The Divergence Index: A Decomposable Measure of Segregation and Inequality

Decomposition analysis is a critical tool for understanding the social and spatial dimensions of inequality, segregation, and diversity. In this paper, I propose a new measure - the Divergence Index - to address the need for a decomposable measure of segregation. Although the Information Theory Index has been used to decompose segregation within and between communities, I argue that it measures relative diversity not segregation. I demonstrate the importance of this conceptual distinction with two empirical analyses: I decompose segregation and relative homogeneity in the Detroit metropolitan area, and I analyze the relationship between the indexes in the 100 largest U.S. cities. I show that it is problematic to interpret the Information Theory Index as a measure of segregation, especially when analyzing local-level results or any decomposition of overall results. Segregation and diversity are important aspects of residential differentiation, and it is critical that we study each concept as the structure and stratification of the U.S. population becomes more complex

Hematology, Biochemistry and Serum Protein Analyses of Antarctic and non-Antarctic Skuas

Determination of hematological and biochemical parameters provides important data to assess the physiological condition in wild birds. Therefore, to carry out ecophysiology or conservation studies it is essential to establish baseline physiological parameters and how these change with age and life history events. Hematological (hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation) and biochemical (glucose, total lipids and proteins, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities and electrolyte concentration) reference values were determined in two Antarctic migratory bird species, the Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) and South Polar Skua (S. maccormicki), from South Shetland Island during breeding season. Also, hematological data (hematocrit) were determined for non-Antarctic skuas, with Chilean (S. chilensis) and Falkland (S. antarcticus antarcticus) skuas sampled in the Beagle Channel islands (Tierra del Fuego Province) and Viana Island (Chubut Province), Argentina, respectively. Differences between adult Antarctic skua species were observed in hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation, total lipids and aspartate aminotransferase activity. In addition, age-related differences in Antarctic skuas in hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose and total protein values were observed. Serum reference protein fractions (Albumin, α1, α2, and globulins) were assessed by electrophoresis for Antarctic and non-Antarctic skuas. Similar protein patterns were observed between South Polar and Chilean skuas as well between Falkland Skua and Brown Skua. The differences between adult sympatric Antarctic skuas may be related to their nutritional status and species-specific migrations, feeding habits and the differential use of the breeding niches, while the age variation may be related to physiological development processes in chicks or to the energy expenditure in adults during breeding.Fil: Ibañez, Andres Esteban. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Ornitología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Najle, Roberto. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Larsen, Karen Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Montalti, Diego. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Departamento Científico Zoología Vertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Citizenship shaping in schooling within democratic transition: Promoting value scales or the development of the moral reasoning?

Este artículo examina procesos de formación de competencias cívicas y desarrollo de valores en un documento del sector educativo del Estado de Chihuahua. Exponemos conceptos como democracia, transición y consolidación, participación política, ciudadanía y educación. La información empírica se obtuvo de dos indagaciones realizadas en 2007 y 2012 sobre ciertas caracterizaciones de esos valores y competencias en estudiantes y profesores de secundaria, y estudiantes de licenciatura. Usamos un método cuantitativo para obtener información sobre el razonamiento moral y la ideología educativa. Encontramos en las muestras estudiadas la posibilidad de lograr una participación política y social dentro de un sistema político estable, correspondiente a una democracia materializada en instituciones. Sin embargo concluimos que el momento sociopolítico mexicano actual, no corresponde con tal nivel de participación. Finalmente proveemos una discusión teórica basada en la ideas de Kohlberg (1997) sobre la disyuntiva de promover escalas de valores o el desarrollo moralThis article examines the shaping of civic competencies and the development of values in a document from the educational sector in the State of Chihuahua. We present concepts such as democracy, transition and consolidation, political participation, citizenship, and education. The empirical information was obtained from two inquiries carried out in 2007 and 2012 about certain characterizations of those values and competencies in junior high students and professors, and university students. We used a quantitative method to obtain information about the moral reasoning and the educational ideology. The studied samples showed up a possibility to achieve a political and social participation by the professors and students within a stable political system that would correspond to democratic institutions. However, we concluded that the current Mexican socio-political epoch does not correspond with such level of participation. Finally, we provide a theoretical discussion based on the ideas of Kohlberg (1997) about the dilemma of promoting value scales or the moral developmen

Pyroclasts of the first phases of the explosive-effusive PCCVC volcanic eruption: physicochemical analysis

The morphology, texture, grain size and other physicochemical characteristics of pyroclastic material from the first phases of the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex (PCCVC) eruption, (Southern Andes, Chile), can be associated to the model recently reported for the magma storage and its ascent conditions. The eruption started June 4th 2011, and the studied volcanic material corresponds to that collected in Argentine territory at different distances from the source, between 4 and 12 June 2011. The explosive-effusive volcanic process of the first days occurred with the simultaneous emplacement of lava flows and the venting of pyroclastic material, ejecting two well differentiated types of particles. The more abundant was constituted by rhyolitic and light color pumice fragments, characterized by a typical vesicular texture, easy fragmentation and absence of occluded crystalline phases. Particles found in minor proportion were dark color, different in shape and texture and rich in Fe and Ti. They seemed to be more effective for the interaction with emitted gases in the upper part of the column, for this reason, they appeared partially covered by condensation products. The ascent conditions of the magma affected its rheological behavior through variations in the degassing, viscosity and fragmentation. On the other hand, distance to the source, depositional time, volcanic evolution and environmental conditions are factors that affect the chemical composition of collected ash. So, the SiO2/FeO ratio not only increases with the distance but also with the deposition time and volcanic activity. The work was done with the aid of several techniques such as a laser-sediment analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis (bulk and surface), SEM microscopy and Raman “microprobe” spectroscopy. On the other hand, the physicochemical behavior of the pyroclastic material allows us to suggest eventual applications

Gap Analysis Report

Julkaistu versi

Community Development in the Digital Age: Role of Extension

With the digital age in full swing, helping rural communities transition to, plan for, and prosper in digitally minded ways is critical. This article describes an innovative outreach process that relies on asset-based community development and the intelligent community concept. More importantly, the process relies heavily on Extension personnel and resources. This outreach process consists of four steps and is community driven. Results indicate that Extension programs and resources have helped small, rural communities begin this important transition