Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Biology - Social aspects'

This thesis is the first dedicated sociological attempt to offer a critical response to cultural studies and allied discourses that concern themselves with the relationship between technology and violence. A critical reconstruction is necessary because these cultural theorists have failed to adequately contextualize their arguments in relation to both the globally ascendant neoliberal policy outlook and its associated social Darwinian technoculture: the combined pernicious effects of which could be described as the logic of ???social constructionism as social psychosis???. The most prominent manifestation of this theoretical psychosis has to do with an interest in biotechnology in particular. The problem I identify in the treatment of this theme is how easily it can be used to support a technologically determinist position. One undesirable side effect is that these determinists are able to project from present trends a dystopian exhaustion of all critique through their focus on violence. In the thesis of ???bioglobalism??? this state of affairs is also deployed to take sociologists to task for insufficient recognition of processual ???network??? forms of distributed agency in technological processes. At stake therefore is the recovery of sociological critique. It follows that the core of my thesis is the radical reworking of two related heuristic devices: seriality and contingency. Seriality is taken to refer to social practices as diverse as the possible relationships between the social problem of rationality, case studies of individuals who have run amok, and the functioning of network characteristics. I use contingency to eschew seriality???s deterministic accounting of the social. Here I propose a new conceptual relationship between creativity and action. Emphasis is accordingly placed upon two related normative projects: Raymond Williams???s cultural materialism, and three of the ???problematiques??? Peter Wagner has identified as inescapable for theorizing modernity: the continuity of the acting person, the certainty of knowledge, and the viability of the political order. I conclude with a renewed conception of the role of normative critique as a form of conceptual therapy for bioglobal projections of seriality.

Orientador: Laymert Garcia dos Santos
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciencias Humanas
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T18:51:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Monteiro_MarkoSynesioAlves_D.pdf: 14010644 bytes, checksum: 84f93a9c31977e89c8b6246cdca253a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005
Resumo: A tese tem por objetivo debater as mudanças atualmente em curso nas concepções modernas do corpo, a partir do impacto das novas tecnologias associadas à genética. Tais concepções, calcadas fortemente na dualidade cartesiana, estariam sendo modificadas pela possibilidade, cada vez mais real, de manipulação da natureza em seu nível molecular. As conseqüências teóricas de transformar o corpo, junto com a própria prática científica, em objetos de analise social, são debatidos. Um estudo de caso, a partir de pesquisa de campo feita em laboratórios de bioinformática na Universidade de São Paulo e no Instituto Ludwig de Pesquisa com Câncer/Hospital do Câncer, fundamenta empiricamente a discussão. Os microarrays, utilizados em pesquisas que buscam estabelecer biomarcadores para câncer de próstata, são analisados como objetos que encarnam as novas visões do corpo, num contexto marcado pelo avanço da biotecnologia. A tese debate também alguns aspectos políticos que se mostram relevantes na compreensão desse avanço tecnológico, como os temores de um ressurgimento da eugenia. Ao final, debatem-se alternativas analíticas e políticas para a compreensão do novo esatuto do corpo e da matéria viva, a partir de pistas dadas por artistas, engajados com a expressão artística através do corpo e da tecnologia, e através de teóricos que buscam repensar as bases nas quais assenta-se a biologia e a pesquisa científica contemporâneas
Abstract: This thesis analyzes transformations in contemporary conceptions of the body under the light of changes brought on by new technologies associated with genetics. These conceptions, strongly marked by a cartesian opposition between mind/matter, are being shifted in the context of the growing possibilities of the manipulation nature in its molecular leveI through technology. The theoretical consequences of tuming the body, as well as the scientific practice of manipulating it, as an object for the Social Sciences, are also debated. A case study, originated ITom field research with done in bioinformatics laboratories at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and the Ludwig Center for Cancer Research/Cancer Hospital, provides the empirical basis of the argument. Microarrays, used in the research being developed in the laboratories cited above in research towards the development of molecular markers for prostate cancer, are analyzed as objects that embody the new conceptions of the body that arise in a context of rapid advance in biotechnology. The thesis debates also some political aspects that are relevant for a deeper understanding of these technological developments, such as the fears surrounding a retum of eugenic practices. ln the conclusion some analytical and political altematives are discussed, as a means of pursuing a richer criticism of the new statute of the body and of living matter, using the example of artists that use the body and technology as medium of artistic expression; also through a debate of theorists that are busy rethinking the bases of contemporary biology and of current scientific practices
Doutorado
Doutor em Ciências Sociais

Arroyo Chico Wash, an important drainage for central Tucson, Arizona, runs through numerous neighborhood and industrial areas before emptying into the Santa Cruz River. Within four suburban neighborhoods along the wash, direct observations, personal interviews, survey questions, and historical documents are used to describe design and management influences on the biological and human aspects of the wash. Plants along the wash are identified by 2-meter wide belt transects run at 100-meter intervals over the 4 kilometer length of the study area. Wild animal and bird lists are based on observation and information given by residents. Relationships between design, maintenance and neighborhood attitudes toward the wash are assessed using a survey questionnaire given to people living adjacent to the wash. Results show the wash in the Colonia Solana neighborhood has the greatest biological diversity, highest neighborhood satisfaction and highest recreational use. In neighborhoods where the wash is a "backyard easement", satisfaction and use are the lowest.

The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the rhetoric of the Creationist-evolutionist textbook controversy. In Chapter II, Leland Griffin's approach to the study of historical movements was used concomitantly with Thomas Kuhn's ideas concerning scientific revolution to explore the first research question: What changes have occurred in the persuasive success rate of the Creationists' textbook battle as it has moved from its stance of "the good versus the evil" toward the stance of the scientist, (including scientific methods of reasoning and observation)?Chapter III explored the second research question: Do the new persuasive tactics, the use of scientific vocabulary, grammar, and forms of argument, provide more effective persuasive persuasive methods than did the earlier approaches. This chapter examined the evolutionary content of secondary school biology textbooks, and in particular, estimated the impact of change in Creationist persuasive tactics used since 1968 upon the content and marketing of secondary biology textbooks. The textbook studies supported the contention that the bifurcated movement has been highly successful. Evolutionary coverage has decreased in biology textbooks since 1968 while biblical creation has seen a definite increase.Currently, however, the two Creationist fronts face a new challenge as their polar views have been observed together in recent legal battles. This polarity in approach has already proven detrimental to the Creationists in recent trials. Chapter IV discussed the implications of this bifurcation of the Creationist Movement. Further, the implications of the current rhetorical crisis were examined. It was recommended that research be continued examining the rhetorical strategies used by the Creationists since 1963. Also, further research in the area of textbook analysis was deemed necessary.
Department of Speech Communication

Orientador: Laymert Garcia dos Santos
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciencias Humanas
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T01:28:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leite_Marcelo_D.pdf: 18137235 bytes, checksum: d2ccf296709649c706ae95e568a4a4e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005
Resumo: A tese central deste trabalho é que a aceitação pública despertada pelo Projeto Genoma Humano só se explica pelo uso político e retórico de um determinismo genético crescentemente irreconciliável com os resultados empíricos da pesquisa genômica atual. A complexidade verificada no genoma humano e em suas interações com o meio desautoriza a manutenção de uma noção simples e unidirecional de causalidade, contrariamente ao pressuposto na idéia de gene como único portador de informação, esteio da doutrina do determinismo genético. Um complexo de metáforas informacionais e/ou lingüísticas continuo vivo nos textos publicados por biólogos moleculares na literatura científica, notadamente nos artigos veiculados nos periódicos de alto impacto Nature e Science de 15 e 16 fevereiro de 2001, respectivamente. Tais metáforas inspiram um tipo de discurso ambíguo que modula nuances variadas de retórica determinista, conforme se dirija aos próprios pares ou ao público leigo" O campo da genômica ainda está longe de rejeitar a conjunção problemática das noções de gene pré-formacionista e de gene como recurso desenvo/vimenta/ na base da metáfora do gene como informação. Essa fusão inspirada pela terminologia cibernética propicia uma versão asséptica de gene, distanciada da natureza, puramente sintática, móvel e virtual o bastante para circular desimpedida nos circuitos de produção de valor como recurso genético passível de garimpagem e de patenteamento. Críticos dã tecnociência devem desafiar o campo da genômica a reformular drasticamente as metáforas que dão suporte a seu programa hegemônico de pesquisa
Abstract: The central thesis of this work is that the public support generated for the Human Genome Project and the hype surrounding it can be explained only by the political and rhetorical uses of genetic determinism, a notion which increasingly cannot be reconciled with the empirical results of on-going genomic research. The complexity that has been uncovered in the human genome and in its interactions with the environment implies that a simple and unidirectional notion of causality cannot be maintained, contrary to a presupposition of the idea of the gene as the sole carrier of iliformation, an idea that contributes to sustain the doctrine of genetic determinism. A complex of informational and/or linguistic metaphors lives on in the texts published by molecular biologists in the scientific press, most notably in the issues published February 15thand 16thof 2001 ofthe high impact journals Nature and Science, respectively. These metaphors generate an ambiguous type of discourse that modulates various nuances of deterministic rhetoric, depending on whether it addresses peers or the lay publico The field of genomics is still a long way ITom rejecting the questionable conflation of the notions of gene as preformation and gene as developmental resource which underpins the metaphor of gene as information. This conflation inspired by cybernetics terminology enables an aseptic version of the gene, separated ITom nature, portable and virtual enough to flow unimpeded through the channels ofvalue production as genetic resource suitable for mining and patenting. Critics of technoscience should challenge the field of genomics to drastically reshape the metaphors which have supported its hegemonic research agenda
Doutorado
Doutor em Ciências Sociais

There is a spatial mismatch between the size of the area where people are living and the extent of land needed to ecologically support developed areas. More people are living in urban areas than any time in history, and the resources need to support cities have had to expand to try and meet the demands of increasing urban populations. However, areas of opportunity exist for urban areas to begin to positively contribute towards the available resources in a region. Because a large portion of urban areas is within private control, gaining a baseline understanding of how residents interact with ecosystem services served as basis of this study. Using a survey of residents in the Portland, OR area, correlations between demographic groups and questions regarding their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors as they relate to vegetation proved that the knowledge of environmental relationships is an important first step in creating pro-environmental behavior. Those reporting a high level of knowledge for ecological system and processes were more likely to value the benefits of vegetation for other associated reasons, such as for recreational activities, aesthetic purposes, and air or water quality. Additionally, survey responses were mapped to spatial data to gain an understanding of the spatial characteristics of neighborhoods in the survey area and how they have changed over time. Overall, the results in the study display trends that can help outreach organizations and municipalities to determine plans to strategically engage the public in a way that could create a net gain in urban ecosystem services.

Orientador: Lea Maria Leme Strini Velho
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociencias
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T15:35:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Weihs_MarlaLeci_M.pdf: 4805519 bytes, checksum: 190885f398ea599b5e4cd74cc59b72cb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008
Resumo: Este trabalho é um estudo de laboratório, que se apóia metodologicamente nos escritos de Latour e Woolgar (1987), teoricamente em Kohler (2002) e se aplica à comunidade científica de Biologia do Campus da Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT) de Nova Xavantina - MT. Objetiva identificar os fatores que levaram à escolha de determinadas linhas de pesquisa em detrimento de outras. Analisa, também, os condicionantes da constituição dos grupos de pesquisa e como se dá a produção de conhecimento no interior de cada um deles. Para isso, investiga o papel dos fatores institucionais e daqueles ligados ao ambiente local para o desenvolvimento de pesquisa científica; a construção social da agenda de pesquisa e a cultura científica que diferencia os pesquisadores em três tribos - de campo, de fronteira ou de laboratório, - em Biologia. Os resultados do estudo indicam que a qualificação dos profissionais incentivada pela UNEMAT; o fomento a projetos de pequena abrangência, à implementação de infra-estrutura e à aquisição de equipamentos para a pesquisa; a facilidade de desenvolvimento de pesquisas de baixo custo e a especialização dos pesquisadores em linhas de campo e de fronteira, foram os fatores que permitiram o desenvolvimento da pesquisa biológica em uma universidade periférica localizada no interior do Estado de Mato Grosso. Além disso, depreende-se da análise que é a linha de pesquisa escolhida na iniciação científica e na pósgraduação que socializa o pesquisador da área biológica na cultura de pesquisa de campo, de laboratório ou de fronteira. Essa formação é também o ¿bilhete de acesso¿ de uma ¿pessoa comum¿ ao mundo científico, permitindo a ela o aprendizado das técnicas, metodologias, teorias e as ¿atitudes científicas¿ que deve adotar para inserir-se no ciclo de credibilidade que configura o meio científico. Os créditos obtidos na carreira são usados como moedas de troca que permitem o reconhecimento dos pares e de instituições de fomento, ingredientes que são a verdadeira motivação dos pesquisadores, apesar de demonstrarem paixão pela pesquisa biológica
Abstract: This research may be classified as a ¿laboratory study¿ of the biological scientific community of the Mato Grosso State University Campus (UNEMAT) in Nova Xavantina ¿ MT. It follows the methodological approach developed by Latour and Woolgar (1987) and it relies on the concepts of lab and field research proposed by Kohler (2002) applied to. The study aims to identify the factors that lead to the choice of certain biology research lines and not others. It also identifies the determinants of the establishment of research teams and the dynamics of knowledge production in the interior of each team. Ti this end, it investigates the role of institutional factors and of those linked to the local environment on the scientific research development; the social construction of the research agenda and scientific culture that differentiates the researchers into three tribes - field, the border and the laboratory - in Biology. The findings reveal that the factors that enabled the development of biological research in the peripheral countryside university of Mato Grosso State were as follows: the type of professional qualification encouraged by UNEMAT; the funding of small scope projects, the implementation of infrastructure and the purchase of research equipment; the preference for low-cost researches given the easy access to savannah fields and the researchers specialization in specific lines of field and border Biology. , The findings also indicate that a biology researcher chooses to be a field, lab or border researcher since the beginning of his/her career in accordance to the research topic or line of investigation pursued. Research training, be it at the undergraduate or graduate level, is the admission ticket of a "common person" to the scientific world, by enabling the learning of techniques, methodologies, theories and "scientific attitudes" that are part of the cycle of credibility of a specific specialty. The credits earned in their careers are used as currency exchange allowing the recognition of peers and research funding institutions. The latter are the true motivation of the researchers, despite their showing passion for biological research
Mestrado
Mestre em Política Científica e Tecnológica

Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-26T14:53:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ThiagoSantosMontagna.pdf: 613204 bytes, checksum: 2a211678879852b9631ef5ba895c2b41 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-09
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Aspects of the social biology of the Neotropical wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis Zikán, 1949 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) - This work had for objective to study aspects social biology of the Neotropical wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis, of the which specifically understand: 1. colonial phenology; 2. architectonic model of nests and pattern of construction of nests; 3. colonial productivity; 4. foundation pattern and colonial success; 5. duration of the immature stage and 6. duration of the colonial stage and flotation s in the offspring density and adults. The observations were led at the own nidification places. The nests of M. consimilis presented an only discovered comb that is arrested to the substratum by an only petiole. Architectural data of the nest showed a correlation significantly positive between the size of the comb and diameter of the petiole, and still between the length and width of the cells. The nidification happened in substrata of plan horizontal, vertical and tilted, without seemingly to exist any preference for either specific orientation. The colonies produced 72.85 cells and 40.71 adults on average. The medium frequency of productive cells was of 33.27% and the maximum number of maximal number of cell utilization was on average 2.07 times. The medium duration of the all immature stage was of 69.73 days, and the stage of egg, larva and pupa had medium duration of 14.86, 36.03 and 18.84 days, respectively. The duration of each immature stage was significantly smaller in the hot-humid station, and the stage of larva and pupa were only smaller during the colonial stage of pre-emergence. The foundation periodicity and abandonment s of colonies in this species followed a pattern asynchrony. Most of the abandonment s happened for natural causes and they were more frequent in the preemergence colonial stage. The through colonial cycle had medium duration of eight months, however, some colonies had duration above one year. The colonies were found rather in human constructions and in sheltered places, without direct incidence of solar light and water of the rain. The foundations of colonies happened so much for haplometrosis as for pleometrosis, being the first the predominant pattern. In the foundations pleometrotics the foundress number varied among two and six
Este trabalho tem por objetivo estudar aspectos da biologia social da vespa Neotropical Mischocyttarus consimilis, dos quais especificamente compreendem: 1. descrever a fenologia das colônias; 2. descrever o modelo arquitetônico e padrão de construção de ninhos; 3. determinar a produtividade colonial; 4. determinar o padrão de fundação e o sucesso colonial; 5. descrever a duração dos estágios imaturos e 6. descrever a duração dos estágios colonial e as flutuações na densidade de prole e adultos. As observações foram conduzidas nos próprios locais de nidificação. Os ninhos de M. consimilis apresentaram basicamente um único favo descoberto que se prende ao substrato por um único pedicelo. Dados arquitetônicos do ninho mostraram existir uma correlação significativamente positiva entre o tamanho do favo e diâmetro do pedicelo, e ainda entre o comprimento e largura das células. As nidificações ocorreram em substratos de plano horizontal, vertical e inclinado, sem existir aparentemente qualquer preferência por uma ou outra orientação específica. As colônias produziram em média 72,85 células e 40,71 adultos. A freqüência média de células produtivas foi de 33,27% e o número máximo de reutilizações foi em média 2,07 vezes. A duração média de todo o estágio imaturo foi de 69,73 dias, sendo que os estágios de ovo, larva e pupa tiveram duração média de 14,86, 36,03 e 18,84 dias, respectivamente. A duração de cada estágio imaturo foi significativamente menor na estação quente-úmida, e somente os estágios de larva e pupa foram menores durante o estágio colonial de pré-emergência. A periodicidade de fundação e abandonos de colônias seguiu um padrão assincrônico. A maior parte dos abandonos ocorreu por causas naturais e foram mais freqüentes no estágio colonial de pré-emergência. O ciclo colonial teve uma duração média próxima de oito meses, entretanto, algumas colônias tiveram duração acima de um ano. As colônias foram encontradas preferencialmente em edificações humanas e em locais abrigados, sem incidência direta de luz solar e água da chuva. As fundações de colônias ocorreram tanto por haplometrose quanto por pleometrose, sendo a primeira o padrão predominante. Nas fundações pleometróticas o número de fundadoras variou entre duas e seis

Acompanha: Articulação de tecnologias de informação e comunicação, TIC, no ensino de biologia para estudo interdisciplinar de uma área urbana: ilha dos Valadares-PR
As transformações sociais e tecnológicas contemporâneas fizeram emergir a necessidade por mudanças significativas no sistema educacional, citam-se: a análise do perfil dos sujeitos, estrutura e enfoque curricular, expectativas de aprendizagem, formação inicial e continuada dos docentes, inserção de Tecnologiasde Informação e Comunicação - TIC no planejamento e na prática pedagógica, abordagens metodológicas ativas, interdisciplinares e contextualizadas. A partir desse contexto, a pesquisa desenvolvida propôs a análise do potencial interdisciplinar e contextualizador das TIC, representadas pela Internet e pelo software Google Earth® no ensino de Biologia com ênfase ao estudo multitemático de uma área urbana. Contemplou uma amostra de 11 estudantes cursistas do 3o ano do Ensino Médio de uma instituição da rede privada de ensino do município de Paranaguá-PR, na qual a pesquisadora é regente. A área de estudo foi a Ilha dos Valadares, localizada no mesmo município e sua seleção ocorreu porque a mesma apresenta aspectos propícios ao desenvolvimento da proposta, tais como: localização, peculiaridades do processo de ocupação antrópica, densidade demográfica, pressão sobre ecossistemas vulneráveis e especificidades do contexto social, ambiental e cultural. O referencial teórico que subsidiou essa dissertação está vinculado à interdisciplinaridade e contextualização sócio-histórica, aliando-os a adequações metodológicas com o uso de TIC, através da análise do software Google Earth® e do site Laifi segundo critérios pedagógicos e ergonômicos.A estratégia de metodologia utilizada neste trabalho foi o estudo de caso, por ter um objeto de pesquisa definido, e a pesquisa-ação, uma vez que lança aos estudantes o desafio de usar as tecnologias já referidas para traçar um perfil abrangente da área estudada. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados aplicados foram: questionários diagnóstico e avaliativo, construção de um arquivo de registro para os trabalhos dos estudantes com o software, observação participante e focus group que permearam os eventos de aprendizagem ofertados durante o trabalho: seminário sobre sensoriamento remoto, apresentação inicial da área de estudo, oficina com o software Google Earth®, saída de campo pela baía de Paranaguá, pesquisa bibliográfica e socialização dos resultados em uma rede social denominada Laifi e um mural para atender a comunidade escolar.Observou-se que a maioria dos estudantes não possuía conhecimentos a respeito da área, mas seu interesse foi crescente durante o desenvolvimento dos trabalhos, trazendo sugestões para discussão e explorando outras áreas do conhecimento, demonstrando o potencial interdisciplinar e contextualizador das TIC utilizadas. Também foi possível identificar o desenvolvimento de competências e habilidades dos estudantes durante o trabalho. São produtos da pesquisa: uma sequência didática, postagem no Laifi na categoria educação e cultura e um tutorial para o uso do software que pode ser adaptado pelos professores de acordo com área pretendida.
Contemporary social and technological changes have made emerge the need for significant changes in the education system, we can mention the analysis of the personal characteristics, structure and curriculum focus, learning expectations, initial and continuing training of teachers, Information Technologies and insertion Communication - ICT in planning and teaching practice, active methodological approaches, interdisciplinary and contextualized. From this context, the research developed proposed the analysis of the interdisciplinary potential and contextualizing of ICT, represented by the Internet and Google Earth® software in teaching biology with emphasis on multi-theme study of an urban area. Included a sample of 11 course participants of the 3rd year students of the High School of an institution of private schools in the city of Paranaguá, in which the researcher is regent. The study area was that of Valadares Island, located in the same municipality and their selection was because it presents favorable aspects to the development of the proposal, such as location, peculiarities of human occupation process, population density, pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and specificities the social, environmental and cultural context. The theoretical framework that supported this thesis is linked to interdisciplinary and socio-historical context, combining them to methodological adjustments with the use of ICT by analyzing Google Earth® software and site Laifi second pedagogical and ergonomic criteria. The methodology strategy used was the case study, to have a defined research object, and action research, once it launches to students the challenge of using the technologies mentioned above to chart a comprehensive profile of the studied area. The applied data collection instruments were: diagnosis and evaluation questionnaires, building a log file to the work of the students with the software, participant observation and focus group that permeated the learning events offered at work: seminar on remote sensing, initial presentation of the study area, workshop with Google Earth® software, field trip across the bay of Paranaguá, literature and socialization of results in a social network called Laifi and a wall to meet the school community. It was observed that most students had no knowledge about the area, but his interest was increasing during the development of the work, bringing suggestions for discussion and exploring other areas of knowledge, demonstrating the interdisciplinary potential and contextualizing of ICT used. It was also possible to identify the development of skills and abilities of students at work. Are research products: a didactic sequence, posting Laifi in the category education and culture and a tutorial for using the software that can be adapted by teachers according to desired area.

La problématique de recherche étudiée dans le cadre de cette thèse, émerge de diverses réflexions, données empiriques et observations, toutes liées à un constat qui a des implications importantes pour l’enseignement des sciences :le rejet partiel ou total de la théorie de l’évolution aux cours de sciences dispensés à l’école, au nom de croyances créationnistes, dans des sociétés modernes européennes où la science fait autorité.

La littérature scientifique qui traite de cette problématique dans le cadre de l’enseignement scolaire en Europe ,analyse les conceptions d’acteurs de l’enseignement scolaire – enseignants et/ou élèves – sur ce sujet, en étudiant notamment le lien qu’entretiennent ces conceptions avec les représentations que ces mêmes acteurs ont de la science, avec leurs parcours personnels, avec leur formation, etc. Un point aveugle observé dans cette littérature est la rareté des recherches portant sur les directives officiellement adressées aux enseignants. C’est pourquoi nous avons choisi de nous pencher sur le contenu de ces directives.

Cette recherche a, en premier lieu, une visée exploratoire. Elle consiste à construire et utiliser un instrument théorique et méthodologique qui permet, d’une part, d’identifier des représentations du savoir scientifique, de la croyance religieuse et/ou de leurs rapports (ou non rapports) véhiculées par les curriculums prescrits européens et, d’autre part, de déterminer des mécanismes à travers lesquels ces représentations pourraient influencer, d’une façon ou d’une autre, le rejet ou l’acceptation de la théorie de l’évolution au nom de croyances créationnistes ou encore, inversement, le rejet ou l’acceptation de croyances créationnistes au nom de la théorie de l’évolution. Pour repérer les représentations recherchées, nous utilisons la méthode de l’analyse de contenu thématique.

Une autre visée de cette étude est confirmatoire. Il s’agit de confirmer le postulat suivant lequel la nature des éventuelles représentations repérées au sein des curriculums prescrits au moyen de l’instrument susmentionné peut être mise en lien – lien dont la nature sera définie dans le corps de notre dissertation, sur la base de l’analyse de données sociohistoriques rapportées dans la littérature – avec les modalités de gestion de la laïcité mises en place par les politiques éducatives de différents pays européens :la France, la Grèce et la Belgique francophone. Ces pays ont justement été sélectionnés pour leur profil divergent en matière de politiques de gestion de la diversité culturelle. Pour démontrer ce lien, nous nous livrons à une analyse comparative sociétale.
Doctorat en Sciences Psychologiques et de l'éducation
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Cette thèse s’intéresse aux stratégies comportementales et physiologiques permettant à un oiseau colonial, le manchot royal, de se reproduire sous de fortes contraintes énergétiques (jeûne prolongé) et sociales (forte densité de congénères) potentiellement stressantes. Utilisant la fréquence cardiaque (FC) comme indicateur de la dépense énergétique et de la réponse au stress, elle considère : 1) le coût énergétique des comportements majeurs (confort et agressivité) du manchot royal se reproduisant à terre, questionnant leur signifiance évolutive; 2) les changements physiologiques (FC, température corporelle, activité physique) associés au jeûne reproductif le plus long (1 mois), révélant que la FC de repos des animaux est fortement influencée par la densité coloniale et suggérant un coût énergétique de la vie en groupe; 3) L’influence de l’environnement social, indiquant que lors d'interactions agressives la réponse cardiaque des animaux est modulée par leur implication dans l'interaction et par le risque associé; 4) Les effets du statut nutritionnel et reproductif sur les réponses cardiaques, hormonales et métaboliques à différents stress anthropiques aigus, démontrant que ces réponses varient en fonction de la valeur relative de la reproduction (œuf vs. Poussin). L’atténuation de ces réponses, coûteuses en énergie et pouvant conduire à l'abandon de la progéniture, permettrait d’augmenter le succès reproducteur lorsque la valeur de la reproduction en cours est élevée. Des recherches futures permettront de déterminer les conséquences physiologiques (coût énergétique, stress oxydatif, vieillissement) du stress social chez des espèces vivant en groupe
This thesis investigates the behavioral and physiological strategies that allow a colonial breeder, the king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), to breed while fasting in a crowded, possibly stressful, social environment. First, by monitoring penguin heart rate (HR) as a proxy to energy expenditure, it considers the energy cost of the most common behaviors (comfort and aggressive behavior) of penguins breeding ashore, and questions the adaptive significance of high and low, respectively, energy investment into these two behaviours. Second, it investigates the physiological changes that occur during the longest breeding fast (1 month) by continuously recording HR, body temperature and physical activity in incubating males. It reveals that changes in colony density (i. E. Crowding) may have a strong impact on the energy expended to fuel metabolism at rest, i. E. First evidence for an energy cost of group-living in birds. Third, it shows that penguins are highly sensitive to the social environment, as indicated by changes in HR responses to aggressive contexts of various relevance and associated risks. Fourth, it investigates the effects of breeding status on costly stress responses (hormonal, metabolic and cardiac). It shows that responses to acute stress decrease with increasing reproductive value of the offspring (egg vs. Chick), suggesting that stress responses may be adaptively attenuated to improve breeding success and fitness, when reproductive value of the current reproduction is high. Further research is needed to investigate the physiological consequences (energy expenditure, oxidative stress, aging) of social stress in group-living animals

Doutoramento em Biologia
Co-management, or participative management of fisheries, consists of returning or opening to the community the management of fisheries. This work, carried out in northern Mozambique, analyzed the ecological and social impacts of the implementation of co-management of fisheries. Firstly 198 species of fish were found and photographed and a guide to identification of species - essential to who works in the marine environment – was produced. Following, the spill-over effect was identified in a marine sanctuary. It occurred after 6 years and only for herbivore fishes and not to the carnivores. In order to evaluate co–management of fisheries effects, the captures of the entire province were analyzed. No differences were found in the diversity of the species caught, but an increase of the fish size was detected: this size was smaller in the fishing centers with no CCP (Community Fishing Councils), slightly bigger in the fishing centers with CCP and even bigger in the fishing centers with a more efficient management. At the same time it was observed that the size of the fish caught is bigger in the fishing centers further away from the markets. In addition to the ecological effects and the effects on fisheries, it was also analyzed the point of view of those who live the co-management. The socioeconomic factors that have a stronger influence in their perceptions are the age and the wealth. Finally and according to the CCP members, their main achievements are in the fisheries inspection and in the creation of conservation areas. Their main difficulties are the lack of means of transportation and the lack of recognition of the CCP's authority; both among the population and in the coordination with local authorities. This thesis pioneered in Mozambique in assessing the effects of Community sanctuaries and the effects of CCP on fisheries as well as by revealing the profile of the supporters of co-management and marine sanctuaries. Finally, an assessment of the matter of fact problems that the communities have to face when implementing co-management was also made.
A co-gestão, ou gestão participativa das pescas, consiste em devolver, ou abrir, à comunidade a gestão das pescas. Este trabalho, realizado no norte de Moçambique, analisou os impactos ecológicos e sociais da implementação da co-gestão das pescas. Primeiro foram encontradas e fotografadas 198 espécies ictíicas e produzido um guia de identificação de peixes de cabo delgado, essencial para quem trabalha no meio marinho. De seguida, o efeito de transbordamento foi detectado num santuário comunitário, para peixes herbívoros mas não para carnívoros, ao fim de seis anos. Para avaliar os efeitos da co-gestão na pesca foram analisadas as capturas de toda a província, não foram encontradas diferenças na diversidade de espécies capturadas, mas foi detectado um aumento do tamanho dos peixes: mais pequeno nos centros de pesca sem CCP, (Conselhos comunitários de Pesca) maior nos centros de pesca com CCP e maior ainda nos centros de pesca com gestão mais eficiente. Ao mesmo tempo foram detectadas nas capturas tamanhos maiores nos centros de pesca mais longe dos mercados. Para além dos efeitos ecológicos e nas pescas, também foi analisado o ponto de vista de quem vive a co-gestão. Os factores socioeconómicos que mais influenciam as suas percepções são a idade e a riqueza. Por último, segundo os membros dos CCP´s, as principais realizações dos CCP são na área da fiscalização e na criação de áreas de conservação. As principais dificuldades são a falta de meios de transporte para a fiscalização e a falta de reconhecimento da autoridade dos CCP’s, tanto entre a população como na articulação com as autoridades locais. Esta tese foi pioneira em Moçambique, ao avaliar os efeitos dos santuários comunitários e os efeitos dos CCP nas pescarias, assim como ao revelar qual o perfil dos apoiantes da co-gestão e dos santuários marinhos. Finalmente, fez-se um levantamento dos problemas que efectivamente enfrentam as comunidades, no campo na implementação da co-gestão

Le clonage entre aujourd'hui dans le champ philosophique en interrogeant des notions telles que la vie, l'homme, la reproduction. . . Pouvons-nous concevoir que le clonage devienne un mode de reproduction comme un autre? S'agit-il d'une technique de reproduction ou d'une technique de fabrication, au vu d'un produit génétique bien déterminé? Le clone n'est-il pas un "nouvel homme", un homme programmé, dominé par son génome? L'homme n'avait-il pas le privilège d'être à l'image de Dieu et par conséquent sacré? Copier un être humain, n'est-ce pas nier son existence unique? Après les doubles bibliques, mythiques, techniques. . . , voici l'ère du double génétique. Un problème se pose tout de même : pouquoi a-t-on fait un usage illégitime du "mot" clonage autour de Dolly alors qu'il s'agit d'un transfert de noyau? Peut-être afin de renforcer l'image médiatique de la découverte. . . Le clonage existe-il vraiment? N'y a-t-il pas abus de langage? L'être humain peut-il aujourd'hui (sept ans après la naissance de Dolly) rencontrer des clones? des produits clonés?
The cloning go today into the field of the philosophy because it interrogat like the life, the reproduction. . . Can't it conceive of the cloning become a directions for reproduction like an other? Is it about a technique of reproduction or a technique of manufacteure on sight of a genetic produce very definite?

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:26:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eliane Oliveira Barros.pdf: 402642 bytes, checksum: 6cc64d55f39f347b4a2f05dd8068c239 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-31
The present article deals with the subject related to the Legal aspects of the heterologue artificial insemination . The objective of the study was to analyze the main problems related to this kind of attended reproduction, among them: the probable users of this technique; to discuss the possibility of attribution of the paternity results of the permission given by the husband to the wife or by one companion to the other so that she submits herself to therapeutical procedure; to consider if the child born through the use of this technique can have access to the identity of the donator; to know if the donator can be considered the father of the child. The study is justified due to the scarce normative treatment given to the subject by the Civil Code. The article used method of qualitative bibliographical research. It had been examined some works of reference that had best dealt with the subject among available ones
A presente dissertação trata do tema relacionado aos Aspectos jurídicos da inseminação artificial heteróloga . Os objetivos da dissertação foram o de analisar os principais problemas relacionados a este tipo de reprodução assistida, entre eles: os prováveis destinatários dessa técnica; se a atribuição da paternidade pode decorrer do consentimento dado pelo marido ou convivente para que a mulher ou a companheira submeta-se ao procedimento terapêutico; se o nascido pela utilização desta técnica pode obter dados que revelem a identidade do doador; se o doador pode ser considerado o pai da criança. Justifica-se o estudo diante do escasso tratamento normativo dado ao tema pelo Código Civil. A dissertação obedeceu método de pesquisa bibliografica qualitativa. Foram examinadas algumas obras de referência que melhor trataram do assunto e que se encontravam disponíveis

Orientador: Hilario Fracalanza
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação
Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-20T20:38:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amorim_AntonioCarlosRodriguesde_M.pdf: 9185404 bytes, checksum: 256c4e7fe209259c1f1f27770772cdb7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1995
Resumo: Durante esta pesquisa procuramos compreender de que maneiras o ensino de Biologia nas escolas de Ensino Médio está se referindo às discussões sobre as relações entre Ciência! Tecnologia! Sociedade (CTS). Foram tomadas como referência as concepções de oito professoras sobre essas relações CTS e como elas se expressam na sua prática em sala de aula, bem como as concepções presentes nos manuais didáticos e planejamentos de ensino. Os manuais didáticos e os planejamentos de ensino foram foco de uma descrição pormenorizada, em que identificamos as interações CTS. A análise dos dados da entrevista foi derivada da escolha de três instâncias de análise: Apropriação do Conhecimento Científico, Relação Pesquisa e Ensino, Relação entre Aulas Teóricas e Aulas Práticas. Em todas essas instâncias, permeando a nossa análise, apontamos diferentes perspectivas na interação entre Teoria e Prática. Reconhecemos a existência de uma diferença entre o discurso e a prática das professoras no que se refere às interações CTS, ora havendo uma aproximação, ora um distanciamento entre o idealizado e o realizado por elas. Concluímos que a abordagem das relações CTS que já existe no currículo de Biologia acontece sem que os elementos Ciência e Tecnologia sejam contextualizados em uma específica Sociedade o que geralmente não leva a um desenvolvimento da capacidade crítica dos alunos frente aos diferentes papéis da Ciência e Tecnologia, a fim de garantir-lhes uma tomada de decisões mais consciente. Identificamos também.que as estratégias utilizadas pelas professoras, no trabalho com os alunos, ofereceÍ1Y pouca possibilidade para que eles venham a modificar concretamente a sua realidade, a partir de um redimensionamento do significado das relações CTS
Mestrado
Metodologia de Ensino
Mestre em Educação

Depuis plusieurs décennies, se développent en France de nombreuses théories sociales inspirées par les sciences biologiques. À l'étude du champ éditorial, où cette situation est particulièrement visible, il apparaît toutefois que ce phénomène résulte davantage de l'action d'intermédiaires culturels désireux de diffuser de nouvelles conceptions du savoir et de modifier les hiérarchies intellectuelles, que d'une véritable révolution dans le domaine des sciences sociales. L'essor du biologisme s'appuie sur le prestige accumulé par les sciences biologiques depuis la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, ainsi que sur l'émergence d'un nouveau type d'intellectuel, le « savant ». Il repose également sur l'apport du biologisme à la critique des « philosophies du soupçon », ainsi qu'à l'affirmation du « retour du sujet» dans les années 1980. Il se manifeste par la promotion d'une ingénierie sociale biopsychologique peu soucieuse des facteurs environnementaux (sociaux,géographiques, etc. )
Numerous social theories inspired by biological sciences have been developing in France for decades. If one takes a look at the publishing field, where this development is particularly obvious, it occurs that such a phenomenon is more the result of the action of cultural go-betweens desirous of diffusing new conceptions of knowledge and modifying intellectual hierarchies, than a true revolution among the social sciences. The growth of biologism relies on the prestige accumulated by biology since World War II, as well as on the emergence of a new kind of intellectual, the « scientist ». It also rests on the contribution of biologism to the criticisms levelled at 1960's critical theories, as well as to the discussions concerning the « return of the subject » in the 1980's. It is taking shape with the promotion of a biopsychological social engineering that does not pay much attention to environmental factors (social, geographical, etc. )

La biologie synthétique est une biotechnologie émergente qui vise à produire des organismes qui n’existent pas dans la nature pour des finalités industrielles. Bien avant que ses applications ne soient développées, ce projet attise de vifs intérêts, mais aussi de précoces critiques. Cette technoscience a attiré très précocement l’attention des pouvoirs publics en France et aux Etats-Unis, cherchant à la gouverner « en amont » de ses applications – et à répondre aux contestations précoces qui s’y opposent. Cette temporalité de gouvernement est l’objet d’étude de la thèse, enquête menée avec les outils de la sociologie des sciences et des risques. Nous suivons la construction sociale des risques et des problèmes de la biologie synthétique, les dispositifs mis en place et les nombreux.ses acteur.rice.s qu’ils mobilisent : bio-ingénieur.e.s, chercheur.se.s en sciences sociales, agents du FBI, biologistes amateurs, contestataires. En France, le premier problème de la biologie synthétique est sa capacité à être contestée, comme le furent les organismes génétiquement modifiés avant elle. Ses promoteur.rice.s politiques et scientifiques cherchent à la développer et à satisfaire la société civile par des dispositifs participatifs qui n’ont toutefois aucune prise sur ce développement. Aux Etats-Unis, les critiques sont marginalisées, et il est surtout craint que la biologie synthétique soit employée par des terroristes, ce que le pouvoir cherche à prévenir tout en préservant la technoscience et ses marchandises de toute régulation. Ainsi, par delà la variété de ces dispositifs, la thèse rend compte de deux formes de gouvernement « en amont », qui ont pour point commun de ne jamais mettre en cause la biologie synthétique, mais de gouverner les problèmes qui pourraient la freiner : un gouvernement sciences-société en France, un gouvernement sécurité-marché aux Etats-Unis
Synthetic biology is an emerging biotechnology which aims to produce micro-organisms as they do not exist in nature for industrial ends. As it is not yet industrially developed, this technoscience is mostly known for its economical promises but also for being precociously contested by social and environmental movements. Synthetic biology has also attracted public authorities’ attention in France and in the United States, which aim to govern and regulate it in an “upstream” manner (before its applications are developed). This political temporality is the object of study of our thesis, and we have analyzed it in the perspective of sociology of science and sociology of risk. We follow the social construction of the risks and problems of synthetic biology, the apparatus which are dedicated to govern such risks and the numerous actors they rally: bioengineers, social scientists, FBI agents, amateur biologists, activists... We argue that in France, synthetic biology’s main problem is its ability to be socially contested as genetically modified organisms were before it. Its political and scientific supporters thus aim to develop synthetic biology and to satisfy civil society with participatory devices, which have yet no way to intervene in the technological development. In the United States, critics are marginalized, and synthetic biology’s main problem is its ability to be used by terrorists. Public authorities try to prevent such terrorism, while preserving technoscience and its commodities outside the scope of regulation. Thus, beyond the variety of regulation apparatus, the thesis aims to present two ways of governing synthetic biology “upstream”, which have in common the specificity to never focus on synthetic biology, but to govern the problems which might slow its development. We propose to understand these two ways as a sciences-society regime of government in France, and a security-market regime of government in the United States

Ce travail vise à mettre en avant une éthique du futur à l’ère des technologies du vivant à partir de la biologie philosophique de Hans Jonas en passant au crible a priori les fondements des technosciences. Jonas estime que le problème n’est pas la technique elle-même qui soit en cause mais l’identité qu’elle accorde à l’homme dans cette logique instrumentale envahissante, en d’autres termes, le matérialisme réductionniste. Le problème aussi n’est pas les effets visibles inquiétants et désastreux de la technique mais l’ontologie qu’elle inspire. Outre les manifestations réelles de destruction qu’elle génère, c’est l’être qu’elle confère ou plus exactement dont elle prive l’homme qui est catastrophique. L’homme finit par se considérer comme un fond exploitable. Il s’agira donc de formuler une éthique qui a pour soubassement une biologie philosophique qui récuse une anthropologie mécaniste d’inspiration matérialiste, une ontologie du pas-encore qui fonde les sciences modernes. Réduire l’homme à des lois physico-chimiques, c’est violer notre individualité. Le métabolisme est la preuve de notre individuation. Dans la matière, gît l’esprit. Au-delà de l’anthropomorphisme qui se dégage, l’homme est le seul animal symbolisant doué d’une conscience réflexive. Une responsabilité politique s’impose pour protéger l’intégrité et l’image de l’homme à l’ère des technologies du vivant qui espèrent améliorer ou modifier l’espèce humaine. Mais cette responsabilité politique qui promeut « un marxisme désenchanté » ne tardera pas à renforcer voire devenir une rationalité instrumentale et idéologique à l’image du lyssenkisme. Une autre responsabilité s’impose : une responsabilité scientifique formulée par Charles De Koninck qui interpelle et invite les scientifiques à ne pas sacrifier l’être humain par leurs recherches sur l’autel des subventions financières, du dualisme au relent matérialiste. La science, dans son élan est invitée à tenir compte du facteur « humain ». Cette responsabilité scientifique va au-delà des règles de bonnes pratiques et déontologiques des comités et des expertises scientifiques. Elle nécessite une éducation scientifique pour une science citoyenne pour éviter une science aveugle et idéologique. Bref, à partir de ces paradigmes, nous voulons montrer que les rêves de l’amélioration, de l’augmentation des performances de l’espèce humaine sont des chimères.

En biologie évolutive, la variation phénotypique a longtemps été réduite au substrat sur lequel agissait la sélection naturelle. Toutefois, la constance intra-individuelle et le maintien intra-populationnel de certains comportements conduisirent au milieu des années 90 au développement du concept de personnalité animale, basé sur la caractérisation de traits tels que la néophobie, l'agressivité, les tendances exploratoires ou la prise de risque. De nombreuses études montrent que la personnalité est soumise à la sélection naturelle et est reliée à certaines stratégies biodémographiques, telles que la dispersion ou le comportement anti-prédateur. Les liens entre la personnalité animale et les stratégies d'appariement et d'approvisionnement, deux composantes fondamentales de la vie des organismes, ont pourtant été négligés jusqu'ici. Nous nous sommes donc attachés au cours de cette thèse à déterminer l'influence de la personnalité sur certains comportements sexuels et alimentaires à l'aide d'un organisme modèle en écologie comportementale : le Diamant mandarin (Taeniopygia guttata). Puis, à l'inverse, nous avons souligné le rôle des sélections naturelle et sexuelle dans le maintien des variations de personnalité. Nos résultats indiquent que certains traits de personnalité mesurés sont inter-corrélés au niveau de notre population captive d'oiseaux, définissant un syndrome comportemental. De plus, la personnalité prédit de manière différentielle le succès d'approvisionnement entre les contextes de compétition par exploitation et par interférence. Ainsi, les individus proactifs sont dominants lors d'épisodes de compétition par interférence mais souffrent d'un plus faible succès d'approvisionnement lors de jeux producteur-chapardeur. Ces résultats soulèvent la possibilité que la sélection naturelle favorise différentes personnalités dans différents contextes, offrant un mécanisme d'explication du maintien des variations intra-populationnelles de personnalité. De plus, ils suggèrent que la personnalité contraint l'optimalité des comportements à travers les situations. Enfin, dans un contexte de choix du partenaire, nous avons montré que la personnalité des femelles utilisées dans des tests de préférence par association influence les mesures de la sélectivité, des scores de préférence et de leur répétabilité. L'étude conjointe de la personnalité animale et des stratégies d'appariement et d'approvisionnement constitue ainsi une voie prometteuse dans l'explication du maintien des variations de personnalité par sélections naturelle et sexuelle, ainsi que dans l'étude de l'influence de la personnalité sur les stratégies biodémographiques des organismes en contextes alimentaire et sexuel. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : personnalité, syndromes comportementaux, Taeniopygia guttata, compétition alimentaire, choix du partenaire, sélection sexuelle, approvisionnement social, jeu producteur-chapardeur

In social and biological evolution, infelicity can operate as a driving motor to force change. In this essay, for life other than human, infelicity is equated with physical unfitness to compete for the resources of a specific niche. For humanity it is defined as the result of an incongruity between a nation's culture and its government. The purpose of this study is to investigate how, for irrational life, unfitness can stimulate the creation of a new species and, for men, how the unhappiness of a nation may enhance its opportunity to enter a new socio-economic order. An evolutionary account about a possible way in which life could have evolved is offered, concentrating mainly on the transition from ape to a less remote ancestor of man, but also taking into consideration other life forms. Then, a parallel to social evolution is established. A study of the rise of capitalism in England, as well as the recent attempts to institute socialism in Latin America, are also explained as consequences of infelicity.
Graduation date: 1994

In the face of biodiversity loss due to agricultural expansion and intensification, agroforestry has been proposed as an environmentally friendly form of agriculture capable of conserving biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods. However, how social drivers related to farmers’ decision-making and ecological processes affect the potential of agroforestry systems to serve as reservoirs for native species diversity and community composition is unclear. This dissertation aims to describe patterns of tree diversity and community composition in coffee (Coffea arabica) agroforestry systems as they compare to surrounding forests, and uncover the social drivers related to farmers’ decision-making and ecological processes giving rise to those patterns. Worldwide, there is an extensive overlap between coffee-growing areas and regions with high species richness and endemism considered biodiversity hotspots. This renders the issue of clarifying the sustainability and conservation value of shade coffee even more urgent. Otherwise, we risk losing important late-succession and conservation concern tree species, and simplifying the structural and floristic composition of mature forests. To uncover how the social factors related to farmers’ decision-making and ecological factors drive tree diversity and community composition in coffee agroforestry systems, a series of empirical studies were conducted based on surveys and field data collected in La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, Mexico, between 2009-2013. Field research took place in two coffee farming communities within the reserve, where 50 farmers were interviewed, and 31 coffee agroforest sites and 10 forest sites were sampled. Forests were sampled to provide a reference for tree diversity and community composition in the absence of coffee management. Although a higher sample size would have permitted the inclusion of more covariates in statistical analyses without losing statistical power, there is no reason to believe that the results of this dissertation would change if a larger sample size were considered. This is because the magnitude of the effects detected were large and the p-values small, which underscore the robustness of the results of this dissertation. The three chapters in this dissertation correspond to individual studies. Chapter One investigates tree floristic patterns in coffee agroforestry systems and compares them to those in surrounding forests. Findings indicate that although at the landscape level coffee agroforestry systems hold similar tree species richness compared to forests, tree species community composition is significantly distinct. Coffee agroforests had a lower proportion of trees of conservation concern, a higher proportion of pioneer trees, were dominated by Inga spp., harbored lower tree species diversity at the plot level, and were composed of different tree species compared to native forests. This chapter raised questions with regards to whether these results were the result of farmers’ intentional tree selection criteria and preferences, or an unintended consequence of management practices. Chapter Two addressed these questions by examining the use of knowledge by farmers to manage coffee agroforests and the consequences on tree community composition relative to forests. In Chapter Two, results indicate that differences between agroforests and forests are primarily driven by farmers’ manipulation of tree community composition, which occurs according to their beliefs about the benefits and disservices of trees for coffee production. Tree community composition in coffee agroforest is dominated by the trees that farmers prefer and practically void of the trees they dislike as compared to the trees’ natural abundances in forests. These findings are novel and important because they clarify that the community composition changes observed in coffee agroforests are mostly an intentional consequence of management and not a byproduct. Finally, Chapter Three focuses on a subset of trees of particular conservation importance, trees of conservation concern (CC) and typical of old growth or late succession (LS) forests. This chapter investigates how management practices that affect shade tree density, basal area, and the proportion of Inga trees, mediated by land use legacies, affect the proportions of CC and LS trees in coffee agroforests. Findings indicate that management practices that sought to increase the proportion of Inga spp. trees had the largest negative impact on the proportions of trees of LS and CC, but the magnitude of the effects were dependent on land-use legacy. Among farms established on land previously used for pastureland or crop cultivation, the impact of farmers’ tree preferences and selection criteria on LS and CC trees were significantly higher than on farms established on forests without an agricultural history. These findings underscore that farmers’ sharp preference for Inga spp. trees undermines the potential of agroforests to conserve higher proportions of CC and LS trees. The results presented in each chapter of this dissertation allow for a more thorough understanding of the tree diversity patterns conserved in coffee agroforestry systems and the underlying social drivers related to farmers’ decision-making and ecological drivers that generate such patterns. The results of this dissertation seek to contribute new knowledge not only to the scientific community, but also to society so that better policies and strategies be devised that successfully conserve floristic diversity in the biodiverse areas of the world where coffee is cultivated.

This dissertation focuses on the life of Dixy Lee Ray as it examines important developments in marine biology and biological oceanography during the mid twentieth century. In addition, Ray's key involvement in the public understanding of science movement of the 1950s and 1960s provides a larger social and cultural context for studying and analyzing scientists' motivations during the period of the early Cold War in the United States. The dissertation is informed throughout by the notion that science is a deeply embedded aspect of Western culture. To understand American science and society in the mid twentieth century it is instructive, then, to analyze individuals who were seen as influential and who reflected widely held cultural values at that time. Dixy Lee Ray was one of those individuals. Yet, instead of remaining a prominent and enduring figure in American history, she has disappeared rapidly from historical memory, and especially from the history of science. It is this very characteristic of reflecting her time, rather than possessing a timeless appeal, that makes Ray an effective historical guide into the recent past. Her career brings into focus some of the significant ways in which American science and society shifted over the course of the Cold War. Beginning with Ray's early life in West Coast society of the 1920s and 1930s, this study traces Ray's formal education, her entry into the professional ranks of marine biology and the crucial role she played in broadening the scope of biological oceanography in the early 1960s. The dissertation then analyzes Ray's efforts in public science education, through educational television, at the science and technology themed Seattle World's Fair, and finally in her leadership of the Pacific Science Center. I argue that Ray was ideally suited to promote a dominant conception of a socially useful and instrumental form of science that lay at the core of the public understanding of science through the 1960s. These efforts in the public understanding of science reflected a broad endeavor among scientists to spread knowledge about and values of modern science from elite American society to a broader public. The dissertation concludes with a short examination of Ray's neutral gendered identity which, considered within the largely masculine context of science, played a significantly role in the successes of her professional career.
Graduation date: 2006