Making a case for the consideration of trust, justice and power in conservation relationships

In conservation, trust and justice are increasingly recognized as both intrinsically valuable and critical for successful socioecological outcomes. However, the interdependence between these concepts has not been explored. The conservation trust literature provides examples of efforts to build trust between conservationists and local actors; yet, these interventions are often conceived to incentivize local cooperation within dominant paradigms. We argue that when trust building is promoted as a technical fix that does not plan in advance to address power asymmetries in conservation practice, inequities may inadvertently be re‐embedded. Therefore, we conceptualized a framework that joins trust, justice, and power so that critical analyses of conservation partnerships can be more effectively undertaken. We drew on environmental justice theory to better calibrate the trust literature for the historical‐political settings of conservation, especially in the Global South. Justice and trust share strong theoretical links where perceptions of justice shape a willingness to trust, and, equally, trust is a precondition for justice to be perceived. Different forms of trust connect to varied domains of justice and power in different ways, which mediates the outcomes of interventions. We applied our framework to case studies to explore how these interdependences play out in practice. Failure of agencies to attend to issues of maldistribution, misrecognition of cultural values and knowledge, and exclusion from participation strongly compromised trust. Moreover, the ways in which nature‐dependent communities and marginalized conservation workers are trusted, or the conditions under which they give trust, can lead to partnerships being perceived as just or unjust. Focusing on trust and justice can help identify power dynamics so they can be addressed more readily and create space for alternative understandings of partnerships

Fieldwork in conservation organisations–A review of methodological challenges, opportunities and ethics

Social science methodologies are increasingly used by conservation organisations to improve social-ecological outcomes. However, ethnographic approaches seeking to understand organisations themselves and how organisational culture impacts biodiversity and social justice are rarely discussed. By exploring previous studies of the methodological considerations of organisational ethnography in conservation, we provide conservationists and ethnographers with an empirically grounded understanding of the opportunities, challenges and underlying ethical considerations of this approach.We conducted a scoping review of a disparate body of literature where ethnographers were embedded in conservation organisations and discussed their methodology, identifying 26 studies for analysis. We then extracted information on key themes relevant to methodological process and uptake.Our review found such research spanned the globe, with a broad range of methodological and ethical considerations related to how ethnographers and conservationists interact. For example, organisational ethnography was perceived as valuable by conservationists as it allowed tracking progress toward internal goals such as diversification of staff and providing moral and emotional support and valuable information for transforming organisational practices. However, conservationists also worried about ethnographers' presence in their organisations. A key methodological challenge we identify, corroborating with the literature, is how ethnographers can benefit organisations while supplying critique.Based on the results, we provide recommendations and areas of reflection for conservation organisations and ethnographers. Mainstreaming organisational ethnography through attention to certain methodological considerations can be beneficial for the future of conservation organisations and the biodiversity and people they impact

Spatial Organization of Phase-separated DNA Droplets

Many recent studies of liquid-liquid phase separation in biology focus on phase separation as a dynamic control mechanism for cellular function, but it can also result in complex mesoscopic structures. We primarily investigate a model system consisting of DNA nanostars: finite-valence, self-assembled particles that form micron-scale liquid droplets via a binodal phase transition. We demonstrate that, upon phase separation, nanostar droplets spontaneously form hyperuniform structures, a type of disordered material with `hidden order' that combines the long-range order of crystals with the short-range isotropy of liquids. We find that the hyperuniformity of the DNA droplets reflects near-equilibrium dynamics, where phase separation drives the organization of droplets that then relax toward equilibrium via droplet Brownian motion. We engineer a two-species system of immiscible DNA droplets and find two distinctly hyperuniform structures in the same sample, but with random cross-species droplet correlations, which rules out explanations that rely on droplet-droplet hydrodynamic interactions. In addition, we perform experiments on the electrostatic coacervation of peptides and nucleotides which exhibit hyperuniform structures indistinguishable from DNA nanostars, indicating the phenomenon generally applies to phase-separating systems that experience Brownian motion. Our work on near-equilibrium droplet assembly and structure provides a foundation to investigate droplet organizational mechanisms in driven/biological environments. This approach also provides a clear path to implement phase-separated droplet patterns as exotic optical or mechanical metamaterials, or as efficient biochemical reactors.Comment: Additional experiments and discussion of hyperuniformity in droplets formed by electrostatic coacervatio

College Students\u27 Attitude Towards the Utilization of the Sport Recreation Center (SRC)

The primary aim of this paper is to examine the reasons for using or not using the student recreational center (SRC) among a frequent users and non-users. The second purpose is to use the research findings in order to make same recommendations for attracting stronger patronage amongst student users. Two groups of college students that were identified by user and non-user were invited to attend a separate focus group discussion. A user group consisted of six students (5 male, 1 female) with a mean age of 20.33 (Sd=.82), and the non-user group consisted of eight students (6 male, 2 female) with a mean age of 20.38 (Sd=1.30). The discussion was lead by one of the authors and was tape recorded with permissions from the respondents. The recorded tape was transcribed verbatim and analyzed by using the content analysis method by the three authors. Separate analyses were conducted for both groups. Results show that three themes emerged as important for the User group using the facility: the wellness reason; good facilities; and reasons associated with socialization. On the other hand, four themes emerged for the non-user group not using the facility: inconvenience; personal inadequacy; poor accessibility; and lack of interest. On how to attract more students, the User group suggested that students themselves must be knowledgeable in exercise; SRC should create more competition; and the SRC should keep up with the maintenance. While the non-user group suggested that more email information sent to them; the SRC should train their staff (e.g. for weight room staff), and the SRC should build a bigger space (especially weight room); and more competition should be offered. Furthermore, it is interesting to find that both the user and non-user have different opinions on how to promote more students usage. However, there appears to be a relatively good relationship between the two. This relationship has is in the conclusion and further recommendations are also suggested

Crowdsourcing Global Wastewater Data

No time to waste: Crowdsourcing global wastewater treatment data Worldwide, over 80 percent of wastewater is discharged into water bodies without undergoing treatment, severely impairing human well-being and ecosystem vitality along the way. National performance on wastewater treatment is difficult to quantify and is poorly understood due to a lack of common definitions, poor data collection standards, and limited historical data. To address this, the Yale Environmental Performance Index (EPI), a research group that produces a biennial ranking of country-level environmental performance, developed a first-of-its kind national wastewater treatment indicator.[1] The indicator assesses wastewater treatment performance for 183 countries, but there are still data gaps and quality issues to address. The Yale EPI is looking to refine and improve its database through a first-of-its-kind innovative effort to crowdsource updates and feedback using an interactive map of wastewater treatment performance.[2] The crowdsourcing effort is targeted at water experts and decision-makers around the world and aims to: Validate existing data by working with local experts, Improve spatial and temporal data coverage Build a wider community of users around wastewater data. Yale EPI’s wastewater treatment indicator can help improve understanding of the topic, and refine the signal sent to policymakers about proper management. Keywords (wastewater, crowdsourcing, map, treatment, ecosystem, indicator, EPI, national, global, database) [1] Malik, Omar A., et al. 2015. “A global indicator of wastewater treatment to inform the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Environmental Science & Policy 48: 172-185. [2] Torres Quintanilla, Diego, Peter Hirsch, Samuel Cohen. Wastewater Treatment Map. Environmental Performance Index, Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, 6 July 2015. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.

Crummer SunTrust Portfolio Recommendations: Crummer Investment Management [2019]

SunTrust endowed this portfolio to provide scholarships for future Crummer students and to give current students a practical, hands on learning opportunity. This year we are pleased to be able to award $50,000 in scholarships. We are extremely grateful for SunTrust’s generosity and investment in higher education. We have all learned a great deal from this experience and the responsibility of managing real money. Our first challenge is to establish a portfolio position that takes advantage of economic opportunities while avoiding unnecessary risk and conforming to the Crummer SunTrust Investment Policy Statement (IPS). We are also tasked by the IPS to operate at two levels simultaneously tactical for the near term, and strategic for the long run. Additionally, this portfolio presents some unusual portfolio management challenges by trading only once a year, in early May. Our tactical approach began with a top down sector analysis. We established an economic forecast based on research and consultation with economists, including Professor William Seyfried of the Crummer School. That forecast then drove our allocation among the eleven S&P sectors: Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Energy, Financials, Healthcare, Industrials, Information Technology, Materials, Telecommunications, and Utilities. This year we have forecast slowing economic growth and tilted the allocation towards defensive sectors that are less sensitive to the business cycle. Our asset class allocation embodies the long run strategy of our portfolio. The IPS sets asset class ranges from low to moderate risk to keep the portfolio from being whipsawed by transitory market cycles. Our equity allocations entail a moderate level of risk, consistent with our view that the stock market will continue a modest upward trend between now and April 2020 . We maintain an allocation to a sector ETF in each sector to ensure diversification. Additionally, as a practical matter, we are limiting each sector to a maximum of two individual stocks. Fixed income is our anchor sector, providing a hedge against the risk of an economic slowdown adversely impacting our equity holdings We are at the middle of our IPS range for fixed income at 15 %, which is a n increase from the decision of 10% last year. Furthermore, we have incorporated a new theme in to our portfolio selection process related t o the rise of the global middle class. Inspired by Hans Roslings’ Factfulness, we believe there are systematic misunderstandings about the state of the world. The biases and ignorance of rich nations obfuscate the tremendous human progress that has taken p lace across the globe, record low poverty levels providing one noteworthy example. Our investment team is committed to capitalize on opportunities hidden in plain sight. Regardless of a security’s consistency with our theme, all recommendations must be undervalued after rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis. Lastly, we believe that the economic merits of capitalism will prevail against the negative sentiments unfortunately gaining support in the United States. The innovative capacity of the free market will avail itself and continue to raise living standards across the globe

Recent Trends on Dual- and Triple-Band Microwave Filters for Wireless Communications

In the past few years, several designs of dual- and triple-band microwave filters satisfying various objectives have been proposed for wireless communication. Several designs are new concepts, whereas others are inspired from previous works. The development trends of these designs can be reviewed from this compilation of studies. This paper begins with an explanation of dual- and triple-band microwave filters, followed by a discussion on several designs in terms of size, measurement, performance, and technology use. Among various designs, microstrip band-pass filters are extensively used because of their simple design procedures and because they can be integrated into circuits easily. Furthermore, most researchers use low frequencies in their designs because of the demands of current wireless applications. Finally, designs are proposed to produce compact microwave filters with good performance

Systematic review of perioperative and quality-of-life outcomes following surgical management of localised renal cancer

UCAN Cancer Charity (www.ucanhelp.org.uk) and MacMillan Cancer Charity (www.macmillan.org.uk) helped design and conduct the study.Peer reviewedPostprin

North Hermiston Local Circulation Plan

55 pagesThe City of Hermiston is a growing town located in the northeast part of Oregon. In the early 2000s, Hermiston had a population of about 13,000 people. With more homes and schools under construction, the town expects to reach a population of 20,000 in the next decade. Hermiston is a small town, and with a growing population, traffic will increase, causing large amounts of congestion. The congestion will primarily be an issue during peak hours in the morning and afternoon. Most of the congestion occurs on Highway 395. Portland State University capstone students are responsible for designing different alternatives that the team will present to the city of Hermiston. The report will include CAD drawings, a cost estimate, and a construction schedule. The alternative designs will focus on easing congestion, providing better access for residents and commercial establishments, pedestrian and driver safety, and total construction time. During a site visit, the team looked for areas along Highway 395 where drivers could make an earlier turn that would ease up the turning lanes on W Theater Lane and Highway 207. Highway 207 had an issue with an existing business, so the team decided not to evaluate the street for a potential redesign. ODOT had already purchased as much right- of-way as possible in the intersection, but the existing business showed no interest in relocating. No more can be done unless the property is bought and demolished. At an early design stage, the City of Hermiston decided that designing bike lanes was not preferred due to the popularity of using automobiles to get around town. The team ultimately produced three designs that the City could look into, not including a no-build option. The alternatives include a new street layout from Highway 395 to W Theater Lane, a new street layout from Highway 395 to NE 4th Street, and an intersection redesign from W Theater Lane to Highway 395. The team met with stakeholders around the area, and all alternative designs were disclosed. The stakeholders approved of each one. Stakeholders described that congestion was noticeably becoming an issue and wanted a solution. Some stated it was nearly impossible to make a left turn onto Highway 395. Another issue was the safety of employees, as drivers would speed and cut through the parking lots to get around traffic. With stakeholders understanding that redevelopment will occur throughout the city, these problems will worsen if no initiative is taken. After a thorough analysis, the recommended solution to solve the central issue of congestion and safety is to create a new street layout. The new street layout will cut through the privately-owned property to connect Highway 395 to NE 4th Street. The new street layout connecting Highway 395 to NE 4th Street is the best alternative as it will provide the best solution to ease congestion on Highway 395. The new road would also provide better street access to nearby residential areas and discourage the public from entering businesses using their rear entrance. This design will not affect traffic flow but will require right-of-way acquisition from private parties. The City of Hermiston officials approved this design as it would better impact congestion while having a slightly better cost than other design alternatives. In addition to adding a new roadway, swales will be added for drainage, and sidewalks will be constructed for pedestrians. This layout will allow the City to incorporate a new signal at Highway 395