Natural resources management in general, and water resources management in particular, are currently undergoing a major paradigm shift. Management practices have largely been developed and implemented by experts using technical means based on designing systems that can be predicted and controlled. In recent years, stakeholder involvement has gained increasing importance. Collaborative governance is considered to be more appropriate for integrated and adaptive management regimes needed to cope with the complexity of social-ecological systems. The paper presents a concept for social learning and collaborative governance developed in the European project HarmoniCOP (Harmonizing COllaborative Planning). The concept is rooted in the more interpretive strands of the social sciences emphasizing the context dependence of knowledge. The role of frames and boundary management in processes of learning at different levels and time scales is investigated. The foundation of social learning as investigated in the HarmoniCOP project is multiparty collaboration processes that are perceived to be the nuclei of learning processes. Such processes take place in networks or “communities of practice” and are influenced by the governance structure in which they are embedded. Requirements for social learning include institutional settings that guarantee some degree of stability and certainty without being rigid and inflexible. Our analyses, which are based on conceptual considerations and empirical insights, suggest that the development of such institutional settings involves continued processes of social learning. In these processes, stakeholders at different scales are connected in flexible networks that allow them to develop the capacity and trust they need to collaborate in a wide range of formal and informal relationships ranging from formal legal structures and contracts to informal, voluntary agreements.
A major consideration we had in writing this survey was to make it accessible to mathematicians as well as to computer scientists, since expander graphs, the protagonists of our story, come up in numerous and often surprising contexts in both fields. But, perhaps, we should start with a few words about graphs in general. They are, of course, one of the prime objects of study in Discrete Mathematics. However, graphs are among the most ubiquitous models of both natural and human-made structures. In the natural and social sciences they model relations among species, societies, companies, etc. In computer science, they represent networks of communication, data organization, computational devices as well as the flow of computation, and more. In mathematics, Cayley graphs are useful in Group Theory. Graphs carry a natural metric and are therefore useful in Geometry, and though they are “just” one-dimensional complexes, they are useful in certain parts of Topology, e.g. Knot Theory. In statistical physics, graphs can represent local connections between interacting parts of a system, as well as the dynamics of a physical process on such systems. The study of these models calls, then, for the comprehension of the significant structural properties of the relevant graphs. But are there nontrivial structural properties which are universally important? Expansion of a graph requires that it is simultaneously sparse and highly connected. Expander graphs were first defined by Bassalygo and Pinsker, and their existence first proved by Pinsker in the early ’70s. The property of being an expander seems significant in many of these mathematical, computational and physical contexts. It is not surprising that expanders are useful in the design and analysis of communication networks. What is less obvious is that expanders have surprising utility in other computational settings such as in the theory of error correcting codes and the theory of pseudorandomness. In mathematics, we will encounter e.g. their role in the study of metric embeddings, and in particular in work around the Baum-Connes Conjecture. Expansion is closely related to the convergence rates of Markov Chains, and so they play a key role in the study of Monte-Carlo algorithms in statistical mechanics and in a host of practical computational applications. The list of such interesting and fruitful connections goes on and on with so many applications we will not even
Cyberbullying has emerged as a prominent social issue in recent years, affecting individuals across various age groups, including college students. This study aims to shed light on cyberbullying behaviors among American and Korean college students, drawing on the lenses of social learning theory and general strain theory as theoretical frameworks. Two survey data sets of 1067 college students (686 from South Korea and 381 from the U.S.) revealed that the social learning variable of definitions was the key predictor of cyberbullying behaviors for American students, while differential association was the significant predictor for Korean students. General strain variables were found to be not strong predictors of cyberbullying behaviors for American students, while these variables were significant predictors for Korean students. The differences between two college student populations in terms of the effects of theoretical factors on cyberbullying behaviors suggests the necessity of diverse approaches toward cyberbullying preventive strategies.
Adrián Matías Buenaño Franco, Samuel Morales Castro, Duniesky Alfonso Caveda
En los últimos años, la inteligencia artificial ha adquirido un papel relevante en diversas disciplinas, incluyendo el derecho procesal. Su implementación en los sistemas judiciales promete mejorar la eficiencia en la resolución de casos, reducir errores humanos y hacer la justicia más accesible. Sin embargo, también plantea una serie de desafíos éticos y legales, como la transparencia algorítmica, la protección de datos personales y el posible sesgo en las decisiones automatizadas. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar el impacto de la IA en los procesos judiciales en Ecuador, identificando sus beneficios y riesgos, y proponiendo un marco regulatorio y ético para su adecuada implementación. Para ello, se adopta un enfoque cualitativo que permite comprender las percepciones de los actores clave en el ámbito jurídico, así como analizar casos de aplicación de la IA en el sistema judicial ecuatoriano. La aplicación de la inteligencia artificial en los procesos judiciales en Ecuador representa un avance significativo en la modernización del sistema judicial, con el potencial de mejorar la eficiencia, reducir la carga laboral de los jueces y optimizar la toma de decisiones. Sin embargo, su implementación también plantea desafíos fundamentales que deben ser abordados de manera integral para garantizar su uso responsable.
Variability is the predisposition of the elements in systems to assume different values over time and space. In biology, the variability is basic to explain differences and development in organisms but in the fields of scientific and technological information, the effects of variability on evolutionary dynamics of disciplines and technologies are unknown. In a broad analogy with the principles of biology, the variability within research fields can be a central argument to explain trajectories in scientific development and technological evolution. The purpose of the present study is to see whether statistical evidence supports the general hypothesis that the rate of growth in technologies can be explained by the level of variability in scientific fields and with this principal goal to analyze the relation between scientific variability and rate of growth in technologies. Proposed hypothesis of scientific variability here endeavors to explain basic sources of scientific development and technological evolution to lay the foundations for a general theory. The test here is based on emerging research fields of quantum technologies: Quantum Imaging, Quantum Meteorology, Quantum Sensing and Quantum Optics. A preliminary statistical evidence seems in general to support the hypothesis stated that the rate of growth in technological fields can be explained by the level of scientific variability in research fields, measured with relative entropy index. Nonparametric correlation based on Spearman’s rho shows a positive coefficient of 0.80 of these variables; linear model of the rate of technological growth = f(scientific variability) reveals a coefficient of regression equal to 1.63 (R2=0.60). Findings here suggest a general law that scientific variability positively drives scientific development and technological evolution. In particular, a higher variability within research fields can support scientific development and a high rate of growth in technological evolution (measured with scientific and technological information). Proposed hypothesis of scientific variability is especially relevant in environments of rapid change to explain determinants and dynamics of technological change within a general theoretical framework that supports technological management and forecasting of promising innovations.
White mango scale (WMS) Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is a polyphagous armored scale insect which is considered one of the key pests of mango (Mangifera indica L.) around the world. Mango is widely grown in Ethiopia whereas its production is challenged by WMS in the last decade. Effective formulations that could help manage the scale as part of IPM practice were sought from field experiments at Seka mango farm, Ethiopia in 2019 and 2020 seasons. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some formulations against WMS on mango trees. Randomized complete block designs with three replications were used for the experiments and each tree served as a plot. Allocation of each treatment within each replication was done randomly. The treatments were applied sequentially three times at 14 days interval using motorized Knapsack sprayer coinciding with peak period of natural infestation. Scale numbers before and after each spray were counted using a microscope with LCD. Sum of live crawler, female and male was registered as WMS count data. Results showed that dimethoate, diazinon, imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin sprayed alone; dimethoate rotated with imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos-ethyl rotated with paraffin, and diazinon rotated with azadirachtin, caused total mortality of the scales. The results also showed that, chlorpyrifos-ethyl, deltamethrin, paraffin oil and λ-cyhalothrin sprayed alone caused percent reduction with range 83–95 % in both seasons. Hence, the study revealed that dimethoate, diazinon, imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin applied individually, dimethoate rotated with imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos-ethyl rotated with paraffin and diazinon rotated with azadirachtin fully protect mango trees from WMS and significantly superior to other treatments. Therefore, chemical control of A. tubercularis may consider the use of these materials as foliar application and can be used as components for integrated pest management plans for WMS. However, application in the form of rotation is preferred to the alone spray as the former could substantially reduce the likelihood of inducing pesticide resistance. Cost implications and effects of the products on the natural enemy and residual toxicity in fruits need to be studied.
En este trabajo discutimos los abordajes foucaultianos sobre los procesos de subjetivación de trabajadoras/es de plataforma, poniendo el foco del análisis en los propios sujetos. A partir de datos recolectados en grupos focales, elaboramos cuatro “claves interpretativas” para captar racionalidades, lógicas y prenociones subyacentes en los sentidos construidos por las/os trabajadoras/es. Concluimos que, en un contexto signado por una economía históricamente en crisis, la racionalidad predominante entre las/os repartidoras/es se encuentra más próxima a una lógica de “supervivencia” que a las dinámicas propias de la figura del “empresario de sí”.
Os acadêmicos brasileiros geralmente não participam do desenvolvimento dos estudos ciganos em outros países da América Latina e Caribe (ALC). Para estimular esse intercâmbio e dar a visibilidade que esses conhecimentos continentais emergentes merecem, este artigo fornece uma introdução aos estudos ciganos na região. A primeira parte do artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa que realizamos entre acadêmicos em 2021 e que identificou os principais temas e preocupações nos estudos ciganos na ALC. A segunda parte oferece um retrato da área em três países onde, além do Brasil, a atividade foi mais alta: Argentina, Colômbia e México. Apresenta os principais autores de cada país, áreas de investigação e publicações-chave. Na terceira parte argumentamos que os estudos ciganos na ALC formam um campo de investigação moldado por suas próprias questões e preocupações. Esses desafiam a compreensão eurocentrista da diáspora cigana que domina os estudos ciganos no âmbito internacional, e conclamam explorações das experiências ciganas junto a outras comunidades
Az új vidékfejlesztési gyakorlatok kialakulásának fontos alapja az ellátási láncok újra alkotása. A SFSCk (Short Food Supply Chain) arra is alkalmasak, hogy megtörjék a hosszú, összetett ipari láncok rendszerét. Az SFSC-k esetében a termelői fogyasztói kapcsolatok „lerövidülnek” és újra definiálódnak. A szakirodalmi feltárást követően arra a következtetésre jutottam, hogy a rövid ellátási láncok napjainkban egyre nagyobb figyelmet kapnak, hazánkban is egyre több működési forma jelenik meg. A helyi termékek népszerűsítését számos program segítette az utóbbi években. Azt tapasztaltam, hogy a nemzetközi szakirodalom esettanulmány jelleggel mutatja be a REL-ek működését. A tanulmány elsődleges célja az volt, hogy olyan nemzetközi példákat kutassak fel, amelyek összehasonlítási alapot képezhetnek a hazánkban működő, különös tekintettel a Hajdú-Bihar megyei szerveződéseknek. Ezt követően pedig konkrét Hajdú-Bihar megyében működő hálózatokat mutattam be, négy hálózatot sikerült azonosítanom. Végezetül pedig a REL tagok közötti kérdőíves felmérés eredményét taglaltam. Összegezve a válaszadók 80%-a hisz a REL-ek életképességében, gazdaságos működtetésében. A legtöbben az információs technológia fejlesztését jelölték meg, mint fejlesztendő működési terület. A gazdálkodók hajlandóak lennének a termékelőállítás gazdaságossága érdekében erősíteni a közvetlen értékesítést. A termelők 88%-a értékesít helyi, termelői piacokon. Ők alapvetően elégedettek a termelői piac működésével, emellett úgy vélik gazdasági szempontból kielégítő a termelői piacon történő árusítás.
History of Central Europe, Social sciences (General)