scholarly journals A novel inference of the fundamental biodiversity number for multiple immigration-limited communities

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Champak Beeravolu Reddy ◽  
François Munoz ◽  
Pierre Couteron
Keyword(s):  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Parameter Inference ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ordination Techniques ◽  
Community Theory ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Field Plots ◽  
Permanent Field

Neutral community theory postulates a fundamental quantity, θ, which reflects the species diversity on a regional scale. While the recent genealogical formulation of community dynamics has considerably enhanced quantitative neutral ecology, its inferential aspects have remained computationally prohibitive. Here, we make use of a generalized version of the original two-level hierarchical framework in order to define a novel estimator for θ, which proves to be computationally efficient and robust when tested on a wide range of simulated neutral communities. Estimating θ from field data is also illustrated using two tropical forest datasets consisting of spatially separated permanent field plots. Preliminary results also reveal that our inferred regional diversity parameter based on community dynamics may be linked to widely used ordination techniques in ecology. This paper essentially paves the way for future work dealing with the parameter inference of neutral communities with respect to their spatial scale and structure.

scholarly journals A process-based metacommunity framework linking local and regional scale community ecology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick L. Thompson ◽  
Laura Melissa Guzman ◽  
Luc De Meester ◽  
Zsófia Horváth ◽  
Robert Ptacnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Community Ecology ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Data Accessibility ◽  
Species Sorting ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Underlying Processes

AbstractThe metacommunity concept has the potential to integrate local and regional dynamics within a general community ecology framework. To this end, the concept must move beyond the discrete archetypes that have largely defined it (e.g. neutral vs. species sorting) and better incorporate local scale species interactions and coexistence mechanisms. Here, we present a fundamental reconception of the framework that explicitly links local coexistence theory to the spatial processes inherent to metacommunity theory, allowing for a continuous range of competitive community dynamics. These dynamics emerge from the three underlying processes that shape ecological communities: 1) density-independent responses to abiotic conditions, 2) density-dependent biotic interactions, and 3) dispersal. Stochasticity is incorporated in the demographic realization of each of these processes. We formalize this framework using a simulation model that explores a wide range of competitive metacommunity dynamics by varying the strength of the underlying processes. Using this model and framework, we show how existing theories, including the traditional metacommunity archetypes, are linked by this common set of processes. We then use the model to generate new hypotheses about how the three processes combine to interactively shape diversity, functioning, and stability within metacommunities.Statement of authorshipThis project was conceived at the sTURN working group, of which all authors are members. PLT developed the framework and model with input from all authors. PLT wrote the model code. PLT and LMG performed the simulations. PLT produced the figures and wrote the first draft with input from LMG and JMC. All authors provided feedback and edits on several versions of the manuscript.Data accessibilityAll code for running the simulation model and producing the figures is archived on Zenodo - https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3833035.

Positive Emotion in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 297-311
Author(s):  
Ilana Seager ◽  
Douglas S. Mennin ◽  
Amelia Aldao
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Emotional Dysfunction ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Future Work

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a debilitating condition characterized by excessive, pervasive, uncontrollable, and paralyzing worries about a wide range of future situations. Individuals with this condition frequently find themselves stuck in worry and tension cycles in futile attempts at reducing uncertainty and increasing control. GAD has been associated with substantial impairments in functioning and reduced quality of life. GAD remains poorly understood, and the long-term efficacy and end-state functioning resulting from treatment are weaker compared to other anxiety disorders. Some treatments (e.g., emotion regulation therapy, acceptance-based behavioral therapy) have improved efficacy, partly by targeting emotional dysfunction. Basic psychopathology research has focused on identifying the role of negative affect in GAD, so little is known about how positive affect is experienced and regulated in this disorder. This is particularly important in light of the overlap of this condition with major depressive disorder, which is characterized by low or suppressed positive emotion. Developing such an understanding is essential to further improve the efficacy of emotion-based treatments. This chapter reviews current and future directions in the study of positive affect in GAD. The chapter reviews the nascent research on positive affect and GAD, then illustrates dimensions of future work.

Vibration Suppression of an Elastically Supported Beam With Closely Spaced Natural Frequencies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haizhou Liu ◽  
Hao Gao
Keyword(s):  
Natural Frequencies ◽  
Vibration Suppression ◽  
Fixed Point Theory ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Point Theory ◽  
Primary System ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Univariate Optimization ◽  
Elastically Supported

Abstract Vibration suppression of distributed parameter systems is of great interest and has a wide range of applications. The dynamic performance of a primary system can be improved by adding dynamic vibration absorbers (DVA). Although the relevant topics have been studied for decades, the trade-off between capability of suppressing multiple resonant peaks and complexity of absorbers has not been well addressed. In this paper, the vibration suppression problem of a uniform Euler-Bernoulli beam with closely spaced natural frequencies is investigated. To achieve desired vibration reduction, a two-DOF DVA is connected to the beam through a pair of a spring and a dashpot. By introducing a virtual ground spring, the parameters of the absorber are determined via extended fixed point theory. The proposed method only requires univariate optimization and is computationally efficient. Numerical examples conducted verify the viability of the proposed method and the effectiveness of a two-DOF DVA in suppressing double resonances.

scholarly journals New Talent Signals: Shiny New Objects or a Brave New World?

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic ◽  
Dave Winsborough ◽  
Ryne A. Sherman ◽  
Robert Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
New World ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Brave New World ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Workplace Assessment

Almost 20 years after McKinsey introduced the idea of a war for talent, technology is disrupting the talent identification industry. From smartphone profiling apps to workplace big data, the digital revolution has produced a wide range of new tools for making quick and cheap inferences about human potential and predicting future work performance. However, academic industrial–organizational (I-O) psychologists appear to be mostly spectators. Indeed, there is little scientific research on innovative assessment methods, leaving human resources (HR) practitioners with no credible evidence to evaluate the utility of such tools. To this end, this article provides an overview of new talent identification tools, using traditional workplace assessment methods as the organizing framework for classifying and evaluating new tools, which are largely technologically enhanced versions of traditional methods. We highlight some opportunities and challenges for I-O psychology practitioners interested in exploring and improving these innovations.

scholarly journals Characterizing Longitudinal Changes in the Impedance Spectra of In-Vivo Peripheral Nerve Electrodes

Micromachines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Straka ◽  
Benjamin Shafer ◽  
Srikanth Vasudevan ◽  
Cristin Welle ◽  
Loren Rieth
Keyword(s):  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Iridium Oxide ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Impedance Spectra ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tissue Interface ◽  
Computationally Efficient Algorithms ◽  
Physical Changes

Characterizing the aging processes of electrodes in vivo is essential in order to elucidate the changes of the electrode–tissue interface and the device. However, commonly used impedance measurements at 1 kHz are insufficient for determining electrode viability, with measurements being prone to false positives. We implanted cohorts of five iridium oxide (IrOx) and six platinum (Pt) Utah arrays into the sciatic nerve of rats, and collected the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) up to 12 weeks or until array failure. We developed a method to classify the shapes of the magnitude and phase spectra, and correlated the classifications to circuit models and electrochemical processes at the interface likely responsible. We found categories of EIS characteristic of iridium oxide tip metallization, platinum tip metallization, tip metal degradation, encapsulation degradation, and wire breakage in the lead. We also fitted the impedance spectra as features to a fine-Gaussian support vector machine (SVM) algorithm for both IrOx and Pt tipped arrays, with a prediction accuracy for categories of 95% and 99%, respectively. Together, this suggests that these simple and computationally efficient algorithms are sufficient to explain the majority of variance across a wide range of EIS data describing Utah arrays. These categories were assessed over time, providing insights into the degradation and failure mechanisms for both the electrode–tissue interface and wire bundle. Methods developed in this study will allow for a better understanding of how EIS can characterize the physical changes to electrodes in vivo.

scholarly journals Abundance and Sources of Atmospheric Halocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Schoenenberger ◽  
Stephan Henne ◽  
Matthias Hill ◽  
Martin K. Vollmer ◽  
Giorgos Kouvarakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Inversion Domain ◽  
Hfc 134A ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Hfc 152A

Abstract. A wide range of anthropogenic halocarbons is released to the atmosphere, contributing to stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming. Using measurements of atmospheric abundances for the estimation of halocarbon emissions on the global and regional scale has become an important top-down tool for emission validation in the recent past, but many populated and developing areas of the world are only poorly covered by the existing atmospheric halocarbon measurement network. Here we present six months of continuous halocarbon observations from Finokalia on the island of Crete in the Eastern Mediterranean. The gases measured are the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), HFC-134a (CH2FCF3), HFC-125 (CHF2CF3), HFC-152a (CH3CHF2) and HFC-143a (CH3CF3), and the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), HCFC-22 (CHClF2) and HCFC-142b (CH3CClF2). The Eastern Mediterranean is home to 250 million inhabitants, consisting of a number of developed and developing countries, for which different emission regulations exist under the Kyoto and Montreal Protocols. Regional emissions of halocarbons were estimated with Lagrangian atmospheric transport simulations and a Bayesian inverse modelling system, using measurements at Finokalia in conjunction with those from Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) sites at Mace Head (Ireland), Jungfraujoch (Switzerland) and Monte Cimone (Italy). Measured peak mole fractions at Finokalia showed generally smaller amplitudes for HFCs than at the European AGAGE sites, except periodic peaks of HFC-152a, indicating strong upwind sources. Higher peak mole fractions were observed for HCFCs, suggesting continued emissions from nearby developing regions such as Egypt and the Middle East. For 2013, the Eastern Mediterranean inverse emission estimates for the four analysed HFCs and the two HCFCs were 14.7 (6.7–23.3) Tg CO2eq yr-1 and 9.7 (4.3–15.7) Tg CO2eq yr-1, respectively. These emissions contributed 17.3 % (7.9–27.4 %) and 53 % (23.5–86%) to the total inversion domain, which covers the Eastern Mediterranean as well as Central and Western Europe. Greek bottom-up HFC emissions reported to the UNFCCC were much smaller than our top-down estimates, whereas for Turkey our estimates agreed with UNFCCC-reported values for HFC-125 and HFC-143a, but were much and slightly smaller for HFC-134a and HFC-152a, respectively. Sensitivity estimates suggest an improvement of the a posteriori emission estimates, i.e. a reduction of the uncertainties by 40–80 %, compared to an inversion using only the existing Central European AGAGE observations.

scholarly journals Multilayer modelling of waves generated by explosive submarine volcanism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Hayward ◽  
Colin N. Whittaker ◽  
Emily M. Lane ◽  
William Power ◽  
Stéphane Popinet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Underwater Explosion ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Mono Lake ◽  
Tsunami Source ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
Submarine Volcanism ◽  
Wave Characteristics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Source Models

Abstract. Theoretical source models of underwater explosions are often applied in studying tsunami hazards associated with submarine volcanism; however, their use in numerical codes based on the shallow water equations can neglect the significant dispersion of the generated wavefield. A non-hydrostatic multilayer method is validated against a laboratory-scale experiment of wave generation from instantaneous disturbances and at field-scale submarine explosions at Mono Lake, California, utilising the relevant theoretical models. The numerical method accurately reproduces the range of observed wave characteristics for positive disturbances and suggests a previously unreported relationship of extended initial troughs for negative disturbances at low dispersivity and high nonlinearity parameters. Satisfactory amplitudes and phase velocities within the initial wave group are found using underwater explosion models at Mono Lake. The scheme is then applied to modelling tsunamis generated by volcanic explosions at Lake Taupō, New Zealand, for a magnitude range representing ejecta volumes between 0.04–0.4 km3. Waves reach all shores within 15 minutes with maximum incident crest amplitudes around 4 m at shores near the source. This work shows that the multilayer scheme used is computationally efficient and able to capture a wide range of wave characteristics, including dispersive effects, which is necessary when investigating submarine explosions. This research therefore provides the foundation for future studies involving a rigorous probabilistic hazard assessment to quantify the risks and relative significance of this tsunami source mechanism.

scholarly journals Тематическое исследование всемирного наследия Центральной Азии Primary tabs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hervé Lethier
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
Terrestrial Biodiversity

The World Heritage thematic study for Central Asia has been produced as a contribution to supporting the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Central Asia. It provides a response to a Decision of the World Heritage Committee in order to identify outstanding areas with potential for future nomination to the World Heritage List with primary focus on criteria (ix) and (x) at the regional scale. The approach applied in this study, focusing on criteria (ix) and (x), follows that from the 2013 study on terrestrial biodiversity and the World Heritage List. Criteria (ix) and (x) are clearly the primary ones for recognition of extant biodiversity values, and they have been applied to a wide range of biodiversity features, including ecosystems, species, and ecological and/or biological processes. Although this study is an initial assessment, most areas and sites recommended here have appeared repeatedly as being of particular interest for biodiversity conservation during the work process, whether through literature analysis or in discussions with experts and specialists. The recommendations reflect the current level of knowledge that should be strengthened in the future, to ensure that the identified areas and sites are well supported with the necessary data and empirical evidence to address the requirements of the Operational Guidelines.

scholarly journals Assessing the Sensitivity of Stall-Regulated Wind Turbine Power to Blade Design Using High-Fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea G. Sanvito ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
M. Sergio Campobasso
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Blade Design ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract This study provides a novel contribution toward the establishment of a new high-fidelity simulation-based design methodology for stall-regulated horizontal axis wind turbines. The aerodynamic design of these machines is complex, due to the difficulty of reliably predicting stall onset and poststall characteristics. Low-fidelity design methods, widely used in industry, are computationally efficient, but are often affected by significant uncertainty. Conversely, Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can reduce such uncertainty, resulting in lower development costs by reducing the need of field testing of designs not fit for purpose. Here, the compressible CFD research code COSA is used to assess the performance of two alternative designs of a 13-m stall-regulated rotor over a wide range of operating conditions. Validation of the numerical methodology is based on thorough comparisons of novel simulations and measured data of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) phase VI turbine rotor, and one of the two industrial rotor designs. An excellent agreement is found in all cases. All simulations of the two industrial rotors are time-dependent, to capture the unsteadiness associated with stall which occurs at most wind speeds. The two designs are cross-compared, with emphasis on the different stall patterns resulting from particular design choices. The key novelty of this work is the CFD-based assessment of the correlation among turbine power, blade aerodynamics, and blade design variables (airfoil geometry, blade planform, and twist) over most operational wind speeds.

scholarly journals Efficient approximations for stationary single-channel Ca2+ nanodomains across length scales

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Chen ◽  
C Muratov ◽  
V Matveev
Keyword(s):  
Parameter Space ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Asymptotic Series ◽  
Rational Functions ◽  
Great Accuracy ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Relevant Parameter ◽  
Buffer Concentration ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACTWe consider the stationary solution for the Ca2+ concentration near a point Ca2+ source describing a single-channel Ca2+ nanodomain, in the presence of a single mobile Ca2+ buffer with one-to-one Ca2+ binding. We present computationally efficient approximants that estimate stationary single-channel Ca2+ nanodomains with great accuracy in broad regions of parameter space. The presented approximants have a functional form that combines rational and exponential functions, which is similar to that of the well-known Excess Buffer Approximation and the linear approximation, but with parameters estimated using two novel (to our knowledge) methods. One of the methods involves interpolation between the short-range Taylor series of the buffer concentration and its long-range asymptotic series in inverse powers of distance from the channel. Although this method has already been used to find Padé (rational-function) approximants to single-channel Ca2+ and buffer concentration, extending this method to interpolants combining exponential and rational functions improves accuracy in a significant fraction of the relevant parameter space. A second method is based on the variational approach, and involves a global minimization of an appropriate functional with respect to parameters of the chosen approximations. Extensive parameter sensitivity analysis is presented, comparing these two methods with previously developed approximants. Apart from increased accuracy, the strength of these approximants is that they can be extended to more realistic buffers with multiple binding sites characterized by cooperative Ca2+ binding, such as calmodulin and calretinin.STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEMathematical and computational modeling plays an important role in the study of local Ca2+ signals underlying vesicle exocysosis, muscle contraction and other fundamental physiological processes. Closed-form approximations describing steady-state distribution of Ca2+ in the vicinity of an open Ca2+ channel have proved particularly useful for the qualitative modeling of local Ca2+ signals. We present simple and efficient approximants for the Ca2+ concentration in the presence of a mobile Ca2+ buffer, which achieve great accuracy over a wide range of model parameters. Such approximations provide an efficient method for estimating Ca2+ and buffer concentrations without resorting to numerical simulations, and allow to study the qualitative dependence of nanodomain Ca2+ distribution on the buffer’s Ca2+ binding properties and its diffusivity.

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