Rapid Assimilation Research Articles

Genome-guided isolation of the hyperthermophilic aerobe Fervidibacter sacchari reveals conserved polysaccharide metabolism in the Armatimonadota

Few aerobic hyperthermophilic microorganisms degrade polysaccharides. Here, we describe the genome-enabled enrichment and optical tweezer-based isolation of an aerobic polysaccharide-degrading hyperthermophile, Fervidibacter sacchari, previously ascribed to candidate phylum Fervidibacteria. F. sacchari uses polysaccharides and monosaccharides for growth at 65–87.5 °C and expresses 191 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) according to RNA-Seq and proteomics, including 31 with unusual glycoside hydrolase domains (GH109, GH177, GH179). Fluorescence in-situ hybridization and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry confirmed rapid assimilation of 13C-starch in spring sediments. Purified GHs were optimally active at 80–100 °C on ten different polysaccharides. Finally, we propose reassigning Fervidibacteria as a class within phylum Armatimonadota, along with 18 other species, and show that a high number and diversity of CAZymes is a hallmark of the phylum, in both aerobic and anaerobic lineages. Our study establishes Fervidibacteria as hyperthermophilic polysaccharide degraders in terrestrial geothermal springs and suggests a broad role for Armatimonadota in polysaccharide catabolism.

The 21 August 2021 Catastrophic Flash Flood at Waverly, Tennessee: Harnessing the Warn-on-Forecast System for Confident Prewarning Messaging of Extreme Rainfall

Abstract On the morning of 21 August 2021, extreme rainfall spurred a flood wave on Trace Creek that ravaged Waverly, Tennessee, causing 19 fatalities. Peak 24-h rainfall of 526 mm was recorded just upstream at McEwen, setting the Tennessee 24-h state rainfall record. A Slight Risk of excessive rainfall and a Flash Flood Watch were issued 16 and 8 h, respectively, before rain began; however, predicting mesobeta scale extreme rainfall remains an elusive skill for models and humans alike. Operational convection-allowing models not only suggested pockets of heavy rain but also displayed 1) peak values generally less than half of those observed, 2) widely ranging solutions, and 3) erroneous similarly heavy rain elsewhere. Future use of storm-scale ensembles which use rapid data assimilation promises to help forecasters anticipate extrema that may only be predictable at shorter time scales. This work will examine compelling forecasts from a retrospective run of the experimental Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS). The authors, who include National Weather Service forecasters who worked the event, discuss how WoFS and its probabilistic framework could influence services during low-predictability, high-impact flash floods.

A machine-learning enabled digital-twin framework for next generation precision agriculture and forestry

This work utilizes the modern synergy between flexible, rapid, simulations and quick assimilation of data in order to develop next-generation tools for precise biomass management of large-scale agricultural and forestry systems. Additionally, when integrated with satellite and drone-based digital elevation technologies, the results lead to digital replicas of physical systems, or so-called digital-twins, which offer a powerful framework by which to optimally manage agricultural and forestry assets. Specifically, this enables the investigation of inverse problems seeking to ascertain ideal parameter combinations, such as the number of plants/trees, plant/tree spacing, light intensity, water availability, soil resources, available planting surface area, initial seedling size, genetic variation, etc. to obtain optimal system performance. Towards this goal, a digital-twin framework is developed, consisting of a rapid computational physics engine to simulate an agricultural installation, containing thousands of growing, interacting, plants/trees. This model is then driven by a machine-learning algorithm to obtain optimal parameter sets that match observed statistical representations of a time series of growing agricultural canopy surfaces, measured by digital elevation models. Model simulations are provided to illustrate the approach and to show how such a tool can be used for large-scale biomass management.

Utilization efficiency of Ehrlich pathway-related amino acid affected higher alcohol acetate production of non-Saccharomyces yeasts during alcoholic fermentation

Non-Saccharomyces yeasts have attracted great oenological interest due to their contribution to wine aroma, while the underlying mechanisms remain complex and insufficiently understood. To elucidate the potential mechanisms responsible for the high fruity esters production by P. kluyveri PK-19, a non-Saccharomyces yeast strain known for its aroma production, the nitrogen assimilation profile, fermentation capacity, and volatile production were compared with those of three other yeast strains, namely Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC-19, Pichia fermentans Z9Y-3, and Hanseniaspora uvarum Yun268. Despite the intermediate fermentation capacity, P. kluyveri PK-19 showed strong nitrogen consumption and rapid uptake of Ehrlich pathway-related amino acids during the early stages of alcoholic fermentation. Moreover, P. kluyveri demonstrated a high efficiency in converting Ehrlich pathway-related amino acids into their corresponding higher alcohol acetates (HAAs), indicating an enhanced ability to synthesize HAAs from Ehrlich pathway precursors. The rapid assimilation of Ehrlich pathway-related amino acids and efficient transformation to HAAs potentially contributed to the high production of HAAs in P. kluyveri PK-19. These results suggest that supplementing P. kluyveri-involved fermentation with Ehrlich pathway-related amino acids can increase HAA production and modify wine aroma profiles.

P-463 Transforming teen fertility awareness: the impact of a specialized health education initiative delivered by senior human reproduction nurses in high schools

Abstract Study question Can we enhance fertility awareness among young individuals through targeted health education? Summary answer The initiative, led by senior human reproduction nurses, demonstrated a remarkable increase of 23.78% in fertility knowledge among adolescents. What is known already Understanding factors impacting fertility is key to making informed reproductive decisions. However, a pervasive gap exists in evidence-based fertility knowledge within Western societies, underscoring the need for specialized health education. Young adults often overlook fertility considerations until they encounter challenges in conceiving. Interestingly, recent findings indicate that although fertility awareness is valued amongst young people, it can also lead to stress and anxiety. Therefore to foster early and impactful learning, introducing fertility education to high school curriculums is recommended. Study design, size, duration The reproductive health and fertility awareness initiative was conducted across five public high schools in Catalonia, Spain, during the 2022-2023 academic year. The training consisted of 45-minute presentations delivered by 2 senior human reproduction nurses and focused on modifiable factors influencing fertility. To assess the success of the initiative, we compared teenagers’ knowledge before and after the educational sessions. Participants/materials, setting, methods During the academic year, presentations reached 157 high school students. Assessment was carried out through the virtual platform “Kahoot”, employing 10 multiple-choice questions with 4 response options. The responses before and after the intervention were recorded and analyzed using a paired Fisher’s exact test. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Main results and the role of chance Prior to the initiative, the correct response rates to the fertility questions varied, with averages ranging from 47.6% and 73.8%. Following the fertility awareness presentation, when students were asked the same questions, there was a marked improvement in student performance. Average scores improved to 89.0%, 90.2%, 88.1%, 84.5%, and 89.5% across the respective schools. These improved scores were significant across all five high schools (p-values: 0.0074, 0.0229, 0.0221, 0.0006, 0.0163), emphasizing the effectiveness of the initiative in varying educational environments. The overall average of correct answers initially stood at 64.5%, and significantly increased to to 88.3% (p < 0,0001) post-intervention, reflecting a relative improvement of 23.8%. The consistent increase in knowledge across diverse student demographics suggests that the program’s content was well-received and comprehensible, contributing to its success. Limitations, reasons for caution The initiative only included participants from Catalonia, which may introduce regional biases, limiting broader applicability. Translating increased knowledge into sustained behavior change remains a challenge. A longer-term follow-up period would provide insights into the retention and application of fertility knowledge over time Wider implications of the findings The positive reception and rapid knowledge assimilation among students underscores the potential of targeted health education, extending empowerment beyond classrooms to influence their future reproductive health decisions. This initiative also lays groundwork for addressing potential disparities in fertility knowledge, which has implications for promoting equitable access to reproductive health information Trial registration number not applicable

Design and performance of micro-zone C diffusion device to explore the importance of distance for soil microorganisms to utilize available exogenous carbon source

Soil acts as both a major sink and source of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. Soil microorganisms play an important role in carbon sequestration as well as carbon mobilization. Either substrate to microbe or microbe to substrate transport are important in barren soil environments. Available external carbon sources can be utilized before some soil organic matter components are activated. In this process, external carbon source availability markedly determines soil microorganism activity (e.g., the distance between the carbon source and soil microorganisms). Here, I investigated the role of space as a factor influencing carbon utilization. I designed a soil incubation device that both separated the carbon source from soil microbes and ensured free carbon movement. Dextran was applied to avoid mass flow and maintain a balanced water potential. An isotope-labeling technique was used to quantitatively study carbon diffusion. The microcosm experiment verified that the carbon source was gradually utilized by the soil microorganisms according to the distance gradient. Soil microorganisms close to the carbon source initially used glucose, whereas more remote microbes waited for glucose to be transported. The microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content was much higher at smaller (0–0.5 cm) distances than they did at larger (0.5–1 or 1–2 cm) ones, which indicated that the higher concentration of available carbon source in the space closer to the glucose was conducive to the rapid acquisition and assimilation of microorganisms. The findings of this study establish a methodology and identify potential applications for further analysis of the spatial effects of carbon source availability on soil microbial activity.

Transgenic expression of Rubisco accumulation factor2 and Rubisco subunits increases photosynthesis and growth in maize.

Carbon assimilation by Rubisco is often a limitation to photosynthesis and therefore plant productivity. We have previously shown that transgenic co-expression of the Rubisco large (LS) and small (SS) subunits along with an essential Rubisco accumulation factor, Raf1, leads to faster growth, increased photosynthesis, and enhanced chilling tolerance in maize (Zea mays). Maize also requires Rubisco accumulation factor2 (Raf2) for full accumulation of Rubisco. Here we have analyzed transgenic maize lines with increased expression of Raf2 or Raf2 plus LS and SS. We show that increasing Raf2 expression alone had minor effects on photosynthesis, whereas expressing Raf2 with Rubisco subunits led to increased Rubisco content, more rapid carbon assimilation, and greater plant height, most notably in plants at least 6 weeks of age. The magnitude of the effects was similar to what was observed previously for expression of Raf1 together with Rubisco subunits. Taken together, this suggests that increasing the amount of either assembly factor with Rubisco subunits can independently enhance Rubisco abundance and some aspects of plant performance. These results could also imply either synergy or a degree of functional redundancy for Raf1 and Raf2, the latter of whose precise role in Rubisco assembly is currently unknown.

Impact of risk perception and trust in autonomous vehicles on pedestrian crossing decision: Navigating the social-technological intersection with the ICLV model

In the rapidly evolving realm of transportation technology, the dynamic relationship between pedestrians and technological innovations has attained unprecedented importance. The complex social-technological intersection surrounding pedestrian road crossings has emerged as an attention for traffic safety. What distinguishes the contemporary urban environment is the rapid assimilation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) into the transportation infrastructure, including technological elements such as autonomous vehicles, advanced surveillance systems, and smart infrastructure. To investigate how pedestrians perceive risks, trust technology, and make decisions in this era of technological progress, we designed a video-based questionnaire utilizing the stated preference (SP) methodology. We collected SP data from 589 Chinese pedestrians and employed an integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model to quantify the influence of risk perception and trust in autonomous vehicle (trust in AV), treated as latent variables, on their crossing decisions. Our findings indicate that the presence of autonomous vehicles significantly affects pedestrian crossing decisions. Specifically, an increase in the approaching vehicle speed and a decrease in the approaching vehicle distance increase the pedestrians’ tendency to choose not to cross the road, and the latent variables of risk perception and trust in AV strongly predict this phenomenon. The results of the scenario analysis show that, compared with overall pedestrians, middle-aged pedestrians and high-risk perception-level pedestrians are more conservative in their crossing decisions, but high levels of trust in AV improve pedestrians’ willingness to cross the street. Additionally, the pedestrian-related findings of this study at the social-technological intersection provide better understanding of the decision process and contribute to the planning and development of urban intelligent transportation systems.

The Implementation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy in Pediatric Patients: Where Did We Come From, Where Are We Now, and Where are We Going?

CD19-directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Somewhat uniquely among oncologic clinical trials, early clinical development occurred simultaneously in both children and adults. In subsequent years however, the larger number of adult patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) malignancies has led to accelerated development of multiple CAR T-cell products that target a variety of malignancies, resulting in six currently FDA-approved for adult patients. By comparison, only a single CAR-T cell therapy is approved by the FDA for pediatric patients: tisagenlecleucel, which is approved for patients ≤ 25 years with refractory B-cell precursor ALL, or B-cell ALL in second or later relapse. Tisagenlecleucel is also under evaluation in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but is not yet been approved for this indication. All the other FDA-approved CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies available for adult patients (axicabtagene ciloleucel, brexucabtagene autoleucel, and lisocabtagene maraleucel) are currently under investigations among children, with preliminary results available in some cases. As the volume and complexity of data continue to grow, so too does the necessity of rapid assimilation and implementation of those data. This is particularly true when considering "atypical" situations, e.g.those arising when patients do not precisely conform to the profile of those included in pivotal clinical trials, or when alternative treatment options (e.g.hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or bispecific T-cell engagers (BITEs)) are also available. We have therefore developed a relevant summary of the currently available literature pertaining to the use of CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies in pediatric patients, and sought to provide guidance for clinicians seeking additional data about specific clinical situations.

ПРАКТИЧЕСКИЙ ОПЫТ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ИНТЕРАКТИВНЫХ ЗАНЯТИЙ В МАГИСТРАТУРЕ «ПРОМЫШЛЕННАЯ ФАРМАЦИЯ»

Education of Master's degree students at the Institute of Pharmacy is carried out under the educational program "Industrial Pharmacy". Training is oriented to practical activity and forms professional competencies. The purpose of training in the Master's program is to learn to control the requirements for the production of medicines in pharmaceutical production, to implement the rules of the pharmaceutical quality system of production and quality control of medicines, to improve the pharmaceutical quality system of production of medicines. The set goals in training are achievable with the introduction of interactive methods in the classroom. Master's degree teacher is obliged not only to be competent in the issues of the discipline he teaches, but also must improve the learning process according to the modern requirement of the time. Interactive learning is characterized by joint activity of students and teacher. One of the interactive teaching methods is a round table. At the round table class the student consolidates the previously acquired knowledge, expands it by supplementing the missing information, learns to solve problems in the course of discussion. For this purpose, the teacher creates comfortable conditions when all students are involved in the learning process, they understand the material of the topic, know it and think about solving the problem posed by the teacher in the class. The study analyzed the experience of conducting an interactive lesson in the form of a round table in the discipline of pharmaceutical chemistry and drug analysis. The authors conducted a questionnaire survey of master's degree students. According to the results of the survey it was found out that the use of interactive methods in the educational process increased the effectiveness of learning for the majority of students. Almost all master's students participated in the discussion at the class, even those who previously behaved passively in learning. The majority of students noted that their uncertainty in front of the audience disappeared, communication with the teacher and other students during the round table facilitated rapid and productive assimilation of the material. The results of the study can be used in the professional activities of university teachers.

Testing Stochastic and Perturbed Parameter Methods in an Experimental 1-km Warn-on-Forecast System Using NSSL’s Phased-Array Radar Observations

Abstract The success of the National Severe Storms Laboratory’s (NSSL) experimental Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) to provide useful probabilistic guidance of severe and hazardous weather is mostly due to the frequent assimilation of observations, especially radar observations. Phased-array radar (PAR) technology, which is a potential candidate to replace the current U.S. operational radar network, would allow for even more rapid assimilation of radar observations by providing full-volumetric scans of the atmosphere every ∼1 min. Based on previous studies, more frequent PAR data assimilation can lead to improved forecasts, but it can also lead to ensemble underdispersion and suboptimal observation assimilation. The use of stochastic and perturbed parameter methods to increase ensemble spread is a potential solution to this problem. In this study, four stochastic and perturbed parameter methods are assessed using a 1-km-scale version of the WoFS and include the stochastic kinetic energy backscatter (SKEB) scheme, the physically based stochastic perturbation (PSP) scheme, a fixed perturbed parameters (FPP) method, and a novel surface-model scheme blending (SMSB) method. Using NSSL PAR observations from the 9 May 2016 tornado outbreak, experiments are conducted to assess the impact of the methods individually, in different combinations, and with different cycling intervals. The results from these experiments reveal the potential benefits of stochastic and perturbed parameter methods for future versions of the WoFS. Stochastic and perturbed parameter methods can lead to more skillful forecasts during periods of storm development. Moreover, a combination of multiple methods can result in more skillful forecasts than using a single method. Significance Statement Phased-array radar technology allows for more frequent assimilation of radar observations into ensemble forecast systems like the experimental Warn-on-Forecast System. However, more frequent radar data assimilation can eventually cause issues for prediction systems due to the lack of ensemble spread. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore the use of four stochastic and perturbed parameter methods in a next-generation Warn-on-Forecast System to generate ensemble spread and help prevent the issues from frequent radar data assimilation. Results from this study indicate the stochastic and perturbed parameter methods can improve forecasts of storms, especially during storm development.

Sytuacja socjolingwistyczna mniejszości bułgarskiej na południowo‑wschodniej Ukrainie

The subject of the research is the Bulgarian minority living in the south‑eastern areas of Ukraine. The aim of the article is to present the sociolinguistic situation of this minority. Particular attention was paid to the use of the Bulgarian language in the family and neighborhood sphere. The determinants that maintain or lead to the disappearance of the Bulgarian culture and language in the Zaporozhye region are indicated. Field research among the Bulgarian minority was conducted in 2013–2022 on the margin of research that was conducted among the Polish minority in this region. The leaders emphasized that no one at home uses the Bulgarian language, although some people remember how their grandparents once used the dialectal variety of the Bulgarian language. In the neighborhood environment, no one speaks Bulgarian in this area either. No one speaks Bulgarian in the families, and Bulgarian is not spoken in the neighborhood either. Living in a linguistically different environment was conducive to rapid assimilation to most of the Russian language. In the family sphere and intergenerational transmission, only Russian is present. The research results also make it possible to indicate the reasons for the loss of linguistic continuity among the Bulgarian minority in the Zaporizhia region. Currently, representatives of the Bulgarian minority are learning Ukrainian.

W walce o swe prawa. Łemkowie w województwie rzeszowskim w latach 1968–1972

As a result of Operation „Vistula”, the Ukrainian population, including Lemkos, was dispersed in the Western and Northern Territories of Poland. The authorities assumed that they would have submitted to the rapid national assimilation there. However, the deported population aimed to return to their homeland and preserve their national identity. To this end, the representatives turned to the authorities with particular demands. Lemko activists in the Rzeszów Voivodeship were very active in this field. Taking advantage of the political crisis in Poland caused by the events of March 1968, they asserted constitutional rights and compensation for the harm done to the forcibly relocated population. These efforts resulted in failure because the authorities did not intend to change the current national policy of assimilation.

The effect of flame curvature and flame base movement on the frequency response of a conical Bunsen flame

We create a general model for the tracking of a premixed flame sheet. This model is based on a Lagrangian formulation of the interface motion, which is more computationally efficient than the level-set formulation solved on a grid. We apply this model to a conical Bunsen flame in which flame-base oscillations and flame stretch effects are also considered. We demonstrate that the flame-front dynamics, the heat release rate perturbations, and the flame transfer function (FTF) are affected by three features: (i) the velocity field locally perturbing the flame-front, (ii) the flame-base oscillations normal to the steady flame-front propagating along the flame and (iii) the flame-base oscillations tangential to the flame-front reducing and increasing the flame-length. We provide a physical explanation for the saturation of the FTF phase shift with increasing forcing frequency, which is found experimentally. We show why a n−τ model with fixed τ cannot model this simple flame and that, when building a quantitatively-accurate model of a thermoacoustic system containing this flame, the flame dynamics need to be simulated directly or modelled more accurately than with the n−τ model. The flame model used in this paper has been designed to be differentiable so that it can be used for rapid data assimilation using Laplace’s method. Code is provided so that the user can generate the FTF of a conical premixed flame with any set of parameters and any flame-base trajectory.

Iron Limitation and Biogeochemical Effects in Southern California Current Coastal Upwelling Filaments

AbstractIn the spring and summer, high rates of primary production occur in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE) when nutrients are supplied to the euphotic zone. During periods of intense coastal upwelling, a flux of the micronutrient iron comes from nearshore sedimentary sources. In this upwelling region, mesoscale filament features distribute iron laterally, leading to distinct iron‐influenced ecological zones. This study is the first to focus on the biogeochemical links between iron, the macronutrients, and particulates in coastal upwelling filaments. Broad spatial patterns of iron and biogenic silica concentrations, and proxies of iron‐stress of diatoms, support results from microcosm amendment studies conducted during CCE Long Term Ecological Research process cruises in the summers of 2017 and 2019. We found that the benthic boundary layer and shoreward filament endmember supply dissolved and total dissolvable iron to this feature, but rapid assimilation and sinking by biogenic particles (e.g., diatoms) depletes the surface concentrations. Subsequently, diatom blooms which form in recently upwelled water masses become iron limited over time, thereby affecting the ratios of surface macronutrient reservoirs and biogeochemical advective fluxes. The development of Fe‐limitation during lateral advection may lead to efficient carbon export downstream and offshore of the region with the highest phytoplankton growth rates and productivity.

High-performance polyaniline-coated electrospun P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 nanofiber-based flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator

The rapid progress and assimilation of the Internet of Things in modern lifestyles has sparked increased interest in self-powered electronics and wearable sensors. In this study, we present a simple, facile, and cost-effective approach to fabricate polyaniline (PANI)-coated poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE))/barium titanate (BT) nanocomposite nanofiber mats. The addition of PANI-coated BT NPs into the nanofibers greatly enhances the piezoelectric coefficient (d33 ≈ 62 pC N−1), leading to an improved output voltage. Meanwhile, the conductive PANI also improves the electrically conductive network, resulting in enhanced current output. The proposed flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator yielded an excellent figure of merit (14.4×10−11Pa−1), significantly enhancing energy-harvesting performance (an open-circuit output voltage of ∼68 V, a short-circuit current of ∼3 μA, and a remarkable power density of 225 mW m−2). Furthermore, the fabricated flexible devices exhibited an average mechano-sensitivity of 1.2 V kPa−1, showcasing its potential for widespread application in self-powered wearable sensors capable of capturing various human motions in applications such as gesture monitoring and finger motion detection.

Short-Term (7 Day) Beaufort Sea Ice Extent Forecasting with Deep Learning

Abstract Ships inside the Arctic basin require high-resolution (1–5 km), near-term (days to semimonthly) forecasts for guidance on scales of interest to their operations where forecast model predictions are insufficient due to their coarse spatial and temporal resolutions. Deep learning techniques offer the capability of rapid assimilation and analysis of multiple sources of information for improved forecasting. Data from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System, Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MEaSUREs), and the National Snow and Ice Data Center’s Multisensor Analyzed Sea ice Extent (MASIE) were used to develop the sea ice extent deep learning forecast model, over the freeze-up periods of 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 in the Beaufort Sea. Sea ice extent forecasts were produced for 1–7 days in the future. The approach was novel for sea ice extent forecasting in using forecast data as model input to aid in the prediction of sea ice extent. Model accuracy was assessed against a persistence model. While the average accuracy of the persistence model dropped from 97% to 90% for forecast days 1–7, the deep learning model accuracy dropped only to 93%. A k-fold (fourfold) cross-validation study found that on all except the first day, the deep learning model, which includes a U-Net architecture with an 18-layer residual neural network (Resnet-18) backbone, does better than the persistence model. Skill scores improve the farther out in time to 0.27. The model demonstrated success in predicting changes in ice extent of significance for navigation in the Amundsen Gulf. Extensions to other Arctic seas, seasons, and sea ice parameters are under development. Significance Statement Ships traversing the Arctic require timely, accurate sea ice location information to successfully complete their transits. After testing several potential candidates, we have developed a short-term (7 day) forecast process using existing observations of ice extent and sea surface temperature, with operational forecasts of weather and oceanographic variables, and appropriate machine learning models. The process included using forecasts of atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, as a human forecaster/analyst would. The models were trained for the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska using data and forecasts from 2016 combined with 2018–20. The results showed improvement in short-term forecasts of ice locations over current methods and also demonstrated correctly predicted changes in the sea ice that are important for navigation.

Modelling nitrogen and phosphorus recovery potential by Ulva fasciata

This study investigated the nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiency and recovery potential by the cosmopolitan macroalga Ulva fasciata. An equation to estimate biomass production, as well nitrogen and phosphorus recovery, by Ulva species is further proposed. Results showed that U. fasciata removed 99 % of nitrogen (NH4-NO3) and 22% of phosphate dissolved in water. Tissue nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a increased 73, 20 and 244 %, respectively, demonstrating rapid assimilation of nutrients fueling U. fasciata’s growth (5.69 % day-1). The constructed equation correlating fresh weight and area showed that 0.21- and 11.35-tons ha-1 year-1 of phosphorus and nitrogen could be recovered and that 3.47 tons of dry biomass could be produced. Tissue data add to the understanding of physiological effects of nutrient availability in U. fasciata. The efficient removal of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus represents an important ecosystem service with potential for production of value-added by-products.

RAF planes that won the Battle of Britain were built on German machinery: How Jewish refugee engineer, Ludwig Loewy, was crucial to the war effort

Ludwig Loewy was a Jewish engineer who left Nazi Germany in 1936 to set up an engineering firm in London as a refugee. Britain was rearming, and a new generation of aircraft was being developed based on light alloy construction. The new Loewy Engineering Company had the expertise to supply presses and rolling mills required for alloy fabrication, which were otherwise supplied from Germany at a time of growing tension. The new firm also built a giant tube press for steel for the Admiralty. Loewy’s new company grew rapidly in London, helped by a workforce of refugee engineers and managers and ‘many thousands’ of machinery drawings from Germany. Loewy became a technical advisor to the British Government’s production programme for aircraft until his death in 1942. Back in Germany, Loewy’s former firm, Schloemann in Düsseldorf, was Aryanised after his departure. Schloemann continued to supply equipment into the UK until the outbreak of war and went on to help the German and Italian war effort. Ludwig was dispossessed of his major share in the Company, and the history of Schloemann was rewritten. Ludwig Loewy’s rapid assimilation owed much to earlier contacts with the UK engineering and metals establishment, his expertise in a sector that was growing rapidly and short of skills, customers who needed his technology, and his own personal energy and drive. The Government welcomed his contribution to aircraft and warship production at a time of break-neck rearmament. Ludwig Loewy’s experience supports the view that German-speaking refugee engineers were readily accepted in the UK from 1933 to 1945.

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE ENTERPRISES: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS AT THE LEVEL OF EUROPE AND THE USA FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS

Performance can be seen as a concept that, after six decades of studies and approaches, is still seeking clarification. Over time, the performance has been viewed from several perspectives such as: the equivalent of organizational effectiveness, adaptability, sensitivity, and productivity, up to concepts from the economic-financial sphere such as: increasing added value, profitability, productivity, indebtedness, and solvency. If we look at performance as a term, we notice that it presents a certain imprecision and is rarely defined. In DEX “performance” is represented as “the outcome (especially good) obtained by someone in a sports competition”, “special achievement in a field of activity”, or “the best result obtained by a technical system…” (DEX, 1998). The meaning of word performance comes from the English language from the verb “to perform” which according to the translation made by google translate means to do something regularly, to fulfil an obligation, to execute a contract, to perform in the activity you carry out, to achieve the work. If we look at the word “performance” not from the perspective of the verb but of the subject, this approach leads us to the goal and the way in which an organization achieves its proposed objectives, a fact that can be viewed from the point of view of effectiveness and productivity. The indicators that are presented can be used to measure the economic-financial performance of the entities from a relative perspective and some of their limits have been identified in absolute size. An important trend that manifests itself in the field of measuring the economic-financial results of companies is represented by the increasing importance of intangible assets and intellectual capital, which must be reflected with the help of specific indicators. With the development of new technologies in the information field, many of the work tools of the industrial era have become outdated. The economic entities can no longer obtain long-term competitive advantages only through the rapid assimilation of new technologies or through very good management of financial resources. The ability of an economic entity to mobilize and exploit its intangible assets has become much more important than investments in fixed assets. The difficulties in the financial evaluation of some elements of the business activity such as the ability to organize production, the knowledge and skills of employees, their motivation, flexibility, customer loyalty, available databases, care for the environment, etc., have not allowed that these assets to be recognized as such in the companies’ balance sheets, although they are essential in the present and future competitive environment for the success of economic entities.