Revitalizing Urban Waterways: Streams of Environmental Justice

This paper explores how a specific project (creek restoration planning) in a particular place (Syracuse, NY) challenged its proponents to identify best practices for community outreach. Within this watershed, several kinds of social and biophysical problems converged with two environmental justice (EJ) challenges, making for a complex project. We will review how the project proponents planned the project, especially the public participation, in the context of minimal guidance in terms of agreed-upon best practices, and the EJ issues. The outline the project’s impacts, arguing that the highly interactive, process-intensive approach that the proponents adapted was in part, necessitated by the environmental justice issues present in the area. Furthermore, the process-intensive approach they adopted in turn spurred a broad-based understanding of urban watershed dynamics, as wellas a shared discourse, yielding sustained benefits for the area. This paper will highlight the potential of learning through deliberative process (Petts 2006 & 2007) and collaborative learning models in general (Daniels and Walker 1996) with social equity. Efforts to restore and/or revitalize urban creeks, streams, and sloughs are more frequently taking place in poor neighborhoods with highly diverse populations and across multiple jurisdictions. Some examples are Wildcat Creek in North Richmond/San Pablo, California (Riley 1989), South Bronx, NY (Hopkins 2005), Anacostia River (Turner 2002) near Washington, D.C., and Onondaga Creek in central New York (OEI 2008) (Figure 1). In such areas, we may not have agreement as to what should be done and then we have different agencies and priorities, e.g., flood control vs. water quality improvement vs. habitat restoration

Finding Our Way: Urban Waterway Restoration and Participatory Processes

In this paper, we explore some of the challenges encountered in organizing multiple stakeholders for purposes of revitalizing an urban waterway. Drawing primarily from positive experiences with a creek revitalization project in Syracuse, New York, we identify several factors concerning the context and challenges -- both material and social -- that have helped to shape the outcomes. Several of the popular models for engaging stakeholders in waterways projects are discussed, especially as they have been used communities in other parts of the U.S. that have faced related challenges. We seek to identify key points and lessons that can help inform others about participatory processes in communities coping with water-related environmental justice issues

List Online Classification

We study multiclass online prediction where the learner can predict using a list of multiple labels (as opposed to just one label in the traditional setting). We characterize learnability in this model using the $b$-ary Littlestone dimension. This dimension is a variation of the classical Littlestone dimension with the difference that binary mistake trees are replaced with $(k+1)$-ary mistake trees, where $k$ is the number of labels in the list. In the agnostic setting, we explore different scenarios depending on whether the comparator class consists of single-labeled or multi-labeled functions and its tradeoff with the size of the lists the algorithm uses. We find that it is possible to achieve negative regret in some cases and provide a complete characterization of when this is possible. As part of our work, we adapt classical algorithms such as Littlestone's SOA and Rosenblatt's Perceptron to predict using lists of labels. We also establish combinatorial results for list-learnable classes, including an list online version of the Sauer-Shelah-Perles Lemma. We state our results within the framework of pattern classes -- a generalization of hypothesis classes which can represent adaptive hypotheses (i.e. functions with memory), and model data-dependent assumptions such as linear classification with margin

Revitalizing Urban Waterway\u27s Community Greenspace: Streams of Environmental Justice

While there are many reports of physical demonstration projects that attempt to restore segments and functions of urban waterways, there is no consensus about what to do and how to do it from a social or environmental justice perspective. We have discovered this during the three years of working on the Onondaga Creek Revitalization Plan in Syracuse, New York, and others have found this to be a major challenge as well. There are also equity issues in terms of who has historically been forced to live in high-risk flood plain or polluted water areas, with marginalized communities being the ones who shoulder the greatest burdens. This paper explores approaches to urban creek and river revitalization, drawing from international case studies from Europe and North America plus the authors’ experience with the Onondaga Creek Revitalization Plan in Syracuse, NY. Given the different waterway objectives for both restoration and /or revitalization, there is a need for a collaborative social process, with attention to social equity, in developing such projects and plans. The authors’ new book ’Revitalizing Urban Waterway Communities: Streams of Environmental Justice’ (Smardon et al. 2018) presents ways of addressing multiple jurisdictions and diverse sets of stakeholders. European and US case studies present challenging environmental justice issues, and so principles and methods for addressing them are needed (Moran 2007, 2010, Perreault et al. 2012, Platt 2006). Drawing on the concepts of collaborative learning models and coproduction of knowledge, the authors developed a process for community input for urban community waterway revitalization

GIS approach to estimation of the total phosphorous transfer in the Pilica River lowland catchment

In this paper, the Pilica River catchment (central Poland) is analyzed with a focus on understanding the total phosphorous transfer along the river system which also contains the large artificial Sulejów Reservoir. The paper presents a GIS method for estimating the total phosphorous (TP) load from proxy data representing sub-catchment land use and census data. The modelled load of TP is compared to the actual transfer of TP in the Pilica River system. The results shows that the metrics of connectivity between river system and dwelling areas as well as settlement density in the sub-catchments are useful predictors of the total phosphorous load. The presence of a large reservoir in the middle course of the river can disrupt nutrient transport along a river continuum by trapping and retaining suspended sediment and its associated TP load. Analysis of the indirect estimation of TP loads with the GIS analysis can be useful for identifying beneficial reservoir locations in a catchment. The study has shown that the Sulejów Reservoir has been located in a subcatchment with a largest load of the TP, and this feature helps determine the problem of reservoir eutrphication

From pedagogical confrontations to pedagogical invitations: A self-study of teacher educators' work

For teacher educators, ethical dilemmas, tensions and 'pedagogical confrontations' (PCs) often arise in day-to-day teaching practice. Education research reveals that self-study researchers usually have a heightened awareness of their obligations to both identify and subsequently act on these dilemmas, tensions and confrontations (Berry, 2007; Bullough & Pinnegar, 2004; East, Fitzgerald & Heston, 2009; LaBoskey, 2004; Loughran, 2006; Pinnegar & Hamilton, 2009, 2015; Samaras, 2011 ). This self-study research focuses on the identification, categorization and analysis of 'pedagogical confrontations' (PCs) and asks what they mean for teacher educators. Through selfstudy and analysis of these 'pedagogical confrontations' we have come to understand more about the sophisticated and complex nature of teaching. Furthermore, we explore the way in which the use of PCs as a lens for researching practice, has subsequently led to new insights and led to an 'enactment in practice' (Loughran, 2006)

General practitioners' views of clinically led commissioning: cross-sectional survey in England.

OBJECTIVES: Involving general practitioners (GPs) in the commissioning/purchasing of services has been an important element in English health policy for many years. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 handed responsibility for commissioning of the majority of care for local populations to GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). In this paper, we explore GP attitudes to involvement in commissioning and future intentions for engagement. DESIGN AND SETTING: Survey of a random sample of GPs across England in 2015. METHOD: The Eighth National GP Worklife Survey was distributed to GPs in spring 2015. Responses were received from 2611 respondents (response rate = 46%). We compared responses across different GP characteristics and conducted two sample tests of proportions to identify statistically significant differences in responses across groups. We also used multivariate logistic regression to identify the characteristics associated with wanting a formal CCG role in the future. RESULTS: While GPs generally agree that they can add value to aspects of commissioning, only a minority feel that this is an important part of their role. Many current leaders intend to quit in the next 5 years, and there is limited appetite among those not currently in a formal role to take up such a role in the future. CCGs were set up as 'membership organisations' but only a minority of respondents reported feeling that they had 'ownership' of their local CCG and these were often GPs with formal CCG roles. However, respondents generally agree that the CCG has a legitimate role in influencing the work that they do. CONCLUSION: CCGs need to engage in active succession planning to find the next generation of GP leaders. GPs believe that CCGs have a legitimate role in influencing their work, suggesting that there may be scope for CCGs to involve GPs more fully in roles short of formal leadership

Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein-1 (LAMP-1) Is the Melanocyte Vesicular Membrane Glycoprotein Band II

Coated vesicles play a critical role in the process of melanogenesis. Antisera raised against a coated vesicle fraction from mouse melanoma cells recognize two major glycoprotein antigens, band I (47-55 kd) and band II (90-120 kd). We demonstrate that band II is lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) by the following criteria: 1) the molecular weight and abundance of LAMP-1 varies among tissues but is always identical to that of band II; 2) band II and LAMP-1 co-migrate in sucrose gradient sedimentation studies; 3) immunodepletion of cell extracts with antivesicle serum removes all LAMP-1; and 4) intact organelles immunoisolated with antivesicle serum contain band II and LAMP1. Our results further confirm the long-suspected relationship between melanosomes and the lysosomal lineage of organelles

The service delivery process : An examination of how consumers evaluate technology-assisted service encounters in the retail banking industry

This study examined consumers\u27 perceptions post-adoption of technology and how these perceptions affect their levels of dis/satisfaction and their continued use of technology·assisted service encounters. To this end, this study investigated the criteria that consumers in Western Australia\u27s retail banking industry are likely to use when evaluating banking transactions involving EFTPOS, ATM, telephone, and Online banking modes. II examined whether these criteria changed with the mode of electronic banking in use and whether the significance of the criteria changed with consumers\u27 demographic characteristics. In addition, this study explored whether consumers who use these modes of electronic banking experience the paradoxes of technology adoption identified by Mick and Foumier (1998). Previous studies have shown that when evaluating the quality of services provided by organizations and their levels of dis/satisfaction with these services. Consumers are likely to base their judgements on their perceptions of the service delivery process (Lehtinen & Lehtinen, 1982; Brogowicz, Delene, & Lyth, 1990; Dllllllher & Mattsson, 1994; Danaher & Mattsson, 1998; Gronroos, 1998; Swam:, 1998). In particular, the studies have shown that the most significant element of the service delivery process is personal contact, that Is the interactions between organisations\u27 personnel and their customers (Sclmeider & Bowen, 1985; LeBIIUic & Nguyen, 1988; Parasuraman, Zeithaml, & Beny, 198fl; Howcroft, 1993; Donner & Dudley, 1997; Nichols, Gilbert, & Roslow, 1998; Tan, Beaumont, \u26 Freeman, 1999; Gabbott & Hogg, 2000). However, technological advancements have meant that some service organisations have changed their service delivery processes by substituting contact personnel with service delivery technologies. Consequently, consumers have been producing and delivering services for themselves by interacting with the service delivery technologies that are available (Bancel-charensol, 1999). Researchers assert that changing the characteristics of the service delivery process can result in changes in how consumers evaluate the quality of services provided by organisations and how they assess their resulting levels of dis/satisfaction (Chase, 1978; Lovelock & Young, 1979; Gronroos, 1984; Zeithaml, Parasuraman, & Beny, 1990). As such, this study examined the effects that retail banking technologies have on consumers\u27 evaluations of the service encounter and how these evaluations translate into usage patterns. Data were collected using qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The minimum of the qualitative phase of the study was to identify the criteria that consumers are likely to use when evaluating their technology-based banking transactions and the paradoxes of technology adoption that they are likely to experience. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with consumers who reported they use at least one of the four modes of electronic banking. The interviews were tape-recorded and analysed using N.U.D.I.S.T. software. The second phase of the study examined consumers\u27 opinions towards relevant criteria identified in the qualitative phase and the effect these criteria have on consumers\u27 use of the four modes of el«1ronic banking. Data for this stage were collected through a mail survey questionnaire that was mailed out to a sample of 1700 Western Australians. In total, 453 useable questionnaires were returned. The data were imported into SPSS v. 10 and analysed using non-parametric statistics. This study showed that consumers are likely to evaluate their electronic banking service encounters on the basis of perceived convenience, transaction aids available, and perceived risk. The findings also indicate that these criteria have sub dimensions. Perceived convenience relates to the perceived ease of transactions, perceived speed of transactions, and accessibility to consumers\u27 transaction accounts from different locations and beyond the bank\u27s traditional operating hours. The transaction aids include the voice prompts available with telephone banking and the visual cues available with Online banking. Perceived risk dimensions include psychological, performance, financial, and physical risks. The present study also showed that some criteria have a greater effect on consumers\u27 use of some modes of electronic banking than others. For instance, in regards to voice prompts, psychological and performance risks appeared to have an effect on the number of tell-phone banking transactions consumers are likely to conduct. Consumers who use electronic banking can experience six of the eight paradoxes of technology adoption identified by Mick and Fournier (199g): freedom/enslavement, control/chaos, engaging/disengaging, efficiency/inefficiency, fulfils/create needs, and competence/incompetence. The findings showed that in most case one side of the paradox dominates. It appears that existing theories, instruments, and techniques of evaluating the service encounter need to be adapted to be applicable to technology-assisted service encounter;. Specifically, these theories, instruments, and techniques need to minimise or exclude elements that require consumers to evaluate their interactions with and perceptions of organisations\u27 customer service personnel and replace them with dimensions relating to consumers’ interactions with the technologies that facilitate the service delivery process. However, an exception needs to be made for technology-assisted service encounters conducted using the telephone because in these service encounters consumers can access organisations\u27 customer service representatives, The findings were used to propose the TASE (technology-assisted service encounters) model, which includes items relating to the three main dimensions of perceived convenience, transaction aids, and perceived risk. The TASE model can be adapted and used to measure consumers’ evaluation of the service delivery processes of organisations in various service industries. The findings of this study have significant managerial applications. Organisations can use these findings to assess the viability of commercial technologies that they intend to implement by examining consumers\u27 perceptions of new technologies based on the relevant criteria and paradoxes identified in this study. In addition, organizations can use these findings to develop promotional strategies that address consumers\u27 concerns about using technology-based service delivery options in order to encourage them to participate more in the service delivery process. In addition the proposed T ASE model can be used to develop an instrument for measuring consumers\u27 levels of dis/satisfaction with technology-based service encounters in general