14,645 research outputs found
Global Warming: Why is There Debate?
Previous studies have produced conflicting results for the determining factors of acceptance or rejection of the science behind the global warming phenomenon; some cite religion as a hindrance to the acceptance of this scientific theory [Kilburn 2008], some conclude lack of education is the driving force [Brechin 2003], and some deduce that party affiliation plays the most significant role in determining belief in global warming. In this study, the National Election Survey of 2012 dataset, consisting of 5,916 individual data points from the United States of America, is analyzed to determine the effects of party affiliation on one’s belief in global warming, along with variables for education, religion, and age. The study was conducted using a logit model. The results conclude that religiosity and democratic affiliation had a significantly positive effect on one’s belief in global warming, while education had a significantly negative effect (p\u3c0.01). Age did not have a significant effect. These unexpected results are worth continued consideration, with the inclusion of research into the characteristics of those labeled democrats versus republicans in this dataset, as these distinctions could point to a shift in the generally accepted definitions of the political parties
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Geographies of Production I: Relationality revisited and the ‘practice shift’ in economic geography
This report considers recent developments and ongoing debates around relational economic geography, and a growing body work that has focused on economic practices as a means to better understand production processes and economic development. In particular it examines the critical reaction to relational thinking within the sub-discipline, and the nature of the debate about the degree to which relational work is - and needs to be - regarded as distinct from more traditional approaches to economic geography. It then considers how relational economic geography has become inflected towards an epistemological and methodological focus on practice. It argues that this engagement with economic practices provides the basis to respond to some of the limitations identified with earlier work, and opens up fruitful new potential for theorizing the nature of agency in the space economy
Accurate macroscale modelling of spatial dynamics in multiple dimensions
Developments in dynamical systems theory provides new support for the
macroscale modelling of pdes and other microscale systems such as Lattice
Boltzmann, Monte Carlo or Molecular Dynamics simulators. By systematically
resolving subgrid microscale dynamics the dynamical systems approach constructs
accurate closures of macroscale discretisations of the microscale system. Here
we specifically explore reaction-diffusion problems in two spatial dimensions
as a prototype of generic systems in multiple dimensions. Our approach unifies
into one the modelling of systems by a type of finite elements, and the
`equation free' macroscale modelling of microscale simulators efficiently
executing only on small patches of the spatial domain. Centre manifold theory
ensures that a closed model exist on the macroscale grid, is emergent, and is
systematically approximated. Dividing space either into overlapping finite
elements or into spatially separated small patches, the specially crafted
inter-element/patch coupling also ensures that the constructed discretisations
are consistent with the microscale system/PDE to as high an order as desired.
Computer algebra handles the considerable algebraic details as seen in the
specific application to the Ginzburg--Landau PDE. However, higher order models
in multiple dimensions require a mixed numerical and algebraic approach that is
also developed. The modelling here may be straightforwardly adapted to a wide
class of reaction-diffusion PDEs and lattice equations in multiple space
dimensions. When applied to patches of microscopic simulations our coupling
conditions promise efficient macroscale simulation.Comment: some figures with 3D interaction when viewed in Acrobat Reader. arXiv
admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0904.085
Expected Precision of Higgs Boson Partial Widths within the Standard Model
We discuss the sources of uncertainty in calculations of the partial widths
of the Higgs boson within the Standard Model. The uncertainties come from two
sources: the truncation of perturbation theory and the uncertainties in input
parameters. We review the current status of perturbative calculations and note
that these are already reaching the parts-per-mil level of accuracy for the
major decay modes. The main sources of uncertainty will then come from the
parametric dependences on alpha_s, m_b, and m_c. Knowledge of these parameters
is systematically improvable through lattice gauge theory calculations. We
estimate the precision that lattice QCD will achieve in the next decade and the
corresponding precision of the Standard Model predictions for Higgs boson
partial widths.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure; v2: minor typo correction
A new perturbative approach to the adiabatic approximation
A new and intuitive perturbative approach to time-dependent quantum mechanics
problems is presented, which is useful in situations where the evolution of the
Hamiltonian is slow. The state of a system which starts in an instantaneous
eigenstate of the initial Hamiltonian is written as a power series which has a
straightforward diagrammatic representation. Each term of the series
corresponds to a sequence of "adiabatic" evolutions, during which the system
remains in an instantaneous eigenstate of the Hamiltonian, punctuated by
transitions from one state to another. The first term of this series is the
standard adiabatic evolution, the next is the well-known first correction to
it, and subsequent terms can be written down essentially by inspection.
Although the final result is perhaps not terribly surprising, it seems to be
not widely known, and the interpretation is new, as far as we know. Application
of the method to the adiabatic approximation is given, and some discussion of
the validity of this approximation is presented.Comment: 9 pages. Added references, discussion of previous results, expanded
upon discussion of main result and application of i
Exploring school counselors’ preparation to address disproportionality of African American students in special education
While school counselors work with students in special education, little research describes their work with African American students in or at risk of special education or the phenomenon of disproportionality of African American students in special education. This phenomenological study explored the experiences and perceptions of eight high school counselors with African American students in special education and disproportionality. The researcher identified three themes: (a) Dis-Regard, (b) separate worlds and (c) professional knowledge. Intentional strategies to introduce counselors to the concept of disproportionality and its antecedents may mitigate processes that potentially lead to overrepresentation of African Americans in special education
Educational Opportunities for Dressage Participants as Perceived by Members of the United States Dressage Federation
The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has sought to develop educational support for the American dressage enthusiast since its inception in the 1970s. American riders face unique challenges in comparison to European riders, such as the larger geographic mass of the United States and the logistics of both horse and rider confronting drastically increased travel demands. Additionally, differing educational and financial support infrastructures by country create further obstacles for those industry members who wish to aggressively pursue dressage as either an amateur or professional. While much conjecture and anecdotal evidence to these obstacles are documented by industry professionals, most of this discourse is in the context of success at internationally competitive levels rather than purely educational progress and little of it is supported with academic research.;Within the United States there is very little research addressing the support infrastructure of the American dressage enthusiast. The purpose of this study was to measure the U.S. riders\u27 perceptions of the educational landscape. A random stratified sample of 2015 members of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) were surveyed in order to ascertain the most prominent perceived obstacles to their success within the industry. Awareness and participation in various educational programming offered specifically by the USDF was also explored. Participants additionally identified sources of educational support they utilized outside of the membership organization. By obtaining demographic information from respondents, the researcher described the current opportunities both nationally and per individual USDF Region. The long-term effects of the study will result in a better understanding of the training options needed to supplement current infrastructure in order to opportunities for American dressage riders. Results are available to regionalized Group Member Organizations to alert them as to both areas of exceptional support and areas where their membership needs assistance
Soil copper in relation to cereal crops
In field trials on soils of known copper status, plots
of oats and "barley were given foliar and seedbed copper
treatments, and in factorial pot experiments, oats under
various conditions of water supply and illumination were also
grown on deficient and treated soil. The following
conclusions were made from the results of observations and
experiments.
In fields on a few farms in South East Scotland, copper
deficiency is lowering cereal yields and sometimes causing
withertip. The soils in these fields are in the Eckford or
Hobkirk Series, and have an E.D.T.A. extractable copper level
of about 0.5 p.p.m. ^Ithertip is seen most frequently when
the preceding winter is dry, but there appears to be no
correlation between its occurrence and weather conditions
during the growing season. Oat plants, nevertheless, generally
absorb less copper from sandy soil at about 80, and the uptake in young plants may be
decreased when illumination is reduced.
On deficient soils, similar increases in grain yield
appear to be caused by foliar treatments of 5 and 10 lb. per
acre copper oxychloride, although even 0.8 lb. is sufficient
to cure withertip. Field seedbed oopper dressings are less
effective at raising grain production than foliar treatments,
and cause no response in straw yield. Under greenhouse
conditions, on the other hand, copper treatment of deficient soil nay increase "both grain and straw yields, l?o evidence
was found of copper toxicity in the field, "but a temporary
reduction in the yield of young plants in pots occurred when
sandy soil contained about 8 p.p.ra. applied copper
The concentration of copper in "barley plants is generally
higher than that in oats, although there are varietal differences
in oats, "barley and wheat. The concentration is also higher in
young plants than in those at maturity, and is influenced by
moisture and light conditions. In the field, foliar treatments
and moderate applications of copper to the seedbed have little
effect on the copper level in mature plants, hut a heavy soil
dressing in pots may raise the concentration in the "rain.
Copper deficient oat plants contain a larger
concentration of moisture than copper treated plants. Iron
absorption may be reduced in young oat plants containing a
high level of copper, and small copper dressings on a
deficient soil may cause an increase in uptake of manganese.
E.B.T.A. extraction of field soils gives a guide to the
availability of copper near deficiency levels, and generally
recovers 20 to 30 of
soil dressings for up to two years. The applied copper
remains readily available to plants. The sampling date,
however, influences the result of an E.D.T.A. extraction of
a soil, particularly after copper treatment.
The comparatively high concentration of copper in urban
rain water makes copper deficiency unlikely in or near built
up areas
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