scholarly journals Visions of human futures in space and SETI

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason T. Wright ◽  
Michael P. Oman-Reagan
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
Dark Matter Particle ◽  
Short Term ◽  
National Science ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Far Future ◽  
Made In

AbstractWe discuss how visions for the futures of humanity in space and SETI are intertwined, and are shaped by prior work in the fields and by science fiction. This appears in the language used in the fields, and in the sometimes implicit assumptions made in discussions of them. We give examples from articulations of the so-called Fermi Paradox, discussions of the settlement of the Solar System (in the near future) and the Galaxy (in the far future), and METI. We argue that science fiction, especially the campy variety, is a significant contributor to the ‘giggle factor’ that hinders serious discussion and funding for SETI and Solar System settlement projects. We argue that humanity's long-term future in space will be shaped by our short-term visions for who goes there and how. Because of the way they entered the fields, we recommend avoiding the term ‘colony’ and its cognates when discussing the settlement of space, as well as other terms with similar pedigrees. We offer examples of science fiction and other writing that broaden and challenge our visions of human futures in space and SETI. In an appendix, we use an analogy with the well-funded and relatively uncontroversial searches for the dark matter particle to argue that SETI's lack of funding in the national science portfolio is primarily a problem of perception, not inherent merit.

scholarly journals Visions of Human Futures in Space and SETI

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason T. Wright ◽  
Michael P. Oman-Reagan
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
Dark Matter Particle ◽  
Short Term ◽  
National Science ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Far Future ◽  
Made In

We discuss how visions for the futures of humanity in space and SETI are intertwined, and are shaped by prior work in the fields and by science fiction. This appears in the language used in the fields, and in the sometimes implicit assumptions made in discussions of them. We give examples from articulations of the so-called Fermi Paradox, discussions of the settlement of the Solar System (in the near future) and the Galaxy (in the far future), and METI. We argue that science fiction, especially the campy variety, is a significant contributor to the ‘giggle factor’ that hinders serious discussion and funding for SETI and Solar System settlement projects. We argue that humanity's long-term future in space will be shaped by our short-term visions for who goes there and how. Because of the way they entered the fields, we recommend avoiding the term ‘colony’ and its cognates when discussing the settlement of space, as well as other terms with similar pedigrees. We offer examples of science fiction and other writing that broaden and challenge our visions of human futures in space and SETI. In an appendix, we use an analogy with the well-funded and relatively uncontroversial searches for the dark matter particle to argue that SETI's lack of funding in the national science portfolio is primarily a problem of perception, not inherent merit.Also on arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1708.05318Please cite this version:Wright, Jason T., and Michael P. Oman-Reagan. “Visions of Human Futures in Space and SETI.” International Journal of Astrobiology, 2017, 1–12. doi:10.1017/S1473550417000222.

scholarly journals Progress in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-122
Author(s):  
Jodi M. Smith ◽  
Vikas R. Dharnidharka
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Transplantation ◽  
Graft Survival ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Allocation Policy ◽  
Pediatric Kidney Transplantation ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In

Significant progress has been made in pediatric kidney transplantation. Advances in immunosuppression have dramatically decreased rates of acute rejection leading to improved short term graft survival but similar improvements in long term graft survival remain elusive. Changes in allocation policy provide the pediatric population with timely access to transplant but there remains concern about the impact of less HLA matching and a decrease in living donors. This report presents data from North America on these successes and the ongoing challenges that face the pediatric transplant community.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Hydropower Generation to Climate Change: Karun III Dam Case Study

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Beheshti ◽  
Ali Heidari ◽  
Bahram Saghafian
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Power Generation ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Precipitation Trend ◽  
Hydropower Generation ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Far Future

Climate change can cause serious problems for future hydropower plant projects and make them less economically justified. Changing precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and abrupt snow melting affect river stream patterns and hydropower generation. Thus, study of climate change impacts during the useful life of a hydropower dam is essential and its outcome should be considered in assessing long-term dam feasibility. The aim of this research is to evaluate the impacts of climate change on future hydropower generation in the Karun-III dam located in the southwest region of Iran in two future tri-decadal periods: near (2020–2049) and far (2070–2099). Had-CM3 general circulation model predictions under A2 and B2 SRES scenarios were applied, and downscaled by a statistical downscaling model (SDSM). An artificial neural network (ANN) and HEC-ResSim reservoir model respectively simulated the rainfall–runoff process and hydropower generation. The projections showed that the Karun-III dam catchment under the two scenarios will generally become warmer and wetter with a slightly larger increase in annual precipitation in the near than the far future. Runoff followed the precipitation trend by increasing in both periods. The runoff peak also switched from April to March in both scenarios, due to higher winter precipitation, and earlier snowmelt, which was caused by temperature rise. According to both scenarios, hydropower generation increased more in the near future than in the far future. Annual average power generation increased gradually by 26.7–40.5% under A2 and by 17.4–29.3% under B2 in 2020–2049. In the far period, average power generation increased by 1.8–8.7% in A2 and by 10.5–22% under B2. In the near future, A2 showed energy deduction in the months of June and July, while B2 revealed a decrease in the months of April and June. Additionally, projections in the 2070–2099 under A2 exhibited energy reduction in the months of March through July, while B2 revealed a decrease in April through July. The framework utilized in this study can be exploited to analyze the susceptibility of hydropower production in the long term.

scholarly journals The Blackness of Liet-Kynes: Reading Frank Herbert’s Dune Through James Cone

Religions ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
Peter Herman
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
White Identity ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Far Future

Frank Herbert’s landmark science fiction novel Dune has received numerous sequels, prequels, and film treatments. Detailing the saga of humanity’s far future beyond our present solar system, the work plays successfully with religious, political, and ecological themes. This essay deals with the social/theological implications of two figures within the story-world of Dune: Its protagonist and visible hero, Paul Atreides/Muad’Dib and the lesser figure of the “Imperial Planetologist” Dr. Kynes, also known to the Fremen as “Liet”. By reading these two figures through the theology of James Cone, we discover that the obvious hero is not a messianic figure but a demonic one. Further, it is the lesser character of Liet-Kynes who actually fulfills the messianic role in Cone’s theological system. This essay is preceded by and makes use of Jeremy Ian Kirk’s work with the film Avatar that provides similar analysis. Where Kirk’s principal concern is with the ethical considerations of Avatar, this essay will more closely bear on Cone’s dynamic of redemption and conversion, specifically his notion of dying to white identity to be reborn in blackness.

scholarly journals The Anglican Covenant Proposed by the Lambeth Commission

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (37) ◽  
pp. 147-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Doe
Keyword(s):  
Short Term ◽  
Episcopal Church ◽  
Common Concern ◽  
Made In ◽  
The Way

The Lambeth Commission (2004) proposed a number of short-term and long-term solutions to issues raised by recent and highly controversial developments in the Episcopal Church (USA) and the diocese of New Westminster (Canada). From these events have emerged important questions about the nature of communion between, and the autonomy of, each of the forty-four member churches of the Anglican Communion, and the way in which decisions of common concern are made. In order to consolidate this communion, as a long-term project, the Commission proposes the adoption of an Anglican Covenant by all forty-four churches of the Communion. This article describes the terms of the proposed Covenant and identifies their provenance, in order to establish that the proposal is for the most part a restatement of classical Anglicanism. Only in serious cases of disagreement which substantially risk the unity of the Communion is the proposal innovative. The article also describes briefly reactions to and possible implementation of the proposed Covenant.

Is MRI suitable for conclusive work-up of suspicious findings in mammography and ultrasound?

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3-3
Author(s):  
Kevin Strobel ◽  
Simone Schrading ◽  
Christiane K. Kuhl
Keyword(s):  
False Positive ◽  
Breast Mri ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Mass Lesions ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Suspicious Lesions ◽  
Made In

3 Background: The current ACR practice guidelines discourage use of MRI for work-up of suspicious findings in mammography (Mx) and ultrasound (US). We investigated whether additional breast MRI assessment of suspicious Mx and U.S. findings could improve PPV and thus possibly help reduce the number of biopsies for false positive findings in Mx or U.S. Methods: Between 06/2010 and 04/2012, a total 2,754 patients underwent DCE breast MRI. Of these, 277 underwent MRI for further work-up of suspicious findings made in Mx (n=173, 57 patients with mass lesions, 33 with asymmetries, 12 with architectural distortions, and 71 with suspicious calcifications) or U.S. (n=104, 74 with masses, 30 with miscellaneous U.S. findings such as suspected intraductal pathology, focal acoustic shadowing or architectural distortions) . All lesions categorized as MR-BIRADS 4 and 5 underwent biopsy, lesions categorized as MR-BIRADS 1 or 2 did not proceed to biopsy, except for selected women with mammographic calcifications suggestive of DCIS. Lesions categorized as MR-BIRADS 3 underwent additional short term follow-up by MRI, US and/or Mx. All women who did not undergo biopsy (MR-BIRADS 1-3) underwent long term follow-up for so far 12-24 months. Results: For suspicious lesions in mammography, MRI increased PPV from 19.3% (11/57) to 92.3% (12/13) for masses, from 3% (1/33) to 33.3% (1/3) for asymmetries, from 8.3% (1/12) to 25% (1/4) for architectural distortions and from 21.1% (15/71) to 62.5% (15/24) for calcifications. For suspicious lesions in ultrasound, MRI increased PPV from 13.5% (10/74) to 71.4% (10/14) for masses and from 3.3% (1/30) to 50% (1/2) for non-mass U.S. findings. In 4/277 patients, MRI showed additional suspicious findings, requiring MR-guided biopsy, one of which was histologically proven malignant. So far, none of the patients who, because of an MR-BIRADS 1-3, did not undergo biopsy has been diagnosed with invasive cancer or DCIS or with progressive conventional imaging findings necessitating secondary biopsy. Conclusions: MRI improves PPV for both suspicious Mx and U.S. findings, especially mass lesions. In experienced hands, careful use of MRI can help avoid biopsies for false positive diagnoses made in Mx and U.S.

scholarly journals OPTIMAL CLIMATE POLICY IN 3D: MITIGATION, CARBON REMOVAL, AND SOLAR GEOENGINEERING

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150008
Author(s):  
MARIIA BELAIA ◽  
JUAN B. MORENO-CRUZ ◽  
DAVID W. KEITH
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Integrated Assessment Model ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Solar Geoengineering ◽  
Optimal Climate Policy ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Far Future

We introduce solar geoengineering (SG) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) into an integrated assessment model to analyze the trade-offs between mitigation, SG, and CDR. We propose a novel empirical parameterization of SG that disentangles its efficacy, calibrated with climate model results, from its direct impacts. We use a simple parameterization of CDR that decouples it from the scale of baseline emissions. We find that (a) SG optimally delays mitigation and lowers the use of CDR, which is distinct from moral hazard; (b) SG is deployed prior to CDR while CDR drives the phasing out of SG in the far future; (c) SG deployment in the short term is relatively independent of discounting and of the long-term trade-off between SG and CDR over time; (d) small amounts of SG sharply reduce the cost of meeting a [Formula: see text]C target and the costs of climate change, even with a conservative calibration for the efficacy of SG.

scholarly journals Modeling sensitivity indices of industrial enterprise organizational change

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (45) ◽  
pp. 230-241
Author(s):  
Victoriia Bilyk ◽  
Olena Kolomytseva ◽  
Olha Myshkovych ◽  
Nataliia Tymoshyk ◽  
Denis Shcherbatykh
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Organizational Changes ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
Sensitivity Indices ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Development Effectiveness ◽  
Made In

Evaluation of sensitivity of commercial enterprises to organizational changes should be made in terms of short-term planning for which it is important to ensure the financial results, as well as in terms of long-term planning, which is important for non-monetary indicators of development effectiveness. To solve this problem, the paper is designed model sensitivity Descriptive indicators of industrial enterprises to organizational changes, reflecting monetary and non-monetary effects of organizational change. The authors determined that the proposed model allows for the analysis of organizational change with regard to their impact on monetary and non-monetary efficiency. This paper contributes to the theory and practice at the border to ensure a balance between short-term and long-term development of industrial enterprises. Convincingly demonstrated the possibility of using research results in practice.

scholarly journals Grapevine Cultivars, Trellis Systems, and Mechanization of the California Raisin Industry

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Fidelibus
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Thompson Seedless ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Early Ripening ◽  
Ct System ◽  
Made In

Growers in California’s San Joaquin Valley produced >25% of the world’s raisins in 2012, with a farm-gate value of >$590 million, making the United States the leading global producer of raisins. California’s traditional raisin-making method is a laborious process in which clusters of grapes (Vitis vinifera) are harvested by hand onto paper trays, which are left in the vineyard to dry. The drying fruit may need to be turned or rolled, tasks requiring manual labor, and the trays of dried raisins are also picked up by hand. Most California raisins continue to be made in this way, but in recent years, the declining availability and increasing cost of labor has prompted many growers to implement one of two mechanized production systems, “continuous tray” (CT) or “dry-on-vine” (DOV). In CT systems, machines are used to pick the berries, lay them onto a tray, and pick up the dried raisins. The CT system could be considered a short-term strategy: it is compatible with existing conventional ‘Thompson Seedless’ raisin vineyards and has been widely adopted. The DOV system could be considered a medium-term strategy: it is best suited for vineyards specifically designed for DOV, with early ripening grapevine cultivars on expansive trellis systems, which ensures timely drying, and capitalizes on the fact that sunlit row middles are not needed for fruit drying. Grapevine breeding programs are currently working toward the development of raisin grape cultivars with fruitful basal nodes, with fruit that dry naturally upon ripening. This is a long-term strategy to further reduce labor needs by enabling mechanical pruning in winter and eliminating the need for cane severance in the summer.

scholarly journals Assessment of the intellectual capital evaluation practices in Romanian IT companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 870-882
Author(s):  
Cynthia Bianka Incze ◽  
Simona Vasilache
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Evaluation Practices ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Evaluation Patterns

Abstract Intellectual capital started to raise and become a focal point of many businesses as they started invest in their own knowledge based activities and recognize its importance. In today’s world can be observed a more dynamic, flexible and growth oriented business environment than ever. Thus, the need for an increased amount of intangible assets in businesses lead to the recognition of the intellectual capital as a competitive advantage and strategic asset. Due to its expanding importance and relevance a significant number of measurement, valuation and evaluation methods were developed. Consensus regarding different methods was not yet reached, but all these methods are designed to help to get an approximation of the reality, thus contributing in short-term and long-term decision making. The aim of the paper is to assess the level of intellectual capital evaluation practices in multinational IT companies and IT SMEs in Romania. The study is questionnaire based and represents a mix of quantitative and qualitative research. Overall, although the challenge of intellectual capital evaluation remains significant, this study leads to the opportunity to identify evaluation patterns, best practices and a short list of useful evaluation indicators for businesses which already are or could be implemented in the near future.

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