Forward to our Origins: Social Work Skills and Political Action in the Current Crisis

The last decade of the 19th century and the years prior to World War I was an exciting and fruitful period in United States history. It was a time of unrest, but characterized by vigorous discontent, not cynicism or despair. There was an aggressive optimism that fostered confidence in social action, even to the belief that poverty could be abolished. The failure to achieve that goal remains our burden today, but to have begun the struggle then was a significant step. It was the developing profession of social work that initiated that battle against poverty

A method to correct differential nonlinearities in subranging analog-to-digital converters used for digital gamma-ray spectroscopy

The influence on $\gamma$-ray spectra of differential nonlinearities (DNL) in subranging, pipelined analog-to-digital converts (ADCs) used for digital $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy was investigated. The influence of the DNL error on the $\gamma$-ray spectra, depending on the input count-rate and the dynamic range has been investigated systematically. It turned out, that the DNL becomes more significant in $\gamma$-ray spectra with larger dynamic range of the spectroscopy system. An event-by-event offline correction algorithm was developed and tested extensively. This correction algorithm works especially well for high dynamic ranges

Turing's three philosophical lessons and the philosophy of information

In this article, I outline the three main philosophical lessons that we may learn from Turing's work, and how they lead to a new philosophy of information. After a brief introduction, I discuss his work on the method of levels of abstraction (LoA), and his insistence that questions could be meaningfully asked only by specifying the correct LoA. I then look at his second lesson, about the sort of philosophical questions that seem to be most pressing today. Finally, I focus on the third lesson, concerning the new philosophical anthropology that owes so much to Turing's work. I then show how the lessons are learned by the philosophy of information. In the conclusion, I draw a general synthesis of the points made, in view of the development of the philosophy of information itself as a continuation of Turing's work. This journal is © 2012 The Royal Society.Peer reviewe

The Hindgut Microbiome of Grazing Horses

The hindgut microbiome plays an essential role in horses consuming forage-based diets high in fiber, such as pasture. The equine hindgut harbors a large microbial community that ferments dietary fiber and produces by-products which provide a substantial portion of daily energy requirements. Despite the importance in nutrition and health, research evaluating the hindgut microbiome of grazing horses is relatively limited. Grazing horse microbiome research has primarily focused on inter-diet comparisons with mixed diets including concentrates as well as with other forms of forage. Recent research has begun to explore responses of the gut microbiome to different pasture forage species and relationships with horse metabolism. Further research is needed to unravel the complex relationships between pasture management practices, impacts on the hindgut microbiome, and horse health outcomes. The objective of this presentation will be to discuss recent research and highlight future research needs and opportunities related to the microbiome of the grazing horse

Horse and Pasture Responses to Stocking Methods: Rotational versus Continuous

Rotational grazing management offers potential advantages for economic and environmental sustainability, as well as for horse health. Rotational grazing has the potential to increase pasture yields and available forage for grazing, and therefore reduce supplemental feed costs. A rotational grazing management strategy can also prevent or mitigate negative effects of overgrazing, with implications for pasture productivity and the environment. Overgrazing can reduce vegetative cover over time, increasing the potential for erosion and nutrient run-off. Overgrazing may also result in long-term decreased forage stand persistence and weed invasion, necessitating more frequent pasture renovation. All of this can negatively impact the horse’s nutrition and therefore their condition. This presentation will highlight fundamentals of rotational grazing and recent research on the benefits of this practice on horse condition and pasture productivity