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Scharf I, Hanna K, Gottlieb D. Experimental arena settings might lead to misinterpretation of movement properties. Insect Sci 2024; 31:271-284. [PMID: 37231528 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Movement is an important animal behavior contributing to reproduction and survival. Animal movement is often examined in arenas or enclosures under laboratory conditions. We used the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) to examine here the effect of the arena size, shape, number of barriers, access to the arena's center, and illumination on six movement properties. We demonstrate great differences among arenas. For example, the beetles moved over longer distances in clear arenas than in obstructed ones. Movement along the arena's perimeter was greater in smaller arenas than in larger ones. Movement was more directional in round arenas than in rectangular ones. In general, the beetles stopped moving closer to the perimeter and closer to corners (in the square and rectangular arenas) than expected by chance. In some cases, the arena properties interacted with the beetle sex to affect several movement properties. All these suggest that arena properties might also interact with experimental manipulations to affect the outcome of studies and lead to results specific to the arena used. In other words, instead of examining animal movement, we in fact examine the animal interaction with the arena structure. Caution is therefore advised in interpreting the results of studies on movement in arenas under laboratory conditions and we recommend paying attention also to barriers or obstacles in field experiments. For instance, movement along the arena's perimeter is often interpreted as centrophobism or thigmotaxis but the results here show that such movement is arena dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inon Scharf
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kimberley Hanna
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daphna Gottlieb
- Department of Food Science, Institute of Post-Harvest and Food Science, Volcani Center, ARO, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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2
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Ke CY, Sun R, Wei MX, Yuan XN, Sun WJ, Wang SC, Zhang QZ, Zhang XL. Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR): recent development and future perspectives. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2023:1-20. [PMID: 38057128 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2023.2270578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
After conventional oil recovery operations, more than half of the crude oil still remains in a form, which is difficult to extract. Therefore, exploring and developing new enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies have always been priority research in oilfield development. Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a promising tertiary oil recovery technology that has received widespread attention from the global oil industry in recent years due to its environmental friendliness, simplicity of operation, and cost-effectiveness. This review presents the: principle, characteristics, classification, recent development, and applications of MEOR technology. Based on hundreds of field trials conducted worldwide, the microbial strains, nutrient systems, and actual effects used in these technologies are summarized, with an emphasis on the achievements made in the development and application of MEOR in China in recent years. These technical classifications involve: microbial huff and puff recovery (MHPR), microbial flooding recovery (MFR), microbial selective plugging recovery (MSPR), and microbial wax removal and control (MWRC). Most of them have achieved good results, with a success rate of approximately 80%. These successful cases have accumulated into rich experiential indications for the popularization and application of MEOR technology, but there are still important yet uncertain factors that hinder the industrialization of this technology. Finally, based on the extensive research and development of MEOR by the authors, especially in both laboratory and industrial large scales, the main challenges and future perspectives of the industrial application for MEOR are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Yu Ke
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Sun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ming-Xia Wei
- Research Institute of Oil and Gas Technology of PetroChina, Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiu-Ni Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wu-Juan Sun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, China
| | - Si-Chang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qun-Zheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xun-Li Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, China
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3
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Ito S, Chiba S, Konuma J. Overcoming the congenitally disadvantageous mutation through adaptation to environmental UV exposure in land snails. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230356. [PMID: 37990565 PMCID: PMC10663782 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital fitness-disadvantageous mutations are not maintained in the population; they are purged from the population through processes such as purifying selection. However, these mutations could persist in the population as polymorphisms when it is advantageous for the individuals carrying them in adapting to a specific external environment. We tested this hypothesis using the dimorphic land snail Euhadra peliomphala simodae in Japan; these snails have dark or bright coloured shells. The survival rate of dark snails at hatching was lower than that of the bright ones, as observed in the F1 progenies produced through crossing. Dark snails have a congenital fitness-disadvantageous mutation; however, they also have protection against ultraviolet radiation. They have a higher survival rate than the bright snails in a UV environment, as observed using the UV exposure experiments and UV transmittance measurements. This is a good example of a congenitally disadvantageous mutation that is advantageous for adapting to the external environment. These results explain the maintenance of polymorphism and highlight the genotypic and phenotypic diversity in the wild population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Ito
- Izu Oshima Geopark Promotion Committee Office, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Chiba
- Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Junji Konuma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Chiba, Japan
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4
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Weisse T, Scheffel U, Stadler P. Functional ecology of planktonic ciliates: Measuring mortality rates in response to starvation. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2023; 70:e12969. [PMID: 36825816 PMCID: PMC10952899 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Population dynamics of aquatic ciliates are controlled "bottom-up" via food supply and "top-down" by grazing and parasitism. While intrinsic growth rates of ciliates under saturating food conditions have been studied in some detail, mortality rates induced by starvation have received little attention thus far. To this end, we examined the response of three algivorous freshwater ciliate species to starvation using three different optical methods. Two of these methods, i.e. ciliate mortality rates (δ) estimated from (i) numerical response experiments and (ii) the rate of decline (ROD) in cell numbers, investigated the response of the ciliate population using conventional light microscopy. The third method, imaging cytometry using a FlowCAM instrument, monitored single cells during the starvation experiment. Like light microscopy, the FlowCAM approach estimated δ based on ROD in the experimental containers. However, imaging cytometry also measured the relative cellular chlorophyll a content in the ciliates' food vacuoles as a proxy for the nutritional status of the cells. The linear decline of the cellular chl. a yielded an independent estimate of δ that was similar to δ calculated from ROD. Additionally, the FlowCAM measurements revealed a high degree of phenotypic plasticity of the ciliates when exposed to starvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Weisse
- Research Department for LimnologyUniversity of InnsbruckMondseeAustria
| | - Ulrike Scheffel
- Research Department for LimnologyUniversity of InnsbruckMondseeAustria
| | - Peter Stadler
- Research Department for LimnologyUniversity of InnsbruckMondseeAustria
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5
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Farnsworth KK, Soto A, Chevrier VF, Steckloff JK, Soderblom JM. Floating Liquid Droplets on the Surface of Cryogenic Liquids: Implications for Titan Rain. ACS Earth Space Chem 2023; 7:439-448. [PMID: 36824999 PMCID: PMC9940721 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Saturn's moon, Titan, has a hydrocarbon-based hydrologic cycle with methane and ethane rainfall. Because of Titan's low gravity, "floating liquid droplets" (coherent droplets of liquid hydrocarbons that float upon a liquid surface) may form on the surface of Titan's hydrocarbon lakes and seas during rainfall. Floating liquid droplets, however, have not been investigated in the laboratory under conditions appropriate for the surface of Titan (cryogenic, hydrocarbon, liquids). We conducted a set of experiments to simulate methane and ethane rainfall under Titan surface conditions (89-94 K, 1.5 bar nitrogen atmosphere) and find that floating ethane droplets form in a wide range of bulk liquid compositions, yet floating methane droplets only form in a narrow compositional range and impact velocity. We find droplet formation is independent of the liquid density and hypothesize that dissolved atmospheric nitrogen in the bulk liquid may repel liquid ethane droplets at the surface. We propose that liquid droplets will form in Titan's methane-rich lakes and seas during ethane rainfall with a droplet radius of ≤3 mm and an impact velocity of ≤0.7 m/s. The presence of these droplets on Titan's lakes may result in a liquid surface layer that is dominated in rainfall composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra K. Farnsworth
- NASA
Postdoctoral Program Fellow, NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, Maryland20771, United States
- Center
for Space and Planetary Sciences, University
of Arkansas, 332 N. Arkansas
Ave., Fayetteville, Arkansas72701, United States
| | - Alejandro Soto
- Southwest
Research Institute, 1050 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Boulder, Colorado80302, United States
| | - Vincent F. Chevrier
- Center
for Space and Planetary Sciences, University
of Arkansas, 332 N. Arkansas
Ave., Fayetteville, Arkansas72701, United States
| | - Jordan K. Steckloff
- Planetary
Science Institute, 1700 East Fort Lowell, Suite 106, Tucson, Arizona85719, United States
- Department
of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, W.R. Woolrich
Laboratories, C0600, University of Texas
at Austin, 201 East 24th
Street, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| | - Jason M. Soderblom
- Department
of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
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Calderon B, Steel C, Ford B, Sue J, Bracewell K. Lt: A Resource to Future-Proof the Laboratory in Uncertain Times. J Undergrad Neurosci Educ 2022; 20:A269-A279. [PMID: 38323049 PMCID: PMC10653234 DOI: 10.59390/dcxy9279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly challenged educators to transition previously in-person courses to an online environment. This has been especially difficult for laboratory courses where students must experience the process of science to develop lab skills and scientific competencies. Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, it is essential that instructional resources are flexible and robust for use in various potential learning environments. The Lt software platform (ADInstruments) is a resource designed to support in-person, online, and hybrid learning environments. Lt supports the in-person lab experience by integrating with data collection hardware and facilitating collaboration through group-based activity. In addition, the platform also provides several avenues for teaching online labs using the same experiments that would be done on campus. At home, students can analyze Lt's built-in example data, or be supplied with low-cost hardware to complete labs remotely. In conjunction with other online tools, Lt can support online group work and student collaboration. Lt hosts a wide range of pre-built lab experiments and activities covering neuroscience, anatomy, physiology, clinical health science, biology, and chemistry. Although the material can be used "out-of-the-box", the content is completely editable and new labs can be created. Feedback from students suggests that Lt has proved valuable for supporting flexible instructional practices during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bridget Ford
- Department of Biology, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, 78209
| | - Jacqui Sue
- ADInstruments, Dunedin, New Zealand, 9016
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Sonia Ratnani, Savita Bargujar. Applying Reuse and Reduce in an Undergraduate Organic Laboratory: Sustainable Practices. Reson 2022; 27. [ DOI: 10.1007/s12045-022-1515-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In this section of Resonance, we invite readers to pose questions likely to be raised in a classroom situation. We may suggest strategies for dealing with them, or invite responses, or both. “Classroom” is equally a forum for raising broader issues and sharing personal experiences and viewpoints on matters related to teaching and learning science. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, we have planned a strategy for our institution which aims towards reuse and reduce principles of Green Chemistry. Organic preparations in the undergraduate curriculum can be utilized for other sister laboratory experiments such as recrystallization, determination of physical constants (m.pt) and detection of extra elements, detection of functional group and in qualitative analysis. The product of preparation can also be subjected to a second synthesis. This approach will reduce the amount of chemicals needed for carrying out experiments other than organic preparations. This paper illustrates a few organic preparations which can be reused for other companion laboratory exercises. This approach may set a model towards sustainability for other undergraduate laboratories.
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Berg C, Carvan M, Hesselbach R, Luo Z, Petering D, Pickart M, Tomasiewicz H, Weber D, Shukla R, Goldberg B. Meeting the COVID Challenge to a Research-intensive Pre-college Science Education Program. J STEM Outreach 2021; 4:10.15695/jstem/v4i2.01. [PMID: 36304133 PMCID: PMC9605687 DOI: 10.15695/jstem/v4i2.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The objective of our program is to foster and facilitate authentic research experiences in middle and high school classrooms. We achieve this directly by providing students with a complete experience in scientific experimentation and communication. The centerpiece is a set of experiment modules which students use to investigate the effects of toxic chemicals on living organisms through the use of model organisms such as the earthworm, fathead minnow, and the zebrafish, and chemical contaminants commonly found in the environment. In parallel, we partner with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee science teacher certification program to prepare pre-service teachers to offer real research experiences in their future classrooms. With the COVID virus restricting or eliminating in-person learning, the program's challenge was (i) to create new ways to conduct experiments virtually that retain elements of the authentic research experience and (ii) to move all of the accompanying facets of the program to online formats. This paper will describe the new online materials and activities that were introduced this past year as well as the challenges they presented and the opportunities that they offer for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Berg
- School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | - Michael Carvan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | - Renee Hesselbach
- Wisconsin Inquiry-based Scientist Teacher Education Partnership Program and Science Education Partnership Award Program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | - Zhihui Luo
- College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | - David Petering
- College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | | | - Henry Tomasiewicz
- Wisconsin Inquiry-based Scientist Teacher Education Partnership Program and Science Education Partnership Award Program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | - Daniel Weber
- Wisconsin Inquiry-based Scientist Teacher Education Partnership Program and Science Education Partnership Award Program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | - Rekha Shukla
- Barbara Goldberg & Associates, LLC, Wilmington, DEL
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Aretusini S, Núñez‐Cascajero A, Spagnuolo E, Tapetado A, Vázquez C, Di Toro G. Fast and Localized Temperature Measurements During Simulated Earthquakes in Carbonate Rocks. Geophys Res Lett 2021; 48:e2020GL091856. [PMID: 34219843 PMCID: PMC8243964 DOI: 10.1029/2020gl091856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of earthquake physics is hindered by the poor knowledge of fault strength and temperature evolution during seismic slip. Experiments reproducing seismic velocity (∼1 m/s) allow us to measure both the evolution of fault strength and the associated temperature increase due to frictional heating. However, temperature measurements were performed with techniques having insufficient spatial and temporal resolution. Here we conduct high velocity friction experiments on Carrara marble rock samples sheared at 20 MPa normal stress, velocity of 0.3 and 6 m/s, and 20 m of total displacement. We measured the temperature evolution of the fault surface at the acquisition rate of 1 kHz and over a spatial resolution of ∼40 µm with an optical fiber conveying the infrared radiation to a two-color pyrometer. Temperatures up to 1,250°C and low coseismic fault shear strength are compatible with the activation of grain size dependent viscous creep.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alberto Tapetado
- Department of Electronic TechnologyUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
| | - Carmen Vázquez
- Department of Electronic TechnologyUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
| | - Giulio Di Toro
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e VulcanologiaRomaItaly
- Department of GeosciencesUniversità degli Studi di PadovaPadovaItaly
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10
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Xia S. Laboratory Oviposition Choice of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) From Kenya and Gabon: Effects of Conspecific Larvae, Salinity, Shading, and Microbiome. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1021-1029. [PMID: 33511408 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) is the primary vector of several arboviruses. Mosquito control and surveillance are essential to restrict disease transmission, the effectiveness of which depends on our understanding of the mosquito's behaviors, including oviposition. Previous studies have identified a variety of oviposition cues. However, most of these studies involved only Ae. aegypti outside of the species' native range, Africa. Populations outside Africa differ in their genetics and some behaviors from their African counterparts, suggesting possibly different oviposition preferences. Within Africa, Ae. aegypti can be found in both ancestral forest habitats and domestic habitats. The African domestic populations may represent an intermediate state between the forest and the truly domesticated non-African populations. Comparing mosquitoes from these three habitats (African forest, African domestic, and non-African domestic) might provide insight into the evolution of oviposition behavior. In this study, I examined the oviposition choices of multiple Ae. aegypti colonies from all three habitats in laboratory settings. I applied a two-choice assay to test four oviposition cues: the preexistence of conspecific larvae, salinity, shading, and microbiome. A subset of African colonies showed similar oviposition choices as their non-African counterparts, whereas the rest show little response to the factors tested. Within the African colonies, oviposition choices of the domestic colonies were significantly different from the forest colonies in most experiments. Yet, their preferences were not always intermediate between that of mosquitoes from the other two habitats. Collectively, this study adds to our understanding of Ae. aegypti oviposition, especially in previously understudied African populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyang Xia
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Aircraft seating comfort has a significant impact on passenger on-board experience. Its assessment requires the adoption of well-designed strategies for data collection as well as appropriate data analysis methods in order to obtain accurate and reliable results. OBJECTIVES This paper focuses on the assessment of aircraft seating comfort based on subjective comfort responses collected during laboratory experiments and taking into account seat features and passenger characteristics. METHODS The subjective comfort evaluations have been analyzed using a model-based approach to investigate the relationship between overall seating comfort and specific seat/user characteristics. RESULTS The results show that the overall seating comfort perception is significantly influenced by the thickness of the seat pan, the backrest position (upright or reclined), the age of the passenger and the passenger perception of being comfortably supported at the lumbar region. CONCLUSIONS The adopted model-based approach allows the analysis of subjective seating comfort data taking into account their ordinal nature as well as the dependency between evaluations provided by the same subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Vanacore
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Lanzotti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Percuoco
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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12
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Andraszewicz S, Wu K, Sornette D. Behavioural Effects and Market Dynamics in Field and Laboratory Experimental Asset Markets. Entropy (Basel) 2020; 22:E1183. [PMID: 33286951 PMCID: PMC7597354 DOI: 10.3390/e22101183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A vast literature investigating behavioural underpinnings of financial bubbles and crashes relies on laboratory experiments. However, it is not yet clear how findings generated in a highly artificial environment relate to the human behaviour in the wild. It is of concern that the laboratory setting may create a confound variable that impacts the experimental results. To explore the similarities and differences between human behaviour in the laboratory environment and in a realistic natural setting, with the same type of participants, we translate a field study conducted by reference (Sornette, D.; et al. Econ. E-J.2020, 14, 1-53) with trading rounds each lasting six full days to a laboratory experiment lasting two hours. The laboratory experiment replicates the key findings from the field study but we observe substantial differences in the market dynamics between the two settings. The replication of the results in the two distinct settings indicates that relaxing some of the laboratory control does not corrupt the main findings, while at the same time it offers several advantages such as the possibility to increase the number of participants interacting with each other at the same time and the number of traded securities. These findings pose important insights for future experiments investigating human behaviour in complex systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Andraszewicz
- Chair of Cognitive Science, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (D-GESS), ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ke Wu
- Institute of Risk Analysis, Prediction and Management (Risks-X), Academy for Advanced Interdiscplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen 518055, China
- Chair of Entrepreneurial Risks, Department of Management, Technology and Economics (D-MTEC), ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Sornette
- Institute of Risk Analysis, Prediction and Management (Risks-X), Academy for Advanced Interdiscplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen 518055, China
- Chair of Entrepreneurial Risks, Department of Management, Technology and Economics (D-MTEC), ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Finance Institute, c/o University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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13
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Abstract
Heavy oil accounts for around one-third of total global oil and gas resources. The progressive depletion of conventional energy reserves has led to an increased emphasis on the efficient exploitation of heavy oil and bitumen reserves in order to meet energy demand. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new technologies for heavy oil upgrading and recovery. Biologically-based technology that involves using microorganisms or their metabolites to mobilize heavy oil trapped in reservoir rocks can make a significant contribution to the recovery of heavy oils. Here, the results of laboratory experiments and field trials applying microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) technologies are summarized. This review provides an overview of the basic concepts, mechanisms, advantages, problems, and trends in MEOR, and demonstrates the credibility of MEOR methods for applications in enhanced heavy oil recovery and the petroleum refining processes. This technology is cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. The feasibility of MEOR technologies for heavier oil has not yet been fully realized due to the perceived process complexity and a lack of sufficient laboratory research and field test data. However, novel developments such as enzyme-enhanced oil recovery continues to improve MEOR methods.HighlightsHeavy oil represents the largest known potentially-recoverable petroleum energy resource.Novel biotechnological processes are needed to recover or upgrade heavy oil.Microbial technologies have great potential for heavy oil recovery.Microorganisms can produce metabolic byproducts to mobilize oil trapped in reservoirs.More technological research is needed to develop microbial enhanced oil recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Zhang
- College of Resource and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China.,Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Hui Gao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, China
| | - Quanhong Xue
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, China
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14
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Barrera-López AA, Guzmán-Franco AW, Santillán-Galicia M, Tamayo-Mejía F, Bujanos-Muñiz R, García-Ávila CJ, López-Buenfil JA. Differential Susceptibility of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to Different Species of Fungal Pathogens. J Econ Entomol 2020; 113:50-54. [PMID: 31586171 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toz246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bagrada hilaris Burmeister (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a pest of Palearctic origin. Its presence in the United States was first reported in 2008 and in Mexico in 2014; it affects brassica crops. There are practically no reports of natural enemies of B. hilaris in America. Entomopathogenic fungi are strong candidates for microbial control of this pest. Evaluating the susceptibility of this pest to fungi that are native to the region where they will be used is a sensible first step to finding candidate biological control agents. The aim of our research was to select potential microbial agents to control B. hilaris. Eleven isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria pseudobassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Isaria fumosorosea were evaluated to determine the susceptibility of B. hilaris. Isolates of B. bassiana caused the highest mortality due to infection (100%) compared with the other isolates. The I. fumosorosea isolate caused the lowest percent mortality (56%). The two B. bassiana isolates Bb88 and AP3 were more virulent than M. anisopliae isolate Ma129. The sex of the insect had no effect on infection levels achieved by B. bassiana isolates Bb88 and AP3. The results of our study contribute valuable information for the development of fungal species with potential to manage B. hilaris populations. Field studies are the next step in order to develop these isolates as biological control agents of B. hilaris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahi A Barrera-López
- Posgrado en Fitosanidad-Entomología y Acarología, Colegio de Postgraduados, Km 36.5 Carretera Mexico-Texcoco, Texcoco, Estado de México, México
| | - Ariel W Guzmán-Franco
- Posgrado en Fitosanidad-Entomología y Acarología, Colegio de Postgraduados, Km 36.5 Carretera Mexico-Texcoco, Texcoco, Estado de México, México
| | - Materesa Santillán-Galicia
- Posgrado en Fitosanidad-Entomología y Acarología, Colegio de Postgraduados, Km 36.5 Carretera Mexico-Texcoco, Texcoco, Estado de México, México
| | - Fernando Tamayo-Mejía
- Secretaría de Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Rural, Avenida Irrigación 102-A, Celaya, Guanajuato, México
| | - Rafael Bujanos-Muñiz
- Programa de Entomología, Campo Experimental Bajío, INIFAP, Km 6.5 Carretera Celaya-San Miguel de Allende, Celaya, Guanajuato, México
| | - Clemente J García-Ávila
- Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal-Centro Nacional de Referencia Fitosanitaria, Km 37.5 Carretera Federal México-Pachuca, Tecámac, Estado de México, México
| | - Jose A López-Buenfil
- Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal-Centro Nacional de Referencia Fitosanitaria, Km 37.5 Carretera Federal México-Pachuca, Tecámac, Estado de México, México
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Tognin D, Peruzzo P, De Serio F, Ben Meftah M, Carniello L, Defina A, Mossa M. Experimental Setup and Measuring System to Study Solitary Wave Interaction with Rigid Emergent Vegetation. Sensors (Basel) 2019; 19:E1787. [PMID: 31013992 DOI: 10.3390/s19081787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to present a peculiar experimental setup, designed to investigate the interaction between solitary waves and rigid emergent vegetation. Flow rate changes due to the opening and closing of a software-controlled electro-valve generate a solitary wave. The complexity of the problem required the combined use of different measurement systems of water level and velocity. Preliminary results of the experimental investigation, which allow us to point out the effect of the vegetation on the propagation of a solitary wave and the effectiveness of the measuring system, are also presented. In particular, water level and velocity field changes due to the interaction of the wave with rigid vegetation are investigated in detail.
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16
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Davaille A, Carrez P, Cordier P. Fat Plumes May Reflect the Complex Rheology of the Lower Mantle. Geophys Res Lett 2018; 45:1349-1354. [PMID: 29937601 PMCID: PMC5993220 DOI: 10.1002/2017gl076575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent tomographic imaging of the mantle below major hot spots shows slow seismic velocities extending down to the core-mantle boundary, confirming the existence of mantle plumes. However, these plumes are much thicker than previously thought. Using new laboratory experiments and scaling laws, we show that thermal plumes developing in a visco-plastic fluid present much larger diameters than plumes developing in a Newtonian fluid. Such a rheology requiring a yield stress is consistent with a lower mantle predominantly deforming by pure dislocation climb. Yield stress values between 1 and 10 MPa, implying dislocation densities between 108 and 1010 m-2, would be sufficient to reproduce the plumes morphology observed in tomographic images.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Davaille
- Laboratoire FASTCNRS/University of Paris‐Sud/University of Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
| | - Ph. Carrez
- University of Lille, INRA, ENSCL, UMR 8207‐UMET‐Unite Materiaux et TransformationsLilleFrance
| | - P. Cordier
- University of Lille, INRA, ENSCL, UMR 8207‐UMET‐Unite Materiaux et TransformationsLilleFrance
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17
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Kinzner M, Krapf P, Nindl M, Heussler C, Eisenkölbl S, Hoffmann AA, Seeber J, Arthofer W, Schlick‐Steiner BC, Steiner FM. Life-history traits and physiological limits of the alpine fly Drosophila nigrosparsa (Diptera: Drosophilidae): A comparative study. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:2006-2020. [PMID: 29468020 PMCID: PMC5817156 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecific variation in life-history traits and physiological limits can be linked to the environmental conditions species experience, including climatic conditions. As alpine environments are particularly vulnerable under climate change, we focus on the montane-alpine fly Drosophila nigrosparsa. Here, we characterized some of its life-history traits and physiological limits and compared these with those of other drosophilids, namely Drosophila hydei, Drosophila melanogaster, and Drosophila obscura. We assayed oviposition rate, longevity, productivity, development time, larval competitiveness, starvation resistance, and heat and cold tolerance. Compared with the other species assayed, D. nigrosparsa is less fecund, relatively long-living, starvation susceptible, cold adapted, and surprisingly well heat adapted. These life-history characteristics provide insights into invertebrate adaptations to alpine conditions which may evolve under ongoing climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Krapf
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Martina Nindl
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | | | | | - Ary A. Hoffmann
- School of BioSciencesBio21 InstituteUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Julia Seeber
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEurac ResearchBozen/BolzanoItaly
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18
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Marcucci EC, Hynek BM. Laboratory simulations of acid-sulfate weathering under volcanic hydrothermal conditions: Implications for early Mars. J Geophys Res Planets 2014; 119:679-703. [PMID: 26213665 PMCID: PMC4508920 DOI: 10.1002/2013je004439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We have completed laboratory experiments and thermochemical equilibrium models to investigate secondary mineral formation under conditions akin to volcanic, hydrothermal acid-sulfate weathering systems. Our research used the basaltic mineralogy at Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua, characterized by plagioclase, pyroxene, olivine, and volcanic glass. These individual minerals and whole-rock field samples were reacted in the laboratory with 1 molal sulfuric acid at varying temperatures (65, 150, and 200°C), fluid:rock weight ratios (1:1, 4:1, and 10:1), and durations (1-60 days). Thermochemical equilibrium models were developed using Geochemist's Workbench. To understand the reaction products and fluids, we employed scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. The results of our experiments and models yielded major alteration minerals that include anhydrite, natroalunite, minor iron oxide, and amorphous Al-Si gel. We found that variations in experimental parameters did not drastically change the suite of minerals produced; instead, abundance, size, and crystallographic shape changed. Our results also suggest that it is essential to separate phases formed during experiments from those formed during fluid evaporation to fully understand the reaction processes. Our laboratory reacted and model predicted products are consistent with the mineralogy observed at places on Mars. However, our results indicate that determination of the formation conditions requires microscopic imagery and regional context, as well as a thorough understanding of contributions from both experiment precipitation and fluid evaporation minerals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Marcucci
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, Colorado, USA
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, Colorado, USA
- Now at Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska FairbanksFairbanks, Alaska, USA
- Correspondence to: E. C. Marcucci,
| | - Brian M Hynek
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, Colorado, USA
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, Colorado, USA
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