Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

From led light signboards to the Planck’s constant

Recent studies have highlighted an alarming decline in young people’s interest towards the study of scientific subjects, often considered interesting but not easily understood and appreciated by students. In particular, the introduction of Modern Physics (MP) key-topics at secondary school level is a difficult and complex task because MP involves abstract ideas and requires a strong mathematical background. In this communication we present and discuss the results of an inquiry-based teaching/learning path aimed at surmounting the difficulties of an exclusively theoretical approach to the introduction of MP topics. In particular, we planned and realized an inquiry-driven learning environment where about 20 students, from a second-year class of a vocational school, were involved in the discovery of the Planck’s constant and brought closer to MP. The work, carried out as a cross-disciplinary module, has involved Physics and Technological Laboratory. The task given to the students was the design of an illuminated sign, efficient from the energetic point of view, flexible and attractive. Through a ‘guided inquiry’, the students evaluated the different solutions, developed their critical thinking and decided to implement them with LED diodes. Planck’s constant has been determined by two methods of analysis of the experimental data and satisfactory values have been obtained. Our results suggest that an inquiry-based teaching/learning path, can constitute a successfully teaching approach to effectively engage students into an active learning of the MP. The described learning activity provided students with opportunities to develop a large range of complementary skills such as working in groups, synthesis, interpretation and evaluation of the experimental data, experience of open-ended problems solving and other cross-disciplinary abilities

On the Convergence of Laminated Composite Plates of Arbitrary Shape through Finite Element Models

The present work considers a computational study on laminated composite plates by using a linear theory for moderately thick structures. The present problem is solved numerically because analytical solutions cannot be found for such plates when lamination schemes are general and when all the stiffness constants are activated at the constitutive level. Strong and weak formulations are used to solve the present problem and several comparisons are given. The strong form is dealt with using the so-called Strong Formulation Finite Element Method (SFEM) and the weak form is solved using commercial Finite Element (FE) packages. Both techniques are based on the domain decomposition technique according to geometric discontinuities. The SFEM solves the strong form inside each element and needs the implementation of kinematic and static inter-element conditions, whereas the FE solves the weak form and the continuity conditions among the elements are given in terms of displacements only. The results are reported in graphical form in terms of the first three natural frequencies. The accuracy and stability of SFEM and FE are thoroughly discussed

21th International Conference on Composite Structures (ICCS21)

It is well-known that the topic of composite materials affects many engineering fields, such as civil, mechanical, aerospace, automotive and chemical. In the last decades, in fact, a huge number of scientific papers concerning these peculiar constituents has been published. Analogously, the industrial progress has been extremely noticeable. The study of composite materials, in general, is a challenging activity since the advancements both in the academia and in the industry provide continually new sparks to develop innovative ideas and applications. The communication, the sharing and the exchange of views can surely help the works of many researchers. This aspect represents the main purpose of this Conference, which aims to collect high-level contributions on the development and the application of composite materials. The establishment of this 21st edition of International Conference on Composite Structures has appeared appropriate to continue what has been begun during the previous editions. ICCS wants to be an occasion for many researchers from each part of the globe to meet and discuss about the recent advancements regarding the use of composite structures, sandwich panels, nanotechnology, bio-composites, delamination and fracture, experimental methods, manufacturing and other countless topics that have filled many sessions during this conference. As a proof of this event, which has taken place in Bologna (Italy), selected plenary and key-note lectures have been collected in the present book. The conference attracted 350+ delegates from around the world of composites. The plenary lectures were given by, Johannes Michael Sinapius (Technische Universit\ue4t Braunschweig, Germany), Aurelio Araujo (University of Lisbon, Portugal), Francesco Tornabene (University of Bologna, Italy), Andreas Echtermeyer (NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway), Raimondo Luciano (University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy). The Conference Chair: Antonio J.M. Ferreira (University of Porto, Portugal), Francesco Tornabene (University of Bologna, Italy), Nicholas Fantuzzi (University of Bologna, Italy), Erasmo Viola (University of Bologna, Italy). The Local Organizing Committee: Michele Bacciocchi (University of Bologna, Italy)

A Strong Formulation Finite Element Method (SFEM) Based on RBF and GDQ Techniques for the Static and Dynamic Analyses of Laminated Plates of Arbitrary Shape

This paper deals with the static and dynamic analyses of multi-layered plates with discontinuities. The two-dimensional first-order shear deformation theory is used to derive the fundamental system of equations in terms of generalized displacements. The fundamental set, with its boundary conditions, is solved in its strong form. A new method termed strong formulation finite element method is considered in the present paper to solve this kind of plates. This numerical methodology is the cohesion of derivative evaluation of partial differential systems of equations and a domain sub-division. The numerical results in terms of natural frequencies and maximum deflections are compared to literature and to the same results obtained with a finite element code. The stability, accuracy and reliability of the present methodology is shown through several numerical applications

On the Convergence of Laminated Composite Plates of Arbitrary Shape through Finite Element Models

The present work considers a computational study on laminated composite plates by using a linear theory for moderately thick structures. The present problem is solved numerically because analytical solutions cannot be found for such plates when lamination schemes are general and when all the stiffness constants are activated at the constitutive level. Strong and weak formulations are used to solve the present problem and several comparisons are given. The strong form is dealt with using the so-called Strong Formulation Finite Element Method (SFEM) and the weak form is solved using commercial Finite Element (FE) packages. Both techniques are based on the domain decomposition technique according to geometric discontinuities. The SFEM solves the strong form inside each element and needs the implementation of kinematic and static inter-element conditions, whereas the FE solves the weak form and the continuity conditions among the elements are given in terms of displacements only. The results are reported in graphical form in terms of the first three natural frequencies. The accuracy and stability of SFEM and FE are thoroughly discussed

3rd International Conference on Mechanics of Composites (MECHCOMP3)

The use of composite materials has grown exponentially in the last decades and has affected many engineering fields due to their enhanced mechanical properties and improved features with respect to conventional materials. For instance, they are employed in civil engineering (seismic isolators, long-span bridges, vaults), mechanical engineering (turbines, machine components), aerospace and naval engineering (fuselages, boat hulls and sails), automotive engineering (car bodies, tires), and biomechanical engineering (prostheses). Nevertheless, the greater use of composites requires a rapid progress in gaining the needed knowledge to design and manufacture composite structures. Thus, researchers and designers devote their own efforts to develop new analysis techniques, design methodologies, manufacturing procedures, micromechanics approaches, theoretical models, and numerical methods. For these purpose, it is extremely easy to find many recent journal papers, books, and technical notes, focused on the mechanics of composites. In particular, several studies are presented to take advantage of their superior features by varying some typical structural parameters (such as geometry, fiber orientations, volume fraction, structural stiffness, weight, lamination scheme). Therefore, this Conference aims to collect contributions from every part of the globe that can increase the knowledge of composite materials and their applications, by engaging researches and professional engineers and designers from different sectors. The same aims and scopes have been reached by the previous editions of Mechanics of Composites International Conferences (MECHCOMP), which occurred in 2014 at Stony Brook University (USA) and in 2016 at University of Porto (Portugal). The third edition of the Conference at University of Bologna (Italy) attracted more than 450 delegates from around the world of composites. The plenary lectures were given by Fernando Fraternali (University of Salerno, Italy), Marco Gigliotti (Université de Poitiers and Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et Aérotechnique, Poitiers, France), Salvatore Russo (IUAV University of Venice, Italy), Gaetano Giunta (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Luxembourg), Alberto Milazzo (University of Palermo, Italy), Christophe Bouvet (Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-supaéro) and Institut Clément Ader (ICA), France). The Conference Chair: Antonio J.M. Ferreira (University of Porto, Portugal), Erasmo Viola, Francesco Tornabene and Nicholas Fantuzzi (University of Bologna, Italy). The Local Organizing Committee: Michele Bacciocchi (University of Bologna, Italy)