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To support the needs of practitioners regarding 3D geological modelling and uncertainty quantification in the field, in particular from the mining industry, we propose a Python package called loopUI-0.1 that provides a set of local and global indicators to measure uncertainty and features dissimilarities among an ensemble of voxet models. Results are presented of a survey launched among practitioners in the mineral industry, enquiring about their modelling and uncertainty quantification practice and needs. It reveals that practitioners acknowledge the importance of uncertainty quantification even if they do not perform it. A total of four main factors preventing practitioners performing uncertainty quantification were identified: a lack of data uncertainty quantification, (computing) time requirement to generate one model, poor tracking of assumptions and interpretations and relative complexity of uncertainty quantification. The paper reviews and proposes solutions to alleviate these issues. Elements of an answer to these problems are already provided in the special issue hosting this paper and more are expected to come.

To support the needs of practitioners regarding 3D geological modelling and uncertainty quantification in the field, in particular from the mining industry, we propose a Python package called loopUI-0.1 that provides a set of local and global indicators to measure uncertainty and features dissimilarities among an ensemble of voxet models. Results are presented of a survey launched among practitioners in the mineral industry, enquiring about their modelling and uncertainty quantification practice and needs. It reveals that practitioners acknowledge the importance of uncertainty quantification even if they do not perform it. Four main factors preventing practitioners to perform uncertainty quantification were identified: lack of data uncertainty quantification, (computing) time requirement to generate one model, poor tracking of assumptions and interpretations, relative complexity of uncertainty quantification. The paper reviews and proposes solutions to alleviate these issues. Elements of an answer to these problems are already provided in the special issue hosting this paper and more are expected to come.

Global trade has changed rapidly, and in some ways dramatically, since the Great Recession began in 2008. Two sometimes competing factors are at play: the slowdown in globalization due primarily to protectionist measures employed at the national level and the new international opportunities created by technology and regulatory environment reform. Both factors present unique benefits and challenges for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)1 engaging in or planning to engage in cross-border trade. Barriers to MSME cross-border trade remain high, with one of the highest being the lack of cross-border access to commercial justice for smaller participants. There is a decreased incentive for small businesses to engage in trade and global value chains, or to use arm’s length contracts in such cases, where there is little potential for resolving disputes through litigation, arbitration or mediation. One solution that is gaining significant attention in legal, business and technology circles is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), which is, in turn, driving legal harmonization that benefits MSMEs. This paper is a discussion of the evolution of a new generation of micro and small cross-border entrepreneurs, the growth of and rationale for improved access to commercial justice, the role the CISG should play in technology-assisted dispute resolution and, more generally, in establishing an environment conducive to MSME growth.

SUMMARY CRISPR-Cas systems provide bacteria and archaea with sequence-specific protection against invading mobile genetic elements. In the presence of divalent metal ions, Cas9 and Cas12a (formerly Cpf1) proteins target and cleave DNA that is complementary to a cognate guide RNA. The recognition of a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence in the target DNA by Cas9 and Cas12a is essential for cleavage. This RNA-guided DNA targeting is widely used for gene-editing methods. Here, we show that Francisella tularensis novicida (Fno) Cas12a, FnoCas9, and Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpyCas9) cleave DNA without a guide RNA in the presence of Mn2+ ions. Substrate requirements for the RNA-independent activity vary. FnoCas9 preferentially nicks double-stranded plasmid, SpyCas9 degrades single-stranded plasmid, and FnoCas12a cleaves both substrates. These observations suggest that the identities and levels of intracellular metals, along with the Cas9/Cas12a ortholog employed, could have significant impacts in genome editing applications, In Brief CRISPR-mediated gene editing involves DNA targeting using complementary guide RNAs (gRNAs). Sundaresan et al. find that Cas9/Cas12a orthologs cause RNA-independent, non-sequence-specific DNA cleavage in the presence of Mn2+ ions. These observations suggest that the type of Cas9/Cas12a and levels of intracellular metal ions may affect CRISPR-based genome editing.