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As distributed generation (DG) becomes increasingly integrated into the distribution grid, the structure of the distribution network is becoming more complex. To enhance the safety and cost-effectiveness of distribution systems, distribution network reconfiguration is gaining significant importance. Achieving optimal distribution network reconfiguration entails two key considerations: A feasible topology and economic efficiency. This paper addresses these challenges by introducing a novel approach that combines the potential island detection in undirected-graphs and the application of a whale optimization algorithm (WOA) for network reconfiguration optimization. To begin, we identified island categories based on the type of switchable-branches connected to these islands, allowing for the construction of potential island groups. Subsequently, unfeasible topologies were eliminated based on the conditions under which islands form within these potential island groups. Feasible topologies were then used to construct a model for network reconfiguration optimization. The optimal distribution network topology is determined using the WOA. In the final phase, the proposed method's effectiveness was demonstrated through a case study on the IEEE-33 node distribution network under scenarios with and without DG integration. The results showed that the proposed method exhibited better performance than traditional approaches in distribution network reconfiguration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arachnology Letters / Arachnologische Mitteilungen is the property of Arachnologische Gesellschaft e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents an annotated checklist of the Basidiomycota taxa (including lichenicolous fungi and the subdivision Pucciniomycotina) from the Azores archipelago and reviews the published records to account for their taxonomic status. The number of Basidiomycota species recorded in the Azores has increased considerably during the 20th century and now stands at 544 species. This study provides distribution data and includes changes in the nomenclature of the listed taxa. Sampling campaigns contributed to 116 new records of Basidiomycota for the Azores archipelago. In addition, there were new records for eight islands: 162 species found for the first time on São Miguel Island, 55 species new to Santa Maria Island, 33 species new to Flores Island, 15 species new to Terceira Island, 9 species new to Pico Island, 17 species new to São Jorge Island, 4 species new to Graciosa Island, and 2 species new to Corvo Island. The transformation of vegetation cover in the archipelago has been very drastic, and this is reflected in the presence of many foreign fungal species on the islands. From these data, we conclude that within Macaronesia, the diversity of Basidiomycota in the Azores is more similar to that in Madeira than in the Canary Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminology has been changing in a fragmental paradigm, which explains how the discipline emerged, evolved, and developed. Accordingly, four periods are recognized: "outgrowth," "emergence," "dispersion," and "increasing micro-criminologies/accelerating" period. Meanwhile, the increasing micro-criminologies based on the fragmental paradigm have changed the dominant pattern of criminology from theorization to conceptualization and transformed it from empirical theories into critical perspectives. The fragmental paradigm also acts in the form of two contractionary and expansionary models to combine and disseminate the traditional and current trends at two levels of integrative and global criminologies. Finally, the present paper explores the advantages and challenges of fragmental paradigm and by introducing an archipelago template for a better explaining and understanding the paradigm and concludes that fragmentation of criminology can be viewed as a chance for developing the discipline, particularly in the light of new areas like Asian criminology in the era of new micro-criminologies of the third millennium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While interest in early modern herbaria has so far mainly concentrated on the dried plants stored in them, this paper addresses another of their qualities – their role as manuscripts. In the 1670s, the German botanist Paul Hermann (1646–95) spent several years in Ceylon (today Sri Lanka) as a medical officer in the service of the Dutch East India Company. During his stay he put together four herbaria, two of which contain a wealth of handwritten notes by himself and several later owners. First, it will be shown that these notes provide information on the linguistic skills and interests of those who collected plants in an overseas trading settlement. Hermann's botanical practice demanded and, at the same time, generated knowledge of Sinhalese (an Indo-Aryan language that is spoken by the largest ethnic group on the island) and its script. In his herbarium, observations on the semantics, morphology, and pronunciation of Sinhalese are inextricably intertwined with those of botanical nature. Second, on the basis of these voluminous notes, the character of early modern herbaria as manuscripts will be highlighted. And third, Hermann's herbaria will be integrated into an investigation of scribal practices and publication strategies of eighteenth-century botany. Along with field notes, letters, manuscripts, illustrations, and printed books, herbaria were knots in the textual–visual mesh of early modern botany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces Bityle oriens sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Apomecynini) from Boston, Province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. A catalog of the known species of the genus Bityle is also presented. Coleoptera expeditions need to be undertaken to discover more novel species, especially in the understudied islands of the Philippine archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia is the country with the largest archipelago in the world, with a total of seventeen thousand islands. The term 'maritime nation' has actually been surging through stories of local wisdom (culture), but during the colonial period, the term lost its original significance and Indonesia came to be treated as if it were an agrarian country. This paper shows that Indonesian maritime society contains various inherited values of religiosity, including myths, legends, folklore, and oral traditions about marine cosmology. Folklore, myths, and legends have an important position in society, not only referring to cultural traditions but also containing religious or theological values that are closely related to the identity of the Indonesian nation. This paper studies the mythical figure of Nyi Roro Kidul who is considered the sea guardian. The legend surrounding the figure of Nyi Roro Kidul can serve as an important trope to develop a contextual Javanese eco-pneumatology [Holy Spirit] and help address some of the contemporary ecological issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread perception of New Zealand is of a group of remote islands dominated by reptiles and birds, with no native mammals except a few bats. In fact, the islands themselves are only part of a wider New Zealand Region which includes a large section of Antarctica. In total, the New Zealand Region has at least 63 recognised taxa (species, subspecies and distinguishable clades) of living native mammals, only six of which are bats. The rest comprise a large and vigorous assemblage of 57 native marine mammals (9 pinnipeds and 48 cetaceans), protected from human knowledge until only a few centuries ago by their extreme isolation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Even after humans first began to colonise the New Zealand archipelago in about 1280 AD, most of the native marine mammals remained unfamiliar because they are seldom seen from the shore. This paper describes the huge contrast between the history and biogeography of the tiny fauna of New Zealand's native land mammals versus the richly diverse and little-known assemblage of marine mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Futuro del Pasado: Revista Electrónica de Historia is the property of Futuro del Pasado: Revista Electronica de Historia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ios (an island in the Cycladic archipelago, Greece) was the first recognized Aegean metamorphic core complex. There is a paradoxical absence of an age jump in low‐temperature geochronology transects across the Ios Detachment Fault. This paper explains why this is so, by modelling the conductive response to detachment faulting. We demonstrate that transects across detachment faults consistently record age jumps only at shallow palaeodepths. Conductive relaxation of the perturbed geotherm keeps pace with fault movement, so the hangingwall heats just as fast as the footwall cools. Key variables are the fractional depth to the partial resetting zone, d [0.0.1], and the magnitude and rate of slip on the detachment. At shallow palaeodepths (d < 0.3, 10–50 km slip), significant age jumps occur across the actual fault contact. At deeper levels of exposure, this is no longer the case, and the effects of a 'stewing zone' readily become evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first results from the monitoring of local seismicity in Severnaya Zemlya from the end of 2016 to 2023 inclusive as recorded by a single permanent seismic station installed on Bolshevik Island. A total of 73 local seismic events have been identified with P and S phases. We considered the question whether these events could be classified (earthquakes or icequakes) by comparing waveforms and spectral-temporal analysis diagrams with regional earthquakes that have occurred in the archipelago area. The spatio-temporal distribution and the rate of migration for the events show that glacial events can arise by stress release in glaciers as shallow crustal earthquakes occur within ~30 km. It is shown that, when a seismograph network is difficult to deploy, even a single permanent seismic station can furnish useful information on glacial events and crustal earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the intervention that Édouard Glissant makes in Hannah Arendt's discourse on political belonging, particularly as this takes shape in her analysis of citizenship. To this end, I consider how Glissant's analysis of the memory of the abyssal beginning of the Middle Passage complicates the promise of belonging that Arendt suggests citizenship makes for those who were once cast out. In view of this, I argue that Glissant provides a basis to reformulate citizenship and political belonging, not in terms of the bounded structure of the nation-state, but in terms of the relational structure of the archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early nineteenth century, the Western Caribbean, particularly the Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence, and Santa Catalina, became the focal point of ambitious hydrographic surveys. Despite the region's rich maritime heritage, challenges posed by complex geomorphology, frequent hurricanes, and cold fronts led to historical charting inadequacies, turning the Archipelago into a perilous ship trap. This study delves into the Spanish Armada (1804–05) and the Royal Navy (1833–36) hydrographic surveys to interpret the Maritime Cultural Landscape (MCL) of the archipelago. The importance of the archipelago as a link between South America, the Isthmus of Panama, Havana (Cuba), and Europe highlights the significance of these surveys. A comparative analysis of the Spanish and British methods offers insights into their strategies amid the perilous survey environment. While integration of Spanish nautical information into the British survey is evident, it culminated in the wreck of HMS Jackdaw, illustrating mapping expedition complexities. This paper also evaluates the accuracy of British cartography using Geographic Information System (GIS) methodologies. By overlaying the 1835 Old Providence Island chart onto contemporary 2021 cartography, we showcase the standards and precision of British surveys through an analysis of coastline and hydrographic soundings. Personal memoirs, official records, and descriptive accounts weave the narrative of the rich MCL, emphasizing its historical importance, the region's maritime identity, and the intertwining of environmental factors and cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antarctic Digital Magnetic Anomaly Project is an international research effort to construct a magnetic map of the continent based on ground, satellite, marine, and aeromagnetic surveys. This paper reports the magnetic mapping of the shelf zone in the SE part of the Wilhelm Archipelago, West Antarctica, based on magnetic surveys conducted with Zodiac boats. A spectacular feature of this area is the strong magnetic anomaly of the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) batholith, which was the product of subduction-related Mesozoic–Cenozoic arc magmatism on the former margin of Western Gondwana. We constructed and analyzed a detailed magnetic map of magnetic field anomalies using field observations of rock exposures on the islands and magnetic properties of rocks from laboratory data. The oldest volcanic rocks of Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous age relate to N-NE trending bands of negative magnetic field. The largest feature in the study area is an Upper Cretaceous/Paleogene granodiorite complex that produces a positive magnetic anomaly. Many smaller anomalies are also present over gabbroid bodies of Cretaceous age. Two-dimensional magnetic modeling shows that heterogeneities in the upper crust may have magnetic susceptibilities in the range of 0.005–0.13 SI. Magnetic field anomalies also delineate an orthogonal system of tectonic faults, including the main NE fault along the Penola Strait (sub-parallel to the AP coastline) and four intersecting faults. These fault systems may be associated with different stages of continental margin evolution along the Antarctic Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have been made of the specific importance of waterfowl as food in the Baltic Sea during the late medieval and early modern period. This study shows the seasonal importance of water birds to island and coastal inhabitants living in the middle of the Baltic Sea during the late medieval and early modern periods (ca. CE 1400–1700) and practical implementations for interpretation of cut and chop marks. The paper is based on a bird bone assemblage retrieved from a remote ecclesial site on the island group of Kökar, which is part of the Åland Islands, as well as historical documents and local specialist knowledge. The site was established by Franciscan friars somewhere in the mid‐15th century. Documents indicate that the friars had landownership, income from taxing nearby fisheries, and the right to seal tithe. These assets were taken over by the crown in the mid‐16th century due to the Reformation and a parish church was established on the same site after the friary was dissolved. The bone assemblages from the site include birds, mammals, and fish. The material shows a relatively small number of chicken bones in relation to waterfowl, allowing one to look closer into the structural food economy around water birds for the area. The bones also show several cut and chop marks, which have been analyzed to explore the possible processing of these birds. The results show that fowling was concentrated to a couple of species most likely during spring when these species were abundant. The placement of the cut and chop marks indicates that a large number of birds were likely processed at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the portrayal of the Orcades and the North Atlantic in a range of seventh- to eleventh-century insular sources. It is argued that the content of early medieval insular written sources suggests that Orcades should not necessarily be translated as 'Orkney' in every case, and that it is plausible that on many occasions, a territory encompassing a wider range of the island groups of Scotland is intended. Consideration of the depiction of the Orcades on the mappa mundi within British Library Cotton MS Tiberius B.v/1 bolsters this conclusion. New multi-spectral images of the map suggest that, despite apparent adjustments to the extent of the Orcades during the process of the map's production, a very large archipelago covering an extensive territory off northern Britain was intended from the time of the map's initial creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastal wetlands of northern Chilean Patagonia are relevant sites for the conservation of migratory waterbirds. The aim of this paper is to compare different marine coastal wetlands to identify which factors influence the structure of bird assemblages. Sediment samples were collected, and the birds were surveyed in four wetlands: Chullec, Curaco de Vélez and Quinchao on Quinchao Island, and Putemún on Chiloé Island in 4 seasonal sampling campaigns. The composition of the sediment did not change during the year, with a predominance of sandy sediments except in Putemún where gravel dominates. The size of the sediment particle decreased from the upper (0 to 30 m) to the lower (100 m) intertidal. The abundances of benthic organisms varied between intertidal levels in all wetlands and seasonally in Chullec and Curaco de Vélez, being lower during warm seasons. Thirty-four species of birds were recorded with Anatidae, Laridae and Scolopacidae showing the highest species richness. A principal component analysis clustered the wetlands of Quinchao Island and the variables that account for 35.8% of the variance are sandy sediments, the presence of Scolopacidae, Laridae, Furnariidae and Haematopodidae among birds and Polychaeta, Malacostraca and Enopla in the benthos. In the wetlands of Quinchao Island there was a relationship between the composition of the sediment, distribution, and type of benthic communities with the presence of some bird taxa. The bird assemblages change seasonally and were similar to each other during warm seasons, probably due to the availability of food for migratory birds and sediment characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary critiques a scientific paper on the fossil flora of the Azores, pointing out inaccuracies and inconsistencies. The authors dispute the claim that there are no fossil plants on certain islands and provide evidence to the contrary. They also highlight errors in geological maps, taxonomic determinations, and descriptions of geological formations. The critique emphasizes the need for more accurate research, including detailed photographic evidence and replication of results. The authors encourage further study but urge improvements in taxonomy, geological descriptions, and evidence presentation. [Extracted from the article]

The paper considers Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope data obtained for two cores of bottom sediments taken in the Oga and Tsivolki bays of Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. The studied sequence of sediments from Oga Bay has accumulated over the last thousand years. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio decreases from top to bottom down the section from 0.72225 to 0.71995, the value of εNd varies from –6.1 to –5.5. The Pb isotopic composition varies within narrow limits: the 206Pb/204Pb ratio from 19.107 to 19.139, the 207Pb/204Pb ratio from 15.632 to 15.635, and the 208Pb/204Pb ratio from 38.568 to 38.635. A rapid decrease in the 87Sr/86Sr ratio at a relatively stable neodymium and lead isotope composition indicates a change in the source of the clastic material. This can be explained by the fact that the material of the destruction of Permian clay shales, and then Devonian–Silurian sedimentary carbonates, first entered the area of glacier abrasion and further, respectively, into the sedimentation zone. The sediment column from Tsivolki Bay was formed over a little more than 10 000 years. Based on the Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope ratios, these bottom sediments are divided into lower and upper parts: before and after 150 cm (or ~3500 years). In the lower part of the column, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio increases from 0.72055 to 0.72580, the value of εNd remains approximately the same and varies around –8.2. In the upper part, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio drops to 0.72049 in the near-surface layer; at the same time, the value of εNd increases to –6.4. At the boundary of these two units, the 206Pb/204Pb ratio abruptly changes from about 18.0 in the lower part to 19.3 in the upper part and 208Pb/204Pb from about 36.5 in the lower part to 38.7 in the upper part of the section. The change in the Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope characteristics is likely a reflection of changes in the composition of the rocks in the area where the basin was removed, which is now being eroded by the glacier. Comparison with modern sources supplying clastic material to the Kara Sea showed that the material is supplied to the Oga and Tsivolki bays only from Novaya Zemlya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of the geodynamic evolution of the Tethyan realm cannot be complete without paleogeographical reconstructions of the North Qiangtang Block (NQB) that occupies a central position in Tibet. However, the reliability of such a reconstruction for the Paleozoic still requires substantial improvement. In this paper, we present paleomagnetic results obtained from the Middle Permian limestones and Upper Permian volcanic rocks in the Tanggula area, aiming to provide precise constraints on the NQB kinematics during the geodynamic evolution of the Tethys realm. Combined with other available paleomagnetic data from the NQB, our results suggest that the block was stably located at ~24°S for a long time before the Middle Permian, started to drift rapidly northward in the Middle Permian, and reached ~8.4°S in the Late Permian. The NQB continued drifting rapidly northward during the Triassic until merging with the southern margin of Eurasia in the Late Triassic. We reviewed new and available paleomagnetic and geological data and proposed a revised model for the tectonic evolution of the eastern Tethys realm. The NQB likely belonged to a ribbon-like separate continental archipelago in the middle of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the early--late Paleozoic. The Cimmerian continent, including the South Qiangtang Block (SQB), rifted away from the northern margin of Gondwana and drifted northward to ~22°S in the Middle Permian. The continent approached or partially collided with the NQB, resulting in the rapid northward movement of the NQB and the formation of the Longmuco--Shuanghu suture between the NQB and SQB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces Xanthomelon amurndamilumila sp. nov. , a newly-discovered land snail species inhabiting the North East Isles, offshore from Groote Eylandt (= Ayangkidarrba), north-western Gulf of Carpentaria, in the Northern Territory, Australia. Specimens of this species were first collected during the 2021 Bush Blitz expedition to Groote Eylandt, a large offshore archipelago previously unexplored for land snails. The taxonomic status of the new species was established through a comprehensive analysis of comparative morphology and mitochondrial genetics: X. amurndamilumila forms a maximally supported clade closely related to X. arnhemense and is characterised by a unique combination of morphological characteristics, including smaller shell size, distinctive sculpture of collabral ridges and specific features of its reproductive anatomy. The genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships suggest historical isolation. While the discovery of X. amurndamilumila sp. nov. enriches our understanding of land snail diversity in the Northern Territory, its conservation status is of concern on North East Island because of habitat degradation caused by feral deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lengas is the property of Presses Universitaires de la Mediterranee and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Studying why newly introduced cultivars fail to make inroads with local populations is notoriously difficult, as these “rejected” crops often leave little or no physical evidence. Taking advantage of unusually ample historical documentation, this paper studies wheat’s introduction, dispersal, and sporadic cultivation in the Philippine archipelago, with an emphasis on the period between 1640 and 1670 CE when sustained wheat cultivation began near Manila. Using documents and comparisons to other cultivars imported during the Pacific Columbian Exchange, the paper identifies several independent barriers to wheat’s cultivation, all of which aligned to ensure wheat was never widely farmed by local populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the integration of advanced 3D digitization and visualization technologies in the study and preservation of prehistoric megalithic heritage sites in the Mediterranean. We focus on the digital documentation and analysis of the Borġ in-Nadur megalithic complex and other notable sites, employing a combination of terrestrial laser scanning, aerial and terrestrial digital photogrammetry. The research highlights how digital tools not only enhance the precision of archaeological documentation but also promote virtual accessibility and offer new insights into the archeoastronomical significance of these structures. We discuss the production of high-resolution digital replicas, their utility in virtual reconstructions, and the role of digital platforms in public engagement and scholarly study. The findings underscore the potential of digital technologies to revolutionize heritage conservation and research, providing a comprehensive digital approach to the safeguarding and understanding of our ancient heritage. • The paper discusses how advanced 3D digitization and visualization technologies enhance the study and preservation of prehistoric megalithic heritage in the Mediterranean, focusing on the Borġ in-Nadur megalithic complex and other sites in Malta. • Terrestrial laser scanning, aerial, and terrestrial digital photogrammetry are employed to capture detailed representations of the structures, enabling high-resolution digital replicas for virtual reconstructions and analyses. • The production of digital replicas facilitates public engagement and scholarly study through virtual accessibility, allowing broader public interaction with heritage sites. • The research includes a new examination of the archeoastronomical significance of these structures, exploring how ancient builders may have aligned these sites with celestial events. • Digital technologies offer powerful tools for the documentation, study, and preservation of prehistoric heritage, providing strategies for safeguarding these sites against environmental and human threats. • The study outlines future research that will use digital preservation to further enhance the resolution and accuracy of 3D models, and integrate these models with virtual and augmented reality for educational and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the implementation of corporate sustainability strategies (CSS) in hotels, identifying key factors and practices as perceived by middle-managers. Using qualitative methods, we conducted initial and in-depth interviews with owners, top-managers, and 37 middle-managers from various departments of a hotel chain in the Canary Islands. An existing literature-informed CSS implementation framework guided our analysis, revealing nine key factors that act as drivers, barriers, or both to CSS implementation. We identified crucial practices including paper-use reduction, employee well-being, plastic-use reduction, energy efficiency, recycling, water management, air quality, social contribution, food waste management, and green chemicals, noting varying relevancies across departments. Particularly, work-wellbeing, plastic-use reduction, and energy efficiency showed the highest alignment with CSS. Our findings offer insights into the practical application of CSS, underscoring the importance of tailoring department-specific practices to overarching sustainability goals to bolster organizational sustainability strategies. • Corporate sustainability strategy (CSS) drivers and practices are strongly related to Human Resource Management. • Key drivers for CSS implementation include communication and training, work environment, and corporate commitment and support. • Key barriers of CSS implementation include guest behavior and external issues such as the pandemic crisis. • Relevance and alignment of key practices vary among departments, which need tailored strategies based on their attributes. • Paper-use reduction emerges as the main key practice of CSS, followed by work wellbeing and plastic-use reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised analysis of holothurian (sea cucumber) populations in the Chagos Archipelago is presented in this article. The original paper contained statistical errors, which have now been corrected. The re-analysis shows that holothurian populations have not changed significantly, except possibly on Great Chagos Bank. The data used in the analysis are available in the paper, allowing for further analysis and future monitoring. The authors express gratitude to those who pointed out the errors and provided statistical advice. [Extracted from the article]

Recently, climate extremes have been grabbing attention as important drivers of environmental change. Here, we assemble an observational inventory of energy and mass fluxes to quantify the ice loss from glaciers on the Russian High Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya. Satellite altimetry reveals that 70 ± 19% of the 149 ± 29 Gt mass loss between 2011 and 2022 occurred in just four high-melt years. We find that 71 ± 3% of the melt, including the top melt cases, are driven by extreme energy imports from atmospheric rivers. The majority of ice loss occurs on leeward slopes due to foehn winds. 45 of the 54 high-melt days (>1 Gt d−1) in 1990 to 2022 show a combination of atmospheric rivers and foehn winds. Therefore, the frequency and intensity of atmospheric rivers demand accurate representation for reliable future glacier melt projections for the Russian High Arctic. Moist, warm air from mid-latitudes lead to a speed-up of glacial ice loss in Novaya Zemlya, High Russian Arctic. Foehn winds enable especially high melt rates. These conditions became more frequent over the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical reefs encompass tremendous biodiversity yet are imperiled by increasing natural and anthropogenic disturbances worldwide. Meiobenthic biota on coral reefs, for example, ostracods, may experience substantial diversity loss and compositional changes even before being examined. In this study, we investigated the reefal ostracod assemblages from the highly diverse and productive ecosystem in the Zanzibar Archipelago (Pemba, Zanzibar, and Mafia islands), Tanzania, to understand how their diversity and faunal structure vary in response to water depth, benthic community type, and human impacts. We characterized four distinct ostracod faunas associated with different benthic habitats, which were deep fore reefs, shallow fringing reefs, degraded fringing reefs, and algae-covered intertidal flats. We identified typical ostracod associations, i.e., Bairdiidae versus Loxoconchidae–Xestoleberididae, that showed affinities towards hard corals or algae on the reef platforms, respectively. The highest diversity was found on shallow fringing reefs where coral-affined and algae-affined taxa exhibited maximum overlap of their distributional ranges, while the sand flats, mangrove, and marginal reefs within the intertidal zone had much lower diversity with a high dominance of euryhaline taxa. Along the western coast of Zanzibar Island, coastal development likely resulted in a unique faunal composition and comparatively low diversity of ostracod assemblages among those in reefal habitats, in conjunction with overall reef ecosystem degradation. This study represents the first large-scale assessment of shallow-marine ostracods in the Zanzibar Archipelago. It lays a solid foundation for future research into the ecological significance of ostracods on coral reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study is undertaken using anatomical measurements of specimens attributed to six species of Geospiza, the ground finches from the Galápagos archipelago. In a demonstration of method, a probabilistic approach associated with "sigma taxonomy" is adopted to assess the probability that pairs of specimens are or are not conspecific. We use a definition of a species based on morphometric analyses of the kind previously undertaken on extant vertebrate taxa (including mammals, birds and reptiles), using pairwise comparisons of anatomical measurements in regression analyses of the form y = mx + c from which the log-transformed standard error of the m-coefficient is calculated ("log sem"). The latter statistic is a reflection of variability in morphology. There is a high probability that at a species level, specimens attributed to G. magnirostris are different from those attributed to G. fulginosa, G. difficilis or G. scandens. Results of this study, using probabilistic sigma taxonomy, confirm the refutation of a single species hypothesis. In addition, we apply the log sem method to demonstrate that in case of comparisons between G. fortis and G. scandens (which are known to hybridise), there is a high probability that they are not different at a species level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the pollen and spores extracted from 73 samples of lacustrine sediments from Colesdalen in Svalbard (Lake Tenndammen) as well as 10 soil samples collected from the lake's shores. In total, 56 pollen taxa were recorded from the sediments spanning the last 800 years, whilst 35 pollen types were found in the soil samples. Pollen was categorised as (i) regional (from Svalbard); (ii) exotic to Svalbard today; or (iii) of mixed or unclear origin. Major changes in pollen assemblages after ca 1900 CE were associated with human impact. Around 1920 CE, the first signs of introduced plant taxa were identified, by the presence of Apiaceae and Fabaceae pollen. Additionally, large-sized pollen with a thick exine and annulus diameter of 10.6–13 μm, identified as Poaceae/Cerealia type, was constantly present after ca 1920 CE. Other exotic pollen, including Ulmus, Juglans, and tropical pollen of Albizia/Mimosa type, Eucalyptus type, Acalypha type, and Passiflora type, are found only during the 1930s to 1960s, which is the period associated with the most intensive mining activity and human migration to and from Colesdalen. Furthermore, the repeated occurrence of Myrica (gale) type and Erica type occurring both in the lake sediment and in the soil samples is best explained by the migration of geese from Scotland (UK). Our research demonstrates how precisely human history can be reflected in the lake sediments of the Arctic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active hotspot volcanism is the surface expression of ongoing dynamic subsurface changes, such as the generation, transport, and stalling of magmas within the upper mantle and crust. Magmatic influx and migration affects local stress patterns in the crust and lithospheric mantle, which influences seismic anisotropy. A better understanding of those patterns helps improve robustness of models forecasting the likelihood of an eruption and prolonged seismicity, with detailed studies being required to observe the significant variations that can occur on small spatial and temporal scales. Here, we investigate seismic anisotropy before, during and after volcanic eruptions. We use local seismicity around El Hierro and La Palma, the two westernmost islands in the Canaries and sites of the most recent volcanic eruptions in the archipelago. We obtained 215 results in El Hierro during and after the 2011/2012 eruption with five three-component broadband seismic stations and 908 results around the 2021 eruption in La Palma with two three-component broadband stations. On La Palma, the majority of seismicity and splitting results are recorded during the eruption and simultaneous deflation of the island. Seismicity locations do not change significantly and fast shear wave polarisation direction is mostly constant, but some variation can be attributed to changes in the magmatic plumbing system. On El Hierro, the general radial pattern reflects stresses induced by the overall uplift of the island during multiple magma intrusion events. Temporal subsets reveal significant variations in location and depth of the events, as well as significant variations in fast polarisation direction caused by ongoing dynamic changes of under- and overpressurisation. An increase of results starting in 2018 hints towards renewed subsurface activity within deeper parts of the plumbing system, affecting the rate of overall seismicity but not any vertical movement of the island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human colonization of the Canary Islands represents the sole known expansion of Berber communities into the Atlantic Ocean and is an example of marine dispersal carried out by an African population. While this island colonization shows similarities to the populating of other islands across the world, several questions still need to be answered before this case can be included in wider debates regarding patterns of initial colonization and human settlement, human-environment interactions, and the emergence of island identities. Specifically, the chronology of the first human settlement of the Canary Islands remains disputed due to differing estimates of the timing of its first colonization. This absence of a consensus has resulted in divergent hypotheses regarding the motivations that led early settlers to migrate to the islands, e.g., ecological or demographic. Distinct motivations would imply differences in the strategies and dynamics of colonization; thus, identifying them is crucial to understanding how these populations developed in such environments. In response, the current study assembles a comprehensive dataset of the most reliable radiocarbon dates, which were used for building Bayesian models of colonization. The findings suggest that i) the Romans most likely discovered the islands around the 1st century BCE; ii) Berber groups from western North Africa first set foot on one of the islands closest to the African mainland sometime between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE; iii) Roman and Berber societies did not live simultaneously in the Canary Islands; and iv) the Berber people rapidly spread throughout the archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bora Bora is a volcanic island in the tropical central South Pacifi c Ocean with a barrier reef and large well developed back-reef lagoons. It forms part of the system of shallow water environments in the archipelagos of French Polynesia that provide stepping stones for the interconnectivity of shallow marine faunas between the tropical Western and Eastern Pacifi c biogeographic regions. The fauna has many similarities to foraminiferal faunas in the south western Indo-Pacifi c but has been demonstrated to be unique. This study provides illustrations and discussions of most of the 184 species of benthic foraminifera identifi ed from sediments in the back-reef lagoon environments at Bora Bora, that span from the shallow immediate back-reef sand banks, to the deep lagoons and to the coastal fringing reefs and embayments around the volcanic island. The illustrated specimens and taxonomic discussions are aimed at providing an identifi cation guide to shallow water tropical benthic foraminifera from the central South Pacifi c region. Six new species have been established, including Textularia boraboraensis, Miliolinella mccullochae, Quinqueloculina guilcheri, Triloculina karimimossadeghae, Coscinospira georgforsteri, and Elphidium venecpeyreae. This study also proposes that the family of cymbaloporetids, Cymbaloporidae, are placed within the Superfamily Discorboidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation and spatial management of marine species with limited adult mobility, such as queen conch, is dictated by larval connectivity. Effectively placed reserves provide larval spillover to harvested areas while replenishing their own population. In past studies proximate to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP), surveys and probabilistic larval transport modeling demonstrated a spillover effect from the ECLSP to surrounding fished areas, while suggesting that incoming larval sources are lacking. Previous work was expanded in both upstream and downstream directions, enabling the statistical examination of (1) how queen conch abundance was linked to predicted larval transport from breeding populations in the ECLSP and (2) how age and size changed throughout the island chain as divided by management and connectivity. Biophysical modeling predictions of larval transport from breeding within the ECLSP were significantly associated with the relative abundance of juvenile conch observed across a nearly 200‐km span. Further, the abundance and shell lip thickness (relative age) of adults and the size of juveniles were significantly larger in ECLSP than unprotected areas. This empirical support for an effective, well‐enforced marine reserve and for using biophysical larval transport modeling as a spatial planning tool should be strongly considered in conch conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A simple method for a fast calculation of all voltages and currents in a HVDC grid. • The method can be used to facilitate the determination of critical spots and of the terminals with higher impact on those spots. • Applicable for different types of converter control: constant voltage, constant current, constant power, single-slop droop and multi-slope droop. • Ability to optimise the droop characteristics of HVDC converters and maximise power transfer. The development of multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) grids for an archipelago of islands with very different generation/load profiles and network characteristics presents unique challenges. This paper utilizes the superposition theorem to solve power flows in MTDC grids. Through the application of the theorem, it is possible to associate the current/power injection at each terminal to voltage variations in the entire MTDC grid in a simple manner. Afterwards, this information is used to compare the impact of droop characteristics, to show how voltage variations relate with the injections from the different terminals and to study the impact of grid expansion on the operational limits. Additionally, the method is used to implement a power-flow optimisation and to design a droop characteristic for an imaginary MTDC grid connecting Indonesian islands. A discussion on other potential applications of the method is also put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents facies analysis of pyroclastic and effusive deposits present in areas of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA), South Atlantic Ocean. A detailed stratigraphic study was carried out for the Remédios Formation at the Caieira beach and the Quixaba Formation at the Capim-Açu Edge, Americano, and Bode beaches. The lithofacies association for the deposits of the Remédios Formation characterizes non-welded ignimbrites of phonolitic composition generated by concentrated ground-hugging density currents originated from collapses of a buoyant eruption column. Possibly, this phase was followed by a caldera collapse and the exposition of a complex system of dikes at Caieira Beach. For the deposits of the Quixaba Formation, the lithofacies association characterizes scoria and ash flow/grain avalanching deposits, proximal fallout deposits, and Pahoehoe lava flows. The Quixaba volcanism shows evidence of pulses of Strombolian and possibly Violent Strombolian activity alternated with effusive Hawaiian activity. A later stage of magma-water interaction during the Quixaba volcanism led to the formation of a sustained eruption column and fallout deposits with ash aggregates formed through wet aggregation. This paper is the first ever written about aspects of the Physical volcanology of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. It contributes to the understanding of the evolution of the volcanism that occurred in the Archipelago between ∼12 and ∼1.2 Ma, and of the South Atlantic Ocean. The conclusions of our study are: The stratigraphic study of specific areas of the Archipelago through field observations complemented with laboratory-based pyroclastic and lava flow descriptions allowed us to propose the following evolutionary model: • Explosive magmatic eruptions formed buoyant eruption columns that collapsed and originated ground-hugging concentrated density currents represented by the lithic-rich non-welded ignimbrites. • Volcanic and subvolcanic manifestations generated domes of phonolitic and trachytic composition; i) and ii) might be concurrent. Possibly this phase was followed by a caldera collapse with the exposition of a complex system of dikes at Caieira Beach. • A hiatus in the geological record of about 3 Ma, characterized as a period of quiescence and erosion. • Effusive Hawaiian eruptions with the emplacement of olivine nephelinitic pahoehoe lava flows. Alternated to the effusive eruptions, Strombolian and possibly Violent Strombolian pulses led to mass ejections of juvenile ash, lapilli, bombs, and cognate lithic fragments, forming grain-avalanching scoria deposits, and scoria-and-ash flow deposits. • Stage of dominant water-magma interaction and the formation of a water-rich volcanic cloud, which led to the formation of planar-stratified bedforms, fall-dominated with mixed deposition of ash aggregates in the shape of massive ash pellets, layered and complexly layered accretionary ash pellets, armored and complexly layered armored ash pellets, formed through wet aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient and durable non‐precious hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts for scaling up alkaline water/seawater electrolysis is highly desirable but challenging. Amorphous‐crystalline (A‐C) heterostructures have garnered attention due to their unusual atomic arrangements at hetero‐interfaces, highly exposed active sites, and excellent stability. Here, a heterogeneous synthesis strategy for constructing A‐C non‐homogeneous interfacial centers of electrocatalysts on nanocages is presented. Isolated PdCo clusters on nanoscale islands in conjunction with Co3S4 A‐C, functioning as a bifunctional site "island‐sea" synergy, enable the dynamic confinement design of metal active atoms, resulting in excellent HER catalytic activity and durability. The hierarchical structure of hollow porous nanocages and nanoclusters, along with their large surface area and multi‐dimensional A‐C boundaries and defects, provides the catalyst with abundant active centers. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the combination of PdCo and Co3S4 regulates the redistribution of interface electrons effectively, promoting the sluggish water‐dissociation kinetics at the cluster Co sites. Additionally, PdCo‐Co3S4 heterostructure nanocages exhibit outstanding HER activity in alkaline seawater and long‐term stability for 100 h, which can be powered by commercial silicon solar cells. This finding significantly advances the development of alkaline seawater electrolysis for large‐scale hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquakes (mainshocks) trigger sequences of aftershocks, the frequency of which diminishes following a power-law decay, while the spatial domain of these aftershocks extends logarithmically over time. The delineation of the aftershock zone can be modulated by variables beyond the magnitude of the mainshock, encompassing the location of the fault (whether the fault is at a plate boundary), the depth at which the event occurs, and the prevailing local stress conditions. Here, we evaluate the expansion rate of aftershock zones by analyzing earthquakes of magnitude-7 class in the vicinity of the Japanese archipelago. Prior studies have offered approximate assessments of expansion rates; however, our approach involves the utilization of a straightforward algorithm for the automated estimation of this metric, facilitating the compilation of a catalog. Across the dataset, no pronounced correlations were discerned between the expansion rate and other examined parameters. Yet, an inverse relationship is identified between the expansion rate and the b value of aftershocks for mainshocks occurring at plate boundaries. This observation suggests that the expansion rate of aftershock zones predominantly mirrors the stress field following the mainshock. Such a pattern is not detected in mainshocks occurring within the plate's interior. While the expansion rate of aftershock zones is likely influenced by various factors, aftershock zones may expand more rapidly with higher differential stress in areas surrounding hypocenters of major interplate earthquakes of magnitude 8 or 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the sub-Antarctic Crozet archipelago is located in a region facing significant environmental changes impacting a poorly known marine biodiversity. Underwater imagery constitutes a valuable non-invasive approach for gathering ecological data and improving our knowledge of ecosystems' vulnerability. We here compiled two datasets, encompassing 17 video-imagery surveys of Crozet nearshore environments conducted in 2021 and 2022 at two sites of Ile de la Possession: Baie du Marin and Crique du Sphinx. Faunal abundance and algal cover data related to each survey are also provided. A total of 755 images were analysed, comprising 52 faunal and 14 algal taxa identified in 2021, as well as 45 faunal and 14 algal taxa identified in 2022. Video-transects were performed in shallow waters by scuba divers using a GoPro®HERO7 multiple camera set-up, and in deeper waters using a remotely operated vehicle. These data provide a first baseline for biodiversity and ecosystem studies, and for monitoring the long-term dynamics of Crozet benthic habitats facing natural and anthropogenic disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Galapagos Islands, invasive wasps negatively affect the local fauna through competition with native predators. These wasps also pose a risk to humans because of their stings. Thus, it is important to constantly survey these insects. Currently there are three species of vespids known from the Galapagos: two social species are invasive, while a solitary species is cryptogenic. After structured sampling using malaise traps, hand nets, and pan traps on most of the islands of the archipelago, and a review of related collections, the distribution of Brachygastra lecheguana is expanded to Genovesa Island; precise localities and vegetation zones are recorded for Polistes versicolor; and updated information on the distribution of the cryptogenic solitary vespid Pachodynerus gaullei is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We expound on a hydrographic and geophysical survey in the south of the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina (ASAPSC) in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. In 2017 and 2018, high-resolution data were acquired from the Caribbean Center for Oceanographic and Hydrographic Research (CIOH). The hydrographic data were processed and filtered per International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards and the geomagnetic data were processed, corrected, and filtered to improve the interpretation. We could then characterise the submarine relief, analyse the geomagnetic anomalies in the area, and identify different relief forms of volcanic origin. Regarding geomagnetic work, a spectral analysis of the anomalies revealed highly magnetic bodies in deep water and residual magnetic anomalies strongly related to the seabed morphology. Magnetic highs associated with the basement highs and volcanic cones were detected. Complementary spectral analysis showed that the shallowest magnetic sources were in the first 500 m, whereas the deepest magnetic sources were between the depths of 4 and 5 km. The geomagnetic data were also validated using Euler deconvolution analysis, which confirmed these magnetic anomalies. Thus, a direct relationship between the magnetic anomalies and bathymetry of the seafloor was confirmed, reinforcing the theory of the volcanic origin of these islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The day we discovered we were islands in an archipelago" is an article that explores the experiences of two individuals who formed a friendship during a course on black Marxism. The authors discuss the complexities of ethnographic fieldwork and the emotional intricacies involved. They challenge established norms in academia and emphasize the importance of recognizing and expressing emotions in research. The text also explores the impact of coloniality on research and reflects on the tension between being a researcher and fully participating in the communities being studied. It concludes by highlighting the transformative nature of emotions in research and the need for a more reciprocal and ethical approach to fieldwork. [Extracted from the article]

The Kangean islands are a biologically poorly known archipelago situated in the Java Sea, Indonesia, 120 km directly north of Bali and 124 km off East Java. These islands host an avifauna comprising at least 13 endemic subspecies, two of which have by some sources recently been considered species. We combine historical published literature with our own surveys of the archipelago in 2007-2008, 2010 and 2023 to produce an updated list of the islands' birds (n=140 species) and their distribution across the islands. We evaluate in more detail the conservation status of all endemic taxa, as well as several others we consider to be of concern. Despite its current listing as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the endemic Kangean Tit-babbler Mixornis prillwitzi is common in highly degraded habitats, including scrub, and is probably one of the islands' least threatened birds. However, because of trapping, the archipelago's endemic taxon of Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri kangeanensis, and its populations of Green Junglefowl Gallus varius and Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa are likely at risk of extirpation. The endemic taxon of White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus nigricauda, sometimes afforded species rank as 'Kangean Shama', may already be (at least functionally) extinct in the main archipelago, with no record since 2007-2008. We recommend longer and more detailed surveys of the islands' birds, and that an effective protected area is established on the main Kangean island, which hosts the largest area of remaining forest in the archipelago and most of its endemic taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-seven specimens of the fish species Terapon jarbua and 4 specimens of the fish species Terapon theraps were collected from the Cat Ba Archipelago marine area, and examined for parasite infection. Among these, 4 specimens of T. jarbua and 1 specimen of T. theraps were infected with a total of 42 monogeneans. The intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 16 worms per fish. Four monogenean species were identified, three of which belong to the Protogyrodactylidae: Protogyrodactylus gussevi (14 specimens) and Protogyrodactylus perforatus (12 specimens) were found on T. jarbua, while Protogyrodactylus solidus (1 specimen) was identified on T. theraps. The species Microcotyle helotes (17 specimens) was recorded for the first time in Vietnam, found in two individuals of the new host T. jarbua. Additionally, a redescription of M. helotes was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic rapidly transforms due to global warming and increased human activities, triggering complex changes at unprecedented speeds that challenge conventional institutional responses. We analyse these changes through the lenses of social, political, and environmental boundaries and investigate their impacts on both inhabitants' livelihoods and the region's political framework. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, we highlight the complexities of understanding the interplay among global, regional, and local dynamics in an era where human and non-human aspects are entwined. Our analysis concentrates on three areas: definition of the Arctic; legal disputes concerning the waters around the Svalbard Archipelago; evolving natural hazards and societal risk perceptions in Longyearbyen. Through these examples, we underscore the intricate nature of social, political, and ecological changes and how they challenge current boundary-making processes. By combining knowledge from different systems and scales, our research reveals the interplay between policy-driven science, science-influenced policy, and performative behaviors in reshaping today's Arctic borders and boundaries. We particularly emphasize how climate change is challenging borders and advocate for a departure from static definitions, towards the formulation of environmentally conscious, socially just, and politically viable policies, acknowledging the new biophysical realities of the Anthropocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA) today exhibits the highest marine biodiversity, which has been evolving since the early Miocene. The existence of this high palaeobiodiversity is attested to by the presence of many fossil invertebrates; however, the region's fossil fish record is sparse and understudied, which is also the case for cartilaginous fishes. Elasmobranch fossils are dominantly represented by shark and ray teeth in the geological record and can give a quick overview of the composition of the fauna. The first IAA elasmo fossils, shark teeth were described from Java (Indonesia) at the end of the 19th century, and until today, most of the publications are known from this island. In the early and middle of the 20th century, remarkable fossils were also reported from the islands of Madura (NE Java) and Sulawesi, some with detailed taxonomical descriptions. In addition, only sporadic reports on fossil occurrences exist elsewhere from the IAA, but these lack any detailed taxonomic accounts. In 2019 our research group reported a late Miocene elasmobranch fauna from Brunei (Borneo), which is now the most diverse known shallow water fossil assemblage from the entire IAA. This fauna was described from a single fossiliferous outcrop, called Ambug Hill. However, several new localities have been discovered and studied over the years, as a result the number of fossils increased, and their age range extended. Here we provide an overview of these new sites and their elasmobranch fossils, and describe remains from ten taxa among, of which eight are new to the IAA fossil record (Chiloscyllium sp., cf. Hemitriakis sp., Paragaleus sp., Carcharhinus borneensis, C. limbatus, Lamiopsis sp., Scoliodon sp., Rhinobatos sp.). The overall north Bornean elasmo assemblage is then compared with other IAA occurrences. An extended fauna list is given based on literature review and preliminary investigation of the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre collection in Leiden (The Netherlands) where most of the fossil fishes of the early explorations are stored. These assemblages are also briefly summarized, and attention is drawn to some of the unique and thus far unreported taxa (e.g., Dalatias licha). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]