189 research outputs found
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Women in the nonprofit sector : leadership for social change.
The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics and behavior of women who are functioning in visible leadership roles in a nonprofit sector organization in order to document the effectiveness of their leadership as measured by the outcomes they achieve. The study population included thirty-eight women who were Executive Directors or Chief Executive Officers in Mental Health Associations (MHA\u27s) in the United States. The study was intended to provide a better understanding of the leadership aspirations, styles and achievements of women who work within the context of an organization dedicated to social change for people with mental illnesses. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) What were the influences in the lives of the women that led them to work for an organization focused on pursuing social justice for persons with mental illnesses (i.e., family background, education, history of mental illness in self or family, role models)? (2) What do participants see as the essential components of leadership? (3) How do the participants asses their own leadership outcomes in the context of their employment with the Mental Health Association? (4) What were the leadership behaviors and strategies used by the participants and to what extent did they use collective power to accomplish their organization\u27s goals? The research was conducted as a descriptive case study utilizing qualitative methods including a participant profile. A particular emphasis was made to include leaders who are women of color and leaders who are consumers of mental health services in the study. The study found that study participants generally viewed leadership as nonhierarchical and often saw themselves as a catalyst or facilitator who enabled others to act collectively toward the accomplishment the mission and goals of the Mental Health Association. The study is a partial replication of a study developed by Helen Astin and Carole Leland in 1991 (Women of influence, women of vision. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass) which focused on understanding the dynamics of leadership used by female leaders in the women\u27s movement of the 1970\u27s and 1980\u27s. This study supported the findings of Astin and Leland in their initial study
Potential of multi-species livestock farming to improve the sustainability of livestock farms: A review.
Diversified farming systems are proposed as a major mechanism to address the many sustainability issues of today's agriculture. Multi-species livestock farming, i.e. keeping two or more animal species simultaneously on the same farm, is an option that has received little attention to date. Moreover, most studies of multi-species livestock farming are limited, usually focusing on selected dimensions of farm sustainability and addressing lower organizational levels (i.e. within the farm) and rather limited time horizons (e.g. a few weeks in a grazing season). Thus, a comprehensive assessment of multi-species livestock farming in terms of farm sustainability is lacking. In this context, we outline and discuss potential benefits and limitations of multi-species livestock farming for livestock farm sustainability from existing literature and list issues on multi-species livestock farming requiring further research. We show that multi-species livestock farming has the potential to improve the three dimensions of sustainability reviewed - economic viability for farmers, environmental soundness and social acceptability by being respectful of animals and humans - as long as locally relevant farming practices are implemented, especially an appropriate stocking rate during grazing. If relevant practices are not observed, multi-species livestock farming may produce undesirable effects, such as competition for resource acquisition during grazing, parasitic cross-infection and more intense work peaks. Therefore, we identify four focal research areas for multi-species livestock farming. First, characterizing the management of multi-species livestock farms. To do this, we suggest considering the integration of production enterprises (e.g. cattle and sheep enterprises)
within the farm from three perspectives: farming practices (e.g. grazing management), work organization and sales. Second, exploring the complementarity of livestock species on multi-species livestock farms. This is especially true for species combinations that have been largely ignored (e.g. ruminants and monogastrics), even though they may have potential due to complementary diet compositions and resource-acquisition strategies. Third, assessing the sustainability of multi-species livestock farm scenarios (current or alternative) according to the management practices and production conditions, which requires adapting existing methods/models or developing new ones. Fourth, characterizing conditions for success and obstacles for multi-species livestock farming along the value chain from production to consumption, considering stakeholders' objectives, work habits and constraints. Increasing understanding should help prioritize actions and organize them to scale up multi-species livestock farming
Photometric Properties of Ceres from Telescopic Observations using Dawn Framing Camera Color Filters
The dwarf planet Ceres is likely differentiated similar to the terrestrial
planets but with a water/ice dominated mantle and an aqueously altered crust.
Detailed modeling of Ceres' phase function has never been performed to
understand its surface properties. The Dawn spacecraft began orbital science
operations at the dwarf planet in April 2015. We observed Ceres with flight
spares of the seven Dawn Framing Camera color filters mounted on ground-based
telescopes over the course of three years to model its phase function versus
wavelength. Our analysis shows that the modeled geometric albedos derived from
both the IAU HG model and the Hapke model are consistent with a flat and
featureless spectrum of Ceres, although the values are ~10% higher than
previous measurements. Our models also suggest a wavelength dependence of
Ceres' phase function. The IAU G-parameter and the Hapke single-particle phase
function parameter, g, are both consistent with decreasing (shallower) phase
slope with increasing wavelength. Such a wavelength dependence of phase
function is consistent with reddening of spectral slope with increasing phase
angle, or phase-reddening. This phase reddening is consistent with previous
spectra of Ceres obtained at various phase angles archived in the literature,
and consistent with the fact that the modeled geometric albedo spectrum of
Ceres is the bluest of all spectra because it represents the spectrum at 0
degree phase angle. Ground-based FC color filter lightcurve data are consistent
with HST albedo maps confirming that Ceres' lightcurve is dominated by albedo
and not shape. We detected a positive correlation between 1.1-micron absorption
band depth and geometric albedo suggesting brighter areas on Ceres have
absorption bands that are deeper.Comment: 40 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in Icaru
Quantifying and valuing carbon flows and stores in coastal and shelf ecosystems in the UK
Evidence shows that habitats with potential to mitigate against greenhouse gases emissions, by taking up and storing CO2, are being lost due to the effects of on-going human activities and climate change. The carbon storage by terrestrial habitats (e.g. tropical forests) and the role of coastal habitats (âBlue Carbonâ) as carbon storage sinks is well recognised. Offshore shelf sediments are also a manageable carbon store, covering âŒ9% of global marine area, but not currently protected by international agreements to enable their conservation. Through a scenario analysis, we explore the economic value of the damage of human activities and climate change can inflict on UK marine habitats, including shelf sea sediments. In a scenario of increased human and climate pressures over a 25-year period, we estimate damage costs up to US$12.5 billion from carbon release linked to disturbance of coastal and shelf sea sediment carbon stores. It may be possible to manage socio-economic pressure to maintain sedimentary carbon storage, but the trade-offs with other global social welfare benefits such as food security will have to be taken into account. To develop effective incentive mechanisms to preserve these valuable coastal and marine ecosystems within a sustainability governance framework, robust evidence is required
Olivine-rich exposures at Bellicia and Arruntia craters on (4) Vesta from Dawn FC
We present an analysis of the olivine-rich exposures at Bellicia and Arruntia
craters using Dawn Framing Camera (FC) color data. Our results confirm the
existence of olivine-rich materials at these localities as described by
Ammannito et al. (2013a) using Visual Infrared Spectrometer (VIR) data.
Analyzing laboratory spectra of various Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite meteorites,
high-Ca pyroxenes, olivines and olivine-orthopyroxene mixtures, we derive three
FC spectral band parameters that are indicators of olivine-rich materials.
Combining the three band parameters allows us, for the first time, to reliably
identify sites showing modal olivine contents >40%. The olivine-rich exposures
at Bellicia and Arruntia are mapped using higher spatial resolution FC data.
The exposures are located on the slopes of outer/inner crater walls, on the
floor of Arruntia, in the ejecta, as well as in nearby fresh small impact
craters. The spatial extent of the exposures ranges from a few hundred meters
to few kilometers. The olivine-rich exposures are in accordance with both the
magma ocean and the serial magmatism model (e.g., Righter and Drake 1997;
Yamaguchi et al. 1997). However, it remains unsolved why the olivine-rich
materials are mainly concentrated in the northern hemisphere (~36-42{\deg} N,
46-74{\deg} E) and are almost absent in the Rheasilvia basin.Comment: Accepted for publication in Meteoritics and Planetary Scienc
Global Photometric Properties of Asteroid (4) Vesta Observed with Dawn Framing Camera
Dawn spacecraft orbited Vesta for more than one year and collected a huge
volume of multispectral, high-resolution data in the visible wavelengths with
the Framing Camera. We present a detailed disk-integrated and disk-resolved
photometric analysis using the Framing Camera images with the Minnaert model
and the Hapke model, and report our results about the global photometric
properties of Vesta. The photometric properties of Vesta show weak or no
dependence on wavelengths, except for the albedo. At 554 nm, the global average
geometric albedo of Vesta is 0.38+/-0.04, and the Bond albedo range is
0.20+/-0.02. The bolometric Bond albedo is 0.18+/-0.01. The phase function of
Vesta is similar to those of S-type asteroids. Vesta's surface shows a
single-peaked albedo distribution with a full-width-half-max ~17% relative to
the global average. This width is much smaller than the full range of albedos
(from ~0.55x to >2x global average) in localized bright and dark areas of a few
tens of km in sizes, and is probably a consequence of significant regolith
mixing on the global scale. Rheasilvia basin is about 10% brighter than the
global average. The phase reddening of Vesta measured from Dawn Framing Camera
images is comparable or slightly stronger than that of Eros as measured by the
Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission, but weaker than previous measurements
based on ground-based observations of Vesta and laboratory measurements of HED
meteorites. The photometric behaviors of Vesta are best described by the Hapke
model and the Akimov disk- function, when compared with the Minnaert model,
Lommel-Seeliger model, and Lommel- Seeliger-Lambertian model. The traditional
approach for photometric correction is validated for Vesta for >99% of its
surface where reflectance is within +/-30% of global average.Comment: 94 pages (double-spaced), 6 tables, 19 figure
The HADES mission concept - astrobiological survey of Jupiter's icy moon Europa
The HADES Europa mission concept aims to provide a framework for an astrobiological in-depth investigation of the Jupiter moon Europa, relying on existing technologies and feasibility. This mission study proposes a system consisting of an orbiter, lander and cryobot as a platform for detailed exploration of Europa. While the orbiter will investigate the presence of a liquid ocean and characterize Europa's internal structure, the lander will survey local dynamics of the ice layer and the surface environment. The lander releases a cryobot, that melts into the ice, will sample the pristine subsurface and is expected to provide data on organic and gaseous content and putative bio-signatures. In summary, we present the scientific objectives for an astrobiological investigation of Europa, resulting in a mission concept with a detailed evaluation of scientific instrumentation, mission sequences, basic design of the spacecraft, technology needs and cost estimation
Asteroid Ryugu before the Hayabusa2 encounter
Asteroid (162173) Ryugu is the target object of Hayabusa2, an asteroid exploration and sample return mission led by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Ground-based observations indicate that Ryugu is a C-type near-Earth asteroid with a diameter of less than 1 km, but the knowledge of its detailed properties is very limited prior to Hayabusa2 observation. This paper summarizes our best understanding of the physical and dynamical properties of Ryugu based on ground-based remote sensing and theoretical modeling before the Hayabusa2âs arrival at the asteroid. This information is used to construct a design reference model of the asteroid that is used for the formulation of mission operation plans in advance of asteroid arrival. Particular attention is given to the surface properties of Ryugu that are relevant to sample acquisition. This reference model helps readers to appropriately interpret the data that will be directly obtained by Hayabusa2 and promotes scientific studies not only for Ryugu itself and other small bodies but also for the solar system evolution that small bodies shed light on.Additional co-authors: Guy Libourel, Roy Lichtenheldt, Alessandro Maturilli, Scott R. Messenger, Tatsuhiro Michikami, Hideaki Miyamoto, Stefano Mottola, Thomas MĂŒller, Akiko M. Nakamura, Larry R. Nittler, Kazunori Ogawa, Tatsuaki Okada, Ernesto Palomba, Naoya Sakatani, Stefan E. Schröder, Hiroki Senshu, Driss Takir, Michael E. Zolensky and International Regolith Science Group (IRSG) in Hayabusa2 projec
The HADES mission concept â Astrobiological survey of Jupiter's icy moon Europa
The HADES Europa mission concept aims to provide a framework for an astrobiological in-depth investigation of the Jupiter moon Europa, relying on existing technologies and feasibility. This mission study proposes a system consisting of an orbiter, lander and cryobot as a platform for detailed exploration of Europa. While the orbiter will investigate the presence of a liquid ocean and characterize Europa's internal structure, the lander will survey local dynamics of the ice layer and the surface environment. The lander releases a cryobot, that melts into the ice, will sample the pristine subsurface and is expected to provide data on organic and gaseous content and putative bio-signatures. In summary, we present the scientific objectives for an astrobiological investigation of Europa, resulting in a mission concept with a detailed evaluation of scientific instrumentation, mission sequences, basic design of the spacecraft, technology needs and cost estimations
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