The political econmoy of state government debt : an analysis of constitutional limitations (1961-1990)

Over the past decade, scholarly interest concerning the use of limitations to constrain government spending and taxing has noticeably increased. The call for constitutional restrictions can be credited, in part, to Washington's apparent inability to legislate any significant reductions in government expenditures or in the size of the national debt. At the present time, the federal government is far from instituting any constitutional limitations on spending or borrowing; however, the states have incorporated many controls on revenues and expenditures, the oldest being strictures on full faith and credit borrowing. This dissertations examines the efficacy of these restrictions on borrowing across the states (excluding Alaska) for the period dating from 1961 to 1990 and also studies the limitations on taxing and spending synonymous with the Tax Revolt.

We include socio-economic information in our calculations to control for factors other than the institutional variables that affect state borrowing levels. Our results show that certain constitutional restrictions (in particular, the referendum requirement and the dollar debt limit) are more effective than others. The apparent ineffectiveness of other limitations, such as the flexible debt limit, seem related to the bindingness of the limitations in at least half of the cases. Other variables, such as crime rates, number of schoolage children, and state personal income do affect the levels of full faith and credit debt, but not as strongly as the limitations. While some degree of circumvention can be detected (the amount of full faith and credit debt does inversely affect the levels of nonguaranteed debt), it is so small when compared to the effectiveness of the constitutional restrictions that it is almost negligible. The examination of the tax revolt era limitations yielded quite similar conclusions, with the additional fact that constitutional restrictions appear more binding than statutory ones. Our research demonstrates that constitutional limitations on borrowing can be applied effectively to constrain excessive borrowing, but caution must be used. The efficacy of these restrictions decrease dramatically as the number of loopholes increase.

Poverty alleviation among fishermen within the floodplains of Kaduna River: implication for introducing commercial fish farming at village level in Doko local government area of Niger State, Nigeria

A diagnostic survey was conducted among the fishermen in six selected villages in Doko Local Government Area of Niger State. One hundred and fifty fishermen were randomly selected and interviewed to find out whether or not they had interest in commercial fish farming aimed at improving their livelihood. The dwindling fish catches in the natural flood plain ponds and Ex-bow Lakes continue to have a serious negative effect on the socio-economic well being of the village communities in question. A break on natural regular annual flooding of the plains had resulted into very low natural fish recruitment. Data analysis using simple descriptive statistics revealed that land tenure system, educational status, inadequate infrastructural facilities, religious taboos, existing fish species among others were found to be favourable indices for commercial fish farming. However, serious conflicts among the fishermen concerning the ownership status of these natural fish ponds are found to be major obstacles to commercial fish farming despite that the traditional ownership of the ponds were vested in the lands of individuals and village communities. Extensive fish farming and small-scale fish farming in the ponds and Ex-bow Lake with improved management practices are considered to be profitable venture. Despite the fact that fish seeds supply and extension effort are still inadequate, the fish farmers have indicated willingness to adopt commercial fish farming in the Ex-bow Lakes and flood plains in order to restore abundant fish production thereby providing for their food security and also increasing the daily income

Impact assessment of Niger State fisheries legislation on fisheries conservation in Edozhigi local government area (L.G.A.) of Niger State

A preliminary survey was conducted among the fishermen in five selected villages in Edozhigi L.G.A. of Niger State. One hundred and fifty fishermen were randomly selected and interviewed to find out the impact of Niger State fisheries legislation on fisheries conservation resources in the area. The analysis of data collected using descriptive statistics indicated that undersized mesh of gill nets, beach seines and traps are being used unabated. Also, fenced barriers across the entrance of flood plain ponds and Ex-bow lakes from the main stream are in the area. The fisheries rules and regulations implementers are rarely seen or not seen at all in the area. The decreasing nature of fish catches was detected. It is observed that government policy on fish conversation is neglected due to inadequate or lack of funding for meaningful extension and implementation of the fisheries rules and regulations

Comment: Food web interactions and biomanipulation in Australian reservoirs

The authors have been studying the control of phytoplankton biomass in several Australian reservoirs. To manipulate fish communities in order to reduce phytoplankton biomass, one needs a thorough understanding of processes in the plankton-associated food webs. In contrast to the situation found in lakes of the northern hemisphere, the planktivorous fish of Australian reservoirs are relatively small and they may deplete small rather than large zooplankters, so that animals as large as the adults of Daphnia carinata may avoid predation. This would result in promotion of Daphnia, particularly if fish eliminate its smaller competitors. The aim of biomanipulation should be the establishment and maintenance of a proper ratio of planktivores/piscivores, adequate for water quality requirements. Successful selection of the appropriate ratio for a given reservoir will depend on the extent of our understanding of its food web interactions. For practical application of biomanipulation in management, further development of the food web theory under Australian conditions is needed.

La divulgación de información financiera en las páginas web de las empresas cotizadas

[ES] Es obligatorio para las empresas cotizadas que cuenten con una página web para atender el derecho de información de los accionistas, y donde difundir información relevante y obligatoria. Por ello, se creó la normativa necesaria para regular tanto la información mínima que las empresas debían aportar en sus webs, como los requisitos técnicos y jurídicos que dichas páginas debían poseer. No obstante, todas las empresas no presentan la misma información en sus webs, ya que muchas no se limitan a presentar solo la exigida por ley, y ésta puede ser más o menos útil para los usuarios. Por eso, es imprescindible poder conocer de alguna forma la transparencia que las empresas muestran a los usuarios en sus páginas web y en particular a los accionistas, si existe asimetría informativa o no, y saber cuál es el grado de calidad de la información presentada, así como la confianza que se puede tener en la misma.

Modelos de negocio innovadores en torno a la Web 2.0

El trabajo estudia la Web 2.0 y la repercusión que tiene a nivel empresarial. Idioma: Español.

Galveston Bay Migrates to the Web; DSpace Comes to Texas

This presentation describes how the Galveston Bay Bibliography and Galveston Bay Information Center projects transitioned from a paper world to electronic format. The mission of the Galveston Bay Information Center (GBIC) is to serve as a repository for information and a resource for research on Galveston Bay, its watershed, and the coastal region for all members of the Galveston Bay Community. GBIC was created in response to critical losses of data and information that were identified in the early stages of Galveston Bay National Estuary Program and includes a physical collection as well as a bibliography. With the loss of funding imminent, the administrators of GBIC recognized the need to preserve the collection and its digital bibliography in perpetuity. Enter Texas Digital Library. The University’s participation in TDL enabled GBIC to make the Galveston Bay Bibliography more robust and visible to the entire world.

Use of Freely-Available Weebly in Creating Quick and Easy Web Pages: poster presentation

Weebly is a freely-available software for creating Web pages without having to know HTML. It is easy to use, with its drag and drop editor, and offers the ability to add documents, Web links, videos, slideshows, audio, forms, polls, etc. It is hosted by Weebly and has no limits on storage space. Many templates are available for Web page design. One can publish and update almost immediately. Combined with usage of the freely-available Google Analytics, for example, it is possible to gather usage statistics. The site can be password protected, if need be. Weebly for Education is a special version for teachers and schools.

Patrimonios culturales y museos: más allá de la Historia y del Arte

Cap. 1. La reinvención del museo etnológico. Xavier Roigé i Ventura Cap. 2. La mise en patrimoine du catharisme. Enjeux de territoire, enjeux d’identité. Marie-Carmen Garcia. Cap. 3. Más allá del museo. Las activaciones económicas del patrimonio: de los parques naturales a las fiestas temáticas. Agustí Andreu i Tomàs. Cap. 4. La patrimonialización de un territorio a través de los museos etnográficos: el caso de Extremadura. Aniceto Delgado Méndez. Cap. 5. La situación de los museos, colecciones, centros de interpretación y otros equipamientos patrimoniales del Alto Pirineo catalán. Jordi Abella Pons. Cap. 6. Patrimonio, conocimiento y dinamización. Una experiencia de trabajo en el Priorat (Catalunya). Salvador Palomar. Cap. 7. Experiencias de desarrollo local en el Pirineo aragonés basadas en la valorización del patrimonio. Aurelio García Gállego. Cap. 8. Las dimensiones sociales y culturales del patrimonio edificado: una propuesta para su estudio. Iñaki Arrieta Urtizberea.

Gestión web de un taller mecánico

El objetivo del proyecto es implantar una aplicación web, para que los clientes puedan acceder a toda la información referente a esta empresa. Una de las peculiaridades de esta aplicación web es que, además de mostrar toda la información referente a la empresa, posee un módulo, que permitirá a todos los clientes de la empresa poder saber, en cada instante, el estado de su automóvil y pagar la factura de la reparación desde casa, con total confianza y comodidad, y todo ello mediante PayPal o por transferencia bancaria. Otro de los módulos que se van a desarrollar va a ser el panel de administración, a través del cual los administradores podrán realizar numerosas gestiones. También se va a desarrollar una App para Android que permitirá a la empresa estar conectada con sus clientes.

Web 2.0 e inglês como língua estrangeira: atitudes de professores e alunos adultos

O presente estudo tem por objetivos compilar e analisar percepções sobre o uso de ferramentas web 2.0 no ensino de inglês como língua estrangeira e aliar a análise de atitudes à teoria da Andragogia, que trata do aprendizado de adultos, proposta por Knowles (1973, 1975, 1984, 1990). O assunto parece não contar com estudos coordenados, visto que Thomas (2010) apenas muito recentemente editou um compêndio com trabalhos envolvendo as possíveis aplicações de recursos da web 2.0 no estudo de uma língua estrangeira e as percepções de alunos, embora outros estudos, como os de Rosell-Aguilar (2004), Conole (2008), Kárpáti (2009) e Jarvis e Szymczyk (2010) tenham discutido o assunto isoladamente. Neste trabalho é realizada a compilação das opiniões de alunos adultos e de professores de inglês como língua estrangeira. Como instrumento de coleta de dados optou-se pela utilização de questionários fechados. Tal abordagem possivelmente dá a esta pesquisa um caráter inédito, ao menos no que se refere à coleta de atitudes de alunos adultos e professores brasileiros de um curso de idiomas quanto ao uso de ferramentas web 2.0 no ensino de uma língua estrangeira. A análise dos dados mostrou que aprendizes adultos e professores têm atitudes positivas e estão preparados para a utilização de recursos web 2.0 em sala de aula. Conclui-se, entretanto, que embora a maioria dos participantes desta pesquisa concorde que o uso de tais ferramentas contribui para o ensino de inglês como língua estrangeira, alguns ajustes e procedimentos ainda devem ser implementados para que as ferramentas web 2.0 se tornem não apenas um acessório, mas parte integrante do processo de aquisição do idioma

Audiencias activas y periodismo : V Congreso Internacional de Ciberperiodismo y Web 2.0 : 18-19 de Noviembre, Bizkaia Aretoa (Abandoibarra)

La Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Comunicación a través del Departamento de Periodismo II viene organizando desde hace cuatro años el Congreso Internacional de Ciberperiodismo y Web 2.0, un evento relacionado con el Periodismo e Internet, en general y con la Web 2.0, en particular. Un concepto éste, el de la Web 2.0, en el que el verdadero protagonismo recae en las audiencias. El público se está convirtiendo en el editor de información; es él el que define cómo quiere ver la información; y está constituyendo comunidades en este proceso. La Web 2.0 refuerza la idea del usuario como creador y no sólo como consumidor de medios. Aquellas personas que antes eran clientes de información se convierten paulatinamente en editores, y muchas de las aplicaciones asociadas con la web 2.0 pretenden ayudarles a organizar y publicar sus contenidos.

¿Son las audiencias indicadores de calidad? : VI Congreso Internacional de Ciberperiodismo y Web 2.0 : 17-18 de Noviembre, Bizkaia Aretoa (Abandoibarra)

La Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Comunicación a través del Departamento de Periodismo II viene organizando desde hace cinco años el Congreso Internacional de Ciberperiodismo y Web 2.0, un evento relacionado con el Periodismo e Internet, en general y con la Web 2.0, en particular. Un concepto éste, el de la Web 2.0, en el que el verdadero protagonismo recae en las audiencias. El público se está convirtiendo en el editor de información; es él el que define cómo quiere ver la información; y está constituyendo comunidades en este proceso. La Web 2.0 refuerza la idea del usuario como creador y no sólo como consumidor de medios. Aquellas personas que antes eran clientes de información se convierten paulatinamente en editores, y muchas de las aplicaciones asociadas con la web 2.0 pretenden ayudarles a organizar y publicar sus contenidos. El Congreso de este año, que se celebra los días 17 y 18 de noviembre en el Bizkaia Aretoa lleva por título "¿Son las audiencias indicadores de calidad?". La edición de este año del Congreso intentará responder acerca de cuáles son las estrategias de los medios de comunicación considerados de referencia, están adoptando ante el hecho de que las audiencias demanden más participación y, como consecuencia, estén cada vez más aceptando contenidos generados por los usuarios (User-Generated Content). Se explorarán características, herramientas, impacto y consecuencias para comprender, desde un punto de vista crítico, la naturaleza o el alcance de estos nuevos modelos. El objetivo es nuevamente reunir a especialistas en el área para analizar y debatir cuestiones centradas en la práctica del Ciberperiodismo actual a la luz de las nuevas realidades empresariales, profesionales y de formación. Los desafíos y los cambios provocados por la convergencia y la multitextualidad, por el también llamado “Periodismo ciudadano”, por las innovaciones tecnológicas y las experiencias emprendedoras en esta área serán temas a destacar. Se pretende, igualmente, que el congreso constituya un momento ideal para la actualización de conocimientos científicos sobre el Ciberperiodismo. Para ello, se cuenta con la presencia de académicos, tanto nacionales como extranjeros, que constituyen un referente en la investigación.

Automatically exposing OpenLifeData via SADI semantic Web Services

Background: Two distinct trends are emerging with respect to how data is shared, collected, and analyzed within the bioinformatics community. First, Linked Data, exposed as SPARQL endpoints, promises to make data easier to collect and integrate by moving towards the harmonization of data syntax, descriptive vocabularies, and identifiers, as well as providing a standardized mechanism for data access. Second, Web Services, often linked together into workflows, normalize data access and create transparent, reproducible scientific methodologies that can, in principle, be re-used and customized to suit new scientific questions. Constructing queries that traverse semantically-rich Linked Data requires substantial expertise, yet traditional RESTful or SOAP Web Services cannot adequately describe the content of a SPARQL endpoint. We propose that content-driven Semantic Web Services can enable facile discovery of Linked Data, independent of their location. Results: We use a well-curated Linked Dataset - OpenLifeData - and utilize its descriptive metadata to automatically configure a series of more than 22,000 Semantic Web Services that expose all of its content via the SADI set of design principles. The OpenLifeData SADI services are discoverable via queries to the SHARE registry and easy to integrate into new or existing bioinformatics workflows and analytical pipelines. We demonstrate the utility of this system through comparison of Web Service-mediated data access with traditional SPARQL, and note that this approach not only simplifies data retrieval, but simultaneously provides protection against resource-intensive queries. Conclusions: We show, through a variety of different clients and examples of varying complexity, that data from the myriad OpenLifeData can be recovered without any need for prior-knowledge of the content or structure of the SPARQL endpoints. We also demonstrate that, via clients such as SHARE, the complexity of federated SPARQL queries is dramatically reduced.

OntoFeed um leitor de Feeds com extensão ontológica.

O problema que justifica o presente estudo refere-se à falta de semântica nos mecanismos de busca na Web. Para este problema, o consórcio W3 vem desenvolvendo tecnologias que visam construir uma Web Semântica. Entre estas tecnologias, estão as ontologias de domínio. Neste sentido, o objetivo geral desta dissertação é discutir as possibilidades de se imprimir semântica às buscas nos agregadores de notícia da Web. O objetivo específico é apresentar uma aplicação que usa uma classificação semi-automática de notícias, reunindo, para tanto, as tecnologias de busca da área de recuperação de informação com as ontologias de domínio. O sistema proposto é uma aplicação para a Web capaz de buscar notícias sobre um domínio específico em portais de informação. Ela utiliza a API do Google Maps V1 para a localização georreferenciada da notícia, sempre que esta informação estiver disponível. Para mostrar a viabilidade da proposta, foi desenvolvido um exemplo apoiado em uma ontologia para o domínio de chuvas e suas consequências. Os resultados obtidos por este novo Feed de base ontológica são alocados em um banco de dados e disponibilizados para consulta via Web. A expectativa é que o Feed proposto seja mais relevante em seus resultados do que um Feed comum. Os resultados obtidos com a união de tecnologias patrocinadas pelo consórcio W3 (XML, RSS e ontologia) e ferramentas de busca em página Web foram satisfatórios para o propósito pretendido. As ontologias mostram-se como ferramentas de usos múltiplos, e seu valor de análise em buscas na Web pode ser ampliado com aplicações computacionais adequadas para cada caso. Como no exemplo apresentado nesta dissertação, à palavra chuva agregaram-se outros conceitos, que estavam presentes nos desdobramentos ocasionados por ela. Isto realçou a ligação do evento chuva com as consequências que ela provoca - ação que só foi possível executar através de um recorte do conhecimento formal envolvido.