Is partial tail loss the key to a complete understanding of caudal autotomy?

Autotomy, the self‐amputation of limbs or appendages, is a dramatic anti‐predator tactic that has repeatedly evolved in a range of invertebrate and vertebrate groups. In lizards, caudal autotomy enables the individual to break away from the predator's grasp, with the post‐autotomy thrashing of the tail distracting the attacker while the lizard makes its escape. This drastic defensive strategy should be selectively advantageous when the benefit (i.e. survival) exceeds the subsequent costs associated with tail loss. Here, we highlight how the position of autotomy along the length of the tail may influence the costs and benefits of the tactic, and thus the adaptive advantage of the strategy. We argue that most studies of caudal autotomy in lizards have focused on complete tail loss and failed to consider variation in the amount of tail shed, and, therefore, our understanding of this anti‐predator behaviour is more limited than previously thought. We suggest that future research should investigate how partial tail loss influences the likelihood of surviving encounters with a predator, and both the severity and duration of costs associated with caudal autotomy. Investigation of partial autotomy may also enhance our understanding of this defensive strategy in other vertebrate and invertebrate groups.     

Constructing the “pure” inventor: individual,collective, and corporate authorship within patent law

Along with the increase in genetic testing, it has become ever more important to assess the meanings attributed to genetic information in healthcare and in society. The objectives of this article are: (1) to review international guidelines pertaining to genetic counseling; (2) to analyze how genetic information is constructed in these documents; and (3) to summarize how these constructions affect the ideals and practice of genetic counseling. Guidelines were collected by examining the websites of different political, ethical, professional and patient organizations. The constructions of genetic information in all the 56 guidelines collected were examined with a frame analysis. In order to identify frames, the documents were coded with the software package QSR NUD*IST, and compared to each other. The constructions were sorted into three frames, diagnostics, life planning and threat, through which different discussions on the role of genetics are reflected, and the ideals of genetic counseling are defined.     

Godrap Girls,Draou Boys,and the Sexual Economy of the Bluff in Abidjan,Côte d'Ivoire

In Abidjan, both economic and sexual exchanges are structured around the bluff, a mimetic performance of modern urban identity that is both a form of deception and a means of social transformation. Men and women attempt to seduce each other through the bluff and exploit the relationship for material gain. While marriage is held up as an ideal, it is increasingly elusive as kinship has come to mimic the peer networks of the informal economy. Like drag, the bluff collapses oppositions between appearance and reality, highlighting the performative aspects of ‘modernity’. I suggest that widespread urban sexual antagonism may be constructed around gendered performative consumption, such that the impossible demands of maintaining a deceptive appearance of success produces sexual exploitation and anxiety on both sides of the gender divide.     

Closing the Loop on E‐waste: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

This paper describes the challenges faced, and opportunities identified, by a multidisciplinary team of researchers developing a novel closed loop system to recover valuable metals and reduce e‐waste, focusing on mobile phones as a case study. This multidisciplinary approach is contrasted with current top‐down approaches to making the transition to the circular economy (CE). The aim of the research presented here is to develop a product service system (PSS) that facilitates the recovery of valuable functional components and metals from mobile phone circuit boards. To create a holistic solution and limit unintended consequences, in addition to technological solutions, this paper considers appropriate component lifetimes; the (often ignored) role of the citizen in the circular economy; customer interaction with the PSS; environmental life cycle assessment; and social impacts of the proposed PSS. Development of enabling technologies and materials to facilitate recovery of components and metals and to provide an emotionally durable external enclosure is described. This research also highlights the importance of understanding value in the CE from a multifaceted and interdisciplinary perspective.     

Closing the loop on platinum from catalytic converters: Contributions from material flow analysis and circularity indicators

In this study, material flow analysis (MFA) is applied to quantify and reduce the obstacles for advancing a circular economy (CE) of platinum (Pt) from catalytic converters (CC) in Europe. First, the value chain and related stakeholders are mapped out in an MFA‐like model to both facilitate the assessment of stocks and flows, and get a comprehensive view of potential action levers and resources to close‐the‐loop. Then, through the cross analysis of numerous data sources, two MFA are completed: (i) one general MFA, and (ii) one sector‐specific MFA, drawing a distinction between the fate of Pt from (a) light‐duty vehicles, under the European Union's End of Life Vehicle Directive 2000/EC/53, and (b) heavy‐duty and off‐road vehicles. Key findings reveal a leakage of around 15 tons of Pt outside the European market in 2017. Although approximately one quarter of the losses are due to in‐use dissipation, 65% are attributed to insufficient collection and unregulated exports. Comparing the environmental impact between primary and secondary production, it has been estimated that halving the leakage of Pt during usage and collection could prevent the energetic consumption of 1.3 × 10³ TJ and the greenhouse gases emission of 2.5 × 10² kt CO₂ eq. Through the lens of circularity indicators, activating appropriate action levers to enhance the CE performance of Pt in Europe is of utmost importance in order to secure future production of new generations of CC and fuel cells. Moreover, the growing stockpile of Pt from CC in use indicates the need for better collection mechanisms. Also, the CC attrition during use and associated Pt emissions in the environment appears non‐negligible. Based on the scarce and dated publications in this regard, we encourage further research for a sound understanding of this phenomenon that can negatively impact human health.     

Material Recycling and the Myth of Landfill Diversion

Proponents of material recycling typically point to two environmental benefits: disposal (landfill/incinerator) reduction and primary production displacement. However, in this paper we mathematically demonstrate that, without displacement, recycling can delay but not prevent any existing end‐of‐life material from reaching final disposal. The only way to reduce the amount of material ultimately landfilled or incinerated is to produce less in the first place; material that is not made needs not be disposed. Recycling has the potential to reduce the amount of material reaching end of life solely by reducing primary production. Therefore, the “dual benefits” of recycling are in fact one, and the environmental benefit of material recycling rests in its potential to displace primary production. However, displacement of primary production from increased recycling is driven by market forces and is not guaranteed. Improperly assuming all recycled material avoids disposal underestimates the environmental impacts of the product system. We show that the potential magnitude of this error is substantial, though for inert recyclables it is lower than the error introduced by improperly assuming all recycled material displaces primary material production. We argue that life cycle assessment end‐of‐life models need to be updated so as not to overstate the benefits of recycling. Furthermore, scholars and policy makers should focus on finding and implementing ways to increase the displacement potential of recyclable materials rather than focusing on disposal diversion targets.     

生物技术创新驱动天津经济社会高质量发展

生物技术作为21世纪最重要的创新技术之一,颠覆性、引领性、系统性特征日益凸显,智能化、汇聚化、变革化模式不断涌现,在引领未来经济社会发展中的战略地位日益突出。本文深入剖析了天津市发展生物技术和生物产业的基础和优势,介绍了天津市近年来在支持生物技术和生物产业方面的总体部署和举措,以及在支撑生物产业发展方面取得的重要进展,指出大力发展生物技术是天津市实现高质量发展的重要路径,并对生物技术支撑国家和区域经济社会可持续发展、助力天津全面建成社会主义现代化大都市进行了展望。     

城子崖遗址植硅体反映的生业经济模式

龙山文化是中国史前社会形态演进的关键阶段,亦是农业强化生产的关键时期。城子崖遗址是鲁北平原史前区域中心城址,其生业经济研究有助于理解该地区社会复杂化及文明进程。本文对城子崖遗址龙山时期不同遗迹单位的15份土样进行了系统的植硅体分析,尝试探讨了该遗址龙山文化时期的社会发展和生业经济水平、农作物生产和加工方式、野生植物资源利用情况以及各遗迹堆积及其所反映的人类行为活动信息。结果显示,该遗址龙山文化时期已形成粟、黍、稻、小麦、稗（可能）的农作物组合方式;同时,广泛采集利用聚落周边的自然植物资源,是农业与采集业并存发展的生业经济模式。先民在作物栽培中进行了锄草、灌溉等较为精细的管理,其中,黍较粟更具耐旱抗病特性,加上田间管理需求较低而被优先选择栽培。先民在收获作物时,采用类似割穗、掐穗等方法以减少作物茎秆及杂草混入,随后在户外进行小规模地脱壳、扬场工作。此外,根据灰坑中植硅体的组合特征可将其分为生活垃圾、谷物加工、蓄水淘米三个类型, 水井和墓葬内的植硅体则分别与生活环境和丧葬环节等信息相关。     

The Biocultural Context of Very High Fertility among the Bekaa Bedouin

This research report explores some of the biocultural dimensions of maximum or near maximum fertility among Bedouin tribes in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. The Bedouin case substantiates that very high fertility (completed family size [CFS] greater than 8.0) is found among peripheral peoples in frontier situations generated by major political-economic shifts. While the Bedouin maintained high fertility (CFS > 6.5) for approximately sixty years (1899–1960), very high fertility—linked to greater historical reliance on agriculture—was of shorter duration (1934–60). Comparisons with other very high fertility populations indicate that, at the proximate level, maximum fertility is associated with early weaning, low rates of primary sterility, and high rates of marital stability. Results also point to low subadult mortality in Bedouin society. Low mortality is best attributed to the availability of modern medical care facilities and high-quality weaning foods.