Plato on Money and Commerical Life

Plato argued in various works that commercial life is psychologically corrupting. In his two works in which the ideal city is formulated — i.e. The Republic and The Laws — we find proposals for ensuring that the citizens are quarantined from such effects. I argue herein that although Plato’s world is very distinct from our own and his attitudes involve an extreme form of anti-commercialism, his thoughts on how money might corrode still have much to teach us. He describes how societies with large discrepancies in wealth fracture into classes and this undermines any communal solidarity and he considers how immersion in the world of money can corrupt our sense of what is morally appropriate. These lessons are as compelling today as they were in ancient Greece

The Non-Identity Problem and the Admissibility of Outlandish Thought Experiments in Applied Philosophy

The non-identity problem, which is much discussed in bioethics, metaphysics and environmental ethics, is usually examined by philosophers because of the difficulties it raises for our understanding of possible harms done to present human agents. In this article, instead of attempting to solve the non-identical problem, I explore an entirely different feature of the problem, namely the implications it has for the admissibility of outlandish or bizarre thought experiments. I argue that in order to sustain the claim that later born selves cannot be harmed (since they are in fact different persons), one must rule inadmissible certain kinds of modally bizarre imaginary cases. In this paper I explore how one might justify such a constraint on outlandish cases and, in so doing, develop the outline of a model for distinguishing between admissible and inadmissible imaginary cases in philosophical debate

This sporting Mammon: a normative critique of the commodification of sport

Since 1990 the commodification of popular sport has occurred at a remarkable rate. Although this process has been apparent since pastimes such as 'folk football' were formally codified as 'sports' in the 18th and 19th centuries, in recent times we have witnessed a qualitatively different kind of entry of market-centred processes into sport.i In the only truly global sport - association football or ‘soccer’ - this ‘hyper-commodification’ has involved the greater professionalisation and global migration of players, the corporatisation of clubs, the proliferation of merchandising, rule-changes to draw in new customers, and a general redefinition of the competitive structures and ethos of the sport. There is understandable, intuitive unease amongst many members of the sporting community about these changes. How well founded are these concerns

Electrical characterisation of emerging photo anodes suited to water dissociation with an applied bias

One of the pivotal challenges of the 21st century is to develop alternative energy sources to replace the inevitable depletion of fossil fuels. One candidate for a non-polluting, abundant and renewable source of energy is sunlight. The significant challenge for the large-scale uptake of solar energy is overcoming the intermittent nature of solar radiation using energy storage methods. Synthesis of fuels from sunlight is one potential storage approach, providing the need for optimized photo-electrochemical devices and materials. The direct photovoltage of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen represents the most direct route to the synthesis of clean fuel. Recently it has been showing that technology from the microelectronics industry can be used to fabricate metal oxide semiconductors for use as photoanodes. Given that the protective oxide needs to be transparent to allow light to the photoactive material, two possible solutions are available. To have a thicker transparent conducting oxide, such as indium-tin-oxide, which would create a Schottky junction with the silicon below, or to use very thin oxides such as titanium dioxide, which when a catalyst is deposited on top creates a MOS structure. Of interest to the first option are the electrical properties of the Schottky junction in particular the barrier height, as this will dictate the current flow through to the water and drive the electrochemical reaction. For the second option to be successful, the thin oxide must not have any pinholes, i.e. to isolate the photoactive material below from the water. Atomic layer deposition is able to provide this level of conformality. A conduction mechanism study was performed and an investigation into the relationship between the stoichiometry of the titanium dioxide and the leakage current. It was shown that the level of oxygen vacancies played a key role in the level of leakage current, but a dominant conduction mechanism was not proved. Next a study into how the thickness affects the conduction through the films was performed, where results show that an increased thickness results in an increased leakage current, opposite of what would be expected. Some ellipsometry data shows a definite change in the films as they get thicker. The relationship between these electrical properties and the electrochemical properties of interested in a water splitting cell were also studied and shown that it is not always possible to compare the two, especially when, the electrochemical measurement includes a light source. In addition, an investigation into deposition of mixed oxides based on titanium dioxide, was undertaken, using a novel ALD method whereby the titanium precursor was not pulsed in saturation. In this way a number of reaction sites were left unfilled, meaning that when a second metal precursor was pulsed, a single cycle of growth contained two different types of metal atoms, as opposed to the more traditional method of the supercycle detailed in chapter 1. The electrical properties of these films were measured, and a definitive trend showed that, creating mixed oxides in this way can change the electrical properties but that the incorporated amount of the second metal is an important factor. An anneal study was found to vastly change the electrical properties of these mixed oxides samples, where the leakage current fell by a number of orders of magnitude. For a water splitting application, this is not a desirable effect

Origins, Destinations and Catchments: Mapping travel to work in Ireland in 2002

Over recent years there has emerged an increased awareness of the importance of strategic spatial planning and of the extent to which concepts such as place and space really matter. An enhanced understanding of the geography of living and of the economy requires not only a knowledge of where people and objects are but also of how those places relate to one another. This requires fundamentally sound data on movement patterns, of which the most important is probably the daily journey to work (Horner, 1999). In this paper we explore for the first time several aspects of the journey to work using data from the CSO 2002 Census of Population (CSO 2003a, CSO 2003b. CSO 2004a). While the approach at this stage is mainly descriptive supported by detailed mapping it is timely and it will hopefully contribute to discussion in a number of areas of public policy. These include the estimation of regional per capita levels of output (per capita GVA), the extent of the catchment areas of the National Spatial Strategy Gateways and hubs, the environmental sustainability of new trip patterns, and the impact of longer and more stressful journey times on quality of life

Origins, Destinations and Catchments: Mapping travel to work in Ireland in 2002

Over recent years there has emerged an increased awareness of the importance of strategic spatial planning and of the extent to which concepts such as place and space really matter. An enhanced understanding of the geography of living and of the economy requires not only a knowledge of where people and objects are but also of how those places relate to one another. This requires fundamentally sound data on movement patterns, of which the most important is probably the daily journey to work (Horner, 1999). In this paper we explore for the first time several aspects of the journey to work using data from the CSO 2002 Census of Population (CSO 2003a, CSO 2003b. CSO 2004a). While the approach at this stage is mainly descriptive supported by detailed mapping it is timely and it will hopefully contribute to discussion in a number of areas of public policy. These include the estimation of regional per capita levels of output (per capita GVA), the extent of the catchment areas of the National Spatial Strategy Gateways and hubs, the environmental sustainability of new trip patterns, and the impact of longer and more stressful journey times on quality of life

Three-dimensional structure of CaV3.1: comparison with the cardiac L-type voltage-gated calcium channel monomer architecture.

Calcium entry through voltage-gated calcium channels has widespread cellular effects upon a host of physiological processes including neuronal excitability, muscle excitation-contraction coupling, and secretion. Using single particle analysis methods, we have determined the first three-dimensional structure, at 23 A resolution, for a member of the low voltage-activated voltage-gated calcium channel family, CaV3.1, a T-type channel. CaV3.1 has dimensions of approximately 115x85x95 A, composed of two distinct segments. The cytoplasmic densities form a vestibule below the transmembrane domain with the C terminus, unambiguously identified by the presence of a His tag being approximately 65 A long and curling around the base of the structure. The cytoplasmic assembly has a large exposed surface area that may serve as a signaling hub with the C terminus acting as a "fishing rod" to bind regulatory proteins. We have also determined a three-dimensional structure, at a resolution of 25 A, for the monomeric form of the cardiac L-type voltage-gated calcium (high voltage-activated) channel with accessory proteins beta and alpha2delta bound to the ion channel polypeptide CaV1.2. Comparison with the skeletal muscle isoform finds a good match particularly with respect to the conformation, size, and shape of the domain identified as that formed by alpha2. Furthermore, modeling of the CaV3.1 structure (analogous to CaV1.2 at these resolutions) into the heteromeric L-type voltage-gated calcium channel complex volume reveals multiple interaction sites for beta-CaV1.2 binding and for the first time identifies the size and organization of the alpha2delta polypeptides

Associations between dietary intakes of first-time fathers and their 20-month-old children are moderated by fathers\u27 BMI, education and age

Children\u27s learning about food is considerable during their formative years, with parental influence being pivotal. Research has focused predominantly on maternal influences, with little known about the relationships between fathers\u27 and children\u27s diets. Greater understanding of this relationship is necessary for the design of appropriate interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the diets of fathers and their children and the moderating effects of fathers\u27 BMI, education and age on these associations. The diets of fathers and their first-born children (n 317) in the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using an FFQ and 3×24-h recalls, respectively. The InFANT Program is a cluster-randomised controlled trial in the setting of first-time parents groups in Victoria, Australia. Associations between father and child fruit, vegetable, non-core food and non-core drink intakes were assessed using linear regression. The extent to which these associations were mediated by maternal intake was tested. Moderation of associations by paternal BMI, education and age was assessed. Positive associations were found between fathers\u27 and children\u27s intake of fruit, sweet snacks and take-away foods. Paternal BMI, education and age moderated the relationships found for the intakes of fruit (BMI), vegetables (age), savoury snacks (BMI and education) and take-away foods (BMI and education). Our findings suggest that associations exist at a young age and are moderated by paternal BMI, education and age. This study highlights the importance of fathers in modelling healthy diets for their children

Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between dietary intakes of fathers and their children at child age 20 months, 3·5 years and 5 years, and to determine if fathers\u27 intake predicts change in children\u27s intake between 20 months and 3·5 and 5 years of age. DESIGN: The diets of fathers and their first-born children participating in the longitudinal Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using FFQ and three 24 h recalls, respectively. SETTING: Sixty-two pre-existing first-time parent groups were selected from fourteen local government areas within a 60 km radius of Deakin University Burwood, Victoria, Australia. SUBJECTS: Fathers and their first-born children at 20 months (n 317), 3·5 years (n 214) and 5 years of age (n 208). RESULTS: Positive associations were found between fathers\u27 and children\u27s intakes of fruit and sweet snacks at 20 months (P=0·001) and 5 years of age (P=0·012). Fathers\u27 intake at child age 20 months was associated with change in children\u27s intake for fruit, sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 3·5 years, and for sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 5 years (all P<0·05). After adjustment for maternal intake, fathers\u27 intake of sweet snacks remained a predictor of change in children\u27s sweet snack intake between 20 months and 3·5 years of age (P=0·03). CONCLUSIONS: Associations between the dietary intakes of fathers and their children commence at a young age and continue through early childhood. Fathers should be included in future interventions aimed at improving children\u27s diets