<p> This dissertation examines the recognition of Indigenous territorial rights amidst the development of small hydropower in the Puelwillimapu Territory, which traditionally spans the R&iacute;os and Lagos regions of southern Chile. Around the world, small hydropower (internationally defined as generating between 1&ndash;10 megawatts, in Chile defined as generating 20 megawatts or less) is embraced as a more sustainable alternative to large reservoir hydropower in the transition to renewable energy. However, growing scholarship recognizes that small hydropower can create significant social and ecological impacts. This ethnographic and institutional research collaboratively examines small hydropower impacts in the Puelwillimapu, providing a process-oriented analysis of how Indigenous rights are recognized, and small hydropower is developed. A collaborative research approach with the Alianza Territorial Puelwillimapu, a Mapuche-Williche ancestral alliance, examines rights, conflicts, and small hydropower impacts. Research traces how small hydropower affects Puelwillimapu physical and spiritual territory. This approach emphasizes how to blend participatory mapmaking among other methods with <i>Trawun</i>, a traditional form of meeting of the Mapuche Pueblo. Ultimately, analysis centers on encounters between the two clashing logics in small hydropower conflicts: Chilean institutions and Mapuche-Williche cosmovision. </p><p> As the five case studies analyzed here demonstrate, regulating small hydropower by megawatt is inadequate for preventing the repercussions experienced in Mapuche territory. Small hydropower&rsquo;s careless boom also signals that, paradoxically, small hydropower has too much regulation to be easily developed, but not enough to safeguard Indigenous rights or environmental protection. The regulatory design of the Environmental Impact Assessment process is incapable of upholding ILO Convention 169 standards, an international treaty for Indigenous rights ratified by Chile in 2008. </p><p> Contrary to the official tendency to explain environmental management as a technical process, this dissertation explains recurring politics involved in small hydropower development and conflict. In scoping for the Environmental Assessment process, private consultancy companies enact a divisive <i> politics of recognition</i>, which furthers a historical pattern of territorial fragmentation in Mapuche territory. Second, a <i>politics of knowledge </i> is evident in how knowledge is recognized and produced in the Environmental Assessment process. Private consultancy groups are granted an interpretive role in the assessment process, underestimating environmental impacts while creating enduring social divisions in Mapuche-Williche communities. Inaccurate and limited scientific data is privileged over ancestral knowledge that suggests small hydropower exacerbates climate vulnerabilities such as seasonal drought. In response, the Alianza Territorial Puelwillimapu articulates a <i> politics of scale</i> through combining territorial mobilization and formal administrative and legal action. They seek justice in Chilean institutions in part by demanding that they be consulted at the scale of territory. As attempts for conflict resolution and dialogue continue to fall short of protecting territorial rights, the international realm becomes a more viable alternative for rights recognition. Broadly, this work contributes to geographic questions involving critical cartography, collaborative methodologies, water governance, and the transition to renewable energy. It aims to inform international scholarship on small hydropower regulation and impacts, and Indigenous rights recognition. </p><p>

<p> This grounded theory study explored the competing cultural expectations and cultural approaches by women from Latin American and Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries living in the United States. The study explored the following questions: In what ways do women from Latin America living in the United States establish priorities among potentially conflicting cultural expectations or roles? What internal conflicts result out of living between two cultures? What does the process for making sense of cultural expectations look like? How do Latin American women living in the United States make sense of this process? Using a constructivist grounded methodology, the research reflects the insights of 20 female participants from various Latin American and Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries. The data analysis resulted in five major findings, illuminating a framework for understanding the process for making sense of conflicting cultural norms, expectations, and cultural approaches. This is presented in four stages, (1) confronting the new norm/expectation, (2) recognition/acknowledgment of the conflicting cultural value/norm/expectation, (3) adapting to the new context/situation and (4) managing from a cultural standpoint. The main decision-making process related to cultural expectations was tied to: (a) what it meant to be a woman from their native country in the United States and (b) what this means when they return to their country of origin. Concluding with &ldquo;creating a new norm/dynamic,&rdquo; this becomes the &ldquo;balancing act&rdquo; or &ldquo;the dance between cultures.&rdquo;</p><p>

The Cuban government, like other Marxist systems, derives its legitimacy in part by the provision of social welfare. The expansion of government needed to encompass all of the welfare services, produces a disproportionate need on legitimacy as proposed by Jurgen Habermas. Through the government's control of the media, social statistics have been used to satisfy the legitimacy needs of the state. Statistical categories with political value are especially susceptible to government manipulation. Furthermore, the economic crisis brought about by the collapse of the Soviet Union, has produced changes in the Cuban government's campaign for legitimacy. The crisis conditions have prompted the government to promote international solidarity for both internal and external reasons. The traditional invocation of achievements in health and education have been reduced to a less prominant role.

abstract: One clause added to the Mexican constitution on February 10, 2014, set off a sea change in the way Mexican elections are conducted. By requiring states to hold at least one local election concurrent with federal contests, the timing of entire races changed, most notably with regard to a number of gubernatorial races, and Mexico embarked on an adventure of creating concurrence. The result is a wave of governors serving terms of two, four or five years instead of the customary six, creating so-called gubernaturas cortas (short governorships). This phenomenon has potential implications for the relationship of state and federal elections and voter turnout in state races. This work analyzes the potential impacts of concurrence by looking at four previous cases of states that have moved to concurrent elections: Yucatán, which moved its gubernatorial elections forward a year to coincide with the presidential elections beginning in 2012; Guerrero and Baja California Sur, which brought their gubernatorial elections two years forward beginning in 2015 to coincide with midterm elections for the Chamber of Deputies; and Michoacán, which pushed its elections two years back and split the elongated term in two, in order to line up with the federal calendar in 2015. It argues that concurrent elections reduce the disparity between gubernatorial and proportional representation deputy performance, particularly when the election is concurrent with the federal midterm, but that variation continues to exist due to strategic voting effects and the attractiveness of individual candidates. / Dissertation/Thesis / Metrics for 183 candidates in 36 state gubernatorial elections in Mexico, 2007-17 / Metrics for 36 state gubernatorial elections in Mexico, 2007-17 / Masters Thesis Political Science 2018

abstract: Due to the recent inclusion of a semi-regular "News from Latin America" column since 2007 in The Clarinet magazine and an increased emphasis on world music genre performances at the International Clarinet Association's annual ClarinetFest, Latin American clarinet compositions have become increasingly popular. Consequently, Latin American performers and composers are receiving more attention and recognition than ever before. The contemporary repertoire for clarinet increasingly includes works highlighted at the ClarinetFest international festivals, and many clarinetists express interest in finding new Latin American compositions. In order to supplement this growing Latin American repertoire and to introduce the life and works of Peruvian composer Armando Guevara Ochoa (1926-2013), this project presents a brief biography of the composer, a discussion of his musical style, and new editions of his popular works transcribed for clarinet. A recording of these works is included in an appendix to this document. Prior to this research, much of the scholarship written about Guevara Ochoa was in Spanish. While most sources and scholars relate that Guevara Ochoa composed over 400 works, the whereabouts of fewer than 200 are currently known. This project will supplement Guevara Ochoa's clarinet literature and raise awareness of his compositions in English-speaking countries. / Dissertation/Thesis / D.M.A. Music 2013

During the mid to late 1900s many Latin American countries found themselves under the rule of violent military regimes and in civil war. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the atrocities committed in the late 20th century throughout Latin America and to discuss the ways in which these societies, affected by state violence, were able to overcome the past. In this paper, I will look at the purpose of truth and reconciliation commissions and their outcomes in Chile, Argentina, and Guatemala in order to find some similarities and compare and contrast the successes and failures of the different commissions in their respective settings.

<p> Traditional production system has exhausted natural resources and depleted soil nutrients reducing farm productivity and forcing farmers to expand farm lands, which, increases deforestation and pollution. Global warming and an increasing global population pose additional strain to the already fragile global food security, making it urgent for innovative production systems to be developed. Such systems, adapted to local circumstances and designed to reduce deforestation and increase food production, must emerge to provide an expanding global food demand while enabling preservation of natural resources. </p><p> A five-year research project, derived from a national initiative has proposed a silvopastoral model for the Tepalcatepec valley, as an alternative to conventional livestock ranching in the tropics. The primary objective for this research project was to characterize the advantages and disadvantages of an alternative livestock farming model, the silvopastoral system. One hundred and fifteen farmers in the Tepalcatepec valley were surveyed to characterize their farms, their family demographics, main cattle breed, crops farmed, cattle diet, measures of animal performance (productivity) commercialization (marketing practices) and animal health management practices. An analysis of the progress of the various national SPS initiatives was also performed in order to identify gaps in research, collaboration, stakeholder education, and application of SPS farming in Mexico. </p><p> A systems analysis was conducted on the research project using the information compiled from the team of scientists surveyed. Components related to carbon capture, biodiversity, soil quality, nutrient recycling, and larger-scale cycles such as water cycle need to be incorporated into future research. An accurate measure of the true economic and ecological impact of SPS farming is an essential goal. Improved communication among scientists, government agencies, and stakeholders is also essential for successful research into SPS farming. </p><p> The animal health component of the five-year Mexican national SPS project is the focus of this dissertation. Traditional livestock health practices on participating small farms were characterized, and common health problems of cattle were identified. A community based livestock syndromic surveillance system was developed, implemented, and observed for two years on five selected farms. Observations from farmers and veterinarians were triangulated to validate data on animal health collected by laypeople. For each farm under study, monthly cumulative incidence per animal category (calf, grower or adult), the most frequent disease syndrome, and the syndrome that carried the greatest economic impact were calculated. Most Rho correlation coefficients for farmer&rsquo;s and veterinarian&rsquo;s observations were high. </p><p> Farmers that implemented the silvopastoral model were considered typical of those who practiced this farming method elsewhere within the region. Because participating farms shared production system, husbandry, livestock health status, disease preventive measures, products, and commercialization channels, they were considered an epidemiological compartment for quantitative risk analysis. Six different scenarios were created and analyzed using the software @Risk&trade; to measure the risk of introduction of bovine tuberculosis into this epidemiological compartment. The Mexican national program for control and eradication of bovine tuberculosis norm, regional prevalence on bovine tuberculosis, and current cultural practices in Tepalcatepec valley were considered for this analysis. The introduction of replacement heifers or sires into the farms, and the probability of the introduction of at least one infected animal was estimated. The least probable scenario for the introduction of tuberculosis into this compartment was the introduction of at least one infected animal, despite the prevalence of source herd, after applying tuberculin caudal fold test and cervical comparative test in parallel. </p><p> Although some farmers are aware that the silvopastoral system is profitable, environmental friendly, and socially acceptable, initial investment appears to be the first barrier for adoption. Alternatives for funding SPS development are needed such as preferable interest rates, credit, and loans; notably, an accurate assessment of the costs for establishment of SPS should be more thoroughly studied. The initial three years of SPS implementation have the highest amount on investment; for those years, special attention should be placed on recording the contributions of timber and/or fruit to financial returns, since these products may be the key for offsetting the cost of SPS implementation. </p><p> Further research is needed to more accurately measure the economic, ecological, animal health, and human health impact of the silvopastoral model of farming in the tropics. An ample variety of species combinations, suitable for silvopastoral production, should be studied and different arrays proposed to encourage scaling up the model. Research funding is scarce; however, public awareness of the need for a change in production practices and the allure of environmental friendly-produced animal products can produce a market-driven change in these small-scale food production operations. This could engender greater research support from industry and government sources, as well as non-governmental organizations dedicated to promoting sustainable agricultural practices in a changing global environment. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)</p><p>

<p> This dissertation was designed using a qualitative research mode of inquiry that utilized a mixed methodology approach. This dissertation was an ethnographic narrative study tracking eight young women who were &ldquo;aging out&rdquo; or forced to leave their orphanage in Peru, where most of them had spent a majority of their lives. The study examined the way in which a collaborative art community could support the participants as they narrated their lives over a 16-month period of time through photojournaling and social media outlets. </p><p> This study relied upon interviews, on-site observations, personal journaling, and photographing, in addition to an overall thematic analysis of the output of each of the eight participants and two nuns. From these data, six key themes emerged concerning the outcomes of each young girl&rsquo;s continuing life at the Hogar and their endeavors outside of the orphanage. The focal points of this study were community building via art making and building of personal aesthetic, community engagement, reflection on self-identity, cross-cultural art education, and shared experience via photo-art narratives and social media. </p><p> This research also examined the role of collaborative art experiences in helping these young women structure new identities and form collaborations with their peers designed to sustain them into their future lives. This dissertation studied not only the formation of singular identities but how these functioned within a collaborative identity that supported the young participants as they moved out of their orphanage and forward into the outside world.</p><p>

<p> In the last twenty years, there has been a decrease in the quality of social housing projects in Bogot&aacute;, in part because private developers have replaced the Colombian government as the main agent. Degradation of social housing has been associated with related sickness of residents due to cold thermal conditions, particularly in children and seniors. In this context, business profitability has played against healthy indoor environments. </p><p> A common misconception of building in Bogot&aacute;&rsquo;s mild climate (tropical) is that indoor thermal comfort is not a problem. It is based on the fact that outdoor conditions are relatively constant throughout the year without strong seasons, which in theory make acceptable conditions for thermal comfort of building occupants. Moreover, since residential buildings in Bogot&aacute; are naturally ventilated and no have space conditioning, thermal adaptation is expected to be more important. </p><p> Previous investigations on thermal comfort in the city have focused on the interaction between the local climate and a particular building configuration, but most have not explored occupants&rsquo; perceptions of comfort nor have they investigated how urban form and architectural features such as communal courtyards may influence thermal comfort. </p><p> This dissertation aims to better understand occupant perceptions of thermal comfort within the context of environmental conditions, personal adaptability, and urban form in Bogot&aacute;. The hypothesis is that an urban fabric that enhances solar access will improve the potential of a building to deliver a satisfactory thermal comfort to its occupants and energy savings in electric lighting. To test this hypothesis, courtyard buildings are explored as a way to connect people with the daily rhythms on their environments and reinterpret these spaces in the scenario of a larger and a denser city. </p><p> A multidisciplinary approach is used to address these enquiries, and through a field study thermal comfort is investigated in Bogot&aacute;. This methodology integrates knowledge from architecture, psychometrics, and statistics. The field study is performed on two residential projects that represent different urban configurations: the first project is organized in lineal blocks and the second project is organized around a central courtyard. </p><p> In total, 75 apartments participate in the study: 37 in the first project and 38 in the second project. Data are collected from them through environmental logging and surveying of residents. Information about temperature, relative humidity, radiant temperature, and light intensity is obtained through monitoring, while information about: thermal sensation, thermal preference, clothing value, and physical activity is obtained through surveys. </p><p> Statistical correlations, estimations, comparative tests, and summary statistics are used to analyze the data. These comparisons allow for an investigation of the influence of environmental conditions on occupants&rsquo; thermal sensations, the margins of acceptability of residents in multifamily housing, the influence of building features on thermal comfort of real environments, and the influence of courtyards as a solution for problems of comfort and energy consumption. </p><p> Key findings include: (1) outdoor climatic conditions (in addition to indoor climatic conditions) were associated with the thermal sensation of residents, suggesting that the indoor and outdoor climates are more connected across the building envelope boundary in these types of buildings that in environmentally controlled buildings; (2) the range of thermal adaptability of residences in these buildings was larger than in environmentally controlled buildings, suggesting that personal choice factors (e.g., choosing to wear more clothing to keep warm) are used to regulate comfort sensations in the absence of more advanced environmental control; and (3) the presence of a large central courtyard increases levels of comfort and also appeared to reduce electricity consumption for lighting. </p><p> The comparison suggests that the courtyard typology in multi-family residential buildings can be used to improve thermal comfort in social housing in this climate. Overall, this study offers a key insight into the complex interactions between climate, urban form, architectural design, and human behavior in governing human thermal comfort.</p><p>

<p> Los objetivos de esta investigaci&oacute;n fueron: establecer las dimensiones culturales para Puerto Rico, determinar la existencia o no de diferencias culturales entre Puerto Rico y la Rep&uacute;blica Dominicana. Adem&aacute;s, se midi&oacute; el impacto de los factores demogr&aacute;ficos y las dimensiones culturales en la felicidad colectiva de una sociedad. Una muestra de 596 adultos en Puerto Rico y 404 en Rep&uacute;blica Dominicana fue recopilada para calcular las dimensiones culturales de Hofstede para Puerto Rico seg&uacute;n el <i> Values Survey Module</i> 2013 y el desarrollo de un modelo de regresi&oacute;n m&uacute;ltiple. La investigaci&oacute;n concluy&oacute; que Puerto Rico es una sociedad principalmente jer&aacute;rquica (PDI = 68), colectivista (IDV = 27), masculina con rasgos femeninos (MAS = 56), pragm&aacute;tica con planes para todo pero improvisa cuando hay incertidumbre (UAI=38), enfocada a corto plazo (LTO = 19) y de las m&aacute;s indulgentes del mundo (IVR = 99). Los resultados indicaron que la dimensi&oacute;n cultural de Indulgencia versus Restricci&oacute;n (IVR) tuvo un efecto significativo en la felicidad colectiva en Puerto Rico y la Rep&uacute;blica Dominicana. En otro hallazgo, la salud como variable demogr&aacute;fica tuvo un efecto significativo en la felicidad colectiva en Puerto Rico.</p><p>