Multiphysics simulations of collisionless plasmas

Collisionless plasmas, mostly present in astrophysical and space environments, often require a kinetic treatment as given by the Vlasov equation. Unfortunately, the six-dimensional Vlasov equation can only be solved on very small parts of the considered spatial domain. However, in some cases, e.g. magnetic reconnection, it is sufficient to solve the Vlasov equation in a localized domain and solve the remaining domain by appropriate fluid models. In this paper, we describe a hierarchical treatment of collisionless plasmas in the following way. On the finest level of description, the Vlasov equation is solved both for ions and electrons. The next courser description treats electrons with a 10-moment fluid model incorporating a simplified treatment of Landau damping. At the boundary between the electron kinetic and fluid region, the central question is how the fluid moments influence the electron distribution function. On the next coarser level of description the ions are treated by an 10-moment fluid model as well. It may turn out that in some spatial regions far away from the reconnection zone the temperature tensor in the 10-moment description is nearly isotopic. In this case it is even possible to switch to a 5-moment description. This change can be done separately for ions and electrons. To test this multiphysics approach, we apply this full physics-adaptive simulations to the Geospace Environmental Modeling (GEM) challenge of magnetic reconnection.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Student-generated design principles for transforming an educational technology module

This paper reports on research where student reflections were used to derive design principles for the transformation of an undergraduate module to better address issues around the use of educational technologies in teaching and learning. The emphasis of this paper is on the derivation of design principles from student reflections after participating in authentic, collaborative, tool-mediated activities. Students’ reflective reports were analysed for their content using simple coding techniques leading to the identification of themes and the derivation of design principles. Findings show that learning activities grounded in a defined theoretical framework markedly improved the depth of student understanding of issues related to teaching and learning with technology. The authentic nature of the activities also contributed to the depth of student reflections which ultimately led to meaningful design principles based entirely on the experiences of students

Learning to be researchers in an e-maturity survey of Gauteng schools

I report on postgraduate students conducting survey research on information and communications technology (ICTs) in South African schools, focusing on the notion of e-maturity. The dual emphasis of the paper is on students’ collaborative experience of the authentic research process including their experience of e-maturity within the target schools and leads to a discussion in two parts around notions of novice student research and e-maturity. Fifty students, most of them practising teachers, participated collaboratively in the design and implementation of the survey. Discussion in this paper is based on the qualitative analysis of 50 research reports submitted on completion of the survey field work. I analysed the reports inductively for their content using simple in vivo coding techniques and structured quotations into flowing narratives to illuminate both issues. Findings show that the participatory and collaborative nature of the research process contributed markedly to the composition quality of student research reports. Student understanding of the research process through meaningful engagement in authentic field work has also greatly improved their insights into ICTs in education and the current e-maturity of participating schools

Individual Career Transitions of German Olympians During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic can affect individual career transitions in athletes preparing for the Olympic Games (OG). This study reconstructs German Olympians’ career transitions while preparing for the postponed OG in Tokyo, applying the Scheme of Change for Sport Psychology Practice (SCSPP). Eleven (age: M ± SD = 26.81 ± 2.92; three females) athletes provide insights into their career transitions according to the SCSPP framework. The athletes report changes (e. g., training, professional status, missing competitions) related to emotional tensions (e. g., relief vs. disappointment) and the effects on their decision-making processes (i. e., initial coping, acceptance, adaptation). The Olympians develop identities, commonly experience relief, and describe their optimism toward Tokyo 2021. No interviewee wants to quit because of COVID-19. While preparing for Tokyo 2021, the Olympians use emotion- (e. g., vacation) and problem-oriented coping (e. g., new routines). Based on our results, we discuss recommendations for sport psychology practice.Peer Reviewe

Preventing MRSA Infection in the Community

About two years ago, the death of a high school student athlete brought methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) into the national spotlight. Preventing the spread of MRSA in schools, gyms, and other public facilities is an important public health goal. This Issue Brief presents current information on the prevalence and transmission of MRSA in community settings, and describes ongoing research on interventions to limit the spread of this increasingly common infection