Broken Loose: Knowledge and Ideology in John Milton\u27s Paradise Lost and Ursula K. Le Guduin\u27s The Dispossessed

The world we live in, as well as the literature we consume, is dominated by ideology. The philosophical question of whether or not ‘knowledge’ is simply a facet of our ideological constraints is important to how we engage with art, whether in the form of literature or otherwise. This paper examines the relationship of knowledge to ideology, both in a literary and a philosophical sense, by reading John Milton’s Paradise Lost in conversation with Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed and dissecting the ideological settings of each text, how knowledge is symbolized, and how the two concepts govern one another. In studying the remarkably similar narratives that Milton and Le Guin develop—with both repositioning a contemporary ideological conflict in a fantasy-style setting—it becomes clear that both share a preoccupation with the inner workings of ideology and how knowledge relates to it. Specifically, both use their fantastical setting as a background of ideological conflict, conflict disrupted or altered by the ‘acquisition’ of knowledge in some form. Using Foucault’s theoretical framework of the ‘episteme’ as put forward in The Order of Things, it becomes clear that knowledge is not wholly defined by ideological conditioning but that, instead, the two ideas function in tandem with one another to create a sense of reality. Thus, literature—fantastical literature in particular—can be read as an exploration of both of these interlinked concepts and an expounding upon the influence of ideology in our own perceptions of reality. In considering knowledge and ideology not as equatable, but codependent, we can better understand how such concepts can interact with literature and the realities it constructs

Assessing the livelihood impacts of a livestock disease outbreak: An alternative approach

Because of the substantive role played by livestock in the income and asset portfolios of the poor, livestock diseases can be an important threat to livelihoods. Yet for a variety of reasons, there are few applicable methods and consequently scant literature to assess the impacts of livestock diseases on livelihood outcomes. Existing literature comprises small-area studies and computable models with wider geographic focus, both of which have limitations in this specific context. We propose an alternative approach for estimating the impacts of livestock diseases on livelihoods. This proposed approach is an adaptation of a quasi-experimental impact evaluation method, namely propensity score matching, which uses features available in large-scale datasets with wide geographic coverage to create counterfactual scenarios that could mimic outcomes of a disease outbreak. By its construction the method is well suited for ex ante impact assessment. As an illustration we apply the method to the hypothetical case of an avian flu outbreak in Kenya.Impact assessment, Livelihoods, livestock disease, Propensity score matching,

Discovery Of Ethanol-Responsive Small Rnas In Zymomonas Mobilis

Zymomonas mobilis is a bacterium that can produce ethanol by fermentation. Due to its unique metabolism and efficient ethanol production, Z. mobilis has attracted special interest for biofuel energy applications; an important area of study is the regulation of those specific metabolic pathways. Small RNAs (sRNAs) have been studied as molecules that function as transcriptional regulators in response to cellular stresses. While sRNAs have been discovered in various organisms by computational prediction and experimental approaches, their discovery in Z. mobilis has not yet been reported. In this study, we have applied transcriptome analysis and computational predictions to facilitate identification and validation of 15 novel sRNAs in Z. mobilis. We furthermore characterized their expression in the context of high and low levels of intracellular ethanol. Here, we report that 3 of the sRNAs (Zms2, Zms4, and Zms6) are differentially expressed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, when low and high ethanol productions are observed, respectively. Importantly, when we tested the effect of ethanol stress on the expression of sRNAs in Z. mobilis, Zms2, Zms6, and Zms18 showed differential expression under 5% ethanol stress conditions. These data suggest that in this organism regulatory RNAs can be associated with metabolic functions involved in ethanol stress responses.NSF CBET-1254754Welch Foundation F-1756Cellular and Molecular BiologyChemical Engineerin

Investigating the role of poultry in livelihoods and the impact of avian flu on livelihoods outcomes in Africa

In this paper we investigate the role of poultry in households’ livelihoods portfolios and the impact of supply-and-demand shocks that may be caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on households’ various livelihoods outcomes in four Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The study countries include Ethiopia and Kenya in East Africa and Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa. These countries represent a spectrum of SSA countries regarding disease status, means of disease spread, and the role of the poultry sector in the economy. By using nationally representative household-level secondary data and discrete choice methods (probit and zero-inflated negative binomial models), we profile the household, farm, and regional characteristics of those households that are most likely to keep poultry and those households that are most likely to be engaged in intensive poultry production (that is, to keep larger household flocks). We estimate the ex ante impact of HPAI outbreaks and scares/threats on livelihoods outcomes by using the propensity score matching approach. The results of this study generate valuable information regarding the role of poultry in the livelihoods of small-scale poultry-producing households and the livelihoods impacts of HPAI-induced supply-and-demand shocks. Such information is critical for the design of targeted, and hence effective, HPAI control and mitigation policies.Agricultural growth and technologies, demand shock, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Livelihoods, probit model, Propensity score matching, supply shock, zero-inflated negative binomial model,

Investigating the Role of Poultry in Livelihoods and the Impact of HPAI on Livelihoods Outcomes in Africa: Evidence from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria

In this paper we investigate the role of poultry in the livelihoods portfolios of households and the impact of supply and demand shocks that may be caused by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on various livelihoods outcomes of households in four Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The study countries include Ethiopia and Kenya in East Africa and Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa. These countries represent a spectrum of SSA countries in terms of disease status, role of poultry sector and means of disease spread. By using nationally representative household level secondary data and discrete choice methods (probit model and zero inflated negative binomial model) we profile the household, farm and regional characteristics of those households who are most likely to keep poultry, and those who are most likely to be engaged in intensive poultry production, i.e., keep larger household flocks. We estimate the impact of the disease outbreaks and scares/threats on livelihood outcomes by using matching methods (i.e., propensity score matching). The results of this study generate valuable information regarding the role of poultry in the livelihoods of small-scale poultry producing households and the livelihood impacts of HPAI induced demand and supply shocks. Such information is critical for the design of targeted and hence efficient and effective HPAI control and mitigation policies.Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), demand shock, supply shock, livelihoods, probit model, zero inflated negative binomial model, propensity score matching, Livestock Production/Industries,

Plan de cuidados a persona mayor con depresión y procesos familiares disfuncionales

Este trabajo trata el tema de la depresión en personas mayores de 65. Padecer depresión es una situación con una alta frecuencia en la población anciana y su presencia ocasiona o incrementa situaciones de dependencia e incapacidad, con repercusiones sociales y en el entorno familiar del paciente. En los estudios consultados, la prevalencia de depresión en el anciano oscila entre 5 y 50%. Estos datos varían según la proyección del estudio. En atención primaria un 10%, en pacientes ingresados en unidades de hospitalización aguda entre el 16 y 43%, y en ancianos institucionalizados desde un 10 a un 50%. En cuanto al sexo es padecida 2 veces más en mujeres que en hombres y no hay diferencias entre grupos étnicos o culturas. También hay que destacar datos sobre el problema de cronicidad, con tasas del 20 al 85% en la población geriátrica. Los factores de riesgo que favorecen la depresión en el anciano son: Biológicos, cambios neuroquímicos, enfermedades crónicas incapacitantes, limitaciones psicofísicas. Psicosociales, jubilación, pérdida de seres queridos, aislamiento social, rechazo familiar, dificultades económicas, perdida de reconocimiento social, perdida de libertad y capacidad de decisión. Y por ultimo yatrogenicos, polifarmacia dosis inadecuadas, mal cumplimiento del tratamiento. EL objetivo de este trabajo es realizar previa revisión bibliográfica un plan de cuidados para pacientes con depresión y mayores de 65 años. Centrado en el diagnostico enfermero de Procesos familiares disfuncionales, a partir del cual establecer unos objetivos a conseguir con sus actividades correspondientes a realizar

Le rôle clé de la pratique infirmière en contexte de changements climatiques

Introduction : Face à l’augmentation de problématiques de santé liées aux changements climatiques, les infirmières et infirmiers sont de plus en plus sollicités et doivent adapter leur pratique à cette réalité. Ce résumé a pour objectifs d’identifier des actions permettant de sensibiliser et de former les membres de la profession infirmière aux enjeux climatiques et à leurs conséquences sur la santé des individus et des populations. Il vise également à encourager les infirmières et infirmiers à devenir des agents de changement dans la lutte contre les changements climatiques en mettant en lumière les travaux présentés par le Comité Jeunesse de l’Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (2020). Démarche : Une revue narrative de la littérature a été réalisée dans les principales bases de données scientifiques telles MEDLINE CINHAL et Google Scholar afin d’identifier différentes stratégies et pistes de solutions. Des échanges informels avec plusieurs membres de la relève ont ensuite été réalisés par 13 jeunes infirmières et infirmiers afin d’approfondir leurs réflexions sur la pratique infirmière en contexte de changements climatiques. Les trois constats retenus et considérés comme prioritaires se définissent comme : 1) l’importance de sensibiliser et de former l’ensemble des membres de la profession infirmière aux enjeux climatiques et à leurs conséquences, notamment sur la santé; 2) l’importance de mettre en place des actions favorables à l’environnement; 3) l’importance d’instaurer des comités sur le développement durable et les enjeux environnementaux dans tous les établissements de santé. Appréciation : Pour chacun des constats, des stratégies et pistes de solutions ont été identifiées. Par exemple, intégrer dans la formation initiale et continue les notions relatives aux changements climatiques et leurs impacts sur la santé, pour que les infirmières et infirmiers puissent contribuer efficacement à la mise en place de modes d’organisations des soins visant à répondre aux urgences climatiques. Également, encourager les actions individuelles et collectives visant la diminution de l’empreinte carbone, comme la création de comités sur le développement durable et les enjeux environnementaux dans les établissements. Puis, encourager les infirmières et infirmiers à devenir des acteurs politiques importants en s’impliquant à différents niveaux (scène municipale, regroupements politiques, associations professionnelles, etc.) afin de prendre position sur les enjeux environnementaux. Conclusion et recommandations : Au terme de cette démarche, les infirmières et infirmiers disposeront d’arguments et de moyens pour prendre leur place en tant qu’acteurs clés au sein des organisations dans la lutte aux changements climatiques.Introduction : Face à l’augmentation de problématiques de santé liées aux changements climatiques, les infirmières et infirmiers sont de plus en plus sollicités et doivent adapter leur pratique à cette réalité. Ce résumé a pour objectifs d’identifier des actions permettant de sensibiliser et de former les membres de la profession infirmière aux enjeux climatiques et à leurs conséquences sur la santé des individus et des populations. Il vise également à encourager les infirmières et infirmiers à devenir des agents de changement dans la lutte contre les changements climatiques en mettant en lumière les travaux présentés par le Comité Jeunesse de l’Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (2020). Démarche : Une revue narrative de la littérature a été réalisée dans les principales bases de données scientifiques telles MEDLINE CINHAL et Google Scholar afin d’identifier différentes stratégies et pistes de solutions. Des échanges informels avec plusieurs membres de la relève ont ensuite été réalisés par 13 jeunes infirmières et infirmiers afin d’approfondir leurs réflexions sur la pratique infirmière en contexte de changements climatiques. Les trois constats retenus et considérés comme prioritaires se définissent comme : 1) l’importance de sensibiliser et de former l’ensemble des membres de la profession infirmière aux enjeux climatiques et à leurs conséquences, notamment sur la santé; 2) l’importance de mettre en place des actions favorables à l’environnement; 3) l’importance d’instaurer des comités sur le développement durable et les enjeux environnementaux dans tous les établissements de santé. Appréciation : Pour chacun des constats, des stratégies et pistes de solutions ont été identifiées. Par exemple, intégrer dans la formation initiale et continue les notions relatives aux changements climatiques et leurs impacts sur la santé, pour que les infirmières et infirmiers puissent contribuer efficacement à la mise en place de modes d’organisations des soins visant à répondre aux urgences climatiques. Également, encourager les actions individuelles et collectives visant la diminution de l’empreinte carbone, comme la création de comités sur le développement durable et les enjeux environnementaux dans les établissements. Puis, encourager les infirmières et infirmiers à devenir des acteurs politiques importants en s’impliquant à différents niveaux (scène municipale, regroupements politiques, associations professionnelles, etc.) afin de prendre position sur les enjeux environnementaux. Conclusion et recommandations : Au terme de cette démarche, les infirmières et infirmiers disposeront d’arguments et de moyens pour prendre leur place en tant qu’acteurs clés au sein des organisations dans la lutte aux changements climatiques

Persistent starspot signals on M dwarfs: multi-wavelength Doppler observations with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder and Keck/HIRES

Young, rapidly-rotating M dwarfs exhibit prominent starspots, which create quasiperiodic signals in their photometric and Doppler spectroscopic measurements. The periodic Doppler signals can mimic radial velocity (RV) changes expected from orbiting exoplanets. Exoplanets can be distinguished from activity-induced false positives by the chromaticity and long-term incoherence of starspot signals, but these qualities are poorly constrained for fully-convective M stars. Coherent photometric starspot signals on M dwarfs may persist for hundreds of rotations, and the wavelength dependence of starspot RV signals may not be consistent between stars due to differences in their magnetic fields and active regions. We obtained precise multi-wavelength RVs of four rapidly-rotating M dwarfs (AD Leo, G 227-22, GJ 1245B, GJ 3959) using the near-infrared (NIR) Habitable-zone Planet Finder, and the optical Keck/HIRES spectrometer. Our RVs are complemented by photometry from Kepler, TESS, and the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) network of telescopes. We found that all four stars exhibit large spot-induced Doppler signals at their rotation periods, and investigated the longevity and optical-to-NIR chromaticity for these signals. The phase curves remain coherent much longer than is typical for Sunlike stars. Their chromaticity varies, and one star (GJ 3959) exhibits optical and NIR RV modulation consistent in both phase and amplitude. In general, though, we find that the NIR amplitudes are lower than their optical counterparts. We conclude that starspot modulation for rapidly-rotating M stars frequently remains coherent for hundreds of stellar rotations, and gives rise to Doppler signals that, due to this coherence, may be mistaken for exoplanets.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Urban Forest and the Tree Canopy: A Pathway to Climate Resilience

Background: Urban ecosystems face many environmental, infrastructure, and social systems challenges. Urban forest plays an important role in urban ecology but continue to face many direct and indirect threats. Research indicates that climate change, insects, disease, and urbanization are the major causes of urban forest decline. Tree canopies play a major role in ecosystem services, providing the advantages of a natural, cost-effective system of green infrastructure, removal of air and water pollutants, modulation of energy use, and improvement in water quality. These services increase climate resilience. Purpose: The purpose of this service-learning project was to gain a better understanding of ecosystem service benefits from trees in Washington, DC and whether these benefits facilitated Washington, DC being more climate resilient. Our aim was two-folds, to describe the monetary value of carbon sequestration from trees in DC, and to assist in identifying tree species in local neighborhoods. Methods: We collected tree canopy data using the i-Tree tool designed to provide an estimate of ecosystem service benefits and the TreeSnap tool designed to allow citizen scientists to make observations of trees in local communities and provide pictorial documents to scientists who catalog tree species. Results: Our results showed on average carbon sequestered by trees valued at $10,196,999 million dollars and carbon stored in trees was valued at$256,084,907 million dollars. Our other results showed the variety of tree species such as the Japanese Cherry Tree, have large bases, are plentiful throughout Washington, DC, and capable of storing large amounts of carbon. Conclusion: Washington, DC has increased the number of trees planted annually, which we believe creates a pathway to a climate-resilient city. As urban sustainability majors, this project enlightened our understanding of urban sustainability and climate resilience