Power and discourse in information systems practice : a narrative research method

Relationships of authority and control and their effect on information systems actors has interested IS researchers since at least the 1980&rsquo;s. The study of power itself has also troubled organisational and sociological theorists, from which information systems researchers have drawn various lines of attack. Our approach to power rests on an historical synchronic theory that seeks to uncover the places and operation of power through an examination of narrative &lsquo;testaments&rsquo; which are analysed not from the perspective of the giving individual but from the structural elements of discourse that they may represent. This paper compliments previous research methods on the topic of power especially in expert reports and systems development methodologies; provides specific guidance on how to apply the notion of discourse synchronically; and reconstructs the commercial practice of information systems, not as a broad church, but as one of competing and epistemologically incommensurate discourse, where the fates of the powerful are balanced against the fearful and silent disciplined.<br /

Waste management in the stingless bee Melipona beecheii Bennett (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Waste management is important in insect societies because waste can be hazardous to adults, brood and food stores. The general organization of waste management and the influence of task partitioning, division of labor and age polyethism on waste processing were studied in three colonies of the tropical American stingless bee Melipona beecheii Bennett in Yucatán, Mexico. Waste generated in the colony (feces, old brood cells, cocoons, dead adults and brood) was collected by workers throughout the nest and taken to specific waste dumps within the nest. During the day, workers based at the waste dumps formed waste pellets, which they directly transferred in 93% of cases, to other workers who subsequently removed them from the nest. This is an example of task partitioning and is hypothesized to improve nest hygiene as has been found in leafcutting ants, Atta. To investigate division of labor and age polyethism we marked a cohort of 144 emerging workers. Workers forming waste pellets were on average 31.2±6.5 days old (±SD, N= 40, range of 18-45 days). The life span of M. beecheii workers was 49.0±14.0 days (N= 144). There was no difference in the life span of workers who formed (52.2±11.6 days, N= 40) or did not form (49.9±11.5 days, N= 97) waste pellets, suggesting that waste work did not increase mortality. Although waste was probably not hazardous to adults and brood, because the dumps are located outside the brood chamber, its presence inside the nests can attract phorid flies and predators, which can harm the colony

A visual method to identify significant latitudinal changes in species' distributions

Many studies have shown recent climate-induced changes in species distributions (e.g. poleward range shifts); however, currently there is no standardised method of determining whether these changes are statistically significant over time. Furthermore, presence-only or unequal sample effort data, commonly used in climate-distribution studies, present substantial analytical challenges. Here, we develop a spatial bootstrapping procedure to determine the statistical significance, or otherwise, of latitudinal changes in species' ranges and test this using simulated data and real seabird distribution data in Great Britain from surveys ~ 10 years apart. We demonstrate that the technique is robust in detecting partial range contraction and full range shifts. We also simulate limited sample effort by randomly removing a percentage of the initial data points (randomly, either throughout the entire range or only in specific part of the simulated range), and show that the technique is robust for the removal of up to 50% of data, or, using a spatial pooling of samples, for the removal of 90% of the data. From the seabird data we find significant northward changes in the centre of species' distributions for seven of 21 seabird species (and significant southward shifts for two species). Contraction of southern limits and establishment of more colonies in the northern half of the UK are the main reasons for the northward shifts. Inland occupation of sites (e.g. refuse disposal areas) in more popular southern areas of the country is likely the key reason for southern shifts in two gull species. Overall, the technique is a powerful tool to analyse latitudinal changes in species distribution, such as those that might arise through climate change or changes in habitat, and addresses many of the concerns inherent in detecting range shifts using disparate datasets

Developing a Supportive Framework for Learning on Biosciences Field Courses through Video-Based Resources

Field courses are an essential component of the undergraduate experience in many subjects, but are intensive and expensive for participating students. Unpreparedness often means time is used teaching the basics rather than challenging students in exciting and novel situations. Moreover, universal participation is not always possible. Video-based resources covering key concepts and techniques could help participant preparedness and could be used independently by non-participants. This reflective case study details a collaborative project in which students and instructors worked together to make conceptual and instructional videos during a highly applied biosciences field course in South Africa. In 2012, after training from a professional wildlife filmmaker, students were involved in planning, presenting, and filming 25 videos. Students benefited considerably from the filmmaking process as explaining concepts and filming techniques helped reinforce their understanding: an example of "see one, do one, teach one." The online, open-access videos were used by the 2013 cohort to increase preparedness and independently by non-participants to good effect, both internally and at several external institutions. New videos will be added each year to expand the resource base and allow students to gain from the filmmaking experience. This teaching and learning strategy is multidisciplinary, with relevance for a range of subjects

Optical Pulling, Optical Deflection, and Optical Trapping of Single Airborne Particles using Negative Photophoresis

Optical manipulation is the use of light to control the motion of objects. This thesis focuses on the development of optical transportation technology via optical pulling with application to the characterization of single airborne particles. Optical pulling, optical deflection, and optical trapping of single airborne particles using negative photophoresis force were demonstrated for the first time. Optical pulling and deflection were demonstrated for multiple absorbing particles. Raman scattering spectra of optically pulled particles were collected, thus demonstrating a method for particle identification. Using photography, digital video images were collected and analyzed for optically pulled and deflected particles. Optically pulled particles moved at a constant velocity for a given laser beam power. The velocity of optically pulled particles increased nonlinearly as laser power increased, approaching a saturation limitation. This saturation limitation was found to change with the atmospheric pressure. The efficiency for optical deflection was found to increase as the beam power ratio, deflection to pulling, increased approaching the limit of 100%. Using a fast photodiode, scattering light signals were collected from optically pulled and deflected particles, which were found to be periodic, suggesting a constant rotational frequency in the motion. This rotational frequency was found to depend on laser beam power. From the video images and scattering light data, theoretical models for optical pulling and optical deflection were derived. Optical manipulation and characterization of single airborne particles is of significance for the analysis related to air pollution, human health, and global climate change

Marketing Insects: Can Exploiting a Commercial Framework Help Promote Undervalued Insect Species?

The potential decline of insects and their contribution to ecosystem services is a matter of immense concern. Reversing the current degradation of the natural world will require substantial attitudinal and behavioural shifts, but for this to occur people will need to buy-in to decisions and choices that may be less desirable than those they currently make. People will also need to appreciate the importance of ecosystems, habitats and species that are currently regarded as uncharismatic, including of course a great many insects and other invertebrates. To do this requires a radical shift in our approach to marketing the natural world in general and insects in particular. We propose adopting the approach used so successfully in commercial marketing; the 4Ps framework (product, price, place and promotion). We outline examples of how this would result in more informed and effective ways to market biodiversity, expanding focus away from species traditionally considered charismatic. The public perception of insects, a group that includes some of the most loved and many of the most disliked taxa on the planet, could potentially be substantially improved by the use of this approach. If such a marketing strategy can raise their perceived value, it follows that the public may care more about insects and empower conservation action

The Role of Citizen Science and Volunteer Data Collection in Zoological Research

In many ways, science has never been as popular as it is now. With an ever-increasing number of popular science books on everything from astronomy to climate change and evolution and entire TV channels devoted to science output, the public seems spoilt for choice. However, paradoxically, there is also an increasing disconnect between science—and scientists—and society, and this is certainly evident in the life sciences. This disconnect comes in two forms: interest and level of knowledge. Indeed, one has only to look at the 2012 US presidential election campaign to see the lack of scientific knowledge possessed by many of the political elite about topics such as climate change. If high profile scientific topics are still so widely misunderstood by those in the public eye, it is unsurprising that there is such a lack of understanding of, and interest in, scientific topics in the general public. It should, in theory, be the easiest to address this discontent in subjects like zoology, where the evidence is all around us and can be easily seen, appreciated, and studied by the world’s citizens

Keeping invertebrate research ethical in a landscape of shifting public opinion

(1) Invertebrate study systems are cornerstones of biological and biomedical research, providing key insights into fields from genetics to behavioural ecology. Despite the widespread use of invertebrates in research there are very few ethical guidelines surrounding their use. (2) Focussing on two ethical considerations faced during invertebrate studies – collecting methods and euthanasia - we make recommendations for integrating principles of vertebrate research into invertebrate research practice. (3) We argue, given emerging research on invertebrate cognition and shifting public perception on the use of invertebrates in research, it is vital that the scientific community revisits the ethics of invertebrate use in research. (4) Without careful consideration and development of the ethics surrounding the use of invertebrates by the scientific community, there is a danger of losing public support. It is imperative that the public understand the significance of research that uses invertebrates and that scientists demonstrate their ethical treatment of their experimental subjects

Prospectus, April 29, 2015

EARTH WEEK; Experts gathered in Nepa! a week ago to ready for earthquake; Illinois air museum plans to close over finances; Illinois schools chief says funding fix could take years; Summer semester approaching fast: Tips for getting ahead with schoolwork; Heaith officials say ice cream is safe despite some recalls; The world as seen by an artist; Ohio in a minority as high court weighs same-sex marriage; The upcoming baseball! season; A took ahead at Summer Camp Music Festivalhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2015/1028/thumbnail.jp

Effect of Foliar Fungicides on Hail-damaged Corn

To test if fungicide applied to hail-injured corn improves yield and reduces disease, we simulated hail at VT and R2 growth stages for three years at three Iowa locations for a total of five site years. Hail damage was simulated using a string trimmer or an ice-propelling machine and non-hail controls were included. Estimated defoliation ranged from 5 to 51%, along with ear and stalk injury. After hail events, Headline AMP fungicide (pyraclostrobin + metconazole) was applied at an “immediate” or “deferred” timing (averaging 3 and 8 days afterwards, respectively). A non-fungicide treated control was included in hailed and non-hail control plots. Hail injury reduced fungal foliar disease compared to plants without hail injury, although overall disease severity was low during this study. Hail events at VT or R2 decreased yield compared to control plots (P = 0.1). Fungicide application did not provide yield-increasing plant health benefits after VT and R2 hail, at either “immediate” or “deferred” timing. While yield differences were not statistically significant, a cost/benefit analysis showed deferred fungicide application after VT hail, and immediate and deferred applications after VT for non-hail plots did provide positive economic returns. Results will help inform decisions about fungicide use in hail-damaged corn when foliar diseases are not present at high levels