Gender and motor competence affects perceived likelihood and importance of physical activity outcomes among 14 year olds

Little is understood about the impact of level of motor competence on self-perceptions in adolescence, in particular how this may differentially affect girls and boys. A sample of 1,568 14-year-old participants (766 girls and 802 boys) were grouped into four motor competence levels (very low to high) based on the McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development (MAND). Self-perceptions were assessed using the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents. Boys had higher self-perceptions of global self-worth, athletic competence, and physical appearance, whereas girls had higher scores for close friendships and behavioral conduct. Main effects in the predicted direction were found for motor competence for self-perceptions of global self-worth, athletic competence, physical appearance, close friendships, social acceptance, and romantic appeal. These findings indicate that level of motor competence is important in many aspects of self-perceptions, affecting girls and boys differently. Higher motor competence has a protective effect on psychosocial health, particularly for girls

Agent-Based Urban Land Markets: Agent's Pricing Behavior, Land Prices and Urban Land Use Change

We present a new bilateral agent-based land market model, which moves beyond previous work by explicitly modeling behavioral drivers of land-market transactions on both the buyer and seller sides; formation of bid prices (of buyers) and ask prices (of sellers); and the relative division of the gains from trade from the market transactions. We analyze model output using a series of macro-scale economic and landscape pattern measures, including land rent gradients estimated using simple regression models. We first demonstrate that our model replicates relevant theoretical results of the traditional Alonso/Von Thünen model (structural validation). We then explore how urban morphology and land rents change as the relative market power of buyers and sellers changes (i.e., we move from a 'sellers' market' to a 'buyers' market'). We demonstrate that these strategic price dynamics have differential effects on land rents, but both lead to increased urban expansion

Exploring depression in grandparents caring for orphans as a result of HIV/AIDS.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Background: In 2011 South Africa was home to 5,300,000 to 5,900,000 people living with HIV. An estimated 240,000 to 300,000 deaths due to AIDS occurred during this year, resulting in 2,000,000 to 2,300,000 orphans aged 0-17 years (UNAIDS, 2011). Grandmothers are increasingly recognised as African Heroes, as the ones looking after orphans and the sick, as primary care givers (Lewis, 2007). If depression is left untreated it can affect the grandparent’s health, as well as their ability to care for orphans. Aim: The aim of the study seeks to understand depression in grandparents as primary care givers to orphaned children and to explore factors that may contribute to depression. Method: This study used a qualitative, interpretive phenomenological research approach. Data was obtained through semi-structured focus group discussions using three focus groups with 4-5 participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Findings from the study suggest that a number of factors played a part in either precipitating or perpetuating depression in elderly caregivers of orphans. Socio economic status, namely a lack of food and income played a large role in the experience of depression. The results also point to social isolation and lack of support, as well as poor parenting skills as exacerbating factors. Conclusion: The literature review, along with the results of this study provides insights on how depression is experienced in elderly caregivers of orphans as well as contributing factors.. It is hoped that the results of this study will be useful in implementing effective interventions for grandparents of orphans in the future

The Production of Marketable Vegetable Transplants Using Sustainable Locally Sourced Soilless Media Amendments

Public demand for sustainable local and organic food products has led these systems to become one of the fastest growing sectors in the agricultural food market. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for food produced using organic or sustainable practices. Local and small-scale farmers are striving to develop sustainable and in some cases USDA certified organic systems in production of vegetables and fruit. Warm season crops are commonly produced using transplants. Evaluation of nutrient availability is needed for the use of readily available local waste-streams byproducts, such as manures and composts, for amendments or fertilizers in order to manage plant fertility in vegetable transplant production. The objectives of this research were to identify optimum transplant media mixes using locally sourced amendments and evaluate optimal rates and application method for OMRI approved post-applied fish hydrolysate fertilizer in organic basil transplant production. In the first experiment fish hydrolysate (FH) 2:4:1 (N:P:K) was applied as a fertilizer source as a drench or foliar application based on nitrogen application rates of 0, 20, 40, and 80 kg N ha-1 wk-1. The second experiment evaluated vermicompost (VC) at 10, 20, and 40% and composted broiler litter (CB) at 5, 10, and 20% as amendments to a commercial germinating mix treated with or without weekly applications of FH 80 kg N ha -1 as a drench. Application rate and placement of FH affected basil transplant growth in a 38 day period. In general, FH at ≥40 kg N ha-1 wk-1 applied as a drench during basil transplant production resulted in taller plants, thicker stem diameters, and the greater biomasses compared to FH applied directly to leaves 28 days after initial treatment (DAIT). Vermicompost rates had a negligible effect on basil height, stem diameter, and total biomass compared to the control. However, weekly drench applications of FH based on nitrogen rate of 80 kg N ha -1 provided acceptable nutrition for basil growth in VC substrate combinations of 0, 10, 20 and 40% within a 38-day period. Composted broiler litter was not an effective transplant media substrate. Basil grown in the CB treatment at rates of 5 and 10 % were not different than the control and deleterious effects were observed at 20%

Introducing Preference Heterogeneity into a Monocentric Urban Model: an Agent-Based Land Market Model

This paper presents an agent-based urban land market model. We first replace the centralized price determination mechanism of the monocentric urban market model with a series of bilateral trades distributed in space and time. We then run the model for agents with heterogeneous preferences for location. Model output is analyzed using a series of macro-scale economic and landscape pattern measures, including land rent gradients estimated using simple regression. We demonstrate that heterogeneity in preference for proximity alone is sufficient to generate urban expansion and that information on agent heterogeneity is needed to fully explain land rent variation over space. Our agent-based land market model serves as computational laboratory that may improve our understanding of the processes generating patterns observed in real-world data

Agent-Based Urban Land Markets: Agent\'s Pricing Behavior, Land Prices and Urban Land Use Change

We present a new bilateral agent-based land market model, which moves beyond previous work by explicitly modeling behavioral drivers of land-market transactions on both the buyer and seller side; formation of bid prices (of buyers) and ask prices (of sellers); and the relative division of the gains from trade from the market transactions. We analyze model output using a series of macro-scale economic and landscape pattern measures, including land rent gradients estimated using simple regression models. We first demonstrate that our model replicates relevant theoretical results of the traditional Alonso/Von Th�nen model (structural validation). We then explore how urban morphology and land rents change as the relative market power of buyers and sellers changes (i.e., we move from a \'sellers\' market\' to a \'buyers\' market\'). We demonstrate that these strategic price dynamics have differential effects on land rents, but both lead to increased urban expansion.Location Choice, Urban Land Market, Agent-Based Computational Economics, Land Use, Land Rent Gradient, Spatial Simulation

EDGE-EFFECT EXTERNALITIES: THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL IMPLICATIONS OF SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY

This dissertation examines the impacts of distance-dependent spatial externalities on patterns of economic activity in a free-market setting. This class of externalities, which include such examples as smog dispersal, pesticide drift, and habitat degradation from roads, are referred to as ``edge-effect externalities''. Under edge-effect externalities, economic optimality will require not only the correct allocation of land to different uses, but also the correct arrangement of land uses. However, an unregulated free market will potentially fail to achieve an efficient arrangement of land uses. Chapter 2 develops a spatially continuous one-dimensional model of edge-effect externalities. The model demonstrates that, while the externality creates an incentive for a recipient to distance himself from the generator, this distance is too small from a social standpoint. The model also demonstrates the potential for positive externalities between those impacted by the edge-effect externality. Chapter 3 formally demonstrates the potential for edge-effect externalities to create non-convexities in the production possibilities frontier. Further, it demonstrates that conflicting border per unit area is a summary measure of landscape efficiency under edge-effect externalities, but this ratio will vary with the number, shape, and geographic concentration of parcels in the externality-receiving use. Chapter 4 develops a two dimensional agent-based cellular automaton model of free-market land use in an economy impacted by edge-effect externalities. It demonstrates that in an unregulated free-market without bargaining, both Pareto-efficient and inefficient equilibrium landscape patterns are possible. Initial configurations of firms, permanent geographic features, and transportation costs will impact final outcomes. Chapter 5 tests the hypothesis that production patterns for California Certified Organic Farms reflect possible avoidance of negative spatial spillovers from surrounding conventional farms. Differences in parcel size, shape, and surroundings between C.C.O.F. and non-C.C.O.F. parcels are demonstrated. While inherently more vulnerable to losses from mandatory buffer zones, C.C.O.F. parcels are shown to potentially lose a much lower proportion of their land to buffers than non-C.C.O.F. parcels. However, very few C.C.O.F. farms border C.C.O.F. farms under separate management, indicating that growers have not managed to coordinate to capture potential positive externalities.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The Implications of Skewed Risk Perception for a Dutch Coastal Land Market: Insights from an Agent-Based Computational Economics Model

Dutch coastal land markets are characterized by high amenity values but are threatened by potential coastal hazards, leading to high potential damage costs from flooding. Yet, Dutch residents generally perceive low or no flood risk. Using an agent-based land market model and Dutch survey data on risk perceptions and location preferences, this paper explores the patterns of land development and land rents produced by buyers with low, highly skewed risk perceptions. We find that, compared to representative agent and uniform risk perception models, the skewed risk perception distribution produces substantially more, high-valued development in risky coastal zones, potentially creating economically significant risks triggered by the current Dutch flood protection policy.land markets, risk perceptions, agent-based modeling, the Netherlands, survey, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Risk and Uncertainty,

THE VARIED IMPACT OF GREENWAYS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUES IN A METROPOLITAN, MICROPOLITAN, AND RURAL AREA: THE CASE OF THE CATAWBA REGIONAL TRAIL

This paper presents hedonic analyses designed to estimate the real estate premium from improved access to a regional greenway system in three distinct counties. The hypothesis is tested that unobservable factors relating to the overall economic structure of each county influence how and to what extent access to open space is effectively capitalized into residential sales prices.Land Economics/Use,

Using Classroom Observation to Investigate Productive Student Participation in Higher- and Lower-Performing Qatari Schools

In 2002, Qatar established key elements of educational reform in schools including national curriculum standards; emphasis on critical thinking through student-centered teaching; establishment of charter (independent) schools; standards-based assessment; English as the language of instruction in math and science, and extensive teacher professional development. While classrooms characterized by these reform elements should emerge as more successful on Qatari standards-based assessments, little research has been done to examine the relationship between these characteristics and standards attainment or even to determine whether these classroom teaching and learning elements exist (Knight et al., 2011). Three phases of research were conducted in a research project funded by the Qatar National research Foundation over a period of three years. The first phase provided descriptions of teaching and learning in reform-focused schools (see Akhlef & Knight, 2011). The current study extends the profiles developed in Phase I through further investigation of observed differences in student-centered instruction and productive participation of elementary math and science students in higher and lower performing Qatari schools implementing the reform. Data were collected in the Fall of 2008 in 17 schools randomly selected from 46 schools that had implemented the Qatar standards for at least 3 years. Findings from this study emphasize the 2011 AERA theme involving the use of educational research that contributes to public policy and public good. This research provides information about teaching and learning in student-centered classrooms at two levels – the professional knowledge base and the Qatar educational context and can inform Qatari policy makers who are involved in the reform movement.The Qatar National Research Foundation, National Priorities Research Program Grant # 13-6-7-1