The Uncertain Future of Antarctica’s Melting Ice

A new multidisciplinary, international research program aims to tackle one of the grand challenges in climate science: resolving the Antarctic Ice Sheet’s contribution to future sea level rise.

Complexity in the Built Environment: Wayfinding Difficulties in the Modular Design of Qatar University’s Most Iconic Building

Constructed in the 1980s, the BCR Corridors complex is the most iconic building at Qatar University (QU). However, it is also notorious for way-finding difficulties. The problem appears to derive from the repetitive similarity of individual parts in its modular design. Elevators, stairwells, screens, and temporary installations also create impediments to user readability and visibility. Collectively, this tends to complicate its relationship to the immediate context of the university campus. Recently, researchers at QU conducted a post-occupancy evaluation (PoE) of the BCR Corridors. It included (1) direct observation of movement flows and static occupation of space in common areas, (2) room use and photographic surveys, and (3) computer modeling of the spatial layout using space syntax. Space syntax is an international research program of academics and practitioners studying the role of built space in society from the single building to entire cities. The purpose of the PoE study was to understand observed patterns of movement and space use with reference to the problems for way-finding in the BCR Corridors. Based on this, researchers developed proposals for design alterations to enable easier use of the complex. The findings of the study support the above hypothesis about navigation problems in the building.

Amazon conservation and students’ interests for biodiversity: The need to boost science education in Brazil

Brazilian high school students took part in an international research program in the period 2007–2014, and a data bank with national significance was created. SPSS TwoStep clustering analysis indicated two homogeneous groups regarding the level of interest for the surrounding biodiversity. Amazonian students were among the high-interest group and would like to study more deeply local living beings, contrary to the tendency to favor large exotic animals in Brazilian biology curricula. Students from the southeast were grouped in the low-interest group. However, students from both regions agree upon the urgent need for actions to protect the environment and strongly disagree that this is a role expected from rich countries only. Given the importance of the local communities in conservation and the current prominence of young people in environmental issues, a boost in science education is needed in Brazil, enhancing the study of rainforest biota in the Brazilian curricula.

Hope for a Good Life: Results of the Hope-Barometer International Research Program

El libro que a continuación reseño fue editado en 2018 por Andrea M. Krafft, Andrea M. Walker y Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello, quienes reportaron los resultados de la encuesta anual del proyecto Hope-Barometer Research Program —hbrp—, llevado a cabo durante siete años en diversos países como Suiza, Alemania, Francia, España o Israel. El libro es parte de la colección Social Indicators Research Series de la editorial Springer. En el primer apartado de la presente reseña se desarrolla la conceptualización del constructo esperanza y su relación con la espiritualidad, las tradiciones religiosas, la psicología positiva y las características de las personas con altos niveles de optimismo y esperanza. En el segundo apartado se detallan algunos resultados del proyecto hbrp, los cuales señalan la relación entre las variables sociodemográficas —el estado civil y la situación profesional o laboral—, la satisfacción con la vida, la esperanza percibida, la esperanza disposicional, el bienestar subjetivo y la resiliencia. Por último, en el tercer apartado se analizan algunos aspectos de la filosofía oriental vinculados con la autotransformación y la realización de los individuos.

High temperature alloys stability testing in impure helium

Within the national and international research program of materials for advanced nuclear reactors Czech organizations contributed with several tests of metallic alloys. The specimens of the alloys were first exposed in the long term (up to 1500 hours) in simulated advanced gas cooled reactor coolant environment at 750-900 °C. After exposure the degradation of tested materials was explored, especially changes in material microstructure, corrosion damage and corrosion layer composition and in some cases also changes in mechanical properties were observed. In this paper selected results of exposure tests in high temperature helium of alloy 800 H, austenitic steel 316L and high-temperature nickel alloys are presented.

Expanding the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey From the United States to China and Beyond: Examining the Influences of Consumer Health Information Needs and Practices on Local and Global Health

The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) is a major source for data about the U.S. public’s access to and use of health information. A collaboration has been established between the United States and China to conduct the HINTS survey in China, under the auspices of the Chinese Ministry of Health. Pilot data have been collected in two major Chinese cities. The HINTS-China research will guide evidence-based health promotion interventions across China. This exciting international research program opens the door to expanding the HINTS research program to many other countries around the world to help promote global health.