A complex systems approach to education in Switzerland

The insights gained from the study of complex systems in biological, social, and engineered systems enables us not only to observe and understand, but also to actively design systems which will be capable of successfully coping with complex and dynamically changing situations. The methods and mindset required for this approach have been applied to educational systems with their diverse levels of scale and complexity. Based on the general case made by Yaneer Bar-Yam, this paper applies the complex systems approach to the educational system in Switzerland. It confirms that the complex systems approach is valid. Indeed, many recommendations made for the general case have already been implemented in the Swiss education system. To address existing problems and difficulties, further steps are recommended. This paper contributes to the further establishment complex systems approach by shedding light on an area which concerns us all, which is a frequent topic of discussion and dispute among politicians and the public, where billions of dollars have been spent without achieving the desired results, and where it is difficult to directly derive consequences from actions taken. The analysis of the education system's different levels, their complexity and scale will clarify how such a dynamic system should be approached, and how it can be guided towards the desired performance

Active Materials

What is an active material? This book aims to redefine perceptions of the materials that respond to their environment. Through the theory of the structure and functionality of materials found in nature a scientific approach to active materials is first identified. Further interviews with experts from the natural sciences and humanities then seeks to question and redefine this view of materials to create a new definition of active materials

Active Materials

What is an active material? This book aims to redefine perceptions of the materials that respond to their environment. Through the theory of the structure and functionality of materials found in nature a scientific approach to active materials is first identified. Further interviews with experts from the natural sciences and humanities then seeks to question and redefine this view of materials to create a new definition of active materials

Examining macroecological patterns in mammals: space use, diet and energetics

Investigating large-scale patterns in ecology, biogeography and evolution is important to aid our knowledge of species diversity. With the current natural and anthropogenic environmental changes, it is necessary to gather information that can be used for developing models of global ecosystems to assist with conservation. To achieve this, we need to establish basic ecological theories and re-examine older theories to ensure that our current understanding—which is often based on small datasets consisting of a couple of individuals or species—is applicable when expanded across communities, populations and species. The aim of this thesis was to examine the driving influences behind macroecological patterns in mammals, including spatial behaviour and foraging ecology. The investigation of spatial behaviour and foraging ecology will provide useful information on the area required by species, trophic interactions and community structure. More specifically, I was interested in how behavioural changes that have occurred following the colonisation of the marine environment has influenced patterns in home range size, predator-prey relationships and trophic level position. Using published and empirical data and comparative methodologies, I examine the effect of body size, diet, energetics and environment upon home range size, predator-prey relationships and trophic position across mammals. I identify that body mass has been the key factor driving of home range size, prey size, energetics and trophic position in mammals, explaining between 46 and 85% of the variance. However, whether a species lives within the marine or terrestrial environment has also influenced macroecological patterns, with marine mammals having home ranges 1.2 times larger, sitting 1.3 trophic levels higher and have evolved two distinct feeding strategies compared to their terrestrial counterparts. I demonstrate the ability to utilise published data to re-examine ecological theories and highlights that when developing integrative models, we need to incorporate the possibility of phylogenetic effects, a range of ecological variables, and species representative of the diversity within a group. I identify the driving influences of macroecological patterns and show how living in different environments has impacted upon mammalian spatial behaviour, foraging, food web structure and energetics

Proceedings of the 21st International Congress of Aesthetics, Possible Worlds of Contemporary Aesthetics Aesthetics Between History, Geography and Media

The Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade and the Society for Aesthetics of Architecture and Visual Arts of Serbia (DEAVUS) are proud to be able to organize the 21st ICA Congress on “Possible Worlds of Contemporary Aesthetics: Aesthetics Between History, Geography and Media”. We are proud to announce that we received over 500 submissions from 56 countries, which makes this Congress the greatest gathering of aestheticians in this region in the last 40 years. The ICA 2019 Belgrade aims to map out contemporary aesthetics practices in a vivid dialogue of aestheticians, philosophers, art theorists, architecture theorists, culture theorists, media theorists, artists, media entrepreneurs, architects, cultural activists and researchers in the fields of humanities and social sciences. More precisely, the goal is to map the possible worlds of contemporary aesthetics in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa and Australia. The idea is to show, interpret and map the unity and diverseness in aesthetic thought, expression, research, and philosophies on our shared planet. Our goal is to promote a dialogue concerning aesthetics in those parts of the world that have not been involved with the work of the International Association for Aesthetics to this day. Global dialogue, understanding and cooperation are what we aim to achieve. That said, the 21st ICA is the first Congress to highlight the aesthetic issues of marginalised regions that have not been fully involved in the work of the IAA. This will be accomplished, among others, via thematic round tables discussing contemporary aesthetics in East Africa and South America. Today, aesthetics is recognized as an important philosophical, theoretical and even scientific discipline that aims at interpreting the complexity of phenomena in our contemporary world. People rather talk about possible worlds or possible aesthetic regimes rather than a unique and consistent philosophical, scientific or theoretical discipline