Strategic Gendering: The Negotiated Social Actions of Adolescent Girls

This qualitative study is focused on how gender expectations shape the identities and social actions of seven white middle class adolescent girls. Utilizing an ethnographically oriented grounded theory approach, this study seeks to reframe adolescent girls’ agentic actions in relation to cultural influences. This investigation looks at “cultural impasses” in girls’ lives and how they are indicators of gendered preconditions which shape their everyday choices and behaviors. Research aims are embedded in the concept that gender is socially constructed and produced through the combined interplay of girls’ social actions and cultural demands. Through an examination of girl and adult narratives, elicited texts, and ethnographic research, as well as, the analytic frameworks of pragmatism and critical feminism, this study maps out a range of social actions that are sometimes contradictory in nature. “Strategic gendering” is proposed as a way to illuminate the observable blending of opposing social actions of girls in this study, who strive to satisfy dual commitments to self and culture. Strategic gendering refers to an adaptive negotiation of social actions that simultaneously links girls’ personal goals with cultural expectations and can be evidenced in girls’ day to day behaviors. This concept can be understood through theories of power, gender, autonomy, and agency which are considered in relation to study participants’ life experiences. Further, this study explores implications of findings for white middle class girls, parents, teachers and other professionals who live and work with them

Coal-to-Liquid Technology: A Look at the Geopolitical Tension Behind China\u27s Energy Strategy

As interest in renewable energy development continues to rise around the globe, the alignment of China’s capabilities and incentive to invest in the green energy sector position the country in a leading role. However, China’s recent investment in coal-to-liquid (CTL) technology raises questions as to the direction of China’s energy policy and reflects broader geopolitical tensions within the Chinese government. Although CTL technology has been widely criticized as being environmentally unfriendly and economically unsustainable, China continues to invest in it at an astounding pace. Research proposes several possible explanations, such as corruption or local conflicts of interest, however, a critical analysis of China’s political and economic systems reveals that China’s energy policy is actually split between pursuing oil security and becoming a green hegemon. How the Chinese Communist Party decides to prioritize its energy policy will have widespread economic, environmental and political effects for decades to come

The carbon uptake by carbonation of concrete structures – some remarks by perspective of TA

An issue which recently raised remarkable attention in both industry and politics with regard to CO$_{2}$-emissions of the cement industry is the uptake of CO$_{2}$ into concrete structures from the atmosphere due to weathering. Lobbyists urge to implement this overlooked sink of CO$_{2}$ within the global CO$_{2}$-balances. In this paper we examine the question whether the currently proposed methodology and database are sufficient for implementation. The experimental database is assessed to be doubtful due to inadequate testing. No reliable correlation of carbonation and age of buildings exist. Simple models are insufficient to allow a transfer in real buildings. A compensation of today\u27s emissions with carbon that is sequestered by the existing building stock is implausible. The after-service life is assessed to be of higher importance. But the practicability and the economy of new procedures for enhanced carbonation of crushed concrete are uncertain. On the existing basis, the drafting of guidelines for IPCC appears to be very problematic. There are indications that a substantial fraction of CO$_{2}$ once emitted would remain within the atmosphere for thousands of years. Even if CO$_{2}$ is sequestered with a long-term delay, damages caused by extreme events cannot be retroactively reversed. The cement industry finds itself in a tricky situation. In the medium term, there is no serious alternative binder in sight and the realization conditions of CCS are unclear. For this reason, to the author\u27s perspective, reinforced R&D in the field of radical innovations of low-CO$_{2}$-binders is strongly recommended

An experiment in public education

This is a reprinted version of the article written by Dr. Thelma V. Owen and Dr. M. G. Stemmermann that was originally published in Mental Hygiene, Vol. 43, No. 1., in January 1959. The article discusses the negative outcomes of mental illness stigma and the regression in care and treatment that stigma causes. As part of their writings, they are able to include operations of Owen Clinic as positive examples and ways to curve stigma and provide better care. They detail the Club formed by ex-patients and family who began different methods of advocation, from helping new patients to giving panel discussions to various groups. The article contains the remarks given by the panel members. These panels were significant sources of community outreach and mental health awareness in the area and showcase just how instrumental Owen Clinic was in changing rural mental health attitudes.https://mds.marshall.edu/owen_clinic_institute/1027/thumbnail.jp

Zero emission circular concrete

The project Zero Emission Circular Concrete develops a CO2-neutral, high-quality, and resource-efficient concrete cycle starting with end-of-life concrete. A cement clinker with a reduced CO2 footprint is processed from waste concrete fines at a strongly reduced temperature of approximately 1000°C. The main clinker mineral is belite, Ca2SiO4. The residual CO2 is released in concentrated form and used for the technical carbonation of either waste concrete fines as supplementary cementitious material or of coarse crushed waste concrete. The coarse fraction is treated in a new process based on a pressurized autoclave, where hardening by carbonation improves the properties of the recycled aggregate. Both carbonation options are investigated on a laboratory scale. Recycling cement is developed from belite cement clinker, Portland cement clinker, and other substitutes in a joint project with the industry. A 30% substitution rate of Portland cement clinker compared to European cement standards is targeted. Subsequently, formulations for recycling concrete will be developed from recycled cement and recycled aggregate. The processing of concrete products and precast concrete elements will be tested in plant trials. A pilot plant for belite cement clinker is currently under construction to bring its technology readiness level to four

Recycling belite cement clinker from post-demolition autoclaved aerated concrete – assessing a new process

Increasing post-demolition autoclaved aerated concrete (pd-AAC) waste is mainly landfilled due to its physical properties and lacking recycling processes. A promising technology is the production of recycled belite cement clinker, which can partially substitute Portland cement clinker. This paper presents experimental data of recycled belite cement clinker production from pd-AAC that has been successfully demonstrated on technology readiness level 4–5 and its associated lifecycle assessment. Different supply chains for pd-AAC and energy are examined. The closed-loop pd-AAC recycling via the belite route that aims for Portland cement clinker substitution shows significant potential savings in environmental impacts. These savings could reach 0.77 kg CO2-Eq/kg pd-AAC compared to the status quo (landfilling) by using renewable electricity, and 0.34 kg CO2-Eq/kg pd-AAC by using natural gas. The gained reduction of around 13.5 % is significant considering that it is the result of substituting only 15.5 % of the overall input material

Comparison of different post-demolition autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) recycling options

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is used as masonry blocks and prefabricated reinforced elements preferably in residential buildings. Due to its porous structure and mineral composition, it combines low thermal conductivity and fire resistance properties. Consequently, the popularity of AAC increases. However, due to significant AAC production volumes in many European countries since the 1960s and 1970s and given building lifetimes, strongly increasing post-demolition AAC waste volumes can be expected in the following decades. Recycling these post-demolition AAC wastes could protect primary resources and landfill capacities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But, recycling of post-demolition AAC is not yet established. The majority of the waste is landfilled even though landfill capacities have decreased and the legal framework conditions in Europe regarding a circular economy are becoming stricter. Therefore, new recycling options are needed. Current research approaches propose different open-loop recycling routes for post-demolition AAC, e.g. lightweight aggregate concrete, lightweight mortar, no-fines concrete, floor screed, animal bedding, oil- and chemical binders, and insulating fills for voids and interstitial spaces. Additionally, closed-loop recycling is possible and under research. Finely ground post-demolition AAC powder can be directly used in AAC production or can be chemically converted to belite (C2S) clinker to substitute primary cement in AAC production. These promising recycling options are compared regarding environmental and economic aspects. We find that the resource consumption is lower in all recycling options since post-demolition AAC helps to save primary resources. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the substituted primary resources are saved - especially when substituting primary cement in closed-loop recycling. In economic terms, increasing landfill costs could be avoided, which leaves a considerable margin for the cost of pre-processing, transport and recycling. The results can help decision-makers to implement circular management for AAC by fostering post-demolition AAC recycling and reducing its landfilling

Belite cement clinker from autoclaved aerated concrete waste – A contribution towards CO₂-reduced circular building materials

The processing of belite cement clinker in a rotary kiln at about 1000oC is a new recycling option for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) waste that otherwise must be landfilled. The clinker produced can partially substitute ordinary portland cement (OPC) in AAC production. Waste quantities and landfill costs are minimized, while at the same time CO2 emissions and the primary resource consumption of AAC production are reduced. The technology is currently under development. New analytical possibilities and modeling have made it possible to optimize the process conditions to such an extent that the use of belite cement clinker in aerated concrete production has already been technically tested. Particularly large effects on CO2 emissions can be achieved through the electrical heating of the rotary kiln and the coupled sequestration of the released CO2 in other secondary products such as recycled aggregate for concrete production from waste concrete. Comparable concepts for the AAC cycle are currently being worked on together with the industry partner Xella. Although decentralized plant concepts would be useful in order to minimize transportation, small plants are currently not economical according to initial estimates. In the long term, emission-free product cycles are aimed at