Post-Sustainable Development

The past 15 years have witnessed the rise of post-development theory as a means of understanding the development discourse since the 1940s. Post-development argues that intentional development (as distinct from immanent development - what people are doing anyway) is a construct of Western hegemony. Sustainable development, they argue, is no different and indeed is perhaps worse, given that most of the global environmental degradation has been driven by consumerism and industrialization in the West. Critics of post-development counter by stating that it only provides destruction by tearing apart what is currently practiced in 'development' without providing an alternative. When post-developmentalists do offer an alternative it typically amouints to little more than a call for more grassroots involvement in development and disengagement from a Western agenda. Post-sustainable development analysis and counter-analysis has received remarkably little attention within the sustainable development literature, yet this paper argues that it can make a positive contributrion by calling for an analysis of discourse rather than a hiding of power differentials and an assumption that consensus must exist within a community. A case is made for a post-sustainable development that acknowledges that diversity will exist and consensus may not be achievable, but at the same time participation can help with learning. The role of the expert within sustainable development is also discussed. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Estimating uncertainty in terrestrial critical loads and their exceedances at four sites in the UK

Critical loads are the basis for policies controlling emissions of acidic substances in Europe and elsewhere. They are assessed by several elaborate and ingenious models, each of which requires many parameters, and have to be applied on a spatially-distributed basis. Often the values of the input parameters are poorly known, calling into question the validity of the calculated critical loads. This paper attempts to quantify the uncertainty in the critical loads due to this "parameter uncertainty", using examples from the UK. Models used for calculating critical loads for deposition of acidity and nitrogen in forest and heathland ecosystems were tested at four contrasting sites. Uncertainty was assessed by Monte Carlo methods. Each input parameter or variable was assigned a value, range and distribution in an objective a fashion as possible. Each model was run 5000 times at each site using parameters sampled from these input distributions. Output distributions of various critical load parameters were calculated. The results were surprising. Confidence limits of the calculated critical loads were typically considerably narrower than those of most of the input parameters. This may be due to a "compensation of errors" mechanism. The range of possible critical load values at a given site is however rather wide, and the tails of the distributions are typically long. The deposition reductions required for a high level of confidence that the critical load is not exceeded are thus likely to be large. The implication for pollutant regulation is that requiring a high probability of non-exceedance is likely to carry high costs. The relative contribution of the input variables to critical load uncertainty varied from site to site: any input variable could be important, and thus it was not possible to identify variables as likely targets for research into narrowing uncertainties. Sites where a number of good measurements of input parameters were available had lower uncertainties, so use of in situ measurement could be a valuable way of reducing critical load uncertainty at particularly valuable or disputed sites. From a restricted number of samples, uncertainties in heathland critical loads appear comparable to those of coniferous forest, and nutrient nitrogen critical loads to those of acidity. It was important to include correlations between input variables in the Monte Carlo analysis, but choice of statistical distribution type was of lesser importance. Overall, the analysis provided objective support for the continued use of critical loads in policy development. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of fluctuating daily surface fluxes on the time-mean oceanic circulation

The effect of fluctuating daily surface fluxes on the time-mean oceanic circulation is studied using an empirical flux model. The model produces fluctuating fluxes resulting from atmospheric variability and includes oceanic feedbacks on the fluxes. Numerical experiments were carried out by driving an ocean general circulation model with three different versions of the empirical model. It is found that fluctuating daily fluxes lead to an increase in the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) of the Atlantic of about 1 Sv and a decrease in the Antarctic circumpolar current (ACC) of about 32 Sv. The changes are approximately 7% of the MOC and 16% of the ACC obtained without fluctuating daily fluxes. The fluctuating fluxes change the intensity and the depth of vertical mixing. This, in turn, changes the density field and thus the circulation. Fluctuating buoyancy fluxes change the vertical mixing in a non-linear way: they tend to increase the convective mixing in mostly stable regions and to decrease the convective mixing in mostly unstable regions. The ACC changes are related to the enhanced mixing in the subtropical and the mid-latitude Southern Ocean and reduced mixing in the high-latitude Southern Ocean. The enhanced mixing is related to an increase in the frequency and the depth of convective events. As these events bring more dense water downward, the mixing changes lead to a reduction in meridional gradient of the depth-integrated density in the Southern Ocean and hence the strength of the ACC. The MOC changes are related to more subtle density changes. It is found that the vertical mixing in a latitudinal strip in the northern North Atlantic is more strongly enhanced due to fluctuating fluxes than the mixing in a latitudinal strip in the South Atlantic. This leads to an increase in the density difference between the two strips, which can be responsible for the increase in the Atlantic MOC.

Clostridium bolteae sp. nov., isolated from human sources

Seven obligately anaerobic, gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming organisms isolated from human sources were characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the strains were genetically highly related to each other (displaying >99% sequence similarity) and represent a previously unknown sub-line within the Clostridium coccoides rRNA group of organisms. Strains of the unidentified bacterium used carbohydrate as fermentable substrates, producing acetic acid and lactic acid as the major products of glucose metabolism. The closest described species to the novel bacterium corresponded to Clostridium clostridioforme, although a 16S rRNA sequence divergence of 3% demonstrated they represent different species. Genomic DNA-DNA pairing studies confirmed the separateness of the unknown species and Clostridium clostridioforme. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is therefore proposed that the unknown bacterium, be classified as Clostridium bolteae sp. nov. The type strain of Clostridium bolteae is WAL 16351(T) (= ATCC(T) = BAA-613(T), CCUG(T) = 46953(T)).

Anaerotruncus colihominis gen. nov., sp. nov., from human faeces

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on two isolates of an unidentified Gram-positive, anaerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium that was isolated from human faeces. The organisms were catalase-negative, produced acetic and butyric acids as end products of metabolism and possessed a DNA G+C content of approximately 54 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the two isolates were related closely to each other and formed a hitherto unknown sublineage within the Clostridium leptum rRNA cluster of organisms. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium should be classified in a novel genus as Anaerotruncus colihominis gen. nov., so. nov. The type strain of Anaerotruncus colihominis is WAL 14565(T) = CCUG 45055(T) = CIP 107754(T).

Cetobacterium somerae sp nov from human feces and emended description of the genus Cetobacterium

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on four isolates of an unidentified gram-negative, microaerotolerant, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from the feces of children. The unknown organism was bile resistant and produced acetic acid as the major end product of metabolism of peptides and carbohydrates. It possessed a low DNA G + C content of 31 mol %. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the four isolates were phylogenetically identical (100% 16S rRNA sequence similarity) and represent a hitherto unknown sub-line within the genus Cetobacterium. The novel bacterium displayed approximately 5% sequence divergence with Cetobacterium ceti, and can be readily distinguished from the latter by physiological and biochemical criteria. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown fecal bacterium be classified in the genus Cetobacterium, as Cetobacterium somerae sp. nov. The proposed type strain of Cetobacterium somerae is WAL 14325(T) (ATCC BAA-474(T) = CCUG 46254T).

Anaerofustis stercorihominis gen. nov., sp nov., from human faeces

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on an unidentified Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from human feces. The organism was catalase-negative, resistant to 20% bile, produced acetic and butyric acids as end products of glucose metabolism, and possessed a G + C content of approximately 70 mol %. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the unidentified bacterium was a member of the Clostridium sub-phylum of the Gram-positive bacteria, and formed a loose association with rRNA cluster XV. Sequence divergence values of 12% or greater were observed between the unidentified bacterium and all other recognized species within this and related rRNA clusters. Treeing analysis showed the unknown anaerobe formed a deep line branching near to the base of rRNA cluster XV and phylogenetically represents a hitherto unknown taxon, distinct from Acetobacterium, Eubacterium sensu stricto, Pseudoramibacter and other related organisms. Based on both phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from feces be classified in a new genus Anaerofustis, as Anaerofustis stercorihominis sp. nov. The type strain of Anaerofustis stercorihominis is ATCC BAA-858(T) = CCUG 47767(T). (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fastidiosipila sanguinis gen. nov., sp nov., a new Gram-positive, coccus-shaped organism from human blood

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on two strains of an unidentified Gram-positive, fastidious, non-spore-forming, coccus-shaped bacterium recovered from human blood. The organism was catalase-negative and grew under strictly anaerobic conditions and in the presence of 2 and 6% O-2. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the unidentified bacterium was, phylogenetically, far removed from peptostreptococci and related Gram-positive coccus-shaped organisms, but exhibited a phylogenetic association with Clostridium rRNA cluster III [as defined by Collins et al, Int J Syst Bacteriol 44 (1994), 812-826]. Sequence divergence values of 15% or more were observed between the unidentified bacterium and all other recognized species within this and related rRINIA clostridial clusters. Treeing analysis showed that the unknown bacterium formed a deep line branching at the periphery of rRNA cluster III and represents a hitherto unknown genus within this supra-generic grouping. On the basis of both phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from blood be classified in a new genus, Fastidiosipila gen. nov., as Fastidiosipila sanguinis sp, nov. The type strain of Fastidiosipila sanguinis is CCUG 47711(T) (= CIP 108292(T)).

Verifying and fixing password authentication protocol

Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) is widely used in the Wireless Fidelity Point-to-Point Protocol to authenticate an identity and password for a peer. This paper uses a new knowledge-based framework to verify the PAP protocol and a fixed version. Flaws are found in both the original and the fixed versions. A new enhanced protocol is provided and the security of it is proved The whole process is implemented in a mechanical reasoning platform, Isabelle. It only takes a few seconds to find flaws in the original and the fixed protocol and to verify that the enhanced version of the PAP protocol is secure.

Prediction of Parkinson’s disease tremor onset using radial basis function neural networks

The possibility of using a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) to accurately recognise and predict the onset of Parkinson’s disease tremors in human subjects is discussed in this paper. The data for training the RBFNN are obtained by means of deep brain electrodes implanted in a Parkinson disease patient’s brain. The effectiveness of a RBFNN is initially demonstrated by a real case study.

A square-planar nickel(II) monoradical complex with a bis(salicylidene)diamine ligand

The new square-planar Ni-II-N2O2 complex [Ni(L-Me)] (1(Me)), where L-Me, stands for the dianionic phenolato form of N,N'bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene)-4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenyl- enediamine ((LH2)-L-Me), has been synthesised and fully characterised. X-ray crystallography was also used for the characterisation. The electrochemical one-electron oxidation of 1(Me) produces the thermally stable (within the temperature range 10-295 K) cationic species (1(Me))(+). The UV/Vis and X-band EPR experimental data, supported by DFT calculations, indicate that (1(Me))(+), is best described as a Ni-II monoradical complex and, thus, does NOT exist in a Ni-III ground state, in contrast to its demethylated counterpart [Ni(L-H)](+) (1(H))(+) below 170 K.

Prediction of Parkinson’s Disease tremor onset using a radial basis function neural network based on particle swarm optimization

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been successfully used throughout the world for the treatment of Parkinson's disease symptoms. To control abnormal spontaneous electrical activity in target brain areas DBS utilizes a continuous stimulation signal. This continuous power draw means that its implanted battery power source needs to be replaced every 18–24 months. To prolong the life span of the battery, a technique to accurately recognize and predict the onset of the Parkinson's disease tremors in human subjects and thus implement an on-demand stimulator is discussed here. The approach is to use a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and principal component analysis (PCA) with Local Field Potential (LFP) data recorded via the stimulation electrodes to predict activity related to tremor onset. To test this approach, LFPs from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) obtained through deep brain electrodes implanted in a Parkinson patient are used to train the network. To validate the network's performance, electromyographic (EMG) signals from the patient's forearm are recorded in parallel with the LFPs to accurately determine occurrences of tremor, and these are compared to the performance of the network. It has been found that detection accuracies of up to 89% are possible. Performance comparisons have also been made between a conventional RBFNN and an RBFNN based on PSO which show a marginal decrease in performance but with notable reduction in computational overhead.

Data management for the ocean sciences - perspectives for the next decade

There is remarkable agreement in expectations today for vastly improved ocean data management a decade from now -- capabilities that will help to bring significant benefits to ocean research and to society. Advancing data management to such a degree, however, will require cultural and policy changes that are slow to effect. The technological foundations upon which data management systems are built are certain to continue advancing rapidly in parallel. These considerations argue for adopting attitudes of pragmatism and realism when planning data management strategies. In this paper we adopt those attitudes as we outline opportunities for progress in ocean data management. We begin with a synopsis of expectations for integrated ocean data management a decade from now. We discuss factors that should be considered by those evaluating candidate “standards”. We highlight challenges and opportunities in a number of technical areas, including “Web 2.0” applications, data modeling, data discovery and metadata, real-time operational data, archival of data, biological data management and satellite data management. We discuss the importance of investments in the development of software toolkits to accelerate progress. We conclude the paper by recommending a few specific, short term targets for implementation, that we believe to be both significant and achievable, and calling for action by community leadership to effect these advancements.