Complex linkages between forced labor slavery and environmental decline in marine fisheries

Recent media attention on human rights abuses in the fishing sector, precipitated by undercover investigations from nongovernmental organizations and investigative journalists (e.g., Environmental Justice Foundation [EJF] 2014, 2015a, 2015b; Mendoza, McDowell, Mason, and Htusan 2016), has prompted calls from the scientific community for increased transdisciplinary and empirical research of fisheries’ social dimensions, such as labor (Kittinger et al. 2017). Given views that social and ecological systems are interdependent (Ostrom 2009), the need for theory development to explicate pathways for how this interdependence occurs and the potential for using policy and practices for intervention and prevention exist. Integrating ecological data and economics and human rights theory, Brashares and colleagues’ (2014) wildlife decline and social conflict framework offered a hypothesis about the negative association between fish stock declines and child slavery. Yet, more precision in terminology, pathways, and feedbacks may be warranted. With the aim of exploring empirical, conceptual, and theoretical support for Brashares et al.’s (2014) pathways, the revised theory developed in this article posits how forced labor slavery and environmental decline in marine fisheries may be linked

Capacity Value of Wind Power

Power systems are planned such that they have adequate generation capacity to meet the load, according to a defined reliability target. The increase in the penetration of wind generation in recent years has led to a number of challenges for the planning and operation of power systems. A key metric for generation system adequacy is the capacity value of generation. The capacity value of a generator is the contribution that a given generator makes to generation system adequacy. The variable and stochastic nature of wind sets it apart from conventional energy sources. As a result, the modeling of wind generation in the same manner as conventional generation for capacity value calculations is inappropriate. In this paper a preferred method for calculation of the capacity value of wind is described and a discussion of the pertinent issues surrounding it is given. Approximate methods for the calculation are also described with their limitations highlighted. The outcome of recent wind capacity value analyses in Europe and North America, along with some new analysis, are highlighted with a discussion of relevant issues also given

Polariton propagation in weak confinement quantum wells

Exciton-polariton propagation in a quantum well, under centre-of-mass quantization, is computed by a variational self-consistent microscopic theory. The Wannier exciton envelope functions basis set is given by the simple analytical model of ref. [1], based on pure states of the centre-of-mass wave vector, free from fitting parameters and "ad hoc" (the so called additional boundary conditions-ABCs) assumptions. In the present paper, the former analytical model is implemented in order to reproduce the centre-of-mass quantization in a large range of quantum well thicknesses (5a_B < L < inf.). The role of the dynamical transition layer at the well/barrier interfaces is discussed at variance of the classical Pekar's dead-layer and ABCs. The Wannier exciton eigenstates are computed, and compared with various theoretical models with different degrees of accuracy. Exciton-polariton transmission spectra in large quantum wells (L>> a_B) are computed and compared with experimental results of Schneider et al.\cite{Schneider} in high quality GaAs samples. The sound agreement between theory and experiment allows to unambiguously assign the exciton-polariton dips of the transmission spectrum to the pure states of the Wannier exciton center-of-mass quantization.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures; will appear in Phys.Rev.

Service use barriers differentiating care-givers' service use patterns

10.1017/S0144686X10001418Ageing and Society3181307-132

Perceptions of Participation in Trauma Research among Older Adults.

The need for rigorous research on the risk and consequences of older adult abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation— especially from the perspectives of older adults themselves— has become more imperative as the population in the United States rapidly ages. Researchers have previously demonstrated that trauma-focused research can be conducted ethically; however, researchers have not directly assessed perceived benefits and costs of trauma-focused research among older adult participants. The current study addresses the gap in the literature by examining perceived benefit-to-cost ratios related to participating in a trauma-focused research protocol in a community sample of adults over the age of 60. The sample included 99 ethnically diverse older adults (aged 60 – 86, mean age 69.8). Participants’ ratings on the Response to Research Participation Questionnaire (RRPQ) documented a positive benefit-to-cost ratio, demonstrating that older adults’ perceptions of benefits of participating in research outweighed the costs; effect sizes were large. When examining the relationship between symptom distress and perceptions of research participation, PTSD and depressive symptoms were associated with greater emotional reactions. Overall, the findings of the current study demonstrate that, within the context of mindful interview and screening procedures, asking older adults about trauma and maltreatment may be conducted within a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio. Implications for research and practice are discussed

Perceptions of Participation in Trauma Research among Older Adults.

The need for rigorous research on the risk and consequences of older adult abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation—especially from the perspectives of older adults themselves—has become more imperative as the population in the United States rapidly ages. Researchers have previously demonstrated that trauma-focused research can be conducted ethically; however, researchers have not directly assessed perceived benefits and costs of trauma-focused research among older adult participants. The current study addresses the gap in the literature by examining perceived benefit-to-cost ratios related to participating in a trauma-focused research protocol in a community sample of adults over the age of 60. The sample included 99 ethnically diverse older adults (aged 60–86, mean age = 69.8). Participants’ ratings on the Response to Research Participation Questionnaire (RRPQ) documented a positive benefit-to-cost ratio, demonstrating that older adults’ perceptions of benefits of participating in research outweighed the costs; effect sizes were large. When examining the relationship between symptom distress and perceptions of research participation, PTSD and depressive symptoms were associated with greater emotional reactions. Overall, the findings of the current study demonstrate that, within the context of mindful interview and screening procedures, asking older adults about trauma and maltreatment may be conducted within a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio. Implications for research and practice are discussed