Influence of the Expert Effect on Cultural Models

We examined hunters’ perceptions of fauna to see if expert hunters and other hunters perceive wildlife abundance similarly. We used cultural consensus analysis (CCA) to assess the knowledge of 25 hunters in the Bolivian Amazon about the abundance of 38 animals. CCA indicated highly shared beliefs among hunters concerning wildlife abundance (average agreement = .62). However, expert hunters (as judged by their reported successful hunts of rare species, having hunted recently, and consuming more game in their diet) perceived more animals as abundant than did non-experts, although they all shared the same model. Since the expert hunters did not always agree on which species was more abundant, they had low cultural knowledge scores in CCA results. These experts may be unwilling to curtail hunting efforts on key species that they perceive to be abundant.     

小流域群众水土保持心理状态分析

在对石节子沟小流域群众水土保持心理状态、社会经济情况调查分析的基础上 ,认为水土流失区群众的粮食情结和小农经济思想是影响小流域持续发展的主要心理和思想障碍。提出了石节子沟小流域以基本农田建设为突破口 ,以水土保持常规措施为手段 ,以基础结构建设为基础 ,以经济建设为中心的小流域持续发展方案。     

Projecting the suitability of global and local habitats for myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) using model consensus

Myrtle rust (caused by Austropuccinia psidii) affects more than 500 known host species in the Myrtaceae family. Three different modelling approaches (CLIMEX, MaxEnt and Multi-Model Framework) were used to project the habitat suitability for myrtle rust at both global and local scales. Current data on the global occurrence of myrtle rust were collected from online literature and expert solicitation. Long-term averages of climate data (1960–1990) were sourced from WorldClim and CliMond websites. Recent reports of myrtle rust in New Zealand were used for validation of model outputs but not in model training and testing. The model outputs were combined into a consensus model to identify localities projected to be suitable for myrtle rust according to two or three models (hotspots). In addition to the locations where the pathogen is currently present, all models successfully projected independent occurrence data in New Zealand suitable for establishment of the pathogen. Climate suitability for the pathogen was primarily related to temperature followed by rainfall in MaxEnt and the CLIMEX model. The results confirmed the optimum temperature range of this pathogen in the literature (15–25 °C). Additional analysis of the precipitation variables indicated that excessive rain (more than 2000 mm in warmest quarter of the year) combined with high temperatures (>30 °C) constrain pathogen establishment. The results of the current study can be useful for countries such as New Zealand, China, South Africa and Singapore where the pathogen has not fully spread or established.     

道德思维的逻辑结构与形态演进：规范、语言与共识

道德思维是人类思维活动中的重要方式和特殊样式，人的道德行为方式在很大程度上受道德思维水平支配和制约。道德思维作为伦理学研究的主要内容，随着伦理学理论形态范式的演进和嬗变，相应地发生着历时性的范式转向和共时性的理论融合。探究道德思维的逻辑关系考察、结构要素分析和理论形态演进，可以廓清道德思维从本体论到认识论再到实践论的理论主题的转换和研究方法的更新。道德思维从综合性思维到分析性思维再到反思性思维的演进历程，有助于深刻理解道德规范、道德语言和道德共识之于人类生活和社会发展的理论价值和实践意义。     

Mixing methods – assessment of potential benefits for natural resources planning

Multi-objective forest planning is a multi-methodological endeavor whose success largely depends on how well the combined use of different methods contributes to the goals of the planning. This review assessed the benefits of mixing methods in natural resources planning. A sample of 30 peer-reviewed research articles was analyzed using an evaluation framework, designed based on democracy and planning theories, and participatory planning literature, including four dimensions: transparency, flexibility, consensus building, and operability. According to analyses, mixing different types (i.e. qualitative and quantitative) of methods generally yields greater benefits than the combination of similar methods. The subsample of 12 planning cases that utilized simulation-optimization software (SOS) appeared operable and moderately transparent, whereas flexibility and consensus building were often lacking. In comparison to the wide scholarly discussion on multi-methodology and mixing methods, it was observed that successful mixing examples in natural resource planning are still scarce and there are weaknesses in bridging the methods together. There is an evident need to pursue and to better communicate the benefits of mixing. Some good mixing examples utilizing SOS provided evidence that forest planning processes would make an excellent venue for studying the benefits and caveats of using mixed methods.     

An oligonucleotide microarray-based assay for identification of phytoplasma 16S ribosomal groups

A method using consensus PCR followed by oligonucleotide microarray hybridization was developed for identification of phytoplasma 16Sr ribosomal groups. The array consisted of 21– to 33-nt-long oligonucleotides which were designed to hybridize to individual 16Sr groups. Two oligonucleotides were designed to detect all phytoplasma groups. The array could efficiently identify samples from 16SrI, 16SrII, 16SrIII, 16SrV, 16SrVI, 16SrVII, 16SrIX, 16SrX and 16SrXII ribosomal groups. This microarray-based test represents a rapid method for detection of phytoplasmas in unknown samples and for identification of most 16Sr groups.     

Consensus versus dissent: Democracy,pluralism and governance in Sāmoa

Abstract: Consensus is a term widely used in Sāmoa and elsewhere in the Pacific. It is considered to be a key feature of decision‐making and a fundamental characteristic of fa’asāmoa and other Pacific ways of being and doing. In Sāmoa it has been a mark of the strength and continuity of the fa’a matai through the ages of colonialism, neo‐colonialism and globalisation. However, although it has evolved in many ways to take into account new social trends (for instance allowing children to take part in family discussions) and remains strong at the family and village level, its role at the national level has virtually disappeared. This is seldom stated publicly and consensus is still held up as a defining characteristic of Sāmoaness. At the same time, although the rise of dissent is given little acknowledgement, it permeates public life. One could assume, based on this result that the ideology of consensus is perpetuated in order to reduce national public debate on governance issues.     

剖析肯定陈述强调

本文从词汇、结构、修辞等几方而对英语中经常出现的肯定陈述强调这一语言现象进行了较为全而的阐述，并总结了介入一些英语肯定陈述强调的特点及规律。     

Inter-observer agreement between two observers for bovine digital dermatitis identification in New Zealand using digital photographs

Aims: To assess the inter-observer agreement for detecting bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions in digital colour photographs of the hind feet of cows, which had been taken while the animals were standing to be milked, between two trained observers.

Methods: Thirty-six photographs were selected from a total of 184 photographs held by the first author (R1), who had classified them as negative (n=11) or positive (n=25) for BDD. They were delivered to a technician (R2) who had previously visually inspected cattle for BDD lesions, and who then recorded the photographs as being either BDD-positive or BDD-negative. The percentage agreement between R1 and R2, and two other inter-observer agreement statistics, Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s first-order chance correction agreement coefficient (AC1), were calculated. The cumulative membership probabilities of Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s AC1 were then calculated for different benchmark ranges of κ.

Results: The percentage agreement between R1 and R2 was 33/36 (92%), Cohen’s κ was 0.80 (95% CI=0.57–1.0) and Gwet’s AC1 was 0.86 (95% CI=0.69–1.0). Based on the cumulative membership probabilities for Gwet’s AC1, there was 75% probability that the two observers had almost perfect agreement (κ≥0.81). For both Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s AC1, there was >95% probability that the two observers had at least substantial agreement (κ≥0.61).

Conclusions: The two trained observers had at least substantial agreement in identifying from a digital photograph as to whether BDD lesions were present or absent. Therefore results from the two could be used interchangeably.

Clinical Relevance: Visual assessment for BDD lesions in the milking parlour can be subjective. However a high agreement between these two trained BDD inspectors means BDD prevalence reported from different regions in New Zealand by these two can be directly compared.