The Design, Implementation, and Assessment of a New Capstone Course Aimed at Science Education Majors

This paper rationalizes the selection of the concept of energy as the central theme of a new capstone course aimed at science education majors. It describes the goals of the course and the activities that preceded the course design and led to the selection of the topics, of the educational materials, and of the teaching methodologies. It presents a sequential description of the manner in which the conceptual knowledge of energy was to be developed. The specific experiments, interactive demonstrations and other educational materials utilized for the conceptual development of the concept of energy in context are described and referenced. The course objectives are described, as well as the instruments utilized to assess student learning. It also presents the activities utilized to assess the course, in addition to the modifications made to the course syllabus based on this assessment

Suicide Terrorism and the Weakest Link

In this paper we examine a model of terrorism which focuses on the tradeoffs facing a terrorist organization that has the ability to utilize either or both suicide and conventional terrorism tactics. The terrorist organization’s objective is to successfully attack at least one target. Success for the target government is defined as defending all targets from any and all attacks. In this context, we examine how terrorist entities strategically utilize suicide attacks when other modes of attack are available, and the optimal anti-terrorism measures.conflict, suicide terrorism, weakest link, Colonel Blotto

Bailouts in Costa Rica as a Result of Government Centralization and Discretionary Transfers

This paper investigates the inter-relation between the central government and the municipalities in Costa Rica. It examines episodes in which the central government has bailed out the local governments from their obligations. We employ empirical and descriptive methods to show how discretionary grants relate to the degree of fiscal discipline of the municipality to produce hidden bailouts. Political, demographic, and economic variables explain the allocation of these discretionary transfers. We illustrate the effects of the high concentration of decision-making of the central government on the fiscal performance of the municipalities. The municipalities play a limited role and its functioning largely depends upon the central government. We argue that the national administration would face a high political cost if it did not bail out the local government in several of the episodes studied. Using panel data from 1982-1997 on 81 cantones, we find that the fiscal effort of the local government is reduced by the presence of discretionary grants. The local governments finance local expenses with these discretionary transfers according to our empirical results. As expected from the centralization issue, political variables such as the affiliation of the local administration have significant effects on the resources received by the municipalities.

The use of digital microfluidics for a silicon photonic sensors platform

status: publishe

Juvenile red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) : stock discrimination in the Gulf of Mexico

Juvenile red snapper Lutjanus campechanus from 2009-year class were sampled in three regions across the Gulf of Mexico; Western, Central and Eastern Gulf. Otolith elemental signatures of Ba were analysed through laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) to determine whether Ba could be used as a reliable geographic marker across sub-populations in the Gulf of Mexico. Otolith age and growth also were analysed to determine differences between Gulf regions. Differences in otolith chemical signatures of Ba concentrations were distinguished across Gulf regions together with age and growth rates determined by birth date. Differences were observed within and across Gulf regions suggesting juvenile red snapper were spatially mixing between sub-stocks. Incorporation of Ba concentrations in otoliths displayed significant differences across GOM regions determining it was a reliable geographic marker. However, growth rates were consistent across GOM regions and standard length and age displayed no significant results. Therefore, stock discrimination based solely on age and length could not be established