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Society of the Mind
by Eric L. HarryIn the year 2003, psychologist Laura Aldridge is offered a million dollars for one week's consulting, by the richest man on Earth. When she lands on the Gray Corporation's South Pacific Island she finds a supertech domain, at the heart of which lies a secret that will affect the future of humanity.
Society - Water - Technology
by Reinhard F. Hüttl Oliver Bens Christine Bismuth Sebastian HoechstetterThis book presents the results of the Interdisciplinary Research Group "Society - Water - Technology" of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. It describes interdisciplinary evaluation criteria for major water engineering projects (MWEPs) and portrays an application to the Lower Jordan Valley (Middle East) and the Fergana Valley (Central Asia). Both areas are characterised by transboundary conflicts, by challenges due to demographic and climate change and by political and societal pressures. Based on the findings, the book provides recommendations for science and political decisions makers as well as for international financing institutions. In addition, it outlines research gaps from an interdisciplinary perspective. In the past, MWEPs have been used as an instrument to cope with the demands of growing populations and to enhance development progress. Experiences with MWEPs have shown that a purely technical approach has not always brought about the desired results. In many cases, MWEPs have even resulted in negative implications for society and environment. Therefore, improved management strategies and enhanced technologies for a sustainable water resource management system are a prerequisite to meet present and future challenges. And, moreover, the continuous evaluation and optimisation of these measures is, likewise, a must.
Society's Choices: Social and Ethical Decision Making in Biomedicine
by Harvey V. Feinberg Ruth E. Bulger Elizabeth M. BobbyBreakthroughs in biomedicine often lead to new life-giving treatments but may also raise troubling, even life-and-death, quandaries.Society's Choices discusses ways for people to handle today's bioethics issues in the context of America's unique history and culture--and from the perspectives of various interest groups.The book explores how Americans have grappled with specific aspects of bioethics through commission deliberations, programs by organizations, and other mechanisms and identifies criteria for evaluating the outcomes of these efforts. The committee offers recommendations on the role of government and professional societies, the function of commissions and institutional review boards, and bioethics in health professional education and research.The volume includes a series of 12 superb background papers on public moral discourse, mechanisms for handling social and ethical dilemmas, and other specific areas of controversy by well-known experts Ronald Bayer, Martin Benjamin, Dan W. Brock, Baruch A. Brody, H. Alta Charo, Lawrence Gostin, Bradford H. Gray, Kathi E. Hanna, Elizabeth Heitman, Thomas Nagel, Steven Shapin, and Charles M. Swezey.
A Socio-cultural Perspective on Patient Safety
by Justin WaringThis edited volume of original chapters brings together researchers from around the world who are exploring the facets of health care organization and delivery that are sometimes marginal to mainstream patient safety theories and methodologies but offer important insights into the socio-cultural and organizational context of patient safety. By examining these critical insights or perspectives and drawing upon theories and methodologies often neglected by mainstream safety researchers, this collection shows we can learn more about not only the barriers and drivers to implementing patient safety programmes, but also about the more fundamental issues that shape notions of safety, alternate strategies for enhancing safety, and the wider implications of the safety agenda on the future of health care delivery. In so doing, A Socio-cultural Perspective on Patient Safety challenges the taken-for-granted assumptions around fundamental philosophical and political issues upon which mainstream orthodoxy relies. The book draws upon a range of theoretical and empirical approaches from across the social sciences to investigate and question the patient safety movement. Each chapter takes as its focus and question a particular aspect of the patient safety reforms, from its policy context and theoretical foundations to its practical application and manifestation in clinical practice, whilst also considering the wider implications for the organization and delivery of health care services. Accordingly, the chapters each draw upon a distinct theoretical or methodological approach to critically explore specific dimensions of the patient safety agenda. Taken as a whole, the collection advances a strong, coherent argument that is much needed to counter some of the uncritical assumptions that need to be described and analyzed if patient safety is indeed to be achieved.
Socio-Economic Analysis of Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in West Bengal
by Abhijit Das Joyashree Roy Sayantan ChakrabortiThis book presents a socio-economic analysis of the issues linking technological innovation in providing arsenic-safe drinking water in rural areas. It presents concrete field based experiences of experiments and case studies depicting the plight and sufferings of people due to failed technological deployment strategies over the past two decades in West Bengal, the most arsenic-exposed state in India and also the first to act for remediation of the crisis. One of the greatest challenges in arsenic-exposed zones is to provide sustainable access to reliably arsenic-safe free water. For nearly twenty years the Government of India and national water distribution institutions in collaboration with multi-lateral funding agencies have sought to pump in money, push technology collected through global tenders, and enlist the support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), but their efforts have yielded little success. This book is the outcome of the authors' intensive fieldwork, guided by the conceptual framework of the latest literature on environmental economics and consumer behaviour. It presents a framework and estimates based on field level primary data. Secondary official source-based data are also collated from various scattered sources into a valuable, comprehensive collection. Lastly, the book includes a revealing analysis of factors affecting households' participation.
Socio-Economic Applications of Geographic Information Science (Innovations In Gis Ser. #Vol. 9)
by Gary Higgs David Kidner Sean WhiteTo date, no one volume in the Innovations in GIS series has been given over to solely highlighting the use of up-to-date GIS-based techniques in a range of socio-economic applications. This monograph redresses this gap. The book begins with a short introductory chapter on the fundamental principles of GIS, followed by an examination of recen
Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of Genetically Modified Crops: Global Implications Based on Case-Studies from India
by Sachin Chaturvedi Krishna Ravi SrinivasThis book provides a comprehensive overview of socio-economic impact assessments for genetically modified organisms, including genetically modified crops. It features case studies involving Bt cotton and other selected crops with improved traits from six major institutions in India and combines field data with surveys on stakeholder perceptions. It also discusses global trends in the socio-economic assessment of GMOs and reviews the available literature on the economic assessment of GM crops and how various countries have implemented Article 26.1 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Further, it explores cost–benefit analyses and sociological aspects of socio-economic assessments.Based on this, the book proposes a framework and offers guidelines for socio-economic assessment that can be adapted for various GM crops. Lastly, it examines the relevance of socio-economic impact assessment in light of new applications such as GM mosquitoes and gene drives. Given its scope, the book is of interest to all academics, policymakers, regulators, and general readers concerned about the broader impacts of GM crops and applications like gene drives.
The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries
by Gavin M. HilsonThe purpose of this book is to examine both the positive and negative socioeconomic impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining in developing countries. In recent years, a number of governments have attempted to formalize this rudimentary sector of industry, recognizing its socioeconomic importance. However, the industry continues to be plagued by
Socio-Economic Impacts of Bioenergy Production
by Dominik Rutz Rainer JanssenAround the world, many countries are increasing efforts to promote biomass production for industrial uses including biofuels and bio-products such as chemicals and bio-plastic. Against a backdrop of lively public debate on sustainability, bioenergy wields both positive and negative impacts upon a variety of environmental and socio-economic issues. These include property rights, labor conditions, social welfare, economic wealth, poverty reduction and more. This book discusses the issues and impacts of bioenergy, taking into account the local and regional framework under which bioenergy is produced, touching upon educational level, cultural aspects, the history and economies of the producing countries and an array of policies including environmental and social targets. The book surveys and analyzes global bioenergy production from a number of perspectives. The authors illustrate the complexity of interrelated topics in the bioenergy value chain, ranging from agriculture to conversion processes, as well as from social implications to environmental effects. It goes on to offer insight on future challenges associated with the expected boom of a global bio-based economy, which contributes to the paradigm shift from a fossil-based to a biomass and renewable energy-based economy. The expert contributors include researchers, investors, policy makers, representatives from NGOs and other stakeholders, from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Their contributions build upon the results of the Global-Bio-Pact project on "Global Assessment of Biomass and Bio-product Impacts on Socio-economics and Sustainability," which was supported by the European Commission in its 7th Framework Program for Research and Technological Development, conducted from February 2010 to January 2013. The book benefits policy makers, scientists and NGO staffers working in the fields of agriculture, forestry, biotechnology and energy.
Socio-economic Systems: Paradigms for the Future (Studies in Systems, Decision and Control #314)
by Elena G. Popkova Victoria N. Ostrovskaya Aleksei V. BogovizThis book is reflective of a science-based vision of the future development paradigm of economic and social systems. It deals with the digitization as the technological basis for the future development of economic and social systems and presents a review of groundbreaking technologies and prospects for their application. The specific character of the industry and prospects for the application of digital technologies in business are analyzed. A rationale is provided for future prospects for the sustainable development of economic and social systems in a digital economy. The authors determine the process of the formation and development of the information-oriented society, social and educational aspects of the digitization, as well as the institutional framework of the digital future of social and economic systems. The book combines the best works following the results of the 12th International Research-to-Practice Conference “Artificial Intelligence: Anthropogenic Nature vs. Social Origin” that was held by the Institute of Scientific Communications (ISC) in cooperation with the Siberian Federal University and the Krasnoyarsk Regional Fund of support of scientific and scientific–technical activities on 5–7 December 2019, in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, as well as following the results of the 3rd International Research-to-Practice Conference “Economic and Social Systems: Paradigms for the Future” that was held by the ISC in cooperation with the Pyatigorsk State University on 5–6 February 2020. The target audience of the book consists of representatives of the academic community concerned with the future prospects for the development of economic and social systems, as well as economic agents engaged in the digitization of business processes, and representatives of public agencies regulating the development of business systems for their progressivity, sustainability and competitiveness.
Socio-Environmental Dynamics along the Historical Silk Road
by Liang Emlyn Yang Hans-Rudolf Bork Xiuqi Fang Steffen MischkeThis open access book discusses socio-environmental interactions in the middle to late Holocene, covering specific areas along the ancient Silk Road regions. Over twenty chapters provide insight into this topic from various disciplinary angles and perspectives, ranging from archaeology, paleoclimatology, antiquity, historical geography, agriculture, carving art and literacy. The Silk Road is a modern concept for an ancient network of trade routes that for centuries facilitated and intensified processes of cultural interaction and goods exchange between West China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Coherent patterns and synchronous events in history suggest possible links between social upheaval, resource utilization and climate or environment forces along the Silk Road and in a broader area. Post-graduates in studying will benefit from this work, as well as it will stimulate young researchers to further explore the role played by the environment in long-term socio-cultural changes.
Socio-Environmental Regimes and Local Visions: Transdisciplinary Experiences in Latin America
by Minerva Arce Ibarra Manuel Roberto Parra Vázquez Eduardo Bello Baltazar Luciana Gomes de AraujoThis book presents oral histories, collective dialogues, and analyses of rural and indigenous livelihoods facing global socio-environmental regime change in Latin America (LA). Since the late twentieth century, rural and indigenous producers in LA, including agriculturists, coffee-growers, as well as small-scale farmers/fishers, and others, have had to resist, cope with, or adapt to a range of neoliberal socio-environmental regimes that impact their territories and associated resources, including water, production systems and ultimately their cultural traditions. In response, rural producers are using local visions and innovation niches to decide what, when, and how to resist, cope with uncertainty, and still be successful in using their customary laws to retain their land rights and livelihoods.This book presents a range of ethnically diverse case studies from LA, which addresses socio-environmental, educational, and law regimes’ effects using transdisciplinary research approaches in rural, traditional and indigenous production systems. Based on both, the results and insights gained into how producers are resisting and adapting to these regimes, as well as decades of research carried out in LA rural territories by the participating authors, the book puts forward a baseline for devising new public policies that are better suited to the real challenges of livelihoods, poverty, and environmental degradation in LA. These recommendations are rooted in post-development thinking; they promote territorial public policy with social inclusion and a human’s rights approach. The book draws on over 20 years of research carried out by LA’s academics and their undergraduate and graduate students who have addressed collaborative work, participatory research, and transdisciplinary approaches with rural commons and communities in LA. It features 19 case studies, with contributions from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, and Mexico.
Socio-Environmental Research in Latin America: Interdisciplinary Approaches Using GIS and Remote Sensing Frameworks (The Latin American Studies Book Series)
by Santiago LópezThis contributed volume presents relevant examples of socio-environmental research that highlight the challenges and opportunities of using geotechnologies in interdisciplinary settings across the vast, culturally, and environmentally mega-diverse region known as Latin America. While remote sensing has been mostly used for mapping and monitoring physical features, geographic information systems open up opportunities for the integration of socio-economic and environmental data collected through individual and community-based surveys, in-situ measurements, and other participatory research techniques to offer additional analytically grounded power when evaluating socio-environmental processes that shape Latin American landscapes. The topics addressed in this book include deforestation and land degradation, borderlands dynamics, agriculture and agroecological systems, environmental conservation and development, public health, tourism, environmental justice, archeology, volunteered geography and urban planning, among others. The book is intended for academics, graduate and undergraduate classrooms, and general audiences with interest in Latin America and the socio-environmental issues that threaten the sustainability of the region and local communities. The book will also appeal to practitioners, managers, and policy makers interested in the application of geo-technologies and field-based research to address complex socio-environmental problems in the Global South.
Socio-Hydrological Dynamics in Bangladesh: Understanding the Interaction Between Hydrological and Social Processes Along the Jamuna Floodplain (IHE Delft PhD Thesis Series)
by Md Ruknul FerdousBangladesh is a large delta, where most people live in the overpopulated floodplains. Flooding is a normal phenomenon, which causes much suffering. How to reduce this suffering through better managing floods is a big societal challenge. To date, societal initiatives to address this challenge mainly consist of the construction of embankments along the river bank, to control hydrological processes and ‘discipline’ the river. Yet, such embankments generate their own hydrological and societal responses in sometimes unexpected ways. The study of these interactions and feedback mechanisms between hydrological and social processes is a new academic field, one that is particularly relevant in a dynamic delta such as Bangladesh. This research sets out to explore the phenomena, opportunities and risks generated by the interactions between physical and societal processes along the Jamuna River in Bangladesh. It conceptualize these interactions as temporally dynamic and spatially diverse combinations of fighting and living with water. The research proposes the concept of "Socio-hydrological spaces (SHSs)" to enrich the study of socio-hydrology. A SHS is a geographical area in a landscape. Its particular combination of hydrological and social features gives rise to the emergence of distinct interactions and dynamics (patterns) between society and water. The SHSs concept suggests that the interactions between society and water are place-bound and specific because of differences in social processes, technological choices and opportunities, and hydrological dynamics. Through the concept of SHS, this research does not only contribute to advance the knowledge about socio-hydrological dynamics in Bangladesh, but also provides more general insights for flood risk management.
Socio-Inspired Optimization Methods for Advanced Manufacturing Processes (Springer Series in Advanced Manufacturing)
by Apoorva Shastri Aniket Nargundkar Anand J. KulkarniThis book discusses comprehensively the advanced manufacturing processes, including illustrative examples of the processes, mathematical modeling, and the need to optimize associated parameter problems. In addition, it describes in detail the cohort intelligence methodology and its variants along with illustrations, to help readers gain a better understanding of the framework. The theoretical and statistical rigor is validated by comparing the solutions with evolutionary algorithms, simulation annealing, response surface methodology, the firefly algorithm, and experimental work. Lastly, the book critically reviews several socio-inspired optimization methods.
Socio-Legal Aspects of the 3D Printing Revolution
by Angela DalyAdditive manufacturing or '3D printing' has emerged into the mainstream in the last few years, with much hype about its revolutionary potential as the latest 'disruptive technology' to destroy existing business models, empower individuals and evade any kind of government control. This book examines the trajectory of 3D printing in practice and how it interacts with various areas of law, including intellectual property, product liability, gun laws, data privacy and fundamental/constitutional rights. A particular comparison is made between 3D printing and the Internet as this has been, legally-speaking, another 'disruptive technology' and also one on which 3D printing is partially dependent. This book is the first expert analysis of 3D printing from a legal perspective and provides a critical assessment of the extent to which existing legal regimes can be successfully applied to, and enforced vis-à-vis, 3D printing.
Socio-Metabolic Perspectives on the Sustainability of Local Food Systems: Insights for Science, Policy and Practice (Human-Environment Interactions #7)
by Simron J. Singh Willi Haas Eva FraňkováThis book delves into diverse local food systems and critically assesses their ecological and societal benefits and trade-offs, their limits and opportunities for improving sustainability of food production, and framework conditions which either hinder or promote their development. More and more people with gradually meat heavier diets will demand growth in food production, whilst our increasingly industrialized and globalized agri-food system has already caused serious sustainability problems in the past. This calls for a change in the way we produce, distribute and consume food. A re-emerging debate on food security and food sovereignty seems to support this quest. But what are the promising alternatives to mainstream developments? Such a discussion regarding sustainability of local food systems requires a sound systemic understanding and thus invites a socio-metabolic reading of local cases by analyzing the nexus between material and energy flows as well as land and time use. This approach is needed to complement the so far mostly qualitatively-based local food studies. Applying socio-metabolic approaches to local food systems fosters a better understanding of promises and pitfalls for sustainable pathways in the future.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Biofuels
by Alexandros Gasparatos Per StrombergBiofuels are currently in the middle of a heated academic and public policy debate. Biofuel production has increased fivefold in the past decade and is expected to further double by 2020. Most of this expansion will happen in developing nations. This volume is the first of its kind, providing a comprehensive overview of the biofuel debate in developing countries. The chapters are written by a multidisciplinary team of experts, exposing the key drivers and impacts of biofuel production and use. The book covers impacts as diverse as air pollution, biodiversity loss, deforestation, energy security, food security, greenhouse gas emissions, land use change, rural development, water consumption, and other socioeconomic issues. Its wide focus accommodates examples from countries in Africa, America, and Asia. As such, this book will become an indispensable companion to academics, practitioners, and policy makers who wish to know more about biofuel issues in the developing world.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Implications of Agricultural Residue Burning
by Parmod Kumar Surender Kumar Laxmi JoshiThis book discusses the important issue of the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of agricultural residue burning, common in agricultural practices in many parts of the world. In particular, it focuses on the pollution caused by rice residue burning using primary survey data from Punjab, India. It discusses emerging solutions to agricultural waste burning that are cost-effective in terms of both money and time. The burning of agricultural residue causes severe pollution in land, water and air and contributes to increased ozone levels and climate change in the long term. However, appropriate assessments have not been undertaken so far to demonstrate the relevant impact of agriculture-based pollution, especially residue burning. This book addresses this gap in the literature. Punjab has been used as a case study as it is the chief granary of India, contributing to 27. 2 percent of the Indian national produce of rice and 43. 8 percent of wheat. It is presumed that the findings from this state will be useful not only for other agricultural areas in India, but across the world. This book, therefore, sensitizes policy makers, researchers and students about the impacts of air pollution caused by agricultural residue burning---a subject not much dealt in the literature---and provides a way forward.
Socioeconomic Impacts of High-Speed Rail Systems: Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on High-Speed Rail Socioeconomic Impacts, University of Naples Federco II, Italy, 13–14 September 2022 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics)
by Francesca PagliaraThis book offers new insights into the wider socioeconomic impacts of high-speed rail (HSR). Over the past few decades, significant investments have been made in these systems around the world. The use of public funds for the construction of high-speed rail offers a range of benefits, such as time savings, increased comfort, and reduced traffic congestion, as well as broader economic benefits, including the advancement of less developed regions. These proceedings feature papers presented at the 2nd International Workshop on the Socioeconomic Impacts of High-Speed Rail. The focus is on HSR’s impacts on equity and integration, the land use system, productivity, the environment, the tourism industry, and cooperation and integration with other modes of transport. The book provides an overview of the current state of practice from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Consequently, it will be of interest to scholars of transportation economics and related fields, as well as transportation industry professionals.
Socioeconomic Impacts of High-Speed Rail Systems: Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on High-Speed Rail Socioeconomic Impacts, University of Naples Federico II, Italy, International Union of Railways (UIC), 12–13 September 2023 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics)
by Francesca PagliaraThis book offers new insights into the wider socio-economic impacts of high-speed rail (HSR). Over the past few decades, significant investments have been made in these systems around the world. The use of public funds for the construction of high-speed rail offers a range of benefits, such as time savings, increased comfort, and reduced traffic congestion, as well as broader economic benefits, including the advancement of less developed regions. These proceedings feature papers presented at the 3rd International Workshop on the Socioeconomic Impacts of High-Speed Rail. The focus is on HSR impacts on the environment, on the land use system, on investment, on the tourism industry, on inclusion and on cooperation vs integration with other transport modes. The book provides an overview of the current state of practice from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Consequently, it will be of interest to scholars of transportation economics and related fields, as well as transportation industry professionals.
Socioeconomic Impacts of High-Speed Rail Systems: Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on High-Speed Rail Socioeconomic Impacts, University of Naples Federico II, Italy, International Union of Railways (UIC), 10-11 September 2024 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics)
by Francesca PagliaraThis book offers new insights into the wider socioeconomic impacts of high-speed rail (HSR). Over the past few decades, significant investments have been made in these systems around the world. The use of public funds for the construction of HSR offers a range of benefits, such as time savings, increased comfort, and reduced traffic congestion, as well as broader economic benefits, including the advancement of less developed regions. These proceedings feature papers presented at the 4th International Workshop on the Socio-economic Impacts of High-Speed Rail. The focus is on impacts on the land-use system, competition vs. integration with alternative transport modes, investment, and evaluation. The book provides an overview of the current state of practice from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. As such, it is of interest to academics in transport economics and related fields, as well as professionals in the transport industry.
Sociological Insights on Mental Health and Distress
by Teresa L. Scheid S. Megan SmithIntroduces students to the study of the social forces that shape mental health and empowers the next generation to make an impact on mental health management As the prevalence of mental health issues worldwide continues to grow, an active area of sociology is investigating the social causes and consequences of mental health and illness. Young people are especially vulnerable to the current mental health crisis—they are more frequently experiencing social isolation, family stressors, difficulties establishing social relationships, and heightened levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. Using a relatable and accessible narrative style, Sociological Insights on Mental Health and Distress helps students understand the connections between mental health issues and their social and structural determinants. Integrating classical and contemporary sociological theory, this concise textbook examines mental health from four key sociological perspectives: social context, social integration, stress, and stigma. Special emphasis is placed on the role of social media and cyberbullying in mental health concerns, global sources of anxiety such as COVID-19 and climate change, and emerging topics including neuro-divergencies in mental health problems and suicide in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Supported by a wealth of pedagogical tools and an extensive companion website, Sociological Insights on Mental Health and Distress is the perfect textbook for undergraduate courses in the sociology of mental health, health and illness, psychological and sociological deviance, and social problems, as well as interdisciplinary courses in criminal justice, public health, social work, and psychology.
Sociological Perspectives of Organic Agriculture: From Pioneer to Policy
by Georgina Holt Matthew ReedThis book takes a fresh look at understanding the dynamics of the organic agricultural sector in Europe, Australia, South America and the US and depicts organic agriculture as an engine of growth for the organic sector and examines the important roles played by producers, and other parts of the supply chain such as consumers and certification standards. The authors demonstrate that the complexity of organic agriculture is closely connected to nature, society and economy.
The Sociology of Food and Agriculture
by Michael CarolanIn this second edition of The Sociology of Food and Agriculture, students are provided with a substantially revised and updated introductory text to this emergent field. The book begins with the recent development of agriculture under capitalism and neo-liberal regimes, and the transformation of farming and peasant agriculture from a small-scale, family-run way of life to a globalized system. Topics such as the global hunger and obesity challenges, GM foods, and international trade and subsidies are assessed as part of the world food economy. The final section concentrates on themes of sustainability, food security, and food sovereignty. The book concludes on a positive note, examining alternative agri-food movements aimed at changing foodscapes at levels from the local to the global. With increased coverage of the financialization of food, food and culture, gender, ethnicity and justice, food security, and food sovereignty, the book is perfect for students with little or no background in sociology and is also suitable for more advanced courses as a comprehensive primer. All chapters include learning objectives, suggested discussion questions, and recommendations for further reading to aid student learning.