Tracing Dominican Attitudes Towards Race: A Historical Analysis

The common misconception is that all Dominicans are racist – that Dominicans live in a Fanonesque reality where we believe we are white, but we clearly inhabit black bodies. These attitudes permeate Dominican society from the highest echelons of power to the everyday experiences of Dominicans on the street. The notion that Dominicans are racist is widespread among Latinos and African-Americans as well. Recently, global attention was focused on the Dominican Republic as the country changed its constitution in order to prevent Dominicans of Haitian descent from becoming Dominican citizens. But, where do these notions of race come from? This thesis explores the different aspects that make up the Dominican racial identity in order to understand the historical context of these notions. To do this, I begin with a historiography of the Dominican Republic to understand the roots of Dominican ideas on race. I then look at the history of Dominican slavery to understand the racial make-up of the island colony and get a full picture of the racial reality of the Dominican Republic. I conclude with possible solutions for ultimately changing this notion that Dominicans are racists

Optimising cost and availability estimates at the bidding stage of performance-based contracting

Performance-Based Contracting (PBC), e.g. Contracting for Availability (CfA), has been extensively applied in many industry sectors such as defence, aerospace and railway. Under PBC, complex support activities (e.g. maintenance, training, etc.) are outsourced, under mid to long term contracting arrangements, to maintain certain level of systems’ performance (e.g. availability). However, building robust cost and availability estimates is particularly challenging at the bidding stage because therei is lack of methods and limited availability of data for analysis. Driven by this contextual challenge this PhD aims to develop a process to simulate and optimise cost and availability estimates at the bidding stage of CfA. The research methodology follows a human-centred design approach, focusing on the end-user stakeholders. An interaction with seven manufacturing organisations involved in the bidding process of CfA enabled to identify the state-of-practice and the industry needs, and a review of literature in PBC and cost estimation enabled to identify the research gaps. A simulation model for cost and availability trade-off and estimation (CATECAB) has been developed, to support cost engineers during the bidding preparation. Also, a multi-objective genetic algorithm (EMOGA) has been developed to combine with the CATECAB and build a cost and availability estimation and optimisation model (CAEOCAB). Techniques such as Monte-Carlo simulation, bootstrapping resampling, multi-regression analysis and genetic algorithms have been applied. This model is able to estimate the optimal investment in the attributes that impact the availability of the systems, according to total contract cost, availability and duration targets. The validation of the models is performed by means of four case studies with twenty-one CfA scenarios, in the maritime and air domains. The outcomes indicate a representable accuracy for the estimates produced by the models, which has been considered suitable for the early stages of the bidding process

Antartic/Scotia plate convergence off southernmost Chile

The southern tip of South America off Chile has suffered a long phase of ocean-continent convergence which has shaped the continental margin through different phases of accretion and tectonic erosion. The present accretionary wedge is a discontinuous geological record of plate convergence and records only part of the accretionary processes resumed after Chile ridge consumption (14 Ma). The structural style of the subduction complex, such as rates of sediment accretion and tectonic erosion, structural vergence, width of the accretionary wedge, taper angle and deformation in the forearc basin, varies along the margin. Large taper values are related to narrow wedges and seaward vergent structures. Low tapers occur where deformation at the toe of the accretionary complex is spread over wide areas and is related both to landward and seaward vergent thrust faults. Seismic data interpretation contributes to define more accurately frontal wedge morphology and geometry of subduction and suggests that different modes of accretion together with tectonic erosion may be active concurrently along the trench at different locations. In areas of subduction driven accretionary processes the majority of trench sediments are involved in accretionary processes and sediments are uplifted and piled up in the form of imbricate thrust sheets. In areas where the wedge is non-accretionary the continental margin shows steeper continental slopes associated with narrow accretionary wedges, more intense sediment disruption and very shallow décollement levels. Variation in structural style and in the geometry of the forearc region setting off Southernmost Chile, has been interpreted as related to the existence of different structural domains: the nature of their boundaries is still unclear mainly for the lack of high resolution bathymetric data. They have been tentatively related to tectonic lineaments belonging to the Magellan Fault system and/or to the character and morphology of the converging plates (lateral heterogeneities, sea-mounts and fracture zones), which produce a segmentation of the margin

Antarctic/Scotia plate convergence off southernmost Chile

The southern tip of South America off Chile has suffered a long phase of ocean-continent convergence which has shaped the continental margin through different phases of accretion and tectonic erosion. The present accretionary wedge is a discontinuous geological record of plate convergence and records only part of the accretionary processes resumed after Chile ridge consumption (14 Ma). The structural style of the subduction complex, such as rates of sediment accretion and tectonic erosion, structural vergence, width of the accretionary wedge, taper angle and deformation in the forearc basin, varies along the margin. Large taper values are related to narrow wedges and seaward vergent structures. Low tapers occur where deformation at the toe of the accretionary complex is spread over wide areas and is related both to landward and seaward vergent thrust faults. Seismic data interpretation contributes to define more accurately frontal wedge morphology and geometry of subduction and suggests that different modes of accretion together with tectonic erosion may be active concurrently along the trench at different locations. In areas of subduction driven accretionary processes the majority of trench sediments are involved in accretionary processes and sediments are uplifted and piled up in the form of imbricate thrust sheets. In areas where the wedge is non-accretionary the continental margin shows steeper continental slopes associated with narrow accretionary wedges, more intense sediment disruption and very shallow décollement levels. Variation in structural style and in the geometry of the forearc region setting off Southernmost Chile, has been interpreted as related to the existence of different structural domains: the nature of their boundaries is still unclear mainly for the lack of high resolution bathymetric data. They have been tentatively related to tectonic lineaments belonging to the Magellan Fault system and/or to the character and morphology of the converging plates (lateral heterogeneities, sea-mounts and fracture zones), which produce a segmentation of the margin

Project HOME (Hydroponic Operations for Mars Exploration)

Agriculture in enclosed structures on Mars enables astronauts to conduct extended surface exploration missions. To support these missions, we will evaluate multiple hydroponics systems to grow a complete necessary set of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, carbohydrates, and nutrients for a balanced diet. The hydroponics systems will be designed in a greenhouse powered solely through solar panels, and the plants will receive the same solar irradiance as the surface of Mars. The light intensity in the greenhouse will be kept at approximately 590 W/m^2 by using a shade cloth to limit the natural light from the sun. This simulates an ambient light collection and reflection system on Mars, illuminating an insulated outdoor system for agriculture. The utilization of a hydroponics system allows for a more effective method of growing superfoods in abstract environments. *Currently in the data collection phase of the research, hope to share some initial findings on discovery day

Managers\u27 Responses to Formal and Informal Talent Management Practices: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study

Management of talent ranks high among today’s organizational issues. Accordingly, organizations are seeking relevant approaches to markedly interpret and improve employees’ talents. Despite these efforts, inconsistent definitions of talent and talent management (TM), along with insufficient empirical research, make it difficult to identify and comprehend the impact of TM practices or its absence on managers and their responses. A convergent parallel mixed methods design using the Exit, Voice, Loyalty, and Neglect (EVLN) framework was used to identify (a) how managers respond to formal and informal talent management practices in organizations and (b) which variables – such as the level of involvement in the TM design process, the level of use of one’s skills, and the general level of satisfaction with TM related issues – mainly impact EVLN. Initially, 70 anonymous quantitative surveys were distributed to a group of managers. Fifteen interviews followed. Data was then examined using both quantitative and qualitative analytical procedures including correlation, independent samples t-test, and regression analysis. Significant findings revealed that formal TM practices promoted managers’ involvement in the TM design process followed by an increase in active constructive responses, while at the same time minimizing passive destructive responses. In addition, significant results showed that formality in TM practices implied higher levels of satisfaction, substantially reducing managers’ willingness to leave their organizations. Further, within informal TM settings, managers tended to rely exclusively on involvement in order to increase active constructive behaviors. This study provides useful data revealing how managers respond in both formal and informal TM settings. Lastly, this study informs theory regarding managers’ involvement in the design and implementation of TM practices in organizations

La familia y la escuela como contextos del desarrollo humano

Escola e família constituem dois contextos de desenvolvimento fundamentais para a trajetória de vida das pessoas. Neste artigo, são destacadas as contribuições destes contextos para a promoção do desenvolvimento humano, enfatizando suas implicações nos processos evolutivos. Questões sobre configurações, vínculos familiares e a importância da rede social de apoio para o desenvolvimento da família são discutidas. Focalizam-se as funções da escola, considerando sua influência nas pessoas em desenvolvimento. Apontam-se algumas considerações sobre a necessidade de compreender as inter-relações entre escola e família, visando facilitar a aprendizagem e desenvolvimento humano. A integração entre esses dois contextos é destacada como desafio para a prática profissional e pesquisa empírica. Escola e família constituem dois contextos de desenvolvimento fundamentais para a trajetória de vida das pessoas. Neste artigo, são destacadas as contribuições destes contextos para a promoção do desenvolvimento humano, enfatizando suas implicações nos processos evolutivos. Questões sobre configurações, vínculos familiares e a importância da rede social de apoio para o desenvolvimento da família são discutidas. Focalizam-se as funções da escola, considerando sua influência nas pessoas em desenvolvimento. Apontam-se algumas considerações sobre a necessidade de compreender as inter-relações entre escola e família, visando facilitar a aprendizagem e desenvolvimento humano. A integração entre esses dois contextos é destacada como desafio para a prática profissional e pesquisa empírica.School and family constitute two developmental contexts essential for the lifespan trajectories. In this article, it is highlighted the contribution of both contexts to human development promotion, emphasizing their implications on evolutionary processes. The issues about family links, configurations, and the importance of the social support network for family development are discussed. The school functions are focused considering their influences on developing persons. Considerations are also made about the necessity of understanding the inter-relations between the school and the family, aiming to promote learning and human development. The integration between these two contexts is a challenge for both the professional practice and the empirical research.La escuela y la familia constituyen dos contextos del desarrollo fundamentales parla historia de vida de las personas. Resaltamos las contribuciones de ambos contextos para la promoción del desarrollo humano, enfatizando sus implicaciones en los procesos evolutivos. Discutimos cuestiones sobre las configuraciones y vínculos familiares y la importancia de la red social de apoyo para el desarrollo de la familia. Enfatizamos las funciones de la escuela, considerando su influencia sobre el desarrollo de las personas. Apuntamos la necesidad de comprender las interrelaciones entre la escuela y la familia, visando facilitar el aprendizaje y el desarrollo humano. La integración entre estos dos contextos es destacada como un desafio tanto para la práctica profesional como para las investigaciones empíricas

Hydroponically Growing a Holistic Superfood Diet for Mars Exploration

In “Hydroponically Growing a Holistic Superfood Diet for Mars Exploration,” Project H.O.M.E. members conducted an experiment to help determine ways to provide future astronauts with a complete, balanced diet on a planet that does not receive as much sunlight as Earth. Sending massive amounts of food into space is incredibly expensive, takes up valuable spacecraft area, and is, overall, not a feasible way to provide astronauts with sustenance. Project H.O.M.E. has thus developed a hydroponic system to evaluate the growth and yield of various superfoods - including Moringa Oleifera, goji berries, and kale - under simulated Mars lighting conditions. Data suggests that these three plants are perennial hydroponic crops, which can be grown under reduced illumination, and are candidate food sources for Mars explorers. Based on the hypothesis that the growth of the superfood plants in simulated lighting conditions will be similar to their growth in regular lighting conditions here on Earth, Project H.O.M.E. members created a Dutch bucket, tower garden, and nutrient flow table indoor hydroponics systems to grow superfoods in a solar-powered 8x16ft greenhouse for the past 13 months. In conclusion, this project determined that the growth of superfoods using hydroponics systems would be a preferred farming method for space, demonstrating the incredible potential for future missions to Mars