Journal compilation C

ABSTRACT. Accurate population surveys are critical for effective management of species of conservation concern. Traditional visual and aural surveys are ineffective for behaviorally cryptic species such as rails, but incorporating call-broadcast into surveys can increase their detection rate. From 2004 to 2006, we surveyed wetlands (N = 67) on Kauai and Oahu for endangered Hawaiian Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis) with the goal of comparing the effectiveness of visual and aural observations to that of call-broadcast surveys. We evaluated six different Hawaiian Moorhen calls, including the "squeal" call of young moorhens. We also compared the results of surveys conducted using the broadcast of Hawaiian Moorhen calls to those of extended time (75 min) surveys and surveys where the calls of the North American subspecies of moorhen (G. c. cachinnans) were broadcast. We found that broadcast of Hawaiian Moorhen calls increased detection rates by 56% on Kauai and 30% on Oahu. Territorial and chick-distress calls elicited the greatest response. We also found a nonlinear positive relationship between the estimated population of Hawaiian Moorhens at a wetland and the improvement in detection due to call-broadcast, suggesting social facilitation of responses. Survey periods of 60 min produced results similar to those obtained using call-broadcast. However, long survey periods require more time than call-broadcast surveys and increase the likelihood of double counting individuals. Broadcast of the calls of the North American subspecies of moorhen failed to increase detection rates above those obtained using visual and aural surveys. Our results suggest that the population of Hawaiian Moorhens is larger than previously estimated, but is likely well below the 2000 individuals recommended for removal from the Endangered Species list. We recommend the use of call-broadcast during surveys of Hawaiian Moorhens to improve estimates of population sizes and trends. SINOPSIS. Respuesta de Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis a grabaciones de llamadas de conespecíficos y comparación con otros métodos de muestreo El determinar con exactitud los números poblacionales es un asunto crítico para el manejo efectivo de especies en donde hay preocupación por su conservación. Tradicionalmente, los muestreos visuales y auditivos son inefectivos para especies de patrones de conducta crípticos, tales como gallaretas, pero incorporando grabaciones de sus llamadas a los muestreos, se puede incrementar su detectabilidad. De 2004-2006 muestreamos anegados (N = 67) en Kauai y Oahu con la finalidad de comparar la efectividad de conteos visuales, auditivos y utilizando grabaciones para hacer estimados de las poblaciones de la amenazada Gallinula chloropus sandvivencis. Evaluamos seis llamadas diferentes producidas por el ave, incluyendo el "squeal" de individuos jóvenes. También comparamos los resultados de censos conducidos utilizando las grabaciones de la gallareta a aquellas de periodos extendidos (75 minutos) y censos en donde se utilizó la llamada de la subespecie norteamericana (G. c. cachinnans). Encontramos que el utilizar grabaciones de la gallareta hawaiana se incrementó la tasa de detección en 56% en Kauai y en un 30% en Oahu. Las llamadas territoriales y de sufrimiento de pichones produjeron la mayor respuesta. También encontramos una relación no-linear positiva entre el estimado poblacional de aves en anegados y una mejora en la detección utilizando grabaciones, lo que sugiere facilitación social de la respuesta. Muestreos por periodos de 60 minutos produjeron resultados similares, a los obtenidos utilizando grabaciones. Sin embargo, periodos largos de muestreo requieren más tiempo que los muestreos utilizando grabaciones, e incrementan la posibilidad de doble conteo de individuos. El uso de grabaciones de la subespecies norteamericana, fallaron en incrementar la tasa de detección, en comparación con los obtenidos con la utilización de conteos visuales o auditivos. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la población de gallaretas hawaianas es más grande que lo previamente estimado, pero que está por debajo de los 2000 individuos que es el número recomendado para remover a la especie de la lista de animales en peligro de extinción. Recomendamos el uso de grabaciones durante los censos de gallaretas hawaianas para mejorar los estimados y estudiar sus tendencias poblacionales

The Value of Literacy Practices

The concepts of literacy events and practices have received considerable attention in educational research and policy. In comparison, the question of value, that is, ‘which literacy practices do people most value?’ has been neglected. With the current trend of cross-cultural adult literacy assessment, it is increasingly important to recognise locally valued literacy practices. In this paper we argue that measuring preferences and weighting of literacy practices provides an empirical and democratic basis for decisions in literacy assessment and curriculum development and could inform rapid educational adaptation to changes in the literacy environment. The paper examines the methodological basis for investigating literacy values and its potential to inform cross-cultural literacy assessments. The argument is illustrated with primary data from Mozambique. The correlation between individual values and respondents’ socio-economic and demographic characteristics is explored

High-efficiency cell structures and processes applied to photovoltaic-grade Czochralski silicon

The authors performed a detailed study to examine the limiting performance available using photovoltaic-grade Cz silicon. Photovoltaic-grade silicon refers to silicon produced by the photovoltaic industry, which may differ from the silicon used in the semiconductor device industry in impurity and defect concentrations.The study included optimization of fabrication processes, development of advanced device structures, and detailed model calculations to project future performance improvements. Process and device optimization resulted in demonstration of 75-{micro}s bulk lifetimes and 17.6%-efficient large-area cells using photovoltaic-grade Cz silicon. Detailed calculations based on the material and device evaluation of the present work project efficiencies of 20% for photovoltaic-grade Cz silicon with properly optimized processing and device structures

High-efficiency cell structures and processes applied to photovoltaic-grade Czochralski silicon

The authors performed a detailed study to examine the limiting performance available using photovoltaic-grade Cz silicon. Photovoltaic-grade silicon refers to silicon produced by the photovoltaic industry, which may differ from the silicon used in the semiconductor device industry in impurity and defect concentrations.The study included optimization of fabrication processes, development of advanced device structures, and detailed model calculations to project future performance improvements. Process and device optimization resulted in demonstration of 75-{micro}s bulk lifetimes and 17.6%-efficient large-area cells using photovoltaic-grade Cz silicon. Detailed calculations based on the material and device evaluation of the present work project efficiencies of 20% for photovoltaic-grade Cz silicon with properly optimized processing and device structures

A Quality Major: Some Doctoral Programs Are Beginning to Offer a Specialization in Quality

Describes the doctorate in technology management from Indiana State University, a member of a consortium offering the degree that prepares graduates to be technological leaders for public and private sectors

Does Positronium Form in the Universe ?

Positronium (the bound state of electron and positron) has been thought to be formed after proton decay ($>10^{34}$yr) through collisional recombination and then decays by pair annihilation, thereby changing the matter content of the universe. We revisit the issue of the formation of positronium in the long-term future of the universe in light of recent indication that the universe is dominated by dark energy and dark matter. We find that if the equation of state of dark energy $w$ is less than -1/3 (including the cosmological constant $w=-1$), then the formation of positronium would not be possible, while it is possible through bound-bound transitions for -1/3\siml w\siml-0.2, or through collisional recombination for w\simg-0.2. The radiation from \epm pair annihilation cannot dominate over \epm, while that from proton decay will dominate over baryon and \epm for a while but not over dark matter.Comment: 13 pages, to appear in JCA

DWPF MATERIALS EVALUATION SUMMARY REPORT

To better ensure the reliability of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) remote canyon process equipment, a materials evaluation program was performed as part of the overall startup test program. Specific test programs included FA-04 ('Process Vessels Erosion/Corrosion Studies') and FA-05 (melter inspection). At the conclusion of field testing, Test Results Reports were issued to cover the various test phases. While these reports completed the startup test requirements, DWPF-Engineering agreed to compile a more detailed report which would include essentially all of the materials testing programs performed at DWPF. The scope of the materials evaouation programs included selected equipment from the Salt Process Cell (SPC), Chemical Process Cell (CPC), Melt Cell, Canister Decon Cell (CDC), and supporting facilities. The program consisted of performing pre-service baseline inspections (work completed in 1992) and follow-up inspections after completion of the DWPF cold chemical runs. Process equipment inspected included: process vessels, pumps, agitators, coils, jumpers, and melter top head components. Various NDE (non-destructive examination) techniques were used during the inspection program, including: ultrasonic testing (UT), visual (direct or video probe), radiography, penetrant testing (PT), and dimensional analyses. Finally, coupon racks were placed in selected tanks in 1992 for subsequent removal and corrosion evaluation after chemical runs

The gaming involvement and informal learning framework

Aim. This article presents a model of how gaming involvement and informal learning come together in practice. Method. Based on a series of interviews, case studies, and a wider survey, the Gaming Involvement and Informal Learning (GIIL) framework indicates how involvement with a variety of gaming practices can lead to a range of different learning experiences. Results. The framework is able to account for both how and what people learn from gaming while also highlighting the influence of player identity. Further, the iterative relationship between identity, involvement, and learning is emphasized: The more strongly someone identifies themselves as a gamer, the greater their micro- and macro-level involvement and the more likely they are to learn from their gaming experiences. Conclusion. The implications of the findings are discussed with regard to informal and formal learning

Parental cultural models and resources for understanding mathematical achievement in culturally diverse school settings

This paper proposes that the theoretical concept of cultural models can offer useful insights into parental involvement in their child’s mathematical achievement and the resources they use to go about gaining information in culturally diverse learning settings. This examination takes place within a cultural-developmental framework and draws on the notion of cultural models to explicate parental understandings of their child’s mathematics achievement and what resources are used to make sense of this. Three parental resources are scrutinized: (a) the teacher, (b) examination test results, and (c) constructions of child development. The interviews with 22 parents revealed some ambiguity around the interpretation of these resources by the parent, which was often the result of incongruent cultural models held between the home and the school. The resources mentioned are often perceived as being unambiguous but show themselves instead to be highly interpretive because of the diversity of cultural models in existence in culturally diverse settings. Parents who are in minority or marginalized positions tend to have difficulties in interpreting cultural models held by school, thereby disempowering them to be parentally involved in the way the school would like

Endogenous fantasy and learning in digital games.

Many people believe that educational games are effective because they motivate children to actively engage in a learning activity as part of playing the game. However, seminal work by Malone (1981), exploring the motivational aspects of digital games, concluded that the educational effectiveness of a digital game depends on the way in which learning content is integrated into the fantasy context of the game. In particular, he claimed that content which is intrinsically related to the fantasy will produce better learning than that which is merely extrinsically related. However, this distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic (or endogenous and exogenous) fantasy is a concept that has developed a confused standing over the following years. This paper will address this confusion by providing a review and critique of the empirical and theoretical foundations of endogenous fantasy, and its relevance to creating educational digital games. Substantial concerns are raised about the empirical basis of this work and a theoretical critique of endogenous fantasy is offered, concluding that endogenous fantasy is a misnomer, in so far as the "integral and continuing relationship" of fantasy cannot be justified as a critical means of improving the effectiveness of educational digital games. An alternative perspective on the intrinsic integration of learning content is described, incorporating game mechanics, flow and representations