Elephant cognition in primate perspective

On many of the staple measures of comparative psychology, elephants show no obvious differences from other mammals, such as primates: discrimination learning, memory, spontaneous tool use, etc. However, a range of more naturalistic measures have recently suggested that elephant cognition may be rather different. Wild elephants sub-categorize humans into groups, independently making this classification on the basis of scent or colour. In number discrimination, elephants show no effects of absolute magnitude or relative size disparity in making number judgements. In the social realm, elephants show empathy into the problems faced by others, and give hints of special abilities in cooperation, vocal imitation and perhaps teaching. Field data suggest that the elephant’s vaunted reputation for memory may have a factual basis, in two ways. Elephants’ ability to remember large-scale space over long periods suggests good cognitive mapping skills. Elephants’ skill in keeping track of the current locations of many family members implies that working memory may be unusually developed, consistent with the laboratory finding that their quantity judgements do not show the usual magnitude effects.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Teacher education in a global context : towards a defensible theory of teacher education

This paper examines some of the effects of globalisation on education and teacher education. In particular it considers the contradictory demands of economic and cultural forms of globalisation, and between globalisation and localisation. Attempts to construct an \u27education space\u27 in Europe and Asia are considered and various responses of teacher education systems are outlined. A defensible theory of teacher education is presented around the transformation of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and the practicum: one that might allow a creative response to the contradictions of globalisation. <br /

Phelan\u27s bibliometric analysis of the impact of Australian educational research

Phelan (2000) has produced a complex bibliometric analysis of the international contribution of Australian educational research based upon publications and citations reported in the journals indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information - the Standards &amp; Poors of the academic world. This paper examins Phelan\u27s analysis, showing its strengths and weaknesses, as well as examining his proposal for the establishment of an Australian database along the lines of the ISI\u27s index

USING BIOMASS TO DUAL FUEL A 4.5 KW DIESEL GENSET TO INVESTIGATE REDUCING WASTE DISPOSAL COSTS FOR A SMALL U.S. MUNICIPALITY

This study explores dual fueling a diesel genset with producer gas made from biosolids , wastepaper and woodchips generated at or brought into the Minoa (a village in New York) Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWTP) and the possibility of a dual fueled genset and gasifier reducing the MWTP operating costs. The producer gas resulted from gasifying the biomass in a downdraft Imbert style gasifier. Gasification of woodchips was first studied in the gasifier using two different sizes and types of woodchips. It was found that the denser hardwood chips 2 cm x 2 cm x 0.6 cm gave better performance than less dense willow chips 1 cm x 1 cm x 0.15 cm. The smaller, less dense chips restricted air flow and reduced temperatures in the gasifier oxidation and reduction zones. Particle size distribution from samples taken vertically through the gasifier also indicated restriction of air and fuel flow through these zones with the smaller, lighter chips. Dual fueling of the genset with the larger, denser woodchips reduced diesel consumption by approximately 75%. Wastepaper, primarily newspaper, was then studied as gasifier fuel. It was first pulped, then the wet pulp was formed into 60 cm3 chunks, then dried and gasified. The wastepaper fuel was generally difficult to gasify because of its low density and tendency to hang up in the gasifier. Dual fueling the genset with producer gas from wastepaper only reduced diesel consumption by approximately 30%. Since wastepaper can be recycled by Minoa at no cost, gasifying its wastepaper was not recommended. Biosolids were then studied as gasifier fuel. Copious ashes were removed from the gasifier oxidation and reduction zones. Dual fueling the gasifier with producer gas from biosolids reduced diesel consumption by 70% - 90%. Biosolids first processed through a filter press then pressed into roughly 15 cm3 chunks and dried gasified easily as long as the grate was continuously agitated. By generating electricity and the potentially valuable soil amendment biochar dual fueling a diesel powered genset with producer gas generated from biomass could save Minoa more than $14580 annually