Funding Gaps 2006

School finance policy choices at the federal, state, and district levels systematically stack the deck against students who need the most support from their schools, according to a report by the Education Trust.The report, Funding Gaps 2006, builds on the Education Trust's annual studies of funding gaps among school districts within states. For the first time the report includes data and analysis on:How federal Title I funds widen rather than narrow the education funding gaps that separate wealthy states from poor states; and How funding choices at the school district level provide enhanced funding to schools serving higher concentrations of affluent students and white students at the expense of schools that serve low-income students and students of color

Changing government policy and the resultant behavioural consequences within an accounting environment

This paper examines the behavioural impacts in an accounting environment arising from changes to government policy. Specifically, such impacts arose from a changed government policy that granted nationals or natives preferential access to training and promotion opportunities within the work environment. This situation increasingly created perceptions of inequity for those excluded from such opportunities. In this research setting, this impacted in the accounting environment and, specifically, in the budget-setting process. Budget-related communications decreased and personal behavioural coping strategies strengthened, arguably to the detriment of both the employee and the organisation. It is a situation that exists or potentially exists in a number of regions in the world. These issues are examined using information assembled in both interviews and survey data collection. Analysis using Partial Least Squares (PLS) supports the study hypotheses. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings for management and identifies a number of potential solutions. Further opportunities for research are also identified. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd

A Path to Resolution Regarding the Show Lamb Tail Docking Controversy

Short dock length in show lambs increases health risks and creates animal welfare concerns. The study reported here was conducted to 1) describe a population of lambs that were docked at the distal end of the caudal fold in terms of a linear measurement, and 2) determine the changes in tail length between docking, weaning, and market. A total of 782 lambs docked at the distal end of the caudal fold, comprised the population of lambs in the study. The results provide descriptive statistics to help guide industry leaders and Extension professionals concerned with docking standards at shows and sales

Spin correlations in Ca3Co2O6: A polarised-neutron diffraction and Monte Carlo study

We present polarised-neutron diffraction measurements of the Ising-like spin-chain compound Ca3Co2O6 above and below the magnetic ordering temperature TN. Below TN, a clear evolution from a single-phase spin-density wave (SDW) structure to a mixture of SDW and commensurate antiferromagnet (CAFM) structures is observed on cooling. For a rapidly-cooled sample, the majority phase at low temperature is the SDW, while if the cooling is performed sufficiently slowly, then the SDW and the CAFM structure coexist between 1.5 and 10 K. Above TN, we use Monte Carlo methods to analyse the magnetic diffuse scattering data. We show that both intra- and inter-chain correlations persist above TN, but are essentially decoupled. Intra-chain correlations resemble the ferromagnetic Ising model, while inter-chain correlations resemble the frustrated triangular-lattice antiferromagnet. Using previously-published bulk property measurements and our neutron diffraction data, we obtain values of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions and the single-ion anisotropy.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

Real-world emissions from model year 1993, 2000, and 2010 passenger cars

Air pollution by cars and light trucks is a major problem in metropolitan areas in the United States and around the world. Much of the discussion of this issue is based on the emissions per vehicle mile as determined under somewhat artificial testing conditions. The pollutants actually emitted vary considerably with the particular vehicle and the way it is driven, but the average emissions per mile are much higher than the test values. This report concerns the sources and levels of excess emissions, and the potential for reducing them. The history of automotive emissions regulation reveals remarkable success in reducing the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO{sub x}) from new automobiles - as measured in certification tests. The grams-per-mile (g/mile) standards for these tests are stringent, with 96% reductions mandated in comparison to the estimated pre-control (mid-1960s) levels for CO and HC; and 75% reductions mandated for NO{sub x}. Powerful new technologies have been developed and incorporated into every new vehicle in order to accomplish these reductions. Most noteworthy are the catalytic converter and closed-loop engine controls; the latter includes sensors before and after the engine proper, and computer analysis of the information leading to real-time control of fuel injection, with the principal objective of maintaining just the right chemical balance of fuel and air. The average lifetime real-world g/mile emissions associated with conventional gasoline fueled cars for model years 1993, 2000, and 2010 have been projected. Results are discussed

Exploring experiences with alcohol and how drinking has changed over time among minority ethnic groups with a diagnosed mental health problem

Introduction: Minority ethnic groups are more likely to experience poor mental health but lesslikely to seek formal support. Mental health problems and alcohol use (including non-drinking)co-occur, the reasons for this among minority ethnic groups are not well understood. This studyexplored i) alcohol use among minority ethnic individuals with a mental health problem,ii) howalcohol was used before individuals received support for their mental health,iii) how alcoholchanged whilst and after individuals received treatment for their mental health.Methods: Participants were purposively sampled through community/online mental healthorganisations. Participants took part if they i)were not White British, ii) had a mental healthdiagnosis, iii) drank at hazardous and above levels or former drinkers. Telephone/online semistructured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using framework analysis with anintersectional lens.Results: 25 participants took part. Four themes were developed; “drinking motivations”, “mentalhealth literacy and implications on drinking behaviour”, “cultural expectations and its influenceon mental health problems and drinking practices”, and “reasons for changes in drinking”. Themesreflect reasons for drinking and the role of understanding the range of mental health problems andimplicit cultural expectations. An intersectional lens indicated gendered, ethnic and religiousnuances in experiences with alcohol and seeking support. Engaging with formal support promptedchanges in drinking which were facilitated through wider support.Conclusion: There were specific reasons to cope among minority ethnic individuals who have amental health problem. Applying an intersectional lens provided an insight into the role of culturaland gendered expectations on mental health and drinking practices. Mental health literacy andimplicit cultural expectations within specific minority ethnic groups can affect both mental healthand drinking practices. Healthcare professionals and wider community play an important role inprompting changes in drinking among minority ethnic groups who have a mental health problem.<br/