Similar Footprints Research Articles

Comparative Environmental Impact Assessment of Resistant Starch-Rich Pastas Produced from High-Amylose Soft Wheat or Malted Bean Flour

Flours rich in resistant starch (RS) are crucial for producing low glycemic index foods, as per Commission Regulation (EU) No. 432/2012. This study assessed the environmental profiles of two high-RS fresh pasta variants: one from malted and decorticated Gradoli Purgatory beans, and another from amylose-rich soft wheat flour, using the Product Environmental Footprint standard method. Both pastas had similar carbon footprints, but the overall weighted score of malted bean pasta was 38% higher than that of the high-amylose wheat pasta, making the latter more economically and environmentally viable. Climate change and water use were major contributors to their environmental footprints, influenced by cultivation practices. Mitigation strategies, such as cultivating drought-resistant beans, are recommended. Although greenhouse gas emissions per gram of protein or RS were similar, overall scores varied, emphasizing the need for sustainable crop selection. Consumer preferences may favor high-amylose wheat for glucose metabolism, while gluten-free, protein-rich needs can be met with malted bean flour, despite its higher environmental impact.

Network Traffic Characteristics and Analysis in Recent Mobile Games

The landscape of mobile gaming has evolved significantly over the years, with profound changes in network reliability and traffic patterns. In the early 2010s, mobile games faced challenges due to unreliable networks and primarily featured asynchronous gameplay. However, in the current era, modern mobile games benefit from robust network connectivity, mirroring PC gaming experiences by relying on persistent connections to game servers. This shift prompted us to conduct an in-depth traffic analysis of two mobile games that represent opposite ends of the genre spectrum: a massively multiplayer game resembling PC MMORPGs with tightly synchronized gameplay, and a single-player puzzle game that incorporates asynchronous social interactions. Surprisingly, both games exhibited remarkably similar traffic footprints; small packets with short inter-packet arrival times, indicating their high expectations for network reliability. This suggests that game developers now prioritize network quality similarly to their PC gaming counterparts. Additionally, our analysis of packet lengths unveiled that recent mobile games predominantly employ short packets dominated by a few key packet types closely tied to player actions, which conforms to observations from PC online games. However, the self-similarity in traffic patterns, a notable feature in PC online games, only partially explains the traffic in mobile games, varying across genres. These findings shed light on the evolving traffic patterns in mobile games and emphasize the need for further research in this dynamic domain.

A new representative of the ichnogenus Megalosauripus (dinosaurs) from the Lower Cretaceous of Northern Caucasus

The Northern Caucasus area is an unique place, which contains numerous outcrops of the Cretaceous deposits of wide stratigraphic range from Valanginian up to Maastrichtian stages. These deposits contain taxonomically various and highly diverse fossils of many organisms, and traces of their life activity as well. The paper deals with a description of a new ichnospecies of the carnivorous dinosaurs attributed to the ichnogenus Megalosauripus, found in the Valanginian deposits (Lower Cretaceous) of the close vicinity of the City of Kislovodsk. Four best-preserved footprints were selected for the present study. These footprints represent a part of the collection of data including a series of field and cameral photo-images, detailed line-tracing drawings of the footprints, measurements of the footprints relative position on the Valanginian depositional / sedimentary surfaces, and the plaster molds taken of/from the footprints. History of study of the dinosaur footprints in Northern Caucasus region is described in detail. The most representative footprint assigned to a new ichnospecies M. caucasicus Naugolnykh et Afonkin, ichnosp. nov. was selected as a holotype. The holotype is a tridactyl footprint with imprints of claw phalanges. The most prominent digit is a middle one (third digit), 18 cm long and 5 cm wide. Second digit is 11 cm long and 3 cm wide. Forth digit is 12 cm long, 2 cm wide. The first digit is weakly visible. The angles between digits are: the angle between second and third digits is 36°, the angle between third and fourth digits is 30°. Full length of the footprint is 19 cm. Maximal width of the footprint is 12 cm. The depth of the footprint is about 1 cm. Two additional footprints attributed to the same ichnospecis are described in detail as well. A comparison of the new ichnospecies Megalosauripus caucasicus Naugolnykh et Afonkin, ichnosp. nov. and the morphologically similar megalosaurid footprints from other regions of the world is given. The footprints described in the present paper are smaller than most of the other representatives of the ichnogenus Megalosauripus. They are different of the similar ichnospecies M. transjuranicus Razzolini et al., M. uzbekistanicus Gabunyia et Kurbatov, and the similar footprints of the same morphological type from Morocco and North America in weakly pronounced imprints of the digit phalanges

Using LCA and Circularity Indicators to Measure the Sustainability of Textiles—Examples of Renewable and Non-Renewable Fibres

Reducing environmental impacts by increasing circularity is highly relevant to the textiles sector. Here, we examine results from life cycle assessment (LCA) and circularity indicators applied to renewable and non-renewable fibres to evaluate the synergies between the two approaches for improving sustainability assessment of textiles. Using LCA, impacts were quantified for sweaters made from fossil feedstock-derived and bio-based PET. These same sweaters were scored using four circularity indicators. Both sweaters showed similar fossil energy footprints, but the bio-PET raw material acquisition stage greenhouse gas, water and land occupation impacts were 1.9 to 60 times higher, leading to higher full life cycle impacts. These contrasts were principally determined by what raw material acquisition processes were considered outside the system boundary of the alternative feedstocks. Using circularity indicators, fossil-feedstock PET scored lowest (worst) because the feedstock was from a non-renewable source. These examples highlight the limitations of LCA: the renewability or non-renewability of raw materials is not fully considered, and contrasts in processes included within system boundaries can preclude equitable comparisons. For LCA to be suitable for quantifying sustainability, it should be complemented by circularity indicators capable of demonstrating the contrast between renewable and non-renewable raw materials, particularly in the case of textiles.

Experimental Study into Optimal Configuration and Operation of Two-Four Rotor Coaxial Systems for eVTOL Vehicles

Coaxial rotors are utilized in multirotor aerial vehicles for the added thrust compared to independent rotors while keeping similar area footprints; however, performance losses should be considered. This experimental study analyzes the effects of varying motor duty cycle and propeller pitch values in motor-propeller systems with two to four coaxial rotors. The results demonstrate that in a two-rotor coaxial system, to lessen the adverse effects of a front rotor’s backwash and operate at the maximum performance, only the back motor should be operated initially up to 75% duty cycle before using the front motor up to its 75% duty cycle. Additional thrust requirements should be generated from the back rotor and then from the front rotor up to their maximum duty cycles. In two, three, and four-rotor coaxial setups, total thrust output generated is 1.6, 2.1, and 2.5 times the thrust output at system thrust performance of 86%, 76%, and 66%, respectively, of that of an isolated rotor. In a four-rotor coaxial setup, the maximum system performance is achieved when the propeller pitch values gradually increase from the first to the last rotor. The gradual increments in propeller pitch values also result in more uniform thrust sharing among rotors.

Exploring the impact of spatial correlations of earthquake ground motions in the catastrophe modelling process: a case study for Italy

Catastrophe models are important tools to provide proper assessment and financial management of earthquake-related emergencies, which still create the largest protection gap across all perils. Earthquake catastrophe models include three main components, namely: (1) the earthquake hazard model, (2) the exposure model and, (3) the vulnerability model. Simulating spatially distributed ground-motion fields within either deterministic or probabilistic seismic hazard assessments poses a major challenge when site-related financial protection products are required. In this framework, we develop ad hoc correlation models for different Italian regions (specifically northern, central and southern Italy) and thereafter we perform both deterministic scenario-based and probabilistic event-based hazard and risk assessments in order to advance the understanding of spatial correlations within the catastrophe modelling process. We employ the OpenQuake engine for our calculations. This is an open-source tool suitable for accounting for the spatial correlation of earthquake ground-motion residuals. Our outcomes, albeit preliminary, demonstrate the importance of considering not only the spatial correlation of ground motions, but also its associated uncertainty in risk analyses. Although loss exceedance probability curves for the return periods of interest for the (re)insurance industry show similar trends, both hazard and risk footprints in terms of average annual losses feature less noisy and more realistic patterns if spatial correlation is taken into account. Such results will have implications for (re)insurance companies evaluating the risk to high-value civil engineering infrastructures.

Effects of crumb rubber inclusion on strength, permeability, and acid attack resistance of alkali‐activated concrete incorporating different industrial wastes

AbstractThis study examines the suitability of alternate binders and crumb rubber (CR) to produce light weight alkali‐activated concrete (AAC). For this, strength, and durability performance of AAC incorporating CR by partially replacing fine aggregate was studied. To produce AAC, four different binders, including fly ash, rice husk ash (RHA), metakaolin, and bottom ash were used. Fine aggregates were substituted with CR at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% for each AAC mix (with different binders). Furthermore, the mixes were prepared using 12 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, and the ratio of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) to NaOH was taken as 2.5. The samples were cured at ambient temperature. Strength and durability properties, including permeability through water absorption and acid attack (hydrochloric acid [HCl] and sulfuric acid [H2SO4]), were also checked. Results of this study revealed that the strength decreased with the increase in CR content. Further, this decrease was high at 30% replacement but strength was satisfactory. AAC showed good relationships among compressive, flexural, and split tensile strengths. Similar footprints were observed for permeability results. However, highest water absorption was observed for bottom ash binder (with 30% substitution of CR). Mixes with fly ash and metakaolin binders outperformed the other mixes while comparing the compressive strength of acid exposed samples. Overall, a sustainable and durable light weight AAC can be prepared using 20% CR.

Estimating the Water and Carbon Footprints of Growing Avocados in the Munich Metropolitan Region Using Waste Heat as a Water-Energy-Food Nexus Potential

Avocados, which have been labeled a superfood and are very popular around the world, are often grown in areas with water scarcity and have long-distance transports to their end consumer. Water and carbon footprints could be reduced by using greenhouse farming, waste heat and rainwater. This study aims to determine whether avocados and other exotic fruits could be locally or regionally grown in greenhouse systems in Bavaria heated using waste heat and examines whether this approach decreases the resulting water and carbon footprints. To test these hypotheses, the waste heat potential is estimated by analyzing a database provided by the Bavarian Environment Agency. Data on water and carbon footprints are extracted from databases by The Water Footprint Network and FAOSTAT. As a local case study, a greenhouse system using waste heat of a nearby glass factory in Upper Franconia is considered. The results show a tremendous waste heat potential for Bavaria and Munich with reduced carbon, but similar water footprints compared to international avocado production. The required area for these avocado farms would only amount to 0.016% of Bavaria's or 0.02% of Munich's total area. With more uncomplicated handling and earlier fruit bearing, fruits like papaya, guava, or carambola seem to be better suited for greenhouse farming than avocados. Waste heat supported farming in controlled environments can require significantly less water through modern irrigation techniques and should be considered when designing new food security concepts for urban or rural areas.

Polarization optical switching based on the molding of coherent light scattering via surface lattice resonances

We study the molding of coherent light scattering in the planes of Au metallic nanoantenna arrays (in-plane light scattering) using surface lattice resonances. The nanoantennas are considered to have similar periodicities and footprints (lateral shapes and sizes) but their heights are varied from 20 to 80 nm. We measure the spectra and relative intensities of the scattered light along the edges of the substrates supporting periodic arrays of such nanoantennas. Our results show that in the case of nanoantennas of high degree of flatness (20 nm height), the variation of the incident light polarization can lead to binary partition of scattered light energy between two modes at two different wavelengths, offering a polarization optical switching process in the near infrared range. This happens as the nature of the light scattering process changes from plasmonic to coherent diffraction associated with the formation of “‘edge-mode’ surface lattice resonances. As the heights of the nanoantennas are increased, the energy transfer process becomes more continuous, offering mixture of the two scattering processes.

High-resolution epitope mapping by AllerScan reveals relationships between IgE and IgG repertoires during peanut oral immunotherapy

SummaryPeanut allergy can result in life-threatening reactions and is a major public health concern. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) induces desensitization to food allergens through administration of increasing amounts of allergen. To dissect peanut-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG responses in subjects undergoing OIT, we have developed AllerScan, a method that leverages phage-display and next-generation sequencing to identify the epitope targets of peanut-specific antibodies. We observe a striking diversification and boosting of the peanut-specific IgG repertoire after OIT and a reduction in pre-existing IgE levels against individual epitopes. High-resolution epitope mapping reveals shared recognition of public epitopes in Ara h 1, 2, 3, and 7. In individual subjects, OIT-induced IgG specificities overlap extensively with IgE and exhibit strikingly similar antibody footprints, suggesting related clonal lineages or convergent evolution of peanut-specific IgE and IgG B cells. Individual differences in epitope recognition identified via AllerScan could inform safer and more effective personalized immunotherapy.

Carbon Footprint of General, Regional, and Combined Anesthesia for Total Knee Replacements.

Health care itself contributes to climate change. Anesthesia is a "carbon hotspot," yet few data exist to compare anesthetic choices. The authors examined the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions associated with general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, and combined (general and spinal anesthesia) during a total knee replacement. A prospective life cycle assessment of 10 patients in each of three groups undergoing knee replacements was conducted in Melbourne, Australia. The authors collected input data for anesthetic items, gases, and drugs, and electricity for patient warming and anesthetic machine. Sevoflurane or propofol was used for general anesthesia. Life cycle assessment software was used to convert inputs to their carbon footprint (in kilogram carbon dioxide equivalent emissions), with modeled international comparisons. Twenty-nine patients were studied. The carbon dioxide equivalent emissions for general anesthesia were an average 14.9 (95% CI, 9.7 to 22.5) kg carbon dioxide equivalent emissions; spinal anesthesia, 16.9 (95% CI, 13.2 to 20.5) kg carbon dioxide equivalent; and for combined anesthesia, 18.5 (95% CI, 12.5 to 27.3) kg carbon dioxide equivalent. Major sources of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions across all approaches were as follows: electricity for the patient air warmer (average at least 2.5 kg carbon dioxide equivalent [20% total]), single-use items, 3.6 (general anesthesia), 3.4 (spinal), and 4.3 (combined) kg carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, respectively (approximately 25% total). For the general anesthesia and combined groups, sevoflurane contributed an average 4.7 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (35% total) and 3.1 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (19%), respectively. For spinal and combined, washing and sterilizing reusable items contributed 4.5 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (29% total) and 4.1 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (24%) emissions, respectively. Oxygen use was important to the spinal anesthetic carbon footprint (2.8 kg carbon dioxide equivalent, 18%). Modeling showed that intercountry carbon dioxide equivalent emission variability was less than intragroup variability (minimum/maximum). All anesthetic approaches had similar carbon footprints (desflurane and nitrous oxide were not used for general anesthesia). Rather than spinal being a default low carbon approach, several choices determine the final carbon footprint: using low-flow anesthesia/total intravenous anesthesia, reducing single-use plastics, reducing oxygen flows, and collaborating with engineers to augment energy efficiency/renewable electricity.

Comparative Assessment of Tubular Ceramic, Spiral Wound, and Hollow Fiber Membrane Microfiltration Module Systems for Milk Protein Fractionation.

The fractionation efficiency of hollow fiber membranes (HFM) for milk protein fractionation was compared to ceramic tubular membranes (CTM) and spiral wound membranes (SWM). HFM combine the features of high membrane packing density of SWM and the more defined flow conditions and better control of membrane fouling in the open flow channel cross-sections of CTM. The aim was to comparatively analyze the effect of variations in local pressure and flow conditions while using single industrially sized standard modules with similar dimensions and module footprints (module diameter and length). The comparative assessment with varied transmembrane pressure was first applied for a constant feed volume flow rate of 20 m3 h−1 and, secondly, with the same axial pressure drop along the modules of 1.3 bar m−1, similar to commonly applied crossflow velocity and wall shear stress conditions at the industrial level. Flux, transmission factor of proteins (whey proteins and serum caseins), and specific protein mass flow per area membrane and per volume of module installed were determined as the evaluation criteria. The casein-to-whey protein ratios were calculated as a measure for protein fractionation effect. Results obtained show that HFM, which so far are under-represented as standard module types in industrial dairy applications, appear to be a competitive alternative to SWM and CTM for milk protein fractionation.

Final energy footprints in Zambia: Investigating links between household consumption, collective provision, and well-being

Substantial literature exists on household lifestyles and related energy use and emissions in the global north, but little is known for many countries the global south. We estimate household-level energy footprints for Zambia covering direct (traditional and modern energy carriers) and indirect energy use, and adopting energy extended multiregional input–output. We employ final energy consumption, as it is closer to energy services and thus the purpose of energy use than the total primary energy use. The inequality in energy footprints differs from the inequality in incomes: the poorest half of the households have similar energy footprints and only high-income urban households have significant indirect energy footprints, associated with spend on goods and services. We examine the association between energy footprints and basic well-being measured in terms of physical health, education, nutrition and access to clean water using logistic regression, for a sub-sample of households with children under the age of five. We find that access to provisioning systems is more important than income for need satisfaction. Rural households have limited access to modern energy and provisioning systems and as a result fewer of them attain desirable well-being outcomes. We conclude that access to collective provisioning systems such as education, electricity and indoor sanitation is more important for household need satisfaction than individual provisioning in the form of ownership of durables, or even income. Further research is needed to improve the understanding of the association between energy use and needs satisfaction as it is crucial for addressing decarbonisation and human development agendas.

Exploring GPCR-arrestin interfaces with genetically encoded crosslinkers.

β‐arrestins (βarr1 and βarr2) are ubiquitous regulators of G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Available data suggest that β‐arrestins dock to different receptors in different ways. However, the structural characterization of GPCR‐arrestin complexes is challenging and alternative approaches to study GPCR‐arrestin complexes are needed. Here, starting from the finger loop as a major site for the interaction of arrestins with GPCRs, we genetically incorporate non‐canonical amino acids for photo‐ and chemical crosslinking into βarr1 and βarr2 and explore binding topologies to GPCRs forming either stable or transient complexes with arrestins: the vasopressin receptor 2 (rhodopsin‐like), the corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor 1, and the parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (both secretin‐like). We show that each receptor leaves a unique footprint on arrestins, whereas the two β‐arrestins yield quite similar crosslinking patterns. Furthermore, we show that the method allows defining the orientation of arrestin with respect to the GPCR. Finally, we provide direct evidence for the formation of arrestin oligomers in the cell.

Quantifying Europe's biodiversity footprints and the role of urbanization and income

Non-technical abstract Biodiversity footprinting links consumers to the biodiversity pressure their consumption induces, thereby informing choices and enabling participation in remediation measures. In order for countries, cities and households to reduce their impacts it is useful to know more precisely what the various drivers of their footprints are. Here we ask: do urban or rural areas in Europe exert higher biodiversity footprints? And how strongly coupled are income and biodiversity losses? Studying urban versus rural households at the country level in Europe, we found both have generally similar footprints, but that higher income households clearly drive higher footprints.

Flamingo-like footprints and the problem of addressing biological diversity in the past

ABSTRACT In this work we present new avian fossil footprints preserved in the Vinchina Formation at del Yeso Creek, La Rioja, Argentina. To understand the morphological variation of very similar footprints not organizaed in trackways, we use statistical analyses combined with taphonomic analyses, resulting in a more refined classification of the ichnotaxa. Accordingly, the monospecific ichnogenus Phoenicopterichnum rector Aramayo and Manera de Blanco 1987 assigned to flamingoes, has two new ichnospecies, P. lucioi isp. nov. and P. vinchinaensis isp. nov. In addition, footprints produced by anatids, Anatipeda ips, are also reported. The predictive clustering analysis allow us to propose new ichnospecies by identifying which variables are of statistical significance to differentiate morphotypes. We defined two taphonomic groups and plotted it on the cluster analysis, inferring that the taphonomic input do not influence the morphologic analysis. Finally, we recommend testing statistically which variables are in fact of more influence in distinguishing morphotypes and/or ichnotaxa. That increase the value of paleobiological and/or ichnotaxonomical interpretations. By using these tools, we can achieve a better identification of footprint morphologies and consequently their trackmakers and the assignation of ichnotaxa to help address biological diversity in the past.

Following the last Neanderthals: Mammal tracks in Late Pleistocene coastal dunes of Gibraltar (S Iberian Peninsula)

The aeolian Pleistocene deposits recorded in the Rock of Gibraltar (S Iberian Peninsula) present a significant sedimentary thickness that fills the wide sea caves and covers its steep slopes. In Catalan Bay these deposits register the development of cliff-foot and rampant dunes that form a 35° sand ramp, 1 km long and up to 300 m in height formed by moderately to well-sorted sands, slightly carbonated and weakly cemented. This morphosedimentary evidence is associated with MIS 5−2 sea level fluctuations. Its internal structure shows lamination sets of 2–3 m in thickness and planar and trough cross-bedding. In these beds, five morphotypes of mammalian footprints have been recognized in vertical cross sections and convex hyporeliefs. Most of them present a moderate degree of conservation due to the poor cementation of the sands. These icnites are related to the activity of terrestrial mammals, possibly belonging to Homininae, Proboscidea, Artiodactila and Carnivora. The affinity between the footprints and their tracemakers has been established in the basis of their physical parameters, the shape of the footprints, their comparison with similar footprints and the correlation with the fossil fauna of vertebrates described for the Late Pleistocene in Gibraltar. These findings represent the first palaeoichnological record in the aeolian sediments of Gibraltar and indirectly corroborate the occupation of the coastal dune landscape by several terrestrial mammals during the Late Pleistocene. In addition, they help reconstructing the animal behaviour and interaction with the extensive dune systems that developed at the foot of the Rock slopes. The age of the tracks has been established within the MIS 2, during the probable Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in the climate refuge of Gibraltar.

Carbon footprint assessment for the waste management sector: A comparative analysis of China and Japan

Waste management is becoming a crucial issue in modern society owing to rapid urbanization and the increasing generation of municipal solid waste (MSW). This paper evaluates the carbon footprint of the waste management sector to identify direct and indirect carbon emissions, waste recycling carbon emission using a hybrid life cycle assessment and input-output analysis. China and Japan was selected as case study areas to highlight the effects of different industries on waste management. The results show that the life cycle carbon footprints for waste treatment are 59.01 million tons in China and 7.01 million tons in Japan. The gap between these footprints is caused by the different waste management systems and treatment processes used in the two countries. For indirect carbon footprints, China’s material carbon footprint and depreciation carbon footprint are much higher than those of Japan, whereas the purchased electricity and heat carbon footprint in China is half that of Japan. China and Japan have similar direct energy consumption carbon footprints. However, CO2 emissions from MSW treatment processes in China (46.46 million tons) is significantly higher than that in Japan (2.72 million tons). The corresponding effects of waste recycling on CO2 emission reductions are considerable, up to 181.37 million tons for China and 96.76 million tons for Japan. Besides, measures were further proposed for optimizing waste management systems in the two countries. In addition, it is argued that the advanced experience that developed countries have in waste management issues can provide scientific support for waste treatment in developing countries such as China.

A Cross-Shape Coil Structure for Use in Wireless Power Applications

This paper presents a novel coil structure employing two parallel-connected subunit rectangular coils. The structure is based on the fact that the rectangular coils are less sensitive to misalignment along its longer side. Therefore, two identical subunit rectangular coils are vertically-oriented to one another and connected in parallel to form a cross-shape coil. The cross-shape coils have the advantage of better misalignment tolerance as compared to circular and square coils with similar footprints at the cost of an increased wire usage. Electromagnetic simulations and experiments on various small-sized coils are performed to verify the advantages of the proposed coil structure. Based on the simulation and measurement results, cross-shape coils exhibit not only better tolerance to misalignment, but also smaller self-inductance values resulting in larger coupling coefficients as compared to square and circular coils. A large cross-shape coil pair consisting of 100 × 70 cm subunit rectangles are fabricated with copper tubes and utilized in a frequency-tuned wireless power transfer system. When coils are separated by 17 cm, a near constant efficiency of more than 89% up to 15 cm misalignment along x- or y-directions and 13 cm along diagonal direction is obtained in the frequency-tuned system.

Coalescent Processes with Skewed Offspring Distributions and Nonequilibrium Demography.

Nonequilibrium demography impacts coalescent genealogies leaving detectable, well-studied signatures of variation. However, similar genomic footprints are also expected under models of large reproductive skew, posing a serious problem when trying to make inference. Furthermore, current approaches consider only one of the two processes at a time, neglecting any genomic signal that could arise from their simultaneous effects, preventing the possibility of jointly inferring parameters relating to both offspring distribution and population history. Here, we develop an extended Moran model with exponential population growth, and demonstrate that the underlying ancestral process converges to a time-inhomogeneous psi-coalescent. However, by applying a nonlinear change of time scale-analogous to the Kingman coalescent-we find that the ancestral process can be rescaled to its time-homogeneous analog, allowing the process to be simulated quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, we derive analytical expressions for the expected site-frequency spectrum under the time-inhomogeneous psi-coalescent, and develop an approximate-likelihood framework for the joint estimation of the coalescent and growth parameters. By means of extensive simulation, we demonstrate that both can be estimated accurately from whole-genome data. In addition, not accounting for demography can lead to serious biases in the inferred coalescent model, with broad implications for genomic studies ranging from ecology to conservation biology. Finally, we use our method to analyze sequence data from Japanese sardine populations, and find evidence of high variation in individual reproductive success, but few signs of a recent demographic expansion.