Traumatic brain injury,temperament, and violence in incarcerated youth: a mediation analysis based on Delisi and Vaughn’s theory of temperament and antisocial behavior

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with violent behavior. A possible key mechanism to explain the relationship between TBI and violence is DeLisi and Vaughn’s temperament-based theory of antisocial behavior. Accordingly, the current study investigates whether temperament – the combination of effortful control and negative emotionality – mediates the relationship between TBI and violent behavior within incarcerated youth. A non-probability sample of youth (N?=?227) incarcerated in two long-term residential facilities completed a comprehensive assessment tool that collected data on TBI, temperament, childhood trauma, substance use, mental illness, and a variety of demographic characteristics. Preliminary results showed TBI significantly increased violent behavior, adjusting for confounds. Then, mediation analysis found that temperament accounted for 54% of the total effect between TBI and violence. The study findings show the potency of DeLisi and Vaughn’s temperamental construct in explaining the relationship between TBI and violent behavior within a sample of incarcerated youth. The dynamic interplay between effortful control and negative emotionality appears to be an important mechanism related to violent behavior. Both temperament constructs should be the focus of future assessment and intervention among incarcerated youth with TBI.     

The distribution of conflict and attention across energy infrastructure

Across the world, public administration and policy decisions are related to diverse levels of conflict and attention. However, the degree and variance of conflict and attention remain largely unspecified. This article examines how types of energy infrastructure and characteristics of project location are associated with the distribution of conflict and attention around the energy infrastructure siting process. Our empirical focus is on gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, solar power projects, and wind power projects across the United States in 2018. Primarily relying on regression analysis and interviews, this article finds differences in the distribution of conflict and attention intensity within and between these energy infrastructure types, with gas pipelines and wind power projects presenting relatively higher conflict and attention intensities. However, conflict and attention are skewed to low intensities across infrastructure types. Characteristics of project locations that are positively associated with high conflict and attention intensity include the proportion of Democratic voters and the level of urbanization in the places where projects are sited. In contrast, the proportion of Black or Hispanic residents is negatively associated with high conflict and attention intensity.     

Policy conflicts in shale development in China and the United States

Policy conflicts are ubiquitous in many countries. Yet research on policy conflict is typically based on cases in western, democratic countries. As a result, little is known about the characteristics of policy conflicts in non-western countries, such as China, or how these characteristics compare to western contexts. The Policy Conflict Framework (PCF) was recently developed to help scholars identify, diagnose, and compare policy conflict characteristics. This research uses the PCF to guide a comparative analysis of the nature of policy conflicts in China and the United States. With interview data on policy actors from Chongqing, China and Colorado, USA, we present the findings by comparing the differences and similarities of policy conflicts in the two countries around shale oil and gas development. We conclude with the strengths and limitations of this comparative study of policy conflicts in China and other national contexts, along with recommendations for conducting PCF research in China.     

Spoiling the situation: reflections on the development and research field

The development field as a site for research and practice has largely escaped critical scrutiny in development studies. Accounts of the conceptualisation of the field have not been complemented with an examination of the practices that maintain the field as a site conducive to development. This paper draws on experiences working with small, local NGOs in India to examine how the field is maintained, and the underlying logic that underpins the relationship between developers and “developees”. In problematising the field, I draw attention to overlooked ethical and political implications of participatory development.

Gâter la situation: réflexions sur le domaine de la recherche et du développement

Le domaine du développement en tant que site pour les recherches et la pratique a largement échappé à un examen critique dans le cadre des études de développement. Les comptes rendus de la conceptualisation du domaine n'ont pas été assortis d'un examen des pratiques qui maintiennent le terrain comme un site propice au développement. Cet article s'inspire des expériences de travail avec de petites ONG locales en Inde pour examiner la manière dont le terrain est maintenu et la logique sous-jacente qui étaye la relation entre les « développeurs » et les « développés ». En problématisant le terrain, j'attire l'attention sur des implications éthiques et politiques oubliées du développement participatif.

Estropear la situación: reflexiones sobre el campo de la investigación y el desarrollo

El desarrollo, como ámbito para la investigación y la práctica, en buena medida ha escapado del escrutinio crítico de los estudios realizados en torno a él. Las investigaciones sobre su conceptualización no han sido respaldadas por un análisis de las prácticas que hacen que el campo sea un sitio propicio para el desarrollo. El presente artículo se basa en diversas experiencias de trabajo con pequeñas ONG locales de India. Dichas experiencias han sido realizadas para determinar de qué manera se mantiene este ámbito y, a la vez, para comprender la lógica subyacente que sostiene la relación entre sujetos y objetos del desarrollo. Al emprender esta problematización del desarrollo,la autora se centra en las implicaciones éticas y políticas pasadas por alto cuando de desarrollo participativo se trata.

Estragando a situação: reflexões sobre o campo de pesquisa e desenvolvimento

O desenvolvimento como área de pesquisa e prática tem em grande parte escapado de uma análise crítica em estudos de desenvolvimento. As considerações sobre a conceituação da área não têm sido complementadas por um exame das práticas que a definem como um instrumento que conduz ao desenvolvimento. Este artigo baseia-se nas experiências de trabalho com ONGs pequenas e locais da Índia para examinar como a área é mantida e a lógica subjacente que sustenta a relação entre desenvolvedores e “os que serão desenvolvidos”. Ao problematizar a área, eu chamo a atenção para as implicações éticas e políticas do desenvolvimento participativo que são negligenciadas.     

The illegal trade of raptors in the Russian Federation

Wildlife trafficking, along with other green crimes, receives little attention from the criminological community. This study provides further knowledge of this black market, and exposes the structural harms that are associated with it, by examining the illegal trade in falcons in Russian Far East. The structural harms proposed here are that wildlife trafficking, and the illegal raptor trade in particular endangers the environment, is cruel to animals, and threatens national and human security because of its connection to other dangerous illicit activities. Through semi‐structured interviews, trade statistics, and online news sources, a framework is developed as to who is involved, how it is occurring, and where it is taking place as well as possible ways in which to curb this activity.     

The Russian Far East’s illegal timber trade: an organized crime?

Transnational environmental crime is a global problem encompassing not only criminal violations of the law, but harms against the environment and the people reliant upon it as a natural resource. Grounded in the green criminological theory of eco-global criminology, this paper explores the transnational environmental crime of the illegal timber trade in the Russian Far East unpicking the threats to ecological well-being and the global nature and impacts of this crime. In researching transnational environmental crime, it is crucial to uncover the distinct local and regional variations of the forces at play; for this paper that means analyzing the role of organized crime and corruption in Russia’s timber black market. This information was obtained by using the current literature and interviews with Russian and international experts in order to uncover the role of these actors in the harvesting, smuggling and selling of timber. From this exploration, a structure of the illegal timber trade in this region is proposed including at which points along the black market chain organized crime and/or corruption are involved. Additionally, from an eco-global criminological foundation this paper analyzes the consequences to Russia’s people, its environment and the global community if the illegal timber trade is to continue in its current state.