Life at the edge: Complexity and criticality in biological function

Why life is complex and - most importantly - what is the origin of the over abundance of complexity in nature? This is a fundamental scientific question which, paraphrasing the late Per Bak, “is screaming to be answered but seldom is even being asked”. In this article, we review recent attempts across several scales to understand the origins of complex biological problems from the perspective of critical phenomena. To illustrate the approach, three cases are discussed, namely the large scale brain dynamics, the characterization of spontaneous fluctuations of proteins, and the physiological complexity of the cell mitochondria network.Fil: Chialvo, Dante Renato. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentin

The Guidance Of Leaning Activities In Geography

THE PROBLEM AND DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED Today\u27s world is dynamic employing man\u27s creativity and ingenuity on a vast scale and utilizing the earth\u27s natural resources at an amazing rate. In this world, man lives in specific and varied localities, unique unto themselves, yet part of the grand mosaic of an interdependent and total world. Careful guidance of learning activities is needed to provide an adequate geographic analysis of these localities, their products, their people, and other environmental factors which affect them, their work, and their contributions to mankind everywhere. Statement of the problem. It is the purpose of this study to collect data concerning (1) the nature and scope of guidance in the elementary grades; (2) the nature of learners and the learning process; (3) the vital role and scope of geographic content In the curriculum; (if) the learning activities including methods and devices; and (5) measurement evaluation and diagnosis. Importance of the study: In this aerospace age, geographic understandings are more important than ever before. It is essential to know about people and their countries throughout the world. Time and space relationships are of increasing significance. Climate and weather information has become more important to a mobile population. More is known about our earth, its shape, its polar areas, the depth of its oceans, the nature of its glaciers, and the sun and outer space

Electronic Portfolios as Living Portals: A Narrative Inquiry Into College Student Learning, Identity, and Assessment

As universities increasingly utilize electronic portfolios, college students are asked more than ever to create ePortfolios for academics, assessment, or advising. This study shifts an analysis of ePortfolios from prior epistemological approaches, where ePortfolios have been explored as a tool to measure student progress, onto an ontological perspective, where they are a medium for new understandings about self and others. This research examines the influence of college students\u27 electronic portfolios on learning, identity, and assessment. The broader intention of this study is to create a narrative of students\u27 experiences with ePortfolios that integrates critical hermeneutic theory. The research protocol of this study is critical hermeneutic participatory inquiry (Herda 1999). Through an interpretive approach, new understandings of the topic at hand emerge from conversations with participants. The conversations are transcribed and analyzed in light of critical hermeneutic theory (Ricoeur 1984, 1992). This framework guides this research on understanding how ePortfolios encourage students to examine their past and imagine new possible worlds. This research is guided by the categories of narrative identity (Ricoeur 1992), fusion of horizons (Gadamer 1988), and mimesis (Ricoeur 1984). Viewing the ePortfolio through narrative identity highlights that one\u27s identity, through constancy and change, can be understood as a story that is recounted to others. Fusion of horizons provides a framework for student learning that arises through experience, text, and conversation. Mimesis offers an approach to viewing a student\u27s ePortfolio experience through a lens of past understandings, present experiences, and future hopes. The findings relate to the diverse experiences of conversation partners with ePortfolios, which served purposes related to advising and mentoring, or to present an academic identity to employers or faculty. These findings address ePortfolios as a way to engage with others about identity, to expand on prior understandings and ways of being, and to create a coherent narrative of past, present, and future. The implications may guide educators in developing ePortfolio programs that prepare students for authentic, ethical living in a global, ever-changing world

Can We Do A Happy Musical Next Time? : Navigating Brechtian Tradition and Satirical Comedy Through Hope\u27s Eyes in Urinetown: The Musical

This thesis proposes a critical study of the theoretical framework of Urinetown, asking the question of whether or not the show is truly a “Brechtian musical,” utilizing the tenets and beliefs of Bertolt Brecht. Set in a quirky, Gotham-like town where you have “to pay to pee” due to a severe drought, Urinetown follows a cast of absurdist characters as they navigate a society plagued by the perils of big business, ecological devastation, and the inequalities of capitalism. While the show appears to make a relevant social commentary, supporting a righteous rebellion to overthrow the evil Urine Good Company, in the end, by proving that revolution does not always succeed, writers, Kotis and Hollman invalidate these commentaries, proving that despite its Brechtian appearance, the show in its textual form is much more simply a comedic parody. However, Pomona College’s production, in which I played Hope Cladwell, takes on a much more severe tone, creating legitimate commentary by replacing many of the comedic, two-dimensional characters with living breathing, realities. In a text traditionally lacking authenticity, I approached Hope Cladwell with the intention of finding strength and satire in an otherwise vapid character

Between traditional Christian theology and moral parables of African popular films: Communicating gospel values contextually

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How underground systems can contribute to meet the challenges of energy transition

The paper provides an overview of the several scientific and technical issues and challenges to be addressed for underground storage of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas. The experience gained on underground energy systems and materials is complemented by new competences to adequately respond to the new needs raised by transition from fossil fuels to renewables. The experimental characterization and modeling of geological formations (including geochemical and microbiological issues), fluids and fluid-flow behavior and mutual interactions of all the systems components at the thermodynamic conditions typical of underground systems as well as the assessment and monitoring of safety conditions of surface facilities and infrastructures require a deeply integrated teamwork and fit-for-purpose laboratories to support theoretical research. The group dealing with large-scale underground energy storage systems of Politecnico di Torino has joined forces with the researchers of the Center for Sustainable Future Technologies of the Italian Institute of Technology, also based in Torino, to meet these new challenges of the energy transition era, and evidence of the ongoing investigations is provided in this paper

Two types of nineteenth century plays

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University, 1929. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive