Increasing profits and reducing risks in crop production using participatory systems simulation approaches

The development of cropping systems simulation capabilities world-wide combined with easy access to powerful computing has resulted in a plethora of agricultural models and consequently, model applications. Nonetheless, the scientific credibility of such applications and their relevance to farming practice is still being questioned. Our objective in this paper is to highlight some of the model applications from which benefits for farmers were or could be obtained via changed agricultural practice or policy. Changed on-farm practice due to the direct contribution of modelling, while keenly sought after, may in some cases be less achievable than a contribution via agricultural policies. This paper is intended to give some guidance for future model applications. It is not a comprehensive review of model applications, nor is it intended to discuss modelling in the context of social science or extension policy. Rather, we take snapshots around the globe to 'take stock' and to demonstrate that well-defined financial and environmental benefits can be obtained on-farm from the use of models. We highlight the importance of 'relevance' and hence the importance of true partnerships between all stakeholders (farmer, scientists, advisers) for the successful development and adoption of simulation approaches. Specifically, we address some key points that are essential for successful model applications such as: (1) issues to be addressed must be neither trivial nor obvious; (2) a modelling approach must reduce complexity rather than proliferate choices in order to aid the decision-making process (3) the cropping systems must be sufficiently flexible to allow management interventions based on insights gained from models. The pro and cons of normative approaches (e.g. decision support software that can reach a wide audience quickly but are often poorly contextualized for any individual client) versus model applications within the context of an individual client's situation will also be discussed. We suggest that a tandem approach is necessary whereby the latter is used in the early stages of model application for confidence building amongst client groups. This paper focuses on five specific regions that differ fundamentally in terms of environment and socio-economic structure and hence in their requirements for successful model applications. Specifically, we will give examples from Australia and South America (high climatic variability, large areas, low input, technologically advanced); Africa (high climatic variability, small areas, low input, subsistence agriculture); India (high climatic variability, small areas, medium level inputs, technologically progressing; and Europe (relatively low climatic variability, small areas, high input, technologically advanced). The contrast between Australia and Europe will further demonstrate how successful model applications are strongly influenced by the policy framework within which producers operate. We suggest that this might eventually lead to better adoption of fully integrated systems approaches and result in the development of resilient farming systems that are in tune with current climatic conditions and are adaptable to biophysical and socioeconomic variability and change. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Occupational therapists' use and perceptions of written client education materials

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to examine occupational therapists' use and perceptions of written education materials for clients and the factors that therapists consider before distributing written materials to clients This study also aimed to determine whether use and perceptions of these materials differed for older clients METHOD. A random sample of 50 occupational therapists from Queensland, Australia, working in adult physical disabilities settings was surveyed with a structured questionnaire Data were analyzed descriptively and with nonparametric statistics RESULTS. Of 49 participants who used written materials, 54% had given them to more than halt of their last 10 clients, regardless of the clients' age Written materials, most often information sheets developed by the participants themselves; handwritten notes; and pamphlets were principally used to reinforce verbal information. Clients' cognitive abilities, primary language, communication skills, vision, and level of education most often were considered before distributing written materials Although participants generally were positive about the content and effectiveness of materials, ratings were significantly less positive related to older clients CONCLUSION. Client education was a core treatment modality for participants in this study, with written media most commonly being used to supplement verbal education Because participants were least positive about the effectiveness of written materials for older clients, further development of materials for this audience may be indicated.

Amphitheater staging: In-the-round or to the front (and what about asides)?

When the existence in Utrecht of the DeWitt/Van Buchel drawing of the Swan Theater became known in 1888, William Poel was already seven years into his inquiries into the best means of staging the public amphitheater and great hall plays of the English Renaissance.1 I mention this to emphasize that the discourse came before the fact: the belief that Shakespeare's plays are best staged as it was then imprecisely imagined they had once been staged-simply, without elaborate settings or time-consuming scene changes, with direct actor-audience address, "in-the-round"-had as much to do with reactions against the late nineteenth-century stage's pictorialism, with its set-changing interruptions and cut-and-paste revisions to Shakespeare's texts, as it had to do with presenting the Bard "authentically." Some of the confusion caused by the uneasy mixing of historical scholarship and the assumptions and practices of our own contemporary theater profession can be glimpsed in the phenomenon of modern in-the-round staging, often claimed as a more "authentic" approach to Shakespeare in performance, but one which is then modified to make possible post-Stanislavsky acting methods and to satisfy modern audience expectations.

Primary aldosteronism: From genesis to genetics

The fact that a debate concerning the unexpectedly high prevalence of normokalaemic primary aldosteronism (PAL) attracted a large audience at the 2002 Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension makes it timely to address this issue. The affirmative case argues that PAL is the most common potentially curable and specifically treatable form of hypertension, itself the most common chronic disorder in Western societies, with significant morbidity and mortality, consuming large proportions of health budgets. Recent discoveries about the genetics of aldosterone production and of its unexpectedly broad effects on the cardiovascular system need to be placed in clinical context.

Simulacro e retórica : construção de ethé e do humor em artigos de opinião de Elio Gaspari

Esta pesquisa propõe um estudo sobre a construção de ethé e do humor em artigos de opinião intergenéricos assinados por Elio Gaspari. Partindo da hipótese de que, nos textos, a construção discursiva de ethé alheios constitui a principal estratégia argumentativa, buscamos verificar como, pela utilização de recursos retóricos e humorísticos, é possível construir ethé de figuras expressivas da política brasileira. Para tanto, selecionamos oito artigos de opinião publicados em forma de e-mail no jornal Folha de S. Paulo. Uma vez estruturados a partir do processo intergenérico, esses artigos de opinião simulam trocas de e-mail entre personalidades políticas, evidenciando ethé dessas personalidades, o que os torna um lugar propício para se observar o ponto de vista retórico da construção de imagem. Assim, ao mostrar como se dá a construção de ethé dos políticos nos artigos intergenéricos, este trabalho se torna relevante na medida em que pode ampliar reflexões em torno dos artifícios utilizados em textos opinativos para levar o auditório a aderir ao posicionamento do orador. Para a condução deste estudo, adotamos os construtos teóricos desenvolvidos por estudiosos da Retórica (Retórica aristotélica e Nova Retórica), dos gêneros e do humor. As análises revelaram a constituição, pelo viés do humor, de ethé positivos dos políticos que atuam como remetentes dos e-mails e de um ethos negativo daqueles que desempenham o papel de destinatário. Ainda foi possível constatar que, ao construir ethé de outras personagens, o orador acaba construindo representações de si. Concluímos, assim, que é por meio do recurso ao ethos e ao humor que o orador busca obter a adesão de seu auditório, levando-o a partilhar seu posicionamento crítico acerca da política brasileira.

Práticas pedagógicas inclusivas no cotidiano da educação infantil : considerações sobre a infância e a criança com deficiência e transtornos globais do desenvolvimento

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo investigar as práticas pedagógicas inclusivas instituídas no cotidiano da educação infantil a partir de um olhar para a infância e para a criança com deficiência e transtornos globais do desenvolvimento. Apontamos como objetivos específicos: definir o que está sendo reconhecido como práticas educacionais inclusivas a partir de indicadores estabelecidos para identificá- las no contexto de uma escola de educação infantil; investigar como a escola reflete, dialoga sobre as questões da inclusão das crianças na primeira infância na unidade de educação infantil e como se configuram as propostas de formação dos professores neste espaço, a fim de constituir práticas pedagógicas inclusivas na unidade escolar; escutar as crianças com deficiência e transtornos globais do desenvolvimento e as demais crianças sobre como estão compreendendo o acontecimento das práticas pedagógicas em geral e as práticas pedagógicas inclusivas da unidade de ensino de educação infantil. Para tanto, desenvolvemos um estudo de natureza qualitativa, tendo como base a metodologia do estudo de caso etnográfico numa perspectiva colaborativa, no qual realizamos análise documental, entrevistas semiestruturadas, observações participantes, ciclos de formação com os professores e roda de conversa com as crianças, que foram registrados por meio de fotografias, áudio e videogravações. O estudo foi desenvolvido no contexto de uma escola pública de educação infantil do município de Cachoeiro de Itapemirim – ES. Os participantes foram oito crianças público-alvo da educação especial, com idade entre dois a seis anos de idade, dez professores, três pedagogas, uma diretora, uma coordenadora e duas auxiliares de turma que se envolveram direta ou indiretamente com o estudo. O estudo foi realizado durante quatorze meses, no período de 28 de outubro de 2011 a 10 de dezembro de 2012, em uma Escola Municipal de Educação Básica do município de Cachoeiro do Itapemirim/ES, que atende exclusivamente aos alunos da educação infantil, em duas turmas de creche e três de pré-escola. Os aportes teóricos fundamentam-se na abordagem histórico-cultural e nos estudos de Phelippe Meirieu. Os dados foram organizados em temáticas e “episódios interativos” e analisados por meio da abordagem microgenética e das análises das narrativas. A análise dos resultados evidenciou a importância do investimento na formação dos professores, a constituição de relações de colaboração entre professores regentes e de Educação Especial e a assunção de que toda criança tem capacidade de aprender, pois esses elementos influenciam as práticas pedagógicas constituídas nos espaços-tempos da Educação Infantil mediante o desafio de inclusão escolar de crianças com deficiência e com transtornos globais do desenvolvimento.

Exploring the interplay between Framing and Securitization theory: the case of the Arab Spring protests in Bahrain

This article advances the theoretical integration between securitization theory and the framing approach, resulting in a set of criteria hereby called security framing. It seeks to make a twofold contribution: to sharpen the study of the ideational elements that underlie the construction of threats, and to advance towards a greater assessment of the audience's preferences. The case study under examination is the 2011 military intervention of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain. The security framing of this case will help illuminate the dynamics at play in one of the most important recent events in Gulf politics.

Historical and conceptual landscape of the character

This paper was developed with the intention of broadly demonstrating the complexity of the area known recently as character development, as a creative process methods and implementation. It searches the understanding of the character itself, its place in the narrative and its reception by the reader or target audience. It is a multidisciplinary tool that faces a multitude of challenges from an increasingly demanding public and with specific goals in mind, and yet it also gives us valuable insight over how we interact with one another and the world around us, teaching us how to transfer such knowledge into fiction promoting empathic bonds between the reader and the characters. The human tendency to create is limitless and as old as mankind itself, we create, recreate and reinterpret and then populate such tales with believable characters from who we learn, and experience events and tales that shape our very lives.

Actividade e comunicação: o sujeito perante os media

O presente artigo apresenta uma perspectiva material de compreensão da relação entre os sujeitos e os media centrada no conceito de actividade. A partir da discussão deste conceito no contexto de diferentes abordagens no campo dos estudos da comunicação, pretendemos centrarmo-nos na denominada “teoria da actividade” para introduzir uma concepção da actividade enquanto vector central da relação entre sujeito e media. Esta relação constrói-se de acordo com esta perspectiva, não como uma relação passiva baseada na exposição, mas sim como uma relação produtiva de uso dos media enquanto objectos no contexto de actividades colectivas e individuais de objectivação de uma relação produtiva de consumo suportada na mediação de artefactos.