 mJcm⁻² to 13 at a fluence of 46.0. These results confirm that at a fluence in the range 30 – 35 mJcm⁻² the degree of reduction is sufficient to transform the carbon and oxygen species with the reduced GO having graphene like characteristics.Temperature changes were also identified as a major factor to influence the reduction process and a temperature model, based on the theory of Yakovlev et al., 2019, has been described. The model predicted significantly high values at the centre of the laser beam but there was a rapid reduction in temperature in a radial direction away from the centre. Good agreement was observed between the predicted temperature and the boundary of reduced GO of the z-scan which was shown to occur at a temperature of circa 210°C.Tests were also completed to establish the wettability of the irradiated surface and it was observed that the wettability contact angle increased with increase in laser fluence. Values increased in an almost linear way, but values increased from 46° for GO to a maximum value of 84° for the rGO. These values compare well with the results of other researcher who have used similar irradiated surfaces. As the surface roughness was independent of fluence the increases in contact angle were attributed to the changes in the chemistry of the surface. Based on the outputs of the surface chemistry analysis for optimum reduction at a fluence in the range 32 mJcm⁻² to 36 mJcm⁻² the corresponding contact angle was circa 80°.In summary it was concluded that the experimental facility successfully met the overall aim of the thesis and provided an efficient and reliable one step technique to establish the optimum range of laser fluence to create good quality rGO, supported by physical, electrical and chemical results

Species from different taxonomic groups show similar invasion traits

Invasion ecology tends to treat taxonomic groups separately. However, given that all invasive species go through the same stages of the invasion process (transport, escape, establishment, spread), it is likely that – across taxa – comparable traits help to successfully complete this process ("invasion traits"). Perhaps not all invasive species have the same invasion traits, but different combinations of invasion traits can be found among invaders, corresponding to different possibilities to become a successful invader. These combinations of invasion traits might be linked to taxonomic affiliation, but this is not necessarily the case. We created a global dataset with 201 invasive species from seven major taxonomic groups (animals, green plants, fungi, heterokonts, bacteria, red algae, alveolates) and 13 invasion traits that are applicable across all taxa. The dataset was analysed with cluster analysis to search for similarities in combinations of invasion traits. Three of the five clusters, comprising 60% of all species, contain several major taxonomic groups. While some invasion trait frequencies were significantly related to taxonomic affiliation, the results show that invasive species from different taxonomic groups often share similar combinations of invasion traits. A post-hoc analysis suggests that combinations of traits characterizing successful invaders can be associated with invasion stages across taxa. Our findings suggest that there are no universal invasion traits which could explain the invasion success of all invaders, but that invaders are successful for different reasons which are represented by different combinations of invasion traits across taxonomic groups

Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin

The newly completed Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) at Parkgate Street in Dublin 8 is the largest courts project undertaken in the history of the Irish State. The design of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems was based on computer simulated modelling of the build ing to determine the optimum plant selection and operation based on the contract conditions and energy targets. The report will analyse the computer simulated energy targets versus the actual energy consumption and assess the benefit of engineering solutions such as twin-skin facades and heat recovery based on real data. The report will draw conclusions on the real benefit of such systems with in the built environment. In addition to the energy targets, the report will discuss the commission ing processes involved in delivering the energy targets required and the importance of designing metering strategies to enable the data to be collected and analysed

“La comunicación interpersonal y su repercusión en el desempeño laboral de los trabajadores administrativos de la Clínica Santa María del Sur, Distrito de San Juan de Miraflores, año 2013”

Hoy en día en las organizaciones es muy importante que el personal de una empresa, este en constante comunicación y coordinación entre todas las áreas de trabajo mediante procesos administrativos que conllevan a la buena gestión de la misma. El principal objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer la relación que existe entre la comunicación interpersonal y el desempeño laboral de los trabajadores administrativos de La Clínica Santa María del Sur. En primera instancia se logró acceder a material bibliográfico con respecto al tema mencionado y conocer variada información sobre la situación laboral actual en las empresas del rubro salud en nuestro país. Cabe destacar, que se verifico en la empresa que existe una falta de coordinación y comunicación entre el personal de la empresa, esto repercute en su desempeño como trabajador. Como consecuencia se manifiesta en un bajo rendimiento y productividad, desmotivación y falta de compromiso. Se debe acotar, que no hay una capacitación constante y evaluación permanente al trabajador. Específicamente hace falta una comunicación horizontal con métodos o procesos que conlleven a cumplir objetivos y coordinación con el equipo de trabajo. Finalmente, a través de la metodología, se hizo una encuesta a los trabajadores de la empresa para conocer sus opiniones y percepciones del tema. Con la presente investigación se logró demostrar y concluir que mediante los resultados obtenidos: La comunicación interpersonal se relaciona con el desempeño laboral de los trabajadores administrativos de La Clínica Santa María del Sur, en el distrito de San Juan de Miraflores

Disminución de los impactos ambientales de una planta de beneficio artesanal mediante una implementación adecuada de instrumentos ambientales normados en la región de Arequipa

En las últimas décadas las organizaciones pequeñas de procesamiento de oro han venido adoptando diversos modelos de gestión ambiental, perosin cumplir con sus correctos instrumentos ambientales los cuales se basan en la normativa vigente, para reducir y hasta eliminar los riesgos ambientales, por medio de un inventario y análisis correcto de los instrumentos en la parte ambiental.El Proceso de Gestión de los instrumentos ambientales está basado en una análisis y desarrollo profundo del proceso y fundamentado ante todo en la observación y control de los impactos positivos y negativos, como se indica basándosesu efectividad en el análisis, control y aplicación adecuado de los instrumentos ambientales.El desarrollo del sector minero en las últimas décadas ha generado una problemática respecto al impacto en el medio ambiente por los residuos generados durante sus operaciones que presentan un alto contenido de elementos tóxicos. En particular, en la etapa del proceso que incluye la recepción de materiales, chancado, molienda, recuperación y secado de concentrados (Estudios Mineros del Perú S.A.C ,2006).In recent decades, small gold processing organizations have been adopting various models of environmental management, but without complying with their correct environmental instruments, which are based on current regulations, to reduce and even eliminate environmental risks, through a inventory and correct analysis of the instruments in the environmental part.The Management Process of environmental instruments is based on a deep analysis and development of the process and based above all on the observation and control of positive and negative impacts, as indicated based on its effectiveness on the analysis, control and proper application of theenvironmental instruments.The development of the mining sector in recent decades has generated a problem regarding the impact on the environment due to the waste generated during its operations, which has a high content of toxic elements. In particular, in the process stage that includes the reception of materials, crushing, grinding, recovery and drying of concentrates (Estudios Mineros del Perú S.A.C, 2006).Campus Arequip

Socio‐economic impact classification of alien taxa (SEICAT)

1 Many alien taxa are known to cause socio‐economic impacts by affecting the different constituents of human well‐being (security; material and non‐material assets; health; social, spiritual and cultural relations; freedom of choice and action). Attempts to quantify socio‐economic impacts in monetary terms are unlikely to provide a useful basis for evaluating and comparing impacts of alien taxa because they are notoriously difficult to measure and important aspects of human well‐being are ignored. 2 Here, we propose a novel standardised method for classifying alien taxa in terms of the magnitude of their impacts on human well‐being, based on the capability approach from welfare economics. The core characteristic of this approach is that it uses changes in peoples' activities as a common metric for evaluating impacts on well‐being. 2 Impacts are assigned to one of five levels, from Minimal Concern to Massive, according to semi‐quantitative scenarios that describe the severity of the impacts. Taxa are then classified according to the highest level of deleterious impact that they have been recorded to cause on any constituent of human well‐being. The scheme also includes categories for taxa that are not evaluated, have no alien population, or are data deficient, and a method for assigning uncertainty to all the classifications. To demonstrate the utility of the system, we classified impacts of amphibians globally. These showed a variety of impacts on human well‐being, with the cane toad (Rhinella marina) scoring Major impacts. For most species, however, no studies reporting impacts on human well‐being were found, i.e. these species were data deficient. 2 The classification provides a consistent procedure for translating the broad range of measures and types of impact into ranked levels of socio‐economic impact, assigns alien taxa on the basis of the best available evidence of their documented deleterious impacts, and is applicable across taxa and at a range of spatial scales. The system was designed to align closely with the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) and the Red List, both of which have been adopted by the International Union of Nature Conservation (IUCN), and could therefore be readily integrated into international practices and policies