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Daily Archives: April 17, 2017

Welcome to GlobalTreeSearch!

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GlobalTreeSearch: The first complete global database of tree species and country distributions – “This article presents, for the first time, an overview of all known tree species by scientific name and country level distribution, and describes an online database—GlobalTreeSearch—that provides access to this information. Based on our comprehensive analysis of published data sources and expert input, the number of tree species currently known to science is 60,065, representing 20% of all angiosperm and gymnosperm plant species. Nearly half of all tree species (45%) are found in just 10 families, with the 3 most tree-rich families being Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, and Myrtaceae. Geographically, Brazil, Colombia, and Indonesia are the countries with the most tree species. The countries with the most country-endemic tree species reflect broader plant diversity trends (Brazil, Australia, China) or islands where isolation has resulted in speciation (Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia). Nearly 58% of all tree species are single-country endemics. Our intention is for GlobalTreeSearch to be used as a tool for monitoring and managing tree species diversity, forests, and carbon stocks on a global, regional, and/or national level. It will also be used as the basis of the Global Tree Assessment, which aims to assess the conservation status of all of the world’s tree species by 2020.” Journal of Sustainable Forestry. Accepted author version posted online: 23 Mar 2017, Published online: 23 Mar 2017.

“The most comprehensive database of tree species.

Information Technology and the U.S. Workforce: Where Are We and Where Do We Go from Here?

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“Recent years have yielded significant advances in computing and communication technologies, with profound impacts on society. Technology is transforming the way we work, play, and interact with others. From these technological capabilities, new industries, organizational forms, and business models are emerging. Technological advances can create enormous economic and other benefits, but can also lead to… Continue Reading

Visualizing the History of Immigration to the United States

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Center for Data Innovation: “Visualizing the History of Immigration to the United States – The Wall Street Journal has created a series of data visualizations illustrating the history of immigration to the United States, highlighting how changes to U.S. immigration policy and major world events, such as the Irish Potato Famine and World War II, impacted… Continue Reading

Active Judging and Access to Justice

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Carpenter, Anna E., Active Judging and Access to Justice (February 3, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2911214 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2911214 “Active judging, where judges step away from the traditional, passive role to assist those without counsel, is a central feature of recent proposals aimed at solving the pro se crisis in America’s state civil courts. Despite growing… Continue Reading

2016 UNDP Human Development Report

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UN news release: “Inequality within countries is a profound challenge to well-functioning societies. The international development community’s latest effort to tackle this challenge is the desire to Leave No One Behind. This principle, outlined in the Sustainable Development Agenda, argues that progress on the Sustainable Development Goals can only be viewed as progress if those… Continue Reading

Gallup – The Right Culture: Not About Employee Happiness

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Jim Harter and Annamarie Mann/Gallup: “Measuring workers’ contentment doesn’t improve business outcomes Approaching engagement as a business strategy yields better results Highly engaged organizations share common philosophies and practices Creating a great workplace culture that has star employees who know how to win new customers isn’t about making employees happy or content — and organizations… Continue Reading

Rethinking Terrorism in International Law

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Todeschini, Vito, Rethinking Terrorism in International Law: An Enquiry into the Legal Concept of International State Terrorism. Jura Gentium. Journal of Philosophy of International Law and Global Politics, ISSN 1826-8269, Vol. X, No. 1, 2013. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2953342 “This article investigates the concept of international state terrorism with a view to providing a legal… Continue Reading

NYT – Robert Taylor, Innovator Who Shaped Modern Computing, Dies at 85

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The Internet had many progenitors – not one. Thanks to the New York Time for shining light on the multifaceted work of one man whose consistent creative genius moved us forward in ways most do not know:  “Like many inventions, the internet was the work of countless hands. But perhaps no one deserves more credit… Continue Reading

FIND Making global development data easy to find, visualize, and share

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“The F Interagency Network Databank (FIND) is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources (F), which ensures the strategic and effective allocation, management, and use of U.S. foreign assistance resources. IRM’s Office of eDiplomacy worked closely with F to design and develop the FIND application. This site enables… Continue Reading

Pew – Public Dissatisfaction With Washington Weighs on the GOP

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“Nearly three months after the Republican Party took control of the White House and Congress, the public gives low job ratings to the president and even lower ratings to the speaker of the House. The new Congress is viewed about as unfavorably as the previous Congress. And while both parties are viewed less positively than… Continue Reading