Constructivist and Ecological Rationality in Economics

When we leave our closet, and engage in the common affairs of life, (reason's) conclusions seem to vanish, like the phantoms of the night on the appearance of the morning; and 'tis difficult for us to retain even that conviction, which we had attained with difficulty (Hume, 1739/, p 507). we must constantly adjust our lives, our thoughts and our emotions, in order to live simultaneously within different kinds of orders according to different rules. If we were to apply the unmodified, uncurbed rules (of caring intervention to do visible 'good') of the small band or troop, or our families to the (extended order of cooperation through markets), as our instincts and sentimental yearnings often make us wish to do, we would destroy it. Yet if we were to always apply the (noncooperative) rules of the extended order to our more intimate groupings, we would crush them. (Hayek, 1988, p 18). (Italics are his, parenthetical reductions are mine).behavioral economics; experimental economics

Using MapReduce Streaming for Distributed Life Simulation on the Cloud

Distributed software simulations are indispensable in the study of large-scale life models but often require the use of technically complex lower-level distributed computing frameworks, such as MPI. We propose to overcome the complexity challenge by applying the emerging MapReduce (MR) model to distributed life simulations and by running such simulations on the cloud. Technically, we design optimized MR streaming algorithms for discrete and continuous versions of Conway’s life according to a general MR streaming pattern. We chose life because it is simple enough as a testbed for MR’s applicability to a-life simulations and general enough to make our results applicable to various lattice-based a-life models. We implement and empirically evaluate our algorithms’ performance on Amazon’s Elastic MR cloud. Our experiments demonstrate that a single MR optimization technique called strip partitioning can reduce the execution time of continuous life simulations by 64%. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to propose and evaluate MR streaming algorithms for lattice-based simulations. Our algorithms can serve as prototypes in the development of novel MR simulation algorithms for large-scale lattice-based a-life models.https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/scs_books/1014/thumbnail.jp

Road ecology of a northern population of badgers (Taxidea Taxus) in British Columbia, Canada

The badger (Taxidea taxus) is one of British Columbia’s (BC) most endangered mammals, with estimates placing the current provincial population at fewer than 340 adults. Previous research in the province has isolated two main factors contributing to the decline of badgers in BC: (1) a historical and current decline in habitat, and (2) road mortality caused by highways running through badger habitat. This intensive badger radio-telemetry study was initiated in 2007 to document badger ecology and movements in order to investigate why badgers are susceptible to vehicle collisions and possible mitigation methods. From 2007-2009, a subset (11♀, 5♂) of the badger population in south-central BC were captured and outfitted with VHF radio-tags to track their location and movements. In addition, the systematic collection of hair to identify individuals using DNA was employed to assist in tracking movements, dispersal, and aid in identifying carcasses. Locations for study animals were used to determine fixed kernels (95% FK) for home range analysis. Mean home ranges for males were 253.1 km2 while females had much smaller home ranges of 29.4 km2. In addition to their extremely large home ranges, males displayed extensive movements during summer, while reproductive females maintained the smallest home ranges and restricted their movements during the kit rearing period. Movements of adult females with kits were influenced by time of kit emergence from the den, litter size, and period of time before natal den abandonment. Newly emerging GPS technology was used to reveal extensive movements during summer that conventional radio-telemetry had underestimated. Movement rates were five times greater for GPS outfitted badgers versus conventional radio-telemetry estimates [GPS 4,801 m/day (n = 5): VHF radio 840 m/day (n = 16)] suggesting that badger movements and road crossings were underestimated by previous badger ecology studies. In an attempt to document the frequency and ratio of above- and below-grade road crossings, remote motion cameras were placed at existing underpass structures to compare telemetry locations and GPS movements with camera data. Both marked and unmarked badgers were recorded using a variety of structures. Data revealed that both genders and family groups used culverts and livestock underpasses to pass under roads, with 500 mm culverts being used most frequently. Both above- and below-grade road crossings were detected, with frequency varying by individual, time of day, and seasonality. Animals whose home ranges bisected highways were repeatedly observed crossing highways, with half of the study animals succumbing to collisions with vehicles (8 of 16). Due to their large home ranges, all five males in the study eventually crossed highway corridors with four of five males dying on these major roadways. Sites of badger road mortalities were spatially defined to identify areas of concentrated road mortality sites or ‘hotspots’ on major roadways in south-central BC. Despite the high percentage of study animal road mortality, DNA data and population modeling suggests an increasing population of badgers in the regional study area. At the present time, the high incidence of road mortality in the study area seems to be negated to some extent by strong recruitment, hence the estimate of increasing population size. Home range size and movement rate estimates for badgers in this study are some of the largest reported in BC. These phenomena may be explained by the patchy distribution of resources near the northern range limit of badgers in BC, such as suitable soils for burrowing and distribution of prey species. These limited resources often coincide with human populated areas where development of transportation corridors and agriculture often occur. These human-induced pressures on badger habitat often conflict with seasonal movement patterns of badgers (i.e., breeding season) leading to habitat fragmentation and direct mortality. The ability to increase our understanding of these movement patterns and provide mitigation measures (e.g., road underpasses, land conservation) that reduce direct mortality and increase productivity should allow for the continued existence of this species near their range limit in south-central BC, Canada. In conclusion, I present a focused discussion on how an understanding of the ecology of badgers (particularly movements) may be integrated into habitat protection and restoration plans, including mitigation for current and future road infrastructure projects, thereby reducing impacts on this species

Road ecology of a northern population of badgers (Taxidea Taxus) in British Columbia, Canada

The badger (Taxidea taxus) is one of British Columbia’s (BC) most endangered mammals, with estimates placing the current provincial population at fewer than 340 adults. Previous research in the province has isolated two main factors contributing to the decline of badgers in BC: (1) a historical and current decline in habitat, and (2) road mortality caused by highways running through badger habitat. This intensive badger radio-telemetry study was initiated in 2007 to document badger ecology and movements in order to investigate why badgers are susceptible to vehicle collisions and possible mitigation methods. From 2007-2009, a subset (11♀, 5♂) of the badger population in south-central BC were captured and outfitted with VHF radio-tags to track their location and movements. In addition, the systematic collection of hair to identify individuals using DNA was employed to assist in tracking movements, dispersal, and aid in identifying carcasses. Locations for study animals were used to determine fixed kernels (95% FK) for home range analysis. Mean home ranges for males were 253.1 km2 while females had much smaller home ranges of 29.4 km2. In addition to their extremely large home ranges, males displayed extensive movements during summer, while reproductive females maintained the smallest home ranges and restricted their movements during the kit rearing period. Movements of adult females with kits were influenced by time of kit emergence from the den, litter size, and period of time before natal den abandonment. Newly emerging GPS technology was used to reveal extensive movements during summer that conventional radio-telemetry had underestimated. Movement rates were five times greater for GPS outfitted badgers versus conventional radio-telemetry estimates [GPS 4,801 m/day (n = 5): VHF radio 840 m/day (n = 16)] suggesting that badger movements and road crossings were underestimated by previous badger ecology studies. In an attempt to document the frequency and ratio of above- and below-grade road crossings, remote motion cameras were placed at existing underpass structures to compare telemetry locations and GPS movements with camera data. Both marked and unmarked badgers were recorded using a variety of structures. Data revealed that both genders and family groups used culverts and livestock underpasses to pass under roads, with 500 mm culverts being used most frequently. Both above- and below-grade road crossings were detected, with frequency varying by individual, time of day, and seasonality. Animals whose home ranges bisected highways were repeatedly observed crossing highways, with half of the study animals succumbing to collisions with vehicles (8 of 16). Due to their large home ranges, all five males in the study eventually crossed highway corridors with four of five males dying on these major roadways. Sites of badger road mortalities were spatially defined to identify areas of concentrated road mortality sites or ‘hotspots’ on major roadways in south-central BC. Despite the high percentage of study animal road mortality, DNA data and population modeling suggests an increasing population of badgers in the regional study area. At the present time, the high incidence of road mortality in the study area seems to be negated to some extent by strong recruitment, hence the estimate of increasing population size. Home range size and movement rate estimates for badgers in this study are some of the largest reported in BC. These phenomena may be explained by the patchy distribution of resources near the northern range limit of badgers in BC, such as suitable soils for burrowing and distribution of prey species. These limited resources often coincide with human populated areas where development of transportation corridors and agriculture often occur. These human-induced pressures on badger habitat often conflict with seasonal movement patterns of badgers (i.e., breeding season) leading to habitat fragmentation and direct mortality. The ability to increase our understanding of these movement patterns and provide mitigation measures (e.g., road underpasses, land conservation) that reduce direct mortality and increase productivity should allow for the continued existence of this species near their range limit in south-central BC, Canada. In conclusion, I present a focused discussion on how an understanding of the ecology of badgers (particularly movements) may be integrated into habitat protection and restoration plans, including mitigation for current and future road infrastructure projects, thereby reducing impacts on this species

KNOWING THE NATURAL WORLD: THE CONSTRUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EVOLUTION IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

Evolution is a central underlying concept to a significant number of discourses in civilized society, but the complexity of understanding basic tenets of this important theory is just now coming to light. Knowledge about evolution is constructed from both formal and free-choice opportunities, like television. Nature programs are commonly considered educational by definition, but research indicates the narratives often promote creationist ideas about this important process in biology. I explored how nature programs influenced knowledge construction about evolutionary theory using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Because misconceptions about evolution are common, I examined how students` conceptual ecologies changed in response to information presented in an example of a particularly poor nature film narrative. Students` held a diversity of misconceptions, proximate conceptions, and evolutionary conceptions simultaneously, and many of their responses were direct reflections of the nature program. As a result, I incorporated the same nature program into an experiment designed to examine the effects of narrative and imagery on evolution understanding. After completing an extensive pre-assessment that addressed attitudes and beliefs about science knowledge, students viewed one of four versions of the nature program that varied in the quality of science and imagery presented. The effect of watching different versions was only vaguely apparent in students with a moderate understanding of evolution. The relationship was much more complex among students with a poor understanding of evolution but suggested a negative effect that was more influenced by public discourses about this controversial subject than conceptual understanding. The relationships warranted examining learning from the perspective of the consumers of these programs. I surveyed audience beliefs about the educational value of nature programs and found that an overwhelming majority believed the programs were educational and designed to teach about nature. The results were particularly alarming because beliefs about the educational value may strongly impact learning outcomes. An informal survey of nature programs aired during a sweeps month indicated that poor presentation of science, and specifically evolutionary theory, was indeed the norm. Indeed, nature programs may be contributing to the deconstruction of knowledge about evolution both in and out of the classroom

Supporting evidence-based conservation for hedgehogs in urban areas: the importance of residential gardens and householder actions

Urban-dwelling wildlife face a wide range of challenges including, but not limited to, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and the mortality risks associated with roads, domestic animals and human activities. Nonetheless, urban areas can provide critical refuge for a range of species, including some of conservation concern; detailed knowledge of how these species persist in human-modified landscapes is necessary for the development of sound conservation strategies. The West European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a small (<1.5kg), nocturnal, hibernating mammal that has declined markedly in Britain over recent decades most prominently within rural landscapes, and is nowadays more commonly found within urban habitats, including in residential gardens. Consequently, householders are urged by conservation groups to make their gardens more ‘hedgehog friendly’ by, for example, increasing accessibility through garden boundaries, providing artificial refugia and/or giving supplemental food. Current understanding of garden use by hedgehogs, the extent to which such ‘hedgehog-friendly’ initiatives have been adopted by householders and their subsequent impacts is, however, limited. Therefore, the current study aimed to quantify key factors relating to habitat use by urban hedgehogs and conservation actions within gardens. First, 28 hedgehogs were radio/GPS tracked in a residential area in Reading, UK, and the data were used in combination with GIS and householder-supplied information to quantify habitat selection, the number of gardens visited and factors affecting the extent of individual garden use. Second, hedgehog occupancy in gardens during a hibernation period was monitored using footprint tunnels and assessed against within- and outside-garden variables. Finally, two online questionnaire surveys were undertaken to explore (i) factors affecting the use of artificial refuges (nest boxes) in gardens, and (ii) householder engagement with the ‘hedgehog highways’ campaign which aims to increase connectivity between gardens; collectively, >10,000 responses were received from householders in the UK. Overall, it is evident that householders have the capacity to positively influence hedgehog activity patterns in gardens via the provision of key resources such as food and nesting opportunities, but that other biotic and abiotic factors also play a role. However, householder engagement with some conservation activities can be strongly impacted by, e.g., the need to coordinate with neighbours. Future studies are therefore needed to identify mechanisms to overcome such impediments to maximise the number of participating households. Fundamentally, future research needs to focus on quantifying the impacts, potentially both positive and negative, of conservation activities on hedgehog populations