Bat Roosts in Rock

This guide provides descriptions of when the species of bats resident in British and Ireland use natural and man-made rock habitats, how they use them, and the environment each species occupies within them. This data is part of the Bat Rock Habitat Key project. For the first time it brings together a) historic scientific investigations; b) useful photographic accounts; and c) open access biological records, in a practical narrative. The text encompasses: - Descriptions of the features that a climber, caver or professional ecologist might encounter on and in natural and man-made rock habitats, and within which bats have been recorded roosting. - Recording criteria for both the physical and environmental attributes of different features and situations. - The identification of suitability thresholds against which the recorded information can be compared to assess the likelihood that a specific feature might be exploited by a specific bat species. - Some suggestions for how to avoid mistakes and misery when performing a survey. The idea is that the use of the book will generate standardised biological records that will feed into the online database at www.batrockhabitatkey.co.uk. This data will be analysed to search for patterns that can increase the confidence in the suitability thresholds, build new roost features that deliver the environment each species really wants; their fundamental niche on each environmental gradient.

Critical Thinking Skills and Scientific Attitudes of Pre-Service Chemistry Teachers Through the Implementation of Problem-Based Learning Model

This study aims to determine the effect of applying problem-based learning models on critical thinking skills and scientific attitudes of pre-service chemistry teachers in Basic Chemistry 1. This quasi-experimental research uses pre-test and post-test through an unequal control group design. This research has been carried out for 3 months from September-November in 2021 on pre-service chemistry teachers. The data were analyzed using Hotelling's T2 test and the Rasch model. Empirical evidence shows that based on Hotelling's T2 test results obtained a significance value of 0.001 < (0.05) with a partial eta squared value of 0.28 which means Ha is accepted. So, it can be concluded that there is a contribution of problem-based learning models on critical thinking skills and scientific attitudes of students with the contribution of 28%. Another finding also shows that based on the results of the Rasch model test, it shows that in the experimental class the indicators of critical thinking skills and scientific attitudes are mostly possessed the ability to synthesize attitudes towards scientific investigations. The indicators of critical thinking skills and scientific attitudes are least possessed the ability to analyze and chemistry learning experiences. The conclusions of this study include there is a significant effect of the application of the PBL model on students' critical thinking skills and scientific attitudes with a model contribution of 28%, as well as critical thinking skills and scientific attitudes that most students have in the experimental class are analytical skills and attitudes towards scientific investigations.

Study on the Material and Deterioration Characteristics of the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha in Bijung-ri, Cheongju, Korea

The Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha in Bijung-ri are state-designated heritage (treasure) statues having the Buddha style of the Goryeo dynasty from the 6th century. Conservation scientific investigations were conducted to understand the preservation status of these stone Buddha statues and to establish a conservation plan. The Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha are composed of fine-medium grained biotite granite, which is considered to be of the same origin owing to their low magnetic susceptibility distribution of less than 0.2 (×10-3 SI unit) and similar mineral characteristics. The Stone Seated Buddha Triad has highly homogenous mineral composition and particle size, whole-rock magnetic susceptibility, and geochemical characteristics very similar to those of the nearby outcrop. It was confirmed that a combination of physical, chemical, and biological factors affects the Stone Buddha statues. In particular, both the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha tend to be chipped off from the front and cracked and scaled from the back. The Stone Standing Buddha located outdoors experiences granularity decomposition and black algae formation, which accelerate the weathering under unfavorable conservation environments. The result of non-destructive physical property diagnosis using ultrasonic velocity showed that both the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha have been completely weathered (CW), indicating very poor physical properties.

Wybrane ekonomiczne uwarunkowania i prawne aspekty prowadzenia działalności pszczelarskiej w Polsce

The apiculture activity plays a significant role in the European Union’s economy and agriculture, mainly due to the functions performed by honey bees (Apis mellifera). Thanks to their efforts, more than 80% of crops and plants are pollinated worldwide. Bee’s work is also used to produce products such as honey, royal jelly, propolis, pollen and beeswax, used in chemical, food, medical and pharmaceutical industries. Finally, conducting the apicultural activity contributes also to maintain a proper level of biodiversity of natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, many civilizational and economic transformations and other factors have strongly influenced the apicultural activity, leading to numerous threats to the apiculture sector and the bees. Considering that, it is vital to carry out scientific investigations concerning the apicultural activity, which may provide valuable insight into the ongoing debate regarding the possibility of improving the situation of that sector. In this context, particularly the role of economic and legal research seems to be crucial because, on the one hand, it helps to understand the current economic conditions which characterize the apicultural activity, and, on the other hand, allows us to assess the current regulation and – as a result of that – to prepare a possible proposal for changes to the legislation concerning apiculture. Therefore, this paper aims to answer the following question: is the apicultural sector sufficiently supported and protected against risks related to apiculture, based on the current economic conditions and the existing regulation of apicultural activity.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations on Global Travel and the Increasing Number of Re-Infections: A Risk-Assessment Perspective

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has stunned the world owing to the surreal, unprecedented, and completely unbelievable manner in which it has spread globally within a short span of time. This spread has led to the common combination of variety and has promoted the passage of species blockade and genetic combination of these types of viruses. Despite the short history of the COVID-19 outbreak, with its global spread and frequent mutations, it has impacted the whole world and has become a worrying threat to the society. Scientific reports have disclosed that members of the coronavirus family, such as SARS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), HCoV-NL63, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and HKU1 have infected the humans earlier too and that mutations in these viruses have resulted in the more complex severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the present review, we have discussed how scientists keep track of the genetic tweaks to SARS-CoV-2 as it spreads globally. Currently, the only way to prevent more such outbreaks is maintaining social distancing, adhering to the World Health Organization guidelines and de-globalizing the world. Genetic variations/mutations reported to date in coronaviruses hint at their cryptic spread. Scientists are scouring the viral genome for mutations that might reveal how dangerous the pathogen is or how fast it spreads. Cases have been documented in almost all countries, and the mutations in the virus have created problems for the researchers in formulating effective vaccines. Furthermore, global travel has been severely affected after the new mutants have been detected. Therefore, more scientific investigations are necessary to understand how SARS-CoV-2 is likely to mutate in the future.

Classification of Dynamic Cartographic Symbols applied to Augmented Reality (AR) Systems

Paper maps were widely used during centuries; however, these maps do not change dynamically regarding its use context, the user behaviour and the change in the representations through time. Considering the research related to digital cartography, maps started to be seen both digitally and in a dynamic way due to the application of static and dynamic visual variables. During the process of navigation supported by maps, the comprehension of certain cartographic symbols can be a complex task for people. When using representations for virtual environment, specifically the Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), an advantage is the complementing of the information communication through virtual objects, which reduces the cognitive effort to decode all the representation as in the traditional maps. Until now, several scientific investigations about adjusting the cartographic design aimed to personal and vehicular navigation maps in AR are being developed. However, few studies investigate the application of dynamic symbols in AR built from the dynamic visual variables of Cartography. In this way, the aim on this research is to classify the symbols that use the dynamic variables. In addition, verify the presence of these variables in Augmented Reality systems in mobile devices that use AR to represent spatial information in the context of personal navigation in an outdoor environment.

MEGANE investigations of Phobos and the Small Body Mapping Tool

The MEGANE instrument onboard the MMX mission will acquire gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy data of Phobos to determine the elemental composition of the martian moon and provide key constraints on its origin. To produce accurate compositional results, the irregular shape of Phobos and its proximity to Mars must be taken into account during the analysis of MEGANE data. The MEGANE team is adapting the Small Body Mapping Tool (SBMT) to handle gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy investigations, building on the demonstrated record of success of the SBMT being applied to scientific investigations on other spacecraft missions of irregularly shaped bodies. This is the first application of the SBMT to a gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy dataset, and the native, three-dimensional foundation of the SBMT is well suited to MEGANE’s needs. In addition, the SBMT will enable comparisons between the MEGANE datasets and other datasets of the martian moons, including data from previous spacecraft missions and MMX’s multi-instrument suite.

Un cercetător consacrat al poeticii mioritice

This article aims at a typical system of artistic images, focused on the principles of popular poetics, elucidated in the scientific investigations of the folklorist Sergiu Moraru. Obsessed with the „mioritic background we carry in our blood”, Sergiu Moraru traveled „from folklore to philosophy” where he foreshadowed some spiritual impulses, based on which are revealed the ontological dimensions of the popular soul, the philosophy of mioritic living, determined by some specific existential turmoil. This article aims at a typical system of artistic images, focused on the principles of popular poetics, elucidated in the scientific investigations of the folklorist Sergiu Moraru. Obsessed with the „mioritic background we carry in our blood”, Sergiu Moraru traveled „from folklore to philosophy” where he foreshadowed some spiritual impulses, based on which are revealed the ontological dimensions of the popular soul, the philosophy of mioritic living, determined by some specific existential turmoil.

Visibility analysis of Phobos to support a science and exploration platform

The surfaces of the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos may offer a stable environment for long-term operation of platforms. We present a broad assessment of potential scientific investigations, as well as strategic and operational opportunities offered by long-term operation of an instrumented lander. Studies using observations of Mars’ moons, and the detailed new findings expected from the JAXA Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, International Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign and other upcoming Mars missions, provide a driver for feasibility and trade studies for follow-on missions that would build on the knowledge gain from those missions. We discuss the scientific questions and operational objectives that may be pertinent for landed platforms on the martian moons, including (1) monitoring and scientific investigations of Mars’ surface and atmosphere, (2) scientific investigations of the martian moons, (3) monitoring and scientific investigations of the space environment, (4) data relay for Mars surface assets or interplanetary missions and 5) use in a Mars navigation/positioning system. We present results from visibility calculations performed using the SPICE observation geometry system for space science missions, and a Phobos shape model. We compute as a function of location on Phobos, visibility quantities that are most relevant to science and operational objectives. These include visibility from Phobos of the Sun, Earth, Mars surface and atmosphere, Deimos, and Jupiter. We also consider occultation events by the Mars atmosphere of Earth and Deimos that may provide opportunities for radio science. Calculations are performed for a study period spanning one Mars year in a hypothetical future operational scenario (1 Jan 2030–18 Nov 2031). We combine visibility metrics to identify locations on Phobos most suitable for long-term operation of a platform. We find the Mars-facing side of Phobos, and limited areas on the leading and trailing sides, satisfy the most requirements defined for Mars and Phobos science, space environment monitoring, and data relay/navigation. We demonstrate that compliance with requirements related to visibility of Mars and its atmosphere are not mutually exclusive with those that are better satisfied on Phobos’ anti-Mars side, such as those aided by maximizing their cumulative view factor to the ecliptic plane (i.e. visibility to the Sun, Earth or outer solar system). Finally, our methodology allows to assess the extent to which combined visibility metrics can meet mission requirements. The process we describe can be used to support landing site identification and selection on planets, moons and small bodies. Graphical Abstract