Proximal Environment Research Articles

17O Solid-State NMR as a Sensitive Probe of Hydrogen Bonding in Crystalline and Amorphous Solid Forms of Diflunisal

(17)O solid-state NMR (SSNMR) can provide insight into hydrogen bonding interactions in pharmaceutical polymorphs, cocrystals, and amorphous dispersions. When combined with straightforward (17)O synthetic labeling, the use of (17)O SSNMR allows for direct study of key interactions such as hydrogen bonding in these systems. In this work, novel applications of (17)O SSNMR are demonstrated in the analysis of a polymorph of diflunisal, a cocrystal of diflunisal with pyrazinamide, and amorphous dispersions of diflunisal in two polymers. The observation of the (17)O nucleus is shown to be a highly specific and useful alternative to more conventional studies of the (1)H, (13)C, and (19)F nuclei in these systems and offers unique insight into hydrogen bonding interactions. Quantum chemical calculations are used to assess the (17)O SSNMR measurements for the polymorph of diflunisal for which a crystal structure has been previously determined. Empirical hydrogen bonding trends are then examined in the cocrystal and amorphous solid forms using (17)O NMR parameters. A novel application of (1)H-(17)O cross-polarization heteronuclear correlation (CP-HETCOR) experiments is also demonstrated for the cocrystal and two dispersions. This experiment offers specific information about proton environments in proximity to the labeled oxygen sites. The use of (17)O SSNMR techniques extends the utility of SSNMR in applications to cocrystals and amorphous dispersions.

Nitrogen cycle in the Late Archean ferruginous ocean

The Hamersley Group comprises a Late Archean sedimentary succession, which is thought to record the prelude to the atmospheric oxygenation in the Paleoproterozoic, the so-called Great Oxidation Event (GOE), at ~2.4Ga. We studied drill-core samples of sedimentary rocks from the upper Mount McRae Shale and Brockman Iron Formation deposited before the GOE at ~2.5Ga in order to characterize the environments and ecosystems prevailing during their deposition. The rocks from the Mount McRae Shale and Brockman Iron Formation represent, respectively, proximal euxinic conditions and distal ferruginous depositional environments, thus providing an opportunity to examine lateral variability in the open-marine basin. We analyzed the concentration and isotopic composition of carbon in carbonate and organic matter, bulk nitrogen content and its isotopic composition as well as major element concentrations. The δ13Ccarb values and carbonate content range from −3.2 to −10.7‰ and 0.1 to 58wt.%, respectively. Organic carbon content also varies over a large range from 0.05 to 4.6wt.% with a near constant δ13Corg value of −28.7±0.8‰. Negative δ13Corg excursions (down to −31‰) are generally correlated with high organic matter content. Bulk nitrogen shows highly variable concentration, between 1.3 and 785ppm, and δ15N values between 0.4 and 13.4‰.The δ13Ccarb values reflect a diagenetic carbonate origin, with negative values typical for Fe-rich carbonates formed by organic matter mineralization with ferric oxyhydroxides. In contrast, δ13Corg and δ15N values record primary isotope signatures derived from ancient living organisms. The relatively constant δ13Corg values at around −28.7‰ are interpreted as reflecting photoautotrophs utilizing a large pool of dissolved inorganic carbon. Inverse stratigraphic co-variation between δ15N and δ13Ccarb values was observed for the Brockman Iron Formation. We propose that N and C biogeochemical cycles were coupled by Fe redox cycling in the water column and in sediments of the Late Archean ocean. Several models for biogeochemical N cycling linked to the redox structure of the water column are considered. Under fully anoxic conditions, the dominant N species available for assimilation by micro-organisms in the photic zone could be ammonium (NH4+). Highly positive δ15N values would reflect the assimilation of NH4+ enriched in 15N by partial oxidation to nitrite, followed by quantitative removal of the produced nitrite by denitrification or anamox processes. Ammonium oxidation could have been driven by (i) O2 produced locally via oxygenic photosynthesis, or (ii) microbial oxidation utilizing Fe(III)-oxyhydroxides formed in the water column. Under redox-stratified conditions, N assimilated by primary producers could have been in the form of NO3−, based on modern and Phanerozoic analogs. The positive δ15N values would have resulted in this case from partial denitrification of NO3− coupled to anaerobic microbial oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III). We conclude that similar positive δ15N signatures may record very different N biogeochemical cycles under anoxic, stratified and fully oxic conditions in the ocean. Interpretation of the N isotopes in terms of N biogeochemical cycle thus requires independent constraints on the redox structure of the ocean.

Upgrading the ATLAS silicon tracking for the HL-LHC

After successful operation of the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 8TeV in 2012, the energy is expected to go up to 14TeV in the next few years. A total integrated luminosity of up to 300fb−1 is foreseen to be reached by 2022. At that time, the LHC will undergo a major upgrade to the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), which is designed to deliver of order five times the LHC nominal instantaneous luminosity along with luminosity leveling. The final goal is to extend the data set to 3000fb−1 by around 2030. Current planning in ATLAS involves significant upgrades to the detector during the consolidation of the LHC to reach full energy and further upgrades to accommodate running already beyond nominal luminosity this decade. The challenge of coping with HL-LHC instantaneous and integrated luminosity, along with the associated radiation levels, requires further major changes to the ATLAS detector. The designs are developing rapidly for an all-new inner-tracker, significant upgrades in the calorimeter and muon systems, as well as improved triggers and data acquisition. These proceedings concentrate on the HL-LHC upgrade of the ATLAS Inner Tracker (ITK), which consist of replacing the entire current Inner Detector (silicon pixels, silicon strips and transition radiation tracker) with a completely new silicon-only system. This new ITK will be made from several pixel and strip layers, and is designed to withstand the extreme radiation environment in close proximity to the HL-LHC interaction point which broadly speaking means an order of magnitude higher radiation hardness than the existing ID. At the same time, the radiation length should be kept to the level of the present system or below. In the current planning, the pixel system involves 4 barrel layers and 6 disks on each side for a total pixel area of 7m2 and 400 million channels. The strip system will contain 5 barrel layers and 7 end-cap disks, covering 200m2 of silicon and 45 million channels.

The mainstreaming of disability cricket in England and Wales: Integration ‘One Game’ at a time

Disability sport in Great Britain has, since its genesis over sixty years ago, gained greater public profile with each passing decade. Arguably, this is a result of a more direct, interventionist approach from the British government and the Sport Councils into the field of disability sport over the past twenty years. In this paper we highlight a case of integration within sport by examining the process of mainstreaming disability cricket within England and Wales. Following a review of the extant literature in this area we will draw upon Bourdieu's practice theory in order to examine the impact of the implementation of policy on the management of issues of disability in mainstream cricket. Longitudinal ethnographic data (including participant observation and semi-structured interviews) was collected on the organizations involved in this mainstreaming process. Informants were either involved in the delivery of disability cricket or in the management of disability sports partnerships. Preliminary findings suggest that true integration is still unrealized. Whether the policy seeks true integration or whether mainstreaming is simply another modernizing process seeking greater efficiencies from sport organizations is unclear. Nevertheless a number of institutional pressures from the proximal and distal external environments have provided support for generating mainstreaming initiatives at management levels. In addition to these findings we argue that an additional outcome of this research is to demonstrate the suitability of a relational approach for conceptualizing policy, its interpretation by sport managers and the implementation strategies that follow.

The Effect of Proximity on Park and Beach Use and Physical Activity Among Rural Adolescents

Associations between access to environments and levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents have been established; however the influence of neighborhood design barriers (eg, major roads) on these relationships is less understood. In 2006, adolescents (n = 1304) in rural Western Australia completed the Up4it Physical Activity Survey measuring frequency and duration of organized and nonorganized physical activity by season. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to objectively measure distance to nearest park and beach and busy road barriers en route to these destinations. Proximity to parks and beaches was associated with use of these environments for PA among adolescents, but this relationship attenuated after adjustment for presence of a major road. Park and beach use was positively associated with achieving recommended levels of PA. Paradoxically, proximity to these environments was not associated with achieving recommended levels of PA. Results suggest access to parks and beaches is necessary but may be insufficient to achieve recommended levels of PA. These relationships varied by season. Strategies should be put in place to encourage use of proximate supportive environments. Planning neighborhoods to reduce barriers to access and interventions to overcome seasonal variations in behavior may improve participation levels among adolescents.

Sponges and corals from the Middle Eocene (Bartonian) marly formations of the Pamplona Basin (Navarre, western Pyrenees): taphonomy, taxonomy, and paleoenvironments

Sponges and corals from the Bartonian marly formations of the Pamplona Basin (South Pyrenean area, Navarre) are described for the first time. The fossiliferous levels correspond respectively to flood-influenced delta-front (Ardanatz Sandstone) and restricted outer-platform (Ilundain Marls Fm.) environments. The fossil sponges exhibit diagenetic fragmentation, but they are often complete specimens. The skeleton appears partially or totally replaced by calcite and/or in some cases large crystals of celestite. Celestite forms relatively early during diagenesis in a dysoxic environment. Neomorphic fibrous quartzine-lutecine spherulites are also present. Hexactinellids and lithistids occur, but the former predominate. The associations include the species Laocoetis samueli, Guettardiscyphia thiolati and/or Pleuroguettardia iberica, cf. Rhizocheton robustus, and two lithistids indet. Corals are present only in the Ardanatz Sandstone. The fossil skeletons are composed of large neomorphic sparry calcite crystals. The assigned species are Stylocoenia taurinensis, Astrocoenia octopartita, Ceratotrochus bodellei, Placosmiliopsis bilobatus, and Desmophyllum castellolense. The sponge and coral taxa are similar to those previously described from other contemporaneous geological formations of the Pyrenean realm. The Pamplona Basin assemblages appear less diverse than those of the Bartonian of the eastern South Pyrenean area, more similar to that of the Eocene of Biarritz (Aquitanian Basin). This lower diversity is not due to a lower-resolution sampling but to taphonomic bias and/or paleoecological differences. The dominance of hexactinellids, erect morphologies, and sedimentological and micropaleontological data show that the sponge communities lived in deep shelfal waters. The corals, mainly associated with levels with high terrigenous content, seem reworked from shallower and more proximal environments.

Paleogeographic and tectonic controls on the evolution of Cenozoic basins in the Altiplano and Western Cordillera of southern Peru

Integrated studies of stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleogeography and tectonic controls on Cenozoic basins provide the basis for a series of time-slice reconstructions of basin evolution in the Andes of southern Peru. The Altiplano and adjacent margin of the Western Cordillera are characterized by several Paleocene–Miocene synorogenic continental basins with thicknesses locally exceeding 10km. The evolution of these basins has been controlled by NW-trending tectonic features that mark the Altiplano–Western Cordillera and Altiplano–Eastern Cordillera boundaries and the Condoroma structural high. Sedimentary deposits of Paleocene age preserved in the Altiplano are the result of nonmarine sedimentation in a distal foreland basin. During the early Eocene, predominantly dextral strike-slip movements in the Altiplano between the Cusco–Lagunillas and Urcos–Ayaviri fault systems created the transpressional Kayra basin. The Soncco and Anta basins (middle Eocene–early Oligocene) are related to NE shortening (43–30Ma) and represent proximal, wedge-top and foredeep basin environments preserved on the Altiplano. At ~29–28Ma, a change to predominantly E–W shortening produced sinistral strike-slip motion along NW-striking faults, resulting in intermontane, transpressional basins. In the Altiplano, the Tinajani and Punacancha (29–5Ma), and Paruro (12–6Ma) basins were controlled by the Cusco–Lagunillas and the Urcos–Ayaviri fault systems. The Maure, Tincopalca–Huacochullo and Condoroma basins (22–5Ma) of the Western Cordillera developed between the Condoroma high and the Cusco–Lagunillas fault system. Oligocene–Miocene sedimentation commonly evolved from proximal (alluvial) facies along the borders to distal (lacustrine) facies. These basins were linked to sinistral strike-slip faults that evolved into reverse-sinistral structures. Plate kinematics may play a role in Andean basin evolution, with deformation influenced by major preexisting faults that dictated paleogeographic trends, but orientations of regional compression that appear to coincide with the plate convergence direction. However, the processes of slab flattening and steepening exerted a primary control on regional crustal shortening and filling of synorogenic basins.

Automated bolting and meshing on a continuous miner for roadway development

Automated installation of primary roof support material can potentially increase productivity and operator safety in the roadway development process within underground coal mining. Although the broader manufacturing sector has benefited from automation, several challenges exist within the Australian underground coal industry which makes it difficult to fully exploit these technologies. At the University of Wollongong a series of reprogrammable electromechanical manipulators have been designed to overcome these challenges and automatically handle the installation of roof and rib containment consumables on a continuous miner. The automated manipulation removes personnel from hazards in the immediate face area, particularly those associated with working in a confined and unstable working environment in close proximity to rotating and moving equipment. In a series of above ground trials the automated system was successfully demonstrated without human intervention and proven to be capable of achieving cycle times at a rate of 10m per operating hour, consistent with that required to support high capacity longwall mines. The trials also identified a number of refinements which could further improve both cycle times and system reliability when considering the technology for underground use. The results have concluded that conventional manual handling practices on a continuous miner can be eliminated, and that the prototypes have significantly reduced the technical risk in proceeding to a full underground trial.

Occurrence of <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> in Some Households Engaged in Livestock Farming in Some Parts of Zaria, Nigeria

The study was designed to determine the presence of Vibrio cholerae from the environment in close proximity with livestock in Zaria,Kadunastate. Three hundred and thirty six environmental samples comprising soil, water, manure and vegetables were collected from some selected households inZariacoveringZariacity, Sabo and Samaru from April to October 2006 and analyzed for the presence of Vibrio cholerae, one of the etiologic agent of gastroenteritis. Twelve Vibrios exhibiting characteristics of Vibrio cholerae were identified using biochemical techniques. Serological identification confirmed 5 (41.7%) of these isolates as Vibrio, 1 (20%) as Vibrio serogroup O1, Ogawa biotype. A 0.59% prevalence was obtained for this pathogen in the study. The 0.59% isolation rate though low is significant considering it’s source being animal, since livestock keeping is a common feature in the study location, with animals living in close proximity to man this work is imperative. Animals are a point source of contamination of enteric pathogens, therefore extensive management system and proper treatment of animal manure is recommended before its use as fertilizer.

The Significance of Partial Melting Processes in Hydrothermal Low Sulfide Cu-Ni-PGE Mineralization Within the Footwall of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario, Canada

We present new results and review existing data highlighting different aspects of the genetic relationship between partial melting and hydrothermal mineralizing processes in the contact aureole of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. At the basal contact of the igneous complex, in the footwall breccia, crystallized partial melt pods and veins, referred to as footwall granophyres are abundant and intrude all rock types including the breccia matrix, as well as massive Ni-Cu sulfide ore. The final crystallization of these melts was accompanied by the segregation of high salinity fluids dominantly in the temperature range of 450° to 550°C, as revealed by Ti-inquartz thermometry and studies on primary fluid inclusions. In mineralized parts of the footwall breccia there is clear evidence that interaction of partial melts, exsolved fluids, and preexisting magmatic sulfides occurred. In the deeper footwall of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, similar footwall granophyres occur as networks of veins intruding impact brecciated (Sudbury breccia) country rocks and have an intimate spatial association with hydrothermal, low sulfide assemblages highly enriched in Pt, Pd, and Au (with a unique assemblage of PGM, including malyshevite and lisiguangite). It is suggested that partial melting processes were widespread in the contact and proximal footwall environment of the igneous complex and they were important in providing high salinity magmatic fluids to a hydrothermal system responsible for redistribution of base and precious metals. We describe observations which may evidence the migration of partial melts from the contact into the deeper footwall. Furthermore, we suggest a cogenetic model for the precipitation of sulfide-hydrous silicate assemblages in close spatial association to footwall granophyres. We emphasize that the use of footwall granophyres in mineral exploration for Cu-Ni-PGE ores in the footwall of the Sudbury Igneous Complex is clearly justified. Mapping of footwall granophyre vein networks highlights areas that were proximal to the contact environment and point out structural pathways that may have been used by syn- or postgenetic mineralizing fluids in a given area. Widespread partial melting appears to have occurred in the footwall of other large mafic-ultramafic complexes (such as Bushveld and Duluth) and similar genetic relationships of partial melting and ore-forming hydrothermal processes may have possibly existed also in these systems.

Application of Seismic Frequency Based Pore Pressure Prediction in Well Design: Review of an Integrated Well Design Approach in Deep Water Gulf of Mexico

Improving well design has and always will be the primary goal in drilling operations in the oil and gas industry. To address this issue, an analysis of wellbore stability and well design improvement has been conducted. This study will show a systematic approach to well design by focusing on best practices for mud weight window projection for a field in Mississippi Canyon, Gulf of Mexico. The field includes depleted reservoirs and is in close proximity of salt intrusions. Analysis of offset wells has been conducted in the interest of developing an accurate picture of the subsurface environment by making connections between depth, Non-Productive Time (NPT) events, and mud weights used. Commonly practiced petro physical methods of pore pressure, fracture pressure, and shear failure gradient prediction have been applied to key offset wells in order to enhance the well design for a proposed well. For the first time in the literature, the accuracy of the commonly accepted, seismic interval velocity based and the relatively new, seismic frequency based methodologies for pore pressure prediction are compared. Each of these methods is compared to the petro physically derived mud weight windows for the key offset wells and the proposed well in this field, showing higher reliability in the frequency based approach. Additionally, the interval velocity method yielded erroneous results in a fast-rock-velocity channel zone and the near salt proximity environments, whereas the frequency Based method appeared unaffected by either of these factors.

The late Hauterivian Faraoni “Oceanic Anoxic Event” at Río Argos (southern Spain): An assessment on the level of oxygen depletion

An integrated study of multiple geochemical proxies (TOC, δ13Ccarb, trace metallic elements, iron speciation) on the late Hauterivian Faraoni Oceanic Anoxic Event has been performed along the hemi-pelagic section of Río Argos (south-eastern Spain) in order to better constrain the environmental perturbations linked to this event in the Subbetic domain.In the studied section, the TOC is relatively low (<0.5wt.%) except for one sample at the base of the Faraoni horizon, where it reaches 1.5wt.%. The δ13Ccarb signal is characterized by a minor long-term increase, primarily attributed to an enhanced organic matter burial. However, both organic and isotopic signals are probably affected by dilution effect of carbonates and a possible diagenetic overprint to primary organic and isotopic signal, due to a possible alteration of organic matter during early diagenesis, cannot be ruled out.For the inorganic signal, the trace metallic elements show contrasted record during the late Hauterivian. While detrital proxies (Th, Ti, Zr) record rather constant signal, the productivity (Cu, Ni, P) and redox (U, V, Mn, Fe) proxies show noticeable variations. The organic-rich interval at the base of the Faraoni horizon records higher values of Cu, Ni and P as well as of U and V, linked to bottom-water oxygen depletion and enhanced primary productivity. The rest of the Faraoni horizon records punctual peaks of productivity and redox proxies but rather constant TOC concentration. As for organic and isotopic signals, parts of inorganic signal, linked to organic matter (as those of productivity proxies), have been probably reworked and partly influenced by carbonates. However, inorganic geochemical proxies are consistent suggesting rather oxygenated water-masses associated with moderate productivity during the late Hauterivian. Based on redox ratios (U/Th vs. V/(V+Ni), FeHR/FeT, Fepy/FeHR), oxygen concentrations were determined and it clearly appears that only the organic-rich interval at the base of the Faraoni horizon might record ferruginous anoxic conditions.Compared to other hemi-pelagic Mediterranean regions (the Ultrahelvetic Basin from Switzerland and the Vocontian Trough from France), the Río Argos section shows good similarities concerning TOC and δ13Ccarb signals, suggesting moderate organic matter burial during the Faraoni Event in proximal environments. The main difference concerns the redox variations. Contrary to Italy and France sections where anoxic bottom-water conditions persist up to the end of the Faraoni Event, the Río Argos section shows no truly anoxia onset except at the base of the Faraoni horizon, which we rather interpret as local intra-basinal chemical variations.

일부 대학생의 흡연 실태와 구강건강에 관한 인식 및 행태 조사연구

본 연구는 일부 대학생들의 흡연행태와 흡연자와 비흡연자 간의 흡연에 대한 인식과 구강건강관리행태를 알아보고자 경상북도, 대구광역시, 강원도에 위치한 4년제 대학교에 재학 중인 대학생 260명을 대상으로 흡연에 대한 인식과 구강건강관리행태에 대해 조사한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 흡연자의 하루 평균 흡연량은 반 갑 미만이, 흡연기간은 1년~3년 미만이 가장 높았으며, 흡연을 시작하게 된 동기는 호기심과 주변 권유가 가장 높았고, 흡연이유는 스트레스 해소, 습관적 순으로 나타났다. 2. 흡연유무에 따른 구강건강관리행태 중 1회 잇솔질 시간, 정기적 치과 내원, 최근 치과 내원시기, 치과 방문 목적, 스켈링 및 구강보건교육 경험에서 유의한 차이가 있었다. 3. 흡연유무에 따른 구강건강에 대한 인식 중 주관적 구강건강상태에서 유의한 차이가 있었다. 4. 흡연유무에 따른 흡연에 대한 인식 중 담배, 한 두 개피 정도의 담배, 식후의 담배 및 간접흡연이 건강에 미치는 영향에 대한 인식에서 유의한 차이가 있었다. 이상의 결과로 미루어 볼 때 흡연자는 비흡연자에 비해 구강건강관리행태 및 구강건강에 대한 인식, 흡연에 대한 인식이 부족하므로, 대학생들을 위한 금연교육과 구강보건교육 프로그램 개발의 활성화가 필요하다고 사료된다. This study was conducted to investigate the differences between smokers and non-smokers' oral hygiene and college students' smoking awareness. The survey was carried out based on the 260 college students enrolled in four-year universities located in Kyungbuk, Daegu, Gangwon-do. Collected date used the SPSS 17.0 to perform the frequency and cross-analysis. 1. The daily smoking amounts of less than half pack and the smoking duration of more than 1 year and less than 3 years were to be the highest. The initiation of smoking was triggered by the curiosity and the proximal social environment. The reason of smoking was to relieve stress and habitual smoking respectively. 2. There was a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers' tooth brushing time, regular dentist visit, recent dental admission, the purpose of dental visits, scaling and oral health education. 3. There was a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers' awareness of oral hygiene in the subjective oral hygiene status. 4. There was a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers' awareness towards the impact of second-hand, after meal and one or two cigarette smoking. Based on the above results, smokers lack the awareness of smoking and oral hygiene compared to non-smokers. Therefore, the activation and the development of programs for the smoking and oral hygiene education targeting college students are considered to be necessary.

Optical transition radiation monitor for the T2K experiment

An optical transition radiation monitor has been developed for the proton beam-line of the T2K long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. The monitor operates in the highly radioactive environment in proximity to the T2K target. It uses optical transition radiation, the light emitted from a thin metallic foil when the charged beam passes through it, to form a two-dimensional image of the 30GeV proton beam profile in the transverse plane. One of its key features is an optical system capable of transporting the light over a large distance out of the harsh environment near the target to a lower radiation area where it is possible to operate a camera to capture this light. The monitor measures the proton beam position and width with an accuracy better than 0.5mm, meeting the physics requirements of the T2K experiment.

L’évaluation du contexte familial dans l’examen psychologique de l’enfant

Family assessment is an essential component of the psychological evaluation of the child. The aim of this assessment is to determine risk and resiliency factor in the proximal relational environment of the child. Results of researches have indeed shown on the one hand that family-level variables explain a specific part of the variance in child development and psychopathology, and on the other hand that family intervention is efficient to treat several pathological conditions in child and adolescent such as conduct disorders, substance abuse, or eating disorders. In this paper, we present the specific dimensions of family functioning (e.g. cohesion and flexibility) and the different methods and instruments that can be used to assess them, with their respective benefits (e.g. direct observation with the Lausanne Trilogue Play, questionnaires such as the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales). We present then different possible uses of family assessment: for therapeutic indication (to evaluate the relevance of a family intervention in a given situation), or to determine therapeutic goals (to specify which relational dimension may be targeted by the intervention), or as an intervention in itself (like in the joint assessment procedures developed by the family-centred approaches).

Introduction: Innovation and economic geography: a review and analysis

This article reviews the developing links between economic geography and innovation theory and practical management in terms of research and literature. This article identifies five main themes, where this has been most evident, namely: coordination issues; proximity and geographical environment (including clusters, spillovers, agglomerations and networks); flows and connections: transactions and trade; enterprise and entrepreneurship; and innovation and knowledge. This article positions the papers in this Special Issue within this framework and identifies areas for future research between the two fields

Kingnites diamondi gen. et sp. nov., an exceptionally large Silurian paulinitid (Annelida; Polychaeta) from shallow marine settings of Baltoscandia

The polychaete annelid Kingnites diamondi, a new paulinitid genus and species, is described from the Silurian of Baltoscandia. Its large maxillae differ morphologically from those of all other known paulinitids, particularly in being very elongate and having conspicuous myocoele openings and posterior portions of the first maxillae (MI). Albeit rare, this polychaete taxon is highly characteristic and appears to be confined to the Wenlock–Ludlow transitional interval on Gotland, Sweden, and ranges into the upper Ludlow on Saaremaa, Estonia. All samples yielding this species derive from strata formed in proximal carbonate platform environments. The temporal and geographical distribution indicates that it first appeared in Gotland and subsequently spread north-eastwards to the present-day Saaremaa. Kingnites diamondi adds to the list of known members of the Paulinitidae and reinforces the importance of this family, in terms of abundance and diversity, in Silurian polychaete faunas of Baltica. This is the biggest paulinitid recorded from the Silurian with an inferred body length of approximately half a metre and its diagnostic jaws may serve as a proxy for shallow water, backreef (marginal marine to lagoonal) environments.

Enhanced calibration technique for RSSI-based ranging in body area networks

Indoor positioning systems based on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are commonly used. The position accuracy in these systems is highly affected by the wireless medium variability, and therefore, a precise calibration is necessary to translate the power measurements to corresponding distance between each pair of nodes. In this paper, we propose a calibration scheme that is tailored to Body Area Networks (BANs) applications. The a priori knowledge about the environment conditions in these applications can increase the accuracy of the localization system, improve its robustness to interference, and reduce the number of RSSI measurements which are required for the calibration process compared to the traditional calibration methods. We define a criterion to obtain the calibration scheme using different a priori knowledge for both the mapping table and the path-loss model parameters. For evaluation of our new calibration scheme, we conducted a series of experiments in a real-world indoor environment, focusing on a proximate environment that is commonly used in BANs. We showed that for a tracking application, calibration methods utilizing the a priori knowledge are superior in terms of localization accuracy over other existing calibration methods with relatively small number of offline measurements.

Context Matters

Managers are increasingly required to lead individuals they rarely, if ever, see, but most leadership research still assumes frequent face-to-face interaction. To explore these relationships, the authors used a web-based survey ( n = 402) and structural equation modeling techniques to determine the fit of a proposed model of leadership in both remote and proximal environments. The authors used four previously identified contextual elements: perceptions of control, prior knowledge of leader, unplanned communication, and regularly scheduled communication with leader. The findings suggest that in the remote environment, perceptions of transformational leadership mediate the relationship between these elements and individual outcomes. The same model does not fit the proximal environment, suggesting that being managed proximally differs significantly from being managed remotely and that this difference resides in the context.

Marine monitoring surveys for desalination plants—a critical review

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are standard practice and a regulatory requirement for most new desalination projects today. However, most of the EIA studies are limited to predictive information; that is, they gather information on the project and the project’s environment before project implementation to make predictions about likely impacts. The EIAs may involve comprehensive studies, such as field monitoring, laboratory toxicity testing, and modeling studies. Consequently, the “surprising paucity of useful experimental data, either from laboratory tests or from field monitoring studies”, which was observed by the US National Research Council in 2008, has been gradually decreasing. However, there is still a long-term research need on the site-specific effects of desalination plants after project commissioning has taken place. A main challenge of field research is the adequate design of the monitoring studies, which have to adequately distinguish the effects of the desalination project from natural processes over long periods of time. The existing monitoring studies have so far used a wide range of approaches and methods to investigate the environmental impacts of desalination plant discharges. Shortfalls are often that they are limited in scope, short-term, or localized. In essence, many studies fall short of recognizing the potentially synergetic effects of the single waste components of the discharges on marine organisms and the complexity of the potential responses by the ecosystem. While the possible risk of damage arising from the concentrate discharge to the marine environment in close proximity to the outfall is at hand, no conclusive evidence can yet be provided concerning the long-term impacts of desalination plant discharges, let alone the cumulative impacts on certain sea areas. This paper conducts a critical review of existing monitoring programs for desalination plants. Shortcomings of current practices are identified and relevant aspects to the design of marine monitoring programs outlined, including the scope of the studies as well as their scientific requirements.