Unit Boundaries Research Articles

Accounting for Decarbonization Impacts across the Full Life Cycle of Alternative Concrete Materials: A case-study for graphene-amended cementitious composites

Concrete's extensive use worldwide comes with significant environmental cost, contributing to 8% of annual global carbon emissions. This study investigates the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic assessment (TEA) as tools to quantify anticipated reductions in global warming potential (GWP) arising from use of novel concrete mixtures or innovative production techniques, with specific focus on a case study related to graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as functional fillers. LCA and TEA results are reported for several choices of functional unit (FU) and system boundaries (SB). This approach illustrates how various LCA and TEA framings are differently useful to articulate how changes in technical performance properties such as mechanical strength and durability influence overall life-cycle environmental impacts. Framing 1 make use of a nominal volume-based FU (1 m3) and cradle-to-gate SB. Under this framing, addition of GNPs to the base mix seems to increase GWP and production cost. Framing 2 makes use of a strength-normalized FU and cradle-to-gate SB. Under this framing, life-cycle GWP and production cost for the GNP-amended mortars are decreased relative to the control, due to the appreciable increase in mechanical strength of the GNP-amended mortars. Finally, Framing 3 makes use of the nominal volume-based FU (1 m3) and cradle-to-grave SB. Under this framing, GWP and production cost for the GNP-amended mortars again seem to decrease, due to improved durability which gives rise to longer estimated service life and reduced maintenance. This study illustrates that use of GNPs as function filler is a seemingly promising strategy for decarbonizing concrete. More broadly, it is concluded that LCAs and TEAs of novel concretes should be framed in a way that articulates how changes in mechanical strength and/or durability properties contribute to changes in environmental impacts over all stages of the concrete life-cycle (i.e., cradle-to-grave). Such framing will help ensure that results that are meaningful to support decision-making in the area of sustainable construction materials.

Topographic and Geodetic Survey for Samarkand's Administrative Boundaries

General Background: Administrative and territorial boundary delineation is vital in the effective governance and economic planning of urban regions globally, with digital technologies increasingly integrated into these processes for accuracy and efficiency. Specific Background: In Uzbekistan, the city of Samarkand’s administrative boundaries are undergoing significant realignment as part of a broader initiative to incorporate strategic urban centers and enable digital land management across administrative zones. Knowledge Gap: Existing methods lack precise integration with digital geospatial frameworks, leaving a gap in high-resolution topographic data essential for clear administrative delineation. Aims: This study seeks to develop and apply an accurate, digitally supported methodology for determining the boundaries of Samarkand's administrative units using advanced geodetic and topographic techniques. Results: By utilizing the CREDO DAT program, this study achieved precise boundary coordinates through the automated processing of survey points, and further analysis was conducted using the Panorama program for detailed map orientation. Novelty: This research presents a unique approach by integrating CREDO DAT with geospatial tools in administrative boundary demarcation, enabling accurate and reproducible results that surpass traditional methods in efficiency and scalability. Implications: The findings support the strategic planning of Samarkand’s infrastructure and resource allocation while also laying the groundwork for applying similar methodologies in other urban regions, advancing Uzbekistan’s digital transformation efforts in land management.Highlights: Digital tools enhance accuracy in administrative boundary mapping. CREDO DAT and Panorama software streamline data processing for precise mapping. This method supports effective urban planning and resource management in Samarkand. Keywords: Administrative Zones, Border, Territory, District, City

Uncertainty-informed identification of tie-rod mechanical properties in monumental buildings

Tie-rods are classic structural elements that have been used for centuries to enhance stability in historic masonry buildings and offer valuable insights into structural performance over time through dynamic vibration measurements. This paper tackles the inverse problem, aiming to quantify uncertainties in mechanical properties, tensile axial force and boundary conditions of tie-rods based on experimental vibration frequencies. The approach assumes known probabilistic models for random parameters, such as mass per unit length, bending stiffness, tensile force and boundary conditions, with certain parameters requiring estimation. Finite dimensional models, i.e., deterministic functions in time and/or space, and a finite number of random variables are employed to discretize both physical and probability spaces. The paper concludes with a Monte Carlo simulation, that provides a comprehensive characterization of uncertainties and the best estimates for unknown features, including mass per unit length, stiffness, boundary conditions and tensile force necessary for achieving target free vibration modal parameters, i.e. natural frequencies.

Geographic Analysis of the Compactness of National Park Unit Boundaries

Geographic Analysis of the Compactness of National Park Unit Boundaries

An improved mathematical model of gas–water two-phase flows in fractured horizontal wells accounting for physical contact behaviors of fractures with total factor characteristics

In water-bearing gas reservoirs, water existence affects gas production performances due to two-phase flows occurring in matrix and fracture systems. Under the background of staged multi-cluster fractured horizontal wells, this work focuses on an improved gas–water two-phase flow model accounting for physical contact behaviors of fractures with total factor characteristics. Combining a point-convergence method with fractal theory and applying Laplace transform and Stehfest numerical inversion, analytical solutions of this proposed model are solved to validate against the field production data and numerical simulation results. Subsequently, the analytical nephograms of formation pressure and water saturation at different stages are given for the first time, throughout which formation pressure and water saturation distributions at different locations of the fractured reservoir embedded with segmented multi-cluster tree-shaped fracture networks are visually exhibited. The results demonstrate that draining area evolution is limited to each segment at early stage and mid-stage, whereas these multi-cluster segments are really integrated into the whole draining area at late stage. Thus, the moving boundary of fracture-controlled unit is also delineated based on water saturation nephograms and expands with continuous production from 65 to 180 m in the y axis direction, contributing to the effective fracturing area for a high productivity. Furthermore, the share of free gas and adsorbed gas are 83% and 17% at early stage, while free gas and adsorbed gas account for 57% and 43% of total gas at the late stage. Those findings contribute to high-efficient and sustainable development of unconventional gas resources.

Holocene paleoenvironmental history of Jackson Lake (Grand Teton National Park, USA) deduced from CHIRP seismic reflection and radiocarbon-dated sediment cores

Sedimentary records from Jackson Lake (Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA) provide an opportunity to investigate the Late Quaternary tectonic and hydroclimatic history of a region known to have considerable earthquake hazard potential. Here, we present a new paleoenvironmental reconstruction for Jackson Lake using high-resolution Compressed High-Intensity Radar Pulse (CHIRP) seismic reflection data and sediment cores from Moran Bay, which is adjacent to the active Teton fault on the southwestern lake margin. Three seismic units (SU) are present within Moran Bay. The lowermost SU-1 defines the acoustic basement, which is characterized by a sharp reflector of variable relief above material with a very low signal-to-noise seismic response; direct sampling reveals this unit to be glaciogenic in origin. SU-2 contains diverse acoustic facies that onlap, downlap, and drape underlying strata. Prominent in SU-2 are faulted, folded, and slumped reflections with mixed amplitude characteristics, as well as reflections organized into prograding clinoforms, which suggest a history of deformation and slope instability in fluvio-deltaic and shallow lacustrine environments. A local unconformity separates SU-2 and SU-3, and above this boundary clinoform packages backsteps towards the hinterland. A bi-directionally tapering package of low-moderate amplitude, continuous to semi-continuous reflections onlap the clinoform; this unit was fully cored (13.8 m), allowing the unit boundary to be sampled and dated. Radiocarbon ages indicate that the core spans ca. 10.4 calibrated kiloyears before present (cal ka BP) to present. Retrogradational stacking of deltaic clinoforms are best explained by increased accommodation in Moran Bay around ca. 10 ka, consistent with a major earthquake and hanging wall subsidence on the Teton fault. Two turbidites identified in the strata align temporally (ca. 10.3 ± 0.4 cal ka BP and ca. 8.3 ± 0.3 cal ka BP) with earthquakes on the Teton fault that have been identified in terrestrial and lacustrine paleoseismic records. From ca. 10.4–6.6 cal ka BP core sediments are relatively rich in clay with highly variable magnetic susceptibility and organic carbon content. Deposition during this period was influenced by an evolving stream network and a relatively dry paleoclimate. From ca. 6.6–2.7 cal ka BP core sediments have higher sand and organic carbon contents, suggesting variable fluvial discharge and climate instability. The youngest core records produced a sharp increase in sedimentation rate, sand and organic carbon content, propelled by greater effective moisture, higher lake levels, and increasing watershed vegetation density. Based on clinoform rollover position, water levels at ∼2,046, ∼2,049, ∼2,053, and 2063 m asl characterized Moran Bay during the Holocene. Together, the seismic and core data records indicate a complex and dynamic Holocene lacustrine evolution controlled by fault motion and water level changes.

Online model of wellness value for terminal difference of high-pressure heater targeting status diagnosis

Generally, health level of high pressure heater (HPH) for coal fired unit (CFU) can be diagnosed with wellness value of terminal temperature difference (TTD, upper end difference) compared with site measured value. However, TTD wellness value for HPH is tremendously involved by CFU boundary parameters. Simultaneously influencing mechanism is extremely complex. Such factor has been proven to make it laborious to accurately determine TTD wellness value in real-time during operation. Regretfully, up to now, a deficiency of theoretical methods for TTD wellness value on influence of unit boundary conditions is still subsistent. Under helplessness, TTD design value of HPH is roughly recognized as an imaginary wellness value for operators. Unfortunately, such ludicrous manipulating has brought stupendous errors to diagnosis of HPH faults.In this background, primarily calculation model for wellness of operating end difference of HPH is established on influence of boiler boundary conditions. Formidable coupling for boiler and turbine is cracked in model. Meanwhile, redistribution mechanism of heat transfer area for superheated condensation zone in HPH is firstly involved under variable conditions. Subsequently, variation pattern of main steam parameters and HPH extraction parameters were investigated on boundary parameters of boiler. Impact of such changing transmitted to HPH is captured. Therefore, influential mechanism from boiler boundary parameters on TTD health value of HPH was obtained. Exploration results indicate, a 1000 kJ/kg increment in coal calorific value as main influencing factor maximally dedicates 4 °C enhancement in TTD for HPH. Finally, diagnostic case of wellness status of HPH is provided. Proposed model can be employed to determine wellness value of HPH terminal difference in real-time online targeting changing in boundary conditions of CFU. The current situation of adopting design values of TTD as wellness values has been smashed. This research work, reputed as a fantastic theoretical foundation, make performance diagnosis of HPH a possibility especially real-time online diagnosis.

Contrastive Study of Tone and Intonation in Koro Ashe and English

This paper undertakes a contrastive study of tone and intonation in Koro Ashe and English; an implication for Koro Ashe L2 learners of English with the hope of helping the study populace to improve in their spoken aspect of English. The sample consisted of 20 randomly selected Koro Ashe ESL learners of English in Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State. The instrument used in collecting data for this investigation is Oral Production Test (OPT), a pronunciation test that assessed the participants’ pronunciations of Koro Ashe words. The theoretical framework used in the paper was Contrastive Analysis (CA). The results showed that Koro Ashe is a tonal language and that tone in Koro Ashe is capable of performing lexical functions as it is demonstrated in words like [ìnȧk] L-L ‘cow’ and [inak] L-H ‘sp tree’, [iwei] L-L ‘toad’ and [iwei] L- H ‘fear’. Tone in Koro Ashe can perform grammatical function, that is, changing singular nouns to the plural as it is seen in words; [inak] (L-L) ‘cow’ and [inak] (H-H) ‘cows’, [inor] ‘wound’ (L-L) and [inor] ‘wounds’ (H-H), [imai] ‘generation’ (L-L) and [imai] ‘generations’ (H-H), [iguk] ‘pocket’ (L-L) and [iguk] (H-H) ‘pockets’, [iʤu] ‘fly’ (L-L) and [iʤu] ‘flies’ (H-H). However in English, intonation (pitch) in English conveys information of a broadly meaningful nature, it can be used to express attitudes, interest, doubt, emphasis, certainty, politeness, mark boundaries of syntactic units, signals division of utterances into intonation phrases, signals end of statement, signals “old” information and “new” information etc.

3D modeling of the stratigraphic and structural architecture of the Crotone basin (southern Italy) using machine learning with Python

The 3D modeling and representation of geological data have experienced significant growth within last years, due to the use of new technologies derived from advancements in land representation methods. These technologies enable interactive, intuitive and clear geological visualizations. This paper shows how, by using the open-source Python software (operable with a simple internet browser) for machine learning (linear and KNN interpolations), together with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it is possible to achieve interactive 3D visualizations of geological features in sedimentary basins. This study is performed in the onshore-offshore Crotone area (southern Italy) where a large amount of stratigraphic datasets are available from core perforation and seismic profiles due to the presence of a natural gas extraction field. Thanks to a database of 63 drilling lithologic records and 43 check points obtained from 9 interpreted seismic sections, several 3D HTML models were constructed defining three stratigraphic units (Pre-Messinian, Messinian, and Post-Messinian). An overlap of the Post-Messinian top surface and an erosional truncation of the Messinian top surface toward the N were observed, together with a rising of the Pre-Messinian top surface in the northwestern area. This stratigraphic architecture may indicate differential subsidence and/or uplifting due to syn-sedimentary fault kinematics in the whole studied area. The 3D models with the stratigraphic unit boundary surfaces obtained with KNN interpolation (showing stepped and abrupt edges) allowed the interpretation in terms of structural architecture and syn-sedimentary fault kinematics. Three main sets of faults were deduced: N–S; NNW-SSE, and ENE-WSW. A minorly represented E-W set was added to the main sets. These faults generated a horsts-grabens structure, and in many cases a determinate set of faults caused a progressive lowering or rising of some areas with an “en echelon” arrangement. According to previous works, these deduced sets of faults (most of them strike-slip faults) have a good agreement with the general structural architecture and defined faults in the area.

The depositional record of the French Flemish Coastal plain since antiquity: Impacts of land reclamation in a tide‐dominated estuary

AbstractThe French Flemish Coastal Plain, which extends from Denmark to France, is characterised by a topography close to sea level and protected by a system of coastal dunes. Quaternary sediments, comprised of marine, estuarine and continental deposits, accumulated by infilling and then prograding above a network of incised valleys. This study focusses on the Holocene infill of the Denna palaeoestuary, south‐west to Dunkerque. Surface geophysics (electrical conductivity and ground‐penetrating radar) and vibrocore data are used to reconstruct the landscape evolution during the last stages of sedimentation. The conductivity map highlights the last network of tidal channels, ditches and dikes of the eastern side of the palaeoestuary. Over the upper 4 m of the infill, the ground‐penetrating radar profiles show two superimposed units. The bottom unit is composed of meandering channel bars and the top unit of flat strata intersected by sparse channels, mostly infilled in place. The sediment analysis of the vibrocores shows a predominantly sandy filling of marine to estuarine origin, evidenced by sponge spicules and a fauna of bivalves and foraminifera adapted to brackish settings. The uppermost deposit exhibits an oxidation profile which marks the groundwater zone transition. Clayey sediments are also present, infilling the uppermost channels and ditches dug during reclamation, in increasing proportions towards the axis of the estuarine palaeovalley. The tidal signature of sedimentary dynamics is evidenced by heterolithic facies in some channel fills and tidal rhythmites infilling scour depressions linked to dike breaching. The abrupt decrease in channel dynamics across the unit boundary, although sedimentation remained sandy in the upper unit, coincides with the development of embankment of the estuarine border and is tentatively interpreted as a result of reclamation.

Combining vector and raster data in regionalization: A unified framework for delineating spatial unit boundaries for socio-environmental systems analyses

Regionalization has emerged as a crucial research area for the past 50 years, including aggregating smaller areas into larger, contiguous, and/or homogeneous regions. Spatial optimization techniques are advantageous for solving regionalization problems, yet their nondeterministic polynomial-time (NP) hard nature leads to computational complexity and time consumption, especially with extensive datasets. Although regionalization studies play a pivotal role in defining boundaries for multi-scalar analysis and modeling complex socio-environmental systems (SES), current approaches lack integrated consideration of raster and vector data. We introduce a unified, structured framework integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS), image segmentation, and regionalization to identify and characterize socio-environmental units accounting for various data models and types. We use a public geodatabase of the Rio Grande/Bravo basin, an SES covering diverse cultures, ecosystems, and economies, to demonstrate the functionality of our newly developed method, which effectively identifies spatial units for subsequent SES analysis and modeling. The delineation process accounts for various factors, including administrative boundaries, estimated total quantities, compactness, spatial contiguity, and similarity in socio-environmental characteristics. To make this work reproducible, replicable, and expandable, we developed the approach entirely based on open-source Python packages. Our method is easily transferable to other research using various data formats and spatial scales to delineate spatial unit boundaries effectively and efficiently.

Evaluating the Relative Importance of Wordhood Cues Using Statistical Learning.

Identifying wordlike units in language is typically done by applying a battery of criteria, though how to weight these criteria with respect to one another is currently unknown. We address this question by investigating whether certain criteria are also used as cues for learning an artificial language-if they are, then perhaps they can be relied on more as trustworthy top-down diagnostics. The two criteria for grammatical wordhood that we consider are a unit's free mobility and its internal immutability. These criteria also map to two cognitive mechanisms that could underlie successful statistical learning: learners might orient themselves around the low transitional probabilities at unit boundaries, or they might seek chunks with high internal transitional probabilities. We find that each criterion has its own facilitatory effect, and learning is best where they both align. This supports the battery-of-criteria approach to diagnosing wordhood, and also suggests that the mechanism behind statistical learning may not be a question of either/or; perhaps the two mechanisms do not compete, but mutually reinforce oneanother.

Using Public Data to Improve Population Estimates Within Consistent Boundaries

Studies of neighborhood change rely on interpolated data to cope with inconsistent boundaries of geographic units over time. The standard approach introduces error by assuming, counterfactually, that all kinds of people are distributed in the same manner within tracts as the whole population. This study evaluates estimates of 2,000 neighborhood characteristics using 2010 boundaries in the Longitudinal Tract Data Base (LTDB) that uses the standard approach, and an alternative trait-based (TB) method that uses additional small area data to account for spatial heterogeneity. Both are compared to the true (but confidential) original census data. For variables that are available from full-count census data at the block level (including race, age, and some housing characteristics), the TB estimates are much better than the LTDB estimates. The same general approach is ineffective, however, when the small area data are subject to sampling variability and published with less spatial granularity.

Multidisciplinary Approach Optimizes Characterization, Completion in Shale Play

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper URTeC 3871303, “Using a Multidisciplinary Approach to Reservoir and Completion Optimization Within the Woodford Shale Play of the Arkoma Basin,” by Stephen C. Zagurski, SPE, and Steve Asbill, SPE, Foundation Energy Management, and Christopher M. Smith, Advanced Hydrocarbon Stratigraphy, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ Subsurface complexities related to the formation of peripheral foreland basins can have significant effects on unconventional resource development. In the Arkoma Basin of southeast Oklahoma, the onset of thrusting and tectonic loading induced a complex series of dip/slip and strike/slip faults during basin formation. The operator used a series of technologies to increase understanding of the reservoir and its hazards and provide insight into economic implications for future development plans and strategies. Introduction The Woodford is primarily a Type II kerogen source rock. The formation typically is classified as either siliceous mudstone or cherty siltstone. Variable thermal maturity across the basin places the Woodford in both the wet-gas and dry-gas phase windows (moving west to east across the basin). Complex faulting regimes within the Arkoma add a layer of complexity to horizontal development of the Woodford. The operator wanted to increase the understanding of the Woodford and the effects of faulting through the reservoir in a recent development unit in the liquids-rich fairway. The development unit consists of an existing parent well (Well X) and a pair of child wells (Well Y and Well Z). The background of Unit XYZ begins with the completion of parent Well X 4–6 years before infill development. In this portion of the basin, Well X’s initial production rate and its cumulative production to date rank it in the top 25% of wells. The wellbore is subjected to a pair of faults and was drilled in the upper half of the Woodford. Placement of Well X is substantially further east than most parent wells because it is approximately 1,600 ft from the unit boundary. This limited infill development to two wells instead of three; the Arkoma typically has seen spacing of four, and sometimes five, wells per section. Wells Y and Z were planned and drilled east of Well X with 1,100–1,600 ft of well spacing. Well spacing in the unit was slightly hindered by surface location limitations and limited true vertical depth (TVD) between surface casing and landing point. Structural complexity within the unit partially impaired infill development of the unit. Specifically, Well Y and its lateral length was shortened. In this portion of the Arkoma, fault-derived water production typically is the highest-weighted variable in a well’s operating expenditure. Thus, the ability to limit excess water production within Unit XYZ and the surrounding acreage is of paramount importance.

Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the main lignite-rich grabens in Poland. Part 1. Tectonic stages

Understanding the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of grabens rich in lignite is important in the context of the accumulation of ~40–650 m of peat, as well as the exploitation of later formed lignite seams with a thickness of ~20–250 m. Six such areas were selected for a detailed palaeotectonic analysis: the Gostyń, Szamotuły, Legnica, Zittau, Lubstów, and Kleszczów grabens. During the analysis, borehole data were used, taking into account the compaction of peat at the transition to lignite, in order to reconstruct the magnitude of the total subsidence. This made it possible to distinguish between regional (covering areas also outside the grabens) and local (occurring only in the grabens) tectonic movements, and among the latter, tectonic and compactional subsidence. The hypothetical palaeosurface of the mires was reconstructed based on the lignite decompaction. As a result, it was possible to determine whether the examined peat/lignite seams underwent post-depositional uplift and/or subsidence. Between one (Gostyń Graben) and four (Zittau Basin and Kleszczów Graben) stages of tectonic subsidence were distinguished in the studied lignite-bearing areas. In the case of the Zittau Basin, as well as the Lubstów and Kleszczów grabens, post-depositional stages of tectonic uplift were also indicated. Like the boundaries of lithostratigraphic units, the successive stages of the Cenozoic tectonic development of the examined grabens are diachronic.

Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the main lignite-rich grabens in Poland. Part 1. Tectonic stages

Understanding the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of grabens rich in lignite is important in the context of the accumulation of ~40–650 m of peat, as well as the exploitation of later formed lignite seams with a thickness of ~20–250 m. Six such areas were selected for a detailed palaeotectonic analysis: the Gostyń, Szamotuły, Legnica, Zittau, Lubstów, and Kleszczów grabens. During the analysis, borehole data were used, taking into account the compaction of peat at the transition to lignite, in order to reconstruct the magnitude of the total subsidence. This made it possible to distinguish between regional (covering areas also outside the grabens) and local (occurring only in the grabens) tectonic movements, and among the latter, tectonic and compactional subsidence. The hypothetical palaeosurface of the mires was reconstructed based on the lignite decompaction. As a result, it was possible to determine whether the examined peat/lignite seams underwent post-depositional uplift and/or subsidence. Between one (Gostyń Graben) and four (Zittau Basin and Kleszczów Graben) stages of tectonic subsidence were distinguished in the studied lignite-bearing areas. In the case of the Zittau Basin, as well as the Lubstów and Kleszczów grabens, post-depositional stages of tectonic uplift were also indicated. Like the boundaries of lithostratigraphic units, the successive stages of the Cenozoic tectonic development of the examined grabens are diachronic.

Identification of intercity ecological synergy regions and measurement of the corresponding policy network structure: A network analysis perspective

The development and governance of modern cities have gradually broken through the boundaries of administrative units. In recent times, with intercity ecological space becoming the focus of a series of development and conservation actions, identifying the intercity ecological synergy regions (maintaining connectivity within the ecological space to ensure the continuity of species migration and landscape) and realizing its collaborative governance has become extremely important to maintain sustainable regional development. Cross-border ecological governance involves many actors and forms a complex relationship network. At present, there are few quantitative evaluation methods for this problem, which limits our ability to manage the ecological space between cities. This paper uses the network method to establish and analyze the related ecological and policy networks in Shenzhen. The study results show that the ecological synergy regions are locally concentrated along the fringes of Shenzhen City, and the links between different levels of actors in the policy network are relatively weak. The action objects of ecological governance designated by different cities form convergence or divergence patterns, making it challenging to organize spatially integrated actions among different cities. Finally, suggestions for structural optimization are proposed concerning the policy network associated with the ecological synergy regions from the aspects of spatial implementation pathways and planning strategies.

A framework to support the identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk under climate change

To recover species at risk, it is necessary to identify habitat critical to their recovery. Challenges for species with large ranges (thousands of square kilometres) include delineating management unit boundaries within which habitat use differs from other units, along with assessing any differences among units in amounts of and threats to habitat over time. We developed a reproducible framework to support identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk. The framework (i) reviews species distribution and life history; (ii) delineates management units across the range; (iii) evaluates and compares current and (iv) potential future habitat and population size and (v) prioritizes areas within management units based on current and future conditions under various scenarios of climate change and land-use. We used Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in Canada as case studies. Using geographically weighted regression models and cluster analysis to measure spatial variation in model coefficients, we found geographic differences in habitat association only for Canada Warbler. Using other models to predict current habitat amount for each species in different management units, then future habitat amount under land use and climate change, we projected that: (1) Canada Warbler populations would decrease in Alberta but increase in Nova Scotia and (2) Wood Thrush populations would increase under most scenarios run in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but not in Ontario. By comparing results from future scenarios and spatial prioritization exercises, our framework supports identification of critical habitat in ways that incorporate climate and land-use projections.

Analytical and philosophical issues of studying current problems in the development of modern derivatology

Relevance\Purpose. The relevance of the research undertaken is determined by the insufficient description of the cognitive approach in relation to word formation units, the unjustifiably rare use of word formation data by the conceptology that is actively developing in linguistics, and the need to form semantic-cognitive analysis procedures relevant to the research object to determine the boundaries of complex units of the word-formation level. The article focuses on the philosophical issues of linguistics, in particular word formation.Methodology. The main function of the analysis and classification of derived words is determined not as groups of derived words or a system of derivational types, but the principles of construction and deployment of complex derivational fragments (blocks, rows, fields), taking into account derivational units larger than a word, analytical analogs of derived words, constructions in the derivation function, the only way to represent the derivative and its semantics.Results. The peculiarity of linguistics at the end of the 20th century, the essence of which is the recognition of the cognitive conditioning of the main linguistic units and structures, is noted.Conclusions. It is noted that the materialization of certain concepts with the help of linguistic means always consists of a certain ordering, systematization, distribution by headings, categorization.

Life cycle assessment of hemp-based milk alternative production in Lower Saxony, Germany, based on a material flow analysis of a pilot scale

PurposeRecently, demand for plant-based milk products (PBMP) has increased for multiple reasons, such as the rapid population growth expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, health concerns such as lactose intolerance, nutritional aspects, ethical reasons, and environmental concerns. This leads to increased demand for food and competition for natural resources. Hemp-based milk is an emerging dairy alternative, and stakeholders in the supply chain are becoming increasingly interested in learning about the environmental effects of its production. This article aims for a comparative life cycle assessment of hemp-based and bovine milk with fat and protein correction to account for the differences in macronutrient content.MethodsThe cradle-to-factory gate LCA relied on experimental cultivation and milk production in Lower Saxony, Germany. Inventory was based on primary data from fields and the pilot plant of DIL e. V. and on literature and ecoinvent database to develop a life cycle assessment (LCA) model. The LCA was performed using Simapro 9.3 software and IMPACT 2002+ impact assessment method. The life cycle stages include cultivation, harvesting, and milk production. The study compared hemp-based milk to bovine milk based on 1 kg fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) as a functional unit (FU). Co-products are taken into consideration using mass-economic allocation.ResultsThe results showed that hemp cultivation accounted for the highest impact (99%) in the production chain of hemp milk production. The GWP of 1 kg of FPCM hemp-based milk is 0.42 kg CO2 eq. The energy consumption for 1 kg of FPCM hemp-based milk is 4.73 MJ (12.26% lower than bovine milk). The other main factors impacting hemp-based milk production were terrestrial ecotoxicity (6.444E2 kg TEG soil) and aquatic ecotoxicity (2.458E2 kg TEG water). Hemp fiber was the co-product with 40% of the allocated impacts. The results are sensitive to the changes in fat-protein contents, functional unit, and system boundaries. The results demonstrated that the impacts of hemp milk production were within the range indicated for other PBMP production and 51.7% lower than bovine milk production in terms of GWP. This range primarily stems from field emissions, fertilizer application, and machinery usage during cultivation and harvest.ConclusionThe results of the comparisons of bovine milk and hemp-based milk were dependable on the FU. The hemp-based milk has the potential to be a more sustainable alternative to bovine milk due to considerably lower impacts in impact categories—land occupation (99% lower than bovine milk), global warming (52% lower than bovine milk), and ionizing radiation (23% lower than bovine milk). It is primarily due to less use of agricultural machinery, less land requirement, and lower NH3 emissions than bovine milk in various stages of milk production.