Separate Boxes Research Articles

Probabilistic vortex-induced vibration occurrence prediction of the twin-box girder for long-span cable-stayed bridges based on wind tunnel tests

The twin-box girder is a recommendable structural style for long-span cable-supported bridges due to its excellent aeroelastic stability. Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is a typical wind-induced vibration for this kind of girder with a high occurrence probability associated with wind characteristics, structural properties and aerodynamic configuration under uncertainty. Therefore, probabilistic approaches should be adopted to predict the occurrence of VIV under uncertainty. This paper presents such an approach to predict the VIV occurrence using the decision tree method. Wind tunnel tests on a large-scale section model are conducted to investigate the effects of structural damping ratio and wind speed on VIV performance. Uniform and turbulent wind flow fields under three attack angles of −3°, 0°, and −3° are tested. Moreover, wind direction at the bridge site is determined as a parameter affecting VIV occurrence. As a result, a decision tree considering the effects of structural damping ratio, wind direction and wind speed is formulated to estimate the probability of VIV occurrence. In order to suppress VIV, aerodynamic countermeasures (ACMs) with L-shaped windshields are applied. Furthermore, the probabilistic cost-benefit analysis of the application of ACMs is developed using a decision tree, and the probability of the positive cost-benefit from ACMs application is accordingly estimated. The application of the proposed probabilistic approach is investigated on a long-span cable-stayed bridge with two separated steel boxes.

Composition of the Wild Rabbit Nest and Its Implication for Domestic Rabbit Breeding

Wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) give birth in an underground nursery burrow where the kits are hermetically closed into the nest chamber for several weeks except for the three minutes of daily nursing. Given this confinement, the nest quality seems to be crucial in affecting the kits’ survival. The situation is less critical in rabbitries where the domesticated descendants are kept and give birth in separate nest boxes where the temperature and humidity conditions are less extreme and nests consist of fur and wood shavings or straw. However, nesting behaviour of domestic does still reflects several aspects of the ancestors, and providing conditions close to their biological needs is advised. The present study aimed to understand the factors contributing to the nest material choice of rabbits by analysing the composition of wild rabbit nests and testing naive domestic does in controlled laboratory settings for their preferences in constructing their nests. We were able to collect 21 just abandoned nests in their natural habitat and found they contained rabbit fur and hay, of which 85% was dry grass, mostly long leaves of Calamagrostis sp. Using domesticated rabbit does, we then tested if there is a preference for the features of the wild rabbit nests or whether the above-mentioned finding was either an accidental consequence of grass availability or ageing of the nest material. Two-way choice tests revealed that primiparous domestic does preferred the dry grass over green and long leaves over short grass bunches for nest building. Ageing of the nest material was rather negligible and did not contribute to the high level of dry grass content. We concluded that long dry grass is recommended as it seems to fulfil basic needs of this domesticated animal.

Microbiota, Phagocytic Activity, Biochemical Parameters and Parasite Control in Horses with Application of Autochthonous, Bacteriocin-Producing, Probiotic Strain Enterococcus faecium EF 412.

The beneficial influence of bacteriocin-producing, probiotic, mostly non-autochthonous bacteria has already been reported in various animals. However, their use in horses provides limited information, and results with autochthonous bacteria have not been reported. Therefore, the main objective of this model study was to test the effect of autochthonous, bacteriocin-producing faecal strain Enterococcus faecium EF 412 application in horses. One gram of freeze-dried EF 412 strain (109 CFU/mL for 21 days) was applied to horses in a small feed ball. Clinically healthy horses (12), Slovak warm-blood breed of various ages (5-13 years), were involved in a 35-day-long experiment, also functioning as control for themselves. They were stabled in separate boxes (university property), fed twice a day (hay, whole oats or grazed) with water access ad libitum. Sampling was performed at the start of the experiment, i.e. at days 0/1, 21 (3 weeks of EF 412 application) and at day 35 (2 weeks of EF 412 cessation). EF 412 colonized GIT of horses was 3.54 ± 0.75 CFU/g (log 10) at day 21. The eggs of the nematode Strongylus spp. were not found in horses after EF 412 application, and Eimeria spp. oocysts were similarly not found. The other microbiota were not reduced as evaluated by the use of standard method. Using next-generation sequencing, at phylum level, phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominated and at family level, they were Bacteroidales BS11 and S24-7 gut goups and Lentisphaerae. In horses, the increasing tendency in phagocytic activity was noted after EF 412 application. Biochemical parameters were in the physiological range. Total protein value was significantly decreased at day 21 compared with day 0/1 as well as with day 35 (P < 0.05). Cholesterol and triglycerides were influenced (decreased) at day 21 compared with day 0/1 and day 35. Neither nematode eggs Strongylus spp. nor Eimeria spp. oocysts were found in faeces after EF 412 application. Autochthonous, faecal strain E. faecium EF 412 showed promising application potential.

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Tuber Dormancy and Sprouting of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties at Kulumsa, Southeast Ethiopia

Potato production is constrained by shortage of seed tubers for different reasons among which extended potato tuber dormancy plays a significant role. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on dormancy and sprouting of seed tubers on potato varieties. Three PGRs viz. Gibberrelic Acid (GA 3 ), Benzyl adenine (BA) and Benzyl amino purine (BAP) each at two concentrations (0.1 and 0.2 mM) with distilled water (DW) as a control treatment were evaluated on tubers of two dominantly grown potato varieties (Jalenie and Belete) in Ethiopia. The treatments were laid out in a factorial experiment using Complete Randomized Design (CRD), with three replications. Thirty medium sized freshly harvested tubers of the two varieties per treatment were cleaned and soaked for 24 hrs in solutions of the three plant hormones at 0.1 mM and 0.2 mM. Likewise, tubers for the control treatment were soaked in distilled water for 24 hrs. The treated tubers were placed in separate plastic boxes, labeled and stored in a diffused light store (DLS). During the storage period, data were recorded every 10 days until 80% of the tubers showed visible sprouting (~2mm). The results showed all the PGRs significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected tubers' dormancy and sprouting at different concentrations compared to the un-treated control (DW). Compared to BAP and BA, GA 3 at low concentration (0.1mM) highly shortened tubers' dormancy period of both varieties while Jalenie sprouted earlier than Belete. In addition to tuber's dormancy, GA 3 significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the number of sprouts per tuber, length of apical dominance, length of lateral branching of sprout, and fresh and dry weight of tubers' sprouts. The highest increment of the aforementioned measurements was recorded at 0.1 mM GA 3 although differences were observed between the two varieties. Therefore, GA 3 at 0.1 mM could be recommended as the best PGR to shorten tubers' dormancy of both varieties after harvest. Using GA 3 treatment as a pre-sprouting hormone could double/ or triple the number of seed tuber production cycle per season with supplementary irrigation depending up on the need. Nevertheless, for conclusive recommendation, additional study is needed to know the profit margin of using GA 3 at the optimum concentration for large scale seed production. Keywords: Plant Growth Regulators, Potato, Seed potato store, Tuber dormancy DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-3-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2022

Causal Effects between Criteria That Establish the End of Service Life of Buildings and Components

In the last decades, considerable work has been done regarding service life prediction of buildings and building components. Academics and members of the CIB W080 commission, as well as of ISO TC 59/SC14, have made several efforts in this area and created a general terminology for the concept of service life, which is extremely relevant for property management, life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costs (LCC) analyses. Various definitions can be found in the literature that share common ideas. In fact, there are different criteria that trigger the end of a building’s service life, but the trap that building practitioners too often fall into and that should be avoided is dividing a problem into separate boxes, labels, and specializations without the mutual cohesion and interaction, and ignoring human behavior. Some definitions of service life are discussed in this review paper, in which the cause-effect processes underlying aging and decay are described. These descriptions highlight the continuous interrelation between different criteria for the end of a building’s service life, considering too often neglected and misunderstood causes of the end of life.

Fast multipole boundary element method for the acoustic analysis of finite periodic structures

In this work, two fast multipole boundary element formulations for the linear time-harmonic acoustic analysis of finite periodic structures are presented. Finite periodic structures consist of a bounded number of unit cell replications in one or more directions of periodicity. Such structures can be designed to efficiently control and manipulate sound waves and are referred to as acoustic metamaterials or sonic crystals. Our methods subdivide the geometry into boxes which correspond to the unit cell. A boundary element discretization is applied and interactions between well separated boxes are approximated by a fast multipole expansion. Due to the periodicity of the underlying geometry, certain operators of the expansion become block Toeplitz matrices. This allows to express matrix–vector products as circular convolutions which significantly reduces the computational effort and the overall memory requirements. The efficiency of the presented techniques is shown based on an acoustic scattering problem. In addition, a study on the design of sound barriers is presented where the performance of a wall-like sound barrier is compared to the performance of two sonic crystal sound barriers.

Observational learning promotes hippocampal remote awake replay toward future reward locations

The neural circuit mechanisms underlying observational learning, learning through observing the behavior of others, are poorly understood. Hippocampal place cells are important for spatial learning, and awake replay of place cell patterns is involved in spatial decisions. Here we show that, in observer rats learning to run a maze by watching a demonstrator's spatial trajectories from a separate nearby observation box, place cell patterns during self-running in the maze are replayed remotely in the box. The contents of the remote awake replay preferentially target the maze's reward sites from both forward and reverse replay directions and reflect the observer's future correct trajectories in the maze. In contrast, under control conditions without a demonstrator, the remote replay is significantly reduced, and the preferences for reward sites and future trajectories disappear. Our results suggest that social observation directs the contents of remote awake replay to guide spatial decisions in observational learning.

Study on Double-Deck and Four-Cable Stayed Bridge with Univalent Hyperboloid Column Tower

Aiming for the citywide deck cable-stayed bridge, a double separated deck and four-cable stayed bridge with univalent hyperboloid single column bridge tower was proposed. The bridge deck with double separated steel box girders replace the bridge deck wide steel box girder, the univalent hyperboloid single column bridge tower replaces the double column bridge tower, and the four-cable stayed bridge replaces the double-cable stayed bridge. The univalent hyperboloid single column tower bridge has a thick bottom, which can ensure the bearing capacity of the single column tower structure; the waist of the bridge tower is small and the driver’s vision is wide; the wider top of the bridge tower can facilitate the scattered anchoring of stay cables. Combined with the 200 m+420 m+200 m double separated deck and four-cable stayed bridge with the univalent hyperboloid single column tower, the engineering parameters are designed, the Midas finite-element analysis model is established, the static analysis and dynamic modal analysis are carried out, and the structural rationality of double separated deck and four-cable stayed bridge with the univalent hyperboloid single column tower is verified.

ANALISIS KONDISI FASILITAS SANITASI PASAR DESA PADA MASA PANDEMIK COVID-19

Background: Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) is a virus that has only been spreading since 2020, this virus is a new type of virus (SARS-CoV-2). The spread of this virus is very fast which can cause social and economic problems that occur in almost all over the world, including Indonesia. One of the places that can cause the spread of Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) is the market. The purpose of this study is to analyze the condition of the Randik market sanitation facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods : This research is a descriptive qualitative research. The information obtained is through in-depth interviews, observation and document review.This research is a descriptive qualitative research. The information obtained is through in-depth interviews, observation and document review. Results and Discussion : The results of this study indicate that the implementation of a healthy market has not met the requirements but is good enough because it refers to the Kepmenkes RI No. 519 of 2008 concerning a healthy market. From the aspect of clean water that has never been tested, bathroom / toilet facilities that do not have a closed trash can, garbage disposal facilities that do not have proper / separate trash boxes between organic and inorganic waste and there is no separation of wet and dry waste , hand washing facilities are already available using soap, equipped with a sink, but there is no provision for a dryer, drainage does not flow because it is blocked by a lot of garbage in the drain and the drainage is not managed first, PHBS on traders and visitors have not implemented requirements such as not using PPE completely while on the market, not maintaining personal hygiene such as not washing hands before and after activities, not maintaining environmental hygiene, often littering. Conclusion : It can be concluded that the implementation of a healthy market has not met the requirements in the guidelines for the Minister of Health No. 519 of 2008 concerning a healthy market. The suggestions from this research are the existence of clean water testing, provision of separate garbage disposal boxes and provide directions for traders and visitors to sort waste.

Assessment of a strategy combining ambulatory blood pressure, adherence monitoring and a standardised triple therapy in resistant hypertension

Purpose Poor adherence to drug therapy and inadequate drug regimens are two frequent factors responsible for the poor blood pressure (BP) control observed in patients with apparent resistant hypertension. We evaluated the efficacy of an antihypertensive management strategy combining a standardised therapy with three long acting drugs and electronic monitoring of drug adherence in patients with apparent resistant hypertension. Materials and Methods In this multicentric observational study, adult patients with residual hypertension on 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABMP) despite the use of three or more antihypertensive drugs could be included. Olmesartan/amlodipine (40/10 mg, single pill fixed-dose combination) and chlorthalidone (25 mg) were prescribed for 3 months in two separated electronic pills boxes (EPB). The primary outcome was 24 h ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) control at 3 months, defined as mean SBP <130 mmHg. Results We enrolled 48 patients (36.0% women) of whom 35 had complete EPB data. After 3 months, 52.1% of patients had 24 h SBP <130 mmHg. 24 h SBP decreased by respectively −9.1 ± 15.5 mmHg, −22.8 ± 30.6 mmHg and −27.7 ± 16.6 mmHg from the tertile with the lowest adherence to the tertile with the highest adherence to the single pill combination (p = 0.024). A similar trend was observed with tertiles of adherence to chlorthalidone. Adherence superior to 90% was associated with 24 h systolic and diastolic blood pressure control in multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 14.1 (95% confidence interval 1.1–173.3, p = 0.039). Conclusions A simplified standardised antihypertensive therapy combined with electronic monitoring of adherence normalises SBP in about half of patients with apparent resistant hypertension. Such combined management strategy enables identifying patients who need complementary investigations and those who rather need a long-term support of their adherence.

Evaluation of Osmotic Virial Coefficients via Restricted Gibbs Ensemble Simulations, with Support from Gas-Phase Mixture Coefficients.

We present a method for computing osmotic virial coefficients in explicit solvent via simulation in a restricted Gibbs ensemble. Two equivalent phases are simulated at once, each in a separate box at constant volume and temperature and each in equilibrium with a solvent reservoir. For osmotic coefficient , a total of N solutes are individually exchanged back and forth between the boxes, and the average distribution of solute numbers between the boxes provides the key information needed to compute . Separately, expressions are developed for as a series in solvent reservoir density ρ1, with the coefficients of the series expressed in terms of the usual gas-phase mixture coefficients Bij. Normally, the Bij are defined for an infinite volume, but we suggest that the observed dependence of Bij on system size L can be used to estimate L dependence of the , allowing them to be computed accurately at L → ∞ while simulating much smaller system sizes than otherwise possible. The methods for N = 2 and 3 are demonstrated for two-component mixtures of size-asymmetric additive hard spheres. The proposed methods are demonstrated to have greater precision than established techniques, for a given amount of computational effort. The ρ1 series for when applied by itself is (for this noncondensing model) found to be the most efficient in computing accurate osmotic coefficients for the solvent densities considered here.

A Modular Approach for a Patient Unit for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Simulator.

Despite many advancements in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the procedure is still correlated with a high risk of patient complications. Simulation-based training provides the opportunity for ECMO staff to practice on real-life scenarios without exposing ECMO patients to medical errors while practicing. At Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar, there is a critical need of expert ECMO staff. Thus, a modular ECMO simulator is being developed to enhance the training process in a cost-effective manner. This ECMO simulator gives the instructor the ability to control the simulation modules and run common simulation scenarios through a tablet application. The core modules of the simulation system are placed in the patient unit. The unit is designed modularly such that more modules can be added throughout the simulation sessions to increase the realism of the simulation sessions. The new approach is to enclose the patient unit in a trolley, which is custom-designed and made to include all the components in a modular fashion. Each module is enclosed in a separate box and then mounted to the main blood simulation loop box using screws, quick connect/disconnect liquid fittings, and electrical plugs. This method allows fast upgrade and maintenance for each module separately as well as upgrading modules easily without modifying the trolley’s design. The prototype patient unit has been developed for portability, maintenance, and extensibility. After implementation and testing, the prototype has proven to successfully simulate the main visual and audio cues of the real emergency scenarios, while keeping costs to a minimum.

Organization of activities of TB medical units in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

The article analyzes the organization of work of N.V. Postnikov Samara Regional Clinical TB Dispensary in 2020. The special procedure has been developed for COVID-19 tests in patients referred to TB department. All cases of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in tuberculosis patients that occurred in the Samara region in 2020 (n = 31) were studied. Infection control activities are the following: separate filter boxes have been provided for personnel and patients in each department; two observational departments have been organized where patients are admitted depending on the type of medical care. The polymerase chain reaction has been used to examine patients for COVID-19 before admission to TB hospital for planned medical care, and express tests for immunoglobulins M and G have been used when patients were admitted in an emergency. Of the 30 cases of intravital detection of concurrent infections (tuberculosis + COVID-19), in 56.7% (17 people), COVID-19 was treated in the in-patient unit specializing in treatment of the new coronavirus infection, and in 43.3% (13 people), treatment was outpatient; lethality made 1/30 (3.33%).

Small-scale Fermentation of Cocoa Beans and on-Process Monitoring

Cocoa bean fermentation is a critical step in the formation of chocolate aroma precursors. Small-scale fermentation is needed to accommodate fermentation practice during low season and fruit scarcity. The study was conducted to address the minimum amount of wet cocoa beans required for a successful fermentation. In the trials, wet cocoa beans at different quantities, i.e. 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 40 kg, were incubated in separate wooden boxes for 4 days (96 hours) and turned once after 48 hours. Temperature and pH of the pulp and beans were measured every 6 hours. Dry beans were visually inspected to determine the number of grayish and purple cotyledons indicating unfermented beans. In general, smaller scale fermentations, i.e. 1 to 15 kg, resulted in similar profiles with that of standard mini-box fermentation (40 kg) in terms of temperature, pulp pH and bean pH. The 40 kg fermentation resulted in the lowest percentage of purple beans with no grayish beans, meanwhile smaller scale fermentations showed higher number of unfermented beans. The logarithmic regression indicates that as much as 1.4 kg beans producing unfermented beans of less than 20% which meets the criteria of grade 3 based on the Indonesian National Standard for cocoa bean (SNI 2323:2008/Amd1:2010). Data analysis shows that temperature below 35°C for 42 hours was associated with higher percentage of grayish and purple beans. It is concluded that cocoa bean fermentation can be carried out at least at 5 kg scale, and temperature at 42 hours could be a parameter for process monitoring.

The Influence on Phenolic, Aroma Compounds, Rheological and Sensory Properties of Chocolates by Different Strains Inoculated Fermentation

Four designed cocoa fermentations were conducted in separated wooden boxes with different strains inoculum. One was spontaneous fermentation with natural occurring microorganisms, another was inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, another was inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum, and the other was inoculated with Acetobacter aceti. The experimental parameters, including the fermenting cocoa mass temperature, the pH value, the total acidity of the pulp and cotyledons of cocoa beans, along with the fermentation time were determined. Furthermore, the phenolic compounds (flavanols and procyanidins DP1-10) of chocolates were determined by normal phase HPLC. In addition, the rheological, textural properties, and color parameters of the chocolates were measured. Meanwhile, the electronic nose was used to analyze the aroma compounds of the investigated chocolates and the principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to distinguish the flavor profiles among the chocolates. The consumer sensorial assessment was carried out to evaluate the organoleptic properties of chocolates and their overall acceptability. The quality of chocolates produced by the defined inoculum varied with each other with the exception of the FP and PAC content. Different inoculated fermentation methods affected the rheological, textural properties, and color parameters of the end product chocolates. Furthermore, they influenced the types and numbers of aroma compounds generated during fermentation. However, the impact is mainly on their levels of aroma compounds. From sensory point of view, chocolates produced from inoculated Acetobacter aceti BCRC12324 during fermentation had the highest score point of overall acceptability among the investigated chocolates. The high levels of 2-methylbutanal content occurred in this chocolate could be an adequate reply of this finding. The quality of chocolate from fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum B0091 inoculum was similar to the others, but some properties such as rheological, textural, and flavor profiles were inferior and less pronounced, leading to a slightly poorer response by the sensory panel. PCA successfully discriminates the aroma profiles into four groups, providing a better visualization of the variation among the chocolates produced by the different strains. This attempt to manipulate the strains during cocoa fermentation is a new approach in Taiwan chocolate industry. By controlling the starter culture of fermentation properly, we could improve the quality and flavor profiles of chocolate with a consistent and more reliable production.

Status of the Journal of Wildlife Management, 2020; the Times They are A‐Changing

Status of the <i>Journal of Wildlife Management</i>, 2020; the Times They are A‐Changing

Residual effect of oxytetracycline medicated diet on shelf life of mrigal carp (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) stored in ice under laboratory condition

Among the six common classes of antimicrobials approved for aquaculture by World Health Organization (WHO), the use of oxytetracycline (OTC) is common in the aquaculture of Bangladesh. Since OTC hampers the growth and reproduction of fish microbial communities including the commensal and pathogenic flora, efforts were made to investigate the residual effect of OTC via medicated feed on the shelf life of apparently healthy mrigal carp (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) during ice storage. A group of live fish (average weight:18 ± 0.05 g) were fed OTC supplemented diet (2g OTC /kg diet) twice a day for 21 days and compared to another group fed with basal diet (control). After a brief withdrawal period (14 days), fish were killed by ikejime fish-slaughtering method and kept in separate ice boxes containing 1:1 ice to fish ratio for determining their shelf life using organoleptic, biochemical and bacteriological aspects of fish. Organoleptically, control fish were found to be acceptable up to 11 days whereas fish of treated group were found acceptable up to 15 days, showing significant rise in shelf life for OTC-treated fish. Proximate analysis showed a slight increase in moisture and a gradual decrease in protein and ash contents that were statistically insignificant (p>0.05) between control and OTC-treated group. The decline in lipid content was, however, significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05). Muscle pH increased sharply other than control fish as well as total volatile based nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV) increased rapidly. The aerobic plate count (APC) was significantly higher for control fish than OTC-treated fish during storage time. According to the parameters assessed, the OTC-treated fishes were found to be delayed spoilage along with a prolonged shelf life in ice storage condition.

Mixed Member Proportional with Faithful Accounting

With present (2021) tally rules, the number of seats in the Bundestag is highly volatile. In 2017 it got 709 seats, 111 of them extra-ordinary. The rules may double the influence of a voter who splits the ballot, contrary to a goal of equal influence; increased assembly size is a concomitant. The paper explains when and how this happens. A ballot’s combination of Erststimme and Zweitstimme is information now ignored; the tally is as if they were collected in separate ballot boxes. Faithful accounting requires this information, but there is strong reason to expect it will reduce the 2017 assembly size to the ordinary 598 seats stated in the Federal Elections Act. Tallying 2017 votes with the present rules, but with CDU&CSU as a recognized coalition, reduces the size by 41 seats.

Faithful accounting in MMP-elections

In MMP-elections for legislatures, political parties compete for a voter’s support in two ways: for a first vote to the party’s candidate in a single-seat constituency and for a second vote to the party’s list of candidates. To obtain party representation proportional to the second votes, a nationwide second vote tally compensates with list seats to parties with a sub-proportional number of constituency seats. The German Bundestag has 299 constituency seats, and 299 list seats is the legal norm, but it got 410 list seats in the 2017 election. This deviation also violates a principle, stated by the federal constitutional court, that voters have equal influence. First and second vote may support different parties, but in the same ballot. The ballots’ combinations of first and second vote are essential for approximation of both proportionality and the legal norm. Unfortunately, the combinations are ignored: The result would have been the same if first and second votes had been collected in separate ballot boxes. Compensation based on “faithful accounting” uses the combinations to represent the set Λ(P) of voters with second vote to party P according to the set’s size, rather than representing P itself, while keeping the number of list seats close to the norm. Another seat reduction, of 42 seats with 2017 data, is obtained if CDU and CSU, working as one party in the Bundestag, also run as one party in elections.

Twenty-first Century Christianity: Some ideals, achievements, and failures

Having to cope in the revolution-driven world of the 21st century as well as the new-normal COVID-19 society brought theology to yet another crossroad. Theology (both theory and praxis) must react positively to the changes and lessons learned from some of the major revolutions. Just as the Fourth Industrial Revolution blurs the distinctive lines between physical, digital, and biological, so should the separated boxes of personal faith, institutionalised religion, and spirituality be wiped out. Human self-awareness helps us know ourselves and improve our ability to glorify God, while the Communication Revolution empowers Christians to spread the gospel globally. Christianity is also in need of a revolution back to its origin of an un-institutionalised, non-hierarchical, living faith that is changing the lives of people both in the present and eternally. From a South African perspective, the article evaluates the major mistakes that Christians made, some achievements on which they could build and expand, and the ideals that should pave the way forward. It is time to ask some hard questions and provide appropriate answers in the quest for Christian renewal.