I Predict a Riot: Governance of Citizens through the Politics of Crime and Sport

Within this paper I seek to explore notions of governance of citizenry through the politics of crime and sport. Sport is often presented as a panacea to combat a range of risks to advancing liberal democracies such as ill-health, lack of education and attainment, morality, drug (mis)use and crime. The seemingly redeeming and transformative powers of sport have manifested in the emergence of a plethora of policy initiatives designed to combat the social problems aforementioned. Much has been espoused about the power of sport and this has been accepted, largely anecdotally, as we have witnessed a number of policy shifts focussing on ‘elite’, ‘competitive’, ‘healthy’, ‘inclusive’ and ‘educational’ elements of sport and physical activity. In order to offer insight into the experiences of such sporting interventions aimed at tackling these social problems, this paper explores narrative experiences of the ‘Street Elite’ project which provides the context to offer critical commentary regarding policy, governance and the conforming citizen. This paper will attempt to explore the complexity of governance and control through the eyes of those involved in programmes that are deemed transformative in nature. It will consider the ways in which regimes of control are derived, implemented and received whilst challenging the accepted notion that sport is a vehicle for positive change that can significantly impact upon those ‘disengaged’ young people. Considering arguments aligned to governmentality and control; this paper will seek to argue that sports initiatives aimed at tackling crime, health and educational issues are instead arresting the concern with government of moral order by producing the conforming citizen

Solar-Terrestrial Science Strategy Workshop

The conclusions and recommendations reached at the Solar Terrestrial Science Strategy Workshop are summarized. The charter given to this diverse group was: (1) to establish the level of scientific understanding to be accomplished with the completion of the current and near term worldwide programs; (2) identify the significant scientific questions to be answered by future solar terrestrial programs, and the programs required to answer these questions; and (3) map out a program strategy, taking into consideration currently perceived space capabilities and constraints, to accomplish the identified program

ESTIMATING EXTERNAL COSTS OF MUNICIPAL LANDFILL SITING THROUGH CONTINGENT VALUATION ANALYSIS: A CASE STUDY

Much of the solid waste stream in the United States is generated by metropolitan areas, while associated landfills are often located in adjacent rural communities. Landfill disposal of municipal solid waste often creates external costs to nearby residents. Contingent valuation was used to estimate external costs of siting a landfill in the Carter community of Knox County, Tennessee. Estimates of annual external costs were $227 per household. Household income, size, years in the community, and distance from the proposed landfill and the respondent's education, sex, and perception of health risks were important in determining a household's willingness to pay to avoid having a landfill in the Carter community. Also, households whose drinking water supplies were at risk of contamination were willing to pay$141 more than those who used piped city water or bottled water.Public Economics,

AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPOSTING BEHAVIOR AT THE HOUSEHOLD LEVEL

Drawing upon telephone survey data, a logit probability analysis was conducted to identify household characteristics as well as social and institutional factors associated with backyard composting of yard and food wastes. Highly significant predictors included household gardening, perception of effort required, peer influence, and a compost bin sale program.Consumer/Household Economics, Institutional and Behavioral Economics,

Factors Associated with Backyard Composting Behavior at the Household Level

Communities in most states are under pressure to reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills. Many are making efforts to encourage their citizens to practice backyard composting. A logit regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with backyard composting of yard and food wastes in a case study area. Sample data were obtained through a September 1997 telephone survey of 865 households residing in single-family dwellings in Knox County, Tennessee. Findings indicate that a number of variables reflecting complementary behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and peer influence were significantly related to composting behavior. Policy implications of these findings are outlined.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Relation of weights of operatively excised stenotic aortic valves to preoperative transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradients and to calculated aortic valve areas

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to correlate the weights of operatively excised stenotic aortic valves to preoperative transvalvular peak systolic gradients and to calculated aortic valve areas.BackgroundNo previous publication has correlated the weights of stenotic aortic valves to the transvalvular gradients or to the calculated aortic valve areas.MethodsWe weighed operatively excised stenotic aortic valves in 324 adults who had undergone preoperative left-sided cardiac catheterization.ResultsAs the weights of the operatively excised stenotic aortic valves increased (from <1 g to >6 g), the average transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradients progressively increased. For any valve weight, in general, the women had higher average transvalvular gradients (p ≤ 0.005) and lower average valve areas (p ≤ 0.008) than did the men. Correlation between aortic valve weight and transvalvular gradient improved further when gender was taken into account.ConclusionsPreoperative transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradients across stenotic aortic valves correlate better with the weights of the operatively excised valves than do the calculated valve areas

A LOGIT ANALYSIS OF PARTICIPATION IN TENNESSEE'S FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

This study determines the likely effect of cost-share incentives on participation in the Tennessee Forest Stewardship Program and identifies other factors that may contribute to participation. A random utility model is used to determine the probability that a landowner will choose to participate in the program. A binary choice model is specified to represent the dichotomous decision and a logit procedure is used to fit the model. Data are obtained from mail surveys of 4,000 randomly selected landowners. Results indicate that attitudes and knowledge of forestry programs may be more influential in a landowner's decision to participate than monetary incentives.Cost-share incentive, Stewardship Incentive Program, Logit, Nonindustrial private forest, NIPF, Participation, Forestry, Trees, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Innovative Pedagogies for The Digital Age: Extending Higher Education Beyond the Walls of The University.

This paper details an explorative and experimental project that is seeking to better implement virtual technologies of Web 2.0 into the pedagogy of higher education. Our project endeavours to position these technologies as a means of reorienting pedagogic practice within higher education around truly chaordic communities of practice that serve to develop digital citizens. We have undertaken this project with the belief that higher education should be concerned with answering the calls of our increasing digital society; that is to say become a place for foster digitally literate learners, who’s learning is not restricted to physical boundaries of the university but rather happens at all times over physical and virtual spaces

Re-thinking Learning Communities: Using Google+ to invigorate the curriculum and engage learners

This paper details an explorative and experimental project based in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Oxford Brookes University. It is an example of how a virtual space can be used to support and develop a strong and dynamic learning community in which staff and students work alongside to co-produce learning resources to enhance campus-based learning activities. It is likely to be of interest to colleagues who have experienced difficulties with student engagement in virtual learning environments, and those who are interested in developing more dynamic lecture programmes