Current stand structure and composition, biomass levels and distributions, stand level foliage surface area (LAI) estimations, and mortality and growth patterns were determined using consistent sampling methodology for a network of 142 (20 m x 20 m) permanent plots at three southern Appalachian spruce-fir sites (Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (NRA) of Virginia, the Black Mountains of North Carolina, and the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina). Baseline conditions were documented to accommodate future efforts to determine actual phenomena of forest decline in a highly disturbed ecosystem. Information on structure, composition, and growth and mortality trends were combined to develop a model to predict forest change for the next two decades. Past studies indicated that undisturbed spruce-fir species distribution tended to follow an elevation gradient: red spruce (Picea rubens Sargent) dominance changing to Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poiret) dominance as elevation increased. Current stand composition at the Black Mountains and the Great Smokies also showed a shift from spruce to fir; however, Mt. Rogers NRA was an exception to that trend. As fir abundance increased with elevation there were increasing levels of balsam woolly adelgid-caused (Adelgid piceae Ratz.) mortality at the Black and Smoky Mountains where there was a greater proportion of standing dead fir than live fir. Unlike these two sites, Fraser fir on Mount Rogers still had escaped major damage from the adelgid. Projected leaf area index (LAI)(m²/m²) was developed for spruce, fir and yellow birch (Betula lutea Michaux f.), based on predicted foliage weight from overstory biomass equations, as a quantifiable measure of forest productivity. Primarily old-growth spruce-fir stands at the Great Smoky Mountains had an average LAI (11.9) significantly greater than stands at Mt. Rogers NRA (9.1) or the Black Mountains (8.3) which both have a patchwork of disturbance histories. Some conversion to increased hardwoods may have occurred in second growth stands at lower elevations with a resulting lower leaf area capability. At higher elevations (1830-1980 m), LAI was predicted to decrease if the remaining adelgid-infested fir die for both virgin and logged sites. Past studies have inferred information on mortality patterns from assessment of standing dead stems density. Overstory annual mortality was directly measured each year from 1985 and 1989 and found to vary among the four dominant overstory species; mountain-ash (Sorbus americana Marshall) had the highest rate (6.4 %), followed by fir (5.8 %), birch (2.7 %), and spruce had the lowest (2.1 %). Results suggested that enumerations of standing dead trees should not be used to assess mortality patterns since a substantial proportion (20-30 %) of all trees that died, fell to the ground in the same year, and were never part of the pool of standing dead stems. Comparisons of fir diameter distribution indicated that at sites where the balsam woolly adelgid was causing significant fir mortality, stand structure was shifting because of the elimination of larger (> 35 cm DBH) live fir stems. Prediction of individual tree mortality using logistic regression was unsuccessful for birch and mountain-ash, while equations to predict spruce and fir mortality depended on crown condition (amount of intact needles), as a predictor variable. Since an accelerated rate of change in stand structure has been predicted to occur with increased mortality and reduced growth rates, a short-term (twenty year) projection model of forest composition and structure was developed. Individual tree basal area increment equations for red spruce, Fraser fir, and yellow birch, along with ingrowth and mortality information were combined to provide predictions starting from the year 1989 and ending in 2009. Where the adelgid has been dominating fir mortality patterns for several decades, such as in the Black Mountains, little overall change is expected. For most elevations basal area is projected to be stable while stem densities decrease. In the Smokies, where little fir is found at or below 1675 m elevation, stand structure is predicted to change little during the 20 year period. However, the highest elevations of the Smokies are predicted to eventually be similar to the current stand structure of high elevations of the Black Mountains. The adelgid infestation of the peaks of the central Smokies lagged by twenty-some years behind the Black Mountains and the model predicts a deterioration of fir as well as spruce in that area. / Ph. D.

Menschen unterscheiden sich von anderen Tieren insbesondere dadurch, dass ihr Alltag durch vielfältige kulturelle Praktiken bestimmt wird. Diese erlaubten es dem Menschen, fast alle terrestrischen Habitate auf der Erde in hoher Dichte zu besiedeln. Kulturelle Merkmale werden nicht genetisch vererbt, sondern durch soziales Lernen zwischen Menschen übertragen -- niemand könnte ohne den vorhandenen Wissensbeitrag anderer ein funktionstüchtiges Kanu bauen. Daraus zu schließen, kulturelle und genetische Evolution seien komplett getrennt zu behandeln, wäre allerdings falsch. Genetische Evolution hat es überhaupt erst erlaubt, von anderen in adaptiver Weise zu lernen. Kulturelle und genetische Evolution müssen zusammen betrachtet werden, um die Einzigartigkeit des Menschen zu verstehen. Der offensichtlich vorhandene adaptive Nutzen sozialen Lernens konnte in theoretischen Arbeiten allerdings nicht repliziert werden. Das deutet darauf hin, dass das Verständnis über die Funktionsweise sozialen Lernens noch unvollständig ist. Zwar haben einige Wissenschaftler mögliche Lösungen für dieses Paradox vorgeschlagen, aber unser Modell zeigt, dass diese unzureichend sind. Stattdessen hält sich der Widerspruch hartnäckiger als geglaubt. Wir analysieren zwar neue soziale Lernstrategien, die den Widerspruch lösen könnten, doch das erfolgt nur unter sehr beschränkten Bedingungen. Außerdem treten wir für eine neue Sicht auf soziales Lernen ein und damit einhergehend für einen Modellierungsansatz, der Lernformen in realistischerer Weise berücksichtigt. Die Untersuchung des evolutionären Ursprungs sozialen Lernens sollte den gleichen Stellenwert haben wie jene des evolutionären Ursprungs kooperativen Verhaltens. Dass dies sinnvoll wäre, belegen wir, indem wir zeigen, welchen Einfluss soziales Lernen sogar auf moderne Gesellschaften und Volkswirtschaften hat und wie es beispielsweise hilft, Finanzkrisen besser zu verstehen. / Humans differ most from other animals in that their lives are shaped by many cultural practices. Having cultural traits allowed human populations to grow considerably in a short time and to conquer almost all terrestrial habitats on Earth. Cultural traits are not inborn but are instead transmitted between humans through social learning -- no individual could build a fully functional kayak without learning from others. Concluding that cultural evolution is thus a separate process from genetic evolution would, however, be rash. The latter has endowed humans with the possibility to learn from others in the first place, and prepared learning to make it especially adaptive. To find out what makes humans unique, cultural and genetic evolution, therefore, have to be studied in concert. Although nobody doubts that evolution gave rise to social learning and that the resulting cultural practices serve an adaptive purpose, theoretical works have shown that simple forms of social learning do not improve human adaptedness. This finding contradicts the observations and thus implies that our understanding of social learning is incomplete. Several authors have proposed solutions to this paradox but, as our model results will show, the solutions are unsatisfying. Instead, we find the paradox to be more resilient than is believed and propose forms of social learning that could solve it, albeit only under very narrow circumstances. Furthermore, we argue for a new perspective on social learning and, consequently, for a different framework that allows for more realistic learning models. We suggest that the study of the evolutionary origin of social learning should be given equal weight as the study of the evolutionary origin of cooperation, and illustrate this by elaborating on the impact of social learning on modern societies and market behaviors in general, and on financial crises specifically.

Utgångspunkten i studien var relationens betydelse och fokus i studien har varit att undersöka vad skolkuratorer anser vara förutsättningar för att bygga en relation med ungdomar. För att möjliggöra det har sex semistrukturerade intervjuer genomförts med skolkuratorer i tre kommuner i Sverige. Det empiriska materialet har analyserats genom en tematisk analysmetod där huvudtemat Relationens betydelse framkom, vidare har fyra centrala teman som förutsätter relationsskapande analyserats fram. Respektive tema har ett undertema för att möjliggöra en fördjupning. Följande centrala teman och underteman var; Att finnas där och att lyssna, Att använda sin kunskap och att möta ungdomen där den är, Att vara människokännare och att vara flexibel, Att vara människa och att göra det lilla extra. Resultatet diskuteras utifrån tidigare forskning och Carl Rogers teori om den personcentrerade terapin samt Rogers tankar om den terapeutiska relationen. Studiens huvudsakliga slutsats var att relationen är A och O. / The starting point in this study was the importance of the relationship. The investigation examines school counselors experiences of creating conditions for relationships with young people. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with school counselors in three Swedish municipalities. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the empirical material were the main theme the importance of the relationship was found. Four key themes of relationship creating conditions were also discovered. The central themes have subthemes to deepen the analysis. These central themes and subthemes were; To be there and to listen, To use the knowledge and to meet the youths perspective, To know people and to be flexible, To be a human being and to do more than required. The results have been discussed in relation to past research and the theory of Carl Rogers on person centered therapy and Rogers thoughts on the therapeutic relationship. The mail conclusion of the study was that the relationship is the key.

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of History, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 49-53).

Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender o mal-estar contemporâneo partindo da experiência clínica. Traduz um verdadeiro testemunho da autora enquanto pesquisadora, psicoterapeuta e supervisora. Parte de inquietações desalojadoras experienciadas na clínica e utiliza como objeto de reflexão teórica a Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa, mais especificamente, a Terapia Centrada no Cliente. Realiza uma leitura crítica da teoria da Terapia Centrada no Cliente, analisando a concepção de ciência e a trajetória conceitual empreendida por Carl Rogers. Partindo dessa analise, aponta para a insuficiência dos conceitos de Tendência Atualizante e Angústia para acolher e dar passagem ao mal-estar contemporâneo, indicando a necessidade de uma outra via de acesso que apreenda a condição fundamental e originária do homem. Por fim, apresenta o conceito de angústia de Heidegger enquanto possível contribuição para fecundar e re-significar a prática clínica. Como resultado do percurso empreendido, a autora revela o momento de trânsito em que se encontra, encaminhando-se para uma clínica psicológica enquanto cuidar (Sorge), vinculada a uma teoria do existir humano que pode ser lida como uma ética de aceitação da finitude, da transitoriedade, e dos conflitos. Tal teoria enseja uma prática clínica, que envolva um ato de criação, como abertura de acolhimento para algo que não se conhece, com disponibilidade para se lançar nas complexidades do ser-aí. Aponta que, apesar de ter encontrado algumas respostas para as inquietações desalojadoras que motivaram o presente estudo, a temática abordada, pela sua complexidade e dinâmica própria, esteve e estará sempre aberta a novos olhares e leituras / Departing from clinical experience, this study aims to comprehend the contemporary uneasiness. It shows the author's true testimony not only as a researcher, but also as a psychotherapist and supervisor. This research is based on disruptive clinical experiences by taking into account, as object for theoretical reflection, within the Person-Centered Approach, the Client-Centered Therapy. It makes a critical overview of the Client-Centered Therapy theory by analyzing Carl Rogers' concept of science as well as his conceptual path. Such analysis points to an insufficiency of the Actualizing Tendency and Anguish concepts toward sheltering and, at the same time, to promote a passage for the contemporary uneasiness. Thus, it indicates the need of another way to access and comprehend the fundamental and original human condition. Finally, this study presents Heidegger's anguish concept as a possible contribution to fertilize and re-signify the clinical praxis. As a result of such path, the author reveals her transitional moment of theoretical reflection, directing herself toward a psychological conception of clinic as "care" (Sorge), linked to a human existence theory conceived as an ethics of finitude acceptance, of transivity and conflicts. Such a theory demands a clinical praxis by conceiving a creation act as an opening to shelter something unknown, plenty of availability to carry forward onweself towards the "being-there complexity. The author manifests that, in spite to have found some possible answers to her dislodged inquietude experience that motivated this actual work, its approached thematic, by its own complexity and dynamic involved, implies in an always present openness that instigate new sights and reflections, thus deserving further re-readings

A partir de uma leitura epistemolÃgica de vÃrios escritos do psicÃlogo estadunidense, Carl R. Rogers, em que ele declara âafinidadesâ teÃricas com o pensamento do filÃsofo dinamarquÃs, SÃren Kierkegaard, o objetivo maior deste estudo à confrontar os conceitos de âIndivÃduoâ, delineado por Kierkegaard, e o conceito de âPessoaâ, formulado por Rogers, em suas similaridades e diferenÃas. Contribuindo na constituiÃÃo de mais uma faceta da epistemologia da Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa (criada e desenvolvida por Rogers), à tambÃm intenÃÃo desta pesquisa, aproximar estes conceitos apoiando-se na hipÃtese de que a suposta influÃncia kierkegaardiana na obra de Rogers nÃo à tÃo significativa como ele (Rogers) e, sobretudo, seus comentadores, querem fazer crer. Estando Kierkegaard numa dimensÃo filosÃfica e epistemolÃgica de um cristianismo pietista e angustiado, em que sua meta maior era mostrar o verdadeiro âdevir cristÃoâ, e que o âIndivÃduoâ à aquele que escolhe existir ligado subjetivamente numa relaÃÃo tensionada com Deus, dificilmente poderia sua filosofia servir de base em outro contexto tÃo heterogÃneo como era o da psicologia humanista norte-americana, onde Rogers tinha seu espaÃo e que considerava a âPessoaâ como um âorganismo digno de confianÃaâ que guarda em si mesma as potencialidades de se construir em todas as suas esferas e em direÃÃo a uma existÃncia congruente e autÃntica. Aproximando os conceitos de âIndivÃduoâ e de âPessoaâ em suas semelhanÃas e diferenÃas, descrevendo atà onde a influÃncia de Kierkegaard no pensamento rogeriano à verÃdica, pretende-se mostrar o lugar de fato da filosofia kierkegaardiana na construÃÃo da psicologia centrada na pessoa efetuada por Rogers. / From a epistemological reading of some writings of the American psychologist, Carl R. Rogers, in which he declares âtheoretical affinitiesâ with the thought of the Danish philosopher, SÃren Kierkegaard, the biggest objective of this study is to collate the concepts of âIndividualâ, delineated by Kierkegaard, and the concept of âPersonâ, formulated by Rogers, in its similarities and differences. Contributing to the constitution of one more face of the Person-Centrered Approaching epistemology (created and developed by Rogers), is also intention of this research, to approximate these concepts taking as support the hypothesis of that the supposed kierkegaardian influence in Rogerâs production is not so significant as he (Rogers) and, over all, his commentators, wants to make to believe. Being Kierkegaard in a philosophical and epistemological dimension of a pietistic and anguished Christianity, where its biggest goal was to show the true âChristian-to-beâ, and also that the âIndividualâ is that one who chooses to exist subjectively in a tensioned relation with God, hardly could his philosophy stand as another so heterogeneous context as it was the case of Humanist North America Psychology, where Rogers had space and that considered the âPersonâ as a âreliable worthy organismâ that keeps in itself the potentialities of constructing itself in all its spheres and in direction to an authentic existence and congruence. Approaching the concepts of âIndividualâ and âPersonâ in its similarities and differences, describing until where the influence of Kierkegaard in the rogerian thought is veridical, it is intended to show the place in fact of the kierkegaardian philosophy in the construction of the psychology centered in the person effected by Rogers.

Bakgrund: Artificiell intelligens (AI) innebär att skapa intelligenta system som överträffar mänsklig kunskap. Den snabba framväxten av AI har gjort att stora företag behöver överväga implementering för att hänga med i dagens utveckling. Forskning visar att maskininlärning kan användas vid redovisning, revision samt vid analyser inom banksektorn. Frågan är dock hur företag använder sig av maskininlärning vid företagsekonomiska analyser?   Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur maskininlärning används vid företagsekonomiska analyser. Vidare avser uppsatsen att analysera vilka faktorer som behöver tas i beaktande av företag vid implementering av AI samt vilka faktorer som enligt Rogers adaptionsteori har legat till grund för spridningen av maskininlärning. Metod: Uppsatsen utgår från en kvalitativ metod med ett induktivt tillvägagångssätt. Den empiriska materialinsamlingen baseras på tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med relevanta personer för arbetets frågeställningar. Arbetets teoretiska referensram har samlats in via befintlig litteratur, såsom vetenskapliga artiklar samt böcker. Slutsats: Slutsatserna som kan dras utifrån studiens frågeställningar och syfte är att användningen av AI vid företagsekonomiska analyser ses som ett hjälpmedel som effektiviserar arbetet för ekonomer. Arbetet effektiviseras då maskinerna kan komma med tips, insikter och avvikelser som människan annars hade behövt leta efter själv. Den främsta fördelen vi identifierat med maskininlärning är att det kapar tid för användaren, vilket gör att personalen kan ägna sig åt andra arbetsuppgifter som är mer tidskrävande. Studien kom fram till att faktorerna som företag behöver beakta vid implementering av maskininlärning är legala, cybersäkerhet, kostnad, kunskap, etik samt datakvalitet. / Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) entails creating intelligent systems which surpass human knowledge. Because of the rapid growth of AI, large companies must consider an implementation to keep up with the current development. Previous research shows that machine learning is used in accounting, auditing as well as analysis in the banking sector. However, the question that remains is how companies use machine learning in business analyses. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how machine learning is used in business analyses. The thesis aims to analyze and identify which factors need to be taken into account by companies when implementing AI. Also which factors, according to Rogers theory of adaptation, underlie the spread of machine learning. Method: The study is based on a qualitative method with an inductive approach. The empirical data collection is based on ten semi-structured interviews with relevant individuals for the research questions of the study. The theoretical reference framework of the study has been collected through existing literature, such as scientific articles and books. Conclusion: The conclusion that can be drawn, based on the research questions of the study and purpose, is that the use of AI in business analysis is seen as a tool that makes the economists’ work more efficient. The work is more efficient since the machines can come up with/give tips, insights and deviations that humans otherwise would have to find themselves. The biggest advantage we have identified, when using machine learning, is that it saves time for the user, which allows employees to focus on other, more time-consuming tasks. The study also concluded that the factors companies have to consider when implementing machine learning are legal, cyber security, cost, knowledge, ethics and data quality.

Recent research has emphasized the importance of rail-trails for various activity experiences and economic benefits. Past research has not, however, examined rail-trail opportunities with other trail opportunities in order to understand whether specific management efforts are needed for this type of setting and its users. This study investigated the differences between rail-trail users and general trail users with respect to socio-demographics (age, income, gender, income, community type), use characteristics (frequency of visitation, miles traveled to the site, group size, past experience with the area), expenditures (total and specific types), and trail/activity meanings (satisfaction, setting appraisals, place attachment, activity involvement, mode of experience). The study included a variety of camping and day-use areas within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. On-site interview and mail survey data were obtained from 235 trail respondents from May through October, 1993. Findings revealed few group differences with respect to socio-demographics and trail meanings. Use characteristics and expenditures, however, demonstrated differences as rail-trail users tended to be day-users who traveled shorter distances, participated in trail activities for fewer hours and within smaller groups, and tended to spend more on hotel accommodations and restaurants than general trail users. Management implications relate to assisting the economic base of local communities by attracting more non-local rail-trail users and encouraging them to stay longer in the region. Recommendations for further research suggest assessing benefits and motivations with respect to specific trail opportunities in order to reveal greater group differentiation. A discussion on the joint effects of variations in activities at the two trail settings is also addressed. / Master of Science

This investigation into the rapid expansion of prison construction and mass incarceration in Eastern Kentucky under the leadership of Congressman and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers aims to determine why this policy has continued to be a viable political strategy for Rogers despite its apparent failure to advance social and economic development in the region. This analysis suggests that the Rogers Case can be used as a case study to greater understand the proliferation of political power available to elected officials in ANY district where the democratic incentive structure encourages politicians to represent the interests of private corporations and industries instead of constituents as long as they can count on their campaign contributions and the protection of their incumbencies.

This paper examines dialogue between disputing students and the teacher/facilitator in conflict mediation meetings, and discusses what kind of teacher/facilitator’s actions help disputing students find a constructive solution, or even relational transformation. Key theories that inform my research are taken from Martin Buber and Carl Rogers. Buber argues that a human needs to set him/herself at a distance to see the other as an independent existence, and that humans enter relationship through self-becoming, and confirmation of the other’s existence. This is very difficult to achieve in a conflict situation, but Rogers’ core conditions of Person Centred Therapy: Unconditional positive regard; Empathy; Genuineness, fill this gap. The conflict mediator can help this process. Data for the study is taken from twenty video recordings in a secondary school in England, where diversified students, including those who were born abroad, learn together. I examine the outcomes of twenty video-recorded meetings, grouped into three categories: Relational Transformation; Resolution Only; Conflict not transformed. I describe how I have selected three meetings each (nine in total) for thematic coding and conversation analysis. Elicitive and empathetic facilitation appeared most frequently in Relational-Transformation cases, whereas judgmental and directive facilitation were observed most frequently in Conflict-not-transformed cases. As for student’s actions, openness and expansiveness appeared most frequently in Relational-Transformation cases, and attacking and defiance appeared most frequently in Conflict-not-transformed cases. Resolution-Only cases lie between these two categories. These findings suggest that conflict mediation favours elicitive and empathetic facilitation, and leads to the transformation of students’ relationships. When the facilitator/teacher shows judgment and directiveness, students respond with attacking and defiance, which impairs transformative process. It was also revealed that students were only able to acknowledge the other student’s feelings and experiences after their own feeling had been acknowledged.