scholarly journals Developing political-ecological theory: The need for Many-Task Computing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy C. Haas
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
East African ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Computing Environments ◽  
The One ◽  
Management Challenge ◽  
New Algorithms

AbstractModels of political-ecological systems can inform policies for managing ecosystems that contain endangered species. One way to increase the credibility of these models is to subject them to a rigorous suite of data-based statistical assessments. Doing so involves statistically estimating the model’s parameters, computing confidence intervals for these parameters, determining the model’s prediction error rate, and assessing its sensitivity to parameter misspecification.Here, these statistical algorithms along with a method for constructing politically feasible policies from a statistically fitted model, are coded as JavaSpaces™ programs that run as compute jobs on either supercomputers or a collection of in-house workstations. Several new algorithms for implementing such jobs in distributed computing environments are described.This downloadable code is used to compute each job’s output for the management challenge of conserving the East African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). This case study shows that the proposed suite of statistical tools can be run on a supercomputer to establish the credibility of a managerially-relevant model of a political-ecological system that contains one or more endangered species. This demonstration means that the new standard of credibility that any political-ecological model needs to meet before being used to inform ecosystem management decisions, is the one given herein.

scholarly journals Developing political-ecological theory: The need for many-task computing

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0226861
Author(s):  
Timothy Haas
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Error ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
East African ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Statistical Algorithms ◽  
The One ◽  
Cluster Computers ◽  
Downloadable Code

Models of political-ecological systems can inform policies for managing ecosystems that contain endangered species. To increase the credibility of these models, massive computation is needed to statistically estimate the model’s parameters, compute confidence intervals for these parameters, determine the model’s prediction error rate, and assess its sensitivity to parameter misspecification. To meet this statistical and computational challenge, this article delivers statistical algorithms and a method for constructing ecosystem management plans that are coded as distributed computing applications. These applications can run on cluster computers, the cloud, or a collection of in-house workstations. This downloadable code is used to address the challenge of conserving the East African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). This demonstration means that the new standard of credibility that any political-ecological model needs to meet is the one given herein.

scholarly journals Use of Thermodynamic Orientors to Assess the Efficiency of Ecosystems: A Case Study in the Lagoon of Venice

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 255-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Bastianoni
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Venice Lagoon ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Lagoon Of Venice ◽  
The Past ◽  
Comparison Results ◽  
The One

So-called orientors have been introduced at the interface between ecology and thermodynamics. Two have been chosen here to compare the characteristics of five ecological systems: exergy, which is related to the degree of organization of a system and represents the biogeochemical energy of a system, and emergy, which is defined as the total amount of solar energy directly or indirectly required to generate a product or a service. They represent two complementary aspects of a system: the actual state and the past work needed to reach that state. The ratio of exergy to the emergy flow indicates the efficiency of an ecosystem in producing or maintaining its organization.The main system under study is a portion of the Venice Lagoon, which is used as a fish farming basin. Four other aquatic ecosystems were considered for comparison. Results show that the ecosystem within the Venice Lagoon is the one with the highest efficiency in transforming the available inputs in organization of the system. This fact is due to human intervention, which is very limited but also very effective.

Music Teachers’ Experiences in One-to-One Computing Environments

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Dorfman
Keyword(s):  
Ubiquitous Computing ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Concerns Based Adoption Model ◽  
Teachers Experiences ◽  
Computing Environments ◽  
Adoption Model ◽  
One To One ◽  
The One

Ubiquitous computing scenarios such as the one-to-one model, in which every student is issued a device that is to be used across all subjects, have increased in popularity and have shown both positive and negative influences on education. Music teachers in schools that adopt one-to-one models may be inadequately equipped to integrate this kind of technology into their classrooms. The purposes of this study were to observe the behaviors and explore the dominant perceptions and concerns of music teachers in schools with one-to-one technology programs. This four-case study was based on the concerns-based adoption model, which has previously been used to analyze stakeholders’ concerns about adoption of an innovation such as a new technology. Participant teachers expressed their concerns about adoption of one-to-one technology in their schools and classrooms as they related to musical goals, extent of integration, changes that could improve the programs, and other pedagogical factors. Results showed that while the participants used the technologies in distinct ways and to varying extents, they shared concerns about technical support, pedagogical support, and authenticity of integration.

A CASE STUDY OF NL INFLUENCE IN UNIS FKIP ENGLISH DEPARTMENT STUDENTS' INTERLANGUAGE

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Irmala Sukendra ◽  
Agus Mulyana ◽  
Imam Sudarmaji
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Similar System ◽  
The One ◽  
L1 Acquisition

Regardless to the facts that English is being taught to Indonesian students starting from early age, many Indonesian thrive in learning English. They find it quite troublesome for some to acquire the language especially to the level of communicative competence. Although Krashen (1982:10) states that “language acquirers are not usually aware of the fact that they are acquiring language, but are only aware of the fact that they are using the language for communication”, second language acquisition has several obstacles for learners to face and yet the successfulness of mastering the language never surmounts to the one of the native speakers. Learners have never been able to acquire the language as any native speakers do. Mistakes are made and inter-language is unavoidable. McNeili in Ellis (1985, p. 44) mentions that “the mentalist views of L1 acquisition hypothesizes the process of acquisition consists of hypothesis-testing, by which means the grammar of the learner’s mother tongue is related to the principles of the ‘universal grammar’.” Thus this study intends to find out whether the students go through the phase of interlanguage in their attempt to acquire second language and whether their interlanguage forms similar system as postulated by linguists (Krashen).

Interrelationships between municipal spatial policy strategy and airport operation and development. Lodz Airport case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-79
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Nikorowicz-Zatorska
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Urban Planning ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Spatial Management ◽  
The One ◽  
Surrounding Areas

Abstract The present paper focuses on spatial management regulations in order to carry out investment in the field of airport facilities. The construction, upgrades, and maintenance of airports falls within the area of responsibility of local authorities. This task poses a great challenge in terms of organisation and finances. On the one hand, an active airport is a municipal landmark and drives local economic, social and cultural development, and on the other, the scale of investment often exceeds the capabilities of local authorities. The immediate environment of the airport determines its final use and prosperity. The objective of the paper is to review legislation that affects airports and the surrounding communities. The process of urban planning in Lodz and surrounding areas will be presented as a background to the problem of land use management in the vicinity of the airport. This paper seeks to address the following questions: if and how airports have affected urban planning in Lodz, does the land use around the airport prevent the development of Lodz Airport, and how has the situation changed over the time? It can be assumed that as a result of lack of experience, land resources and size of investments on one hand and legislative dissonance and peculiar practices on the other, aviation infrastructure in Lodz is designed to meet temporary needs and is characterised by achieving short-term goals. Cyclical problems are solved in an intermittent manner and involve all the municipal resources, so there’s little left to secure long-term investments.

De la gestión local a la gobernanza global: actores e interacciones multiniveles en la gestión del agua en la ciudad de México

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-66
Author(s):  
Joyce Valdovinos
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
The State ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Service Contracts ◽  
Governance Model ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
The One

The provision of water services has traditionally been considered a responsibility of the state. During the late 1980s, the private sector emerged as a key actor in the provision of public services. Mexico City was no exception to this trend and public authorities awarded service contracts to four private consortia in 1993. Through consideration of this case study, two main questions arise: First, why do public authorities establish partnerships with the private sector? Second, what are the implications of these partnerships for water governance? This article focuses, on the one hand, on the conceptual debate of water as a public and/or private good, while identifying new trends and strategies carried out by private operators. On the other hand, it analyzes the role of the state and its relationships with other actors through a governance model characterized by partnerships and multilevel networks.Spanish La provisión del servicio del agua ha sido tradicionalmente considerada como una responsabilidad del Estado. A finales de la década de 1980, el sector privado emerge como un actor clave en el suministro de servicios públicos. La ciudad de México no escapa a esta tendencia y en 1993 las autoridades públicas firman contratos de servicios con cuatro consorcios privados. A través de este estudio de caso, dos preguntas son planteadas: ¿Por qué las autoridades públicas establecen partenariados con el sector privado? ¿Cuáles son las implicaciones de dichos partenariados en la gobernanza del agua? Este artículo aborda por una parte, el debate conceptual del agua como bien público y/o privado, identificando nuevas tendencias y estrategias de los operadores privados. Por otra parte, se analizan el rol y las relaciones del Estado con otros actores a través de un modelo de gobernanza, definido en términos de partenariados y redes multi-niveles.French Les services de l'eau ont été traditionnellement considérés comme une responsabilité de l'État. À la fin des années 1980, le secteur privé est apparu comme un acteur clé dans la fourniture de certains services publics. La ville de Mexico n'a pas échappé à cette tendance et en 1993, les autorités publiques ont signé des contrats de services avec quatre consortiums privés. À travers cette étude de cas, nous nous interrogerons sur deux aspects : pourquoi les autorités publiques établissentelles des partenariats avec le secteur privé ? Quelles sont les implications de ces partenariats sur la gouvernance de l'eau ? Cet article s'intéresse, d'une part, au débat conceptuel sur l'eau en tant que bien public et/ou privé, en identifiant les tendances nouvelles et les stratégies menées par les opérateurs privés. D'autre part y sont analysés le rôle de l'État et ses relations avec d'autres acteurs à travers un modèle de gouvernance, défini en termes de partenariats, et des réseaux multi-niveaux.

Paranasal Sinus Mucocele Clinical, imagistic and biochemical aspects

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doina Vesa ◽  
Cristian Martu ◽  
Razvan Leata ◽  
Ludmila Lozneanu ◽  
luminita Radulescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Asymmetry ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
The One ◽  
Ethmoid Sinuses ◽  
Retrospective Case Study ◽  
Cellular Components ◽  
Ct And Mri

Paranasal mucoceles are a type of cysts that evolve slowly and are asymptomatic; this poses a difficulty in diagnosing the patient because the symptoms can go unnoticed. The mucocele evolves unpredictably. On the one hand, it can become infected turning into pyoceles and on the other hand, it can invade important regions such as the orbital, cranial or genian regions, creating facial asymmetry. This is a retrospective case study of 37 patients diagnosed with sinus mucoceles, followed up by clinical examination and paraclinical tests such as CT and MRI scans. The biochemical components of the liquid from within the mucocele were analyzed and the following criteria were recorded: NaCl-, Cl-, Na+ and cholesterine as well as cellular components such as mastocytes, macrophages, hematocytes and leucocytes. In all cases, the treatment option was surgery with favorable post-operative and follow-up evaluation. The mucoceles that appeared post-operatively (maxillary and ethmoid sinuses) evolved more rapidly than the mucoceles that were induced byan external injury. Longer follow-up of operated patients permitted a more timely diagnosis of recurrences.

Freedom of speech is not freedom from ethics: the 2019 Israel Folau media controversy as a case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1329878X2199289
Author(s):  
Jay Daniel Thompson ◽  
Denis Muller
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Freedom Of Speech ◽  
Rugby Player ◽  
Ethical Principles ◽  
Framing Analysis ◽  
The Media ◽  
The One

This article examines how freedom of speech is framed in the media controversy surrounding the Australian rugby player Israel Folau’s April 2019 Instagram post. A content analysis and framing analysis of newspaper reportage reveals that the controversy has been largely discussed in terms of whether or not Folau’s speech was being curtailed and whether this curtailing indicates a broader, ideologically motivated censoriousness. This discussion is problematic in that it says little about the actual substance of Folau’s post. This article argues that debates surrounding freedom of speech such as the one involving Folau could and should be enriched by an engagement with ethical principles. This engagement is premised on a commitment to the free exchange of views, while acknowledging that ‘speech’ is not always inherently beneficial for democracy, nor worth defending.

scholarly journals Scenario Analyses of Exhaust Emissions Reduction through the Introduction of Electric Vehicles into the City

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 2030
Author(s):  
Marianna Jacyna ◽  
Renata Żochowska ◽  
Aleksander Sobota ◽  
Mariusz Wasiak
Keyword(s):  
Inner City ◽  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Exhaust Emissions ◽  
Scenario Analyses ◽  
High Emission ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
The One ◽  
The City

In recent years, policymakers of urban agglomerations in various regions of the world have been striving to reduce environmental pollution from harmful exhaust and noise emissions. Restrictions on conventional vehicles entering the inner city are being introduced and the introduction of low-emission measures, including electric ones, is being promoted. This paper presents a method for scenario analysis applied to study the reduction of exhaust emissions by introducing electric vehicles in a selected city. The original scenario analyses relating to real problems faced by contemporary metropolitan areas are based on the VISUM tool (PTV Headquarters for Europe: PTV Planung Transport Verkehr AG, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany). For the case study, the transport model of the city of Bielsko-Biala (Poland) was used to conduct experiments with different forms of participation of electric vehicles on the one hand and traffic restrictions for high emission vehicles on the other hand. Scenario analyses were conducted for various constraint options including inbound, outbound, and through traffic. Travel time for specific transport relations and the volume of harmful emissions were used as criteria for evaluating scenarios of limited accessibility to city zones for selected types of vehicles. The comparative analyses carried out showed that the introduction of electric vehicles in the inner city resulted in a significant reduction in the emission of harmful exhaust compounds and, consequently, in an increase in the area of clean air in the city. The case study and its results provide some valuable insights and may guide decision-makers in their actions to introduce both driving ban restrictions for high-emission vehicles and incentives for the use of electric vehicles for city residents.

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