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We study dynamics in a network of interacting agents updating their binary states according to a time-varying threshold rule. Specifically, agents revise their state asynchronously by comparing the weighted average of the current states of their neighbors in the interaction network with possibly heterogeneous time-varying threshold values. Such thresholds are determined by an exogenous signal repr
Consumption of seafood contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs) leads to a foodborne disease known as ciguatera. Primary producers of CTXs are epibenthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa. In this study, thirteen Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa strains were cultured, harvested at exponential phase, and CTXs were extracted with an implemented rapid protocol. Microalgal extracts were obt
The salinization of freshwaters is a global threat to aquatic biodiversity. We quantified variation in chloride (Cl−) tolerance of 19 freshwater zooplankton species in four countries to answer three questions: (1) How much variation in Cl− tolerance is present among populations? (2) What factors predict intraspecific variation in Cl− tolerance? (3) Must we account for intraspecific variation to ac
South Africa has a coal-based energy system and extractive economy, largely responsible for its high emission levels relative to countries with similar GDP. This extractive, coal-based economy began during British colonisation and today shows few signs of transitioning rapidly to limit climate change. This paper interrogates the role of coloniality in climate delay, given that colonisation is resp
Mitigation option are not yet being implemented at the scale required to limit global warming to well below 2°C. Various factors have been identified that inhibit the implementation of specific mitigation options. Yet, an integrated assessment of key barriers and enablers is lacking. Here we present a comprehensive framework to assess which factors inhibit and enable the implementation of mitigati
Loss and damage is the “third pillar” of international climate governance alongside mitigation and adaptation. When mitigation and adaptation fail, losses and damages occur. Scholars have been reacting to international political discourse centred around governing actual or potential severe losses and damages from climate change. Large gaps exist in relation to understanding the underlying power di
In the global market of air transport, integration of products and services is now seen as being necessary for the long-term success of engine manufacturers. This paper describes research stimulated by a fundamental shift that is occurring in the manufacture and marketing of aero engines for commercial and defence purposes, away from the selling of products to the provision of services. Our collab
The implementation of sustainability in the construction sector depends to varying extents at global, national, regional, local, corporate and individual levels. In addition, it appears to be a lack of knowledge transfer to local construction project management according to managing the process towards sustainability. Accordantly to environmental legislation, it is the client that is the responsib
PurposeThe Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 calls for a reduction in disaster mortality, yet measuring mortality remains a challenge due to varying definitions of disaster mortality, the quality, availability and diversity of data sources, generating mortality estimates, and how mortality data are interpreted.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses five case studies to pro
Plastic waste has come to the forefront of academic and political debates as a global problem that demands an urgent solution. Promoted by policymakers, academia, and corporations alike, the circular economy model presents a viable path to reach more sustainable levels of development. Emerging and disruptive technologies can catalyse the transition to a circular economy, but their application to t
We discuss how coherent driving of a two-level quantum system can be used to induce a complex phase on the ground state and we discuss its geometric and dynamic contributions. While the global phase of a wave function has no physical significance, the coherent dynamics in a two-level subspace provides relative phases and is an essential building block for more advanced dynamics in larger systems.
Agriculture is key to sustainable development globally – particularly incountries where agriculture both accounts for most of the land use andprovides a livelihood for most of the population. We map out a collaborativeresearch agenda aimed at tackling the urgent but poorly understood issue ofthe role of farmer organisations in overcoming political barriers tosustainable and inclusive agricultural
BACKGROUND: Both postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and preoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with significantly worse outcomes following surgery. The relationship of both of these conditions with each other and with CKD progression after surgery remains poorly studied. Our objective was to assess if there was an interaction between preoperative kidney function estimated by
The objective of this paper is to briefly examine and contrast the two audiovisual productions of Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s first novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo from the perspective that the two films were prepared, shot and finalized within vastly dissimilar production economies. The rationale behind the examination is that it seemingly reveals certain paradoxes that appear to challen
This paper presents results from an interview investigation with teachers in Swedish nurse education especially interested in internationalising the education. The aim has been to study teachers' understandings and experiences of internationalisation against the backdrop of the strong concern for internationalisation expressed in policy documents. The results are seen in the context of globalisati
Biopsychosocial problems experienced by renal disease patients were studied within a contextual framework the patients themselves defined, the findings being related to sociodemographic and medical data. Participants were 72 predialysis patients and 73 patients being treated by haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (106 men and 39 women, aged 18-84 years). Both stress-related global and situational
Linear-transmitters based on combined analog locked loop universal modulator (CALLUM) architectures are attractive, as they promise both high efficiency and high linearity. To date, it has not been possible to analyze a CALLUM transmitter as a linear feedback network due to the nonlinear nature of the control equations governing it. The main purpose of this paper has been the derivation of a linea
ObjectiveTo examine the frequency, characteristics, and outcome of mood disorders, as well as clinical and autoantibody associations, in a multiethnic/racial, prospective inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MethodsPatients were assessed annually for mood disorders (4 types, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) and
