The Silhouettes of Autism

My passion as a student at the Claremont Colleges is to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder grow and learn as normal children and to help prepare them for life outside the Autism Center at Claremont McKenna College. In my thesis project, I am exploring the concept of silhouettes through photography and my perceptions of the stories told to me by the children I teach. Esthetically, I am inspired by Kara Walker’s installation of large cutout silhouettes but I am using different mediums to accomplish my project: Artistically, I am inspired by the detailed descriptions of the obsessive stories and information provided to me by the children at the Autism Center. Primarily, I will be using photographs that I have taken of the children and creating silhouetted images of them through Photoshop. Afterwards, I will paint my perceptions of the detailed and creative descriptions of the different information relayed to me by each individual child. Secondary, there will be some life size black cutouts, on black paper, of different imagined scenarios with the children. In the spring, I see this as an installation with many separate pieces that contain different sizes, depth, and simplicity

On growth patterns and mechanisms in arctic-alpine shrubs

Arctic-alpine ecosystems are considered hot-spots of environmental change, with rapidly warming conditions causing massive alterations in vegetational structure. These changes and their environmental controls are highly complex and variable across spatial and temporal scales. Yet, despite their numerous implications for the global climate system, the underlying physiological processes and mechanisms at the individual plant scale are still little explored. Using, for the first time systematically and to a greater extent, hourly recordings of shrub stem diameter change provided by dendrometers, paired with on-site environmental conditions, enabled us to shed light on these processes. In this way, growth patterns in three widely distributed shrub species were assessed and linked to thermal and hygric conditions. Starting with a close examination of one evergreen species under extreme environmental conditions, followed by a comparison of evergreen and deciduous species, and, finally, a comparative look at growth patterns across local micro-habitats, our analysis revealed distinct growth strategies, closely linked to species-specific water-use dynamics and cambial rhythms. Within the heterogenous alpine landscape these conditions were mainly attributed to the variation in local micro-habitats, defined by fine-scale topography and consequent variation in snow conditions and exposure. Thus, the overall growth success was mainly controlled by complex seasonal dynamics of soil moisture availability, snow conditions, and associated freeze–thaw cycles and was therefore in many cases decoupled from governing regional climate signals. At the same time, exceedingly high summer temperatures were limiting shrub growth during the main growing season, resulting in more or less pronounced bimodal growth patterns, indicating potential growth limitation with on-going summer warming. While shrubs are currently able to maximize their growth success through a high level of adaptation to local micro-site conditions, their continued growth under rapidly changing conditions is uncertain. However, our results suggest a high level of heterogeneity across spatial and temporal scales. Thus, broad-scale vegetational shifts can not be explained by a singular driver or uniform response pattern. Instead, fine-scale physiological processes and on-site near ground environmental conditions have to be incorporated into our understanding of these changes

Contrasting Growth Response of Evergreen and Deciduous Arctic-Alpine Shrub Species to Climate Variability

Broad-scale changes in arctic-alpine vegetation and their global effects have long been recognized and labeled one of the clearest examples of the terrestrial impacts of climate change. Arctic-alpine dwarf shrubs are a key factor in those processes, responding to accelerated warming in complex and still poorly understood ways. Here, we look closely into such responses of deciduous and evergreen species, and for the first time, we make use of high-precision dendrometers to monitor the radial growth of dwarf shrubs at unprecedented temporal resolution, bridging the gap between classical dendroecology and the underlying growth physiology of a species. Using statistical methods on a five-year dataset, including a relative importance analysis based on partial least squares regression, linear mixed modeling, and correlation analysis, we identified distinct growth mechanisms for both evergreen (Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum) and deciduous (Betula nana) species. We found those mechanisms in accordance with the species respective physiological requirements and the exclusive micro-environmental conditions, suggesting high phenotypical plasticity in both focal species. Additionally, growth in both species was negatively affected by unusually warm conditions during summer and both responded to low winter temperatures with radial stem shrinking, which we interpreted as an active mechanism of frost protection related to changes in water availability. However, our analysis revealed contrasting and inter-annually nuanced response patterns. While B. nana benefited from winter warming and a prolonged growing season, E. hermaphroditum showed high negative sensitivity to spring cold spells after an earlier growth start, relying on additional photosynthetic opportunities during snow-free winter periods. Thus, we conclude that climate–growth responses of dwarf shrubs in arctic-alpine environments are highly seasonal and heterogenic, and that deciduous species are overall likely to show a positive growth response to predicted future climate change, possibly dominating over evergreen competitors at the same sites, contributing to the ongoing greening trend.publishedVersio

How does spatial heterogeneity affect inter- and intraspecific growth patterns in tundra shrubs?

1. Arctic and alpine ecosystems are strongly affected by rapidly changing environmental conditions, resulting in profound vegetation shifts, which are highly heterogeneous and hard to predict, yet have strong global impacts. Shrubs have been identified as a key driver of these shifts. In this study, we aim to improve the understanding of how such broad-scale vegetation changes are locally impacted by inter- and intraspecific plasticity and topographically driven heterogeneity in microsite conditions. 2. We assessed continuous stem diameter variation of three dominant tundra shrub species at daily resolution during 5 years, using high-precision dendrometers, thus bridging the gap between classical dendroecology and plant physiology. From this data, we identified distinct growth patterns which we linked to microsite environmental drivers. 3. The observed patterns appeared highly variable depending on site and species, strongly influenced by characteristics of the individual plant. As the main driver of this variability, we identified fine-scale topographic complexity, causing the sampled specimens to adjust locally by developing distinct growth strategies. We found these strategies strongly related to snow-cover variation and associated freezing and thawing. Predicted changes in winter conditions and associated snow regimes will therefore have strong effects on shrub growth and community structure, yet, these effects are highly complex and not uniform in direction. 4. Synthesis. The ability to adapt in a heterogeneous environment appeared highly differentiated between species and closely connected to intraspecific plasticity. Here, we identified spatial variability related to local topography as a main indicator for potential future redistribution and niche shifts in response to environmental change.publishedVersio

The application of dendrometers to alpine dwarf shrubs – a case study to investigate stem growth responses to environmental conditions

Considering the recent widespread greening and browning trends associated with shrubs in arctic–alpine ecosystems, further understanding of how these shrubs respond in a rapidly changing environment is of crucial importance. We here monitor shrub growth, using high-precision dendrometers to produce fine-scale intra-annual growth patterns from hourly stem diameter variability in a widespread evergreen species (Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum). Measurements were taken at a micrometer scale for the period 2015 till 2018 on exposed and mostly snow-free ridge positions. With the same temporal resolution, we collected near-ground environmental data and identified on-site controls of growth behavior. We found high inter-plant variability in radial stem growth but strong similarities in response patterns to the local environment. Our results suggest that the evergreen species is highly adapted to the specific local conditions, remaining partly photosynthetically active during the snow-free winter, which facilitates carbohydrate accumulation for early-season physiological activities. Additionally, we discovered a phase of radial stem shrinkage during the winter months, which can be attributed to an active cell water reduction to protect the plant from frost damage. We conclude that soil moisture availability and winter snow conditions are the main drivers of radial stem growth of E. hermaphroditum in arctic and alpine regions and could negatively affect the species' distribution in a warming climate

The problem of national identity within the German armies during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71

The German Wars of Unification between 1864 and 1871, which united the North German Confederation with the southern states, received only limited academic attention overall. Historians throughout Europe, more so in Germany, engaged primarily with political and military aspects of the conflicts whereby they focused strongly on Prussia and rarely accounted for other German states. In the field of cultural and social history, however, there is a significant lack of publications. Despite the historical importance of these wars, especially the Franco-Prussian War, the subject is often overshadowed by the global, more multifarious conflicts of the twentieth century which aroused the interest of academics. Therefore, research in this field is far from exhausted and the topic offers much room for further investigation

O planejamento tributário e o propósito negocial sob a ótica do CARF

O presente estudo tem como intuito analisar a aplicabilidade do instituto do propósito negocial, como elemento de validade para o planejamento tributário, no direito Brasileiro. A análise foi desenvolvida sob o enfoque da legalidade e legitimidade deste elemento, ante a sua falta de regulamentação e a utilização indiscriminada pelas Autoridades Administrativas. A partir do estudo aprofundado do planejamento tributário e do propósito negocial, demonstrando inclusive a inserção deste elemento no Direito Brasileiro, foi possível construir a base de fundamentação que suportou a análise crítica desenvolvida sobre a jurisprudência administrativa. Restou demonstradas a origem e as limitações que impedem a aplicação do instituto e comprovou-se que grande parte das decisões do Conselho Administrativo de Recursos Fiscais aplicam indiscriminadamente o propósito negocial como requisito de validade para os atos e negócios jurídicos, estando pautado principalmente no Princípio da Capacidade Contributiva. Por fim, examinou-se dois importantes julgamentos administrativos que afastam a necessidade de comprovação de motivo extratributário para validar o Planejamento Tributário orquestrados pelos contribuintes.The present research aims to analyze the applicability of the business purpose, as an element of validity of tax planning, in Brazilian legislation. The analysis was developed over the legality and legitimacy of this element, due to the lack of regulation and the indiscriminate use by the Administrative Authorities. Based on the in-depth study of tax planning and the business purpose, including demonstrating the insertion of this element in Brazilian Legislation, it was possible to build arguments that supported the critical analysis developed over administrative jurisprudence. The origin and limitations that prevent the application of the institute have been demonstrated and it has been proven that most decisions of The Board of Tax Appeals indiscriminately apply the business purpose as a validity requirement for legal acts and deals, being based solely on the Principle of Contributory Capacity. Finally, it was examined two important administrative judgments that waive the necessity to prove the business purpose to validate tax planning orchestrated by taxpayers

Dendrometer Measurements of Arctic-Alpine Dwarf Shrubs and Micro-Environmental Drivers of Plant Growth - Dataset from Long-Term Alpine Ecosystem Research in Central Norway (LTAER-NO)

Here, we present fine-scale measurements of stem diameter variation from three common arctic-alpine dwarf-shrub species monitored in two mountain regions of Central Norway. All three species (Betula nana, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, and Phyllodoce caerulea) are abundant within the studied regions and highly important contributors to potential future arctic-alpine vegetation shifts. A profound understanding of their radial growth patterns therefore has the potential to yield crucial information regarding climate-growth relations within these ecosystems. We used high-resolution dendrometers (type DRO) to monitor 120 specimens, taking measurements near the shoot base of one major horizontal stem. Along with the shrub growth measurements, we measured on-site micro-environmental data at each studied site, including shoot zone and root zone temperatures as well as soil moisture. All data were recorded at an hourly scale and are presented as daily mean values. The monitoring period spanned five full years (2015 - 2019), with additional data from 2014 and 2020. Data were collected within one of the most continental climate regions of Europe, the Vågå/Innlandet region, and in the oceanic climate region Geiranger/Møre og Romsdal, spanning a steep climate gradient over just ~100 km horizontal distance. Both study regions are characterized by steep elevational gradients and highly heterogeneous micro-topography. The studied sites were chosen to represent these natural conditions using the transect principle. The collection of our original data is subject of our long-term alpine ecosystem monitoring program since 1991, from which numerous publications function as the basis for a recent project on the use of dendrometer data in alpine ecosystem studies.publishedVersio

Annual ring width in the mediterranean-alpine shrub species Cytisus galianoi - dataset from long-term alpine ecosystem research in the Sierra Nevada, Spain (Ltaer-es)

This is a datapaper including microscopically measured data of annual ring widths from the Mediterranean-alpine shrub species Cytisus galianoi (Sierra Nevada, Spain). The dataset will be updated with future measurements.publishedVersio

Práticas críticas no espaço urbano: Trisha Brown, Duane Michals e Bernard Tschumi

O artigo inscreve-se no campo de estudos sobre “estética e cidade”, trazendo à luz similaridades entre algumas práticas críticas de apropriação do espaço urbano realizadas nos anos 1970 na arquitetura, na dança e na fotografia. Para tanto, toma como objeto obras da coreógrafa Trisha Brown, do fotógrafo Duane Michals e do arquiteto Bernard Tschumi. A partir da constituição de um breve contexto histórico e cultural e da leitura de seus trabalhos, o estudo foca questionamentos disciplinares e horizontes críticos dessas práticas, delineando aspectos comuns. Dentre eles, tem-se a investigação acerca dos acontecimentos cotidianos no espaço urbano e a construção de relações dialéticas entre estrutura e acontecimento, como forma de introdução de aspectos políticos nas linguagens. Em seguida, o texto analisa os desdobramentos das práticas desses autores e os coloca em perspectiva com o contexto atual, em que ações nas artes e na arquitetura procuram confrontar a conformação de consensos na produção do espaço urbano. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Acontecimento. Cidade. Estética. Práticas críticas