The COVID-19 epidemic threatens to test global information ecosystem, as misinformation going viral on social media can amplify tensions and, as a result, breed a volatile political climate, an opinion piece in the New York Times has said.

In the event of widespread illness, well need to rely on accurate, vetted information to keep us safe, said the article titled Coronavirus Will Test Our New Way of Life on Monday.

While the internet has made distribution easier than ever before, the democratization of information has created platforms and advertising economies built to reward misinformation, it noted.

The spread of misinformation hoaxes and rumors about the outbreak in China have plagued popular social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook while adapting to new platforms, it said.

Unverified videos from Chinese social media are shared by local Twitter influencers, viral WhatsApp forwards warn users of government advisories that dont actually exist, and people share bogus cures for the virus, the author quoted U.S. website BuzzFeed News senior reporter Ryan Broderick as saying.

It has been made clear over the past few years that our social media ecosystem is easily hijacked to incentivize behavior from the worst actors, further amplifying existing tensions and disagreements, the article said.

The result of the problem is a volatile political climate, where news is weaponized for political gain, it noted, adding the state is further exacerbated by black-box algorithms protected as corporate secrets that dictate the information we see.

In the fallout, trust in what we see online decreases, and news fatigue grows more widespread, especially among the least engaged political-news consumers, it said.

Should the virus reach extreme levels of infection globally, it would very likely be the first true test of the 21st-century way of life defined by constant connectivity, it said.

Peoples way of life has shifted from individuals to markets, and from localized to globalized, the article explained, adding that so far this interconnectivity has largely been a strength.

However, much like a virus exploits a small vulnerability, creating a chain of reactions that allow it to weaken its host, a true global pandemic could work its way through the interconnected ecosystems that support our present way of life, it said.

Excerpt from:

COVID-19 threatens to test information ecosystem as misinformation goes viral - Macau Business

Daniel Price from the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge will be the speaker at the March meeting of the Native Plant Societys Cross Timbers Chapter at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Mount Pleasant School, 213 Raymond George Way in Weatherford.

Fire can be a tool as well as a terror in a native landscape. Prescribed burns, or controlled fires, are techniques that experts can use to keep an environment healthy in several ways.

Price is the natural resource manager at the Nature Center, which uses prescribed burns to manage its prairies. He will discuss fire history and how and why the Nature Center is using fire as a tool.

Price grew up on a small farm in Ennis and received a degree in wildlife management from Tarleton State University. He began learning about prescribed burns while working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at Huntsville State Park.

Later, as a TPWD county wildlife biologist, he worked with landowners in east Texas and helped other biologists conduct prescribed burns. He joined the Nature Center three years ago.

Visitors are welcome and light refreshments will be available.

The mission of the Cross Timbers Chapter is to promote the conservation, research and use of native plants and plant habitats in Texas through education, outreach, and example. For more information, visit http://npsot.org/wp/crosstimbers.

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The function of fire in the ecosystem - The Community News

Dublin, March 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asset Tracking Market by Technology, Infrastructure, Connection Type, Mobility, Location Determination, Solution Type, and Industry Verticals 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report evaluates asset tracking technologies, solutions, and ecosystem including major players. The report assesses the impacts of various use case specific considerations in terms of asset technology and solution selection. The report also analyzes the market outlook for asset tracking globally, regionally, and by major country from 2020 through 2025.

Select Report Findings

The overall asset tracking market has witnessed substantial economies of scale improvements in recent years due to inexpensive connectivity and machine-to-machine communications equipment and services. Increased penetration and usage of advanced IoT solutions leveraging M2M and other supporting technologies enable anytime, anywhere, and any type of asset tracking.

In addition, improved economies of scale and advancements in miniaturization and communications have made low-value asset tracking more practical, expanding the range of potential industries and asset types. This is exemplified by the growing trend for RFID-based "slap-and-track" solutions for shipping, supply chain management, and enterprise logistics such as tracking low to medium-value assets such as business equipment and supplies.

There are substantial factors to consider when approaching the broader asset tracking market, which includes asset class, value, and degree of mobility. Whereas asset tracking has historically been largely fleet-focused (commercial trucks, trailers, vans, and cars), there is great potential for expansion towards non-vehicle related assets.

However, the market is currently constrained by the relatively low number of enterprise-connected assets across certain important asset classes. Leading asset tracking solution companies are focusing on the asset value to a business or governmental organization rather than the book value of the asset itself. A consultative marketing/sales approach is necessary to inform enterprise, first of the value of interconnecting business assets, and secondly, demonstrative asset tracking outcomes that bring value straight to the bottom line.

There are also opportunities for technology integration, such as leveraging Artificial Intelligence for enhanced decision making. There are many roles that AI may play, ranging from machine learning and analytics to improved cybersecurity for connected enterprise assets. By way of example, the Blackberry acquisition of Cylance represents a cybersecurity play that may be parlayed into an IoT device security offering combined with asset tracking solutions for greater overall enterprise security.

The report additionally provides the following:

Key Topics Covered

1. Executive Summary

2. Asset Tracking Market Segmentation2.1 Asset Tracking Application Types2.2 Asset Tracking Connection Types2.3 Asset Tracking in Industry Verticals2.4 Asset Tracking by Region2.5 Asset Tracking by IoT Deployment2.6 Artificial Intelligence in Asset Tracking2.7 Other Emerging Technologies in Support of Asset Tracking

3. Introduction3.1 Asset Tracking Overview3.1.1 Asset Tracking Functions3.1.2 Asset Tracking Systems3.2 Asset Types3.2.1 Fixed, Portable, and Mobile Assets3.2.2 High, Medium, and Low Assets3.3 Asset Tracking Market Segmentation3.4 Business Drivers for Asset Tracking3.4.1 Connected Devices3.4.1.1 Connected Consumer Devices3.4.1.2 Connected Enterprise Assets3.4.1.3 Connected Industrial Assets3.4.2 Optimizing Enterprise and Industrial Device Management3.4.3 Smart Cities, Buildings, and Workplaces3.5 Asset Tracking Technologies3.5.1 Mobility Management and Connectivity Technology3.5.2 5G and Multi-access Edge Computing3.5.3 Machine to Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT)3.5.4 Artificial Intelligence in Asset Tracking3.5.5 Advanced Data Analytics Support of Asset Tracking3.5.6 Blockchain Technology and Asset Tracking

4. Asset Tracking Solutions4.1 Solution Considerations4.1.1 Fixed vs. Portable vs. Mobile Assets4.1.2 Asset Value4.1.2.1 High Value4.1.2.2 Medium Value4.1.2.3 Low Value4.2 Solution Needs4.2.1 Inventory Management4.2.2 Asset Control and Redirection4.2.3 Asset Tracking vs. Asset Control4.2.3.1 Real-time vs. Non-real time Tracking and Location4.2.3.2 Asset Location Precision and Movement Frequency4.2.3.3 Alignment with Workforce (Human Assets)4.3 Specific Solutions4.3.1 Facility Management4.3.2 Vehicle Tracking4.3.3 Commercial Fleet Tracking4.3.4 Asset Tracking in Smart Workplaces4.3.5 Asset Tracking in Smart Cities4.4 Asset Tracking Infrastructure and Services4.4.1 Asset Tracking Software and Platforms4.4.2 Asset Tracking System Deployment and Services

5. Asset Tracking in Industry Verticals5.1 Aviation and Aerospace5.2 Automotive and Transportation Systems5.3 Healthcare5.4 Manufacturing and Industrial Automation5.5 Warehousing, Logistics, and Shipping5.6 Government (State and Local)5.7 Travel and Hospitality5.8 Consumer Electronics5.9 Agriculture and Livestock Management5.10 Extraction and Energy: Oil, Gas, Timber, and Mining5.11 Food and Beverages5.12 Education and Training5.13 Construction and Building Automation5.14 Robotics and Drones5.15 Financial Services5.16 Information and Communications Technology5.17 Energy Exploration and Distribution5.18 Textiles and Chemicals

6. Company Analysis6.1 Actsoft Inc.6.2 ASAP Systems6.3 AssetPanda6.4 AT&T6.5 CalAmp6.6 Fleet Complete6.7 GigaTrack6.8 Microsoft Corporation6.9 OnAsset Intelligence Inc.6.10 Oracle Corporation6.11 Spireon Inc.6.12 Sprint Corporation6.13 Tenna6.14 Trimble Inc.6.15 Verizon Wireless6.16 Zebra Technologies6.17 SAP SE6.18 Epicor Software Corporation6.19 JDA Software Group Inc.6.20 Stanley Black & Decker Inc.6.21 Honeywell International Inc.6.22 Ubisense Group PLC6.23 Topcon Corporation6.24 Datalogic S.p.A.6.25 Mojix Inc.6.26 Impinj Inc.6.27 Sato Holdings Corporation6.28 TomTom International B.V.6.29 IBM Corporation6.30 Telit6.31 Apptricity6.32 Entigral Systems Inc.6.33 NimbeLink6.34 Sierra Wireless Inc. (Numerex)6.35 ORBCOMM6.36 Particle6.37 PTC (ThingWorx)6.38 Sendum Wireless Corporation6.39 Senseaware (Fedex)6.40 Sensitech Inc.6.41 Sequans6.42 Starcom6.43 Telefonica6.44 TrackX6.45 Vodafone Limited6.46 Chekhra Business Solutions6.47 Lowry Solutions Inc.6.48 RedBeam Inc.6.49 TVL Inc. (WiseTrack)6.50 Wasp Barcode Technologies Inc.6.51 Jolly Technologies Inc.6.52 Windward Software6.53 Brilliant Info Systems Pvt. Ltd.6.54 Freshworks6.55 Sortly Inc.6.56 QBurst6.57 Northrop Grumman6.58 Targa Telematics S.p.A.6.59 Speedshield Technologies (Adaptalift Group)6.60 Smart Asset Manager Limited6.61 Quantum Aviation Solutions6.62 UpKeep Maintenance Management6.63 PcsInfinity6.64 Zerion Software Inc.6.65 Litum IoT6.66 Advantrack6.67 Alphabet6.68 ARI Fleet6.69 Arvento6.70 Azuga Fleet6.71 Blackberry (Radar, QNX)6.72 Carmalink6.73 ClearPath GPS6.74 DriveFactor (or CCC Drive)6.75 Estrack6.76 Fleet Safety Institute6.77 Fleetilla6.78 Fleetistics6.79 FleetManager6.80 FleetMind (Safe Fleet Holdings)6.81 Fleetup6.82 Geotab6.83 Globalstar6.84 Go Fleet6.85 GPS Insight6.86 GPS Trackit6.87 GSAttrack (Global Satellite Engineering)6.88 Gurtam6.89 Inseego6.90 IntouchGPS (GPSTrackit)6.91 Lojack6.92 Lytx6.93 M2M in Motion6.94 Mix Telematics6.95 Momentum IoT6.96 NexTraq (Michelin)6.97 Omnitracs6.98 Passtime6.99 Pedigree Technologies6.100 Raven Connected (KlashWerks Inc.)6.101 Rhino Fleet6.102 Roambee6.103 SafeFleet6.104 Samsara6.105 Skybitz6.106 Smart Path GPS6.107 Teltrac Navman6.108 T-Mobile6.109 Zonar Systems (Continental AG)6.110 Zubie6.111 Polte

7. Asset Tracking Market Forecasts 2020-20257.1 Aggregate Global Asset Tracking Market 2020-20257.2 Asset Tracking Market by Segment 2020-20257.3 Asset Tracking Market by Asset Type 2020-20257.4 Asset Tracking Market by Function 2020-20257.5 Asset Tracking Market by Application 2020-20257.6 Asset Tracking Market by Deployment Type 2020-20257.7 Asset Tracking Market by Mobility: Fixed, Portable, and Mobile 2020-20257.8 Asset Tracking Market by Wireless Device Type 2020-20257.9 Asset Tracking Market by Connectivity Type: Wired and Wireless 2020-20257.10 Asset Tracking Market by Enterprise Type7.11 Asset Tracking Market by Industry Vertical 2020-20257.12 Asset Tracking Market by Device Segmentation 2020-20257.13 Asset Tracking Market by Solution 2020-20257.14 Asset Tracking Market by Technology Components 2020-20257.15 Asset Tracking Market by Technology Support and Integration 2020-20257.16 Asset Tracking Market by Region 2020-20257.17 Asset Tracking Market by Unit Deployment 2020-20257.18 Video Safety in Asset Tracking 2020-2025

8. Conclusions and Recommendations8.1 Advertisers and Media Companies8.2 Artificial Intelligence Providers8.3 Automotive Companies8.4 Broadband Infrastructure Providers8.5 Communication Service Providers8.6 Computing Companies8.7 Data Analytics Providers8.8 Immersive Technology (AR, VR, and MR) Providers8.9 Equipment (Asset Tracking) Providers8.10 Networking Equipment Providers8.11 Networking Security Providers8.12 Semiconductor Companies8.13 IoT Suppliers and Service Providers8.14 Software Providers8.15 Smart City System Integrators8.16 Automation System Providers8.17 Social Media Companies8.18 Workplace Solution Providers8.19 Enterprise and Government

9. Appendix: Slap-And-Track Asset Tracking Solutions Market 2020-20259.1 Global Slap and Track Solutions 2020-20259.2 Slap and Track Solutions by Type 2020-20259.3 Slap and Track Tags by Installation Type 2020-20259.4 Slap and Track Tags by Asset Type 2020-20259.5 Slap and Track Tags by Industry Type 2020-20259.6 Slap and Track Tags by Region 2020-20259.7 Slap and Ship Labels by Type 2020-20259.8 Slap and Ship by Asset Type 2020-20259.9 Slap and Track by Industry Type 2020-20259.10 Slap and Ship Labels by Region 2020-2025

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/weaa7b

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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Global Asset Tracking Market 2020-2025: Insights Into Technologies, Solutions, and the Ecosystem Including Major Players - GlobeNewswire

Results from Farnells second IoT Survey also show increasing confidence in companies to lead IoT development.

AIoT is the major emerging trend from the survey, demonstrating the beginning of the process to build a true IoT ecosystem. Research showed that almost half (49%) of respondents already use AI in their IoT applications, with Machine Learning (ML) the most used technology (28%) followed by cloud-based AI (19%).

This adoption of AI within IoT design is coupled with a growing confidence to take the lead on IoT development and an increasing number of respondents seeing themselves as innovators. However, it is still evident that some engineers (51%) are hesitant to adopt AI due to being new to the technology or because they require specialized expertise in how to implement AI in IoT applications.

Other results from Farnells second Global IoT Survey show that security continues to be the biggest concern designers consider in IoT implementation. Although 40% cited security as their biggest concern in 2018 and this has reduced to 35% in 2019, it is still ranked significantly higher than connectivity and interoperability due to the type of data collected from things (machines) and humans, which can be very sensitive and personal. Businesses initiating new IoT projects treat IoT security as a top priority by implementing hardware and software security to protect for any kind of potential threat. Ownership of collected data is another important aspect of security, with 70% of respondents preferring to own the data collected by an edge device as opposed to it being owned by the IoT solution provider.

The survey also shows that although many engineers (46%) still prefer to design a complete edge-to-cloud and security solution themselves, openness to integrate production ready solutions, such as SmartEdge Agile, SmartEdge IIoT Gateway, which offer a complete end-to-end IoT Solution, has increased. 12% more respondents confirmed that they would consider third party devices in 2019 than 2018, particularly if in-house expertise is limited or time to market is critical.

A key trend from last years survey results has continued in 2019 and survey results suggest that the growing range of hardware available to support IoT development continues to present new opportunities. More respondents than ever are seeing innovation coming from start-ups (33%, up from 26%), who benefit from the wide availability of modular solutions and single board computers available on the market. The number of respondents adopting off-the-shelf hardware has also increased to 54% from 50% in 2018.

Cliff Ortmeyer, Global Head of Technical Marketing for Farnell says:

Opportunities within the Internet of Things and AI continue to grow, fueled by access to an increasing number of hardware and software solutions which enable developers to bring products to market more quickly than ever before, and without the need for specialized expertise.

This is opening up IoT to new entrants, and giving more developers the opportunity to innovate to improve lives. Farnell provides access to an extensive range of development tools for IoT and AI which provide off-the-shelf solutions to common challenges.

Despite the swift integration of smart devices such as Amazons Alexa and Google Home into daily life, evidencing a widespread adoption of IoT in the consumer space, in 2019 we saw a slight shift in focus away from home automation with the number of respondents who considered it to be the most impactful application in IoT in the next 5 years reducing from 27% to 22%. Industrial automation and smart cities both gained, at 22% and 16% respectively, underpinned by a growing understanding of the value that IoT data can bring to operations (rising from 44% in 2018 to 50% in 2019). This trend is witnessed in industry where more manufacturing facilities are converting to full or semi-automation in robotic manufacturing and increasing investment in predictive maintenance to reduce production down times.

The survey was conducted between September and December 2019 with 2,015 respondents participating from 67 countries in Europe, North America and APAC. Responses were predominantly from engineers working on IoT solutions (59%), as well as buyers of components related to IoT solutions, Hobbyists and Makers.

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New Research from Farnell Reveals Strong Adoption of Artificial Intelligence within the Internet of Things Ecosystem - IoT Business News

Johnson is beating the same drum as Socceroos coach Graham Arnold in the knowledge that a generation ofplayers face falling by the wayside unless they can be given the match minutes to compete with their counterparts in Asia and Europe.

Despite the Olyroos qualification to this years Olympic Games, performances of Australias national youth teams have fallen well short of expectations in recent times.And Johnson, who was a member of the 1999 Joeys squad, believes creating a connected and interlinked football eco-system is part of the answer.

His sentiments were reinforced during a Sydney FC Business Lunch by keynote speaker Richard Scudamore, who has been engaged by the A-League clubs to provide guidance throughout the unbundling process of the A-League from the FFA.What we must begin to appreciate is that Australian football is made up of a number of constituent parts and these parts are all interconnected, similar to an ecosystem, said Johnson.

In its simplest form, our game is made up of grassroots football, organised football, elite football, and all of the actors which help deliver the game at these levels players, coaches, administrators, referees and the like.

As a member of FIFA and the AFC, we also operate within a broader global regulatory framework and there are decisions being made at regional and global levels which will impact the game domestically.

He believes that the FFAs past focus on growing the A-League has, as a byproduct,left a void in the middle tier of Australian football which has impacted on vital player development pathways.

I just dont think that five national level games per week cuts it, he added.

If you look at the UK, its night and day. They have a four-tier professional system with 20 plus teams in each tier, playing one or two games every week.

Just do the math and it shows how much of a gap there is in terms of the games were playing at the elite level.

Part of what the FFA needs to do is to connect all levels of football in Australia.

This would encompass incentivising clubs to invest in youth development and the imposition of a national transfer system.

If we want to compete with the best countries in the world, we need to provide opportunities for young players to play and our competitions structures are integral to this.

Referencing the much-discussed national second division, Johnson commended the work of the FFA working group chaired by board member Remo Nogarotto - and will fast-track ongoing studies into Australias competition structures in an effort to outline a path forward.Theres been some good work done by the working group. I dont think we need to complicate things, its just working out the right vehicle to play outside of the A-League, he said.

The next step will be to test the market and see if theres a real appetite from a group of clubs to fund it.

If there is significant interest I dont see why we cant do it, we should do it.

We need to ensure that whatever path we take is in pursuit of legitimate objectives such as player development, encouraging clubs to invest in youth development and rewarding them for this investment.

We want to create a system that maximises opportunities for our players to play more often at the highest standard possible.

Ultimately, we want the benefit of this system to flow back into our clubs and the further success of our national teams.

Johnson also recognised the rich history of Australian football and how it has shaped the football ecosystem today.Australias football ecosystem is as complex, multi-layered and multi-dimensional, he added.

Our role as the governing body, is to protect this ecosystem so that it can flourish and thrive. In order to do so, we must understand that none of these parts can operate in isolation and we must find the right balance.

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Johnson fast-tracks bid to solve Australia's player pathway crisis - SBS - The World Game

Ripples efforts in cryptocurrency space have been largely skewed toward creating global partnerships and tie-ups. This has allowed the company to apply its technology to regions that are just entering the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries.

The Brad Garlinghouse led organization recently partnered with Switzerland based AMNIS to create a more blockchain inclusive financial ecosystem.

Through the partnership, AMNIS is the first payment service provider in Switzerland to offer blockchain solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises. This applies to companies that employ fewer than 250 people.

The organization added that technology would make transactions faster and more cost-effective.AMNIS will utilize Ripples interconnected network of SMEs to create a much more holistic environment for companies to utilize blockchain technology. The organization has clearly stated Ripple was the preferred choice over the SWIFT mode of capital transfer. According to the AMNIS:

Ripple has established itself as a major challenger to the current system in recent years. Ripple turns the SWIFT payment system upside down. The removal of middlemen (in the form of local correspondent banks) makes international money transfers significantly cheaper and more efficient.Ripple sees itself as a payment network and now supports almost all currencies.

AMNIS also pointed out how blockchain technology developed from Bitcoin and later moved to other cryptocurrencies. Ripple uses its On Demand Liquidity[ ODL] feature to move capital around the globe. Partner companies also use the RippleNet, a global network of interconnected partners.

The distributed ledger technology used by Ripple paved the way for organizations such as AMNIS to create a decentralized ecosystem in Switzerland. AMNIS customers will be able to send funds to Mexico, the Philippines and Thailand using RippleNet. The business has announced that users will be able to submit to more countries.

There were three main reasons why AMNIS chose Ripple, according to the official release. The first was to increase the speed of international payments, more specifically their settlement time. Transparency was also of utmost importance in the partnership. Due to the protocol created by AMNIS, the costs are known only when the payment gets initiated.

AMNIS added that Ripples technology allows them to cut costs in the transactions fees department. Sources have said that Ripples tech allows AMNIS to reduce fees in the 50 percent to 60 percent range.

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Switzerland based AMNIS Partners with Ripple to Create an Ecosystem First - TWJ News

VESTAL (WBNG) -- Binghamton University's Nature Preserve has been the location of an interesting study focusing on wetland ecosystems.

Wetlands in particular can be susceptible to human-caused disturbances and chemical contamination too," Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies George Meindl. "What we focus on are the impacts of road salt runoff and also the impacts of invasive species," he says.

How have these changes in ecosystem chemistry impacted amphibians?

"We found that invasive species plant chemistry, or at least solutions that mimicked invasive species plant chemistry, more negatively impacted our native frogs compared to the non-native frogs. This was particularly true when we exposed frogs to both invasive plant chemistry and also road salts," said Meindl.

Though invasive species are an issue, a large portion of the problem comes from road salt. Finding alternatives to salt, like beet juice, is a start.

With human population still on the rise, road salt is likely not the only human-caused impact to ecosystems, a problem we face moving forward.

"So in all likelihood negative impacts are going to get worse before they can get better. So we need to change the ways that we're interacting with natural landscapes to limit the damage," said Meindl.

Which is why Meindl will continue his research to look for solutions in an ever-changing world.

"Climate is changing, road salts are being introduced into environments, excessive pesticides, herbicide and fertilizer use, and agricultural landscapes are impacting native communities. So increasing the complexity of studies are really important. Understanding how multiple stressers can interact to effect natural ecosystems," said Meindl.

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Binghamton University research highlights ecosystem problems, can it be managed? - WBNG-TV

A worldwhere for the health and wellbeing of all life on earth and that of futuregenerations we have restored the relationship between humans and nature, byincreasing the area of healthy ecosystems, and by putting a stop to their lossand degradation. Vision andtheory of change for the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (20212030)

On 1 March 2019, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution for 2021 to 2030 to be the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, focusing ten years on massively increasing efforts to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. (For the full background on the Decade, read here.)

But how will this happen? With the 2020s being deemed as the imperativeClimate Decade, how will restoration-focused Decade turn from a pipedreaminto an actual planet-transforming success?

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which are the organizational leads of this Decade, have, along with partners, developed a draft strategy for the Decades implementation built upon a series of consultations with governments, practitioners, civil society, youth, and private sector. The strategy, centered on three pathways to be carried out in tandem, is currently being circulated publicly for people to offer commentary and feedback until 30 April 2020. Should you wish to take part in the consultation, or should you just be curious about what such a strategy entails, here is a short digest of what it says.

Pathway I: Building a global movement

The Decade will develop a global movement ofindividuals and organizations through the following means.

Pathway II: Generating political support

Pathway III: Building technical capacity

Management arrangements

Along with implementing on-the-ground ecosystem restoration initiativesand establishing a small team focused solely on the Decade, the two leadagencies UNEP and FAO are mandated to:

The Decade will be further designed, overseen and carried out by aStrategy Group, Advisory Boards for technical guidance and Working groups onspecific themes.

Funding will be overseen by a special task force, anda Multi-Partner Trust Fund will be established within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)to provide funding to the Decades coreteam. All Member States and other interested partners are invited to contributeto the Trust Fund. The Fund can accept contributions from non-state actors aswell, in line with United Nations Rules, but it will not accept contributionsfrom the fossil fuel industry. The Decade will work closely with existingpublic funds such as the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund and coalitions suchas Climate Action 100+.

Monitoring progress utilize existing reportingsystems (e.g. the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Strategic Planfor Forests 20172030) as well as the newpost-2020 biodiversity framework, collating data from these systems that relateback to ecosystem restoration. A joint evaluation of the Decades progress will be undertaken in 2025and 2028 by the UNEP and FAOEvaluation Offices.

If you are a young person, learn how to take restoration action now by joining the Youth in Landscapes Initiative. To provide feedback on the draft strategy, please visit the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration website until 30 April 2020.

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Help shape the strategy for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration - Landscape News

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Highly active individuals deemed super-urinators are key to maintaining ecosystem health, research in Bahamian mangrove estuaries finds.

The study finds that the individual gray and cubera snappers that spent the most time swimming and foraging for food also spread the highest levels of the essential nutrient nitrogen throughout the estuary in their urine.

The excretory contributions of the most active individuals nearly doubled the total amount of nitrogen that would otherwise be present in the ecosystem. That extra fertilizer means more plant growth and more food at the base of the food web.

In any population, the behavior of key individuals can have outsized impacts on their ecosystemthink Steve Jobs, says marine ecologist Jacob Allgeier, assistant professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan. Quantifying the behavior of key individuals in wild populations is an emerging frontier in ecology, with the potential to upend how we define biodiversity and our attempts to conserve it.

Allgeier is the lead author of a paper in Science Advances that reports the findings of a study that radio-tracked 33 gray snappers and 25 cuberas in a mangrove-lined estuary on Abaco Island in the Bahamas in 2006 and 2007.

A larger study will radio-track about 500 Abaco Island fish to learn more about their feeding behavior.

The big-picture goal of that research is to understand how an unlikely but renewable source of fertilizerfish excretioncan be used to stimulate fish production and improve food security for people living in tropical ecosystems.

In Science Advances, Allgeier and his colleagues report that while the most active snappers had an outsized impact on ecosystem health, they were also the most likely to be caught by anglers, who prize their bold behavior and fight.

Gray and cubera snapper support important commercial and subsistence fisheries throughout the Caribbean and are traditionally harvested by spearfishing and angling with hook and line. Spearfishing typically targets fish with large body size, while angling tends to select for bolder or more active individuals.

Allgeier and his colleagues used computer models to simulate the harvest of various types of individuals and found that the selective removal of the most active snappers reduced the nitrogen supply in the ecosystem by up to 69%.

Our results challenge the species-centric definition of biodiversity and provide evidence that the role of individuals may need to be further reconciled in how we approach conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem function, Allgeier and his coauthors write.

For the study, the researchers surgically implanted transmitters into fish body cavities, and nine receivers were scattered throughout the study site. The researchers used acoustic telemetry data and mathematical models to estimate the amount of nitrogen individual fish supplied and the extent to which they spread the nutrient across the ecosystem.

They found that the amount of nitrogen supplied by the two snapper populationsexcreted through their gills as ammoniumwas roughly equivalent to all other nitrogen sources combined. And the most active fish contributed the most nitrogen.

In the mangrove estuaries that we studied, we show that there is roughly double the amount of fertilizer in the ecosystem due to individuals that are disproportionate fertilizers, Allgeier says. We then show that fishing specifically selects for these extra-important individuals, which in turn has disproportionately negative effects on the ecosystem.

In the study of infectious diseases, individuals who demonstrate a high ability to infect othersthink Typhoid Maryare called super-spreaders. Before this concept emerged, it had long been assumed that all infected individuals had equal chances of transmitting an infection to others.

Similarly, in the management of fish and game populations, it was long assumed that individuals within populations are roughly equivalent and that the loss of any single individual has similar impacts on the ecosystem, Allgeier says. But the diversity among individuals within a single population is now a topic of growing research interest.

Allgeier refers to the overachieving fish in the Bahamian mangrove estuaries as disproportionate fertilizers. For simplicitys sake, you can think of them as super-urinators.

Over the past decade, Allgeier and his colleagues have glued together thousands of cinder blocks to create 38 artificial reefs in a shallow bay on Abaco Island in the northern Bahamas, where the research takes place.

Coauthors of the paper are from the University of Michigan, Utah State University, Eco Logical Research Inc., North Carolina State University, and the University of Washington.

Funding for the work came from the National Science Foundation. A grant from the Packard Foundation will support future research on super-urinators and their ecosystems.

Source: University of Michigan

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Fishing targets the 'super-urinators' that ecosystems need - Futurity: Research News

From the front porch of Houston, Texas, we solve some of humanity's hardest challenges. We're the ones who put humans on the Moon and rovers on Mars, go subsea in search of hydrocarbons, and are discovering a cure for cancer. We solve complex challenges, because of a characteristic seemingly embedded deep within our DNA we are all explorers of the unknown.

Today, a new challenge is rallying our attention, inspiring us to push the boundaries yet again. And, that's the hard challenge of population density. Houston is fourth in population in the country, and yet 89th in the number of people per unit of area.

Why is this an issue, one might ask? Houston, like many other cities around the world, is racing to become a hub for innovation, a critical catalyst fueling the next generation of growth and economic prosperity. And, density is a key component of innovation it brings divergent mindsets together to look at challenges from multiple perspectives and creates an environment that brings big bold ideas to life.

However, the nature of our geography has created silos that are not easily broken down and separates us by industries, communities, interests, mindsets, and access to transportation, among other things.

But, let's not underestimate our true spirit and our ability to explore the unexpected, push the boundaries and tackle the challenges the world throws at us.

If I learned anything from living here my entire life, Houston has grit, imagination, and motivation and knows what it means to be a trailblazer. Houston is the most diverse city in the United States. Our culinary landscape is constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and imagination. Local graffiti and modern art installations are reshaping the visual identity of our community. Our sports and performing arts "rockstars" consistently deliver real-time experiential immersion.

We need to recognize and embrace how these colors of Houston connect us all regardless of our geographic silos and push innovation forward. Said another way, we have all the colors; we just need to converge and paint the canvas together.

True to our nature, some of our Houstonian friends have begun chipping away at this challenge already. Central Houston is attracting world-renowned incubators and accelerators like MassChallenge and Gener8tor and this scene alone is ever-expanding. The Cannon, The Ion, Impact Hub, Launchpad, Headquarters, and other players are creating environments that bring people together and meet the needs of an ever-evolving workforce through experiential community. We even have a dedicated publication for all things innovation Innovation Map sharing resources across our vast city and ensuring no great story is left untold.

Our rich diversity means we have access to human beings from a multitude of backgrounds, which in itself is a force to be reckoned with. By interacting with a variety of human beings, we become more empathetic, understanding, and celebratory of new ideas. This is fundamental to continuous innovation how we interact and approach challenges, engage in new experiences, and become an inspirational leader in life and work. So, break down the silos and access the diversity of thinking that's already outside the door.

At the same time, the challenge of density must be tackled not only physically but also digitally. By converging the physical and digital ecosystem through a neural network, we can intelligently connect the activity with centralized access to start-ups, corporations, nonprofits, free-lancers, incubators, accelerators, maker-spaces, academia, local influencers, and public partners. Digitally bridging all of us can make one of the largest and most spread-out cities in the U.S. feel like a small Texas town with big ideas and an ever-stronger dimension of inclusivity.

So, join the movement, strike up a conversation, grab your metaphorical spray paint and converge with all the vibrant colors of Houston as we energize the future of humanity, navigate to Mars and back safely, and annihilate the existence of cancer.

As Steve Jobs said: "The people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." Are we ready?

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Brad Rossacci is creative director at Accenture's Innovation Hub in Houston.

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Houston needs to overcome its lack of density to continue to develop as an innovation ecosystem, says expert - InnovationMap

Pulse42 was held in Estella in Mumbai on February 27 and saw over 90 attendees from the citys startup ecosystem

Among those in attendance were names such as Sanjay Mehta, 100x.VC, Clevertap cofounder Anand Jain, LogiNext founders Dhruvil Sanghvi and Manisha Raisinghani among others

The event was supported by ekincare and our sponsorsTimes Internet, AWS, Paytm, WebEngage and NetApp Excellerator

Meeting old friends, fellow founders and the investor community is always great, but its the vibe at Pulse42 that makes all the difference. Anand Jain, cofounder, Clevertap

To bring the tech startup ecosystem closer, we have made it a mission to not only provide networking platforms but also help the stakeholders relax and unwind while connecting with each other. And on February 27, at Estella in Juhu, Mumbai, the citys glittering startup ecosystem witnessed it first hand with Pulse42, the most happening tech party, where a gathering of over 90 stalwarts from the tech startup ecosystem in India came together.

Among those in attendance were names such as:

Known as the financial capital of India, Mumbai is the third-largest startup hub in India in terms of funding and startups. The city witnessed a slowdown in 2019 with the number of unique startups funded going down, as per Indian Tech Startup Funding Report Q3 2019, by Inc42 DataLabs.

But with big funding in the new year for startups such as LogiNext, InCred and more, it is perhaps a sign of things taking a turn.

With the breathtaking view of the Juhu Beach and light evening breeze, those at Pulse42 got a break from the day-to-day work and earned a well-deserved break. As they focussed on relaxing, the conversations kept flowing along with some great cocktails and sumptuous food. With such an easygoing vibe, networking became much easy even for those who were at their first Pulse42.

This is the only way we can take a break from working and meet the other people who are also in the same industry as us. We cannot attend conferences for networking because of our schedule, but events like Pulse42 condense the same experience in a few hours, said Testbook cofounder Ashutosh Kumar.

At Inc42, we have always focussed on not only covering the ecosystem in-depth but also contributing to this ecosystem in every way we can. Our events such as Pulse42, Mixer by Inc42 and more, all aim to help the enablers as well as the entrepreneurs relax and unwind and help them initiate conversations and talks which otherwise require a lot of appointments and more. This also makes it easier for the attendees to forge bonds, collaborations and partnerships that go beyond professional needs and requirements.

The event turned out to be a huge success, with the support of ekincare and our sponsorsTimes Internet, AWS, Paytm, WebEngage and NetApp Excellerator. Stay updated with more such upcoming events and initiatives by Inc42, and keep following us to know whats coming next. To check out all the fun of Pulse42 in Mumbai, click here.

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Pulse42: Mumbai's Tech Ecosystem's Break From The Hustle To Unwind - Inc42 Media

One important topic that received attention at the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting was the growing inability of health systems to cope with the myriad of threats, outbreaks of infectious diseases and ever-rising costs. Healthcare providers are relentlessly in pursuit of ways to save costs, increase efficiency and improve patient care quality, and this growing need calls for multidisciplinary innovation.

For innovation in healthcare to be sustained, it has to be a collaborative effort which requires looking outside your internal silos for new ideas, innovations, and expertise from other players in the market. As the recent coronavirus spreads, no one system can solve the crisis alone. It is imperative that not just health tech startups, but state governments, the centre, and private players work in tandem to prevent the outbreak in the country. Collaborations like these have already demonstrated their promise in accelerating and humanising healthcare innovation.

In other words, to solve one of India's pressing issue - healthcare for all, multidisciplinary innovation in healthcare is the need of the hour and one of the first events in the country to facilitate this is Alt Code. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, inventors, policymakers, investors, government delegates, academicians and leaders of the MedTech startup ecosystem, to share their experiences, thoughts and innovations on making quality healthcare accessible to all.

Alt Code 2020 will take place on March 13, 2020, at Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield. The objective of the event is to create a collaborative ecosystem to drive innovation through which India's biggest challenge - facilitating health for all and all for health - is solved.

Alt Code, as an event, is breaking the silos across diverse fields and uniting them by promoting the convergence of ideas, academic knowledge and groundbreaking entrepreneurial efforts. The organisers hope that this will facilitate upcoming startups to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to innovation, while amplifying scalability and efficacy of their solutions.

The exclusive event will showcase a bunch of interesting keynotes and panels with the who's who across the healthcare industry including Rohit Kr. Pandey, CEO, SigTuple; Geetha Manjunath, CEO, Niramai; Barath Shankar Subramanian, Partner, Accel; Ranjith Menon, Executive Director, Chiratae Ventures; Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, Director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms; Prasad Kompalli, CEO, mfine; Anjana Sasidharan, Principal, Sequoia Capital; and Anoop Polavaram, Director, Aspada Investments, among others.

They will delve on topics like epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence, medicine, social work, policymaking, data science and entrepreneurship. The panels and keynotes will focus on why MedTech innovations cannot exist and evolve without hardware, the real roadblocks on the delivery of health for all, how to chalk the course of the advancement of healthcare innovation in Indias future, and more.

Don't miss out on the pitch sessions which will feature innovative early MedTech startups in the industry. Three deserving startups will be given the opportunity to showcase their innovations and collaborate with leaders in the industry. Click here to participate in the competition.

So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up, register for Alt Code 2020 for a participation fee ofRs 1,499.

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Alt Code Bengaluru is bringing together the healthcare ecosystem to solve India's biggest challenge - healthca - YourStory

Collaboration Simplifies the Deployment and Management of Intelligent Sensors and Controls for Commercial and Industrial Applications.

T-Systems currently offers several solution bundles including LoRaWAN sensors, gateways, Senet network connectivity plans, and integration with T-Systems Cloud of Things IoT platform for application management and expansion. Supporting both indoor and outdoor vertical applications, these IoT bundles provide useful data in real-time, enabling enterprises across industries to make crucial business decisions. All-inclusive monthly pricing makes it easy for customers to start small and scale fast. Bundles include:

Alex Martinez, Head of Emerging Technologies for T-Systems, says:

End to end solutions in a fragmented Internet of Things universe is what T-Systems offers to not only innovate, but add value to customers across all industries. Our ability to provide accurate and repeatable valuable data and selecting the best ecosystem partners, like Senet, delivers a win-win for our mutual end-customers.

These fully integrated solutions ensure interoperability and ease of deployment, providing greater productivity at lower cost. Flexible network deployment models, access to a rich set of cloud-based tools for application management, and world-class professional services and support allow customers to scale their deployments and implement additional IoT solutions on the same LoRaWAN network as their business needs expand.

Our partnership with T-Systems is an example of how the LoRaWAN ecosystem has rapidly matured to provide fully integrated solutions and tangible benefits to customers across markets, said Bruce Chatterley, CEO at Senet. With fewer steps to acquire, deploy, and scale end-to-end IoT solutions, were creating new opportunities for innovation by helping connect devices and data to applications and action.

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Senet and T-Systems Partner to Deliver Ready-to-Use IoT Solution Bundles - IoT Business News

TuesdayFeb18,2020at3:01AM

My Wellfleet neighborhood abuts the Herring River, which was degraded in 1909 after a dike restricted tidal flow to the once-healthy estuary. Because tidal flow was blocked, water quality deteriorated, resulting in the death of fish and other sea life.

Currently, a dedicated group of people has spent over a decade working to restore this precious natural resource. Benefits include protecting and enhancing shellfishing and restoring once-abundant river herring and eels. Diamondback terrapins, winter flounder and striped bass should return to spawn, as well. Birds and other wildlife also will benefit from a healthy coastal environment.

A healthy tidal marsh will buffer storm surges resulting from climate change. Carbon stored by coastal wetlands reduces global warming. Free-flowing tides will help distribute sediment, allowing the marsh to gain elevation to help mitigate the effects of rising seas. There also will be a reduction in biting mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant waters.

I ask all to join me in supporting this project. Once restored, a healthy Herring River Estuary will provide recreational opportunities and seafood to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations.

Mary Ellen Manning, Wellfleet

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Herring River project will revive long-afflicted estuary ecosystem - Cape Cod Times

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Strategic Analysis of Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem in the United Kingdom, 2018 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The automotive industry is rapidly evolving in terms of technology, as well as tackling environmental issues. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been introduced as a clean energy initiative, as they have low or zero emissions and have come a long way to becoming an integral part of OEMs' business strategies. Automakers are creating separate EV business units to be prepared for the expected EV boom in the short term. However, the surge in demand will create a need for huge charging infrastructure and safety regulations and standards.

The United Kingdom is a country that is aggressively pushing the country towards electrification, especially in the automotive and transportation sector. Stringent emission regulations, liberal incentives/subsidies for consumers and manufacturers, high level of localisation, concrete safety standards, and an established technology roadmap are some of the key steps taken by the government to ensure the success of electric vehicles in the near future.

Major OEMs such as Tata-JLR, Volkswagen, and Daimler have announced ambitious sales targets, and are expected to launch a large number of new and constructive electric vehicle models (from city-suited to long-range and powerful ones). Charging infrastructure, which is one of the major factors driving electric vehicle adoption, is also picking up pace, with many new companies entering the market. It has opened up new business models, enabling companies to position themselves either as manufacturers or operators or as a payment gateway.

The study gives a detailed analysis of the current and future prospects of electric vehicle sales in the United Kingdom - by model, by OEM, and by type of vehicle, until 2025. It provides insights into how charging stations have evolved over time and how companies have designed their strategies to establish a profitable supply chain. It also lists the various kinds of investments made in the electric vehicle space, promoting adoption.

Key Issues Addressed

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Research Scope, Objectives, and Methodology

3. EV Market Scenario

4. Government Efforts

5. Charging Station Infrastructure

6. Growth Opportunities and Companies to Action

7. Key Conclusions

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vnbo36

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Strategic Analysis of Electric Vehicle Ecosystem in the United Kingdom, 2018-2025 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

Science games are trendy right now, with Wingspan, my #1 game of last year, building on real characteristics of over 100 species of North American birds to create a richly textured game that gets the science right. Genius Games is a small publisher that focuses specifically on games with science or math themes, including Periodic (played on the periodic table) and Cytosis (a game of cell division, endorsed by the Journal of Cell Science). One of their latest titles, Ecosystem, asks players to build tableaux of cards that score enough points to win yet are balanced like a real ecosystem so the player doesnt lose points for a lack of biodiversity.

Ecosystem is a very straightforward game to playall the complexity is in the scoring. The game itself is a card-drafting tableau builder, and if you know what those two terms mean, you have a pretty good idea of how the game works. Youll build your ecosystem in a grid of four rows of five cards each, and you place those cards over two rounds, starting each round with ten cards. Youll place a card, pass your remaining hand to the player to your left or right, place another card, and so on until all players have placed 10 cards in the round. The only restrictions on card placement are that you must place each card orthogonally adjacent to a card youve already placed, and you cant go beyond the limits of four rows by five columns.

The deck includes 130 cards in total, so no matter your player count you wont use all the cards in any game (the maximum is 120, or 20 cards each with six players). The most common cards are meadows and streams, of which there are 20 apiece, while the remainder of the deck includes eight to 12 each of nine different types of animals, birds, fish, or insects, each of which has a unique function in the game.

Two card types, streams and wolves, score competitivelythe player with the most gets the most points, the player with the next-most gets a smaller point total, and so on. Most cards score based on whats nearby, either immediately adjacent or within two cards, including trout, bear, dragonflies, and bees, as well as foxes, which score only if there are no bears or wolves adjacent to them. Meadows score in clustersyou have to have at least two meadow cards adjacent to each other to score at all. One card, rabbits, scores just a single point each (up from nothing in the original edition), but when played gives you the only opportunity to move cards youve already played, either switching two in your tableau or replacing one with the rabbit and relocating the new one.

Most of these scoring rules at least mimic something from the real world. Dragonflies score (in a slightly convoluted way) if theyre next to streams, as do trout. Bears score if theyre next to trout and bees. Bees score if theyre next to meadows. Eagles score if theyre within twoyou know, because they flycards of trout or rabbits. Deer are the most solitary animal in the scoring, gaining two points for each row with a deer and two points for each column, so you can score 18 points for deer if you place one in each column and one in each row.

The game does reward you for building your ecosystem with sufficient biodiversity. If you have at least six categories in which you didnt score any points, you lose five points; if you have four or fewer categories with zeroes, however, you get a bonus. In my various plays with player counts from four to six, I dont think anyone has actually taken the penalty; youd have to actively be trying to focus on a few categories to the exclusion of others for that to happen.

Ecosystem plays two to six, but its definitely best with at least four so you get more cards in play and so the effects of the card-drafting mechanic are more pronounced. With two players, the rules include a neutral player that takes 10 cards in each round and randomly takes one card whenever a hand is passed to its position; the neutral player also counts in the stream and wolf scoring. Its much better with more players, though, and still moves quickly because of the simultaneous play; even with five players, two of them new to the game, it only took us about 35-40 minutes, and I think itd be under a half an hour if wed played again with the same group.

The scoring is not that intuitive, and youll probably check your player reference card frequently even after a few plays, but when I introduce people to the game, they get caught up in the tableau-building part and learn the scoring as we goprobably the best way to learn most games. Its a great lightweight game and, at $15, a great value for a highly portable title.

Keith Law is the author of Smart Baseball and a senior baseball writer for The Athletic. His latest book, The Inside Game, is due out in April 2020. You can find his personal blog the dish, covering games, literature, and more, at meadowparty.com/blog.

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Balance Your Own Ecosystem in the Great Board Game Ecosystem - Paste Magazine

The Western News - Front Page Slider, Governors grizzly council makes tracks to Libby City Hall this month '); $(this).addClass('expanded'); $(this).animate({ height: imgHeight + 'px' }); } } }); }); function closeExpand(element) { $(element).parent('.expand-ad').animate({ height: '30px' }, function () { $(element).parent('.expand-ad').removeClass('expanded'); $(element).remove(); }); } function runExpandableAd() { setTimeout(function() { $('.expand-ad').animate({ height: $('.expand-ad img').height() + 'px' }); }, 2000); setTimeout(function() { $('.expand-ad').animate({ height: '30px' }); }, 4000); } function customPencilSize(size) { var ratio = 960/size; var screenWidth = $('body').width(); if (screenWidth > 960) screenWidth = 960; $('.expand-ad__holder').parent('.ad').css('padding-bottom', (screenWidth / ratio) + 'px'); $('.expand-ad__holder').css({ height: (screenWidth / ratio) + 'px' }); $('.expand-ad').css({ height: (screenWidth / ratio) + 'px' }); $('.expand-ad img').css('height', 'auto'); $('.expand-ad embed').css('height', 'auto'); $('.expand-ad embed').css('width', '100%'); $('.expand-ad embed').css('max-width', '960px'); } function customSize(size, id) { var element = jQuery('script#' + id).siblings('a').children('img'); if (element.length 960) screenWidth = 960; element.css('height', (screenWidth / ratio) + 'px'); } (function () { window.addEventListener('message', function (event) { $(document).ready(function() { var expand = event.data.expand; if (expand == 'false') { $('.expand-ad__holder').removeClass('expand-ad__holder'); $('.expand-ad').removeClass('expand-ad'); } }); }, false); function loadIframe(size, id) { $('.ad').each(function () { var iframeId = $(this).children('ins').children('iframe').attr('name'); var element = $(this).children('ins').children('iframe'); if (element.length > 0) { var ratio = 960 / size; var screenWidth = $('body').width(); if (screenWidth > 960) screenWidth = 960; element.css('height', (screenWidth / ratio) + 'px'); } }); } })();

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Governor's grizzly council makes tracks to Libby City Hall this month - The Western News

What Do We Mean by App Architecture?

The technical definition: It is a combination of structural elements and their individual set of interfaces using which a system is composed in addition to the framework behavior of all the structural elements.

In laymans terms: Mobile application architecture is a set of techniques and model/design that are supposed to be followed for building a structured mobile app. It can also be denoted as an apps skeleton upon which the working and quality is based.

So, everything that defines an app how the data would move, the UI/UX, the choice of platform, the tech stack, etc. is a part of Mobile app architecture patterns.

Selecting the right architecture must be a default primary step in the planning and designing phase of a software development project. However, most often than not, the stage is ignored simply on the grounds of making the development process slower and thus more extensive. While ironically, the lack of it is a major reason behind a mobile application failure.

The lack of an enterprise application architecture, though, introduces a number of issues in the software:

The glaring issues attached with the lack of an architecture or of it being deemed unimportant gives birth to the need to build a mobile application architecture that is right and accounts to all the necessary considerations.

At this stage, you will have to keep the device type into consideration. This would need you to study the screen size, resolution, CPU characteristics, memory, and storage space, plus the availability of the development tool environment.

The app features would have dependency on the software or hardware, which is why it is important to have the details of devices on which the app would run.

Throughout its lifecycle, your application will face several events where the internet connectivity will either be dwindling or there would be none at all. Your app architecture will have to be built noting the worst network conditions. You will have to design the data access mechanism, caching, and state management according to the worst case scenarios.

The importance of UI/UX within an application is unquestionable. Ensuring that your UI is devised to keep users engaged and give them an uncluttered experience is an important part of your mobile app infrastructure One that would define how well it is designed.

While majorly accounted for the app architecture designing front, the element would call for an expertise in both backend and frontend. On the basis of your understanding of who the customers are and what are their app requirements, you should analyze which one of these would be good for your app:

Knowing the elements will only take you halfway when dissecting what is mobile app architecture to its entirety.

All the mobile app architectures are divided into three layers. Understanding what these three layers are, helps mobile app development companies understand what architectures are made of.

The aim of this layer is to look into how to present the application to end users. When designing this layer, the mobile app developers must identify the correct client type for intended infrastructure. Additionally, the clients deployment restrictions must also be kept in mind. Another necessity is selecting the correct data format and using robust data validation mechanisms for protecting the apps from invalid entry.

This layer looks into elements on the business front. In layman words, it looks into the way businesses are presented to the end users. This consists of business components, workflow, and the entities under two sub-layer hood: Domain model and Service.

The service layer looks into the definition of common application function set that are available to the end users. While the domain model layer looks into the knowledge and expertise linked to specific problem areas.

The data access layer must meet the application requirements and should help in offering efficient and secure data transactions. Mobile app developers should also consider the maintenance side of the data while ensuring that the data layer can be modified easily with the changing business requirements.

This layer consists of the data specific components such as access components, utilities, helpers, and the service agents.

The three elements are placed under two subheads: Persistence Layer and Network Layer. The former offers simplified data access which is stored in the backend, the latter is needed for making networking calls.

The intent of everything you have read till now is to not just understand what is mobile app architecture but What is a Good Mobile App Architecture. Now, what makes an architecture a good architecture is the principle set it is based on.

Question: What are the foundations of a good mobile app architecture?

Answer: A good app architecture (both Android mobile app architecture and iOS application architecture) is the one which enforces good programming patterns and assumptions.

Meeting all these different conditions enables you to speed up the development process while making maintenance much easier. Additionally, a well devised architecture in addition to platform centric technology is best used for solving complicated business issues in an effective manner for app projects.

Establishing an architecture as good is an event that calls for it to follow different principles. These principles also hold the answer to how to choose the right architecture for your mobile app.

It is the systems ability to react to the changing environment. In the case of mobile apps, the environment changes maybe a lot more frequent noting the market and technological changes. A good mobile app architecture ensures that the system is portable enough to answer to the changes keeping the impact of those changes at the minimum.

Noting the requirement changes happening due to the environment changes should be modified to correct the faults, better the performance, etc. In such a scenario, there is always a need for constant app maintenance. A good mobile architecture and programming must ensure high maintainability while reducing the efforts needed to keep the system up and running.

A good mobile app architecture must understand that for a faster mobile app development process it is important that components and protocols can be reused during updations or at redesign. Noting this, it is important that the architecture has the space for add reusability in the structured development approach.

Data security is the most major non-functional need of an application. The architecture must be robust enough for securing the data which is consumed by the app. It should also be in sync with the organizations security ecosystem, while all the data which is stored on device must be properly encrypted.

Users expect applications to be quick and issues free. If the app takes a lot of time to fetch the details, the probability of users abandoning the application increases by manifold. A good mobile app architecture should be such that every single one of the users expectations are met to its entirety.

This is the stage which would set the basis of your deep diving further into the types of app architecture and having a conversation with the engineering team.

Sudeep Srivastav

CEO, Appinventiv

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Explained: Mobile App Architecture - The Basis of App Ecosystem - Appinventiv

There are many ways to assess mountain ecosystem services, but because of these challenges the researchers decided to study the mountain communities social perceptions to put together an initial picture of Bhutans ecosystem services.

We felt this perception study would be a good way to kickstart our understanding of the forests ecosystem services, said Jigme Wangchuk, a researcher at UWICER. Its a quick and affordable method and it helps the communities better understand the connection between ecosystem services and their livelihood.

The researchers used participatory research methods, including focus group discussions, interviews and household surveys and focused on three forest types, namely high-altitude oak forests, forest management units and community plantations.

Like most studies on ecosystem services, the CIFOR and UWICER study divided services into four categories: provisioning services, which are products obtained from the ecosystem, such as fresh water or food; regulating services, which are benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as climate regulation or avalanche mitigation; habitat services, which highlight the importance of ecosystems to provide habitat for migratory species and to maintain the viability of gene-pools; and cultural services, which are non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems such as spiritual enrichment, or recreation.

The idea was to learn what components and services of the forest are important to the local people so down the line the government and other potential buyers know which services are worth paying to preserve. The end goal, Baral said, was for Bhutan to explore the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme, where whoever preserves or maintains an ecosystem service should be paid for doing so. An example of this is when companies buy carbon offset credits and the payment goes to communities taking care of a forest that sequesters carbon from the atmosphere.

For this to work in Bhutan, two things need to be clear. First, the buyer needs to know what they are paying for, and second, the seller needs to know what they are providing to the buyer, Baral said. For this reason, its important and critical to determine what services Bhutans forests are providing to whom. And identifying and quantifying these services is the primary step.

After interviews and discussions with 396 villagers in villages spread out across 17 forests in Bhutan, the researchers reported 17 ecosystem services perceived overall as important to the communities.

The villagers recognized fresh water, timber, fuel wood, non-wood forest products, fodder and leaf litter as the forests provisioning services, with fresh water and timber as the most important. For regulating services, they thought ground water recharge, fresh air, carbon sequestration and soil erosion protection equally ranked as the top services.

They named soil productivity, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, pollination as supporting services, with soil productivity and biodiversity as most important. And for cultural services, they chose recreation and aesthetic services as most important, followed closely by cultural spiritual sites.

The researchers compared this list to ecosystem services identified by forestry experts and found common priorities, namely the provisioning services of fresh water, non-wood forest products, fodder, food, fuel wood, and grazing; and the regulating services of soil erosion protection, natural hazard reduction, and water purification.

Researchers noted priority services chosen by residents in the three different study areas. Among the ecosystem services identified by communities in the oak forest, water regulation, provision of fodder and fuel wood were the priorities. Access to timber was the priority for communities in the planted forest, and those in the forest management units named land productivity, freshwater, timber, and fresh air as the top ecosystem services.

Overall, the interviews and discussions revealed that villagers ascribe their good health to a healthy forest. And the researchers are happy they now have baseline knowledge of the forests. But the study also uncovered a perception that there is a general decline in the provision of ecosystem services, particularly from forest management units. Villagers attributed the decline to a country-wide increase in the demand for timber, which they have linked to socio-economic development.

The researchers plan on validating these findings through scientific field measurements and similar studies in other forest management regimes.

Baral, Sears, Wangchuk and Choden noted that among the best things to have come out of the project was a synergy between the communities and the researchers, and between the international researchers and the local scientists.

Researchers learned about how communities value the forest and learned to appreciate local knowledge, and villagers learned about the ecosystem service conceptual framework. Prior to the study, we thought the local people were aware of ecosystem services obtained from their forest but not all of the regulating and supporting services, Choden said. After the study we learned that people are aware and value their ecosystem services beyond provisioning services.

My sense is that the local people would like to know more about their forest. And if they have a different narrative about the relationship between trees and water, I think they wouldnt mind hearing about the scientific narrative, Sears said. At the same time, we scientists recognized local people as the experts. They have been living near these forests for generations. We learn from them.

UWICER researchers feel that the training they received in research design and social science methods as part of the project will go a long way. It substantially enhanced our capacity in project planning, implementation in the field, interpretation of results and publication of results, Wangchuk said. Many local researchers got to author or co-author studies, a big opportunity that enhanced our scientific paper writing skills and presentation.

Our Bhutanese colleagues, they took the initiative once the team defined what the three projects would be, Sears said. They took it and ran with it.

What enhances these new capacities is that local researchers now have a stronger link to the local knowledge that farmers and villagers have used to care for their forests for hundreds of years. Its a whole other knowledge system, Sears said. It now informs future research and empowers the Bhutanese people in decision making. That has great value.

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What are Bhutan's sacred forests worth? - Forests News, Center for International Forestry Research

Initially announced at Devcon 4 in 2018, Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum and the founder of ConsenSys, one of the worlds largest blockchain companies, building the tools, infrastructure, and apps that power the Ethereum network created a $550,000 grant fund to be distributed to projects building out the Ethereum ecosystem.

ConsenSys Grants funds open-source projects that benefit the greater Ethereum ecosystem. Projects supported include critical areas such as core infrastructure, improved developer tooling and UX, security, and access to knowledge for developers, users, and social impact projects.

Since 2019, the ConsenSys Grantsprogram has funded 25 projects in total.

Infrastructure:

Ecosystem Growth:

Usability + Dev Tooling:

Security

Infrastructure

Usability + dev tooling

Social Impact

Education + technical knowledge

Sigma Prime is extremely grateful for the support received from ConsenSys. This grant helped us scale the Lighthouse development team, allowing us to hire and retain amazing talents. Were proud of all the progress achieved over the past few months, with Lighthouse becoming a leading Eth2 implementation. The funding received from ConsenSys is instrumental to reaching our goals. Mehdi Zerouali, Director, Sigma Prime

ConsenSys Grants is more than the money; it helped the team understand its on the right track, and gave community validation. A great tool for showing community that this is a step in the right direction. Yoav Weiss, CTO, TabooKey (Gas Station Network)

Girls are coming out of the program so well-rounded, educated, and being able to compete in the blockchain space. They are telling their story through the communities that they serve. It has been awesome. And provided them a platform to be invited to the blockchain ecosystem. Ewurabena Ashun, Curriculum Management & Development , Black Girls Code

The rest is here:

ConsenSys Grants funds third cohort of projects to benefit the Ethereum ecosystem - CryptoNinjas