Push Them Forward: Challenges in Intergovernmental Organizations\u27 Influence on Rural Broadband Infrastructure Expansion

Many rural US communities lack access to adequate broadband services. This paper draws on semi-structured interviews conducted in 2019 with 16 Regional Planning Commissions to uncover dynamics of how these intergovernmental organizations contribute to the deployment of broadband infrastructure in rural Missouri. The proposed framework integrates the decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Theory of Reasoned Goal Pursuit, and Stakeholder Theory. Many participants reported a low level of involvement in broadband infrastructure initiatives even though supporting infrastructure development to promote economic growth is one of the Regional Planning Commissions\u27 primary goals. Regional Planning Commissions are highly influenced by four primary stakeholder groups, (1) residents and businesses, (2) local governments, (3) internet service providers, and (4) state and federal government, which vary in terms of priorities and power. While defining the region\u27s priorities with elected officials, Regional Planning Commissions often push them forward to recognize the necessity of broadband infrastructure. However, Regional Planning Commissions also struggle with low self-efficacy and inadequate expertise to support broadband planning efforts. The proposed framework could be generalized to understand actions and decisions by other intergovernmental organizations that have convening power and face similar power dynamics with their stakeholders

Rural Access to Industry 4.0: Barriers from the Infrastructure Planning Front Lines

Many rural communities lack adequate broadband infrastructure, which limits the economic development potential in these regions. They are not able to attract new businesses, and established businesses are unable to use tools and services that require high-speed internet. Broadband access is a requirement for the Internet of Things, robotics, and big data, which are part of Industry 4.0 and the future economy. Such technological advances are not only transforming the manufacturing environments and the service industry, but also finding applications in the food supply chain, such as precision agriculture. In this study, we conducted 17 semi-structured interviews (11 reported here) with Missouri Regional Planning Commission (RPC) directors and experienced infrastructure planners to identify barriers for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in rural Missouri. Systematic qualitative analysis was conducted to identify key themes based on barriers previously identified in the literature. Participants reported that the top barriers are the return on investment and financing of rural broadband projects. The literature tends to be dominated by technology solutions, which received the least number of mentions as a barrier in the interviews

Opportunities and Challenges for Rural Broadband Infrastructure Investment

Insufficient internet access is holding back local economies, reducing educational outcomes, and creating health disparities in rural areas of the U.S. At present, federal and state funding is available for rural broadband infrastructure deployment, but existing efforts have not invested in analytical work to maximize efficiency and minimize cost. In this study, we use a state-of-the-art matrix (SAM) to identify key challenges and opportunities facing rural broadband infrastructure from previous research and government reports. We focus on six themes: (1) technology, (2) hardware costs, (3) financing, (4) adoption, (5) regulatory/legal, and (6) management. We highlight key issues to be addressed by both private and public decision-makers to effectively manage broadband investment as well as engage stakeholders to improve access and adoption. Much of the challenge for rural broadband infrastructure is related to a low return on investment due to high capital costs and low population densities. However, there are many innovative approaches to overcoming this barrier from technical, policy, and social perspectives. Unfortunately, adoption and management are understudied and would benefit from additional research to design effective decision-making tools and programs. From a systems perspective, solutions that leverage tools from a diverse set of perspectives, rather than purely focusing on technology deployment, are more likely to be sustainable in the long-term. We outline an agenda for future work based on the needs of rural communities as well as local and state governments

Infancia y marginalidad: los frágiles herederos del abandono Vida, crianza e inserción de los expósitos abandonados en el Hospital de la Santa Creu en el siglo XV

Treballs Finals de Grau en Història, Facultat de Geografia i Història, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2021-2022, Tutor: Blanca Garí de Aguilera[spa] El presente trabajo pretende ahondar en la infancia abandonada en las puertas del Hospital de la Santa Creu a lo largo del siglo XV. Para ello, se incide en la vida del párvulo medieval, en la evolución asistencial de la red hospitalaria europea y, finalmente, en las tres etapas que los expertos consideran esenciales en lo tocante a la vida de los expósitos: la escena del abandono, el periodo de lactancia y la posterior incorporación al mundo de los adultos.[eng] The present paper aims to delve into the childhood abandoned at the doors of the Hospital de la Santa Creu throughout the 15th century. To this end, it focuses on the life of the medieval infant, on the healthcare evolution of the European hospital network and, finally, on the three stages that experts consider essential in relation to the life of foundlings: the scene of abandonment, the period of lactation and the subsequent adherence to the world of adults

El Paper d'internet i les xarxes socials en els moviments socials. Anàlisi del moviment independentista català

Conté: treball i pòsterEn els últims anys s'ha produït un creixement social de l'independentisme a Catalunya per diversos esdeveniments polítics, econòmics i socials, però les idees i arguments d'aquest s'han estès, en gran part, gràcies als avenços en les noves tecnologies de la informació i comunicació que han tingut un paper considerable en la mobilització i conscienciació de la gent. És a dir, per les noves xarxes socials. En aquestes xarxes moltes persones i organitzacions han trobat una eina clau per donar a conèixer les seves idees sobre Catalunya i els seus motius i arguments a favor de l'independentisme

Impacts de l’heveaculture (Hévéa brasiliensis) sur les caracteristiques physico-chimiques des sols dans la Region de Kango (N-W, Gabon)

Cette étude a permis de déterminer les propriétés physico-chimiques des sols, les stocks de carbone, l’indice de dégradation des sols (IDS), le potentiel de séquestration de carbone (CSP) dans la région de Kango. Nous avons comparé des sols sous culture d’hévéa d’âges différents : 10 ans (n = 8) et 30 ans (n = 13), à ceux sous forêts (n = 5). Les sols ont été prélevés (n = 312) sur une profondeur de 0 à 120 cm avec un pas régulier de 20 cm. Les résultats d’analyses montrent que les sols des sites présentent une texture argileuse. Les sols sont très acides, le pH varie entre 4,34 ± 0,06 et 4,72 ± 0,08 avec des densités apparentes qui varient en moyenne entre 0,91 ± 0,09 g/cm3 et 1,13 ± 0,07 g/cm3. Les stocks de carbone diminuent (forêt : 61,41 ± 1,93 MgC/ha ; hévéa 10 ans : 34,14 ± 0,12 MgC/ha). L’IDS sous hévéas de 10 ans (-53,89 %) est plus impacté que ceux sous hévéas de 30 ans (-30,92 %). Le CSP des sols sous hévéas de 30 ans est 3 fois plus important que les sols sous hévéas de 10 ans.   English title: Impacts of rubber cultivation (<i>Hévéa brasiliensis</i>) on the physico-chemical characteristics of soils in the Kango Region (N-W, Gabon) This study made it possible to determine the physicochemical properties of soils, carbon stocks, the soil degradation index (SDI), the carbon  sequestration potential (CSP) in the Kango region. We compared soils under rubber tree cultivation of different ages: 10 years (n = 8) and 30 years (n = 13), with those under forests (n = 5). The soils were sampled (n = 312) to a depth of 0 to 120 cm with a regular step of 20 cm. The results of the analyzes show that the soils of the sites have a clay texture. The soils are very acidic, the pH varies between 4.34 ± 0.06 and 4.72 ± 0.08 with apparent densities which vary on average between 0.91 ± 0.09 g / cm3 and 1.13 ± 0 , 07 g / cm3. Carbon stocks are decreasing (forest: 61.41 ± 1.93 MgC / ha; 10-year-old rubber: 34.14 ± 0.12 MgC / ha). The IDS for 10-year-old rubber trees (-53.89%) is more affected than those for 30-year-old rubber trees (-30.92%). The CSP of soils under 30-year-old rubber trees is 3 times greater than soils under 10-year-old rubber trees

Colgajos libres en cirugía de la mano: nuestra experiencia en 49 casos

ResumenObjetivoRevisar los colgajos libres utilizados más frecuentemente en la reconstrucción de la mano y evaluar sus resultados, ventajas y complicaciones.Material y métodoEntre el 2011 y el 2014, 49 pacientes fueron intervenidos mediante diferentes transferencias microquirúrgicas, con una edad media de 41 años (25-57). En función de la localización del defecto, se han realizado: a) 29 colgajos libres para los dedos; b) 11 transferencias libres para cobertura de la mano, diferenciando entre zona dorsal de la mano y primera comisura: 5 pacientes; zona volar: 2 pacientes, y cobertura de ambas simultáneamente: 4 pacientes, y c) 9 transferencias óseas vascularizadas para seudoartosis (7 casos) y reconstrucción de articulaciones (2 casos) en la mano y los dedos.Los resultados fueron evaluados en términos de supervivencia del colgajo, complicaciones, reintervenciones y satisfacción del paciente. Además, en los casos de afectación de los pulpejos de los dedos, también se valoró el índice de discriminación de 2 puntos.ResultadosEl porcentaje de supervivencia del colgajo fue del 100%. En 5 casos fue necesaria una tenoartrólisis secundaria y en otro caso (lateral de brazo para cobertura volar de 4 dedos) se intervino al paciente en 2 ocasiones más para la separación completa de los dedos. Se obtuvieron buenos resultados estéticos y funcionales en todos los pacientes, con alto grado de satisfacción. Los pacientes con afectación del pulpejo obtuvieron una media en el índice de discriminación de 2 puntos de 9,1mm (8-11).ConclusionesEn nuestra opinión, el uso de colgajos libres en cirugía de la mano proporciona un mejor resultado, sin sacrificar —a diferencia de los colgajos locales—, otras zonas sanas de la mano, consiguiéndose una mínima morbilidad de la zona donante y muy buenos resultados estéticos y funcionales.AbstractObjectiveTo review the free flaps most frequently used in hand reconstruction and evaluate their results, advantages and complications.Material and methodsA total of 49 patients, with a mean age of 41 years old (25-57), underwent different microsurgical transfers for hand reconstruction between 2011 and 2014. The type of transfer performed depended on the location of the defects: a) 29 free flaps for finger reconstruction, b) 11 free transfers for hand coverage (dorsal coverage and first web space: 5 patients; volar hand defects: 2 patients; coverage of both regions of the hand at the same time: 4 patients, and c) 9 free vascularised bone transfers for non-unions (7 cases) and joint reconstructions (2 cases) in hand and fingers.The results were evaluated in terms of flap survival, complications, secondary procedures, and patient satisfaction. In addition, when fingertip reconstruction was involved, the two-point discrimination test was also assessed.ResultsThe survival rate was 100%. A secondary tenolysis was necessary in 5 cases, and another patient underwent two more surgeries to split the fingers (lateral arm used for volar coverage of the fingers). Good aesthetic and functional results and a high level of satisfaction were obtained. The means 2-PD in fingertip reconstruction was 9.1mm (8-11).ConclusionsIn our opinion, the use of free flaps for hand surgery reconstruction provides better outcomes, without sacrificing, in contrast to local flaps, other areas of the hand, with good aesthetic and functional results, as well as low donor site morbidity

Transgenic rice variety 'IR72' with Xa21 is resistant to bacterial blight

An elite indica rice variety, 'IR72', was transformed with a cloned gene, Xa21, through particle bombardment. Molecular analysis of transgenic plants revealed the presence of a 3.8-kb EcoRV-digested DNA fragment corresponding to most of the Xa21 coding region and its complete intron sequence, indicating the integration of Xa21 into the genome of 'IR72'. In the T1 generation, the transgene was inherited and segregated in a 3:1 ratio. After inoculation with the prevalent races 4 and 6 of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), T1 plants positive for the transgene were found to be resistant to bacterial blight (BB). We also observed that the level of resistance to race 4 of Xoo was higher due to the pyramiding of Xa21 and Xa4 present in 'IR72'. Since the inactivation of the transgene Xa21 occurred in the two transgenic T1 plants, a larger progeny should be obtained for selecting homozygous line with a consistently higher level of resistance to the BB pathogen

Transfer Learning with Shallow Decoders: BSC at WMT2021’s Multilingual Low-Resource Translation for Indo-European Languages Shared Task

This paper describes the participation of the BSC team in the WMT2021{'}s Multilingual Low-Resource Translation for Indo-European Languages Shared Task. The system aims to solve the Subtask 2: Wikipedia cultural heritage articles, which involves translation in four Romance languages: Catalan, Italian, Occitan and Romanian. The submitted system is a multilingual semi-supervised machine translation model. It is based on a pre-trained language model, namely XLM-RoBERTa, that is later fine-tuned with parallel data obtained mostly from OPUS. Unlike other works, we only use XLM to initialize the encoder and randomly initialize a shallow decoder. The reported results are robust and perform well for all tested languages.Postprint (author's final draft

La actitud del alumnado frente a la escuela

Históricamente muchos autores han tratado el tema de la actitud del alumnado frente a la escuela y las motivaciones instrumentales y expresivas de éstos. Estas aportaciones se han desarrollado tanto desde un punto de vista teórico donde encontramos autores como Bernstein (1977), Merton (1938), Fernández Enguita (1988), Subirats y Alegre (2006) o Tarabini (2012); como desde un punto de vista empírico con Alegre y Benito (2012), Barbeta y Termes (2014) o Feito (2003). Siguiendo estas aportaciones, los objetivos de la presente comunicación son: 1.Realizar un breve recorrido por las aportaciones teóricas de diversos autores sobre la actitud del alumnado frente a la escuela y aportar algunas aclaraciones teóricas. 2.En base a esta revisión, se propone una tipología de actitudes frente a la escuela y su contrastación empírica. La comprobación empírica se ha realizado a partir del análisis de los datos de una muestra de 2000 estudiantes que cursaban 4º de ESO en 2013-14 o que habían nacido en el año 1998 y se encontraban en cursos inferiores, matriculados en 27 centros de la ciudad de Barcelona. Estos datos son el resultado de la primera fase de una investigación sobre las trayectorias formativas y laborales de los jóvenes que forma parte de un proyecto internacional de comparación entre ciudades sobre las prácticas educativas, las desigualdades educativas y las trayectorias de los jóvenes después de la escuela obligatoria.The aim of this communication is to explore and analyse students' motivations in compulsory education and examine whether these motivations affect differentially their future expectations. The concrete objectives of this study are twofold: 1.Explore previous empirical and empirical theoretical approaches on students' motivations and attitudes. 2.Propose a typology of attitudes towards the studies and characterize it according to sociodemographic variables and future expectations after compulsory education. The communication will show the results of one part of a larger piece of the International Study of City Youth (ISCY). This is an international longitudinal study of 10th Grade students to find out more about student journeys through school into further study, work and life beyond school. The first student survey was carried out in 27 schools in Barcelona and filled in by 2000 students in their last year of secondary compulsory education (4th ESO) or students born in 1998 (enrolled in lower courses that would correspond)