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Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) is a key driver of changes in land–atmosphere interactions, playing an essential role in climate and weather patterns in South America (SA). This study used a modelling approach to assess the land–atmosphere changes introduced by LULCC over the Brazilian territory. Numerical experiments of early (2006), neutral (2004) and late (2008) rainy season onset years were performed in the Integrated BIosphere Simulator (IBIS) to assess the land‐surface parameters, and in Brazilian Atmospheric Model (BAM) to assess the atmospheric variables. The models were run with a natural (NAT) vegetation map and an updated (UP) vegetation map, which incorporated realistic Brazil deforestation up to the early 2000s. The differences between the two maps were particularly larger over 25°–15°S and 50°–40°W, where the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes were replaced by pasture. IBIS experiments showed that over the area of larger LULCC there was an increase in albedo of up to 8% while reductions in net radiation, surface heat fluxes, surface temperature and surface roughness were noticed. Land–atmosphere feedbacks assessed with BAM experiments showed that LULCC contributed to a drier and colder (stable) atmosphere over central‐east SA that opposes the necessary conditions for the rainy season onset. The changes included increases in surface pressure and low‐level wind associated with reductions in 2 m temperature and surface roughness. These changes contributed to decrease the cloud formation and less precipitation in all three rainy season onset years, but particularly in the late rainy season onset year during September–October–November (SON). The atmospheric changes induced by LULCC show a pattern of dry atmosphere (reduced precipitation), similar to those of late onset years, and indicate that LULCC enhances the late rainy season onset condition over central‐east SA. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of considering up‐to‐date vegetation maps because these changes significantly affect both surface and atmospheric variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the fluctuations in the abundance of water birds during different seasons in order to plan conservation strategy at Navkhala Pond near Nagbhid in Maharashtra, India. Topics discussed include data on the mean abundance of water birds, observations on the conservation status of water birds, and gradients in abundance of water bird community.

Objectives: Various risk assessment tools have been developed to evaluate the risk of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. This study aims to estimate the risk of breast/ovarian cancer in a sample of the general population in Iran using the IBIS software.Methods: A total of 2020 women aged 18-79 years were consecutively selected from the gynecology clinic of Imam Hossein Medical Center between April 2019 and 2021. The Tyrer-Cusick (IBIS) questionnaire was used to collect data on variables such as age, BMI, age at menarche, age at first pregnancy, menopausal status, history of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and family history of breast/ovarian cancer. The risks of developing breast/ovarian cancer were calculated, with patients having a calculated risk of more than 20% considered high-risk and those below 20% considered low-risk.Results: Out of the 2020 cases studied, 69 (3.4%) were classified as high-risk for developing breast/ovarian cancer. The moderate risk of breast/ovarian cancer in patients with a positive family history was 18.47%, compared to 10.15% in those without a family history. All high-risk individuals had a positive family history, while only 9.4% of the low-risk population had a family history; this difference was statistically significant (p

Objectives: Various risk assessment tools have been developed to evaluate the risk of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. This study aims to estimate the risk of breast/ovarian cancer in a sample of the general population in Iran using the IBIS software. Methods: A total of 2020 women aged 18-79 years were consecutively selected from the gynecology clinic of Imam Hossein Medical Center between April 2019 and 2021. The Tyrer-Cusick (IBIS) questionnaire was used to collect data on variables such as age, BMI, age at menarche, age at first pregnancy, menopausal status, history of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and family history of breast/ovarian cancer. The risks of developing breast/ovarian cancer were calculated, with patients having a calculated risk of more than 20% considered high-risk and those below 20% considered low-risk. Results: Out of the 2020 cases studied, 69 (3.4%) were classified as high-risk for developing breast/ovarian cancer. The moderate risk of breast/ovarian cancer in patients with a positive family history was 18.47%, compared to 10.15% in those without a family history. All high-risk individuals had a positive family history, while only 9.4% of the low-risk population had a family history; this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Routine assessment of family history of cancer in all patients is recommended, with positive cases being further evaluated using a cancer risk assessment tool and referred for genetic counseling as appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a key factor in soil quality degradation and carbon balance in arid ecosystems. However, many models ignore the soil erosion process in arid regions, which may lead to limits in our understanding of ecosystem processes in arid regions. In this study, we added the soil erosion process according to field observed data of soil hydrothermal regimes and carbon flux. We validated this coupling version of IBIS (Integrated Biosphere Simulator) and RUSLE (RU–IBIS) by examining four different vegetation types and the carbon budget in the arid region on the Loess Plateau (LP). Our results indicated that the coupling model (RU–IBIS) produced more reliable simulations of the soil water content (with the r from 0.23–0.90 to 0.71–0.97) and evaporation (ET) (the average r was 0.76) and significantly improved the simulation of the leaf area index (LAI) (the average r was 0.95) and net primary production (NPP) (the average r was 0.95). We also conducted sensitivity experiments to determine how soil texture and aerodynamic roughness (Z0m) affect the soil water content. Moreover, it was revealed that specific leaf area (SLA) plays a key role in the simulation of NPP and NEE. Our study suggests that the coupled soil erosion process and parameterization can effectively improve the performance of IBIS in arid regions. These results need to be considered in future Earth system models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evidence shows that risk-based strategy could be implemented to avoid unnecessary harm in mammography screening for breast cancer (BC) using age-only criterium. Our study aimed at identifying the uptake of Slovenian women to the BC risk assessment invitation and assessing the number of screening mammographies in case of risk-based screening.

Il terzo giorno di ciclo di conferenze, dal titolo The Ibis Trilogy, si apre con una prima sessione in cui Amitav Ghosh approfondisce da un punto di vista storico, geografico e artistico le relazioni commerciali tra l’Occidente e la Cina in un periodo compreso tra il XVIII secolo e XIX secolo. Amitav Ghosh ricostruisce attraverso una vera e propria lezione di storia, con l’aiuto di dipinti e fotografie, quelli che sono i grandi eventi che fanno da sfondo ai tre romanzi della trilogia Ibis: Sea of Poppies (2008), River of Smoke (2011), Flood of Fire (2015).

Background: The high incidence of breast cancer in women and the increasing incidence are of vital importance. Objective: The research was conducted in methodological design with the aim of developing a valid and reliable model f or assessing the risk of breast cancer among women. Methods: The research was conducted in methodological design with the aim of developing a valid and reliable model for assessing the risk of breast cancer among women. The sample of the study consisted of 800 individuals, 271 of whom had breast cancer, 270 of them was at risk of breast cancer, and 259 of them were healthy, who applied to. A chi-square analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between categorical variables and breast cancer. Logistic regression with LASSO editing with 10-fold cross-validation was used in the built models. Results: Socio-demographic characteristics, hormonal characteristics, and family cancer history were found to be significant in the breast cancer group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). The total mean score of the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale was found to be significantly lower in the breast cancer group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The calculation score of the risk of breast cancer of the Gail and IBIS models was found to be low. The model developed was found to be more powerful in determining the risk of breast cancer compared to the Gail and IBIS models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing nesting metrics in large waterbird breeding rookeries is challenging due to their size and accessibility. Drones offer a promising solution, but their comparability with ground surveys remains debated. In our study, we directly compared ground and drone data collected simultaneously over the same breeding areas. Drones excel in accessing remote terrain, enhancing coverage, mapping colony extent and reducing sampling bias. However, flying at the low altitudes required to capture young chicks in nests within densely populated rookeries poses challenges, often requiring observer presence and diminishing the distance advantage. Drones enable rapid data collection and facilitate accurate ibis chick counts, particularly at the “runner” stage when chicks are very mobile, and our surveys found significant differences in the counts between drone and ground surveys at this nesting stage. Ground surveys, on the other hand, provide valuable contextual observations, including water variables and sensory cues concerning the health of the colony. Both methods offer unique insights, with drones providing high-resolution aerial data and ground surveys complementing with human observations. Integrating both methods is ideal for comprehensive waterbird monitoring and conservation.

Anthropogenic activities and the resulting climate change affect the type, structure, and function of ecosystems. Understanding vegetation dynamics related to anthropogenic activities and climate change is critical to address the terrestrial carbon cycle in the context of global warming. The objective of this study is to quantify the effects of human-induced land use and land cover change (LUCC) and LUCC-induced climate change on terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP) in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) during 2000–2020 using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS) model through different experimental scenarios. Results indicated that LUCC can cause an increase in NPP of 1.2 ± 0.67 gC m−2 yr−1 in YRB. The increased precipitation and decreased temperature due to LUCC showed weak negative effect on annual mean NPP in YRB (−0.2 ± 0.74 gC m−2 yr−1). The coupling of LUCC and LUCC-induced climate change increased annual mean NPP approximately 0.6 ± 0.86 gC m−2 yr−1. The impacts of LUCC and LUCC-induced climate change and their coupling effects on NPP were greatest in spring, increasing NPP by 5.1 ± 0.51, 3.4 ± 0.41, and 6.1 ± 0.79 gC m−2 yr−1, respectively. These findings provide important guidance for the sustainable and adaptive management of terrestrial ecosystems in river basin in the context of global change. • Effects of LUCC and its associated climate change on NPP in YRB were quantified. • LUCC and its associated climate can boost and decline NPP in YRB, respectively. • The coupling of LUCC and its associated climate change can enhance NPP in YRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a key factor in soil quality degradation and carbon balance in arid ecosystems. However, many models ignore the soil erosion process in arid regions, which may lead to limits in our understanding of ecosystem processes in arid regions. In this study, we added the soil erosion process according to field observed data of soil hydrothermal regimes and carbon flux. We validated this coupling version of IBIS (Integrated Biosphere Simulator) and RUSLE (RU–IBIS) by examining four different vegetation types and the carbon budget in the arid region on the Loess Plateau (LP). Our results indicated that the coupling model (RU–IBIS) produced more reliable simulations of the soil water content (with the r from 0.23–0.90 to 0.71–0.97) and evaporation (ET) (the average r was 0.76) and significantly improved the simulation of the leaf area index (LAI) (the average r was 0.95) and net primary production (NPP) (the average r was 0.95). We also conducted sensitivity experiments to determine how soil texture and aerodynamic roughness (Z0m) affect the soil water content. Moreover, it was revealed that specific leaf area (SLA) plays a key role in the simulation of NPP and NEE. Our study suggests that the coupled soil erosion process and parameterization can effectively improve the performance of IBIS in arid regions. These results need to be considered in future Earth system models.

Islamic banking products have become very popular since the last two decades and drag the attention of world economic system due to its uniqueness as compare to conventional banks, and trusted as a solution for the economic crisis. However, the issue of liquidity risk management is very sensitive in the banking system to satisfy the need of asset and liability sides, particularly in Pakistan, as some other countries have some special products for the same. Although, Islamic banking industry has introduced some product for inter-bank liquidity management, but asset side product are not sufficient to fulfil the liquidity need of current market. We need a particular Shariah compliant product that can overcome this issue. To justify the situation, we can offer concept of Tawarruq (Monetization),whereby the Islamic bank purchase some specific assets from a Supplier, and sell it to the customer on differed basis, and subsequently, the customer will sell the same to a third party to avail liquidity. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the issue of liquidity management, and to analyze that how can we resolve the problem, along with the comparative study of Islamic banking system in Pakistan and Malaysia in context of offering financial services to mitigate the issue of liquidity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm (BOADICEA) and the Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk prediction models are commonly used in clinical practice and have recently been extended to include polygenic risk scores (PRS). In addition, BOADICEA has also been extended to include reproductive and lifestyle factors, which were already part of Tyrer-Cuzick model. We conducted a comparative prospective validation of these models after incorporating the recently developed 313-variant PRS. Methods Calibration and discrimination of 5-year absolute risk was assessed in a nested case-control sample of 1337 women of European ancestry (619 incident breast cancer cases) aged 23–75 years from the Generations Study. Results The extended BOADICEA model with reproductive/lifestyle factors and PRS was well calibrated across risk deciles; expected-to-observed ratio (E/O) at the highest risk decile :0.97 (95 % CI 0.51 − 1.86) for women younger than 50 years and 1.09 (0.66 − 1.80) for women 50 years or older. Adding reproductive/lifestyle factors and PRS to the BOADICEA model improved discrimination modestly in younger women (area under the curve (AUC) 69.7 % vs. 69.1%) and substantially in older women (AUC 64.6 % vs. 56.8%). The Tyrer-Cuzick model with PRS showed evidence of overestimation at the highest risk decile: E/O = 1.54(0.81 − 2.92) for younger and 1.73 (1.03 − 2.90) for older women. Conclusion The extended BOADICEA model identified women in a European-ancestry population at elevated breast cancer risk more accurately than the Tyrer-Cuzick model with PRS. With the increasing availability of PRS, these analyses can inform choice of risk models incorporating PRS for risk stratified breast cancer prevention among women of European ancestry.

Background: China has committed to achieving peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060; therefore, accelerated efforts are needed to better understand carbon accounting in industry and energy fields as well as terrestrial ecosystems. The carbon sink capacity of plantation forests contributes to the mitigation of climate change. Plantation forests throughout the world are intensively managed, and there is an urgent need to evaluate the effects of such management on long-term carbon dynamics. Methods: We assessed the carbon cycling patterns of ecosystems characterized by three typical plantation species (Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.), oak (Cyclobalanopsis glauca (Thunb.) Oerst.), and pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.)) in Lishui, southern China, by using an integrated biosphere simulator (IBIS) tuned with localized parameters. Then, we used the state-and-transition simulation model (STSM) to study the effects of active forest management (AFM) on carbon storage by combining forest disturbance history and carbon cycle regimes. Results: 1) The carbon stock of the oak plantation was lower at an early age (<50 years) but higher at an advanced age (>50 years) than that of the Chinese fir and pine plantations. 2) The carbon densities of the pine and Chinese fir plantations peaked at 70 years (223.36 Mg⋅ha‒1 ) and 64 years (232.04 Mg⋅ha‒1 ), respectively, while the carbon density in the oak plantation continued increasing (>100 years). 3) From 1989 to 2019, the total carbon pools of the three plantation ecosystems followed an upward trend (an annual increase of 0.16–0.22 Tg C), with the largest proportional increase in the aboveground biomass carbon pool. 4) AFM increased the recovery of carbon storage after 1996 and 2009 in the pine and Chinese fir plantations, respectively, but did not result in higher growth in the oak plantation. 5) The proposed harvest planning is reasonable and conducive to maximizing the carbon sequestration capacity of the forest. Conclusions: This study provides an example of a carbon cycle coupling model that is potentially suitable for simulating China's plantation forest ecosystems and supporting carbon accounting to monitor peak CO2 emissions and reach carbon neutrality [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVM) are powerful tools for studying complicated ecosystem processes and global changes. This review article synthesizes the developments and applications of the Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS), a DGVM, over the past two decades. IBIS has been used to evaluate carbon, nitrogen, and water cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, vegetation changes, land-atmosphere interactions, land-aquatic system integration, and climate change impacts. Here we summarize model development work since IBIS v2.5, covering hydrology (evapotranspiration, groundwater, lateral routing), vegetation dynamics (plant functional type, land cover change), plant physiology (phenology, photosynthesis, carbon allocation, growth), biogeochemistry (soil carbon and nitrogen processes, greenhouse gas emissions), impacts of natural disturbances (drought, insect damage, fire) and human induced land use changes, and computational improvements. We also summarize IBIS model applications around the world in evaluating ecosystem productivity, carbon and water budgets, water use efficiency, natural disturbance effects, and impacts of climate change and land use change on the carbon cycle. Based on this review, visions of future cross-scale, cross-landscape and cross-system model development and applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pelvic bone and the proximal epyphisis of the femur bone are the main supporting components of the hip joint, and this is the leading link of the free pelvic limb ,which gives it considerable mobility, determines its position in static and locomotion .In the evolution process, these components acquire the value of a kind of central shock absorber against shocks, which gets the mowing limb .On the basis of comparative anatomical analysis, the pecularities of skeletal elements of the pelvic bone and the proximal femoral epyphisis of some storks are presented, as the main elements of the pelvic limb as a whole. It was determined, that ghe morpho-metric features of the skeletal elements of the studied birds caused by specific bipedalism, which is based of position of the axis of the body relatively to the pelvic limbs and maintain the body between two limbs. It was determined that the investigated structural elements are differ in shape and size. Also, it was determined, that among the investigated storcks the shortest femur in relation to the total length of the limb of the white heron is 12.1 ± 0.2. The longest femur relatively to the total length of the limb of the mower is 35.3 ± 0.5. These indicates that the short femur is characteristic for birds that are maximally adapted to water locomotion and most likely it is caused by the need go press the pelvic limb tighthly to the trunk in the thigh area in the process of swimming. The longer femur provides more distal fixation points for the deep femur, cranial iliac and caudal muscles while increasing their flexural and extensory function with respect to the thigh. Among the studied Ciconiiformes, the index of the smallest pelvic length to its width ranges from 31.2 to 68.0 %. This indacates that more wider is pelvis, more larger eggs can lay a female of this species

The main purpose of this paper is to present the variable and diverse Ovid's attitude towards Muses in his works from exile (Tristia, Epistulae ex Ponto and Ibis). The poet seeks in these goddesses both the comfort and the cause of his exile, identifies them with his poetry frequently, as their faithful servant feels deceived but also hopes that Muses can ease the anger of Augustus. The article is an attempt to analyze this complex relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School-wide positive behavior support (SWPBIS) is a well-evaluated school approach to promoting a positive school climate and decreasing problem behaviors. Initial implementation is one of the most critical stages of program implementation. In this qualitative study, the initial implementation of SWPBIS in Swedish schools was studied using an implementation model of behavior change as guidance for interviews and analyses. The study makes significant contributions to previous research as little is known of the implementation of SWPBIS in Swedish context. Focus-group interviews were conducted with 59 professionals on implementation teams from nine schools. Themes were extracted according to implementation team members' perceptions and descriptions of how the initial implementation was carried out. The results of this study revealed relevant themes within the three domains of Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation. Core features were found under the themes of knowledge and experience of similar evidence-based programs, process or result orientation, time, manual content, organizational prerequisites, team functioning, implementation leadership, program as a unifying factor, program aligning with staff beliefs, plausible expectations, and emotional reinforcement. Results are discussed in terms of how they can be used in continuing to develop the Swedish model of SWPBIS. Implications regarding implementation in Swedish schools are discussed, as is the applicability of the model of behavior change for studying implementation in schools.

Background: The Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm (BOADICEA) and the Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk prediction models are commonly used in clinical practice and have recently been extended to include polygenic risk scores (PRS). In addition, BOADICEA has also been extended to include reproductive and lifestyle factors, which were already part of Tyrer-Cuzick model. We conducted a comparative prospective validation of these models after incorporating the recently developed 313-variant PRS.Methods: Calibration and discrimination of 5-year absolute risk was assessed in a nested case-control sample of 1337 women of European ancestry (619 incident breast cancer cases) aged 23-75 years from the Generations Study.Results: The extended BOADICEA model with reproductive/lifestyle factors and PRS was well calibrated across risk deciles; expected-to-observed ratio (E/O) at the highest risk decile :0.97 (95 % CI 0.51 - 1.86) for women younger than 50 years and 1.09 (0.66 - 1.80) for women 50 years or older. Adding reproductive/lifestyle factors and PRS to the BOADICEA model improved discrimination modestly in younger women (area under the curve (AUC) 69.7 % vs. 69.1%) and substantially in older women (AUC 64.6 % vs. 56.8%). The Tyrer-Cuzick model with PRS showed evidence of overestimation at the highest risk decile: E/O = 1.54(0.81 - 2.92) for younger and 1.73 (1.03 - 2.90) for older women.Conclusion: The extended BOADICEA model identified women in a European-ancestry population at elevated breast cancer risk more accurately than the Tyrer-Cuzick model with PRS. With the increasing availability of PRS, these analyses can inform choice of risk models incorporating PRS for risk stratified breast cancer prevention among women of European ancestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School-wide positive behavior support (SWPBIS) is a well-evaluated school approach to promoting a positive school climate and decreasing problem behaviors. Initial implementation is one of the most critical stages of program implementation. In this qualitative study, the initial implementation of SWPBIS in Swedish schools was studied using an implementation model of behavior change as guidance for interviews and analyses. The study makes significant contributions to previous research as little is known of the implementation of SWPBIS in Swedish context. Focus-group interviews were conducted with 59 professionals on implementation teams from nine schools. Themes were extracted according to implementation team members' perceptions and descriptions of how the initial implementation was carried out. The results of this study revealed relevant themes within the three domains of Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation. Core features were found under the themes of knowledge and experience of similar evidence-based programs, process or result orientation, time, manual content, organizational prerequisites, team functioning, implementation leadership, program as a unifying factor, program aligning with staff beliefs, plausible expectations, and emotional reinforcement. Results are discussed in terms of how they can be used in continuing to develop the Swedish model of SWPBIS. Implications regarding implementation in Swedish schools are discussed, as is the applicability of the model of behavior change for studying implementation in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Egyptian god Thoth is best known as a god of writing and wisdom, a lunar deity, and vizier of the gods, but was also a cosmic deity, creator god, and warrior. Being one of the oldest deities of the Egyptian pantheon, he is attested in many sources from the earliest periods of Egyptian history up to the Roman Period. The etymology of his name remains unexplained, possibly due to the name’s antiquity. Perhaps it is his age as a divine figure that led to a rather confusing mythology with a series of contradicting traditions concerning his descent and his reputation as a benevolent versus atrocious or mistrusted deity. Under the influence of Hellenism, he transformed into Hermes Trismegistos in Roman times and lived on as such well into the European renaissance.

The Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis builds numerous nests in some trees but avoids others, suggesting that particular attributes of trees are selected for. In this study we test the hypothesis that the number of primary stems rising from the trunk correlates positively with the number of active nests in this colonial nesting species. Within an area of 61 km2 of pastures in southern Chile, in 2017 we selected 96 isolated trees. For each tree we examined nest presence and breeding status. Of the total number of trees examined, 38 had active nests. The active nests were built solely in Patagonian Oak Nothofagus obliqua and Chilean Laurel Laurelia sempervirens. The nests were mainly located on branches of the primary stems, at an average height of 13.87 ± 0.62 m (±SE; range: 2–27 m). The average number of active nests per tree was 0.82 ± 1.13 (range: 1–4 nests) and did not vary significantly between the two tree species. However, average nest height was significantly greater in the Patagonian Oak than in the Chilean Laurel. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SWM) indicated that tree structure, determined by tree age and canopy height, canopy cover and concealment, contributed to explaining the number of active nests in the trees. There was no relation between the number of primary stems and the number of active nests. We conclude that the Black-faced Ibis responded to the general tree architecture when nest building and that, probably, the presence of an active nest in a given tree constitutes key intraspecific information that induces other individuals of the population to build their nests in the same tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: bushfires; cities; climate change; communication design; ecological literacy; edges; ibis; literacy; more-than-human; plants; sustainable development goals EN bushfires cities climate change communication design ecological literacy edges ibis literacy more-than-human plants sustainable development goals 323 330 8 07/24/20 20200801 NES 200801 It is January 2020. Recombinant Ecologies as a concept builds on the urban ecology term "recombinant ecosystem" that speaks to the disturbance of "natural" ecosystems by humans. For instance, the spontaneous recombinant association of weedy plants on the edge of a pavement can form a micro-wasteland, or a deliberate recombinant ecosystem can be designed in the restoration project of a heritage landscape garden. In our own article, 'The not-yet tropical: mapping recombinant ecologies in a Sydney suburb', we write about a plant-led visual communication project by our research studio, Mapping Edges. [Extracted from the article]

The Australian White Ibis (Ibis) (Threskiornis molucca) is one of three endemic Ibis species in Australia. In a short time frame beginning in the 1970s, this species has moved from inland waterways to urban centres along the eastern and southeastern seaboards, Darwin and the Western Australian southwest. Today Ibis are at home in cities across the country, where they thrive on the food waste, water resources and nesting sites supplied by humans. In this article, the authors focus on Sydney to argue that the physical and cultural inroads of Ibis, and the birds' urban homeliness, are resignifying urban surfaces and the multispecies ecologies in which contemporary Australians operate. They explore how the very physical and sensory presence of Ibis disrupts the assumptions of many urban Australians, and visitors from overseas, that cities are human-centric or human-dominant, non-hybrid assemblages. They also introduce to this discussion of disrupted human expectations a cultural parallel, namely, the recent rise of Ibis in popular culture as an icon-in-the-making of the nation and as a totem of the modern Australian city itself. This trend exemplifies an avian-led revisualization of urban spaces, and is notable for its visual appeals to Ibis kitsch, and to working class or 'bogan' sensibilities that assert their place alongside cosmopolitan visions of being Australian. Sometimes kitsch Ibis imagery erupts across the urban landscape, as occurs with many Ibis murals. At other times it infiltrates daily life on clothing, on football club, university and business logos, as tattoos on people's skin, and as words in daily idiom, confirmed by terms such as 'picnic pirates', 'tip turkeys' and 'bin chickens'. The article uses a visual vignette methodology to chart Ibis moves into Sydney and the realms of representation alike, and thus to reveal how new zoöpolitical entanglements are being made in the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pelvic bone and the proximal epyphisis of the femur bone are the main supporting components of the hip joint, and this is the leading link of the free pelvic limb, which gives it considerable mobility, determines its posi􀆟on in sta􀆟c and locomo􀆟on. In the evolu􀆟on process, these components acquire the value of a kind of central shock absorber against shocks, which gets the mowing limb. On the basis of compara􀆟ve anatomical analysis, the peculari􀆟es of skeletal elements of the pelvic bone and the proximal femoral epyphisis of some storks are presented, as the main elements of the pelvic limb as a whole. It was determined, that ghe morpho-metric features of the skeletal elements of the studied birds caused by specific bipedalism, which is based of posi􀆟on of the axis of the body rela􀆟vely to the pelvic limbs and maintain the body between two limbs. It was determined that the inves􀆟gated structural elements are differ in shape and size. Also, it was determined, that among the inves􀆟gated storcks the shortest femur in rela􀆟on to the total length of the limb of the white heron is 12.1 ± 0.2. The longest femur rela􀆟vely to the total length of the limb of the mower is 35.3 ± 0.5. These indicates that the short femur is characteris􀆟c for birds that are maximally adapted to water locomo􀆟on and most likely it is caused by the need go press the pelvic limb 􀆟ghthly to the trunk in the thigh area in the process of swimming. The longer femur provides more distal fixa􀆟on points for the deep femur, cranial iliac and caudal muscles while increasing their flexural and extensory func􀆟on with respect to the thigh. Among the studied Ciconiiformes, the index of the smallest pelvic length to its width ranges from 31.2 to 68.0 %. This indacates that more wider is pelvis, more larger eggs can lay a female of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a neural-network based nonlinear behavioral modelling of I/O buffer that accounts for timing distortion introduced by nonlinear switching behavior of the predriver electrical circuit under power and ground supply voltage (PGSV) variations. Model structure and I/O device characterization along with extraction procedure were described. The last stage of the I/O buffer is modelled as nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance voltage (C-V) functions capturing the nonlinear dynamic impedances of the pull-up and pull-down transistors. The mathematical model structure of the predriver was derived from the analysis of the large-signal electrical circuit switching behavior. Accordingly, a generic and surrogate multilayer neural network (NN) structure was considered in this work. Timing series data which reflects the nonlinear switching behavior of the multistage predriver’s circuit PGSV variations, were used to train the NN model. The proposed model was implemented in the time-domain solver and validated against the reference transistor level (TL) model and the state-of-the-art input-output buffer information specification (IBIS) behavioral model under different scenarios. The analysis of jitter was performed using the eye diagrams plotted at different metrics values.

Few studies have focused on the combined impact of climate change, CO2, and land-use cover change (LUCC), especially the evaluation of the impact of LUCC on net primary productivity (NPP) in the future. In this study, we simulated the overall NPP change trend from 2010 to 2100 and its response to climatic factors, CO2 concentration, and LUCC conditions under three typical emission scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathway RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5). (1) Under the predicted global pattern, NPP showed an increasing trend, with the most prominent variation at the end of the century. The increasing trend is mainly caused by the positive effect of CO2 on NPP. However, the increasing trend of LUCC has only a small positive effect. (2) Under the RCP 8.5 scenario, from 2090 to 2100, CO2 has the most significant positive impact on tropical areas, reaching 8.328 Pg C Yr−1. Under the same conditions, climate change has the greatest positive impact on the northern high latitudes (1.175 Pg C Yr−1), but it has the greatest negative impact on tropical areas, reaching −4.842 Pg C Yr−1. (3) The average contribution rate of LUCC to NPP was 6.14%. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, LUCC made the largest positive contribution on NPP (0.542 Pg C Yr−1) globally from 2010 to 2020.

Background: Despite precautions, surgical procedures carry risk of infection. Radiation-protective lead aprons worn by operating personnel are a potential source of bacterial contamination and have not been fully evaluated. Aim/objective: To evaluate lead aprons as a source of bacterial contamination, identify organisms most commonly found on this source, and devise a method with which to lower the risk of contamination. Methods: In this basic science study, 20 randomly selected lead X-ray aprons were swabbed at three time points. The experimental treatment was with a hospital-grade disinfectant wipe. The samples were assessed for bacterial growth via traditional plating methods and mass spectrometry. Plates were graded on a scale of 0 to 4+ based on the number of quadrants with growth. Growth on one quadrant or more was considered contaminated. Findings/results: Bacteria were initially detected via IBIS on a majority of the aprons (32/40), most commonly Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. Virulent organisms cultured were Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), Neisseria, Streptococcus viridans and pseudomonas. MRSE were detected on 5/20 of the samples. Immediately after treatment, the majority of aprons showed less bacterial contamination (0/20 standard culture positive; 13/20 IBIS positive) with some recurrence at the 6-h time point (2/20 standard culture positive, 16/20 IBIS positive). All MRSE detected initially was eradicated. Discussion: Lead X-ray aprons worn in the operating room harbour bacteria. Disinfecting before use may prevent the introduction of virulent organisms to patients. Our proposed method of sanitising with a disinfectant wipe is quick and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of climate in Pakistan is certain and its impact assessment is essential for the evaluation of irrigation system. In this study, impact of climate change on groundwater, root zone salinity and eventually on water productivity was assessed. Climate change data were assessed using the Hadley Climate model version 3 (HadCM3) and statistical downscaling was performed using statistical downscaling (SDSM) model. Further, bias correction was applied for the enhancement of SDSM results. Soil Water Atmosphere Plant (SWAP) model was used for the analysis of groundwater recharge, root zone salinity and water productivity under changing climate. Soil moisture and root zone salinity data were collected from the field for the performance of the calibration and validation. Automatic calibration was performed by integrating the SWAP with PEST. Water productivity analysis was performed for base period (1980-2010) and midcentury (2040-2069) under A2 and B2 climate change scenarios. Results shows that the groundwater depletion was less under the A2 and B2 scenario during the midcentury as compared to base period. Average annual groundwater depletion variation reveals 142 mm to 143 mm during base period and 121 mm to 124 mm under A2 and 117 mm to 120 mm under B2 scenario, respectively. While, average annual root zone salt accumulation was found 28 mgcm-3 to 21 mgcm-3 during base period and 26 mgcm-3 to 19 mgcm-3 under A2 and 27 mgcm-3 to 21 mgcm-3 under B2 scenario. Similarly, average annual water productivity was found 3.9 kgm-3 to 4 kgm-3 during base period, 3.4 kgm-3 to 3.6 kgm-3 under A2 and 3.2 kgm-3 to 3.4 kgm-3 under B2 scenario. Study reveals that the climate change has positive impact on the groundwater recharge and root zone salt accumulation. The results related with water productivity, salt mass accumulation and groundwater variations under changing climate suggest that sugarcane will be profitable business in future and environment will be sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This technical note is an update on a continuing study, first designed and initiated by Brundage et al. over twenty years ago , which seeks to test the community of forensic firearms examiners' ability to associate fired bullets with the barrels through which they passed. To date, 697 participants have utilized over 240 test sets consisting of bullets fired through 10 consecutively rifled RUGER P‐85 pistol barrels. Here, we report on the results of the ongoing "10‐barrel test" up until the point in time of writing this manuscript. To analyze the totality of data thus far collected, a Bayesian approach was selected. Posterior average examiner error rates are assigned assuming only vague prior information. Given the data found over the course of this diverse decades‐long study, our most conservative value for average examiner error rate has a posterior mean of 0.053% with a 95% probability interval of [1.1 × 10−5%, 0.16%]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of millions of artificially mummified animals by the ancient Egyptians is an extraordinary expression of religious piety. Millions of creatures of numerous species were preserved, wrapped in linen and deposited as votive offerings; a means by which the Egyptians communicated with their gods. The treatment of animals in this manner resulted in a wealth of material culture; the excavation and distribution of which formed a widely dispersed collection of artefacts in museum and private collections around the world. Due to ad hoc collection methods and the poorly recorded distribution of animal mummies, many artefacts have unknown or uncertain provenance. Researchers at the University of Manchester identified a group of eight mummies positively attributed to the 1913–1914 excavation season at Abydos, now held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts. This paper presents the investigation of this discreet group of provenanced mummies through stylistic evaluation of the exterior, and the assessment of the contents and construction techniques employed using clinical radiography. Dating of one mummy places the artefact—and likely that of the whole assemblage—within the Late Period (c.664–332BC). Considering these data enables the mummies to be interpreted as the Egyptians intended; as votive artefacts produced within the sacred landscape at Abydos.

This paper focuses on the scope of conjunctive management in the Lower Indus part of the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS), and the contribution this could make towards food security and socio-economic development. The total Gross Command Area (GCA) of the Lower Indus is 5.92 Mha, with a cultivable command area (CCA) of 5.43 Mha, most of which is in Sindh Province. There is a limited use of groundwater in Sindh (about 4.3 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM)) for two reasons: first, there is a large area where groundwater is saline; and second, there is a high surface irrigation supply to most of the canal commands, e.g., average annual supply to rice command is 1723 mm, close to the annual reference crop evapotranspiration for the area, while there is an additional annual rainfall of about 200 mm. These high irrigation allocations, even in areas where groundwater is fresh, create strong disincentives for farmers to use groundwater. Consequently, areas are waterlogged to the extent of 50% and 70% before and after the monsoon, respectively, which contributes to surface salinity through capillary rise. In Sindh, about 74%–80% of the available groundwater recharge is lost in the form of non-beneficial evaporation. This gives rise to low cropping intensities and yields compared to fresh groundwater areas elsewhere in the IBIS. The drought of 1999–2002 has demonstrated a reduction in waterlogging without any corresponding reduction in crop yields. Therefore, in order to efficiently meet current water requirements of all the sectors, i.e., agriculture, domestic and industrial, an ab initio level of water reallocation and efficient water management, with consideration to groundwater quality and its safe yield, in various areas are recommended. This might systematically reduce the waterlogged areas, support greater cropping intensity than is currently being practiced, and free up water for horizontal expansion, such as in the Thar Desert.

Increased land-use intensity (e.g. clearing of forests for cultivation, urbanization), often results in the loss of ecosystem carbon storage, while changes in productivity resulting from climate change may either help offset or exacerbate losses. However, there are large uncertainties in how land and climate systems will evolve and interact to shape future ecosystem carbon dynamics. To address this we developed the Land Use and Carbon Scenario Simulator (LUCAS) to track changes in land use, land cover, land management, and disturbance, and their impact on ecosystem carbon storage and flux within a scenario-based framework. We have combined a state-and-transition simulation model (STSM) of land change with a stock and flow model of carbon dynamics. Land-change projections downscaled from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) were used to drive changes within the STSM, while the Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS) ecosystem model was used to derive input parameters for the carbon stock and flow model. The model was applied to the Sierra Nevada Mountains ecoregion in California, USA, a region prone to large wildfires and a forestry sector projected to intensify over the next century. Three scenario simulations were conducted, including a calibration scenario, a climate-change scenario, and an integrated climate- and land-change scenario. Based on results from the calibration scenario, the LUCAS age-structured carbon accounting model was able to accurately reproduce results obtained from the process-based biogeochemical model. Under the climate-only scenario, the ecoregion was projected to be a reliable net sink of carbon, however, when land use and disturbance were introduced, the ecoregion switched to become a net source. This research demonstrates how an integrated approach to carbon accounting can be used to evaluate various drivers of ecosystem carbon change in a robust, yet transparent modeling environment.

Amitav Ghosh's Sea of Poppies is about the world just before the start of the Opium Wars. It centres on the Ibis, an old slaving-ship travelling around and across the Indian Ocean. The dynasty is set to cross continents, races and even generations. The novel captures a wide range of countryside, right from the flourishing poppy fields of the Ganges to the crowded backstreets of China. The novels rich variety of the characters makes the book interesting and occupying. In short, it is a work of art truly. The present paper deals with the colonial complexity and the history presented in the novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]