bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student Perceptions Concerning their Experience in a Flipped Undergraduate Capstone Course
Authors: McCubbins OP , Paulsen Thomas H. , Anderson Ryan G.
Published: January 2018

Flipped learning is an innovative approach to teaching at the post-secondary level. Traditional methods of initial delivery of curricular content occur before a face-to-face class session. Students must prepare before attending class, as the majority of face-to-face class sessions are utilized for applying curricular content to complex problems. A specific application of flipped learning, TeamBased Learning holds students accountable for the pre-class preparation via an individual test, as well as to their peers via a team test. Students engage and discuss curricular content on the team test as well as application exercises, which are rigorously designed activities aimed at increasing cognitive skills of the students. This study sought to determine student’s perceptions of a recently adopted, atypical teaching approach, known as Team-Based Learning in the Iowa State University capstone farm management course (AgEdS 450). Post-course quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Overall student perceptions were positive and supported the adoption of a studentcentered course design. It is recommended that dedicated training workshops be developed for faculty members within Colleges of Agriculture that focus on student-centered instruction. Further examination of Team-Based Learning in other courses within Colleges of Agriculture, and Agricultural Education courses specifically, is recommended.
Extension Agents’ Perceptions of a Blended Approach to Onboarding
Authors: Harder Amy , Zelaya Priscilla , Roberts T. Grady
Published: January 2018

Extension organizations are challenged to provide onboarding to new employees that is comprehensive and high quality, yet cost-effective. The purpose of this study was to explore Extension agents’ perceptions of participating in an onboarding program that used a blended approach involving face-to-face and online learning components. The objectives were to (a) describe the perceptions of participants in the Fall 2014 cohort, (b) describe the perceptions of participants in the Spring 2015 cohort, and (c) compare the perceptions between the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 cohort participants. Two focus groups were conducted with participants from each cohort and a cross-case analysis was conducted with the data. Results showed participants were open to the blended approach and liked being able to work asynchronously but desired improvements in quality, communication, interaction, and applicability. A review of the process with greater consideration of, and adherence to, the principles of adult education is recommended.
Exploring the Relationship between Critical Thinking Style and Water Conservation Behavior: Implications for Extension
Authors: Owens Courtney T. , Lamm Alexa J.
Published: January 2018

In the past several years Cooperative Extension has focused on developing educational programs that address water conservation, specifically for individuals using exorbitant amounts of water, with limited success. However, few research studies have examined how the way people think, including their critical thinking styles, can be used to inform extension program development. The purpose of this study was to address this gap in the literature by examining how people who use a lot of water think critically and whether their critical thinking style influenced their engagement in water conservation (or lack thereof). Responses were obtained from 932 Florida residents identified as high water users via an online survey. The findings revealed respondents engaged in a low level of landscape water conservation behaviors. The results also showed relationships did exist between critical thinking style and level of engagement in landscape water conservation behaviors implying critical thinking styles should be considered when developing extension programs in this area. Recommendations include using critical thinking style to tailor programs that bring educational awareness of landscape water conservation to high water users.
The Impacts of a School Garden Program on Urban Middle School Youth
Authors: Duncan Dennis W. , Collins Ashley , Fuhrman Nicholas E. , Knauft David Alan , Berle David C.
Published: January 2018

School gardens have been an active part of United States schools since 1890, when the first school garden was established in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Since the turn of the 20th century school gardens have greatly expanded to include inner city schools in some of the largest metropolitan areas of the country. Since the early 1990s, school gardens have continued to rise in popularity and have been incorporated into the curriculum for state departments across the US. The purpose of this study was to determine what aspect (planting, maintaining, harvesting, cooking, etc.) of an urban school garden program had the greatest positive outcome (educational, personal, etc.) on urban middle school youth. A quantitative questionnaire was used to measure the outcomes on students (n = 31) who worked in an urban school garden through the enrollment of their agriscience connections course. Data analysis indicated that the cultivation construct had the greatest positive outcome on urban middle school youth; students who had a family garden were more interested in participating in the school garden; and students greatly enjoyed the culinary aspects of school garden programs, with all construct items having at least 60% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing with each statement.
Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs: An Examination of the Development and Implementation of Urban Programs
Authors: Rubenstein Eric D. , Thoron Andrew C. , Colclasure Blake C. , Gordon Jillian A.
Published: January 2018

Urban schools and school-based agricultural education programs (SBAE) face challenges to engage students in the educational system. Specifically, urban SBAE programs face unique challenges engaging students in the development and implementation of SAE programs. While SAE continues to be considered a central component to the total SBAE program, a lack of research exists on the utilization of SAE in urban programs. Therefore, this qualitative study sought to identify factors present in the development and implementation of exemplary SAE programs in urban schools. Two urban SBAE programs were purposively sampled through a one-day on-site visit, focus group sessions, and one-on-one interviews. Through the use of the constant comparative method, five themes emerged from the data: 1) Engaged Teachers, 2) In-Class Supervision, 3) Student Interest, 4) Partnerships in SAE, and 5) Development of an SAE Culture. The presence of an SAE culture was found throughout the data and was an essential factor to the development and implementation of student SAE programs. The researchers recommend further investigation of the development of an SAE program and the development of a model to assist agricultural education teachers in successfully creating a culture for SAE in their local SBAE programs.
How the Quantity of Agricultural Mechanics Training Received at the Secondary Level Impact Teacher Perceived Importance of Agricultural Mechanics
Authors: Rasty John , Anderson Ryan G. , Paulsen Thomas H.
Published: January 2018

Preservice teacher candidates in agricultural education have expressed concerns with teaching agricultural mechanics content yet the number of required courses in agricultural mechanics has dwindled. To determine the root of current teachers’ perceptions, it is important to look at the developmental experiences that have led to those perceptions. The theory of social development and knowing that knowledge influences beliefs provided a foundation to describe the relationship between the Iowa agricultural education teachers’ perceived level of importance to teach selected agricultural mechanics skills and the quantity of agricultural mechanics training received as a secondary student. Data was collected during the Iowa agricultural education teachers’ conference. Thirty-two of the 54 selected agricultural mechanics skills exhibited a significant, positive correlation between the teachers’ viewed importance of teaching those skills and the amount of secondary training they received in those skill areas. Experience at the secondary level has an impact on content teachers view as important and post-secondary teacher educators and industry should continue to help beginning teachers receive additional training and support in agricultural mechanics. Additional research should be conducted to determine the factors, in addition to the quantity of secondary training received, which influence teachers’ perceived importance to teach agricultural mechanics skills.
The Conflicts of Agriculture: Exploring the Agricultural Ideologies of University Agricultural Education Students
Authors: Martin Michael J. , Enns Kellie J.
Published: January 2018

American agriculturalists are divided on a variety of issues related to production and consumption of food. Broadly speaking, two groups have emerged along two ideological lines: agrarian populism, which articulates conventional agricultural values, and neo-agrarianism, which shares some nonconventional agricultural values. Although both groups may find common ground, their ideological differences have led to conflict. Land-grant institutions are not immune to this type of conflict. This study examined how differing agricultural ideologies affected the experiences of agricultural education undergraduates at a land-grant institution. Two focus groups of agricultural education students at [University] were set apart to explore their agriculture values. Three themes emerged from this study: (a) acknowledgement of different agriculture values; (b) deeply rooted agriculture values; and (c) conflicts arising from differing agriculture values. Arguments from some students centered on agrarian populist ideological ideals, including traditional agriculture, farming, and rural lifestyle values and were often rooted in emotions. They were concerned about protecting a way of life, which they felt was being threatened by others. Some participants who had more neo-agrarian agriculture values did not freely present their arguments; but, seemed more comfortable promoting some of the more traditional agrarian populist ideals.
School Culture's Influence on Beginning Agriculture Teachers' Job Satisfaction and Teacher Self-Efficacy
Authors: Hasselquist Laura , Herndon Kevin , Kitchel Tracy
Published: January 2018

This study explored first and second year agriculture teachers’ job satisfaction and teacher self- efficacy through their perceived levels of school culture support. Prior research indicated one possible contributor to poor teacher retention is a lack of belonging teachers feel to their schools. Data were collected from beginning teachers in three states and stepwise multiple regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The researchers found that colleague support was statistically significant contributors to beginning teachers’ efficacy. District and school administration, colleague, and financial supports were all statistically significant contributors to teachers’ job satisfaction. These findings provide support for further research to explore gaps in the profession’s understanding of the role school culture plays for agriculture teachers. Recommendations include incorporating positive relationship-building techniques into pre-service and teacher induction programs and making beginning teachers aware of materials used in promoting agricultural education programs and building administrative relationships.
An Investigation of Factors that Influence the Hypothesis Generation Ability of Students in School-Based Agricultural Education Programs when Troubleshooting Small Gasline Engines
Authors: Blackburn J. Joey , Robinson J. Shane
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study was to determine if selected factors influenced the ability of students in school-based agricultural education programs to generate a correct hypothesis when troubleshooting small gasoline engines. Variables of interest included students’ cognitive style, age, GP A, and content knowledge in small gasoline engines. Kirton’ s Adaption-Innovation Inventory was employed to assess cognitive style and a researcher developed criterion-referenced test was utilized to determine small gasoline content knowledge. Students were assigned randomly, by cognitive style, to generate a hypothesis for either a simple or complex small gasoline engine problem. A similar number of students were able to correctly hypothesize the fault in their assigned engine regardless of cognitive style. However, differences were noted between the more adaptive and more innovative students. A binary logistic regression revealed that as cognitive style score increased, the odds of generating a correct hypothesis decreased. Additionally, older students were more likely to generate an incorrect hypothesis. Teachers should encourage students to hypothesize when engaged in problem solving activities, but should be aware of individual differences such as cognitive style.
An Exploration of Relationships between Teaching Practices in Secondary Agricultural Education Programs and Student Engagement
Authors: Friedel Curtis R. , Anderson II James C.
Published: January 2018

This study was designed to explore the relationship between teacher practices and levels of student engagement in secondary agricultural education programs. Most researchers have agreed that student engagement at the secondary level may be measured through three constructs: cognitive engagement, behavioral engagement, and emotional engagement. The intra-curricular components, namely the FFA organization and Supervised Agricultural Experience Program, make secondary agricultural education unique when compared to the foundational classes of math, science, and English. Respondents included a total of 152 agricultural education programs, which were randomly selected within 11 states to participate in the study. One class in each program was surveyed, which totaled 2,106 student respondents. Relationships were identified between specific teaching and advising practices performed by the secondary agricultural educator and their students’ level of engagement in classroom, FFA, and SAE activities. Each state is encouraged to replicate this study to determine student engagement levels in classroom, FFA and SAE activities, and then identify the causes and conditions leading to higher and lower levels of student engagement.
Regional analysis of parameter sensitivity for simulation of streamflow and hydrological fingerprints
Authors: Höllering Simon , Wienhöfer Jan , Ihringer Jürgen , Samaniego Luis , Zehe Erwin
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Diagnostics of hydrological models are pivotal for a better understanding of catchment functioning, and the analysis of dominating model parameters plays a key role for region-specific calibration or parameter transfer. A major challenge in the analysis of parameter sensitivity is the assessment of both temporal and spatial differences of parameter influences on simulated streamflow response. We present a methodological approach for global sensitivity analysis of hydrological models. The multilevel approach is geared towards complementary forms of streamflow response targets, and combines sensitivity analysis directed to hydrological fingerprints, i.e. temporally independent and temporally aggregated characteristics of streamflow (INDPAS), with the conventional analysis of the temporal dynamics of parameter sensitivity (TEDPAS). The approach was tested in 14 mesoscale headwater catchments of the Ruhr River in western Germany using simulations with the spatially distributed hydrological model mHM. The multilevel analysis with diverse response characteristics allowed us to pinpoint parameter sensitivity patterns much more clearly as compared to using TEDPAS alone. It was not only possible to identify two dominating parameters, for soil moisture dynamics and evapotranspiration, but we could also disentangle the role of these and other parameters with reference to different streamflow characteristics. The combination of TEDPAS and INDPAS further allowed us to detect regional differences in parameter sensitivity and in simulated hydrological functioning, despite the rather small differences in the hydroclimatic and topographic setting of the Ruhr headwaters.
The occurrence of a shallow-water Ammobaculoides assemblage in the Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) Dhruma Formation of Central Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kaminski Michael A. , Malik Muhammad Hammad , Setoyama Eiichi
Published: January 2018

Abstract. We report the occurrence of an Ammobaculoides-dominated assemblage in the lowermost member of the Middle Jurassic Dhruma Formation exposed west of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The new species Ammobaculoides dhrumaensis n.sp. is described from the green shale of the D1 unit (also known as the Balum Member) of the Dhruma Formation, which has been assigned an early Bajocian age based on ammonites. Our new finding constitutes the oldest reported worldwide occurrence of the agglutinated foraminiferal genus Ammobaculoides Plummer, 1932.
Front Matter
Authors: Allegretto Alessandra
Published: January 2018

None
Sociologia das profissões e o profissional da informação
Authors: Kroeff Marcia Silveira , Mattos Miriam De Cassia do Carmo Mascarenhas , Matos José Claudio , Spudeit Daniela Fernanda Assis de Oliveira
Published: January 2018

Ensaio fundamentado por meio de revisão da literatura especializada que relaciona os temas sociologia das profissões e profissional da informação. Constitui-se de pesquisa bibliográfica que abrange livros, artigos científicos e trabalhos acadêmicos. Aborda o histórico e a evolução das profissões, as teorias sociológicas, funcionalista e interacionista, bem como a trajetória das profissões, dentre elas a profissão do bibliotecário. Trata das transformações sociais oriundas das tecnologias e as transformações culturais, políticas e sociais que as profissões estão sofrendo em decorrência delas. Por fim versa sobre as ciências da informação e o fenômeno social da profissão. Conclui que as profissões da informação derivam sua constituição da necessidade de uma jurisdição específica no espaço social, para lidar com os documentos e meios de recuperação da informação. De um lado, a configuração mais atual destas profissões fortalece sua identidade e seus laços de compromisso e, de outro, gera subdivisões na tarefa ou função inicial deste tipo de profissional. A perspectiva a cerca da profissão representa uma expectativa sobre a estrutura formativa e um consequente aumento do controle e da vigilância sobre a atuação do profissional individual, resultando em um aspecto positivo e um aspecto negativo. O positivo é a valorização da comunidade e suas habilidades específicas e o negativo é a mercantilização, o saber específico como um meio de gerar produtividade e riqueza, quando o retorno imediato substitui a busca rigorosa e desinteressada pelo conhecimento, que pode gerar uma demasiada instrumentalização, que impede o avanço de processos mais abrangentes de interação deste grupo profissional com outros.
Os impactos tecnológicos nos telejornais regionais: um estudo sobre produção de notícias no Vale do Paraíba/SP
Authors: Squirra Sebastião Carlos , Rangel Ioná Piva
Published: January 2018

Este trabalho examina as principais mudanças que ocorreram no processo de construção da notícia em alguns telejornais regionais paulistas na última década.  Objetivamos o estudo das tecnologias digitais conectadas e as consequentes alterações no trabalho dos profissionais envolvidos, sejam jornalistas, técnicos ou engenheiros, a fim de entender os novos formatos aplicados na transmissão de conteúdo com os recursos da produção interconectada. Para tanto, realizamos estudo comparativo com duas emissoras da Região Metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba: TV Vanguarda, afiliada da Rede Globo, e a Tv Band Vale filiada ao Grupo Bandeirantes, que passaram por transformações radicais em todas as dimensões da difusão de notícias com a digitalização dos seus processos tecnológicos e investimentos no ambiente virtual. Por meio da técnica de pesquisa observação- participante chegamos à conclusão que a tecnologia é realidade irreversível também nas emissoras regionais, o que contribui para dinamizar o trabalho nas redações e aproximar o público das emissoras.
Elementos da televisão clássica no SBT: análise estilística do Domingo Legal
Authors: Hergesel João Paulo , Ferraraz Rogério
Published: January 2018

O Domingo Legal é um programa de auditório do SBT que está no ar desde 1993 conquistando índices de audiência plausíveis para a emissora. Apresentada por Celso Portiolli, a atração sofreu uma forte turbulência em 2015, com o encurtamento de sua duração e o fortalecimento dos concorrentes; no entanto, apostando em quadros de entretenimento familiar e nas disputas entre equipes, o programa se manteve acima da média de audiência do SBT. Com o objetivo de descobrir se os elementos que conduzem a atmosfera afetiva dessa narrativa em processo condizem com a proposta de análise para as narrativas ficcionais da chamada televisão clássica, este artigo analisa, pela visão dos estudos estilísticos, um episódio do Passa ou Repassa, quadro presente em quase todas as semanas do respectivo ano.
A Comunicação Inclusiva como princípio de conversa para a Educação Permanente no SUS: O Projeto “Caminhos do Cuidado” como Laboratório
Authors: Ruas Ester Cristina Machado
Published: January 2018

ResumoEste artigo apresenta a comunicação como um componente crítico capaz de contribuir para um processo de educação permanente em saúde. Começamos por descrever o projeto de formação de agentes comunitários de saúde, auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem em saúde mental, álcool e outra drogas denominado “Caminhos do Cuidado” e a abordagem pedagógica e epistemológica abraçada. A proposta deste itinerário formativo redundou na participação de 284.868 alunos em todo o território , baseava-se no cotidiano do trabalho, das práticas e vivências de cada profissional de saúde no seu território. Esse itinerário foi laboratório para a experiência da comunicação inclusiva, dialógica e participativa, como mobilizadora dos atores envolvidos com a educação permanente. E, a entrevista semiestruturada foi o instrumento relacional encontrado, que permitiu estabelecer um vínculo com o sujeito e apropriar os sentidos dados em seus discursos como prática política e ideológica.
Rendimiento académico y eficiencia terminal de los estudiantes de la carrera de Fisioterapia del POLISAL, UNAN-Managua
Authors: Espinosa Mena Elsa María
Published: January 2018

El  objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la relación entre el rendimiento académico y la eficiencia terminal de los estudiantes de la carrera de Fisioterapia del Instituto Politécnico de la Salud, UNAN-Managua, período 2013-2015. Fue un estudio analítico, retro-prospectivo, transversal, cuali-cuantitativo. La población del estudio fue de 43 estudiantes que ingresaron en 2013. Se aplicó encuesta, se realizó guía de revisión documental y grupo focal a los estudiantes. Para el análisis de los datos se realizaron tablas de contingencia y para todas aquellas variables no paramétricas se les aplicó prueba de χ2 (Chi2). Así mismo se realizó la prueba de Kaplan-Meier para la variable operativa de relación entre dos variables en estudio; también se realizó análisis de varianza Univariado. Los resultados mostraron el predominio del sexo femenino con un 70 % entre 20 a 21 años; el 80 %  son originarios de los departamentos de Managua, Carazo, Granada y Masaya. El 43 %  residen y reciben apoyo económico de sus padres; el 83.3 % ingresó a la carrera por primera elección. El desempeño docente fue valorado de muy bueno y excelente. Los resultados de la técnica de Kaplan-Meier, mostró que un 53.5 % logró la eficiencia terminal durante sus tres años cursados. El análisis de varianza univariado determinó, que existe relación causa-efecto entre rendimiento académico y eficiencia terminal, demostrando que, a medida que el semestre avanza, las asignaturas  presentan  mayor complejidad.
Bearing Surfaces for Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Lachiewicz Paul F. , Kleeman Lindsay T. , Seyler Thorsten
Published: January 2018

Metal-on–highly cross-linked polyethylene is considered the preferred bearing surface for conventional total hip arthroplasty because of its safety profile and excellent results in the first 10 to 15 years of use. However, with younger patient age, activity expectations increase, and the life expectancy of patients with total hip arthroplasty also has increased, so interest remains in other bearing couples. These other options include the use of various ceramic composites for the femoral head on highly cross-linked polyethylene, the so-called second-generation antioxidant polyethylenes, and ceramic acetabular liners. Several of these bearing couples have shown excellent wear rates in vitro, and short-term clinical studies have demonstrated favorable wear and safety results. It is uncertain whether any of these bearing couples should be adopted at present. Understanding the unique properties and possible complications of these bearing couples is critical for appropriate implant selection.
Enhanced Firefly Algorithm Using Fuzzy Parameter Tuner
Authors: Bidar Mahdi , Sadaoui Samira , Mouhoub Malek , Bidar Mohsen
Published: January 2018

Exploitation and exploration are two main search strategies of every metaheuristic algorithm. However, the ratio between exploitation and exploration has a significant impact on the performance of these algorithms when dealing with optimization problems. In this study, we introduce an entire fuzzy system to tune efficiently and dynamically the firefly algorithm parameters in order to keep the exploration and exploitation in balance in each of the searching steps. This will prevent the firefly algorithm from being stuck in local optimal, a challenge issue in metaheuristic algorithms. To evaluate the quality of the solution returned by the fuzzy-based firefly algorithm, we conduct extensive experiments on a set of high and low dimensional benchmark functions as well as two constrained engineering problems. In this regard, we compare the improved firefly algorithm with the standard one and other famous metaheuristic algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the fuzzy-based firefly algorithm to standard firefly and also its comparability to other metaheuristic algorithms.
Some Mechanical Properties of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene Composite to Control Environmental Waste in Ghana
Authors: Amoako George , Mensah-Amoah Patrick , Sam Frederick , Sackey Samuel S
Published: January 2018

Polymer products have been applied in all spheres of life and their disposal after use has been a problem. In Ghana, non-biodegradable polymer products in the form of used water-sachet bags is littered everywhere. Coconut husk, which is a natural fiber, is also available as waste. We explore a means of recycling sachet-water bags and coconut husk to yield a useful product. A composite was formed by melting the polyethylene, into which was dispersed coconut fiber, and then allowed to set. Varied masses of fiber were added after which water absorption test, hardness/compressive and flexure tests were conducted on the composite product. The absorption rate of the composite increased with increasing composition of fiber, meaning that the porosity of the material was influenced by the amount of fiber. Increasing the fiber content increased the load needed to compress the sample, indicating an increase in the strength of the composite. The load-bearing capacity increased by 120 % when 450.5 g of fiber was added to the control sample, and further increased to 800 % when the fiber mass was increased to 804.4 g. With an amount of 100 g of fiber added to the polyethylene, the flexure increased by about 5.73 % and by about 31.46 % when 450 g of fiber was added. There was therefore improvement in the mechanical properties of the composite formed, and consequently such waste products can be put to use in applications like the production of ceilings, partition boards, automobile interiors and the likes.
The Use of Language Learning Apps as a Didactic Tool for EFL Vocabulary Building
Authors: Guaqueta Cesar A. , Castro-Garces Angela Yicely
Published: January 2018

This study explores the use of language learning apps as a didactic tool for vocabulary building in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. It was developed through a mixed-methods approach, with a concurrent design in order to collect, analyze and validate qualitative and quantitative data. Although there was controversy on the use of technology in the classroom in the rural context where this study was developed, it advocated for practices that could go beyond the classroom boundaries and that were part of students’ lives and social realities. The participants were 20 high school students and the intervention was during a six-month period. The data collection instruments included an initial diagnosis and a final development test, eight lessons and eight assessment sessions using language learning apps (Duolingo and Kahoot), eight entries to a research journal and a final survey. In the end, it was possible to provide evidence of the way technology and classroom practices can be allied to effectively foster vocabulary building.
The Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in the Black Hills, South Dakota: The Consequences of Long Term Fire Policy, Climate Change and the Use of Remote Sensing to Enhance Mitigation
Authors: Mullen Kyle , Yuan Fei , Mitchell Martin
Published: January 2018

The recent and intense outbreak (first decade of 2000s) of the mountain pine beetle in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, which impacted over 33% of the 1.2 million acre (486,000 ha) Black Hills National Forest, illustrates what can occur when forest management practices intersect with natural climatic oscillations and climate change to create the “perfect storm” in a region where the physical environment sets the stage for a plethora of economic activities ranging from extractive industries to tourism. This study evaluates the potential of WorldView-2 satellite imagery for green-attacked tree detection in the ponderosa pine forest of the Black Hills, USA. It also discusses the consequences of long term fire policy and climate change, and the use of remote sensing technology to enhance mitigation. It was found that the near-infrared one (band 7) of WorldView-2 imagery had the highest influence on the green-attack classification. The Random Forest classification produced the best results when transferred to the independent dataset, whereas the Logistic Regression models consistently yielded the highest accuracies when cross-validated with the training data. Lessons learned include: (1) utilizing recent advances in remote sensing technologies, most notably the use of WorldView-2 data, to assist in more effectively implementing mitigation measures during an epidemic, and (2) implementing pre-emptive thinning strategies; both of which can be applied elsewhere in the American West to more effectively blunt or preclude the consequences of a mountain pine beetle outbreak on an existing ponderosa pine forest.
The Origin of Gravity An Attempt to Answer this Question with the Help of Existing Concepts
Authors: J. Veringa Hubert
Published: January 2018

In this document an attempt is made to explain the origin of gravity. The basis for the analysis is a merger of quantum theory and relativity. Nowhere in the analysis there is any need to deviate from well proven and successful concepts of both theories and rules of calculation, and no exotic new particles will have to be introduced. By doing so it is demonstrated that, next to its local interactions of a multi-particle system, the Schrödinger equation leads to pairs of two and only two members. This solution is used as the invariant term in the quantized Einstein energy equation which finally leads to gravitational interactions between members of the pairs. With this particular solution for the quantum-mechanical wave function it is found that gravity is a second order effect operating over a long range. In this document it is tried to give a complete and consistent account of all steps that have been taken in the derivation of the classical Newton’s gravity law. Further, the document emphasizes precise justification of some of the basic assumptions made and how it works out on a cosmological scale. It is also found that the generator of gravity is contributing mass to particles that have gravitational interaction.
A Stabilized Hybrid Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Nearly Incompressible Linear Elasticity Problem
Authors: Santos Antônio José Boness , Faria C O , Loula Abimael F D
Published: January 2018

In this work, a primal hybrid finite element method for nearly incom pressible linear elasticity problem on triangular meshes is shown. This method consists of coupling local discontinuous Galerkin problems to the primal variable with a global problem for the Lagrange multiplier, which is identified as the trace of the displacement field. Also, a local post-processing technique is used to recover stress approximations with improved rates of convergence in H(div) norm. Numerical studies show that the method is locking free even using equal or different orders for displacement and stress fields and optimal convergence rates are obtained.
Inhoud en reikwijdte van het projectbesluit voor ‘natte’ waterstaatswerken
Authors: Groothuijse F.A.G. (Frank)
Published: January 2018

Inhoud en reikwijdte van het projectbesluit voor ‘natte’ waterstaatswerken

In deze bijdrage gaat de auteur in op de inhoud en reikwijdte van het projectbesluit voor ‘natte’ waterstaatswerken.
Redes inter-organizacionales para implementación de políticas sociales: un estudio aplicado a cuatro barrios en Uruguay
Authors: Galaso Pablo , Goinheix Sebastián , Rodríguez Miranda Adrián
Published: January 2018

Este artículo analiza las redes de organizaciones dedicadas a la política social en Uruguay. En particular, se centra en cuatro barrios con una alta concentración de hogares en situación de pobreza y analiza tres tipos de vínculos entre las organizaciones activas en el barrio: vínculos para desarrollar proyectos en conjunto, para solicitar información y vínculos para compartir infraestructuras. Se aplica la metodología del análisis de redes sociales con una visión global, grupal, e individual, centrando el estudio en el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social (MIDES). Además, se organizan los resultados distinguiendo entre una perspectiva territorial, centrada en los barrios, y otra organizacional, cuyo enfoque está en la naturaleza de las organizaciones y el tipo de interacción. Los resultados muestran diferencias relevantes en las formas de interacción, con una principal tendencia a compartir información. Se encuentran particularidades en el papel desempeñado por las organizaciones según su naturaleza y actividad desempeñada. El trabajo encuentra también que el MIDES desempeña un papel fundamental en las redes. Finalmente, los resultados ponen de manifiesto la existencia de particularidades territoriales, señalando incluso modelos opuestos en algunas formas de interacción de sus organizaciones dedicadas a la política social.
Mapeo reticular del Discurso de la Sociología y el desarrollo rural en América Latina. Caso de estudio: Asociación Latinoamericana de Sociología Rural (ALASRU)
Authors: Nuñez Juan Felipe , Tisselli Vélez Eugenio , Palma Tenango María de los Ángeles , Ortega Ortega Tomás , Hernández Adalberto Magdaleno , Salinas Martínez Jesús Armando , Magadan Revel Daniel , Cárdenas Bejarano Ernesto
Published: January 2018

Los procesos de descomposición sistémica que se viven en Latinoamérica están siendo abordados por una miríada de investigadores, provenientes de las distintas geografías de la región y operadores de una compleja diversidad de marcos epistemológicos que permiten observar preocupaciones en común: procesos de vulnerabilidad social, económica, política, cultura, ambiental, etc. En este sentido, el objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar un mapa conceptual, a partir de los trabajos presentados en el 9° congreso de ALASRU (México D.F., 2014), por medio del análisis de redes sociales, a fin de sintetizar la construcción reticular, en Latinoamérica, del discurso epistemológico de la sociología y el desarrollo rural y poderlo agrupar por región y país. Esto se realizó al analizar dos tipos de coocurrencias: la de palabras en un determinado texto y la de matrices de actores por palabras. Esto permitió descomponer (en términos semánticos), cada uno de los abstracts presentados en dicho congreso, en sus diversos conceptos y conectores gramaticales, lo que arrojó una retícula causal del discurso de cada trabajo.
Volkswagen e a variação do valor de suas ações: o impacto da galezia de seus motores à diesel
Authors: Tonon Daniel Henrique Paiva , Riccotta Rosangela , Rangel Ronaldo Raemy , Rosini Alessandro Marco , Júnior Celso Machado
Published: January 2018

As empresas que possuem ações negociáveis em bolsa de valores e que como a Volkswagen se posicionam em algum nível diferenciado de governança, sendo inclusive que afirma em seu Anuário de Responsabilidade Corporativa que adotam estratégias com base nos preceitos GRC – Governança, Risco, Conformidade, não deveriam praticar ações conflituosas com esta abordagem. No entanto, pode-se apontar, ao menos um caso em que a Volkswagen executou ações inadequadas que feriram os princípio das boas práticas de governança. O presente estudo tem, então, como objetivo identificar a influência da prática inadequada de governança no desempenho das ações da Volkswagen na bolsa alemã. A citada pratica executada pela Volkswagen envolveu a alteração de software de emissão de poluentes dos motores de pequeno porte a Diesel quando submetidos a teste, o que veio a ser conceituado pelo mercado como galezia (ou fraude) do sistema de avaliação de emissão de poluentes dos motores à Diesel da marca. A análise dos valores das ações diante das notícias divulgadas, confirma a literatura sobre o tema, já que constata-se uma acentuada redução no preço das mesmas.
Qui est agriculteur au Québec ? Ambiguïté des institutions et enjeux pour le développement rural
Authors: MUNDLER Patrick , OUELLET Fernande
Published: January 2018

La question de savoir qui est ou n’est pas agriculteur est souvent traitée comme une évidence. Au Québec, la Loi sur les producteurs agricoles sert de référence pour définir ce qu’est un agriculteur. Comme dans de nombreux pays, la définition retenue est large et inclusive. Tous les agriculteurs sont-ils pour autant égaux devant les politiques agricoles ? En analysant les définitions formelles retenues par les organisations en relation avec l’agriculture, nous montrons que la large définition retenue par la Loi est pour partie compensée par des critères internes aux organisations. Nous constatons de grandes différences entre les types de production, que ce soit pour bénéficier des programmes d’assurance récolte et d’assurance revenu ou pour bénéficier des différentes formes d’aide à l’établissement en agriculture, ce qui témoigne de la prégnance d’une représentation de l’agriculteur vivant principalement de ses activités agricoles. Nous montrons enfin que, au-delà des définitions, les enjeux en termes de légitimité des politiques agricoles, d’occupation du territoire et de renouvellement de la population agricole sont bien réels.
La Couronne : vecteur du fédéralisme canadien
Authors: Fournier Julien , Binette Amélie
Published: January 2018

En ce 150e anniversaire de l’Acte de l’Amérique du Nord britannique, 1867, l’article qui suit explore la manière dont les règles non écrites et les conventions concernant la Couronne dans le système de Westminster, en général, et la règle de l’indivisibilité de la Couronne, en particulier, ont servi à augmenter le prestige et les pouvoirs des exécutifs provinciaux au sein de la fédération canadienne, et ce, malgré un texte semblant hiérarchiser l’État fédéral au regard des provinces. D’abord, le texte présente les principales règles concernant la Couronne et le rôle de cette dernière dans la structure constitutionnelle, pour, par la suite, observer la manière dont l’exercice de la prérogative royale par les gouvernements canadiens a permis d’augmenter leur autonomie par rapport aux autorités impériales. Puis il analyse l’ambivalence des constituants lors de la genèse du fédéralisme canadien relativement au rôle des provinces ; finalement, il démontre, entre autres, par une analyse de la jurisprudence, comment le droit non écrit et les conventions constitutionnelles ont favorisé les provinces.
The Continuing Relevance of Common Law Property Rights and Remedies in Addressing Environmental Challenges
Authors: Grinlinton David
Published: January 2018

Environmental protection and natural resources management is today dominated by legislative measures and administrative procedures. Enforcement and penalty regimes for environmental damage and the management of natural resources are all highly regulated. Nevertheless, there remains the oft-neglected realm of common law rules and procedures available to individuals and public interest groups, and indeed government, as alternate or supplementary mechanisms to enforce rights and obligations, to guide the implementation and interpretation of environmental regulation, and to provide new avenues for addressing environmental challenges.

The common law, particularly in the areas of tort and property, has demonstrated remarkable adaptability in addressing novel environmental threats and in innovating to protect environmental values and incentivize ecologically-sustainable development of natural resources. This article is intended to provide a review of the historical and current contribution of the common law, focusing particularly on property law concepts and property-related torts, and to explore the future potential of those mechanisms in contributing to environmental protection and environmentally-sustainable development. The article draws on cases and developments in a number of similar common law jurisdictions, including Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Les services écologiques ou le renouveau de la catégorie civiliste de fruits?
Authors: Vanuxem Sarah
Published: January 2018

Qu’est-ce qu’un « service écologique » en droit et, plus précisément, en droit privé des biens? Quelle qualification juridique et, en particulier civiliste, conférer aux « services écologiques »? Nous formons ici l’hypothèse que ces bienfaits de la nature constituent des fruits au sens du droit civil français, c’est-à-dire des choses régulièrement produites par d’autres choses sans altération de la substance de celles-ci. Plus précisément, nous soutenons que le triptyque des fruits naturels, industriels et civils pourrait correspondre à celui des services écosystémiques, des services environnementaux et des paiements pour services écologiques. Autrement dit, nous examinons dans quelle mesure les services écosystémiques — ces avantages procurés par un écosystème à d’autres écosystèmes ou aux sociétés humaines — forment de nouveaux fruits naturels, les services environnementaux — ces avantages qu’apportent les Hommes aux écosystèmes — de nouveaux fruits industriels, et les paiements rendus pour ces services, de nouveaux fruits civils.
“Sacrifice Zones” in the Green Energy Economy: Toward an Environmental Justice Framework
Authors: Scott Dayna Nadine , Smith Adrian A.
Published: January 2018

The environmental justice movement validates the grassroots struggles of residents of places which Steve Lerner refers to as “sacrifice zones”: low-income and racialized communities shouldering more than their fair share of environmental harms related to pollution, contamination, toxic waste, and heavy industry. On this account, disparities in wealth and power, often inscribed and re-inscribed through social processes of racialization, are understood to produce disparities in environmental burdens. Here, we attempt to understand how these dynamics are shifting in the green energy economy under settler colonial capitalism. We consider the possibility that the political economy of green energy contains its own sacrifice zones. Drawing on preliminary empirical research undertaken in southwestern Ontario in 2015, we document local resistance to renewable energy projects. Residents mounted campaigns against wind turbines based on suspected health effects and against solar farms based on arable land and food justice concerns, and in both cases, grounded their resistance in a generalized claim, which might be termed a “right to landscape”. We conclude that this resistance, contrary to typical framings which dismiss it as NIMBYism, has resonances with broader claims about environmental justice and may signal larger structural shifts worth devoting scholarly attention to. In the end, however, we do not wholly accept the sacrifice zone characterization of this resistance either, as our analysis reveals it to be far more complex and ambiguous than such a framing allows. But we maintain that taking this resistance seriously, rather than treating it as merely obstructionist to a transition away from fossil capitalism, reveals a counter-hegemonic potential at its core. There are seeds in this resistance with the power to push back on the deepening of capitalist relations that would otherwise be ushered in by an uncritical embrace of “green energy” enthusiasm.
Biopower, Body Commodification, and Defiance of Neoliberal Logic in Impuesto a la Carne by Diamela Eltit / Biopoder, mercantilización del cuerpo y desafío a la lógica neoliberal en Impuesto a la carne de Damiela Eltit
Authors: Tille-Victorica Nancy
Published: January 2018

This article analyses the novel Impuesto a la carne (2010) by Diamela Eltit and favors a reading that focuses on the past forty years of Chile’s history. Drawing on recent biopolitical concepts by Foucault and Agamben, this article demonstrates how the hospital setting in Eltit’s novel allows her to embody neoliberalism and account for the usually invisible bodily experiences of racialized and gendered patients/citizens, while simultaneously showing that the neoliberal model, in its quest for continuous expansion, is now colonizing the inner spaces of the corporeal body. This article also briefly shows that through her writing of the maternal body, Eltit highlights its potential for resistance and for meaningful connections to other human beings. Her novel thus calls for the emergence of a renewed type of activism that brings together marginalized communities to denounce the embodied nature of social injustice created and reinforced through neoliberalism and to potentially attain the social equality that democracy was supposed to deliver.Este artículo propone un análisis de la novela Impuesto a la carne (2010) de Diamela Eltit. Basándose en parte en conceptos de biopoder propuestos por Foucault, se demuestra cómo el marco del hospital donde el sufrimiento extremo y el abuso prolongado infligido sobre los cuerpos posiblemente indígenas de la narradora y su madre, le permite a Eltit remitir a la versión silenciada de la historia de Chile y especialmente a su reciente pasado totalitario. Eltit expone cómo el modelo neoliberal vigente es dependiente de los cuerpos humanos para funcionar, y denuncia algunos de los procesos usados por el estado-mercado para excluir, explotar y beneficiarse de lo que considera cuerpos marginados. Este artículo revela también cómo, en su escritura, Eltit recalca el poder de resistencia del cuerpo materno y su potencial para crear conexiones significativas entre seres humanos. En este sentido, la novela anuncia la emergencia de un tipo renovado de activismo que une a las comunidades marginalizadas para denunciar la naturaleza corporalizada de las injusticias sociales creadas y reinforzadas por el sistema neoliberal.