Healing an Ailing Alliance: Ethics and Science Face the Ambiguities of Water

Water-related problems are both scientific and ethical issues. The sciences and ethics are interdependent disciplines, and both are needed in an interactive alliance for adequate policy decisions on water and other ecological concerns. Water-related problems are generally linked to excess in what people take from and return to the waters. In this essay, the author outlines four moral norms that are foundational for remedial action on the waters of New England

Cold-Formed Steel Sections with Web Openings Subjected to Web Crippling under Two-Flange Loading Conditions — Part I : Tests and Finite Element Analysis

The results of 82 web crippling tests are presented, with 20 tests conducted on channel sections without web openings and 62 tests conducted on channel sections with web openings. The tests consider both end-two-flange and interior-two-flange loading conditions. In the case of the tests with web openings, the hole was located directly under the concentrated load. The concentrated load was applied through bearing plates; the effect of different bearing lengths is investigated. In addition, the cases of both flanges fastened and unfastened to the support were considered. A non-linear elasto-plastic finite element model is described, and the results compared against the laboratory test results; a good agreement was obtained in terms of both strength and failure modes

Road materials of Texas

UT Librarie

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Examining Interprofessional Clinical Learning Experiences to Define the Essential Activities That Will Provide Student Transformation

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the interprofessional education clinical experiences that pharmacy preceptors provide to Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students during the final year of training within four different academic institutions. The theory guiding this study was Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model (ELM) and its four components comprised of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. These experiences should incorporate all four components of the model to be true experiential learning events leading to transformation. An extensive literature review was provided to support the research. Transcendental phenomenology was the methodology used, as researchers were trying to capture the overall essence of the experience. Preceptors from five colleges/schools of pharmacy who practice in a variety of pharmacy practice settings were solicited for the research. Participants were recruited by the college’s experiential administrators. Data collection methods were multifold, including interviews, focus groups, and document analysis. A thorough analysis of data, using modified van Kaam’s method, was completed, along with the synthesis of the data. The findings of this research were discussed in chapter four. Seven themes were identified, which included activities, time, assessments, other healthcare professionals, other learners, enablers of Interprofessional Education (IPE), and confounders of IPE. Additionally, responses to the central and sub-research questions were provided as preceptors described the learning experience provided to students, and activities were identified that promoted the four components of the ELM. Activities that optimize medications and prevent problems are key to shared clinical decision-making. Chapter five concludes with implications, limitations, delimitations, and recommendations for future research

Information Essential for Accountability and Planning as Identified by Board Chairs and Principals of Seventh-day Adventist Secondary Schools

Problem Particularly during the 1980s and 1990s, Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools have been facing problems with enrollments and finances. The purpose of this research was to identify those elements of information and data that the board chairs and principals of United States Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools determined would provide, if gathered and organized, the foundation for school personnel accountability and planning. Method The population consisted of the board chairs and principals of SDA secondary schools located in the continental United States. A questionnaire was developed, piloted by a panel of judges, and sent to each of the 78 principals and 75 board chairs. The data received was analyzed, organized for majority responses, and tested for significant differences of responses of the principals as compared with those of the board chairs. Results This study included 149 specific elements of secondary school operational information divided among four categories - finances, curriculum and program, personnel, and plant and equipment. Adventist secondary school principals and board chairs were surveyed for their recommendations of which items of information should be provided to school administrators, board members, department heads, and/or the faculty. The purpose was to identify which elements of information should be prepared and presented to each group of school management personnel. The 149 items and the four groups generated 596 possibilities. The results of the study provided a specific list of informational elements recommended to be included in a data procurement system for accountability and planning. Significant differences in the recommendations of the board chairs and principals were identified and revealed. Conclusions This research identified the elements that should be included in a data procurement and organization system for planning and accountability and are listed in chapter 4. In addition, 95 items generated recommendations from the chairs and principals that were significantly different in numbers. This strongly suggested the need for board chairs, principals, and board members to evaluate seriously the role of support and involvement that the various entities - board members, department heads, and faculties - should have in the operation of an accountable school

Richard Hakluyt: Elizabethan Propaganda, English Identity, and the ‘Black Legend’

During the early modern period (late 16th, early 17th century), England embroiled itself in conflict with Spain, contesting against each other through direct competition and expanding their territories elsewhere. The topic of this thesis is an analysis of Richard Hakluyt, a writer and geographer during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, and his role as a proponent of English expansionism in addition to the themes present within his works. This analysis focuses on how the themes present connected Hakluyt to a broader movement for English mercantile expansion and colonization towards the New World and Old. As Hakluyt wrote and collected the works of other explorers, he sought out the likes of Sir Walter Raleigh, supporting Raleigh’s endeavors in the New World and advocating for colonization. Not only did this advocation help Raleigh, but it also helped other future settlers become motivated to settle in the New World because of the themes presented throughout Hakluyt’s works. The findings of this research done by James Nash mentored by Dr. David Coleman highlight Hakluyt’s pivotal role in the advocation for colonization and disseminate the negative portrayals of the Spanish. As a spreader of this rhetoric, Hakluyt actively contributed to the broader English rhetoric against Spain called the Black Legend. By contextualizing Hakluyt’s works to the rhetoric about English colonization and the Black Legend, this research gives a deeper insight into understanding Hakluyt’s motivations and contributions to the broader narrative in early modern England

THE MOBILITY AND SPECIATION OF ANTIMONY IN CONTAMINATED SOILS AND WATERS

Total element concentrations, solid state partitioning and leaching characteristics of antimony are examined in surface soils at two contrasting field sites contaminated by former mining activities. These parameters are compared in each soil and related to selected soil properties and leachant solution pH to identify factors that influence the mobilisation of antimony in soils. Total element concentrations are determined in soils using an evaluated Mg(N03)2 ashing technique and highly elevated concentrations (up to 8202 mg kgˉ¹ antimony) are measured in soils formed on the surface of spoil heaps at these sites. A stream system bisects a spoil heap at one of these sites and elevated antimony concentrations (up to 22.5 ng mlˉ¹) are observed in these waters suggesting the influence of leaching processes. Antimony's solid state partitioning is investigated in soils using a previously reported five-step low temperature sequential chemical leaching method. Largest proportions of antimony are extracted in the 'Ca-associated' (6.1-11.6% of the total) soil fraction and the 'Fe- and Organic-Fe associated' soil fraction (5.0-8.7 % of the total). However, low extraction efficiency is observed for the sum of the five leaching steps and 73.8-83,3 % of the total antimony is partitioned in the residual soil fraction. Short term, long term and pH-dependant antimony leaching is investigated in selected contaminated soils using laboratory-based batch tests. Antimony leaching is shown to be influenced significantly by the total antimony soil concentration, leachant solution pH and L:S leaching ratio and these observations are apparent despite notable variations in soil pH and organic matter content. Antimony leaching is most significant in soils that contain highest total antimony concentrations although increased antimony leaching is observed as the L:S ratio is increased and/or the leachant solution pH is increased from pH 4.0 to pH 10. Aqueous antimony speciation is determined in soil leachates and surface waters using HPLC-ICP-MS methodologies and the influence of selected soil properties is examined with respect to the resultant leachate antimony speciation. Novel HPLC separations are developed using Phenomenex SAX-SB and Alltec HAAX stationary phases in conjunction with ammonium tartrate mobile phases to facilitate the simultaneous separation and quantification of inorganic SbIII, inorganic SbV and organic SbV species. These methodologies achieve detection limits for species in the pg mlˉ¹ to low ng mlˉ¹ range to enable quantitative analysis of contaminated leachates and surface waters. Inorganic SbV species are found to be predominant in the surface water and soil leachate samples despite notable variations in soil pH and organic matter content. These data show good agreement with thermodynamic predictions. Inorganic SbV species are generally accepted to exhibit 10 times lower toxicity than inorganic SbIII species and potential for antimony toxicity at these sites may be reduced due to the intrinsic elemental speciation. Three unidentified antimony species are 9etected in selected soil leachates although inorganic SbIII and organic SbV species are not detected in surface waters and soil leachates in this study

Countdown to 2010: Can we assess Ireland’s insect species diversity and loss?

peer-reviewedThe insects are the most diverse organisms on this planet and play an essential role in ecosystem functioning, yet we know very little about them. In light of the Convention on Biological Diversity, this paper summarises the known insect species numbers for Ireland and questions whether this is a true refl ection of our insect diversity. The total number of known species for Ireland is 11,422. Using species accumulation curves and a comparison with the British fauna, this study shows that the Irish list is incomplete and that the actual species number is much higher. However, even with a reasonable knowledge of the species in Ireland, insects are such speciose, small, and inconspicuous animals that it is diffi cult to assess species loss. It is impossible to know at one point in time the number of insect species in Ireland and, although it is useful to summarise the known number of species, it is essential that biodiversity indicators, such as the Red List Index, are developed

Master\u27s Project: Morey Mountain Conservation Area Management Plan

The acquisition of the Morey Mountain Conservation Area (MMCA) adds another important parcel into the Upper Valley Land Trust’s (UVLT) portfolio of conserved lands; however, the specific conservation values found on the parcel were not known until recently. In the summer of 2019, I, Max Nash-Howe—as a graduate student at the University of Vermont Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources—spent several weeks surveying the property to inventory forest types, unique natural communities, and other important conservation values. My findings and recommendations for how the UVLT should manage the parcel to ensure the integrity of the conservation values found on Morey Mountain are detailed in this Management Plan. The MMCA was initially targeted for permanent conservation because of the property’s proximity to Lake Morey. This area has a significant amount of private housing development along the lake shore. The Lake Morey Foundation—a 501(c)(3) organization passionate about protecting the environment around Lake Morey—was concerned about housing development continuing to expand away from the shore into the forests on the western slopes of Lake Morey. Their successful purchase and donation of the MMCA to the UVLT not only secured protection of this parcel from development but also ensured that one of the most biodiverse spots in Orange County, Vermont would be managed to preserve the biodiversity found there. This Management Plan inventories the conservation values for which the parcel was acquired, identifies the primary objectives for the UVLT in managing this unique parcel, and recommends future efforts to protect its natural integrity. The major finding of a network of hydrologically connected wetlands near the summit basin support the designation of most of the property as a “natural area.” The management activities permitted in this “natural area” are very limited, and certain activities are prohibited outright. This prohibition adds another layer of protection to ensure the integrity of the natural communities and biodiversity found at and around the summit of Morey Mountain. An important consideration when reading this Management Plan is that the MMCA occupies approximately one-third of what is considered Morey Mountain. While some of the unique wetlands found at the summit occur entirely within the boundaries of the MMCA, other wetlands cross the northern and southern boundaries. Thus, protections put in place through the guidance of the MMCA Management Plan do not restrict abutting landowners from engaging in land management activities on their land in a manner that could damage or alter the integrity of wetlands occurring on both properties. The hope is that this Management Plan will not only provide the UVLT with the information needed to be an effective steward of this biodiverse and unique parcel but will also prompt further conservation of parcels on Morey Mountain. It is very likely that there are more unique areas on Morey Mountain that are located outside the boundaries of the MMCA. These areas would benefit from the stewardship and management of the UVLT