The Potential of Positioning: Assessing New Directions for an Integrated, Feminist International Political Economy

Feminist analyses of International Political Economy (IPE) currently face a significant epistemological challenge. By seeking to engage with mainstream political economists, feminist IPE scholars have narrowed the interdisciplinary approach that is common in most contemporary feminist scholarship to instead focus almost exclusively on the effects of neoliberal globalization. However, this focus has proved unsuccessful in garnering the interest of most mainstream international political economists and has isolated these scholars from feminist research in other disciplines. This paper argues that feminist IPE could gain significant leverage within its field by employing an interdisciplinary approach that links broader feminist issue such as violence against women to political economy. This is examined by reviewing some of the major feminist works in IPE and assessing their reception within the field of IPE. Next, the potential for broader feminist issues to garner mainstream attention in IPE is assessed by evaluating the economic implications of violence against women. In altering their epistemology to include a broader feminist analysis, feminist IPE scholars can effectively illustrate the need for feminist analysis in IPE while also wedding their research to the rich, interdisciplinary research of feminists in other fields

Cell and method for electrolysis of water and anode

An electrolytic cell for converting water vapor to oxygen and hydrogen include an anode comprising a foraminous conductive metal substrate with a 65-85 weight percent iridium oxide coating and 15-35 weight percent of a high temperature resin binder. A matrix member contains an electrolyte to which a cathode substantially inert. The foraminous metal member is most desirably expanded tantalum mesh, and the cell desirably includes reservoir elements of porous sintered metal in contact with the anode to receive and discharge electrolyte to the matrix member as required. Upon entry of a water vapor containing airstream into contact with the outer surface of the anode and thence into contact with iridium oxide coating, the water vapor is electrolytically converted to hydrogen ions and oxygen with the hydrogen ions migrating through the matrix to the cathode and the oxygen gas produced at the anode to enrich the air stream passing by the anode

Electrochemical performance investigations on the hydrogen depolarized CO2 concentrator

An extensive investigation of anode and cathode polarization in complete cells and half cells was conducted to determine the factors affecting HDC electrode polarization and the nature of this polarization. Matrix-electrolyte-electrode interactions and cell electrolyte composition were also investigated. The electrodes were found to have normal performance capabilities. The HDC anode polarization characteristics were correlated with a theoretical kinetic analysis; and, except for some quantitative details, a rather complete understanding of the causes for HDC electrode polarization was formulated. One of the important finding resulting from the kinetic analysis was that platinum appears to catalyze the decomposition of carbonic acid to carbon dioxide and water. It was concluded that the abnormal voltage performance of the One Man ARS HDC cells was caused by insufficient cell electrolyte volume under normal operating conditions due to deficiencies in the reservoir to cell interfacing

Monitoring Payments for Watershed Services Schemes in Developing Countries

Payments for watershed services (PWS) are schemes that use funds from water users (including governments) as an incentive for landholders to improve their land management practices. They are increasingly seen as a viable policy alternative to watershed management issues, and a means of addressing chronic problems such as declining water flows, deteriorating water quality and flooding. In some places, local governments, donor agencies and NGOs are actively trying to upscale and replicate PWS schemes across the area. While their apparent success and progress in launching new initiatives is encouraging, there is still much to be learned from formative experiences in this field, especially with regard to monitoring and evaluation.In this paper we discuss the monitoring and evaluation criteria behind compliance or transactional monitoring, which ensures that contracts are followed, and effectiveness conditionality, which looks at how schemes manage to achieve their environmental objectives regardless of the degree of compliance. Although the two are usually linked, a high degree of compliance does not necessarily ensure that a scheme is effective. This is because a poorly designed scheme may target the wrong land managers and land that is at least risk, meaning that payments do not generate the desired hydro-ecological or conservation benefits. As the levering capacity to demand payments for better watershed management increases, so does the need to understand the dynamics of such activities and demonstrate their impacts. While the growing interest in such schemes shows that participants believe in the principle of land management, evidence of their impact is needed to determine which initiatives genuinely add value and are worth pursuing

One man electrochemical air revitalization system

An integrated water vapor electrolysis (WVE) hydrogen depolarized CO2 concentrator (HDC) system sized for one man support over a wide range of inlet air conditions was designed, fabricated, and tested. Data obtained during 110 days of testing verified that this system can provide the necessary oxygen, CO2 removal, and partial humidity control to support one man (without exceeding a cabin partial pressure of 3.0 mmHg for CO2 and while maintaining a 20% oxygen level), when operated at a WVE current of 50 amperes and an HDC current of 18 amperes. An evaluation to determine the physical properties of tetramethylammonium bicarbonate (TMAC) and hydroxide was made. This provides the necessary electrolyte information for designing an HDC cell using TMAC

Feasibility study of a humidity control and oxygen supply system utilizing a water vapor electrolysis unit

Design and tests of water vapor electrolysis cell for generating and regulating spacecraft oxygen and for controlling humidit

Differentiation or path dependency: a critical look at the Australian wine industry

In 2007 the Australian wine industry is at a crossroads, both organizationally and culturally. Having achieved considerable success over the past three decades, the industry is now operating in the shadow of that success. Rather than adapting to new and multiple operating pathways of a global wine landscape, industry organizations continue to steer their sector along the entrenched and restrictive pathways of previous achievement. This paper examines strategies that have locked the industry into a saturated, price-sensitive, commodity wine market. It explains how these strategies will inherently fail to address current challenges and opportunities, and based on empirical data, why a differentiated, region-specific approach to wine production is the most likely strategy for survival

Working together: innovation and export links within highly developed and embryonic wine clusters

This paper examines innovation and export linkages within two distinct levels of wine cluster development. The aim of the paper, using empirical data from the Australian wine industry, is to demonstrate that the association between innovation and export activity intensifies as the cluster develops

Culturally relevant schooling in Nunavut: Views of secondary school educators

The Nunavut Department of Education is committed to creating culturally relevant Nunavut secondary schools using, as a foundation, the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge and learning), bilingualism, and inclusive schooling. This paper focuses on the voices of Nunavut secondary school educators by building upon the results of the Sivuniksamut Ilinniarniq research project, which explored multiple graduation options for Nunavut youth and was conducted by the Nunavut Department of Education in 2004. Some of the data for this research project came from a survey of secondary school educators. The open-ended responses revealed three main themes: the role of Inuit language and culture in Nunavut education; an increased role for family and community; and concerns about student engagement. An overview of the initial survey results as well as further qualitative analysis and discussion of the three main themes is provided. For current educational planning, it is necessary to understand how the majority non-Inuit secondary school educators view the Nunavut school system and the possible assumptions embedded within these views.Le Département de l’éducation du Nunavut s’est engagé à créer des écoles secondaires culturellement adaptées au Nunavut en se basant sur les principes du Inuit Qaujimajituqangit (le savoir traditionnel et l’apprentissage inuit), le bilinguisme et l’enseignement inclusif. Cet article expose les opinions d’enseignants du secondaire du Nunavut, tout en se fondant sur les résultats de l’étude Sivuniksamut Ilinniarniq, menée par le Département de l’éducation du Nunavut en 2004, qui explorait les multiples options de cursus pour les jeunes du Nunavut. Certaines des données du projet de recherche Sivuniksamut Illiniarniq résultent d’une enquête menée auprès des enseignants du secondaire. Ce questionnaire d’enquête ouvert permit d’identifier trois thèmes principaux préoccupant les enseignants du secondaire: le rôle de la langue et de la culture inuit dans l’enseignement au Nunavut, l’accroissement du rôle de l’implication familiale et communautaire, ainsi que des préoccupations au sujet de l’engagement des étudiants. Cet article présente un survol des premiers résultats de l’enquête ainsi qu’une étude qualitative plus approfondie et un exposé des trois principaux thèmes. La manière dont les enseignants non-Inuit du secondaire envisagent le système scolaire du Nunavut et les possibles préjugés que recouvrent leurs conceptions représentent des informations non négligeables à considérer dans les processus de planification de l’enseignement en cours