Pragmatist Aesthetics and the Experience of Technology

Abstract: For most people, mobile phones and various forms of personal information technology (PIT) have become standard equipment for everyday life. Recent theorists such as Sherry Turkle raise psychological and philosophical questions about the impact of such technologies and practices, but deeper further philosophical work is needed. This paper takes a pragmatic approach to examining the effects of PIT practices upon experience. After reviewing several main issues with technology raised by Communication theorists, the paper looks more deeply at Turkle’s analysis of technology's impacts upon solitude and conversation. Because Turkle only raises but doesn’t pursue the philosophical dimensions of these issues, the work on experience of John Dewey, William James, and John J. McDermott is utilized to provide concepts and methods by which PIT’s effects might be judged. Finally, pragmatist aesthetics is introduced and consulted as a source of constructive ideals which might guide future amelioration of PIT’s more significant drawbacks

Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the Social Sector

This report highlights five key trends and how their coming together will shape the social sector of the future. Based on extensive review of existing research and in-depth interviews with thought leaders and nonprofit leaders and activists, it explores the trends (Demographic Shifts; Technological Advances; Networks Enabling Work to be Organized in New Ways; Rising Interest in Civic Engagement and Volunteerism; and Blurring of Sector Boundaries) and looks at the ways nonprofits can successfully navigate the changes. The monograph is by La Piana Consulting, a national firm dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and foundations

Recombinant Stokesia Epoxygenase Gene

A chimeric gene comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a delta 12-fatty acid epoxygenase enzyme and transgenic plants containing the chimeric gene are described. Expression of the chimeric delta 12-epoxygenase gene leads to altered levels of fatty acids in transformed cells

Recombinant Watermelon (\u3cem\u3eCitrullus Lanatus\u3c/em\u3e) Hydroperoxide Lyase and Uses Thereof

Recombinant watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) hydroperoxide lyase protein, DNA sequences encoding the protein, vectors containing the DNA sequences and hosts containing the vectors are provided, together with methods for recombinantly producing watermelon hydroperoxide lyase, DNA sequences, vectors and hosts

Recombinant Watermelon (\u3cem\u3eCitrullus Lanatus\u3c/em\u3e) Hydroperoxide Lyase and Uses Thereof

Recombinant watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) hydroperoxide lyase protein, DNA sequences encoding the protein, vectors containing the DNA sequences and hosts containing the vectors are provided, together with methods for recombinantly producing watermelon hydroperoxide lyase, DNA sequences, vectors and hosts

Early Flowering Mutant Chia and Uses Thereof

The invention relates to early flowering Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) strains that are suitable for culturing in a temperate area for seed production. Mutations are introduced to wild type chia seeds. Desired mutant progeny having normal appearance and an altered flora organ development is subsequently identified

Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase Sequences and Related Methods

Isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding a diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) polypeptide are provided. Vectors and transgenic cells that include a nucleic acid sequence encoding a DGAT2 polypeptide are also described. Further provided are methods of producing an epoxy fatty acid by transforming a cell with a first isolated nucleic acid that encodes a diacylglycerol acyltransferase polypeptide and a second isolated nucleic acid that encodes an epoxygenase polypeptide, such that expression of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase polypeptide and the epoxygenase polypeptide increases an amount of epoxy fatty acid in the cell

Methods for Increasing Renewable Oil Productions

Methods of increasing renewable oil production are provided and include transforming a plant cell with an isolated nucleic acid encoding a Vernonia galamensis diacylglycerol acyltransferase (V gDGAT) polypeptide, where the expression of the V gDGAT polypeptide increases an amount of renewable oil in the plant. Transgenic plant cells comprising an isolated nucleic acid encoding a Vernonia galamensis diacylglycerol acyl transferase 1 (V gDGATl) polypeptide are further provided

Migrating eastern North Pacific gray whale call and blow rates estimated from acoustic recordings, infrared camera video, and visual sightings.

During the eastern North Pacific gray whale 2014-2015 southbound migration, acoustic call recordings, infrared blow detections, and visual sightings were combined to estimate cue rates, needed to convert detections into abundance. The gray whale acoustic call rate ranged from 2.3-24 calls/whale/day during the peak of the southbound migration with an average of 7.5 calls/whale/day over both the southbound and northbound migrations. The average daily calling rate increased between 30 December-13 February. With a call rate model, we estimated that 4,340 gray whales migrated south before visual observations began on 30 December, which is 2,829 more gray whales than used in the visual estimate, and would add approximately 10% to the abundance estimate. We suggest that visual observers increase their survey effort to all of December to document gray whale presence. The infrared camera blow rate averaged 49 blows/whale/hour over 5-8 January. Probability of detection of a whale blow by the infrared camera was the same at night as during the day. However, probability of detection decreased beyond 2.1 km offshore, whereas visual sightings revealed consistent whale densities up to 3 km offshore. We suggest that future infrared camera surveys use multiple cameras optimised for different ranges offshore