Suchergebnisse

Based on a 3-year ethnographical study, this paper discusses the prolonged use of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) tools by approximately 400 older people in an adult education centre in Barcelona (Spain). Contrary to oversimplified views of older people as ICT users, this paper shows that they make a very rich use of CMC tools. Relevant elements of this use are their permanent desire to feel and be included, social, independent and competent ICT users. Despite the numerous interaction issues they face when using ICT, some are constant across different tools. Difficulties due to cognition limit their interactions more severely than those problems due to perceiving visual information or using the mouse. By examining the longitudinal aspect of the study, this paper addresses the evolution of technology use and whether the interaction issues that most of the current older people exhibit will be relevant when today's more ICT literate young adults grow older. Interaction issues due to cognition are time-persistent, and independent of both experience and practice with ICT. Difficulties reading from the screen or using input devices are overcome with ICT experience. The strategies adopted by older people for coping with all these interaction issues are always targeted at feeling and being included, social, independent and competent ICT users. The results deepen current understanding of tools use in connecting older people with their social circles and the interaction issues most of them encounter when using ICT. The results also suggest that cognitive-related problems will be the most important ones in our work with the next generation of older people. ; We are indebted to Àgora and all our participants for allowing us to be part of their lives and share their experiences of using ICT with the rest of the world. We are also very grateful to Paula Forbes for improving our English and ideas, and the reviewers and editor of this journal for their careful, detailed and stimulating reviews. We also acknowledge the support from the Commission for Universities and Research of the Ministry of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia.

Ban sobre els mesuradors de blat i pesadors de farina per la regulació de la venda dels seus productes

Maize is the most cultivated cereal in Africa in terms of land area and production, but low soil nitrogen availability often constrains yields. Developing new maize varieties with high and reliable yields using traditional crop breeding techniques in field conditions can be slow and costly. Remote sensing has become an important tool in the modernization of field-based high-throughput plant phenotyping (HTPP), providing faster gains towards the improvement of yield potential and adaptation to abiotic and biotic limiting conditions. We evaluated the performance of a set of remote sensing indices derived from red–green–blue (RGB) images along with field-based multispectral normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD values) as phenotypic traits for assessing maize performance under managed low-nitrogen conditions. HTPP measurements were conducted from the ground and from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For the ground-level RGB indices, the strongest correlations to yield were observed with hue, greener green area (GGA), and a newly developed RGB HTPP index, NDLab (normalized difference Commission Internationale de I´Edairage (CIE)Lab index), while GGA and crop senescence index (CSI) correlated better with grain yield from the UAV. Regarding ground sensors, SPAD exhibited the closest correlation with grain yield, notably increasing in its correlation when measured in the vegetative stage. Additionally, we evaluated how different HTPP indices contributed to the explanation of yield in combination with agronomic data, such as anthesis silking interval (ASI), anthesis date (AD), and plant height (PH). Multivariate regression models, including RGB indices (R2 > 0.60), outperformed other models using only agronomic parameters or field sensors (R2 > 0.50), reinforcing RGB HTPP's potential to improve yield assessments. Finally, we compared the low-N results to the same panel of 64 maize genotypes grown under optimal conditions, noting that only 11% of the total genotypes appeared in the highest yield producing quartile for both trials. Furthermore, we calculated the grain yield loss index (GYLI) for each genotype, which showed a large range of variability, suggesting that low-N performance is not necessarily exclusive of high productivity in optimal conditions. ; This research and APC was funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID Stress Tolerant Maize for Africa program, grant number [OPP1134248], and the MAIZE CGIAR research program. The CGIAR Research Program MAIZE receives W1&W2 support from the Governments of Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S., and the World Bank.

I. Theil. Dessen Innhalt auf den umgekehrten Blat zu finden. ; Mode of access: Internet.

Reliable methods for estimating wheat grain yield before harvest could help improve farm management and, if applied on a regional level, also help identify spatial factors that influence yield. Regional grain yield can be estimated using conventional methods, but the typical process is complex and labor-intensive. Here we describe the development of a streamlined approach using publicly accessible agricultural data, field-level yield, and remote sensing data from Sentinel-2 satellite to estimate regional wheat grain yield. We validated our method on wheat croplands in Navarre in northern Spain, which features heterogeneous topography and rainfall. First, this study developed stepwise multilinear equations to estimate grain yield based on various vegetation indices, which were measured at various phenological stages in order to determine the optimal timings. Second, the most suitable model was used to estimate grain yield in wheat parcels mapped from Sentinel-2 satellite images. We used a supervised pixel-based random forest classification and the estimates were compared to government-published post-harvest yield statistics. When tested, the model achieved an R2 of 0.83 in predicting grain yield at field level. The wheat parcels were mapped with an accuracy close to 86% for both overall accuracy and compared to offcial statistics. Third, the validated model was used to explore potential relationships of the mapped per-parcel grain yield estimation with topographic features and rainfall by using geographically weighted regressions. Topographic features and rainfall together accounted for an average for 11 to 20% of the observed spatial variation in grain yield in Navarre. These results highlight the ability of our method for estimating wheat grain yield before harvest and determining spatial factors that influence yield at the regional scale.

The Spanish Government has established post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) as mandatory for genetically modified (GM) crop varieties cultivated in Spain. In order to comply with this regulation, effects of Bt maize varieties derived from the event MON810 on the predatory fauna were monitored for two years in northeast and central Spain. The study was carried out with a randomized block design in maize fields of 3-4 ha on which the abundance of plant-dwelling predators and the activity-density of soil-dwelling predators in Bt vs. non-Bt near-isogenic varieties were compared. To this end, the plots were sampled by visual inspection of a certain number of plants and pitfall traps 6 or 7 times throughout two seasons. No significant differences in predator densities on plants were found between Bt and non-Bt varieties. In the pitfall traps, significant differences between the two types of maize were found only in Staphylinidae, in which trap catches in non-Bt maize were higher than in Bt maize in central Spain. Based on the statistical power of the assays, surrogate arthropods for PMEM purposes are proposed; Orius spp. and Araneae for visual sampling and Carabidae, Araneae, and Staphylinidae for pitfall trapping. The other predator groups recorded in the study, Nabis sp. and Coccinellidae in visual sampling and Dermaptera in pitfall trapping, gave very poor power results. To help to establish a standardized protocol for PMEM of genetically modified crops, the effect-detecting capacity with a power of 0.8 of each predator group is given. ; Con el objetivo de cumplir con la legislación española que establece la obligatoriedad de un plan de seguimiento ambiental para post-comercialización (PMEM) para los cultivos modificados genéticamente, se evaluó durante dos años el efecto de variedades de maíz Bt derivadas del evento MON810 en la fauna depredadora, en el nordeste y centro de España. El estudio se realizó mediante un diseño de bloques al azar, en campos de maíz de 3-4 ha, en los cuales se comparó la abundancia/actividad de depredadores en planta y en el suelo entre variedades de maíz Bt y no-Bt. Las parcelas se muestrearon de 6 a 7 veces durante cada uno de los dos años mediante inspección visual de un número determinado de plantas y por medio de trampas de gravedad. No se observaron en general diferencias significativas en la densidad de depredadores en planta y en el suelo entre las variedades Bt y no-Bt y sólo los Staphylinidae mostraron capturas significativamente mayores en parcelas no Bt en el centro de España. En base a la potencia estadística obtenida de los análisis se proponen una serie de artrópodos indicadores para los ensayos de PMEM: Orius spp. y Araneae en los muestreos visuales y Carabidae, Araneae y Staphylinidae en los muestreos con trampas de gravedad. El resto de grupos registrados en el estudio, Nabis sp. y Coccinellidae en los muestreos visuales y Dermaptera en las trampas de gravedad, mostraron una potencia considerablemente menor. Se hacen recomendaciones para el diseño de ensayos para PMEM.

Portable and interactive technologies are changing the nature of collaborative learning practices and open up new possibilities for Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). Now, activities occurring in and beyond the classroom can be combined and integrated leading to a new type of complex collaborative blended learning scenarios. However, to organize and structure these scenarios is challenging and represent a workload for practitioners, which hinder the adoption of these technology-enhanced practices. As an approach to alleviate this workload, this paper proposes a proof of concept of a technological solution to overcome the limitations detected in an analysis of an actual collaborative blended learning experiment carried out in a previous study. The solution consists on a Unit of Learning suitable to be instantiated with IMS Learning Design and complemented by a GenericService Integration system. This chapter also discusses to which extent the proposed solution covers the limitations detected in the previous study and how useful could be for reducing the orchestration effort in future experiences. ; This work has been partially funded by the Project Learn3 (TIN2008- 05163/TSI) from the Plan Nacional I+D+I and "Investigación y Desarrollo de Tecnologías para el e-Learning en la Comunidad de Madrid" funded by the Madrid Regional Government under grant No. S2009/TIC-1650.

One of the most relevant difficulties faced by first-year undergraduate students is to settle into the educational environment of universities. This paper presents a case study that proposes a computer-assisted collaborative experience designed to help students in their transition from high school to university. This is done by facilitating their first contact with the campus and its services, the university community, methodologies and activities. The experience combines individual and collaborative activities, conducted in and out of the classroom, structured following the Jigsaw Collaborative Learning Flow Pattern. A specific environment including portable technologies with network and computer applications has been developed to support and facilitate the orchestration of a flow of learning activities into a single integrated learning setting. The result is a Computer Supported Collaborative Blended Learning scenario that has been evaluated with first-year university students of the degrees of Software and Audiovisual Engineering within the subject Introduction to Information and Communications Technologies. The findings reveal that the scenario improves significantly students' interest in their studies and their understanding about the campus and services provided. The environment is also an innovative approach to successfully support the heterogeneous activities conducted by both teachers and students during the scenario. This paper introduces the goals and context of the case study, describes how the technology was employed to conduct the learning scenario, the evaluation methods and the main results of the experience. ; This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation in the Learn3 project TIN2008-05163/TSI and by the Madrid regional Government in the e-Madrid project S2009/TIC-1650. The work of the author Ramirez-Gonzalez has been also supported by the SOLITE CYTED Program 508AC0341 and the Universidad del Cauca where he is a professor with a commission of Doctoral studies O.J. 118-2006. ; Publicado

Contents: The new economic course in the U.S.S.R., by Naum Jasny; Soviet farm policy; In defense of reaction, by Peter Meyer; "Blat" is higher than Stalin! by J. S. Berliner.

Pemilihan umum merupakan salah satu indicator penting untuk mengukur tingkat kualitas demokrasi suatu Negara termasuk pula pada pemilihan kepala desa. Semakin berkembangnya demokrasi suatu negara maka juga akan semakin meluasnya partisipasi publik masyarakat. Namun ditengah kondisi demokrasi yang masih belum matang, praktek pemilu di Indonesia termasuk lebih ironis lagi pada pemilihan kepala desa masih banyak diwarnai oleh beberapa fenomena umum yang terus mengemuka semisal money politic, patron-klien relationship serta peran blater di dalamnya. Melalui pemikiran inilah tulisan ini hadir untuk melihat 1) Bagaimana proses penetrasi politik elit dalam mempengaruhi preferensi poliik pemilih, 2) bagaimana penggunaan politik uang mampu berpengaruh terhadap preferensi politik pemilih ? Penelitian deskriptif ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif untuk melihat gejala tertentu secara terperinci, intensif pada fenomena masyarakat yang berkembang melalui proses pengamatan atau analisis sehingga bisa menghasilkan data deskriptif yang berupa kata-kata tertulis, lisan orang atau bahkan prilaku serta gejala tertentu. Guna memperolah data-data deskriptif tersebut, teknik observasi, wawancara mendalam, dokumentasi digunakan oleh peneliti untuk memperkuat data yang dihasilkan. Sementara untuk menguji validitas datanya peneliti menggunakan teknik trianggulasi sumber dengan cara membandingkan ulang data hasil wawancara dengan isi dokumen. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan pertama bahwa penggunaan bahasa adalah instrument penting dalam komunikasi. Dalam perspektif komunikasi politik, pembentukan wacana memiliki peran penting sekaligus instrument elit penguasa dalam mengubah preferensi politik. Melalui penggunaan bahasa yang sifatnya intimidatif tersebut maka kalangan blater telah mampu mengubah preferensi politik pemilih hingga berhasil memenangkan calon yang di usung. Antara penggunaan bahasa kekuasaan dan fenomena kemenangan calon kepala desa dalam kontestasi pilkades di beberapa tempat termasuk di desa Bajur tentu tidak lepas dari penggunaan bahasa kekuasaan dalam konteks manipulasi ideasional. Elit blater sebagai kelompok masyarakat yang berpengaruh di desa bajur memang sangat lihai menggunakan bahasa ancaman guna mengubah preferensi politik pemilih. Kedua Keterlibatan kelompok elit muda dalam proses pemilihan kepala desa telah mengubah iklim politik sekalgus perilaku pemilih setempat. Keberadaan kelompok elit blater tidak berdiri sendiri, ia lahir dari komunitas social dengan jejaring yang mengakar pada masyarakat. Oleh karena itu dalam meningkatkan elektabilitas politik calon kelompok elit ini tidak bergerak sendiri melainkan mereka bergerak secara kolektif dengan melibatkan tokoh elit blater di desa lain. Bahkan dalam kondisi tertentu kehadiran mereka juga mendapatkan dukungan dari kalangan-kalangan elit-elit formal lainnya seperti aparat keamanan desa maupun kepolisian setempat.

Proceedings of: 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Networking and Collaborative Systems (INCOS 2010): Second International Workshop on Adaptive Systems for Collaborative Learning (IWASCL-2010). Thessaloniki, Greece, 24‐26 November, 2010. ; The introduction of portable devices in education opens up new possibilities for Computer Supported Collaborative Learning by providing advanced learning scenarios with activities in different spatial locations. However, organizing and structuring collaborative learning adaptive flows in these innovative scenarios represents also a workload for practitioners, which hinder the adoption of these technologies. As a step forward to alleviate this workload, this paper analyzes the limitations and bottlenecks detected in an actual collaborative blended learning experience carried out in a previous study and proposes a technological solution for solving them. The resulting solution is presented as a concept proof consisting of a Unit of Learning suitable to be instantiated with IMS Learning Design and complemented by a Generic Service Integration system. The paper also discusses to which extent the proposed solution covers the limitations detected in the previous study and how useful could be for reducing the orchestration effort in future experiences. ; This work has been partially funded by the Project Learn3 (TIN2008-05163/TSI) from the Plan Nacional I+D+I, the Spanish National Project FLEXO (TSI-020301-2008-19, www.ines.org.es/flexo) and "Investigación y Desarrollo de Tecnologías para el e-Learning en la Comunidad de Madrid" funded by the Madrid Regional Government under grant No. S2009/TIC-1650. ; Publicado

Agricultural soils emit greenhouse gases (GHG). Excessive application of N fertilizer may lead to the accumulation of mineral N in the soil, which is susceptible to loss to the environment. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of two levels of available mineral N before planting (L, low; H, high) and two rates of NH4NO3 fertilizer (0 and 300 kg N ha(-1)) on soil CH4, CO2, and N2O emissions in a sprinkler-irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) field located in northeastern Spain during two growing seasons (2011 and 2012). For both soil N levels at planting, several sampling dates showed higher N2O emissions in the 300 kg N ha(-1) treatment than the 0 kg N ha(-1) treatment. Applications of N fertilizer resulted in a short-lived increase of N2O emitted. Differences among fertilization treatments were found for soil CO2 emissions in 2011 and for soil N2O emissions in 2011 and 2012. No differences were found between treatments for CH4. In the 2012 season, the application of 300 kg N ha(-1) in the L scenario reduced N2O yield-scaled emissions (g N2O-N kg(-1) aboveground N uptake) by 30% due to a significant increase in corn yield (7.6 Mg grain ha(-1)) compared with the treatment without N. Conversely, under the H scenario, N application doubled yield-scaled N2O emissions. Results of this study demonstrate that fertilization strategies need to take into account mineral N levels in the soil before sowing to reduce GHG emissions during the growing season. ; We would like to thank Ana Bielsa, Mónica Guillén, María José Salvador, and Javier Bareche for laboratory and field assistance. This work was partially supported by the Aragon Government and La Caixa (Grant GA-LC-050/2011), the Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología of Spain (Grants AGL2013-49062-C4-4-R, AGL2010- 22050-C03-01/02, and AGL2009-12897-C02-02), and the European Union (FEDER funds). Daniel Plaza-Bonilla received a "Juan de la Cierva" grant from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain. Finally, we are thankful to three anonymous reviewers for their valuable feedback and suggestions that led to further improvement of this manuscript.