Conclusion

The disagreement between China and the United States over maritime rights in the South China Sea has become the leading maritime point of friction. But that dispute is just one part of more fundamental change at work in how the world governs the oceans, one that has moved away from the idea of freedom of the seas. A central question is whether the UN Convention’s compromise on the oceans can endure. The Convention increased national sovereignty over parts of the oceans but also created mechanisms of international control. What emerged from that compromise is a complex, hybrid system of governance that relies on national governments but also a variety of international and regional organizations and international courts. Part of that compromise is a narrower version of freedom of the seas, but pressure from multiple directions is rendering even a limited version of that long-standing doctrine increasingly fragile.

A difficult history of light. About metaphysical ideas of “light writing” formulated before the birth of photography

The reflections presented in this article are devoted to Junko Theresa Mikuriya’s book, A History of Light. The Idea of Photography. It is a unique view on the search for pre-photographic origins of photography in the field of philosophical writings ranging from Plato, through the neoplatonic philosopher Jamblich’s enquiry, to the texts by Philotheus of Batos and by an early Renaissance philosopher, Marsilio Ficino. When thinking about metaphysics present in (moving and still) images, one should not forget about the metaphysics of the image itself. The idea of photography – regardless of whether we are witnessing a fundamental change in an ontological transition from an analogue to a digital form of image recording – obliges us to discuss the “history of light”, as this is what Mikuriya does. While locating the discussed concepts in the context of the history and theory of photography, as well as the archaeology of media, the author of this essay engages in a dialogue with Mikuriya and polemically discusses many of her hypotheses. Key concepts such as chalepon, photagogia, triton genos, phôteinographeisthai are analysed in order to indicate inspiring moments in the Mikuriya’s reflections, but also a kind of interpretive abuse in the process of reading and analysing philosophical texts addressing the issues of light.

Reversal of the adipostat control of torpor during migration in hummingbirds

Many small endotherms use torpor to reduce metabolic rate and manage daily energy balance. However, the physiological 'rules' that govern torpor use are unclear. We tracked torpor use and body composition in ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris), a long-distance migrant, throughout the summer using respirometry and quantitative magnetic resonance. During the mid-summer, birds entered torpor at consistently low fat stores (~5% of body mass), and torpor duration was negatively related to evening fat load. Remarkably, this energy-emergency strategy was abandoned in the late summer when birds accumulated fat for migration. During the migration period, birds were more likely to enter torpor on nights when they had higher fat stores, and fat gain was positively correlated with the amount of torpor used. These findings demonstrate the versatility of torpor throughout the annual cycle and suggest a fundamental change in physiological feedback between adiposity and torpor during migration. Moreover, this study highlights the underappreciated importance of facultative heterothermy in migratory ecology.

Grotian Moments: The Concept

During times of fundamental change, customary international law can form quite abruptly. Scholars have begun to call the paradigm shifts and tipping points that lead to rapid formation of new rules of customary international law ‘Grotian Moments.’ This chapter introduces the concept, explains its appellation, provides historic examples of its application since World War ii, examines its usefulness, and addresses some of the critiques that have been leveled at the notion of accelerated formation of customary international law.

Study of possibility of obtaining alternative binders from production wastes for filling man-caused voids

Basic scientific and practical results of the study of possibility of obtaining alternative binders from production wastes to fill man-made voids at underground ore mining are presented. The objective of the study was to determine the technological possibility and economic feasibility of using available low-active substances as substitutes for expensive and scarce cement. It was shown that it is possible to obtain a binder from dolomite wastes, equivalent in properties to cement, which makes it possible to meet the demands of environmentally correct ore mining technologies. It has been established that hardening mixtures based on dolomites and enrichment tailings are only 8-22% inferior in strength to mixtures with standard cement and are suitable without restrictions for the construction of nature protection massifs in mine workings. Recommended activation of wastes increases the strength of the hardening filling mixture by 15-20% in comparison with the basic technology. With additional preparation in activators, a fundamental change in the quality of dolomite products is possible. The use of wastes in the production of a hardening mixture will free up the land occupied by storage facilities and organize the production of competitive products. Alternative binders and inert materials are recommended for use.

The Impact of Renewable Energies on Sustainable Development

The people of the world have entered a decade phase after bidding farewell to the previous year 2019 and to begin with stability towards a future that is looming on the horizon of many variables that could shape the characteristics of the next decade with the start year of 2020, it will therefore constitute a fundamental change for the future of daily life and the international economy.

The Impact of Renewable Energies on Sustainable Development

The people of the world have entered a decade phase after bidding farewell to the previous year 2019 and to begin with stability towards a future that is looming on the horizon of many variables that could shape the characteristics of the next decade with the start year of 2020, it will therefore constitute a fundamental change for the future of daily life and the international economy.