Choosing friends carefully: allies for critical computing

In this paper, we argue firstly that researchers in critical computing should address the specific information and communication technology (ICT) needs and activities of those agencies concerned with emancipatory issues. Secondly, we argue that a critical perspective, explicitly foregrounding empowerment and emancipatory concerns, forms a basis for emphasising the practice of individuals, groups and organsations , rather than purely focusing on organisational form in social action. We discuss this context of social action, identifying some relevant ICT-related challenges. We identify three themes that highlight factors that differentiate ICT support for social action groups from the setting of conventional business and service organisations: Free / Libre Open- Source Software, techniques and technologies for engagement through storytelling, and learning and evaluation in social action.</p

Reevaluating evaluative conditioning: A nonassociative explanation of conditioning effects in the visual evaluative conditioning paradigm

In 2 studies, the authors investigated whether evaluative conditioning (EC) is an associative phenomenon. Experiment 1 compared a standard EC paradigm with nonpaired and no-treatment control conditions. EC effects were obtained only when the conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (UCS) were rated as perceptually similar. However, similar EC effects were obtained in both control groups. An earlier failure to obtain EC effects was reanalyzed in Experiment 2. Conditioning-like effects were found when comparing a CS with the most perceptually similar UCSs used in the procedure but not when analyzing a CS rating with respect to the UCS with which it was paired during conditioning. The implications are that EC effects found in many studies are not due to associative learning and that the special characteristics of EC (conditioning without awareness and resistance to extinction) are probably nonassociative artifacts of the EC paradigm

Teaching Proficiency Through Reading and Storytelling (Tprs) as a Technique to Foster Students\u27 Speaking Skill

Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) is quite essential to improve EFL learners\u27 speaking ability. It can be done successfully by means of the basic concept of TPRS known as comprehensible input in second language acquisition (SLA). This paper presents a study on learners\u27 speaking ability through TPRS making use of three important steps; Showing, Telling, and Reading. This is a quantitative study using quasi-experimental as the two intact groups are used; experimental and control group. The data are obtained from pre-test, post-test and questionnaires viewed from both students\u27 and teachers\u27 perspective. The data from pre-test and post-test are analyzed by using independent sample t-test. The experimental and control are ascertained to be homogenous in term of English performance from the pre-test analysis. The post-test are carried out from both groups after the treatment and the the result of the test are compared in order to prove if the null hypothesis is rejected indicating that there is significant difference performance between the two groups. The result of the study is expected to be beneficial for English teachers, EFL learners, and further researchers

The Withdrawal TIME of the Antibiotic of Zinc Bacitracin Towards Its Residue in Broiler

Genetic development of broiler is growing rapidly. Nowadays, broiler is slaughtered at the ages of 29 days rather than 35 days. Rapid growth is usually coupled by an immune deficiencies of broiler, therefore such feed additives as antibiotics is necessary to promote growth and improve endurance of the broiler. The purpose of this research was to investigate the amount of residue of Zinc bacitracin antibiotics in the thigh meat, breast meat, liver, and kidney of the broilers; and to determine the withdrawal time between the discontinuation of the antibiotic of the Zinc bacitracin and the slaughter of the broiler to eliminate or to reduce that residue so that the product of the broiler was safe for human consumption. The research was conducted at Sekolah Tinggi Penyuluhan Pertanian (STPP) Gowa. The broilers used in this study was strain Cobb SR 707, aged 29 days (unsexed), and were obtained from the local broiler farm. The ration containing the antibiotics of the Zinc bacitracin was terminated at day 0, 3, 6, and 9 before slaughtering. The bacteria used to test the dilution sensitivity was Staphylococcus aureus (105-108 colony mL-1). The transmittance reading of the sample solution from the Spectrophotometer was inputted into standard curve generated by from pure antibiotics to determine the antibiotics residue in the samples. The results were then compared with the value of SNI Number: 01-6366-2000 of year 2000. The data were analyzed descriptively and with a non linier regression analysis. The results revealed that the level of the Zinc bacitracin residue decreased following the duration of the cessation of the Zinc bacitracin antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic residue in the sample was smaller than that set in the standards (SNI, 2000) so that the broiler products were safe for human consumption

First report of Laternula elliptica in the Antarctic intertidal zone

Many Antarctic marine invertebrates are considered to be highly stenothermal, subjected to loss of functionality at increased temperatures and so at high risk of mortality in a rapidly warming environment. The bivalve Laternula elliptica is often used as a model taxon to test these theories. Here, we report the first instance L. elliptica from an intertidal site. Genetic analysis of the tissue confirms the species identity. A total of seven animals ranging in length from 6 to 85 mm were collected from 3 × 0.25 m2 quadrats of intertidal sediments at St Martha Cove on James Ross Island, Eastern Antarctic Peninsula. Ambient temperatures of 7.5 °C within the sediment and 10 °C (air) were recorded. This raises questions as to the current perception that “many Antarctic marine invertebrates cannot adapt to higher temperatures”

Are all hosts created equal? Partitioning host species contributions to parasite persistence in multihost communities

Many parasites circulate endemically within communities of multiple host species. To understand disease persistence within these communities, it is essential to know the contribution each host species makes to parasite transmission and maintenance. However, quantifying those contributions is challenging. We present a conceptual framework for classifying multihost sharing, based on key thresholds for parasite persistence. We then develop a generalized technique to quantify each species’ contribution to parasite persistence, allowing natural systems to be located within the framework. We illustrate this approach using data on gastrointestinal parasites circulating within rodent communities and show that, although many parasites infect several host species, parasite persistence is often driven by just one host species. In some cases, however, parasites require multiple host species for maintenance. Our approach provides a quantitative method for differentiating these cases using minimal reliance on system-specific parameters, enabling informed decisions about parasite management within poorly understood multihost communities

PRAETORIANISM AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE: ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT AND CONSEQUENCES OF MILITARY RULE ON PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact and consequences of military rule on the Public Service in Nigeria, as well as the major challenges that confront this principal administrative machinery of government in its drive to adjust itself to the demands of true democracy and good governance in Nigeria. This is done with a view to highlighting areas of emphasis in the on-going efforts at reform of the Public Service, and to make relevant recommendations towards making it more focused and adaptable to the needs of a truly democratic dispensation. Making use of library research methodology, the paper examined the impact and consequences of Military praetorianism upon the Public Service in Nigeria, especially as it relates to contemporary issues and challenges faced by the Nigerian Public Service. Listing viable alternative futures, the paper proffered new possibilities and solutions for re-positioning the Public Service, and urged Public Servants to rise up to the challenge of new innovations, and a new approach made mandatory by the imperatives of a new democratic order in the Country. The paper concluded that in this age of reforms the Public Service must accept the challenge of re-inventing itself and return to its pride of place. To do this the civil servant must shed the toga of civil master and rededicate itself to an irreversible return to the “tap” instead of aiming for the “top”