Messages from the Oracle: Assessing the Impact of Major In-Town Shopping Centres

Planning policy aimed at preserving the viability of UK town centres halted the wave of out-of-town shopping centres – Schiller’s “third wave” of decentralisation. In consequence,  a number of major in-town shopping malls were developed in the UK. The first of these was the Oracle Centre in Reading. This paper examines the impact of the Oracle on retail activity in the town centre using land use data and the results of a retailer survey. The Oracle acted as a catalyst for change, accelerating trends already observed in the centre, shifting the prime pitch, weakening peripheral areas and increasing turnover rates. The added attraction of the town centre offset many of the trade diversion impacts. However, some adverse effects may have been masked by strong consumer spending and a vibrant local economy.In-town Shopping, Out-of-town Shopping, Retail, Shopping Malls, Retail Activity

The price of protection?: women who petition for restrainingorders against abusers typically see decreased earnings

Women in abusive relationships are able to petition the courts for a civil restraining order. While these restraining orders can promote women’s safety, in new research, Melanie Hughes and Lisa Brush find that they can be accompanied by serious financial hardship for women. They find that in the year after petitioning, women lose an average of $1,018 as a result of taking time off work or other factors related to the abuse itself. They also find that for many women, welfare payments can act as a buffer from some of the worst economic losses associated with abuse. In light of their findings, policymakers should consider economic assistance for women trying to exit abusive situations, regardless of their income

First Occurrence of \u3ci\u3eHippodamia Variegata\u3c/i\u3e (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Ohio

(excerpt) Ladybird beetles, or coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), are significant arthropod predators in a variety of terrestrial ecosystems. Numerous classical biological control projects undertaken over the last 120 years in North America have involved importation of exotic ladybird beetle species for the control of invasive insect species in annual and perennial agricultural production systems

Reproducción a partir de esporas de Gigartina skottsbergii y Sarcothalia crispata (Rhodophyta) de la Patagonia argentina y aplicación farmacéutica de sus carragenanos

Las macroalgas han sido utilizadas como alimento desde tiempos ancestrales y actualmente también son usadas con diversas aplicaciones en distintas industrias. Las algas rojas Gigartinales constituyen un recurso económico de gran valor debido a su contenido de carragenanos. Éstos son polisacáridos sulfatados presentes en la pared celular, ampliamente utilizados como gelificantes, estabilizantes y espesantes en las industrias alimentaria, cosmética y farmacéutica. En Argentina, Gigartina skottsbergii ha sido explotada para la obtención de carragenanos desde la década del 70 y Sarcothalia crispata ha sido señalada como materia prima potencial con este fin. Estas especies pertenecen a la familia Gigartinaceae, cuyos miembros se caracterizan por tener gametofitos que producen carragenanos gelificantes del tipo Kappa/Iota-, y tetrasporofitos productores de carragenanos espesantes o viscosantes del tipo Lambda-. En base a estos antecedentes, el objetivo general de esta tesis fue el estudio de las macroalgas carragenófitas Gigartina skottsbergii y Sarcothalia crispata del Mar Argentino, incluyendo aspectos morfológicos y reproductivos relevantes con el fin de obtener información que sirva de base para el desarrollo de futuros esporocultivos comerciales y para el manejo de praderas naturales. Este estudio también estuvo orientado a la búsqueda de aplicaciones novedosas de los carragenanos extraídos de estas especies. Para llevar a cabo los objetivos mencionados, se realizaron ensayos a escala de laboratorio para determinar la disponibilidad de carpósporas y tetrásporas de G. skottsbergii y S. crispata coleccionadas en Cabo Raso (Chubut, Argentina), así como la optimización de las condiciones para su liberación a partir de frondes fértiles. Se iniciaron esporocultivos in vitro para estudiar la germinación de las esporas y evaluar sustratos potenciales para el asentamiento y desarrollo de las plántulas. Además, se realizó la extracción y caracterización de los carragenanos de las generaciones gametofíticas de ambas especies y se llevó a cabo la formación de complejos interpolielectrolito (IPECs) con los mismos y el copolímero Eudragit E. Estos IPECs fueron evaluados para la liberación controlada de ingredientes farmacéuticos activos utilizando ibuprofeno como fármaco modelo. La disponibilidad estacional de esporas de G. skottsbergii resultó limitada, obteniéndose cantidades considerables de carpósporas y tetrásporas únicamente en los meses de invierno y primavera. La aplicación de diferentes métodos de inducción de la liberación de esporas (desecación y shock osmótico) no resultó en una mayor obtención de esporas, registrándose valores similares a los obtenidos con la liberación espontánea.Por otro lado, la incubación de las frondes cistocárpicas y tetraspóricas bajo distintas temperaturas no mostró un efecto en la liberación de carpósporas y tetrásporas respectivamente, mientras que el aumento de horas de luz tuvo un efecto positivo en la liberación de tetrásporas, aunque esto no se observó en la liberación de carpósporas. Los esporocultivos iniciados en laboratorio, tanto con carpósporas como con tetrásporas de esta especie, mostraron bajas tasas de supervivencia de plántulas en todos los sustratos evaluados (vidrio, conchillas y piedras). En S. crispata, la aplicación de métodos de inducción (desecación, shock osmótico, baja temperatura) tampoco tuvo efecto en la liberación de carpósporas o tetrásporas. Por ello, para ambas especies, la liberación espontánea de esporas sería un método adecuado para la obtención tanto de carpósporas como de tetrásporas, por ser menos laboriosa y costosa que los demás métodos evaluados. En S. crispata, la liberación de esporas por área de fronde resultó mayor en talos tetraspóricos que en talos cistocárpicos, aspecto relevante a la hora de iniciar cultivos selectivos para la obtención de materia prima específica para la extracción de un tipo determinado de carragenano. Las plántulas tetraspóricas y gametofíticas desarrollaron sobre los cuatro sustratos evaluados (vidrio, sogas, conchillas y piedras), registrándose las mayores densidades, al igual que un adecuado crecimiento, sobre conchillas y piedras a los tres meses de cultivo. Estos sustratos, al ser obtenidos del ambiente natural, no implicarían un riesgo para su inserción en el ecosistema marino. Las sogas no presentaron altas densidades ni buen crecimiento de plántulas. La caracterización de los carragenanos de las generaciones gametofíticas de ambas especies dio como resultado un producto mayormente Kappa, aunque con cantidades menores pero considerables de estructuras Iota y Nu. Los IPECs formados entre estos carragenanos y el copolímero Eudragit E se utilizaron para la elaboración de comprimidos conteniendo ibuprofeno. Los IPECs mostraron características particulares en su composición química y a nivel ultraestructural en cada una de las especies, lo cual se vio reflejado en una liberación más lenta de ibuprofeno en el IPEC formado por el carragenano de S. crispata. El trabajo realizado aporta información valiosa para el manejo de praderas de Gigartina skottsbergii. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos, la posibilidad de implementar esporocultivos piloto de Sarcothalia crispata se presenta con mayor factibilidad que en el caso de G. skottsbergii. La liberación controlada de ingredientes farmacéuticos activos constituye una aplicación novedosa de los carragenanos de estas dos especies nativas de la Patagonia argentina.Seaweeds have been used as food since ancestral times and, nowadays, they are also employed with diverse applications in different industries. The red algae belonging to the order Gigartinales are a valuable economic resource because of their high carrageenan content. These are cell wall sulphated polysaccharides, widely used as gelling, stabilizing, and viscosity binding agents in the food industry, cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations. In Argentina, Gigartina skottsbergii has been exploited for carrageenan production since 1970, and Sarcothalia crispata has been pointed out as potential raw material for this purpose. These species belong to the Gigartinaceae family, whose members are characterized for having gametophytes that produce Kappa/Iota-carrageenan and tetrasporophytes that produce Lambda-carrageenan. Based on this background information, the main objective of this thesis was to study the carrageenophytes Gigartina skottsbergii and Sarcothalia crispata from the Argentinian Sea, including relevant morphological and reproductive aspects, with the aim of obtaining basic information for the implementation of future spore cultures and for the management of natural beds. This study was also oriented to the pursuit of novel applications for the carrageenans extracted from these species. To carry out the mentioned objectives, laboratory experiments were performed to determine the availability of carpospores and tetraspores from G. skottsbergii and S. crispata collected near Cabo Raso (Chubut, Argentina), as well as the optimization of the conditions for their release from fertile fronds. In vitro spore cultures were initiated to study spore germination and to evaluate potential substrates for the settlement and development of germlings. In addition, the extraction and characterization of carrageenans from the gametophytic generations of both species was carried out, as well as the preparation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) among each carrageenan and the copolymer Eudragit E. These IPECs were tested for the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients using ibuprofen as a model drug. The availability of G. skottsbergii spores was limited throughout the year, obtaining considerable amounts of both carpospores and tetraspores only during winter and spring. The application of different induction methods for spore release (desiccation and osmotic shock) did not result in a higher amount of spores, obtaining similar values than with spontaneous discharge. Incubation of fertile cystocarpic and tetrasporic fronds under different temperatures did not have an effect on the release of carpospores and tetraspores, respectively, while the increase in daylight hours had a positive effect on the release of tetraspores, not showing the same effect on that of carpospores. Laboratory cultures of G. skottsbergii carpospores and tetraspores showed low survival of sporelings on all the evaluated substrates (glass, shells and gravel). In S. crispata, the application of induction methods (desiccation, osmotic shock, low temperature) had also no effect on the release of carpospores or tetraspores. For this reason, spontaneous discharge of spores would be and adequate method for obtaining both carpospores and tetraspores of both species. This method would be less expensive and laborious than the other evaluated ones. In S. crispata, spore release per frond area was higher for tetrasporic than for cystocarpic fronds, which is a relevant aspect when initiating selective cultures for obtaining specific raw material for the extraction of certain type of carrageenan. Carposporelings and tetrasporelings developed on the four evaluated substrates (glass, ropes, shells and gravel), registering the highest densities, as well as an adequate growth, on shells and gravel on the third month of culture. As these substrates were obtained from the natural environment, they would not imply a risk for the marine ecosystem when being transplanted to the sea. Ropes did not have high densities or good growth of germlings. Characterization of carrageenans of the gametophytic generations of both species indicated a Kappa-carrageenan as a major product. However, minor but considerable amounts of Iota and Nu structures were also present. The IPECs prepared with each carrageenan and the copolymer Eudragit E were employed for the preparation of tablets containing ibuprofen. The IPECs showed particular characteristics regarding their chemical composition and ultrastructure on each species, which was supported by a slower ibuprofen release profile for the IPEC prepared with the carrageenan from S. crispata. This study presents valuable information for the management of Gigartina skottsbergii natural beds. According to the obtained results, the possibility of implementing pilot spore cultures of Sarcothalia crispata is presented with more feasibility than the case of G. skottsbergii. The controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients constitutes a novel application for the carrageenans of these native species from the Argentinian Patagonia.Fil: Hughes, Melanie Hebe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentin

The Impact of Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program on High School Performance and College Enrollment

Florida\u27s Bright Futures program is one of the nation\u27s largest merit-based scholarship initiatives. This study used high school transcript and college enrollment data to examine the program\u27s impact on high school course-taking patterns, school grades, college entrance exam scores, and rates of college attendance over time. The study indicates that the program has contributed to educational improvements by encouraging high school students to take academically challenging courses and attend college in the state, with low-income and minority students showing the largest improvements

Does the Decriminalization of Prostitution Reduce Rape and Sexually Transmitted Disease? A Review of Cunningham and Shah Findings

In 2013, research findings by Cunningham and Shah claimed that rape and sexually transmitted diseases were reduced by decriminalized prostitution in Rhode Island. The original unpublished claims have received wide media coverage which have gone unexamined. This review finds errors in their analyses. One error is the date when prostitution was decriminalized in Rhode Island. Cunningham and Shah claim that prostitution was decriminalized in 2003. Our analysis finds the date of decriminalization of prostitution was 1980. The change in the start date of decriminalization significantly alters the analysis and the findings. Another error results from Cunningham and Shah using an outlier data point to define a period of analysis. The results of this review call into question the claims that the decriminalization of prostitution reduced rape and sexually transmitted disease

Ars Femina Archive 1500s-1800s: Representing Women Composers through Digital Archives

Representation is one of the most powerful impacts that archives can make on communities. Ensuring that all people’s works, lives, and information is being preserved in an archive is what fuels a many modern day archivist. However, establishing equal representation of minorities and underrepresented groups is not enough to create a more inclusive world, archivists must also create ways for people to access that information. The creation of digital libraries and other online resources, allows for more people to use the resources collected, see themselves and their work represented, and gain an understanding of the artists who have come before them. The Ars Femina Archive (AFA), is housed at Indiana University Southeast, and is a collection of music composed by women from before the 1500s to the 1800s. This archive preserves and celebrates the impact that women in history have had on music. Women are largely underrepresented in the arts and especially in music, the AFA allows for people from around the world to research and access this collection of musical compositions created by women. This presentation will focus on the history of the collection, what is contained in the archive, its mission and how that mission is furthered by digitization, and the impact it has on scholarship and performance

Boundaries in M-Theory

We formulate boundary conditions for an open membrane that ends on the fivebrane of {\cal M}-theory. We show that the dynamics of the eleven-dimensional fivebrane can be obtained from the quantization of a ``small membrane'' that is confined to a single fivebrane and which moves with the speed of light. This shows that the eleven-dimensional fivebrane has an interpretation as a $D$-brane of an open supermembrane as has recently been proposed by Strominger and Townsend. We briefly discuss the boundary dynamics of an infinitely extended planar membrane that is stretched between two parallel fivebranesComment: 16 pages, phyzz