“Frog’s umbrella” and “ghost’s face powder”: The cultural roles of mushrooms and other fungi for Canadian Indigenous Peoples

This paper describes the importance of fungi to Canadian Indigenous Peoples. Based on collaborative research with Indigenous knowledge holders and a review of literature, approximately 30-40 fungi are documented as having cultural roles for Canadian Indigenous groups. Some peoples have not eaten mushrooms traditionally, whereas others have a history of harvesting, cooking, storing and trading mushrooms as part of their diets. Perennial tree fungi have application as tinder, fire starter, and for carving masks. They also have a range of medicinal uses, some being consumed as medicinal teas, and others applied externally, in some cases by moxibustion to relieve underlying pain. Puffballs also have a range of material and medicinal applications, especially for stopping haemorrhages. Fungi are widely known for spiritual or sacred associations, and play key roles in rituals, ceremonies, stories and beliefs, which are also reflected in the names of some species. The antiquity of peoples’ relationships with fungi is likely very deep, extending back to ancient Asian or European ancestors of Pleistocene times, whose descendants on those continents have used them in similar ways. Fungi continue to play important roles for Indigenous Peoples today, with some being harvested commercially, and many still used in traditional ways.

Internet of Things Enabled Smart Animal Farm Prototype

Livestock plays very important economic, social and cultural roles in the well being of rural communities across the world. Quality environmental conditions, automation and monitoring are the key necessities of running a good and profitable livestock farm. Air quality, temperature of the surroundings and humidity play a major role while deciding the fan speeds of the exhaust System used in all aspects of livestock farming. Another important part of livestock production is increasing incubation speeds of eggs by performing artificial incubation. It is a requirement to maintain the temperature at a constant value in this system. This paper describes two mutually exclusive Fuzzy Logic algorithm-based systems to automate the exhaust system and an artificial egg incubator. The other important part of a livestock farm is production of milk and milk products. It is required to monitor the health of cows by overseeing their activities at any point of time. This can be done by determining and monitoring the activities performed by the cow. This paper describes a simple Deep Learning Model to classify the activities of a cow broadly as standing, walking or grazing. The Exhaust and the Incubator system are controlled and monitored using Internet of Things (IOT) System using a native web application developed using the Flask framework.

Historical traces and perspectival possibilities of traditional camel keeping in Carpathian Basin

In this paper we have gathered and put into context all accessible sources regarding one-hump (dromedary—Camelus dromedarius) or two-hump Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in the Carpathian Basin. Reviewed sources and empirical statements have pointed out the growing European demand for camel meat and milk. These species are capable of grazing overexploited and bush-encroached pastures, besides producing valuable fibre in the form of camel hair, and be used in the tourism business as well. Because of anatomical and physiological adaptations, both species are capable of digesting rough fibre and vegetation unused by other livestock species. Therefore, camels are the ideal choice for pasture rehabilitation, especially in shrublands and overgrown areas. Both species are flexible browsers in extensive grazing systems due to their adaptation to steppe regions. Dromedaries are more suited to dry hot ecosystems while Bactrian camels are more adapted to a cold and wetter environment. Dromedary and Bactrian camel cross-breeding practices present modern solutions for introducing these species into pasture-based livestock farming. Dromedary genetic dominance increases milk production with lower milk fat. Bactrian genes deliver higher wool production and more resilient calves. Beyond the agricultural and conservation functions, the ethnographical and cultural roles are also important in Hungarian folklore.

Традиция нарративов о таинственных существах Кентукки

This article studies legends and memorates about Kentucky cryptids and their socio-cultural roles in local and state identity. Kentucky cryptids are classified as one of three types: 1) natural creatures of unusual size or in an unusual habitat; 2) natural creatures as yet undocumented in biological classification systems; 3) creatures of supernatural or otherworldly origins. Built into the conception of Kentucky as a state are its frontier past and the beauty (and possible danger) of its wilderness. The stories about natural cryptids reinforce these core features of Kentucky identity. They emphasize pride in the state and in Kentucky heritage. Narratives about natural and supernatural cryptids also reveal contemporary concerns about environmental issues (pollution from coal mines and factories), United States and Kentucky history (racial policies), government and corporations (abuse of public trust, disrespect for the folk, and environmental degradation), and technology (railroads, dams). Данная статья рассматривает легенды и былички о таинственных существах (криптидах) в штате Кентукки и их социокультурные роли в формировании местной идентичности и идентичности штата. Криптиды из Кентукки можно разделить на три типа: 1) природные существа необычного размера или живущие в необычной среде обитания; 2) природные существа, до сих пор незафиксированные в биологической классификации; 3) существа сверхъестественного или потустороннего происхождения. Образ Кентукки строится на основе его прошлого как пограничного штата, а также на основе красоты (и возможной опасности) его дикой природы. Рассказы о криптидах подкрепляют основные черты идентичности Кентукки. В них чувствуется гордость за штат и наследие Кентукки. В нарративах о природных и сверхъестественных существах также присутствует современная озабоченность, связанная с экологическими проблемами (загрязнением от угольных шахт и заводов), историей США и Кентукки (расовой политикой), правительством и корпорациями (злоупотреблением общественным доверием, неуважением к народу и ухудшением окружающей среды) и технологиями (железными дорогами, плотинами).

AN APPRECIATION OF ELIZABETH BISHOP OF LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY

As the important works in American literature, those works of late twentieth century play a very important role. The works of female poet Elizabeth Bishop reflect dramatically contrasting attitudes toward the subject of poetry and its cultural roles. Bishop thinks that she is capable of acquiring unmediated access to the truth of history. Through her large number of works, we can sense her unique language features and impressed images.

Recruitment and retention of male educators in preschools: Implications for teacher education policy and practices

In the study reported on here we employed the interpretivist qualitative approach to explore the recruitment and retention of male educators in preschool centres. Purposive sampling was used to select 2 preschool owners, 2 principals, 4 preschool educators and 2 male educators in the Foundation Phase. Data were obtained by in-depth interviewing and were analysed thematically. Results showed no male educators in preschools in the education district where the study was conducted. Misinterpretation of cultural roles, stigma, fear and prejudice, low educator status within the preschool sector and a lack of male recruitment policies were found to be negatively affecting the recruitment of males into the preschool sector. A gender balance that ensures that both female and male educators are recruited within the preschool sector would appear to be congruent with the philosophical underpinnings of the Social Role Theory (SRT). The Departments of Education and Social Development should, therefore, embark on awareness campaigns to educate all stakeholders on the need for a gender balance within the preschool sector.

Gender, education and men's health: some approaches on formation

Social, political and cultural roles are in a continuous process of reconstruction. In this sense, relevant reflections on the production of masculinity and gender conceptions are necessary. Understanding how professionals are trained and how the current curricula are arranged will help us to understand how much gender constructions influence this process. We aimed to analyze the training of professionals on Men's Health, with regard to theoretical-practical perspectives and their relationship with training in gender and its specificities. Studies show that there should be a better preparation of users and professionals in the area to serve men in services. Satisfactory curriculum standards and qualified professionals are indispensable to achieve the completeness of the contents. It is identified the need to promote changes in professional training in order to bring it closer to the concepts and principles that will enable universal and integral attention of the subjects, including gender issues.

EXPRESS: He Aronga Takirua: Cultural Double Shifting of Māori Scientists

Can cultural identify be a disadvantage for indigenous employees? Can it lead to critical issues around workload and pressures? This paper explores the role of cultural identity for Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand, and the findings are telling. We target Māori scientists, given their limited number but growing legislated sector demands around cultural engagement. A number of studies are conducted. Study one (12 interviews) identified cultural themes of whakawhanaungatanga (relationship management), kawenga (responsibilities), and taumaha (workload). Study two (wave 1 and wave 2) focused on a large cohort of Māori scientists (between 41-60) and themes showed commonality with study one. In addition, further themes emerged were āheinga tangata (human capacity), tikanga (correct practice), hauora (wellbeing) and umanga takaware (career disruption). Ultimately, we classify these pressures as aronga takirua (cultural double-shift) and present a theoretical model for understanding drivers and consequences of this cultural double-shift for Māori scientists. Finally, study two (wave 3) and study three were additional studies to examine job descriptions/contracts and overall, we find limited employer support for adequate engagement in cultural roles. These findings reinforcing the themes from the previous studies. Implications for employers and the sector are discussed.

Understanding Gender Identities and Food Preferences to Increase the Consumption of a Plant-Based Diet With Heuristics

This chapter discerns existent food preferences and their correlation with women and men, and gender biases, in America. It then proposes a strategy to test the most efficient heuristics to nudge those more averse to a plant-based, sustainable diet. By understanding how negative biases can be reversed through the application of behavioral economics, the plant-based industry and American government can most effectively build marketing procedures to be employed in campaigns, menus, packaging, and media to portray sustainable diets as appealing for men and women, and important for environmental wellbeing. The study recognizes and navigates the irrationality of human preferences as actors in the food market. By accounting for gender norms, cultural roles, and subconscious behavior, it will effectively produce insight on the best heuristical approaches to cognitively orchestrate a wider acceptance, and consequent consumption, of plant-based foods.