291 research outputs found

    Evaluating Conversational User Interfaces when Mobil

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    Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll: Psychological, Legal and Cultural Examinations of Sex and Sexuality

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    One topic is guaranteed to polarise any group that discusses it, and that is sex. What other word is guaranteed to make the person you say it to hot and bothered? Ask the people around you what is the most perverted thing you can think of and there would be as many answers as there are people present. One of the world’s favourite authors, Terry Pratchett, musing on the difference between erotic and perverted, suggested that erotic would be using feathers during the sexual act, whereas perverted means using the whole chickeni. Some of the following chapters stretch this distinction to its limit. The perception of what is sexually perverted shifts dependent on who is talking about it. A person’s profession, gender, age, race, proclivities, education and even which century they live in, have all effected the viewpoint on sex and sexual perversions. For example, homosexuality has long been stigmatised as sexually perverted, (and remains so among some portions of society), but in most of the world it is no longer considered pathological. However, in some individual minds and religious dogma, atypical sex and sexualities are still judged as wrong, unnatural, or immoral. So what is bad sex? Indeed, do we even have an understanding of what is good sex? The papers collected in this volume reflect debate and discussion about these very questions that took place in Prague at the 2nd Global Conference Good Sex, Bad Sex, Sex Law, Crime, and Ethics in May 2010. The deliberations covered issues of defining sex, sexual consent, sexual law and its agencies and sexual crimes. Some papers are deliberately provocative, designed to stimulate dialogue and debate. Others are intended to be informative, or to signal areas of potential empirical investigation. All of them address the vexed and vexing topic of sex. In the section Defining Sex and Sex Crime, the editors’ paper on sexual deviancy asks what exactly is bad sex? If it is an issue of consent, then why do we still have intensely negative views about extreme, but consensual sexual acts that involve no (clear) victim, such as necrophilia, or in which lack of consent cannot be assumed, such as autassinophilia? We also explore the background to sexual intolerance as one of state-controlled intrusion and hypocrisy. In her paper, Claudia Lodia goes further, and suggests that society’s pathologising of sex that is outside the strict binary of adult heterosexuality is akin to other undesirable perspectives, such as racism. Just as racism refuses to acknowledge the benefits of diversity, so does sexual intolerance and inequality. The argument is extended to zoophilia by Brian Cutteridge, who points out that the animal husbandry and harvesting practices that we accept as normal, are exceedingly more harmful to ani

    PCB congener analysis with Hall electrolytic conductivity detection

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    This work reports the development of an analytical methodology for the analysis of PCB congeners based on integrating relative retention data provided by other researchers. The retention data were transposed into a multiple retention marker system which provided good precision in the calculation of relative retention indices for PCB congener analysis. Analytical run times for the developed methodology were approximately one hour using a commercially available GC capillary column. A Tracor Model 700A Hall Electrolytic Conductivity Detector (HECD) was employed in the GC detection of Aroclor standards and environmental samples. Responses by the HECD provided good sensitivity and were reasonably predictable. Ten response factors were calculated based on the molar chlorine content of each homolog group. Homolog distributions were determined for Aroclors 1016, 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254, 1260, 1262 along with binary and ternary mixtures of the same. These distributions were compared with distributions reported by other researchers using electron capture detection as well as chemical ionization mass spectrometric methodologies. Homolog distributions acquired by the HECD methodology showed good correlation with the previously mentioned methodologies. The developed analytical methodology was used in the analysis of bluefish (Pomatomas saltatrix) and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) collected from the York River, lower James River and lower Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. Total PCB concentrations were calculated and homolog distributions were constructed from the acquired data. Increases in total PCB concentrations were found in the analyzed fish samples during the fall of 1985 collected from the lower James River and lower Chesapeake Bay. Comparisons between the homolog distribution patterns in the fish samples with the previously mentioned Aroclor distribution patterns suggests a different source of PCBs for different areas. Sediments, oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and brackish water clams (Rangia cuneata) collected from the tidal James River in 1986 were also analyzed. Total PCB concentrations and homolog distributions were calculated for all samples. Sediment total PCB concentrations were relatively constant over the sampling range except in the region of the turbidity maximum which were significantly higher. Total PCB concentrations in the Rangia from the region of the turbidity maximum were the highest of all the biota samples. Rangia homolog distribution patterns from this area were distinctly different from the sediment distribution patterns or the other Rangia distribution patterns in this segment of the river. Alteration of the endemic distribution pattern may be due to physical-chemical processes occurring within the turbidity maximum

    Anishinaabe giikeedaasiwin – Indigenous knowledge: an exploration of resilience

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    There is a need to explore how Indigenous knowledge(s) relates to Anishinaabe ongoing resilience. I do this by telling the story of my home and privileging Anishinaabe Gikeedaasiwin, which means Anishinaabe knowledge. This study investigates socio-cultural knowledge(s) of the Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior region in Northern Ontario by using storytelling as a culturally specific research method. A multi-layered reflexivity approach combined with grounded theory act as the basis for a discussion of Anishinaabe ontology and epistemology. The sociology of knowledge provides the framework for critiques of modernist hegemonic knowledge. This study offers a nuanced view of Anishinaabe ways of knowing by considering Anishinaabe writers Patrick McGuire Sr. and Norval Morriseau. Arising from these stories are conceptual thematic understandings which included: The land and relationships to the land are foundational. Eshkakimikwe Giikeedaasiwin – Relational understandings and this is land based knowledge; The relationship between land, spirit and the Anishinaabe - Kiimiingona manda Giikeedaasiwin are part of the original instructions given to the Anishinaabe: There are multiple realities which are accessible by physical and spiritual means. Manidoo Waabiwin – seeing in a spirit way and Kiimiingona manda Giikeedaasiwin are part of the original instructions given to the Anishinaabe are evident; There are cycles of life and the land is sustaining to people. Muskiki Aki means medicine land which provides life; Anishinaabe values of responsibility and obligation are recognized. Gnawaaminjigewin is the responsibility to look, to see, to witness; There is a need to maintain and continue relationships in the world. Bzindamowin is learning by listening and the relational practice of a good life, Mino Bimaadiziwin; and Anishinaabe values relating to transformation, renewal, reciprocity and sharing to maintain life. Manitou Minjimendamowin means spirit memory, teachings on how to live life and Bzindamowin, that is learning by listening, is reflected. This study argued that exploring the survival and resurgence of Anishinaabe knowledge(s) can set different directions for the social renewal and transformation of Anishinaabe societies. This is an important understanding in any future development and social change, and especially resource development directly involving the land

    Governing Environmental and Economic Flows in Regional Food Systems

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    Globalization, specialization, and intensification have transformed the global food system, generating material flows and impacts that span multiple scales and levels, presenting novel governance challenges. Many argue for a transition toward a sustainable food system, although the scope and specific goals are fiercely contested. Theory and method is needed to evaluate competing normative claims and build legitimacy. In this dissertation Vermont serves as a case study to investigate how environmental and economic flows impact regional governance, focusing on efforts to manage agricultural phosphorus to achieve water quality goals. A material flow account is developed to estimate phosphorus flows embedded in commodities flowing in and out of Vermont’s agricultural system from 1925-2012. The results indicate a net imbalance of phosphorus flows for the entire period, leading to the accumulation of legacy phosphorus in soils that constitutes a long-term threat to water quality. Agricultural intensification and land cover change during this period led to increased phosphorus use efficiency, livestock density, and dependency on imported feed, the largest source of phosphorus entering Vermont since the 1980s. The evidence of persistent imbalance calls into question the effectiveness of current nonpoint source pollution policy. A critical investigation of nutrient management planning policy reveals several shortcomings: pasture is frequently excluded; many phosphorus flows that cross the farm-gate are not captured; critical information on soil phosphorus levels and runoff risk is not collected in a manner that facilitates regional governance. The integration of nutrient management plans and mass-balances is proposed as an alternative approach that can increase accountability, encourage efficiency, and facilitate management and governance, albeit within constraints imposed by Vermont’s position in a globalized market for agricultural commodities. The empirical and policy analysis is complemented by a theoretical investigation that starts from the observation that a sustainability transition inevitably entails tradeoffs amongst competing normative goals. Navigating these tradeoffs is complicated by mismatch between the reach of governance institutions and the spatial and temporal dimensions of the challenges they face. This investigation contributes to understanding how legitimacy and consensus are constructed in the context of competing normative claims and multi-level governance. It considers deliberative democracy as a means for evaluating normative claims and arriving at a shared, legitimate basis for social action. An instrumental perspective on deliberation is contrasted with a deeper notion that sees deliberation as constitutive of sustainability at a local-to-global level. A conclusion grounds this analysis by drawing out the ways in which deliberation can inform Vermont’s efforts to govern its agriculture, water quality, and economic development, sowing the seeds for a sustainability transition

    The Crisis of the 14th Century: Teleconnections between Environmental and Societal Change?

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    Pre-modern critical interactions of nature and society can best be studied during the so-called "Crisis of the 14th Century". While historiography has long ignored the environmental framing of historcial processes and scientists have over-emphasized nature's impact on the course of human history, this volume tries to describe the at times complex modes of the late-medieval relationship of man and nature. The idea of 'teleconnection', borrowed from the geosciences, describes the influence of atmospheric circulation patterns often over long distances. It seems that there were 'teleconnections' in society, too. So this volumes aims to examine man-environment interactions mainly in the 14th century from all over Europe and beyond. It integrates contributions from different disciplines on impact, perception and reaction of environmental change and natural extreme events on late Medieval societies. For humanists from all historical disciplines it offers an approach how to integrate written and even scientific evidence on environmental change in established and new fields of historical research. For scientists it demonstrates the contributions scholars from the humanities can provide for discussion on past environmental changes

    The Racialization of Dine (Youth) in Education

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    This critical qualitative research study examines the racialization of Din4 (Navajo) youth in education. The study is based on a critical theoretical framework that draws on research from critical educational studies, Indigenous theory, and critical race theory. Using critical qualitative case study methods through personal interviews, this study highlights nine Din4 (Navajo) students counter narratives about their experiences with schooling and the ways they negotiate their racial and cultural identities within the historical, economic, political, and socio-cultural contexts of past and current educational policies. Particularly, an emphasis on the ways that Indigenous youth are racialized and Indigenous languages and cultural knowledge are marginalized in education implicate the need for more research that looks at the impact of white supremacy on the education of Din4 youth. The study was conducted at a major university in the southwestern region of the United States. Future implications of this study underscore the need for more critical and reflexive dialogue among Navajo (Din4) and non Navajo educators, parents, and researchers in surrounding Navajo communities to better understand the identity formation of Din4 (Navajo) youth and to redress the loss of Navajo (Din4) language and cultural knowledge at the individual and community levels. Finally, this study highlights the need for increased individual and collective agency among Indigenous scholars, activists, educators, and communities especially within the contexts of education to embrace, engage, and rearticulate an Indigenous pedagogy that is transformative and revolutionary.\u2
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