text:
Oktoberfest in Greenfield
Seventh-annual event takes place this Saturday
Returning for the seventh year this weekend is the G3, Grow Greater Greenfield Oktoberfest, which will be held in downtown Greenfield from 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.
Held annually in an attempt to revitalize the village's downtown area, the event will feature an opening ceremony with remarks from Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin and the traditional breaking of a pretzel at 4 p.m.
There will be the usual games and attractions like the rubber chicken toss contest, pumpkin cornhole contest, a straw maze, root beer mug race, bouncy house, barrel train and pumpkin bowling, which G3 member Shari Royse-Bellar said will be free to anyone who wants to enter.
She said the emphasis of Oktoberfest and other G3 events is to promote the revitalization of Greenfield as a natural resource and a fun, historic place to play.
"Our main emphasis is to revitalize the downtown, as we believe the success and future of our town starts with the downtown," Royse-Bellar said. "We want to promote our beautiful downtown, businesses and encourage folks to shop and support our local businesses, and to make Greenfield a destination."
Royse-Bellar said organizers are currently working on research and paperwork to qualify Greenfield on the National Register of Historic Downtowns.
"This is a very in-depth and timely project, but members are working hard to make this happen," she said. "This would open up many opportunities with grants and other resources. We love our community and want to make it the best it can be."
There be plenty of other activities Saturday, including a variety of craft/artisan vendors; a selfie photo booth; a German dessert contest; the Doxie Derby, or race between dachshund dogs; the Zinzinnati Bier Band; and a polka dance lesson to make the band experience more fun.
A bier garten will be open at 4 p.m. with a variety of draft beers. It will be manned by the St. Benignus Knights Of Columbus. Entry into the bier garten will be $10, which includes a reusable, insulated souvenir cup and two draft brews; or an $8 offering with the cup and one beer ticket.
The Greenfield Lions Club will be selling a selection of German foods.
Following is a schedule of events:
4 p.m. — Opening ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance, Concerned Veterans of Greenfield, opening remarks
4-9 p.m. — Vendors, food, barrel train, pumpkin painting, face painting, chalk art, bier garten
5 p.m. — Zinzinnati Bier Band
5:30 p.m. — Polka lesson
6 p.m. — Chicken toss throwing contest
6:30 p.m. — Doxie Derby
7 p.m. — Pumpkin cornhole throwing contest
7 p.m. — Dessert contest judging, winner announcement, raffle
7:30 p.m. — Root beer mug race
8 p.m. — Winners of chicken toss announced
For more information, visit Grow Greater Greenfield on Facebook.
"There will be something for everyone at the G3, Grow Greater Greenfield Oktoberfest," G3 said in a news release. "Please come out to our fun, family-friendly event and support the efforts of G3."
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522.
Hi! A visitor to our site felt the following article might be of interest to you: Oktoberfest in Greenfield. Here is a link to that story: https://www.recordherald.com/news/31262/oktoberfest-in-greenfield

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Arlington's Science curriculum at the elementary level consists of units of study that have been developed to align with the state's science & technology standards. Many units review previous studies then expand upon the children's knowledge and ever increasing ability to understand things in greater detail.
Moon Unit: Students discover evidence that the moon phases are relative to Earth's perspective. This includes observations of the moon and a review of the moon phases.
Ecosystems Units: Students build, observe & investigate terrariums & aquariums using soda bottle containers.
Rocks, Soil and Weathering: This includes a review of rocks and minerals, and a comparison of the three types of rocks. Students examine the differences of weathering & erosion, & explore soil's composition.
Weather and the Water Cycle: Students review & expand their understandings of weather and gain an understanding of different climates and their usual weather patterns. Students explore how water changes its state during the cycle on Earth.
Energy & Matter Units: Students explore, demonstrate & describe properties of different forms of matter using ordinary materials within the classroom Students distinguish energy from matter. They also explore some of the forms of energy: mechanical, heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism. They identify the conversion of one form to another and discover the properties of light and shadows. They review simple circuits and the expand their understanding to include the relationship between electricity and magnetism to then build an electromagnet. Throughout these units, students explore the interactions between various forms of energy and different materials.
Animal Classification Unit: Students work in groups to classify animals into six major groups. We research and describe the characteristics & adaptations.
Science Camp: Students spend three nights & four days at W. Alton Jones in Rhode Island. This provides a unique experience with nature & promotes cooperation through group activities. It also supports our science studies. Some of the topics include: adaptations, astronomy, ponding, skills of observation, & animal/plant characteristics.
Science Homework: We're always working to regenerate previously learned material & to gain a greater understanding of these topics. To that end, we are ALWAYS preparing for a test. Students should regularly review topics, terms, and notes & be able to explain what we are doing. Please question them about what they are learning, especially if you don't see assigned science homework. Weekly homework and occasional projects will come home from time to time. Late work will result in lower grades. A Science workbook will likely be assigned midyear which will reinforce the concepts being learned and will help prepare students for the MCAS testing in May.
Science Responsibilities: If your child does not understand material, it is her/his responsibility to get help as soon as possible. Participation is expected and is considered part of the effort grade. Proper science attitude is needed and is also part of the grade. Careful, good detailed work, precise language and inquisitiveness make a good scientific mindset. Organization and maintenance of science papers is mandatory. This, too, is part of the grade. If your child comes to class without materials or homework, work may be completed at the next recess.
Absences from Science: Students are expected to catch up with the teacher to make up missing lessons and assignments. This may necessitate after school appointments and/or work during recess. It is your child's responsibility to approach the teacher to make up missed work.


Every Sunday we welcome guests from all over the island to our Sunday BBQ buffet lunch in Sauteurs. Sometimes they live locally in Grenada, other times they are guests who are staying at other hotels. Our BBQ buffet has managed to get quite a name for itself and there's usually quite a crowd. Once in a while, we'll also have live music for you.
Situated on the beautiful north coast with views stretching all the way to Carriacou and the Grenadines, our location is memorable, romantic and refreshing. The breeze is fresh and cool. We overlook the beach and you'll feel restored and energized.
Before lunch, Sunday mornings bring a chance to take a walk to the nearby village of Duquesne. It's a 2.7-mile walk through the village of David and along the beautiful coastline. It's a fairly easy walk, relatively flat and suitable for most people.
Enjoying a walk is a great way to stay healthy and to socialise with guests and some of the neighbours, as they often like to join us.
You can find out more about our walk here.
If you've yet to try our Sunday BBQ lunch, then here's what you need to know.
For just EC$55 per person, you can certainly get a good filling. If you'd like more than one meat, that's possible too for another EC$15 for each extra meat.
We charge drinks and desserts separately, but everybody certainly enjoys the meal and it sets them up for the rest of the day. If you would like a dessert you can choose one of our homemade ice cream flavours, cake or anything that our kitchen has on offer. Ask your server about desserts. We stock a full bar, including soft drinks, beers and wines. Alternatively, you may want to try one of our cocktails.
We prefer to know if you're coming, so please make a reservation with us on 442-5252 so that we can tell the kitchen. They can then ensure that there's plenty for everybody.


text:
Meet Our Kindermusik Educators
Our captivating teachers have a magical way of engaging all the children in the classroom, at whatever developmental and emotional level they enter. Every child matters to us, and it shows through the high quality classroom experience. Fall in love with your teacher, the very way your teacher will fall in love with your child!
"There are so many wonderful things I could say about not only the concept and fundamentals behind Kindermusik, but also the special teacher that Ms. Christa is! My now 8 month old son and I have been going to classes since he was 5 months old and it has been amazing to see him develop over this short time. Children at all ages, but particularly young pups, learn by example, play, song, and repetition. The course material is set up to facilitate this and Christa is phenomenal at giving parents ideas for how to incorporate these lessons at home!
Lastly, Kindermusik with Christa values getting your money's worth. At Henry's age, he has had his fair share of illnesses and Christa has encouraged make up classes so we don't miss out. If you are even considering Kindermusik, do it! You won't be disappointed!" - mom Courtney
Miss Christa, Program Owner and Licensed Kindermusik Educator
Christa Beck is a licensed and certified Kindermusik Educator and began teaching in 2001. Christa has received the award of Top Program from Kindermusik. This award recognizes exemplary service as a Kindermusik Educator placing Christa in the top 5 percent of educators in the world for building a truly expansive program. Christa is from Greensburg, PA. A graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, she also holds a Masters degree from Wake Forest University. While classically trained in piano, she has served in accompanist, organist, and choir director positions. She has also served as a coach for Kindermusik University for five years, training and supporting new Kindermusik educators and business owners Christa & husband Phil have 3 children; Kathryn, 23, Corey 22 and Joshua, 18. She looks forward to touching the lives of children and parents through the joy and love of music.
Miss Carrie, Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Group Piano Instructor
Carrie Harris has taught Kindermusik for eight years. Prior to teaching Kindermusik she taught elementary general music in the Penn Hills and McKeesport school districts. She has a BS in Education, Music Education from Clarion University. Carrie has been involved with music for most of her life. She plays piano and flute, which she plays at church and whenever she gets the opportunity. Carrie and her husband, Bob, have two daughters, Katie, 10 and Annabelle, 6. Both Katie and Annabelle have been in classes since they were 5 months old. Carrie loves watching families come together in Kindermusik classes. Seeing children grow and learn with music and watching them have fun as a family is why she loves teaching Kindermusik! Miss Carrie is also our most beloved group piano instructor.
Miss Megan, Licensed Kindermusik Educator
Megan Reid is a certified elementary, English language arts, and music teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and German from Allegheny College and a Master of Science in Education from Duquesne University. Before becoming a mostly stay-at-home mom, Megan taught fourth and fifth grades in the Fox Chapel Area School District. In addition, Megan has instructed students of varied ages in piano and Highland bagpipes. Although her primary instrument is the piano, she also enjoys playing bagpipes with the Seton Hill University Pipe Band, bass with her husband's bluegrass ensembles, and experimenting with other instruments. Megan became a licensed Kindermusik educator in August 2016. Megan's two daughters, Margaret and Miriam, each began Kindermusik classes at five months old and have thrived in the program. Having a love for teaching and seeing her daughters flourish in Kindermusik classes provided the inspiration to become a Kindermusik educator.
Miss Alison, Licensed Kindermusik Educator
Alison Dobies majored in Theater at Clarion University. Over her 4 years there she was part of several shows a year, including dance concerts, musicals and plays, and choral concerts. She worked onstage and off in various positions, learning many of the different aspects of performance. Alison's love for music began at a young age. She grew up in DuBois, PA, where she was involved with choir in school and church, as early as she was able to. In high school Alison joined the band and the show choir. She took part in several theatrical productions in school and in the community. In 2002, Alison moved to the Natrona Heights area back to her husbands hometown. Before her son Leo's first birthday, they enrolled in a Kindermusik class. Alison and her family immediately fell in love with the class and all of its benefits. Now Alison is thrilled to be a Kindermusik educator, where she incorporates her great love of music, with her joy of interacting with children.
Check out what we are offering in all of our locations here


text:
Q: Finding product of odds in an array recursively This is the original problem:
Write a recursive, int valued method named productOfOdds that accepts an integer array and the number of elements in the array, and returns the product of the odd-valued elements of the array. You may assume the array has at least one odd-valued element. The product of the odd-valued elements of an integer-valued array recursively may be calculated as follows:

*

*If the array has a single element and it is odd, return the value of that element; otherwise return 1.

*Otherwise, if the first element of the array is odd, return the product of that element and the result of finding the product of the odd elements of the rest of the array; if the first element is NOT odd, simply return the result of finding the product of the odd elements of the rest of the array.
This is what I have and I can't figure out why it's not working:
public static int productOfOdds(int[] arr, int index)
{
    if (index == 1)
    {
        if ((arr[0]%2) != 0)
            return arr[0];
        else
            return 1;
    }
    else if ((arr[0] % 2) != 0)
        return (arr[0] * productOfOdds(arr, index - 1));
    else
        return productOfOdds(arr, index - 1);
}

A: I believe for this part:
else if ((arr[0] % 2) != 0)
    return (arr[0] * productOfOdds(arr, index - 1));

You meant to say:
else if ((arr[index] % 2) != 0)
    return (arr[index] * productOfOdds(arr, index - 1));

By using 0 here instead of index your result will always be

*

*1 if arr[0] is even

*arr[0] if it is odd

A: The problem is that, while you pass in your index, you don't check the array value at your index, but the array value at 0.  This should fix the problem:
public static int productOfOdds(int[] arr, int index){
    if (index == 1)
    {
        if ((arr[index-1]%2) != 0)
             return arr[index-1];
        else
             return 1;

    }

    else if((arr[index-1]%2) != 0 )
         return (arr[index-1] * productOfOdds(arr, index-1));
    else
         return productOfOdds(arr, index-1);
}

A: The reason it is not working is that you never calculate anything that's not the first array element. There is nothing in your recursion that causes it to go to the second element, the third and so on.
What may be confusing is the fact the parameter that expresses the length of the array is called index. But you're treating it like length. Anyway, let's see what you are doing here:
Your end condition seems good - if the length is 1, test the only element that exists, and do as the assignment text tells you to do.
But what about the recursion step?
Suppose you have two elements and the first one is odd. Your index is 2. So you call the same function with the same array and 1. This will return the value of the element in position zero. And then you multiply it by the element at position zero. If your array was 8 elements long, it would still be multiplying by the same first element, so you basically get (arr[0])length (if it's odd) or 1 (if it's not odd).
You have two ways to solve this problem.
Go with only one parameter, but against the text of the assignment
To do this, you have to check the last element of the array. So if your array length 1, you do as you did so far. But if it's greater than 1, you have to do:
if ( arr[index-1]%2 != 0 ) {
    return arr[index-1]*productOfOdds(arr,index-1);
} else {
    return productOfOdds(arr,index-1);
}

Go with two parameters, but follow the letter of the assignment
To do this, you have to also pass the parameter that says where the subarray starts. That is, you check the first element of the array, but tell the recursive step to check from the second element forward. Basically, you tell your method "Look at this array as if it's starting at position startIndex rather than 0".
private static int productOfOdds(int[] arr, int startIndex, int length) {
    if (length == 1)  {
        if ((arr[startIndex]%2) != 0)
            return arr[startIndex];
        else
            return 1;

    } else if((arr[startIndex]%2) != 0 )
         return (arr[startIndex] * productOfOdds(arr, startIndex + 1, length-1));
    else
         return productOfOdds(arr, startIndex+1, length-1));
}

public static int productOfOdds(int[] arr, int length ) {
    return productOfOdds( arr, 0, length );
}

The second method with just two parameters is there in order to follow the letter of your assignment, which was to have a method that accepts an array and its length only. Internally it works with three parameters, but to the world you present a two-parameter method (note the private vs public modifiers).
Personally, I think the first method is more elegant, despite the fact that your instructor told you to use the first element.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
* [Overview](route.md#overview)
* [Built-in Routers](route.md#built-in-routers)
  * [Matchers](route.md#matchers)
  * [Extractors](route.md#extractors)
* [Composing Routers](route.md#composing-routers)
* [Endpoints](route.md#endpoints)
* [Coproduct Routers](route.md#coproduct-routers)
* [Filters and Endpoints](route.md#filters-and-endpoints)

--

### Overview

The `io.finch.route` package provides _combinators_ API for building HTTP routers in Finch.

At the high level, `Router[A]` might be treated as a function `Route => Option[(Route, A)]`. It takes an HTTP route,
which is a pair of HTTP method and HTTP path, and returns an `Option` of both the remaining route and the extracted value.
Although, there is a special case of the `Router[A]` called `Matcher`, which doesn't extract any value from input but
matches it. So `Matcher` it's viewed as a function `Route => Option[Route]`. In fact, `Matcher` is just a case of
`Router[HNil]`, where `HNil` is an empty heterogeneous list from [Shapeless][0].

### Built-in Routers

There are plenty of predefined routers that match the simple part of the route or extract some value from it. You can
get of all them by importing `io.finch.route._`.

#### Matchers

All the matchers are available via implicit conversions from strings, integers and booleans. The following code
illustrates this functionality:

```scala
val router: Matcher = "users" // matches the current part of path
```

Note that in the example above, `Matcher` may be safely substituted with `Router[HNil]`.

There is also an important type of matchers that match the HTTP method of the route. Finch supports _all_ the HTTP
methods via matchers with the corresponding names: `Post`, `Get`, `Patch`, etc.

```scala
val router: Matcher = Put // matches the HTTP method
```

Finally, there two special routers `*` and `**`. The `*` router always matches the current part of the given route,
while the `**` router always matches the whole route. Using both `*` and `**` routers you can build something like
fan-out proxy for the underlying services. In the example above, we redirect all the requests (with any method) like
`/users` to the `usersBackend` and requests like `/tickets` to the `ticketsBackend`.

```scala
val proxy =
  (* / "users" / ** /> usersBackend) |
  (* / "tickets" / ** /> ticketsBackend)

Httpx.serve(":8081", proxy)
```
#### Extractors

Things are getting interesting with extractors, i.e, `Router[A]`s. There are just four base extractors available for
integer, string, boolean and long values.

```scala
val s: Router[String] = string
val l: Router[Long] = long
```

By default, extractors named be their types, i.e., `"string"`, `"boolean"`, etc. But you can specify the custom name for
the extractor by calling the `apply` method on it. In the example below, the string representation of the router `b` is
`":flag"`.

```scala
val b: Router[Boolean] = boolean("flag")
```

### Composing Routers

It's time to catch the beauty of route combinators API by composing the complex routers out of the tiny routers we've
seen before. There are just three operators you will need to deal with:

* `/` or `andThen` that sequentially composes two routers into a `Router[L <: HList]` (see [Shapeless' HList][1])
* `|` or `orElse` that composes two routers of the same type in terms of boolean `or`
* `:+:` that composes two routers of different types in terms of boolean `or`
* `/>` or `map` that maps routers to the given function

Here is an example of router that matches a route `(GET|HEAD) /users/:id/tickets/:id` and extracts two integer values
`userId` and `ticketId` from it.

```scala
val router: Router[Int :: Int :: HNil] =>
  (Get | Head) / "users" / int("userId") / "tickets" / int("ticketId")
```

No matter what are the types of left-hand/right-hand routers (`HList`-based router or value router) when applied to `/`
compositor, the correctly constructed `HList` will be yielded as a result.

```scala
def foo(i: Int, s: String): Foo = ???
val router: Router[Int :: String :: HNil] =
  (Get: Router[HNil]) / ("foo": Router[HNil]) / (int: Router[Int]) / (string: Router[String])
val fooRouter: Router[Foo] = router /> foo
```

The `|` (or `orElse`) operator composes two routers in a _greedy_ manner. If both routers are able to match
the given route, the router chosen by the `orElse` operator is that which consumes more route tokens. In the example
above, the `GET /users/100` request will be routed to the `GetUser` service since in this case, the route (i.e. path)
matched by the second router (`"GET /users/100"`) is longer than the matched route of the first router (`"GET /users"`).

```scala
val users =
  (Get / "users" => GetAllUsers) |
  (Get / "users" / int => GetUser)
```

### Endpoints

**Important:** endpoints are deprecated in 0.7.0 (and will be removed in 0.8.0) in favour of
[Coproduct Routers](#coproduct-routers).

A router that extracts `Service[Req, Rep]` out of the route is called an `Endpoint[Req, Rep]`. In, fact it's just a type
alias `type Endpoint[-A, +B] = Router[Service[A, B]]`, which brings the endpoints to the insane composability level.
This gives us the ability to compose several endpoints together with the `|` or `orElse` operator. The usual practice is to
group endpoints by the resource that they work with.

```scala
val users: Endpoint[Request, Response] =
  (Get / "users" / long /> GetUser) |
  (Post / "users" /> PostUser) |
  (Get / "users" /> GetAllUsers)
```

Endpoints are implicitly convertible to Finagle `Service`s if there is an implicit view `Req => Request` available
in the scope. This means, that you can usually pass an endpoint into a `Httpx.serve` method call.

```scala
val endpoint: Endpoint[Request, Response] = users | tickets
Httpx.serve(":8081", endpoint)
```

`Service` with underlying endpoint tries to match the _full_ route and throws a `RouteNotFound` exception in case if
it's not possible. The following code shows how to handle a router exception.

```scala
val endpoint: Service[Request, Response] = users
endpoint(request) handle {
  case RouteNotFound(route) => NotFound(route)
}
```

### Coproduct Routers

The `|` compositor is pretty useful for the simple cases when both underlying types `A` and `B` may be substituted with
a single super type `C` such that `C >: A` and `C >: B` (usually that means that `A =:= B`). Although, it should be also
possible to compose two routers of completely different types. This is pretty doable with the `:+:` compositor that
composes two routers into a `Router[C <: Coproduct]`, where `Coproduct` is [Shapeless' disjoint union type][2].

```scala
case class Foo(i: Int)
case class Bar(s: String)

val router: Router[Foo :+: Bar :+: CNil] =
  Get / "foo" /> Foo(10) :+:
  Get / "bar" /> Bar("bar")
```

Coproduct routers are aimed to solve the problem of programming with types that actually matter rather than dealing with
HTTP types directly. That said, any coproduct router may be converted into a Finagle HTTP service (i.e.,
`Service[Request, Response]`) under the certain circumstances: every type in a coproduct should be one of the
following.

* An `Response`
* A value of a type with an `EncodeResponse` instance
* A `Future` of `Response`
* A `Future` of a value of a type with an `EncodeResponse` instance
* A `RequestReader` that returns a value of a type with an `EncodeResponse` instance
* A Finagle service that returns an `Response`
* A Finagle service that returns a value of a type with an `EncodeResponse` instance

```scala
val foo: Router[Response] = Get / "foo" /> Ok("foo")
val bar: Router[Future[String]] = Get / "bar" / "bar".toFuture
val baz: Router[RequestReader[String]] = Get / "baz" /> param("baz")

val service: Service[Request, Response] =
  (foo :+: bar :+: baz).toService
```

### Filters and Endpoints

**Important:** endpoints are deprecated in 0.7.0 (and will be removed in 0.8.0) in favour of
[Coproduct Routers](#coproduct-routers).

It's hard two imagine a Finagle/Finch application without `Filter`s. While they are not really applicable to routers,
you can always convert `Router` to `Service` and then apply any set of filters. Thus, the common practice is to have
a joint endpoint converted into service as shown below.

```scala
val api: Service[Request, Response] = users | tickets
val backend: Service[Request, Response] = handleExceptions andThen doOtherAwesomeThings andThen api
```

**Important**: Please, note that route combinators along with `io.finch.route.Endpoint` type were introduced in 0.5.0
version. There is a conflicting class `io.finch.Endpoint` you have to be aware of. The old-style endpoint is going to
be deprecated in 0.6.0. So, it's totally recommended to use route combinators instead and mask the old-style endpoint
by `import io.finch.{Endpoint => _, _}`.

--
Read Next: [Endpoints](endpoint.md)

[0]: https://github.com/milessabin/shapeless
[1]: https://github.com/milessabin/shapeless/wiki/Feature-overview:-shapeless-2.0.0#heterogenous-lists
[2]: https://github.com/milessabin/shapeless/wiki/Feature-overview:-shapeless-2.0.0#coproducts-and-discriminated-unions

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Paper Count: 51
Search results for: Ecuador
51 Assessment of Cassava Varieties in Ecuador for the Production of Lactic Acid From Starch by-Products
Authors: Pedro Maldonado-Alvarado
An important cassava quality production was detected in Ecuador. However, in this country, few products with low adding-value are produced from the tuber and none from cassava by-products. To our best knowledge, lactic acid was produced from Ecuadorian cassava bagasse starch in a biotechnological way. The objective of this contribution was to study the influence of the fermentation variables (pH and agitation) on the lactic acid production of Ecuadorian cassava varieties from bagasse starch. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava bagasse starch for INIAP 650 and INIAP 651 varieties spread in Ecuador was performed using α-amylase and amyloglucosidase. Then, glucose was fermented by Lactobacillus leichmannii strains in different conditions of agitation (0 and 150 rpm) and pH (4.5, 5.0, and 5.5). Significant differences in ash, fibre, protein, lipids, and amylose were found in cassava bagasse starch of INIAP 650 and INIAP 651 with 1.4 and 1.3%, 4.3 and 6%, 1.2 and 2.1%, 1.9 and 1.5%, and 24.3 and 26.5%, respectively. The determination of lactic acid was performed by potentiometric and FTIR analysis. Conversions of cassava bagasse to reduced sugars were 71.7 and 85.1% for INIAP 650 and INIAP 651, respectively. The best lactic acid concentrations were 27.6 and 33.5 g/L, obtained at agitation 150 rpm and pH 5.5 for INIAP 650 and INIAP 651. Qualitative analysis conducted by FTIR spectrophotometry confirmed the presence of lactic acid in the reacted products. This investigation could contribute to the valorisation of residues from promising cassava varieties in Ecuador and hence to increase the development of this country.
Keywords: bagasse starch, cassava, Ecuador, fermentation, lactic acid
Procedia PDF Downloads 40
50 Modeling and Simulation of a Hybrid System Solar Panel and Wind Turbine in the Quingeo Heritage Center in Ecuador
Authors: Juan Portoviejo Brito, Daniel Icaza Alvarez, Christian Castro Samaniego
In this article, we present the modeling, simulations, and energy conversion analysis of the solar-wind system for the Quingeo Heritage Center in Ecuador. A numerical model was constructed based on the 19 equations, it was coded in MATLAB R2017a, and the results were compared with the experimental data of the site. The model is built with the purpose of using it as a computer development for the optimization of resources and designs of hybrid systems in the Parish of Quingeo and its surroundings. The model obtained a fairly similar pattern compared to the data and curves obtained in the field experimentally and detailed in manuscript. It is important to indicate that this analysis has been carried out so that in the near future one or two of these power generation systems can be exploited in a massive way according to the budget assigned by the Parish GAD of Quingeo or other national or international organizations with the purpose of preserving this unique colonial helmet in Ecuador.
Keywords: hybrid system, wind turbine, modeling, simulation, Smart Grid, Quingeo Azuay Ecuador
49 Ama de Casa: Gender Division of Labor the Response to Environmental and Economic Constraints, Ecuador
Authors: Tyrus C. Torres, Michael Harris
In a coastal town of Ecuador, the role of women is commonly defined as an ama de casa, a woman who works in the house, raises children, and contributes to the community. This project, under the guidance of Dr. Michael Harris from the Florida Atlantic University, seeks to understand how the role of an ama de casa provides a secure environment for men and women, coexists with economic and environmental constraints that explain the origins of how this environment has been formed. The coastal community aspects of familia (family), trabajo (work), relación (relationships), machismo (masculinity), feminista (femininity), and the culture of Ecuador define the ways of life in a coastal setting. This ethnographic research project included the following methodologies: environment mapping, conducting interviews, surveys, participant observation, direct and indirect observations, and integration into daily life. Immersion into the daily life and building relationships with the local people allowed the documentation of intricacies of both the cultural and social spheres. The findings of this research offer insight on how culture, economics, and environment can form female and male agency. Our investigation shows that occupations such as fishermen, laborers, ama de casas, and even students utilize occupational routes to create social agency in the face of economic and environmental constraints in Ecuador.
Keywords: Ecuador, ethnography, gender division of labor, gender roles
48 Renewable Energy System Eolic-Photovoltaic for the Touristic Center La Tranca-Chordeleg in Ecuador
Authors: Christian Castro Samaniego, Daniel Icaza Alvarez, Juan Portoviejo Brito
For this research work, hybrid wind-photovoltaic (SHEF) systems were considered as renewable energy sources that take advantage of wind energy and solar radiation to transform into electrical energy. In the present research work, the feasibility of a wind-photovoltaic hybrid generation system was analyzed for the La Tranca tourist viewpoint of the Chordeleg canton in Ecuador. The research process consisted of the collection of data on solar radiation, temperature, wind speed among others by means of a meteorological station. Simulations were carried out in MATLAB/Simulink based on a mathematical model. In the end, we compared the theoretical radiation-power curves and the measurements made at the site.
Keywords: hybrid system, wind turbine, modeling, simulation, validation, experimental data, panel, Ecuador
47 Authenticity of Ecuadorian Commercial Honeys
Authors: Elisabetta Schievano, Valentina Zuccato, Claudia Finotello, Patricia Vit
Control of honey frauds is needed in Ecuador to protect bee keepers and consumers because simple syrups and new syrups with eucalyptus are sold as genuine honeys. Authenticity of Ecuadorian commercial honeys was tested with a vortex emulsion consisting on one volume of honey:water (1:1) dilution, and two volumes of diethyl ether. This method allows a separation of phases in one minute to discriminate genuine honeys that form three phase and fake honeys that form two phases; 34 of the 42 honeys analyzed from five provinces of Ecuador were genuine. This was confirmed with 1H NMR spectra of honey dilutions in deuterated water with an enhanced aminoacid region with signals for proline, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Classic quality indicators were also tested with this method (sugars, HMF), indicators of fermentation (ethanol, acetic acid), and residues of citric acid used in the syrup manufacture. One of the honeys gave a false positive for genuine, being an admixture of genuine honey with added syrup, evident for the high sucrose. Sensory analysis was the final confirmation to recognize the honey groups studied here, namely honey produced in combs by Apis mellifera, fake honey, and honey produced in cerumen pots by Geotrigona, Melipona, and Scaptotrigona. This is a valuable contribution to protect honey consumers, and to develop the beekeeping industry in Ecuador.
Keywords: fake, genuine, honey, 1H NMR, Ecuador
46 Transformation of the Institutionality of International Cooperation in Ecuador from 2007 to 2017: 2017: A Case of State Identity Affirmation through Role Performance
Authors: Natalia Carolina Encalada Castillo
As part of an intended radical policy change compared to former administrations in Ecuador, the transformation of the institutionality of international cooperation during the period of President Rafael Correa was considered as a key element for the construction of the state of 'Good Living'. This intention led to several regulatory changes in the reception of cooperation for development, and even the departure of some foreign cooperation agencies. Moreover, Ecuador launched the initiative to become a donor of cooperation towards other developing countries through the 'South-South Cooperation' approach. All these changes were institutionalized through the Ecuadorian System of International Cooperation as a new framework to establish rules and policies that guarantee a sovereign management of foreign aid. Therefore, this research project has been guided by two questions: What were the factors that motivated the transformation of the institutionality of international cooperation in Ecuador from 2007 to 2017? and, what were the implications of this transformation in terms of the international role of the country? This paper seeks to answer these questions through Role Theory within a Constructivist meta-theoretical perspective, considering that in this case, changes at the institutional level in the field of cooperation, responded not only to material motivations but also to interests built on the basis of a specific state identity. The latter was only possible to affirm through specific roles such as 'sovereign recipient of cooperation' as well as 'donor of international cooperation'. However, the performance of these roles was problematic as they were not easily accepted by the other actors in the international arena or in the domestic level. In terms of methodology, these dynamics are analyzed in a qualitative way mainly through interpretive analysis of the discourse of high-level decision-makers from Ecuador and other cooperation actors. Complementary to this, document-based research of relevant information as well as interviews have been conducted. Finally, it is concluded that even if material factors such as infrastructure needs, trade and investment interests, as well as reinforcement of state control and monitoring of cooperation flows, motivated the institutional transformation of international cooperation in Ecuador; the essential basis of these changes was the search for a new identity for the country to be projected in the international arena. This identity started to be built but continues to be unstable. Therefore, it is important to potentiate the achievements of the new international cooperation policies, and review their weaknesses, so that non-reimbursable cooperation funds received as well as 'South-South cooperation' actions, contribute effectively to national objectives.
Keywords: Ecuador, international cooperation, Role Theory, state identity
45 The Other Dreamers: A Study of the Relationship between Returned Migration and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Pascual García, Francisco Ochoa, Jessica Ordoñez
The links between migration and development have been widely written and analyzed from different perspectives. However, the nexus between entrepreneurship and migration is of recent interest. The different studies related to this have focused on the ventures of ethnic enclaves, or on transnational businesses, which link the community of origin and destination. Beyond this perspective, this work analyzes the return migration, (a few studies until now, but forming part of a theoretical body of migration). As a result of the European crisis started between 2007-2008. Many Ecuadorians who lived in Europe, decided to return to their place of origin. The rise of the price of the oil and commodities presented a better panorama in Ecuador than in Europe. Faced with the magnitude of returnees, the opportunities for entrepreneurship in Ecuador increased (Accumulation of human capital, social capital, learned skills and capital). Thus there is an interest in the possibility of returned migrants in the country to start a business in their place of origin. The following study is the result of this. A survey of 110 returned migrants was carried out in the south of Ecuador and, using a Probit econometric model, we determined that the variables specified as geographic area, sex, education level are not significant, so they are not determinant when undertaking. However, time abroad and skills learned, if they were significant at the time of the decision to start a business.
Keywords: entrepreneurship, development, migration, returned migration
44 Entomological Origin of Honey Discriminated by NMR Chloroform Extracts in Ecuadorian Honey
Authors: P. Vit, J. Uddin, V. Zuccato, F. Maza, E. Schievano
In Ecuador honeys are produced by Apis mellifera and stingless bees (Meliponini). We studied honey produced in beeswax combs by Apis mellifera, and honey produced in pots by Geotrigona and Scaptotrigona bees. Chloroform extracts of honey were obtained for fast NMR spectra. The 1D spectra were acquired at 298 K, with a 600 MHz NMR Bruker instrument, using a modified double pulsed field gradient spin echoes (DPFGSE) sequence. Signals of 1H NMR spectra were integrated and used as inputs for PCA, PLS-DA analysis, and labelled sets of classes were successfully identified, enhancing the separation between the three groups of honey according to the entomological origin: A. mellifera, Geotrigona and Scaptotrigona. This procedure is therefore recommended for authenticity test of honey in Ecuador.
Keywords: Apis mellifera, honey, 1H NMR, entomological origin, meliponini
43 Spawning Induction and Early Larval Development of the Penshell Atrina maura (Sowerby, 1835) under Controlled Conditions in Ecuador
Authors: Jose Melena, Rosa Santander, Tanya Gonzalez, Richard Duque, Juan Illanes
Ecuador is one of the countries with the greatest aquatic biodiversity worldwide. In particular, there are at least a dozen native marine species with great aquaculture potential locally. This research concerns one of those species. It has proposed to implement experimental protocols in order to induce spawning and to generate the early larval development of the penshell Atrina maura under controlled conditions. Bioassays were carried out with one adult batch (n= 26) with an average valvar length of 307,6 ± 9,4 mm, which were collected in the Puerto El Morro Mangrove (2° 42' 33'' S, 80° 14' 28'' W), Guayas Province. During a short acclimation stage, five adults of penshell A. maura were sacrificed in order to determine their sexual maturity degree and to estimate their sex ratio. Dissection showed that three were ripe females (60%) and two were ripe males (40%). Later, three groups (n= 7 by each) were tested with two treatments in order to induce the broodstock spawning: thermal stress, osmotic shock, and one control. Spawning induction was achieved by the immersion in water to 0 g L⁻¹ per 1 h and immersion in sea water to 34 g L⁻¹ per 1 h. After the delivery of gametes, it was achieved 1,35 × 10⁶ viable zygotes. As results, fertilized eggs had 60 µm diameter; while first and second cell divisions were observed to 1 h post-fertilization, with individual average length of 65 ± 4 µm and polar body. Latter cell divisions, including gastrula stage, appeared at 9 h post-fertilization, with individual average length of 71 ± 4 µm; and trochophore stage at 16 h post-fertilization with individual average length of 75 ± 5 µm. In addition, veliger stage was registered at 20 h post-fertilization with individual average length of 81 ± 5 µm. Umboned larvae appeared at day 8 post-fertilization, with individual average length of 145 ± 6 µm. These pioneering results in Ecuador can strengthen the local conservation process of the overexploited A. maura and to encourage its production for commercial purposes.
Keywords: Atrina maura, Ecuador, larval development, spawning induction
42 The Role of the Returned Migration in the Regional Economic Growth
Authors: Jessica Ordoñez, Francisco Ochoa, Pascual García
The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between return migration in Ecuador and economic growth. The improvement of macroeconomic conditions in Latin America, starting in 2012, makes the region a new migratory destination, in both senses in north-south and south-south flows. Current studies highlight only the role of the entrepreneurial migrant in generating employment and economic growth in the region. Nevertheless, it has not been considered that not all migrants are entrepreneurs and that not all entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth. This research compares the socioeconomic and labor characteristics of migrant returnees working as freelancers in Ecuador. The principal aim is to demystify the role of migrant entrepreneurs in regional growth and to identify socioeconomic characteristics that can enhance growth. A panel econometric model was used, which is part of the information from labor and macroeconomic surveys.
Keywords: economic growth, entrepreneur, migration, returned migration
41 The Experience of Community-based Tourism in Yunguilla, Ecuador and Its Social-Cultural Impact
Authors: York Neudel
The phenomenon of tourism has been considered as tool to overcome cultural frontiers, to comprehend the other and to cope with mutual mistrust and suspicion. Well, that has been a myth, at least when it comes to mass-tourism. Other approaches, like community-based tourism, still are based on the idea of embracing the other in order to help or to understand the cultural difference. In 1997, two American NGOs incentivized a tourism-project in a community in the highlands of Ecuador, in order to protect the cloud forest from destructive exploitation of its own inhabitants. Nineteen years after that, I analyze in this investigation the interactions between the Ecuadorian hosts in the mestizo-community of Yunguilla and the foreign tourist in the quest for "authentic life" in the Ecuadorian cloud forest. As a sort of "contemporary pilgrim" the traveller tries to find authenticity in other times and places far away from their everyday life in Europe or North America. Therefore, tourists are guided by stereotypes and expectations that are produced by the touristic industry. The host, on the other hand, has to negotiate this pre-established imaginary. That generates a kind of theatre-play with front- and backstage in organic gardens, little fabrics and even private housing, since this alternative project offers to share the private space of the host with the tourist in the setting the community-based tourism. In order to protect their privacy, the community creates new hybrid spaces that oscillate between front- and backstages that culminates in a game of hide and seek – a phenomenon that promises interesting frictions for an anthropological case-study.
Keywords: Tourism, Authenticity, Community-based tourism, Ecuador, Yunguilla
40 Combined Effect of Gluten-Free Superfoods and by-Products from Ecuador to Evaluate the Functional and Sensory Properties of Breadmaking
Authors: Andrea Vasquez, Pedro Maldonado-Alvarado
In general, 'gluten-free' foods like breadmaking products provide functional or nutraceutical benefits for the consumer's health and increased their demand on the market. In Ecuador, there is an overproduction of superfoods, and the food by-products are undervalued. For the first time, to the author's best knowledge, gluten-free bread mixtures from quinoa and banana flour, cassava starch, lupine flour (LF), or whey protein (WP) with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and transglutaminase (TG) were evaluated on their functional and sensory properties. Free amino groups and thiols, rheology, and electrophoresis SDS PAGE were performed to analyze the crosslinking of TG at different concentrations with HC or PL proteins. Dough characterization, pasting properties were evaluated, respectively, by a MIXOLAB and a rheometer with a pasting cell. The texture, porosity, and loaf volume were characterized using a texturometer, ImageJ software, and breadmaking ability, respectively. Finally, a breadmaking aptitude and sensorial bread acceptability were performed. A significant decrease in the content of free amino groups (0.16 to 0.11 and 0.46 to 0.36 mM/mg of protein) and free thiol groups (0.37 to 0.21 and 1.79 to 1.32 mM/mg protein) was observed when 1.0% and 0.5% TG were added to LF and WP, respectively. In apparent viscosity analysis, the action of TG on HC proteins changes their viscosity, while the viscosity of LF is not modified by TG. Results of electrophoresis in PL showed bands of higher molecular weight of different fragments of proteins with 1% TG. Formulation with 59.8, 39.9, 160.8, 6.0, 1.0, and 1.5% of, respectively, QF, BF, CS, LF or WP, TG, and HPMC had the best properties in dough parameters, pasting parameters (lower pasting temperature and higher peak viscosity), best crumb structure, lower crumb hardness and higher loaf volume (2.24 and 2.28 mL/g). All the loaves of bread were acceptable in baking aptitude and general acceptability.
Keywords: breadmaking, gluten-free, superfoods, by-products, Ecuador
39 Sustainable Concepts Applied in the Pre-Columbian Andean Architecture in Southern Ecuador
Authors: Diego Espinoza-Piedra, David Duran
All architectural and land use processes are framed in a cultural, social and geographical context. The present study analyzes the Andean culture before the Spanish conquest in southern Ecuador, in the province of Azuay. This area has been habited for more than 10.000 years. The Canari and the Inca cultures occupied Azuay close to the arrival of the Spanish conquers. The Inca culture was settled in the Andes Mountains. The Canari culture was established in the south of Ecuador, on the actual provinces of Azuay and Canar. In contrast with history and archeology, to the best of our knowledge, their architecture has not yet been studied in this area because of the lack of architectural structures. Consequently, the present research reviewed the land use and culture for architectonic interpretations. The two main architectural objects in these cultures were dwellings and public buildings. In the first case, housing was conceived as temporary. It had to stand as long as its inhabitants lived. Therefore, houses were built when a couple got married. The whole community started the construction through the so-called 'minga' or collective work. The construction materials were tree branches, reeds, agave, ground, and straw. So that when their owners aged and then died, this house was easily disarmed and overthrown. Their materials become part of the land for agriculture. Finally, this cycle was repeated indefinitely. In the second case, the buildings, which we can call public, have presented erroneous interpretations. They have been defined as temples. But according to our conclusions, they were places for temporary accommodation, storage of objects and products, and in some special cases, even astronomical observatories. These public buildings were settled along the important road system called 'Capac-Nam', currently declared by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage. The buildings had different scales at regular distances. Also, they were established in special or strategic places, which constituted a system of observatories. These observatories allowed to determine the cycles or calendars (solar or lunar) necessary for the agricultural production, as well as other natural phenomena. Most of the current minimal existence of physical structures in quantity and state of conservation is at the level of foundations or pieces of walls. Therefore, this study was realized after the identification of the history and culture of the inhabitants of this Andean region.
Keywords: Andean, pre-Colombian architecture, Southern Ecuador, sustainable
38 Study and Conservation of Cultural and Natural Heritages with the Use of Laser Scanner and Processing System for 3D Modeling Spatial Data
Authors: Julia Desiree Velastegui Caceres, Luis Alejandro Velastegui Caceres, Oswaldo Padilla, Eduardo Kirby, Francisco Guerrero, Theofilos Toulkeridis
It is fundamental to conserve sites of natural and cultural heritage with any available technique or existing methodology of preservation in order to sustain them for the following generations. We propose a further skill to protect the actual view of such sites, in which with high technology instrumentation we are able to digitally preserve natural and cultural heritages applied in Ecuador. In this project the use of laser technology is presented for three-dimensional models, with high accuracy in a relatively short period of time. In Ecuador so far, there are not any records on the use and processing of data obtained by this new technological trend. The importance of the project is the description of the methodology of the laser scanner system using the Faro Laser Scanner Focus 3D 120, the method for 3D modeling of geospatial data and the development of virtual environments in the areas of Cultural and Natural Heritage. In order to inform users this trend in technology in which three-dimensional models are generated, the use of such tools has been developed to be able to be displayed in all kinds of digitally formats. The results of the obtained 3D models allows to demonstrate that this technology is extremely useful in these areas, but also indicating that each data campaign needs an individual slightly different proceeding starting with the data capture and processing to obtain finally the chosen virtual environments.
Keywords: laser scanner system, 3D model, cultural heritage, natural heritage
37 A Multi-Layer Based Architecture for the Development of an Open Source CAD/CAM Integration Virtual Platform
Authors: Alvaro Aguinaga, Carlos Avila, Edgar Cando
This article proposes a n-layer architecture, with a web client as a front-end, for the development of a virtual platform for process simulation on CNC machines. This Open-Source platform includes a CAD-CAM interface drawing primitives, and then used to furnish a CNC program that triggers a touch-screen virtual simulator. The objectives of this project are twofold. First one is an educational component that fosters new alternatives for the CAD-CAM/CNC learning process in undergrad and grade schools and technical and technological institutes emphasizing in the development of critical skills, discussion and collaborative work. The second objective puts together a research and technological component that will take the state of the art in CAD-CAM integration to a new level with the development of optimal algorithms and virtual platforms, on-line availability, that will pave the way for the long-term goal of this project, that is, to have a visible and active graduate school in Ecuador and a world wide Open-Innovation community in the area of CAD-CAM integration and operation of CNC machinery. The virtual platform, developed as a part of this study: (1) delivers improved training process of students, (2) creates a multidisciplinary team and a collaborative work space that will push the new generation of students to face future technological challenges, (3) implements industry standards for CAD/CAM, (4) presents a platform for the development of industrial applications. A protoype of this system was developed and implemented in a network of universities and technological institutes in Ecuador.
Keywords: CAD-CAM integration, virtual platforms, CNC machines, multi-layer based architecture
36 Simulation of Technological, Energy and GHG Comparison between a Conventional Diesel Bus and E-bus: Feasibility to Promote E-bus Change in High Lands Cities
Authors: Riofrio Jonathan, Fernandez Guillermo
Renewable energy represented around 80% of the energy matrix for power generation in Ecuador during 2020, so the deployment of current public policies is focused on taking advantage of the high presence of renewable sources to carry out several electrification projects. These projects are part of the portfolio sent to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the established national determined contribution (NDC). In this sense, the Ecuadorian Organic Energy Efficiency Law (LOEE) published in 2019 promotes E-mobility as one of the main milestones. In fact, it states that the new vehicles for urban and interurban usage must be E-buses since 2025. As a result, and for a successful implementation of this technological change in a national context, it is important to deploy land surveys focused on technical and geographical areas to keep the quality of services in both the electricity and transport sectors. Therefore, this research presents a technological and energy comparison between a conventional diesel bus and its equivalent E-bus. Both vehicles fulfill all the technical requirements to ride in the study-case city, which is Ambato in the province of Tungurahua-Ecuador. In addition, the analysis includes the development of a model for the energy estimation of both technologies that are especially applied in a highland city such as Ambato. The altimetry of the most important bus routes in the city varies from 2557 to 3200 m.a.s.l., respectively, for the lowest and highest points. These operation conditions provide a grade of novelty to this paper. Complementary, the technical specifications of diesel buses are defined following the common features of buses registered in Ambato. On the other hand, the specifications for E-buses come from the most common units introduced in Latin America because there is not enough evidence in similar cities at the moment. The achieved results will be good input data for decision-makers since electric demand forecast, energy savings, costs, and greenhouse gases emissions are computed. Indeed, GHG is important because it allows reporting the transparency framework that it is part of the Paris Agreement. Finally, the presented results correspond to stage I of the called project "Analysis and Prospective of Electromobility in Ecuador and Energy Mix towards 2030" supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Keywords: high altitude cities, energy planning, NDC, e-buses, e-mobility
35 Breastfeeding Experiences of Nutritionist who are Mothers in Quito- Ecuador
Authors: Maria Jose Mendoza Gordillo
Introduction: Research regarding breastfeeding is devoted to how essential breastfeeding is to guarantee wellbeing for the mother and the baby from a medical standpoint relegating the cultural, material and social barriers for breastfeeding. Consequently, worldwide breastfeeding rates are low, and Ecuador is not the exception, especially among working mothers. Worldwide, health care providers have low rates of breastfeeding due to several barriers to lactation, such as the work schedule, a lack of private places for pumping while at work, and negative emotions. Goals and Methods: This study aimed to explore how do Ecuadorian women embrace their identities as nutritionists and mothers within their breastfeeding experience. The primary data come from 20 synchronous semi-structured interviews, which follow a topic guide. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data analysis followed the Phronetic Iterative Approach. Results: Women shifted the preconceived idea of the ideal breastfeeding that came from the medicalized discourse of breastfeeding, and that was constructed in their training as nutritionists. Although these women believe that breast milk and breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby, the internalized ideal of breastfeeding shifted through the experience of motherhood. When these women developed their identity as mothers, they understood that the ideal breastfeeding is different from the medicalized discourse. Although they have that clash between the ideal and the external reality, they continued breastfeeding their babies and those experiences made them improve their professional practice. Conclusions: The narratives that women shared illustrate how complex it was to manage the different roles and identities that they wanted to fulfill to keep their identity of a good mother who breastfeeds her baby and, at the same time, a good healthcare provider identity. The process of breastfeeding for this group of women who are mothers and healthcare professionals appears to be a unique relational and identity negotiation process.
Keywords: breastfeeding, identity, nutritionist, qualitative
34 Food Composition Tables Used as an Instrument to Estimate the Nutrient Ingest in Ecuador
Authors: Ortiz M. Rocío, Rocha G. Karina, Domenech A. Gloria
There are several tools to assess the nutritional status of the population. A main instrument commonly used to build those tools is the food composition tables (FCT). Despite the importance of FCT, there are many error sources and variability factors that can be presented on building those tables and can lead to an under or over estimation of ingest of nutrients of a population. This work identified different food composition tables used as an instrument to estimate the nutrient ingest in Ecuador.The collection of data for choosing FCT was made through key informants –self completed questionnaires-, supplemented with institutional web research. A questionnaire with general variables (origin, year of edition, etc) and methodological variables (method of elaboration, information of the table, etc) was passed to the identified FCT. Those variables were defined based on an extensive literature review. A descriptive analysis of content was performed. Ten printed tables and three databases were reported which were all indistinctly treated as food composition tables. We managed to get information from 69% of the references. Several informants referred to printed documents that were not accessible. In addition, searching the internet was not successful. Of the 9 final tables, n=8 are from Latin America, and, n= 5 of these were constructed by indirect method (collection of already published data) having as a main source of information a database from the United States department of agriculture USDA. One FCT was constructed by using direct method (bromatological analysis) and has its origin in Ecuador. The 100% of the tables made a clear distinction of the food and its method of cooking, 88% of FCT expressed values of nutrients per 100g of edible portion, 77% gave precise additional information about the use of the table, and 55% presented all the macro and micro nutrients on a detailed way. The more complete FCT were: INCAP (Central America), Composition of foods (Mexico). The more referred table was: Ecuadorian food composition table of 1965 (70%). The indirect method was used for most tables within this study. However, this method has the disadvantage that it generates less reliable food composition tables because foods show variations in composition. Therefore, a database cannot accurately predict the composition of any isolated sample of a food product.In conclusion, analyzing the pros and cons, and, despite being a FCT elaborated by using an indirect method, it is considered appropriate to work with the FCT of INCAP Central America, given the proximity to our country and a food items list that is very similar to ours. Also, it is imperative to have as a reference the table of composition for Ecuadorian food, which, although is not updated, was constructed using the direct method with Ecuadorian foods. Hence, both tables will be used to elaborate a questionnaire with the purpose of assessing the food consumption of the Ecuadorian population. In case of having disparate values, we will proceed by taking just the INCAP values because this is an updated table.
Keywords: Ecuadorian food composition tables, FCT elaborated by direct method, ingest of nutrients of Ecuadorians, Latin America food composition tables
33 Positivity of Pathogenic Leptospira in Pigs from Rural Communities on the Coast of Ecuador
Authors: Veronica Barragan, Ligia Luna, Maria Patricia Zambrano, Carlos Bulnes, Eduardo Diaz, Talima Pearson
Leptospirosis impacts animal production and is responsible for important economic losses in the pig industry. Infection is associated with reproductive failures that lead to abortions, stillbirth, and perinatal mortality. The leptospira serogroups that have been traditionally linked to disease in pigs are Pomona, Australis, and Tarassovi. Unfortunately, knowledge about pig leptospirosis is biased towards infection in large-scale commercial farms from developed countries, where exposure is usually limited to host-specific serotypes. The aim of our study is to describe leptospirosis in pigs from rural communities located in the coast of Ecuador-South America, where leptospirosis is endemic. A particularity of these pigs is that, because they are usually raised in the backyard of their owner's houses, exposure to other leptospira excreted by other animals is likely to occur. Therefore, we collected 420 kidney samples from pigs sacrificed at a local slaughterhouse, and Leptospira positivity was tested in all samples by amplifying the Lipl32 gen. Our results show pathogenic Leptospira positivity in 19.3% (81/420) of pigs. Microaglutination test was performed in 60 PCR positive samples with titers >1:100 in 17 pigs, titers of 1:50 in 28 pigs, and no MAT titers in 15 pigs even though Leptospira DNA was found in their kidneys. Interestingly, reacting serovars were very diverse, with 18.3% of pig sera reacting with two or more serovars. Additionally, serovar Canicola was found in 16.7% of pigs followed by Tarassovi (10%), Australis (6.7%), Pyogenes (5%), Icterohaemorrhageae (1.7%), and Grippotyphosa (1.7%). It is also important to highlight that most of the analyzed animals came from small-scale farms where pigs may be exposed to the pathogen by exposure to other domestic and peridomestic animals such as rats, dogs, horses, donkeys, and even wildlife. This would explain the finding of non-pig adapted Leptospira serovars such as Canicola, which is commonly reported in dogs.
Keywords: Leptospira, Lipl32, peridomestic, pig, serovar
32 The Elimination of Fossil Fuel Subsidies from the Road Transportation Sector and the Promotion of Electro Mobility – The Ecuadorian Case
Authors: Alvaro Corral Naveda, Juan Fonseca, Henry Acurio, Guillermo Fernández
In Ecuador, subventions on fossil fuels for the road transportation sector have always been part of its economy throughout time, mainly because of demagogy and populism from political leaders. It is clearly seen that the government cannot maintain the subsidies anymore due to its commercial balance and its general state budget, subsidies are a key barrier to implement the use of cleaner technologies. However, during the last few months, the elimination of subsidies has been done gradually with the purpose of reaching international prices. It is expected that with this measure, the population will opt for other means of transportation, and in a certain way, it will promote the use of private electric vehicles, public, e.g., taxis, buses (urban transport). It is also important to consider that Ecuador´s production of energy is mainly hydropower. Considering the three main elements of sustainable development, an analysis of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of eliminating subsidies will be generated at the country level. To achieve this, four scenarios will be developed in order to determine how the subsidies will contribute to the promotion of electro mobility. 1)A Business as Usual BAU scenario;2) the introduction of 10.000 electric vehicles by 2025; 3) the introduction of 100.000 electric vehicles by 2030; 4) the introduction of 750.000 electric vehicles by 2040 (for all the scenarios buses, taxis, lightweight duty vehicles, and private vehicles will be introduced, as it was established in the National ElectroMobility Strategy for Ecuador). The Low Emissions Analysis Platform LEAP will be used, and it will be suitable to determine the cost for the government in terms of importing derivatives for fossil fuels and the cost of electricity to power the electric fleet that can be changed. The elimination of subventions generates fiscal resources to the state that can be used to develop other kinds of projects that will benefit Ecuadorian society. It will definitely change the energy matrix, and it will provide energy security for the country. It will be an opportunity for the government to incentivize a greater introduction of renewable energies, e.g., solar and wind. At the same time, it will help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emissions GHG from the transportation sector, considering its mitigation potential, which in result will improve the inhabitant´s quality of life by improving the quality of air, therefore reducing respiratory diseases associated with exhaust emissions. Consequently, achieving sustainability, the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, and complying with the agreements established in the Paris Agreement COP 21 in 2015. Electromobility in Latin America and the Caribbean can only be achieved by the implementation of the right policies at the central government, that need to be accompanied by a National Urban Mobility Policy NUMP, and can encompass a greater vision to develop holistic sustainable transport systems at local governments.
Keywords: electromobility, energy, policy, sustainable transportation
31 Smart Cities, Morphology of the Uncertain: A Study on Development Processes Applied by Amazonian Cities in Ecuador
Authors: Leonardo Coloma
The world changes constantly, every second its properties vary due either natural factors or human intervention. As the most intelligent creatures on the planet, human beings have transformed the environment and paradoxically –have allowed 'mother nature' to lose species, accelerate the processes of climate change, the deterioration of the ozone layer, among others. The rapid population growth, the procurement, administration and distribution of resources, waste management, and technological advances are some of the factors that boost urban sprawl whose gray stain extends over the territory, facing challenges such as pollution, overpopulation and scarcity of resources. In Ecuador, these problems are added to the social, cultural, economic and political anomalies that have historically affected it. This fact can represent a greater delay when trying to solve global problems, without having paid attention to local inconveniences –smaller ones, but ones that could be the key to project smart solutions on bigger ones. This research aims to highlight the main characteristics of the development models adopted by two Amazonian cities, and analyze the impact of such urban growth on society; to finally define the parameters that would allow the development of an intelligent city in Ecuador, prepared for the challenges of the XXI Century. Contrasts in the climate, temperature, and landscape of Ecuadorian cities are fused with the cultural diversity of its people, generating a multiplicity of nuances of an indecipherable wealth. However, we strive to apply development models that do not recognize that wealth, not understanding them and ignoring that their proposals will vary according to where they are applied. Urban plans seem to take a bit of each of the new theories and proposals of development, which, in the encounter with the informal growth of cities, with those excluded and 'isolated' societies, generate absurd morphologies - where the uncertain becomes tangible. The desire to project smart cities is ever growing, but it is important to consider that this concept does not only have to do with the use of information and communication technologies. Its success is achieved when advances in science and technology allow the establishment of a better relationship between people and their context (natural and built). As a research methodology, urban analysis through mappings, diagrams and geographical studies, as well as the identification of sensorial elements when living the city, will make evident the shortcomings of the urban models adopted by certain populations of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Following the vision of previous investigations started since 2014 as part of 'Centro de Acciones Urbanas,' the results of this study will encourage the dialogue between the city (as a physical fact) and those who 'make the city' (people as its main actors). This research will allow the development of workshops and meetings with different professionals, organizations and individuals in general.
Keywords: Latin American cities, smart cities, urban development, urban morphology, urban sprawl
30 Spawning Induction and Early Larval Development of the Giant Reef Clam Periglypta multicostata (Sowerby, 1835) under Controlled Conditions
Ecuador is one of the countries with the greatest aquatic biodiversity worldwide. In particular, there are at least a dozen native marine species with great aquaculture potential locally. This research concerns one of those species. It has proposed to implement experimental protocols in order to induce spawning and to generate the early larval development of the giant reef clam P. multicostata under controlled conditions. Bioassays were carried out with one adult batch (n= 8) with an average valvar length of 118,4 ± 5,8 mm, which were collected near of the Puerto Santa Rosa (2° 12' 30'' S, 80° 58' 28'' W), Santa Elena Province. During a short acclimation stage, the eight adults of giant reef clam P. multicostata were exposed to thermal stress. Briefly, the experimental protocol for spawning induction was based on the application of 20°C for 1 h and 30°C for 1 h on P. multicostata broodstock at least three consecutive times by one day. After spawning, collected sexual material was released for external fertilization process. After the delivery of gametes, it was achieved 3,25 × 10⁶ viable zygotes. As results, fertilized eggs had 56 µm diameter; while first and second cell divisions were observed to 2,5 h post-fertilization, with individual average length of 68 ± 5 µm and polar body. Latter cell divisions, including gastrula stage, appeared at 9 h post-fertilization, with individual average length of 73 ± 4 µm and trochophore stage at 15 h post-fertilization with individual average length of 75 ± 4 µm. In addition, veliger stage was registered at 20 h post-fertilization with individual average length of 82 ± 6 µm. Umboned larvae appeared at day 8 post-fertilization, with individual average length of 148 ± 6 µm. These pioneering results worldwide can strengthen the local conservation process of the overexploited P. multicostata and to encourage its production for commercial purposes.
Keywords: Ecuador, larval development, Periglypta multicostata, spawning induction
29 Optimization of the Jatropha curcas Supply Chain as a Criteria for the Implementation of Future Collection Points in Rural Areas of Manabi-Ecuador
Authors: Boris G. German, Edward Jiménez, Sebastián Espinoza, Andrés G. Chico, Ricardo A. Narváez
The unique flora and fauna of The Galapagos Islands has leveraged a tourism-driven growth in the islands. Nonetheless, such development is energy-intensive and requires thousands of gallons of diesel each year for thermoelectric electricity generation. The needed transport of fossil fuels from the continent has generated oil spillages and affectations to the fragile ecosystem of the islands. The Zero Fossil Fuels initiative for The Galapagos proposed by the Ecuadorian government as an alternative to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the islands, considers the replacement of diesel in thermoelectric generators, by Jatropha curcas vegetable oil. However, the Jatropha oil supply cannot entirely cover yet the demand for electricity generation in Galapagos. Within this context, the present work aims to provide an optimization model that can be used as a selection criterion for approving new Jatropha Curcas collection points in rural areas of Manabi-Ecuador. For this purpose, existing Jatropha collection points in Manabi were grouped under three regions: north (7 collection points), center (4 collection points) and south (9 collection points). Field work was carried out in every region in order to characterize the collection points, to establish local Jatropha supply and to determine transportation costs. Data collection was complemented using GIS software and an objective function was defined in order to determine the profit associated to Jatropha oil production. The market price of both Jatropha oil and residual cake, were considered for the total revenue; whereas Jatropha price, transportation and oil extraction costs were considered for the total cost. The tonnes of Jatropha fruit and seed, transported from collection points to the extraction plant, were considered as variables. The maximum and minimum amount of the collected Jatropha from each region constrained the optimization problem. The supply chain was optimized using linear programming in order to maximize the profits. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed in order to find a profit-based criterion for the acceptance of future collection points in Manabi. The maximum profit reached a value of $ 4,616.93 per year, which represented a total Jatropha collection of 62.3 tonnes Jatropha per year. The northern region of Manabi had the biggest collection share (69%), followed by the southern region (17%). The criteria for accepting new Jatropha collection points in the rural areas of Manabi can be defined by the current maximum profit of the zone and by the variation in the profit when collection points are removed one at a time. The definition of new feasible collection points plays a key role in the supply chain associated to Jatropha oil production. Therefore, a mathematical model that assists decision makers in establishing new collection points while assuring profitability, contributes to guarantee a continued Jatropha oil supply for Galapagos and a sustained economic growth in the rural areas of Ecuador.
Keywords: collection points, Jatropha curcas, linear programming, supply chain
28 OAS and Interstate Dispute Resolution at the Beginning of the 21st Century: General Pattern and Peculiarities
Authors: Victor Jeifets, Liliia Khadorich
The paper describes the OAS role in dispute resolution. The authors make an attempt to identify a general pattern of the OAS activities within the peaceful settlement of interstate conflicts, in the beginning of 21st century, as well as to analyze some features of Honduras–Belize, Nicaragua–Honduras, Honduras–El Salvador, Costa-Rica–Nicaragua, Colombia–Ecuador cases.
Keywords: OAS, peace maintenance, border dispute, dispute resolution, peaceful settlement
27 The Use of Network Theory in Heritage Cities
Authors: J. L. Oliver, T. Agryzkov, L. Tortosa, J. Vicent, J. Santacruz
This paper aims to demonstrate how the use of Network Theory can be applied to a very interesting and complex urban situation: The parts of a city which may have some patrimonial value, but because of their lack of relevant architectural elements, they are not considered to be historic in a conventional sense. In this paper, we use the suburb of La Villaflora in the city of Quito, Ecuador as our case study. We first propose a system of indicators as a tool to characterize and quantify the historic value of a geographic area. Then, we apply these indicators to the suburb of La Villaflora and use Network Theory to understand and propose actions.
Keywords: graphs, mathematics, networks, urban studies
26 Evaluation of Arsenic Removal in Soils Contaminated by the Phytoremediation Technique
Authors: V. Ibujes, A. Guevara, P. Barreto
Concentration of arsenic represents a serious threat to human health. It is a bioaccumulable toxic element and is transferred through the food chain. In Ecuador, values of 0.0423 mg/kg As are registered in potatoes of the skirts of the Tungurahua volcano. The increase of arsenic contamination in Ecuador is mainly due to mining activity, since the process of gold extraction generates toxic tailings with mercury. In the Province of Azuay, due to the mining activity, the soil reaches concentrations of 2,500 to 6,420 mg/kg As whereas in the province of Tungurahua it can be found arsenic concentrations of 6.9 to 198.7 mg/kg due to volcanic eruptions. Since the contamination by arsenic, the present investigation is directed to the remediation of the soils in the provinces of Azuay and Tungurahua by phytoremediation technique and the definition of a methodology of extraction by means of analysis of arsenic in the system soil-plant. The methodology consists in selection of two types of plants that have the best arsenic removal capacity in synthetic solutions 60 μM As, a lower percentage of mortality and hydroponics resistance. The arsenic concentrations in each plant were obtained from taking 10 ml aliquots and the subsequent analysis of the ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry) equipment. Soils were contaminated with synthetic solutions of arsenic with the capillarity method to achieve arsenic concentration of 13 and 15 mg/kg. Subsequently, two types of plants were evaluated to reduce the concentration of arsenic in soils for 7 weeks. The global variance for soil types was obtained with the InfoStat program. To measure the changes in arsenic concentration in the soil-plant system, the Rhizo and Wenzel arsenic extraction methodology was used and subsequently analyzed with the ICP-OES (optima 8000 Pekin Elmer). As a result, the selected plants were bluegrass and llanten, due to the high percentages of arsenic removal of 55% and 67% and low mortality rates of 9% and 8% respectively. In conclusion, Azuay soil with an initial concentration of 13 mg/kg As reached the concentrations of 11.49 and 11.04 mg/kg As for bluegrass and llanten respectively, and for the initial concentration of 15 mg/kg As reached 11.79 and 11.10 mg/kg As for blue grass and llanten after 7 weeks. For the Tungurahua soil with an initial concentration of 13 mg/kg As it reached the concentrations of 11.56 and 12.16 mg/kg As for the bluegrass and llanten respectively, and for the initial concentration of 15 mg/kg As reached 11.97 and 12.27 mg/kg Ace for bluegrass and llanten after 7 weeks. The best arsenic extraction methodology of soil-plant system is Wenzel.
Keywords: blue grass, llanten, phytoremediation, soil of Azuay, soil of Tungurahua, synthetic arsenic solution
25 The Use of Indicators to Evaluate Minor Heritage Areas in a City
Authors: J. L. Oliver, T. Agryzkov, L. Tortosa, J. F. Vicent, J. Santacruz
This paper aims to demonstrate how a system of indicators can be used in order to evaluate some heritage areas which can be understood as minor ones. We mean by that those urban areas with high heritage interest from an academical point of view, but never properly valued. The reasons for this situation may be diverse, either they are not old enough, or they may show the modest architecture, the fact is these areas have not been considered deserving of protection, as the historical ones. As a result of this reality, they usually show now a very degraded urban space, which in addition contribute to accelerate a process of deterioration. Using a technic well known in urban design, we propose here a system of indicators for patrimonial purposes, as a tool to identify and quantify the heritage value of these kinds of areas. As a case study, we apply this system in some part of the City of Quito (El Ecuador).
Keywords: heritage cities, indicators, spatial analysis, historic sites
24 Preservation Model to Process 'La Bomba Del Chota' as a Living Cultural Heritage
Authors: Lucia Carrion Gordon, Maria Gabriela Lopez Yanez
This project focuses on heritage concepts and their importance in every evolving and changing Digital Era where system solutions have to be sustainable, efficient and suitable to the basic needs. The prototype has to cover the principal requirements for the case studies. How to preserve the sociological ideas of dances in Ecuador like 'La Bomba' is the best example and challenge to preserve the intangible data. The same idea is applicable with books and music. The History and how to keep it, is the principal mission of Heritage Preservation. The dance of La Bomba is rooted on a specific movement system whose main part is the sideward hip movement. La Bomba´s movement system is the surface manifestation of a whole system of knowledge whose principal characteristics are the historical relation of Chote˜nos with their land and their families.
Keywords: digital preservation, heritage, IT management, data, metadata, ontology, serendipity
23 Structural-Geotechnical Effects of the Foundation of a Medium-Height Structure
Authors: Valentina Rodas, Luis Almache
The interaction effects between the existing soil and the substructure of a 5-story building with an underground one were evaluated in such a way that the structural-geotechnical concepts were validated through the method of impedance factors with a program based on the method of the finite elements. The continuous wall-type foundation had a constant thickness and followed inclined and orthogonal directions, while the ground had homogeneous and medium-type characteristics. The soil considered was type C according to the Ecuadorian Construction Standard (NEC) and the corresponding foundation comprised a depth of 4.00 meters and a basement wall thickness of 40 centimeters. This project is part of a mid-rise building in the city of Azogues (Ecuador). The hypotheses raised responded to the objectives in such a way that the model implemented with springs had a variation with respect to the embedded base, obtaining conservative results.
Keywords: interaction, soil, substructure, springs, effects, modeling , embedment
22 Coevaluations Software among Students in Active Learning Methodology
Authors: Adriano Pinargote, Josue Mosquera, Eduardo Montero, Dalton Noboa, Jenny Venegas, Genesis Vasquez Escuela
In the framework of Pre University learning of the Polytechnic School of the Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador, the methodology of Active Learning (Flipped Classroom) has been implemented for applicants who wish to obtain a quota within the university. To complement the Active Learning cycle, it has been proposed that the respective students influence the qualification of their work groups, for which a web platform has been created that allows them to evaluate the performance of their peers through a digital coevaluation that measures through statistical methods, the group and individual performance score that can reflect in numbers a weighting score corresponding to the grade of each student. Their feedback provided by the group help to improve the performance of the activities carried out in classes because the note reflects the commitment with their classmates shown in the class, within this analysis we will determine if this implementation directly influences the performance of the grades obtained by the student.
Keywords: active learning, coevaluation, flipped classroom, pre university


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Exciting News! Welcome Coach Joey Peppersack!
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Please welcome Coach Joey Peppersack to the FISH Coaching staff. We are super excited that Joye will be working with us across all practice groups. His love and dedication to the sport of swimming will make us all stronger!
Joey Peppersack has joined the FISH swim club as an assistant coach after an extensive swim career of his own. Peppersack had his right leg amputated at the age of 4 and started swimming at nine years old. Peppersack swam with NOVA in Richmond for six years, University of Mary Washington varsity all four years, and was a United States national team member for six years. In 2017 he traveled to Germany and earned Gold in the 4x100 medley and 4x100 freestyle relays, plus a bronze in the 50 backstroke. In 2019 Peppersack went to Lima, Peru, to compete in the Para-Pan American games, where he received a silver medal in the 100m Backstroke. At the height of his career, he was selected to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics and placed 7th overall in the 100m Backstroke.
Peppersack also has prior coaching and teaching experience. He was the head coach of a summer league team and taught swimming lessons at the YMCA for two years.
Joey believes that all swimmers, regardless of current ability, have the potential to succeed through discipline, accountability, and commitment.


There are certain daily routines that women with gorgeous, healthy, glowing skin follow. Here's a guide to combat dry, flaky, or somehow over excessive oily skin.
Cleanse: The general prescribed routine is to was your face twice daily; in the mornings and evenings. The exception is when you have dry skin, washing your face more than once will strip away the skin's natural oils and moisture. The harshness of the cleanser also has an effect in terms of the skin's moisture being stripped off, so a milder cleanser would be the way to go.
Apply sunscreen: Quite often we take for granted the benefits of applying sunscreen during winter. Both UVA and CUB rays have similar effects on the skin such as causing ageing, pigmentation, sunburn and skin reddening. Opt for a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 to ensure maximum protection.
Exercise: You have probably heard this many times before, but the added blood circulation and an increase in heart rate will give your skin that overall natural glow you are aiming for.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Stocking up on Omega 4 fatty acids would be ideal as they have been proven to provide skin elasticity which prevents the premature build up of wrinkles.
Sleep: Sleep, as a student, often seems like a faraway reality with all the studying and due dates of assignments. Squeeze in atleast 6-8 hours of sleep into your busy schedule and your skin will thank you for it. An adequate amount Of sleep reduces the rate of ageing and an outbreak of acne.
Keep Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps cleanse your system and flush out toxins. If you are not a fan of drinking water why not substitute that with water based foods such as fruits and vegetables. Alternatively, add some flavour to your water by adding ginger(fresh) and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Lastly, use the right moisturizer for your skin type. There's a wide range of moisturizers that cater for all skin types; from dry, normal to combination, as well as oily skin. Choose wisely.


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Branford school board says a police officer will now be stationed at its meetings
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Linda Conner Lambeck
Branford Board of Education Chairman John Prins
Branford Board of Education / Contributed /Show MoreShow Less
A Branford Police Department cruiser.
Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
BRANFORD — A police officer will now be at Board of Education meetings to discourage possible threatening behavior, according to board Chairman John Prins.
The move comes while improving communication has been a recurring theme for the nine-member Board of Education and the panel voted this week on revised board bylaws. The bylaw change modifies a prohibition of "disruptive" public behavior to include verbally abusive behavior.
"We don't serve on this board to be intimidated or threatened." Prins said.
Police Chief Jonathan Mulhern said there haven't been any problems at the meetings that he's aware of.
"It was a request that came in months ago from the superintendent," Mulhern said. "My understanding is that was at the request of some of the board members."
Having police officers at meetings is common in some communities, although it's not done in others, he said.
"We're there simply for safety and security," Mulhern said.
Board Member Tim Raynor, a proponent of two modifications the panel made, said the board finds itself in a very interesting place. The school board did not give specific examples of incidents it was concerned about.
Raynor said, "There is a level of aggression. Courtesy seems to be a thing of the past … I think the fact that we need law enforcement at board meeting showcases the point that courtesy and dialogue seem to be gone in public meetings."
He called the police presence a layer of protection to ward off what other boards in other parts of the country have experienced in recent months.
Prins said his definition of threatening behavior includes speakers who make unsupported or disparaging comments about board members or staff or who approach the board table. He did not immediately respond to an email seeking further comment Friday.
On Thursday the National School Board Association weighed in on school board meeting disruptions that have been taking place nationwide.
It told President Biden in a letter that public education and its leaders allegedly are under an immediate threat and asked for federal law enforcement and other assistance to deal with threats of violence and acts of intimidation occurring across the nation. The letter did not name any incidents in Connecticut.
"Local school board members want to hear from their communities on important issues and that must be at the forefront of good school board governance and promotion of free speech. However, there also must be safeguards in place to protect public schools and dedicated education leaders as they do their jobs," the group wrote.
In another change made by the Branford board, by a 6-2 vote — with board members Ellen Michaels and Joanne Borrus voting no and Prins not voting — the board decided not only to hear from the public during its regular business meetings but to allow responses to what is said.
Recently, the board also had agreed to allow a "dialogue" with the public during Communication Committee meetings.
Up until now, comments made by the public during board meetings have been a one-way street. The board and district personnel listen, but rarely responded immediately to questions or comments
Parents had sought better communication while grappling with the pandemic last winter and it was a top recommendation in the school superintendent's recent evaluation.
Board member Peter Berdon said he agreed with the proposed bylaw changes, calling them a great idea.
Borrus called it a step backwards. She said making the dialogue optional opened the possibility that only select members of the public would get responses.
Michaels said she wanted to see how the practice plays out in the Communications Committee before expanding it to full board meetings.
"I am afraid if we open it up we will be here until 11 or 12 (a.m.)," Michaels said.
"It concerns me that a board member would verbalize and say that 'I am concerned the public is going to talk to me too much and we will be there really late," Raynor responded.
Raynor called parent comments, even uncomfortable ones, part of the process.
Since speakers are limited to three minutes each, several board members argued meetings wouldn't go off the rails by allowing board and staff responses to comments.
Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez warned there are times he might have the answer to every question on the spot.
Prins said he didn't want to see the board "thumb its nose at best practices."
Most school boards in the area that he polled on the issue don't respond to public comments during meetings, he said.
He said he also wondered about the structure of exchanges.
"Who responds?" he said. "The first, the loudest?"
Board Member Meredith Gaffney said the bylaw change became necessary because of Prins' strict rules discouraging responses.
At this week's meeting there were only a handful of speakers, some in person, one online.
Jennifer Orlando, thanked the board for adding dialogue to public comment.
"It is important to the community," Orlando said. "We worked hard for that."
She said there also may be some board members who can't distinguish between threats and frustration parents feel when they don't get their questions answers. It is why, she said, they come to speak, meeting after meeting.
Mark Zaretsky contributed to this story.
Reach Linda on
Linda Conner Lambeck was formerly a reporter with the Connecticut Post. Linda is a Bridgeport native and University of Bridgeport graduate with a degree in journalism. She got her start covering education and other town news in Easton and Fairfield for the Fairfield Citizen News before coming to the Connecticut Post in 1985. (At the time it was still the Bridgeport Post and there was also a Bridgeport Telegram). She has covered Milford and Fairfield and, since 1996, education on a local, statewide and higher education level.


James Comey led the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation from September 2013 until May of 2017.
He offers a number of reasons why students may value diversity over free speech.
The United States has acknowledged that it suspects that cellphone spying devices exist in Washington.
The native people have developed prayers, ceremonies and traditions to honor returning soldiers and ease their way back into the community.
People gathered in cities across America on Saturday for massive student-led protests to demand stronger gun control measures.
In July 2016, United States lawmakers met with former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Daniel Ragsdale.


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Coya Asarpay ("drottning Asarpay"), död 1533, var en drottning av Inkariket, syster och hustru till Inkan Atahualpa.

Asarpay var dotter till inkan Huayna Capac och syster till de två rivalkungarna Huáscar och Atahualpa. Som drottning, Coya, ska hon enligt Pizarro ha betraktats med stor vördnad och respekt. Hon gifte sig enligt sed med sin bror Atahualpa, som 1532 blev kung i inkariket.

1531-33 erövrades inkariket av spanjorerna under Pizarro. Hennes bror-make tillfångatogs och avrättades genom garrottering. Pedro Pizarro uppger att drottning Asarpay liksom hennes syster-svägerska, hustrun till hennes bror Manco Inka, blev avrättade genom garrottering på order av markis don Francisco Pizarro.

Källor
 Sharon Macdonald,Pat Holden,Shirley Ardener: Images of Women in Peace and War: Cross-cultural and Historical Perspectives

Personer i Inkariket
Drottningar
Kvinnor
Födda okänt år
Avlidna 1533
Kungligheter som blivit avrättade
Personer som blivit avrättade under 1500-talet

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia