Drawing From SEFI Ethics Knowledge To Support Eco-Ethics Education Within The European University Of Technology

We are leading a project called Ethico within the European University of Technology (EUt). Ethico aims to design and promote the uptake of innovative, ecological ethics for technological education. This practice paper briefly summarizes the aims and structure of the Ethico project, and then focuses on the work completed as part of the teacher training module developed in Cluj, 7-9th March, 2023. This workshop drew its conceptual framework from the short abstracts currently available for the Engineering Ethics Education Handbook. The structure developed was then implemented in a student facing workshop in Troyes between the 10-14th July 2023. The handbook is under development by SEFI’s Ethics special interest group, who shared the content with us (the second author of this paper is part of both projects). We drew particularly from Theme 3 of the handbook, which covers Teaching Methods for Engineering Ethics Education (EEE), for the Intensive Study Periods in Cluj and Troyes. Drawing from these EEE abstracts, we designed and tested a teacher training course, with the express aim of achieving flexibility for appropriate application in diverse cultural and administrative university settings. This is because the EUt is comprised of eight universities in eight separate European countries. We explored how we could apply the literature review chapter of theme 3 (on education methods) and of the EEE Handbook, as well as the dialogical/reflective chapter, and some of the specific pedagogical methods for building student awareness, understanding and analytical decision making in ethics. Our work in Cluj focused on three of the Student-Centred Learning approaches presented in the Handbook— case studies, challenge- and problem-based learning, and Virtuous Practice Design—with very promising results. The paper examines the ethical model engaged with and the teaching models developed at the EUt event in Cluj and Troyes using the EEE Handbook. It outlines our proposed module for eco-ethics in technological education, highlighting the key tensions for implementation in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary contexts and incorporates preliminary feedback from student participants

Moir\'{e} flat Chern bands and correlated quantum anomalous Hall states generated by spin-orbit couplings in twisted homobilayer MoS2_2

We predict that in a twisted homobilayer of transition-metal dichalcogenide MoS$_2$, spin-orbit coupling in the conduction band states from $\pm K$ valleys can give rise to moir\'{e} flat bands with nonzero Chern numbers in each valley. The nontrivial band topology originates from a unique combination of angular twist and local mirror symmetry breaking in each individual layer, which results in unusual skyrmionic spin textures in momentum space with skyrmion number $\mathcal{S} = \pm 2$. Our Hartree-Fock analysis further suggests that density-density interactions generically drive the system at $1/2$-filling into a valley-polarized state, which realizes a correlated quantum anomalous Hall state with Chern number $\mathcal{C} = \pm 2$. Effects of displacement fields are discussed with comparison to nontrivial topology from layer-pseudospin magnetic fields.Comment: Comments are welcom

Very long baseline astrometry of PSR J1012+5307 and its implications on alternative theories of gravity

PSR J1012+5307, a millisecond pulsar in orbit with a helium white dwarf (WD), has been timed with high precision for about 25 years. One of the main objectives of this long-term timing is to use the large asymmetry in gravitational binding energy between the neutron star and the WD to test gravitational theories. Such tests, however, will be eventually limited by the accuracy of the distance to the pulsar. Here, we present VLBI (very long baseline interferometry) astrometry results spanning approximately 2.5 years for PSR J1012+5307, obtained with the Very Long Baseline Array as part of the MSPSRPI project. These provide the first proper motion and absolute position for PSR J1012+5307 measured in a quasi-inertial reference frame. From the VLBI results, we measure a distance of $0.83^{+0.06}_{-0.02}$kpc (all the estimates presented in the abstract are at 68% confidence) for PSR J1012+5307, which is the most precise obtained to date. Using the new distance, we improve the uncertainty of measurements of the unmodeled contributions to orbital period decay, which, combined with three other pulsars, places new constraints on the coupling constant for dipole gravitational radiation $\kappa_D=(-1.7\pm1.7)\times 10^{-4}$ and the fractional time derivative of Newton's gravitational constant $\dot{G}/G = -1.8^{\,+5.6}_{\,-4.7}\times 10^{-13}\,{\rm yr^{-1}}$ in the local universe. As the uncertainties of the observed decays of orbital period for the four leading pulsar-WD systems become negligible in $\approx10$ years, the uncertainties for $\dot{G}/G$ and $\kappa_D$ will be improved to $\leq1.5\times10^{-13}\,{\rm yr^{-1}}$ and $\leq1.0\times10^{-4}$, respectively, predominantly limited by the distance uncertainties.Comment: published in ApJ (2020ApJ...896...85D

Notes for this Special Issue

Residential learning communities or living-learning communities afford integration of and collaboration between academic affairs and student affairs. The articles in this special issue address unique elements and experiences in residential learning community programs

Big Hole (41TV2161): Two Stratigraphically Isolated Middle Holocene Components in Travis County, Texas Volume I

During April and May 2006, an archeological team from the Cultural Resources Section of the Planning, Permitting and Licensing Practice of TRC Environmental Corporation’s (TRC) Austin office conducted geoarcheological documentation and data recovery excavations at prehistoric site 41TV2161 (CSJ: 0440-06-006). Investigations were restricted to a 70 centimeter (cm) thick target zone between ca. 220 and 290 cm below surface (bs) on the western side of site 41TV2161 – the Big Hole site in eastern Travis County, Texas. This cultural investigation was necessary under the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the implementing regulations of 36CRF Part 800 and the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191 as amended) to recover a sample of the significant cultural materials prior to destruction by planned construction of State Highway 130 (SH 130). The latter by a private construction firm – Lone Star Infrastructure. This necessary data recovery was for Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Environmental (ENV) Affairs Division under a Scientific Services Contract No. 577XXSA003 (Work Authorization No. 57701SA003). Over the years since the original award, multiple work authorizations between TxDOT and TRC were implemented and completed towards specific aspects of the analyses and reporting. The final analyses and report were conducted under contract 57-3XXSA004 (Work Authorization 57-311SA004). All work was under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit No. 4064 issued by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to J. Michael Quigg. Initially, an archeological crew from Hicks & Company encountered site 41TV2161 during an intensive cultural resource inventory conducted south of Pearce Lane along the planned construction zone of SH 130 in the fall of 2005. Following the initial site discovery, archeologists expanded their investigations to the west across the SH 130 right-of-way, and completed excavation of 10 backhoe trenches, 13 shovel tests, and 11 test units at site 41TV2161. The investigations encountered at least seven buried cultural features and 1,034 artifacts, some in relatively good context. The survey and testing report to TxDOT presented their findings and recommendations (Campbell et al. 2006). The ENV Affairs Division of TxDOT and the THC reviewed the initial findings and recommendations, and determined site 41TV2161 was eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and as State Antiquities Landmark as the proposed roadway development was to directly impact this important site and further excavations were required. Subsequently, TRC archeologists led by Paul Matchen (Project Archeologist) and J. Michael Quigg (Principal Investigator) initiated data recovery excavations through the mechanical-removal of between 220 and 250 cm of sediment from a 30-by-40 meter (m) block area (roughly 3,000 m3). This was conducted to allow hand-excavations to start just above the deeply buried, roughly 70 cm thick targeted zone of cultural material. Mechanical stripping by Lone Star Infrastructure staff created a large hole with an irregular bottom that varied between 220 and 260 cmbs. To locate specific areas to initiate hand-excavations within the mechanically stripped area, a geophysical survey that employed ground penetrating radar (GPR) was conducted by Tiffany Osburn then with Geo-Marine in Plano, Texas. Over a dozen electronic anomalies were detected through the GPR investigation. Following processing, data filtering, and assessment, Osburn identified and ranked the anomalies for investigation. The highest ranked anomalies (1 through 8) were thought to have the greatest potential to represent cultural features. Anomalies 1 through 6 were selected and targeted through hand-excavations of 1-by-1 m units that formed continuous excavation blocks of various sizes. Blocks were designated A, B, C, D, E, and F. The type, nature, quantity, and context of encountered cultural materials in each block led the direction and expansion of each excavation block as needed. In total, TRC archeologists hand-excavated 38.5 m3 (150 m2) from a vertically narrow target zone within this deep, multicomponent and stratified prehistoric site. Hand-excavation in the two largest Blocks, B and D (51 m2 and 62 m2 respectively), revealed two vertically separate cultural components between roughly 220 and 290 cmbs. The younger component was restricted to Block B and yielded a Bell/Andice point and point base, plus a complete Big Sandy point. These points were associated with at least eight small burned rock features, one cluster of ground stone tools, limited quantities of lithic debitage, few formal chipped and ground stone tools, and a rare vertebrate faunal assemblage. Roughly 20 to 25 cm below the Bell/Andice component in Block B and across Block D was a component identified by a single corner-notched Martindale dart point. This point was associated with a scattered burned rocks, three charcoal stained hearth features, scattered animal, bird, and fish bones, mussel shells, and less than a dozen formal chipped and ground stone tools. Both identified components contained cultural materials in good stratigraphic context with high spatial integrity. Significant, both were radiocarbon dated by multiple charcoal samples to a narrow 200-year period between 5250 and 5450 B.P. during the middle Holocene. With exception of the well-preserved faunal assemblages, perishable materials were poorly preserved in the moist silty clay loam. Charcoal lacked structure and was reduced to dark stains. Microfossils (e.g., phytoliths and starch gains) were present, although in very limited numbers and deteriorated conditions. The four much smaller Blocks (A, C, E, and F) yielded various quantities of cultural material and features, but these blocks also lacked sufficient charcoal dates and diagnostic artifacts Those artifacts and samples were left unassigned and analyzed separately from the Bell/Andice and Martindale components. The two well-defined components in Blocks B and D are the focus of this technical report. The components provide very significant data towards understanding rare and poorly understood hunter-gatherer populations during late stages of the Altithermal climate period. This final report builds upon the interim report submitted to TxDOT (Quigg et al. 2007) that briefly described the methods, excavations, preliminary findings, initial results from six feasibility studies, and proposed an initial research design for data analyses. Context and integrity of the cultural materials in the two identified components was excellent. This rare circumstance combined with detailed artifact analyses, solid documentation of their ages through multiple radiocarbon dates, and multidisciplinary approach to analyses, allowed significant insights and contributions concerning the two populations involved. Results provide a greater understanding of human behaviors during a rarely identified time in Texas Prehistory. The cultural materials and various collected samples were temporarily curated at TRC’s Austin laboratory. Following completion of analyses and acceptance of this final report, the artifacts, paper records, photographs, and electronic database were permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) at Texas State University in San Marcos

Developing Academic Leaders in Higher Education: Significance of the context for effective leadership development

Amidst the changing nature of higher education, one may wonder how leaders of higher education institutions [HEIs] can succeed and thrive in today’s highly uncertain environments. This qualitative case study examined the factors, practices, and competencies that contributed to effective leadership development of academic leaders at one Canadian university. Through the document analysis and qualitative interviews with academic leaders, it explored the organizational context and individual strategies and competencies that supported leaders in their roles in higher education [HE]. The analysis showed the significance of context as a crucial factor in the effectiveness of leadership development. The findings support further work on developing a different approach to leadership development for academia; one that is founded on an understanding of what academic leaders and their institutions require to succeed and flourish during this time of unprecedented change.Dada la naturaleza cambiante de la enseñanza superior, cabe preguntarse cómo pueden tener éxito y prosperar los líderes de las instituciones de enseñanza superior (IES) en los entornos actuales, cargados de gran incertidumbre. Este estudio de caso cualitativo examinó los factores, las prácticas y las competencias que contribuyeron al desarrollo eficaz del liderazgo de los líderes académicos en una universidad canadiense. Mediante el análisis de documentos y entrevistas cualitativas con líderes académicos, se exploró el contexto organizativo y las estrategias y competencias individuales que apoyaron a los líderes en sus funciones en la enseñanza superior (ES). El análisis mostró la importancia del contexto como factor crucial para la eficacia del desarrollo del liderazgo. Los resultados apoyan la continuación de la labor de desarrollo de un enfoque diferente del desarrollo del liderazgo en el mundo académico, basado en la comprensión de lo que los líderes académicos y sus instituciones necesitan para tener éxito y prosperar en esta época de cambios sin precedentes

Adolescent Resilience and Self-Esteem in Nicaragua

In the present study, we explored the role of resilience in predicting self-esteem in Nicaraguan adolescents, as well as the impact of poverty on the relationship between self-esteem and resilience for this unique population. Our sample consisted of 1,673 high school students (863 females, 810 males) who completed self-report surveys measuring various aspects of wellbeing, self-esteem, resilience, and general socioeconomic class. For the entire sample, social skills was the strongest predictor of self-esteem (β = .18, p \u3c .001), followed by family (β = .13, p \u3c .001), and belonging (β = .12, p \u3c .001). For those above the poverty line, social skills, family, and belonging still contributed most to self-esteem, however coefficients for each factor were stronger for this subgroup (β = .21, p \u3c .001, β = .18, p \u3c .001, and β = .18, p \u3c .001, respectively). For those self-reported below the poverty line, while social skills (β = .19, p \u3c .001) and belonging (β = .14, p \u3c .001) remained strong predictors of self-esteem, family was not included in the model. This could suggest that adolescents living in poverty are relying more on peer relationships and less on family for self-esteem, as poverty is known to disrupt family cohesiveness (Vázquez et al., 2007). Ultimately, more research is needed to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and resilience for adolescents and families living in Nicaragua

Building a Better Orono Together: Cultivating Organic Community Connection with University and Orono Stakeholders Final Report

Final report for POS 364-365 Practicum in Engaged Policy Studies I and II with Professor Robert Glover, University of Maine

Building a Better Orono Together: Cultivating Organic Community Connection with University and Orono Stakeholders Report Summary

This project was undertaken as a collaboration between students in Professor Robert Glover\u27s 2012-2013 Engaged Policy Studies course, Orono Town Planner Evan Richert, and Orono Town Manager Sophie Wilson. The objective was to examine the university and community perceptions of Orono as a college town with focus on the Orono downtown area