Linking local rice processors’ access to rural radio,gender, and livelihoods in Benin

In a context of low literacy rates and a high level of rurality, the use of rural radio in agricultural extension is a method that can bridge the gap that exists between researchers, extension workers, and farmers. This article examines the level of farmers’ access to rural radio in relation to gender and livelihoods. The study was conducted in Benin with 18 rural radio stations and 240 rice processors, using the sustainable livelihoods framework to examine the relationship between access to rural radio and livelihoods. Although the study cannot draw conclusions on causal relationships, rice processors who often listened to agricultural broadcasts had better social, financial, and human capital stocks compared to those who did not. Despite the efforts of 72% of the radio stations to link up with extension services, half of the rice processors rarely or never listened to agricultural broadcasts, because the timing of the broadcasts was inappropriate. Interactive radio sessions with farmers that involve government officials will need to address this if they are to become more effective.     

Simulated impact of an industrial electrical rate reduction on the pittsburgh region

The City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have electrical rates which are approximately 20-23 percent above the national average and are among the highest in the U.S. The following report examines the potential impact on the Pittsburgh Region of an industrial electrical rate reduction of 15 percent in Allegheny County. Simulations show that the reduction will slow the rate of decline in manufacturing employment and cause modest increases in employment growth in other sectors of the local economy. However, the rate reduction will have almost no impact on real disposable income per capita in the Region and will also have no recession dampening effect on the Region when the nation experiences a 10 percent, two-year decline in the demand for all durable goods. All simulations are run using the 1994 Pittsburgh REMI Model.     

Does Age Matter?

How does age influence public opinion regarding controversial social issues? The issues at stake are: attitudes toward Muslims, Jews, Affirmative Action, immigration, abortion, and gays and lesbians. While we understand the importance of including opinions toward African-Americans among these categories, we found little data on opinions toward this group by age. We also discuss opinions toward Darwin’s theory of evolution and stem cell research since they were issues that pitted science against religion in American society and were important topics of intense political discussion. The selection of issues is based on the importance of these issues in public debate and electoral politics. A number of these issues, mainly those related to opinions toward religious and racial groups, reflect the development of American society and draw lines of possible disagreements and social cleavages.     

Development and Pilot of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Trauma‐Informed Juvenile Court Self‐Assessment

Trauma‐informed practices in the juvenile justice system are increasingly recognized as effective for promoting public safety through case management, rehabilitation, and treatment that is responsive to a traumatic event exposure and current trauma reactions. As court systems explore integration of trauma‐informed practices, tools for identifying best practices and strategically implementing trauma‐informed approaches are integral for judges and court administrators aiming to develop trauma‐informed courts. The current paper reviews the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's development of the Trauma‐Informed Juvenile Court Self‐Assessment (TI‐JCSA). Implications for self‐guided strategies to shift court practices and policies to align with trauma‐informed approaches will be discussed.     

Serum alcohol concentrations in trauma patients determined by immunoassay versus gas chromatography

There has been an extensive discussion in the forensic toxicology community regarding the effect of trauma on the enzymatic method for ethanol analysis. There is a paucity of information in the literature that addresses this question. This study was designed to compare the Dade Behring Dimension enzymatic method with the reliable gas chromatographic method. The blood samples collected at the same time from trauma patients were analyzed by both methods. The result of the study shows no significant quantitative difference between the enzymatic and gas liquid chromatographic (GLC) methods. Also, the enzymatic method did not show any false positive ethanol in cases where the GLC method showed a negative finding.