Cities of culture and the regeneration game

Capital of Culture (ECoC) programme exactly a year on from its inauguration. This event also saw the transition from Liverpool's "Year of Culture 08‟ to "Year of Environment 09" and a simultaneous event in the Austrian city of Linz to which the Capital of Culture mantle passed, along with Vilnius, Lithuania. An estimated 60,000 people congregated at the Pier Head as well as at the Albert Dock and Wirral bank, for a celebration that included sing-a-longs, firework displays, street artists on illuminated bikes and light projections onto a famous refurbished new museum building making up this World Heritage city. This "Light Night" celebration also kick-started similar events held in cities in England and Scotland, with extended opening of venues. The Light Night theme chosen for Liverpool 08's swansong emulates the Nuit Blanche festival celebrated in dozens of cities such as Paris, Rome, Montreal and Toronto - the largest of which attract 1 to 3 million participants over "late night" weekend extravaganzas (Jiwa et al., 2009). These "eventful cities" (Richards and Palmer 2010) reflect a global trend and network that spreads virtually and geographically (Evans, 2011)

The sociology of pharmaceuticals: progress and prospects

This paper takes a critical look at progress and prospects regarding the sociology of pharmaceuticals over the years. Key themes examined include: (i) medicalisation and pharmaceuticalisation; (ii) regulation; (iii) consumption and consumerism; (iv) expectations and innovation. Papers in the monograph are also introduced and discussed in relation to these themes. The paper concludes with some further comments and reflections on progress and prospects in this field, emphasising the continuing importance of sociological engagement with these personal and political issues in the 21st century

It’s Not Brain Science… Or Is It? How Early Second Language Learning Can Impact Future Achievement

Capstone paper from 2015 spring MPA program. Instructed by Allen Zagoren.We live in a global economy, yet U.S. citizens lag far behind in the knowledge of other countries’ languages, cultures, customs, geographies and peoples. Equipping the next generation with foreign language skills as well as knowledge of other cultures and customs will not only provide increased career opportunities for individuals but also aid in the future success of the U.S. economy. The U.S. educational system does not stress the learning of language beyond English: K-12 curriculum is rigidly mandated, budgets are tight, class time and teacher training is limited, and language programs are often among the first to be cut during budget crises. There is a time period when a child’s brain is developing and most receptive to learning, and that is early childhood. If the seed were planted in a child before he/she enters kindergarten to learn the basics of a foreign language and culture, perhaps that knowledge could be nourished throughout the rest of their lives, preparing those children to embrace cultural differences, live and compete more successfully in an evolving and diverse world, and be better equipped for later education. Besides examining the current state of foreign language education in the U.S. and how learning occurs, the benefits of foreign language learning in relation to business and human relations are examined in this paper. Multiple solutions to solving the foreign language deficit are mentioned including a proposal for an early-learning language program

Resilience from a lived-experience perspective in the regional context of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Within the UK, academics and practitioners’ understanding of resilience have been increasingly nuanced, particularly after the introduction of the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004. However, there remain debates and variations in how resilience is conceptualised that creates confusion in how resilience building is operationalised in practice by stakeholders. To address this concern, this study explores the meaning of resilience from the perspectives of people with a lived experience of flooding, through the lens of adaptive capacity, which is a key dimension of resilience as identified in Scottish policy frameworks. Insight from a literature review combined with empirical data collected from forty-three participants, suggests that resilience to natural hazards is a function of two inter-related aspects: ‘information’ and ‘response’ mechanisms. Further analysis suggests that resilience enhancement begins following receipt of risk information from either experience or other sources that shapes the understanding of a hazard and what protective steps to take. This understanding prompts behavioural responses influenced by ‘risk attitude’, ‘skills’ and ‘access to resources’ to enhance the adaptive capacity of the receiver. The paper engages in the complex debate about how resilience is conceptualized from the social sciences perspective. It presents a simplified account of what resilience means and sets out policy and practical implications of this

Aerobic Physical Exercise Increases the Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults

Abstract Problem Description: Globally, the older adult population is expected to substantially increase in number throughout the next few decades. The aging process causes the body and mind to undergo many detrimental changes. Typically, older adults succumb to a more sedentary lifestyle due to factors such as decreased musculature and skeletal changes, chronic pain, socioeconomic and psychological stressors, and memory changes. Inevitably, health-related quality of life and overall independence dwindles in this population negating their perception of happiness and life satisfaction. There is significant research on preventing and/or managing cognitive disabilities in the older adult; however, Western medicine approaches, such as prescription medications are unsuccessful in reducing cognitive decline. Research suggests that engaging in routine physical exercise is an alternative, cost-effective method to reduce the effects of aging, cognitively and physically. Interventions: An aerobic walking program was instituted in an Assisted Living Facility, where most of the older adults had begun to lead sedentary lifestyles. Older adults (\u3e60 years) with mild cognitive impairments and decreased quality of life factors were invited to join the walking program. The residents were asked to walk a minimum of three times per week for 30 minutes over a five-month period. A walking log and the National Institutes of Health endorsed Cognitive and Positive Affect/Well-Being short form surveys were completed by the residents at specific time intervals throughout the project assessing whether improvement in cognitive abilities and quality of life factors occurred with increased physical activity. Results: Initially, 28 residents volunteered to participate in the walking program. Illness and personal reasons caused six residents to drop out, resulting in 22 active participants. A paired t-test, using a confidence interval of 95%, was used on the Cognitive short form survey results at project start and end. The mean values of all eight variables significantly increased over the course of the project (p Interpretation: In this project, aerobic walking significantly improved cognitive domains, such as concentration, reading comprehension, thinking speed, managing time, planning activities, and learning new instructions and/or tasks. Although this project was of short duration, the results substantiated that maintaining active lifestyles is necessary for older adults to preserve independence, combat cognitive deterioration, while sustaining happiness and life satisfaction in both physical and cognitive realms. Conclusions: Older adults, who keep physically and mentally fit as they age, enjoy longer, healthier, happier lives. Health care systems will benefit from decreased health care costs. Providers will benefit by not enduring patient-load strain. Families/caregivers will experience less financial and emotional burden caring for ill, older adults in the future. Engaging in routine, physical exercise throughout aging is a simple, cost-effective measure in preserving numerous cognitive and quality of life factors. Keywords: older adults, mild cognitive impairment, aerobic exercise, quality of lif

Thinking like a man? The cultures of science

Culture includes science and science includes culture, but conflicts between the two traditions persist, often seen as clashes between interpretation and knowledge. One way of highlighting this false polarity has been to explore the gendered symbolism of science. Feminism has contributed to science studies and the critical interrogation of knowledge, aware that practical knowledge and scientific understanding have never been synonymous. Persisting notions of an underlying unity to scientific endeavour have often impeded rather than fostered the useful application of knowledge. This has been particularly evident in the recent rise of molecular biology, with its delusory dream of the total conquest of disease. It is equally prominent in evolutionary psychology, with its renewed attempts to depict the fundamental basis of sex differences. Wars over science have continued to intensify over the last decade, even as our knowledge of the political, economic and ideological significance of science funding and research has become ever more apparent

Leisure in the later years

It is evident that the changing demographic structure of the population along with the emergence of a consumer culture will have implications with regards to leisure for people in later life. Leisure may afford freedom for self-expression not always available in other life contexts. However, there are a number of challenges at the personal and community level that need to be better understood in order to realise such a possibility. This article highlights some of the opportunities and constraints that impact on and influence the leisure of people in their later years

Holistic Religious Education: Toward a More Transparent Pathway from Philosophy to Practice

The challenge to match philosophy with practice is an age-old concern. For Seventh-day Adventist Education, the challenge is no different. Within this context rests religious education. In this more specific realm, this challenge has been impeded in a number of different ways. Two are relevant to this study. The Adventist religious education classroom could well be considered a nexus for the purposes of Adventist educational philosophy. It holds much potential for holistic, authentic faith formation. There is evidence to suggest however, that in recent years, instruction in religious education within the context of Adventist Education has been somewhat paralysed by the dichotomies emerging from enlightenment and modernism; the fracturing of reason and emotion, thinking and acting. This has lead to practice that has been typified by a predominantly cognitive, information-driven emphasis. Such a characterization has had implications for the nurture of holistic faith, and the purposes of Adventist education have been compromised as a result. In addition to this, as with any educational practice, there exists within the teaching of religious education the propensity to divorce what is philosophically valued from what is practically applied. The invasion of expedient concerns can obscure what is deemed important, and the result is one of idealistic erosion. It is believed that a tool that can remind the teacher of holistic, aspirational goals can be of benefit to both pedagogy and student experience. The pathway between philosophy and practice can then be viewed with more transparency and authenticity. Recent decades have brought forth much enlightenment in the areas of best educational practice as it relates to holistic, authentic learning, and the crucial ingredients of faith formation for the young. The researcher believes that multiple spheres of influence, not only from the realms of education and faith formation, but also brain research, sociology and psychology have much to offer a holistic approach to religious education that will assist movement towards a personal and established faith. This study seeks to fuse what is relevant from these disciplines and forge ingredients of best practice into a practical tool that can not only make vision and purpose accessible, but holistic religious education, and ultimately spiritual formation more possible. The resulting Transformational Planning Framework offers a re-centering of the focus and modus operandi of religious education. It serves to protect what is valued in Adventist educational philosophy, and propel it towards the ultimate goals it so highly esteems