Toward a measure of social-ecological resilience for human communities

The purpose of this essay is to clarify the theoretical understanding of the concept of resilience in order to explore problems surrounding the empirical measurement and application of the concept, as well as to examine strategic examples of empirical measures and policy applications in the literature of several disciplines, fields, and professions. The examination of resilience occurs in two streams: one conceptual and one methodological. At the conceptual level, the focus will be on definitions, distinctions between resilience and related concepts, and the theoretical frameworks that underlie usage of the concept. At the empirical level, the examination of resilience will be centered on the methodological challenges associated with research on resilience as well as previous attempts to operationalize and measure resilience. (PDF contains 4 pages

Measuring the Social-Ecological Resilience of Coastal and Small Island Communities to Inform Policy, Planning, and Practice

This study was developed in order to arrive at a set of interrelated concepts and empirical ways of measuring social-ecological resilience that are concretely applicable for policy, as well as for developing intervening programs for social change. The outcome of this research is a set of empirical indicators to measure the concept of social-ecological resilience. The measurement model is developed and applied to U.S. Caribbean and Pacific small island communities and U.S. Gulf of Mexico coastal counties (n=229), but is intended to be applicable across different types of communities with minor adjustments for the specific context. The first phase of this research resulted in a conceptual framework for the social ecological system and the property of resilience. Next, multiple methodological approaches to indicator construction were applied and directly compared. An iterative methodology was selected and applied to arrive at seven composite indicators of social-ecological resilience: Land cover and use, Waste accumulation and treatment, Housing adequacy, Economic security, Access to support services, Education, and Population diversity. Upon construction, the indicators were applied with two distinct samples of communities. Finally, the indicators were used to construct a community typology to account for the different strengths and weaknesses of small island and coastal communities as assessed by the indicators of social-ecological resilience. Communities with high scores on social dimensions of resilience have a greater likelihood of having low scores on ecological dimensions. This finding adds evidence to the notion that social and ecological systems are oppositional, but also provides a counterpoint – there are communities that manage to score well in both areas. While societal development and ecological condition may operate with a firm tension, communities are navigating the tension and finding ways to successfully maintain characteristics of resilience. This research is a necessary first step to investigating how some communities are able to balance their social-ecological system while others are not. Ultimately, the measurement of resilience can provide communities of island and coastal states with a way of evaluating their ability to implement, adapt, and/or support policies for change

Monitoring well-being and changing environmental conditions in coastal communities: development of an assessment method

The intersection of social and environmental forces is complex in coastal communities. The well-being of a coastal community is caught up in the health of its environment, the stability of its economy, the provision of services to its residents, and a multitude of other factors. With this in mind, the project investigators sought to develop an approach that would enable researchers to measure these social and environmental interactions. The concept of well-being proved extremely useful for this purpose. Using the Gulf of Mexico as a regional case study, the research team developed a set of composite indicators to be used for monitoring well-being at the county-level. The indicators selected for the study were: Social Connectedness, Economic Security, Basic Needs, Health, Access to Social Services, Education, Safety, Governance, and Environmental Condition. For each of the 37 sample counties included in the study region, investigators collected and consolidated existing, secondary data representing multiple aspects of objective well-being. To conduct a longitudinal assessment of changing wellbeing and environmental conditions, data were collected for the period of 2000 to 2010. The team focused on the Gulf of Mexico because the development of a baseline of well-being would allow NOAA and other agencies to better understand progress made toward recovery in communities affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. However, the broader purpose of the project was to conceptualize and develop an approach that could be adapted to monitor how coastal communities are doing in relation to a variety of ecosystem disruptions and associated interventions across all coastal regions in the U.S. and its Territories. The method and models developed provide substantial insight into the structure and significance of relationships between community well-being and environmental conditions. Further, this project has laid the groundwork for future investigation, providing a clear path forward for integrated monitoring of our nation’s coasts. The research and monitoring capability described in this document will substantially help counties, local organizations, as well state and federal agencies that are striving to improve all facets of community well-being

The Vehicle, Spring 2009

Table of Contents Idyllic Has an EndJustine Fittonpage 28 The RemedyJosh Boykinpage 29 True NatureStephen Garciapage 30 We Are All Eaters of SoulsDan Davispage 31 Scarlet on the WindJustin Sudkamppage 34 IlluminatedRashelle McNairpage 35 Lightning RodKim Hunter-Perkinspage 36 TrialDan Davispage 49 Dear GodKristi Kohlenbergpage 50 A Cheap Metaphor Is What We Have for DeathKeith Stewartpage 51 Sad MoonJennifer O\u27Neilpage 52 The Transported ManStephen Garciapage 61 Divine InsanityGrace Lawrencepage 62 Moonglow MemoriesJustin Sudkamppage 63 Poetry The Habits of HusbandsKim Hunter-Perkinspage 4 Young AmericanMaria Rhodespage 5 Kevin Doesn\u27t Live Here AnymoreJustine Fittonpage 6 Summer VacationMary Lieskepage 8 PerfectChristie Cheatlepage 9 Hate for OneMiranda Whitepage 10 The Witch\u27s GraveDan Davispage 16 Medicine WomanLindsey Durbinpage 18 Epistle to a BombshellKim Hunter-Perkinspage 19 GuardedAaron Dillardpage 20 Lean and Hungry in YesteryearTim Ernstpage 21 Dirty TearsBrittany Morganpage 27 I Left the Radio OnSerena Heathpage 83 Untitled, for CourtneyKellen Fasnachtpage 84 Ermine DriveStephen Garciapage 85 Prose TwigDaniel Paquinpage 11 Coyote MoonDan Davispage 22 BloodGretchen Schaiblepage 32 IntroductionSam Sottosantopage 53 The Guitar ManDan Davispage 75 Art Picasso InspirationAlycia Rockeycover StageSarah Fairchildpage 37 ConnectedBrittany Morganpage 65 SpringAnthony Travis Shootpage 66 BodhisattvaSarah Fairchildpage 67 What About Love?Justin Sudkamppage 68 Angry MoonJennifer O\u27Neilpage 69 HauntedKellen Fasnachtpage 70 Haiku #1Justin Sudkamppage 72 ImmobileRashelle McNairpage 73 The ChurningJosh Boykinpage 74 The Old Boat DockJosh Boykinpage 79 Saltwater RaindropsTim Ernstpage 80 Slow MotionGrace Lawrencepage 81 Solid AdviceAnthony Travis Shootpage 82 TreeAlycia Rockeypage 38 TireSarah Fairchildpage 39 What to WearKristy Pearsonpage 40 Figure 1Sean Walkerpage 41 GreenhouseAlycia Rockeypage 42 RomeAlycia Rockeypage 43 Me at the Lamp PostElizabeth Surbeckpage 44 Little Miss LizKristy Pearsonpage 45 DoudnaAlycia Rockeypage 46 FlagAlycia Rockeypage 47 Flag ProtestAlycia Rockeypage 48 Features Note From the EditorRebecca Griffithpage 1 Fall 2008-Spring 2009 Vehicle Award Winnerspage 2 James K. Johnson Creative Writing Awardpage 86 Winning Entry (Nonfiction)Daniel Paquinpage 87 Winning Entries (Poetry)Anthony Travis Shootpage 98 Contributorspage 103https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1091/thumbnail.jp

Characterization of the Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein SsbB Encoded in the Gonoccocal Genetic Island

Background: Most strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae carry a Gonococcal Genetic Island which encodes a type IV secretion system involved in the secretion of ssDNA. We characterize the GGI-encoded ssDNA binding protein, SsbB. Close homologs of SsbB are located within a conserved genetic cluster found in genetic islands of different proteobacteria. This cluster encodes DNA-processing enzymes such as the ParA and ParB partitioning proteins, the TopB topoisomerase, and four conserved hypothetical proteins. The SsbB homologs found in these clusters form a family separated from other ssDNA binding proteins. Methodology/Principal Findings: In contrast to most other SSBs, SsbB did not complement the Escherichia coli ssb deletion mutant. Purified SsbB forms a stable tetramer. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and fluorescence titration assays, as well as atomic force microscopy demonstrate that SsbB binds ssDNA specifically with high affinity. SsbB binds single-stranded DNA with minimal binding frames for one or two SsbB tetramers of 15 and 70 nucleotides. The binding mode was independent of increasing Mg 2+ or NaCl concentrations. No role of SsbB in ssDNA secretion or DNA uptake could be identified, but SsbB strongly stimulated Topoisomerase I activity

Coastal natural and nature-based features: international guidelines for flood risk management

Natural and nature-based features (NNBF) have been used for more than 100 years as coastal protection infrastructure (e.g., beach nourishment projects). The application of NNBF has grown steadily in recent years with the goal of realizing both coastal engineering and environment and social co-benefits through projects that have the potential to adapt to the changing climate. Technical advancements in support of NNBF are increasingly the subject of peer-reviewed literature, and guidance has been published by numerous organizations to inform technical practice for specific types of nature-based solutions. The International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management was recently published to provide a comprehensive guide that draws directly on the growing body of knowledge and practitioner experience from around the world to inform the process of conceptualizing, planning, designing, engineering, and operating NNBF. These Guidelines focus on the role of nature-based solutions and natural infrastructure (beaches, dunes, wetlands and plant systems, islands, reefs) as a part of coastal and riverine flood risk management. In addition to describing each of the NNBF types, their use, design, implementation, and maintenance, the guidelines describe general principles for employing NNBF, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, costs and benefits, and adaptive management. An overall systems approach is taken to planning and implementation of NNBF. The guidelines were developed to support decision-makers, project managers, and practitioners in conceptualizing, planning, designing, engineering, implementing, and maintaining sustainable systems for nature-based flood risk management. This paper summarizes key concepts and highlights challenges and areas of future research

Accounting, Accountability and Society

The Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting Research (CSEAR) based in the University of St Andrews, up in Scotland (one of the oldest UK universities), is a familiar entity to me. I was in fact Member of CSEAR until the early part of the twenty-first century when my research focus tweaked a bit. I have continued to admire many of the great things Prof. Rob Gray and many of his team members did and continue to do for CSEAR, first during his time at the University of Glasgow and when his career moved on to Saint Andrews, where he is now Emeritus Professor. It was therefore a great opportunity for me to attend the 7th Italian CSEAR Conference in Urbino, Italy, in September 2018, where I was fortunate to meet a number of great and long-standing members of the CSEAR’s family; it was an unforgettable conference for me personally. When I was asked to put this piece together for the book emanating from the Urbino Conference, it was one of the easiest and most honourable “yes”, I have had to say during my thirty something years in academia! It is therefore a great honour for me to write the Foreword to this addition to the literature focusing on Accounting, Accountability and Society. Browsing through many of the chapters that make up the book, one cannot but be impressed by the tenacity of the arguments and the information they contain. The United Nations has taken the issue of sustainable development seriously for more than 30 years; see, for example, “Our Common Future”, Brundtland Report 1987 the genesis of it all. The Eight Millennium Development Goals of September 2000 on global sustainable development came to an end in September 2015. The issues encompassed in the current UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 have challenged both corporate and individual citizens of the world to behave and operate sustainably; this also requires corporate entities of the modern era to sustainably manage their dealings with all their classes of stakeholders including the environment, that is what will survive them in both their local and global markets and consequently survive the planet we all live in. We all owe this planet a compelling debt to ensure that things are not made unnecessarily difficult for future generations of the occupants of planet Earth, regardless of whether they are animate beings or inanimate objects, and many of the chapters in the book have eitherdirectly or indirectly amplified this point; needless to say, I am in total agreement with them. Let me conclude the piece by congratulating Profs. Mara Del BaIdo, Jesse Dillard, Maria-Gabriella Baldarelli and Massimo Ciambotti for this valuable addition to the literature; having browsed through it carefully, I am delighted to recommend it as a must-have companion to today’s sustainability and sustainable development scholars, practitioners and research students that reside in the length and breadth of our world who work in this field. I recommend the book to you all unreservedly

Accounting, Accountability and Society. Trends and Perspectives in Reporting,Management and Governance for Sustainability

The issues associated with ethics, governance, sustainability and corporate social responsibility are critically important to accounting scholars as well as being important in the world of practice. It is, therefore, hugely rewarding and encouraging that these concerns are placed at the heart of this book and championed by colleagues. The book reflects the central tensions that exist for many of us in the field. On the one hand, we have faith that accounting scholarship and corporate practice will rise to the challenge of social, environmental and ethical concerns. We work with concepts such as accountability and stewardship to inform our emancipatory intentions and desire. On the other hand, we harbour concerns about greenwashing and impression management intentions of those companies we seek to transform. Failure and redemption are the two sides of this coin. This collection of work from influential scholars takes a fresh approach to these concerns and plays them out in the context of integrates reporting, non-financial assurance, health and safety decision-making and tax avoidance, among others. I hope and trust you will find much in these pages that inform your reflections and actions