When Shape Matters: Using a Simple Mathematical Model to Estimate Critical Area Sizes in Conservation

In the analysis of anthropogenic impact on the environment arises the question of whether the shapes of preserved habitat fragments play an important role in the conservation of wild species. In this work we use a very simple mathematical model based on a reaction-diffusion equation to analyze the effects of geometric shape and area on the permanence of populations in habitat fragments. Our results indicate that a dimensionless quantity calculated from a combination of biological variables is the main component that determines if the species survives in the preserved fragment and whether its geometric shape is important. We provide a methodology to calculate critical area sizes for which population size is most affected by fragment shape. The calculation is based on four quantitative variables: maximum per capita reproduction rate, per capita mortality rate outside the fragment, carrying capacity in the conserved environment and mobility in the disturbed environment. The methodology is illustrated by a preliminary study, in which the model is used to estimate threshold area sizes for habitat fragments for the threatened species Sapajus xanthosternos .

“Accompanying Migrants” as a Touchstone of the Realisation of the Synodal Church Idea. A Canonist’s Remarks

“Synodality is a style, it is walking together, and it is what the Lord expects of the Church in the third millennium” (Francis). The specific motto and wording of this study in the quoted “programme” thought of Pope Francis, articulated in the Address to Members of the International Theological Commission (2019). The Pope expresses appreciation for the extensive work of the Commission crowned with the “theological clarification” of the mentioned idea, and above all by demonstrating the importance in the perception of the mission of the Church today. If, in the opinion of the Holy Father, factual and competent expert argumentation, step by step, reveals the truth that “a synodal Church is a Church of participation and co-responsibility,” such a determination cannot remain without impact on the praxis of undertaking the most serious pastoral challenges of the present time — on various levels of realization: local, regional, and universal, including ecumenical commitment. This applies in its entirety to the creation of strategies and specific actions of the Church towards the growing phenomenon of human mobility, especially in its forms that manifest themselves as dramatic and devastating to families and individuals. What we mean here is the Church’s multi-track postulate — or more precisely: communion, synodal — efficiency (with its determinants: dynamics, efficiency, effectiveness), for which in 2016 Francis coined the term: “accompanying migrants”. Consequently, in recent years there have been a number of normative and operational activities of the present successor of St. Peter, which in our time — rightly called: “the era of migration” (Francis) — set a new trend of clothing/embellishing the aforementioned critical area of salus animarum with synodal accents. As it is showed in the study, a canonist, with the horizon of the principle of ius sequitur vitam before his eyes, cannot remain passive towards the pressing challenges delineated here. Indeed, within the orbit of the study of canon law a weighty question appears — what conclusions of a canonical nature stem from the “millennium” project of the realization of the Synodal Church Idea.

Multiaxial Fatigue Life Assessment of Integral Concrete Bridge with a Real-Scale and Complicated Geometry Due to the Simultaneous Effects of Temperature Variations and Sea Waves Clash

In the present study, the authors attempted to predict the fatigue lifetime of a real-scale integral concrete bridge with H-shaped steel piles resulting from working and environmental conditions. In this regard, various types of nonproportional variable amplitude loads were applied on the bridge, such as temperature variations and sea waves clash. To this end, CATIA software was used to model the real-scale bridge with its accessories, such as a concrete deck, concrete anchors (walls), I-shaped concrete beams (Ribs), and steel piles. Subsequently, stress analysis was performed to determine the critical area apt to fail. The results showed that steel piles are the most critical bridge components. As a result, in future analysis, the purpose will be to study this critical area, and the effect of relative humidity on the fatigue properties of concrete was ignored. Subsequently, the time history of stress tensor components in the critical area was obtained by performing transient dynamic analysis. Various well-known equivalent stress fatigue theories (von Mises, Findley, Dang Van, McDiarmid, Carpinteri–Spagnoli, Modified Findley, Modified McDiarmid, and Liu–Zenner) were utilized to calculate the equivalent stress caused by the simultaneous effect of temperature variations and sea waves clash. Eventually, the fatigue life of the structure was predicted by employing the rainflow counting algorithm and the Palmgren–Miner damage accumulation rule. The results indicated a reduction in the multiaxial fatigue life of the structure under the simultaneous effects of two phenomena, the daily temperature variations and the sea waves clash, of approximately 87% and 66%, respectively, compared with the fatigue life of the structure under either the effect of temperature changes or the effect of sea waves clash, separately. Therefore, it was necessary to consider all the cyclic loads in the structural design step to estimate the fatigue life of the structure. Moreover, the findings of this case study revealed that the lowest value of multiaxial fatigue lifetime is related to the application of the Liu-Zenner criterion. In other words, this criterion is more conservative than the other used criteria.

Numerical Study of The Power Plant Surface Condenser to Prevent High Pressure in Critical Areas

A numerical study to reduce the condenser pressure in critical areas of a power plant surface condenser has been carried out. Numerically, effects are considered through a three-dimensional simulation approach. Modifying by adding a guide plate with a three variation of angle, (?) 15?, 30?, 45? in the surface condenser area to reduce the dynamic forces and pressure due to the collision of fluid flow in the critical pipeline without reducing the purpose of the design of shell and tube heat exchanger results in transferring heat. The drag force caused by the interaction of the shear layer with the surface of the body is very undesirable, so that the control of the flow fields is needed, one of which is by optimal angle guide plate of the pipe arrangement in the critical area. This study aims to determine the optimal plate angle to overcome high pressure in the critical area. This research was numerically conducted using 3D CFD ANSYS 14.5 software with a turbulence model using a standard k-? using a pressure-based solution solver. The initial stage takes geometric data on the surface condenser in the design specification as the basis for making the domain and data from before as boundary conditions in the simulation research process. The result is that with the addition of guide plates, the average drag coefficient (Cd) is reduced compared to the average Cd in the baseline conditions and angle variation (?) 15?, 30?, 45? is 0.537; 0.644; 0.446; 0.464. Taking into this aspect, the most optimal plate angle is 30?. The simulation results show that changing the angle of the plate can reduce the Nusselt value than the baseline conditions.

Analysis of Inverse Methods in Empirical Structural Mechanics

The application of inverse methods in empirical structural mechanics is the subject of this study. After a broad introduction to Inverse Problems (IPs), which includes a discussion of the many domains of application in general structural mechanics, the focus is limited to the critical area of material identification, with a special focus on the use of complete surveys. In this example, a more detailed explanation of the IPs to solve is provided, as well as the primary approaches to solving it. Lastly, there are several illustrations of exploratory uses of such techniques.

What Really Matters for Instructors Implementing Equitable and Inclusive Teaching Approaches

Supporting instructor implementation of equitable and inclusive teaching approaches is a critical area of focus in educational development. However, there is limited empirical evidence on factors that either support or hinder instructors’ implementation of inclusive teaching. The results of this national survey study reveal several predictors of instructors’ utilization of inclusive teaching approaches and reported obstacles faced. For this sample, knowledge of inclusive teaching was a statistically significant predictor of implementation, as was being from a non-STEM discipline. Responses highlighted promising approaches, several of which can inform the efforts of educational developers. 

Phenomenological Strands for Gaming Disorder and Esports Play: A Qualitative Registered Report

The recent inclusion of gaming disorder in the ICD-11 as a mental disorder has further increased the importance of researching the health spectrum related to gaming. A critical area in this regard is the lack of clarity concerning the differences between gaming disorder and intensive play, the latter of which often involves several gaming hours per day without related health problems especially among the players of the recently emerged esports games. In this study, we approach the above question by interpretive phenomenological analysis with interviews in two groups of highly involved videogame players: those who seek or have sought clinical help for their problems with gaming (n=5–15), and those who play esports more than 4 hours per day without self-reported related health problems (n=10–15). The interviews will be carried out by using a new 53-point Phenomenology of Play (POP) interview frame. These data are contextualized with interviews of medical experts (n=5–15) who have experience of working with the former group. All player interviews are repeated after 12 months. The project has two publication outcomes, from first and second round data, respectively. [Red font: parts that represent second-round interviews and second output.]

EU-US security relations enter new era under Biden

Significance The United States has re-established its commitment to NATO and requested to participate in the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Military Mobility project. Among other things, the EU and United States have agreed to initiate a new dialogue on security and defence. However, the disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan underscores the challenges ahead. Impacts Despite initial progress, there is much potential for EU-US conflict, over issues such as trade and China. Re-imagining NATO’s role could be a critical area of debate between the United States and Europeans over the coming years. Victory for the Greens in Germany's federal election might increase the scope for transatlantic cooperation on China.