Evaluating Biotic Functional Lift Provided by Physical Habitat Rehabilitation in Urban Streams of the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province of Tennessee

The business of stream restoration is a billion dollar industry today. Funds are put forward in an attempt to correct any damage that has been done by man and to allow natural processes to take over. Unfortunately, ecological improvement from stream restoration projects particularly in urban watersheds havehad mixed results. Several reasons exist for the limited improvements including1) inadequate ecological design criteria based on re-colonization potential and habitatrequirements determined by functional traits expression 2) pre- and post-monitoringassessment methods, 3) the biological assemblage chosen for the bioassessment, and 4) lack ofa watershed-scale stressor analysis and adequate project scoping and prioritization. In addition, a critical need exists for a better understanding of ecological responses to restoration in order to improve on design strategies, and to assignmitigation credits. Two research study goals are proposed. First, biological data will be collectedfor urban restored, unrestored and reference streams. The streams\u27 functional lift must also be analyzed andcomparedusing the quantification tool to better understand ecological impairment processes in urban streams.The second goal is to conduct a functional traits analysis methodology with theTIAWH Report to improve ecological design criteria for stream restoration, particularly in urban watersheds. In order to assess the biological aspects of each stream, benthic macro invertebrates and fish specimens were collected. A total of six insect samples and two fish IBI samples were conducted at each site. Restored sites showed marginal improvement in fish populations, but did show improved aquatic insect numbers. While stream restorations may not return the streams to the level of reference streams, they do give the ecosystem a fighting chance for aquatic life to return

Diagnostics and the 'deconstruction' of models

This paper argues that a significant focus in computational organic chemistry, alongside the construction and deployment of models, is the “deconstruction” of computational models. This practice has arisen in response to difficulties and controversies resulting from the use of plural methods and computational models to study organic reaction mechanisms. Diagnostic controllability is the capacity of cognitive agents to gain epistemic access to grey-boxed computational models, to identify and explain the impact of specific idealizations on results, and to demonstrate the applicability of computational methods to target systems

'Bad teacher? Using films as texts when teaching business ethics: Exploring the issues'

The contemporary teaching of business ethics necessarily involves the recognition that texts, materials and modes of assessment ought to be rendered appealing to students, while at the same time ensuring the quality of teaching. Prima facie the use of film can be seen as a way to address this dilemma: Students may be attracted to the ‘delivery’ of course content through the medium of film as opposed to, for example, standard lecture format, participation in online activities or, at a stretch, reading and writing. An alternative scenario can also be envisioned where the use of film in teaching business ethics is bad professional practice, pandering to both the requirement for positive assessments from students and for technological change. This paper discusses these issues by critically examining the films recommended by a contemporary business ethics text, Crane and Matten (2010). We identify significant problems with the use of two films, The Corporation (2005) and Michael Clayton (2007). Against our own criticisms of these two texts, the paper then focuses upon Ken Loach’s (2007) film It’s a Free World, arguing that it is a useful text for the illustration of what students, more often than not, regard as the clichéd issue of unskilled foreign wage labourers being exploited in ‘advanced’ western economies. Despite the considerable virtues of Loach’s particular text, we argue that any recourse to film as an alternative method of examining a range of issues in business ethics has to be treated with caution

Re-evaluating local government amalgamations: Utility maximisation meets the principle of double effect (PDE)

Public policy debates are often dominated by economic analysis of aggregate financial benefit. However, public policy formulated on this basis is frequently regarded as profoundly unsatisfactory by stakeholders. Focusing upon municipal amalgamation, this paper provides an alternative framework for public policy analysis which emphasises the importance of intent, process and uncertainty in decision making. We contend that an approach of this type better accommodates public opinion on contentious policy reform. Moreover, it reminds policy makers that even the most admirable economic outcome must still be achieved through a morally licit process

Diagnostics and the 'deconstruction' of models

This paper argues that a significant focus in computational organic chemistry, alongside the construction and deployment of models, is the “deconstruction” of computational models. This practice has arisen in response to difficulties and controversies resulting from the use of plural methods and computational models to study organic reaction mechanisms. Diagnostic controllability is the capacity of cognitive agents to gain epistemic access to grey-boxed computational models, to identify and explain the impact of specific idealizations on results, and to demonstrate the applicability of computational methods to target systems

Drifting to oblivion? Rapid genetic differentiation in an endangered lizard following habitat fragmentation and drought

Aim The frequency and severity of habitat alterations and disturbance are predicted to increase in upcoming decades, and understanding how disturbance affects population integrity is paramount for adaptive management. Although rarely is population genetic sampling conducted at multiple time points, preand post-disturbance comparisons may provide one of the clearest methods to measure these impacts. We examined how genetic properties of the federally threatened Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard (Uma inornata) responded to severe drought and habitat fragmentation across its range. Location Coachella Valley, California, USA. Methods We used 11 microsatellites to examine population genetic structure and diversity in 1996 and 2008, before and after a historic drought. We used Bayesian assignment methods and F-statistics to estimate genetic structure. We compared allelic richness across years to measure loss of genetic diversity and employed approximate Bayesian computing methods and heterozygote excess tests to explore the recent demographic history of populations. Finally, we compared effective population size across years and to abundance estimates to determine whether diversity remained low despite post-drought recovery. Results Genetic structure increased between sampling periods, likely as a result of population declines during the historic drought of the late 1990s–early 2000s, and habitat loss and fragmentation that precluded post-drought genetic rescue. Simulations supported recent demographic declines in 3 of 4 main preserves, and in one preserve, we detected significant loss of allelic richness. Effective population sizes were generally low across the range, with estimates ≤100 in most sites. Main conclusions Fragmentation and drought appear to have acted synergistically to induce genetic change over a short time frame. Progressive deterioration of connectivity, low Ne and measurable loss of genetic diversity suggest that conservation efforts have not maintained the genetic integrity of this species. Genetic sampling over time can help evaluate population trends to guide management

Callaway Measurement Device

The purpose of this document is to illustrate the Callaway Measurement Device senior project from start to finish. The challenge given to the team was to update and improve a gauge used by Callaway employees to measure the loft, lie, and face angle of their full spectrum of golf clubs. Once the team understood how the pre-existing gauge operates, the team conducted background research into other technologies that could improve the gauge. The team decided to digitalize the device amongst other tweaks to reduce error. Because the CAD files were not available for the pre-existing device, the team began reverse engineering the device. The team iterated through design choices for each subsystem of the device and decided to alter the clamping and lie system for ease of manufacturability and effectiveness while mimicking the loft and face angle subsystems. Based on these design choices in early prototyping, the team created a CAD design. Once the CAD was polished and the material was selected, the team and sponsors decided to switch to 3D-printed parts to save on material and manufacturing costs. This altered the design into more of a concept prototype. During manufacturing, the team iterated through many design tweaks by reprinting 3D parts, altering the code and encoder types of the digital assembly, machining some metal parts, and assembling various components and subsystems. During testing, the team found that as expected, the device did not reach the accuracy goal. However, this is believed to be a result of the flexibility and non-uniformity of the 3D-printed parts. Because the resolution and precision of the device surpassed the goals, the team believes that if their device was made from sturdier material such as metal in a future iteration it would improve upon the pre-existing device and surpass the goals given to the team by Callaway Golf