The Appreciative Heart: The Psychophysiology of Positive Emotions and Optimal Functioning

This monograph is an overview of Institute of HeartMath's research on the physiological correlates of positive emotions and the science underlying two core HeartMath techniques which supports Heart-Based Living. The heart's connection with love and other positive emotions has survived throughout millennia and across many diverse cultures. New empirical research is providing scientific validation for this age-old association. This 21-page monograph offers a comprehensive understanding of the Institute of HeartMath's cutting-edge research exploring the heart's central role in emotional experience. Described in detail is physiological coherence, a distinct mode of physiological functioning, which is generated during sustained positive emotions and linked with beneficial health and performance-related outcomes. The monograph also provides steps and applications of two HeartMath techniques, Freeze-Frame(R) and Heart Lock-In(R), which engage the heart to help transform stress and produce sustained states of coherence. Data from outcome studies are presented, which suggest that these techniques facilitate a beneficial repatterning process at the mental, emotional and physiological levels

Explicit Mapping of Acoustic Regimes For Wind Instruments

This paper proposes a methodology to map the various acoustic regimes of wind instruments. The maps can be generated in a multi-dimensional space consisting of design, control parameters, and initial conditions. The bound- aries of the maps are obtained explicitly in terms of the parameters using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier as well as a dedicated adaptive sam- pling scheme. The approach is demonstrated on a simplified clarinet model for which several maps are generated based on different criteria. Examples of computation of the probability of occurrence of a specific acoustic regime are also provided. In addition, the approach is demonstrated on a design optimization example for optimal intonation

Environmental education programmes offered by delta environmental centre: Some research findings

Environmental education has developed over time in South Africa with environmental education centres playing a significant role. However not enough is known about how such centres operate. This article presents some of the findings of a research project that documented and evaluated the programmes presented by Delta Environmental Centre, in Gauteng, South Africa

The dynamics of nonviolence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

The Palestinian/Israeli conflict is one of the most challenging political puzzles of the modern era. Although this is a bold assertion, the influence of this one conflict on the politics of the Middle Eastern region and on the politics of the new millennium is overwhelming. Hence, figuring out how to solve the puzzle, or more realistically, contributing to movements towards a resolution is paramount. This thesis seeks to assist in the scholarship dedicated to achieving this end. It does so from a unique perspective; The thesis contends through a normative argument that a shift in Palestinian strategy, from violence to nonviolence, will facilitate necessary steps towards a resolution of the conflict. To establish this, it argues that the Palestinian and Israeli strategies of the conflict have been mostly violent since before 1948. The results of this type of strategy are manifested by the state of the conflict today. However, a shift to nonviolent action will likely bring more positive results; Importantly, the thesis discusses what solutions and obstacles exist that enable a shift to nonviolent resistance. The principles of nonviolent discipline and human suffering that are integral to theories of nonviolent action may be the key factors in a successful campaign. However, the culture of violence between the two sides, the historical experience of the Palestinians, and certain cultural values may hinder a shift in strategy. As well, several recent factors, including the Iraq War, the War on Terror, and the death of Yassir Arafat, may provide unforeseen opportunities for an effective nonviolent campaign. Importantly, this thesis does not spell out the specifics of how this strategy should take shape. It highlights important factors that can facilitate a Palestinian shift towards a nonviolent strategy

So That All Shall Know: Memory Activism & Epistemic Authority in Guatemala

This dissertation examines historical memory and the politics of knowledge in Guatemala. Memory activists and Maya intellectuals demand recognition of the truth of their historical narratives. Their practices of knowledge production are rooted in uncovering perspectives that were previously silenced, especially the experiences of indigenous communities. By building on extensive networks and new technologies, these actors have reconfigured the constraints of epistemic authority in Guatemala. Moreover, their alternative interpretations of the past have led to new identities in the present, including the (re)emergence of a trans-local, pan-linguistic Maya identity. The rapid spread of these processes reflects the resonance that new historical narratives have for diverse groups, following centuries of structural exclusion from the Guatemalan national community. I investigate two sets of questions about memory activism and epistemic authority. First, I interrogate local meanings ofmemoria históricaand ask why it came to inspire activism in the post-conflict era. For most of Guatemala\u27s past, official historical narratives have focused on a European heritage that rings hollow to the majority of people. However, memory is never static; it functions less as a `burden of tradition\u27 and more like a \u27reserve of alterity,\u27 as the proliferation of new subject positions in Guatemala illustrates. Second, I investigate how the inclusion of previously subjugated knowledges has shifted public discussions of concepts such as citizenship, justice, history, and the national imaginary. I draw on participation in urban activist events and interviews with historical revisionists to identify the strategies underlying their memory activism. I ask how memory activism overlaps and interacts with indigenous rights movements: how do both strains of activism challenge the racist and colonial character of Guatemalan national identity? One of their common goals is the inclusion of Maya experiences and perspectives. In addition to the role that Maya survivors playeden masseas witnesses of violence during the armed conflict, individual Maya leaders have led campaigns and authored texts that address social problems in Guatemala. I ask whether this process can be extended to imagine a more truly pluralist Guatemala

Dynamic trade-offs in water use between irrigation and reservoir aquaculture in Vietnam

Conflicts of interest between irrigation and aquaculture in water use from reservoirs in Vietnam can be resolved when trade-offs in the economic value of water can be quantified over time. Determining these trade-offs can be used as a benchmark for making decisions about managing reservoirs tending to develop rural areas in Vietnam. To solve this problem, a stochastic dynamic programming model was constructed. This model maximizes the expected net present values generated by both agriculture and aquaculture by finding the optimal release paths throughout a year, under conditions of uncertain rainfall. The model was constructed using two main components. First, a dated water production function is used to evaluate responses of crop yields for different levels of applied irrigation. Second, a bio-economic model for reservoir fisheries is employed to estimate fish yields at different levels of water during a harvest season. Using this model, we present a case study of reservoir water management in Vietnam.irrigation, reservoir aquaculture, stochastic dynamic programming, and dynamic trade-offs, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

BIO/ORGANIC COMPOUND DETECTION USING SODIUM SULFATE MINERALS: IMPLICATIONS IN THE SEARCH FOR LIFE ON MARS AND EUROPA

With the discovery of Na-sulfate minerals (thenardite, mirabilite) on Mars and Europa, recent studies using these minerals have focused on their ability to assist in the detection of biosignatures. On Earth, biotic and biotic processes can assist in the formation and deposition of these minerals. A primary objective of these studies is the detection of bio/organic compounds that may be associated with the mineral. These biosignatures would imply biological involvement during mineral formation. The following research presents a series of natural and synthetic investigations to determine if biological activity is associated with Na-sulfate mineralization, and if these minerals can assist in detecting bio/organic compounds. Evidence for biological activity associated with the formation of Na-sulfate deposits in the basaltic subsurface of Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho was examined by laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometry (LD-FTMS), infrared spectroscopy and sulfur isotopic fractionation. These experiments show that bio/organic compounds are likely associated with the secondary Na-sulfate minerals, suggesting biological involvement in the mineralization of these deposits. LD-FTMS results of the synthetic bio/organic-mineral combinations show the potential of Na-sulfate minerals to assist in the detection and identification of bio/organic compounds. These results prove the importance of Na-sulfate minerals for future exploration missions that are likely to use LDMS to search for signs of life in the solar system

Trumpet and Trombone Choirs

KSU School of Music presents Trumpet and Trombone Choirs.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1175/thumbnail.jp

Digital Receipt System Using Mobile Device Technologies

Cell phones are the most prevalent computing devices. They come pre-loaded with many different functions such as a digital camera, a mobile web browser, a streaming media player, games, GPS navigation, and more. However, if the banks have their way, the cell phone may become the preferred method of payment for everyday purchases. When that happens, there will be a need to securely send and store the receipt information so that they can be quickly analyzed. This thesis will demonstrate the use of a Digital Receipt system to manage transactions using Bluetooth technology to communicate between mobile devices. This expands on a previous thesis titled Bi-Directional Information Exchange with Handheld Computing Devices. (Qaddoura, 2006) Cell phones have now been added into the setup. Thereby, expanding the Digital Receipt concept to include many more affordable computing devices, thus, increasing the likelihood that this application will be accepted by the general public