scholarly journals Evaluation of a Paleontological Museum as Geosite and Base for Geotourism. A Case Study

Heritage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1208-1227
Author(s):  
Gricelda Herrera-Franco ◽  
Karla Erazo ◽  
Carlos Mora-Frank ◽  
Paúl Carrión-Mero ◽  
Edgar Berrezueta
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Improvement Strategies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Santa Elena ◽  
Very High ◽  
Delphi Analysis

The Santa Elena province in Ecuador has outstanding geological potential in petroleum, mining and geosite resources. All the wealth of palaeontological samples and their inherent link to the history of this territory require a recognised museum with educational and scientific material to support the potential and promotion of geotourism development. The Megatherium Palaeontological Museum is located in this province and was the first Palaeontological Museum in Ecuador. It exhibits samples corresponding to the Late Pleistocene Megafauna that inhabited the area. This study aims to evaluate the museum (a geoheritage element) as a possible (palaeontological) geosite by analysing its contributions to the geoheritage of the Santa Elena province. Thus, we also aim to enhance the geotourism of the area and promote its collections as a geotouristic attraction. The methodological process was based on: (i) information processing and systematisation in the museum and its environment; (ii) assessment of the museum’s geological interest through the method of the Geological Survey of Spain, the Brilha method and the Geosites Assessment Model; and (iii) a qualitative evaluation using the Delphi and the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats methodologies to define strategies and proposals for museum development. Based on the results of the applied quantitative assessment, the museum has a “very high” (277/400) degree of geological interest, due to the high values of scientific (310/400), academic (310/400) and touristic (210/400) interest. In this same way, the results obtained through the Brilha method reflect a high scientific (290/400), educational (280/400), and tourist (315/400) interest and a low degradation risk (190/400) value in the museum. Furthermore, the applied Geosites Assessment Model shows the museum as a geosite with high main and additional values, placing it between the Z23 and Z33 fields of the global valuation matrix. The evaluation approached through Delphi analysis and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats matrix allowed us to propose improvement strategies to take advantage of the museum resources as an alternative that strengthens the geotouristic development of the area.

scholarly journals A Mineralogical Museum as a Geotourism Attraction: A Case Study

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 582
Author(s):  
Magner Turner-Carrión ◽  
Paúl Carrión-Mero ◽  
Israel Turner-Salamea ◽  
Fernando Morante-Carballo ◽  
Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Geological Heritage ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Heritage Conservation ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Semiquantitative Evaluation ◽  
Additional Value

The Zaruma-Portovelo mining district in Ecuador, and in particular, Portovelo City, is home to the oldest mining museum in the country. This museum, named Museo Mineralógico Magner Turner (MMMT in Spanish), is a centre that reflects, through its collections, the history and culture of this territory. This work aimed to evaluate the MMMT as a possible geosite by analysing its contributions to the geomining heritage of the Zaruma-Portovelo district, and thus, to enhance it and promote its collections as a geotouristic attraction. The work involved three phases: (i) describing the museum and its surroundings; (ii) a semiquantitative evaluation of the museum using the Brilha method and a geosites assessment model (GAM); and (iii) a qualitative evaluation using the Delphi and SWOT methodologies to define strategies and proposals for museum development. The results obtained by the semiquantitative evaluation of the geosite with the Brilha method reflect high scientific (330/400), educational (380/400) and touristic (365/400) appeal. The applied GAM shows the museum as a geosite with high principal and additional value, placing it in the Z33 field of the global valuation matrix. In addition, the semiquantitative and qualitative evaluation made it possible to describe the importance of the museum and its collections in the development of the area. The study carried out qualified the museum as a mining site with an appropriate valuation, an example of ex-situ geological heritage conservation and a basis for geotourism development.

scholarly journals Application of Luria’s Theoretical-Methodological Principles for Evaluation in Infants with School Difficulties in Math: a Case Study of Epilepsy

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Izabel Hazin ◽  
Daniele Caroline Leôncio ◽  
Laura Aragão
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Educational Assessment ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Idiopathic Epilepsy ◽  
Mathematical Activity ◽  
Neuropsychological Evaluation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Methodological Principles

The objective of the present study was to discuss the theoretical and methodological principles recommended by Alexsander Romanovich Luria and their application to neuropsychological and educational assessment in infants. We present a case study of a male child, 11 years of age, diagnosed with generalized idiopathic epilepsy absence with a history of school in mathematics. The neuropsychological evaluation followed four steps proposed by Luria: (1) qualitative analysis of the symptoms, (2) quantitative evaluation of activity, (3) qualitative evaluation of activity, and (4) the proposition of a rehabilitation program. These steps were contemplated based on a neuropsychological protocol composed of nomothetic and idiographic tasks. We found deficits in manipulation activities, especially ones that demand visuospatial and visuoconstructive skills, associated with school difficulties in mathematics. The Lurian method allowed us to identify preserved and compromised cognitive functions, allowing interventions that minimized the identified deficits. Keywords: Neuropsychological Assessment. Mathematical Activity. Luria. Epilepsy Absence. Childhood.ResumoO objetivo do presente estudo foi discutir acerca dos princípios teórico-metodológicos recomendados por Alexsander Luria e sua aplicação para a avaliação neuropsicológica e educacional infantil. Apresenta-se um estudo de caso de uma criança do sexo masculino, 11 anos de idade, diagnosticado com epilepsia idiopática generalizada do tipo ausência com histórico de dificuldades escolares em matemática. A avaliação neuropsicológica realizada seguiu os quatro passos propostos por Luria: (1) análise qualitativa do sintoma, (2) avaliação quantitativa da atividade, (3) avaliação qualitativa da atividade, e (4) a proposição de um programa de reabilitação. As etapas aludidas foram realizadas a partir da utilização de protocolo composto por tarefas nomotéticas e idiográficas. Foram identificados déficits em atividades manipulativas, notadamente aqueles que demandaram habilidades visoespaciais e visoconstrutivas, associadas com dificuldades em matemática. O modelo luriano possibilitou a identificação de funções cognitivas deficitárias e preservadas, além de proposição de intervenções que minimizaram os déficits identificados.Palavras-chave: Avaliação Neuropsicológica. Atividade Matemática. Luria. Epilepsia de Ausência. Infância.

Analysis and Calculation of Tourist Carbon Footprints — A Case Study of Hebei Yesanpo Scenic Area

2014 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 1450009
Author(s):  
Ruiying ZHANG
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Tourist Attractions

The National Tourism Conference in 2010 strongly promoted the concept of energy conservation and emission reduction in the tourism industry. Since then, low carbon travel has been the new direction in tourism industry. Great concern has been put on energy conservation and emission reduction of tourism related elements, such as hotels, transportations, tourist attractions, and most importantly, the tourists themselves. The quantitative assessment of tourist carbon footprint is the key topic. This research uses Yesanpo scenic area as the example and conducts the comparison and calculation of tourist carbon footprint from different places, attempts to organize different ideas on ways to analyze tourist carbon footprints, constructs a calculation and assessment model, analyzes and measures the levels of tourist carbon footprints from diverse modes of travel, origins, and purchasing power. This research has developed a system for quantitative assessment of tourist carbon footprints, with the hope of strengthening the theories and methods on low-carbon travel.

scholarly journals Quantitative Assessment Model for the Effects of Drought Mitigation on Regional Agriculture Based on an Expectation Index of Drought Mitigation Effects

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuliang Zhang ◽  
Juliang Jin ◽  
Shangming Jiang ◽  
Shaowei Ning ◽  
Yuliang Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Drought Risk ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Loss Mitigation ◽  
Drought Mitigation ◽  
Effects Of Drought

The extent of water deficit and drought loss mitigation, through human activities such as defense, mitigation, and resistance to drought risk, is revealed by its effects on agriculture. To analyze the distribution regularities of the effects of drought mitigation on agriculture and to provide better insight on drought mitigation actions, an expectation index of drought mitigation effects (EDRE) was formulated based on the definitions of the drought system. The crop yield when no drought mitigation measures were implemented was calculated via tests and simulations, and expectations of drought-related yield loss with and without drought mitigation measures (EDRL and EDRM, respectively) were calculated in the drought loss risk assessment model. Then, a quantitative assessment model for the effects of drought mitigation on regional agriculture was built. Using a case study from the Huaibei Plain in the Anhui Province of China, it was found that drought mitigation effects decrease gradually from North to South. Moreover, small values of drought mitigation effects correspond to large EDRM and small EDRL values. It is necessary to urgently improve drought mitigation measures in locations where EDRE is small and EDRL is large, or where EDRE is small and EDRM is large. The main drought mitigation measures were identified through correlation analysis. Additionally, the adaptation of drought mitigation measures to local conditions leads to a spatial distribution regularity.

scholarly journals Assessment and Promotion of Geotouristic and Geomining Routes as a Basis for Local Development: A Case Study

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Paúl Carrión-Mero ◽  
Geanella Herrera-Narváez ◽  
Gricelda Herrera-Franco ◽  
Emily Sánchez-Zambrano ◽  
Josep Mata-Perelló ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Assessment ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Assessment Matrix ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Very High

Travel itineraries are fundamental in the development of tourism of a given area. Traditional thematic routes (e.g., architectural, archaeological) can be significantly improved and optimized by including geological and mining interest sites. The present study offers an analysis of the influence that inclusion of geosites or mining sites could have on the existing routes of the Zaruma-Portovelo region (Ecuador), together with a global assessment of these itineraries as the basis of fostering local development in communities of the region. The methodology consists of the following stages: (i) compilation of existing travel itineraries; (ii) analysis and assessment of those geosites and mining sites that are included in two geotouristic routes through the Spanish Inventory of Places of Geological Interest method (IELIG, acronym in Spanish), but have not been assessed previously; (iii) assessment of existing routes (two geotouristic routes and one geomining route) from a global perspective through the Geotouristic Route Assessment Matrix method (GtRAM, acronym in Spanish); and (iv) definition of strategies for the development and promotion of travel itineraries within the context of geotourism. According to the results of quantitative assessment, three new sites (both geosites and mining sites) were studied and their obtained score of interest was “High” (164/400). The existing routes achieved good results both from the geological-mining perspective “High” score of (189/400) and within a global context “Very High” score of (3.5/5). The quantitative assessment allowed us to propose improvement strategies to disseminate and use these itineraries to unfold sustainable development based on geotourism.

The Information Processing Representation of Institutionalised Social Action

1976 ◽  
Vol 24 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 35-77
Author(s):  
Nick Axten ◽  
Thomas J. Fararo
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Social Action ◽  
General Idea ◽  
Fundamental Properties ◽  
Processing Theory ◽  
Generative Theory ◽  
History Of ◽  
Symbolic Processes ◽  
Outstanding Work

The general idea proposed in this paper is that the fundamental properties of institutionalised social action may be understood in terms of the modelling of real systems of social action as information processing systems—systems whose activity is controlled by symbolic processes. A key property of the models is their generative character: from a given model, with appropriate inputs, it is possible to derive explicitly the sequence of activity of the system. In this way the model is not a merely static description of a system, nor a history of its activity, but shows the activity flowing from the proposed structure of the system. Within this framework the paper explores the issue of the theoretical justification and generalisation of possible models, and proposes an approach based on the interrelationships among the patterns of activity characteristic of various institutions. We discuss the idea of a generative theory in section 1, followed in section 2 by an explication of the formalism we employ based on the outstanding work of Newell and Simon in information processing theory. In section 3, we apply this formalism to the problem of representing the institutional aspects of a social action system, using a familiar institution—the restaurant—as a case study. In section 4 we discuss further aspects of the theory and method involved in this type of representation.

scholarly journals Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gricelda Herrera-Franco ◽  
Paúl Carrión-Mero ◽  
Niurka Alvarado ◽  
Fernando Morante-Carballo ◽  
Alfonso Maldonado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Oil Exploitation ◽  
Geological Features ◽  
Tourism Resources ◽  
Natural Spring ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
Santa Elena ◽  
Very High

Santa Elena Peninsula is characterized by beautiful geological features, historical geoscientific knowledge, and mineral and tourism resources that could all be combined for the sake of community development. This article provides an overview of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project through the assessment of six areas that are considered by inhabitants and researchers possible geosites to foster geotourism. The methodology included: (i) a technical description and assessment of the areas of interest evaluating their geological relevance, representativeness, geotouristic prominence, geotouristic scientific interpretation, and conservation criteria; (ii) an assessment through questionnaires carried out on inhabitants; and (iii) a SWOT Plus analysis to propose strategies for promoting geotourism. Results show that the areas of interest are highly valued as geosites, since they integrate geodiversity, biodiversity, and sociocultural aspects. For example, Ancon is a historical icon of early oil exploitation, Baños de San Vicente is a natural spring of thermal water and mud volcano, and Anconcito has bituminous exudations of natural occurrence together with a spectacular landscape produced by erosion. Overall, 90% of these sites were proved to be of high and very high interest in scientific terms. Geotourism is believed to be beneficial for the inhabitants of the Santa Elena Peninsula with respect to education, valorization of resources, and the strengthening of cultural identity of communities.

Press Propaganda and Subaltern Agents of Pan-Islamic Networks in the Muslim Mediterranean World prior to World War I

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odile Moreau
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
World War I ◽  
North Africa ◽  
World War ◽  
Subaltern Studies ◽  
Resistance Movements ◽  
The Press ◽  
Mediterranean World ◽  
History Of

This chapter explores movement and circulation across the Mediterranean and seeks to contribute to a history of proto-nationalism in the Maghrib and the Middle East at a particular moment prior to World War I. The discussion is particularly concerned with the interface of two Mediterranean spaces: the Middle East (Egypt, Ottoman Empire) and North Africa (Morocco), where the latter is viewed as a case study where resistance movements sought external allies as a way of compensating for their internal weakness. Applying methods developed by Subaltern Studies, and linking macro-historical approaches, namely of a translocal movement in the Muslim Mediterranean, it explores how the Egypt-based society, al-Ittihad al-Maghribi, through its agent, Aref Taher, used the press as an instrument for political propaganda, promoting its Pan-Islamic programme and its goal of uniting North Africa.

Turning Aliens into Socialists

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-93
Author(s):  
Jessica Moberg
Keyword(s):  
Outer Space ◽  
The United States ◽  
Second World War ◽  
World War ◽  
History Of ◽  
Swedish History ◽  
Second World ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Highly Evolved

Immediately after the Second World War Sweden was struck by a wave of sightings of strange flying objects. In some cases these mass sightings resulted in panic, particularly after authorities failed to identify them. Decades later, these phenomena were interpreted by two members of the Swedish UFO movement, Erland Sandqvist and Gösta Rehn, as alien spaceships, or UFOs. Rehn argued that ‘[t]here is nothing so dramatic in the Swedish history of UFOs as this invasion of alien fly-things’ (Rehn 1969: 50). In this article the interpretation of such sightings proposed by these authors, namely that we are visited by extraterrestrials from outer space, is approached from the perspective of myth theory. According to this mythical theme, not only are we are not alone in the universe, but also the history of humankind has been shaped by encounters with more highly-evolved alien beings. In their modern day form, these kinds of ideas about aliens and UFOs originated in the United States. The reasoning of Sandqvist and Rehn exemplifies the localization process that took place as members of the Swedish UFO movement began to produce their own narratives about aliens and UFOs. The question I will address is: in what ways do these stories change in new contexts? Texts produced by the Swedish UFO movement are analyzed as a case study of this process.

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