Journals@UC (University of Cincinnati)
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Bacterial and Fungal Damage in Leather
Get PDFMicrobial degradation leads to significant loss of quality and economic value by the tanner. This damage cannot be reversed as it involves the degradation of the collagen and elastin fibers, which are important proteins in the leather-making process. It is, therefore, important to carefully monitor the after-slaughter, curing, beamhouse and posttanning processes to prevent this type of damage. This is only possible if you can identify the signs and/or defects caused by bacteria and fungi as early as possible and put in place corrective measures to halt any further or future damage. This study evaluated various techniques for identifying bacterial and fungal damage in leather, including visual inspection, smell, feel, microscopy, and culturing techniques. Samples of cured hides and leather obtained from different sources in the USA were subjected to these techniques to determine the presence of these microbes or to identify their damage. The results highlight various defects and indicators that point to various microbial causes. A combination of visual inspection, microscopy, and culturing techniques can provide hides and skins sellers, packers, and tanners with reliable and accurate identification techniques for identifying early signs of damage. While microscopy was sufficient to observe fungal growth and bacterial damage, culturing was more reliable for identifying the bacterial causative agents. This study highlights the importance of implementing routine inspections and monitoring to prevent continued microbial damage to hides to ensure the quality of the leather
An Investigation of the Ethiopian Tanning Industry’s Competitiveness
Get PDFEthiopia’s leather development plan has prioritized the tanning industry in order to accelerate the sector’s growth. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that allow and prohibit Ethiopian tanning industries from coping with competitive challenges, as well as the competitive advantages and drawbacks that the tanning industry faces. The study followed a primary and secondary data collection methods, which included both qualitative and quantitative approaches. In the study, 13 functioning tanneries in the country involved in leather production from 2020 to 2021 were investigated. The study data were collected through distributing structured questionnaire and having interviews with tanning industry top management body (i.e. managers, directors, and heads). The study results are presented in forms of the mean and standard deviation. The study findings revealed that the tanning industry competitiveness is low due to different determinates factors. With the exception of the country’s natural resource endowment in hides and skins and low labor cost availability, all determinants of competitiveness (raw material, infrastructure, skilled labor, industry and institution linkage, capital and managerial capability, and government policy) are found to be insignificant. Similarly, the tanning industry’s ability to use its cost advantage in raw hides and skins and maintain its market share on the domestic and international market is limited by poor quality of locally supplied raw material, lack of strong supporting institutions and association’s, lack of infrastructure, capital and managerial capability, poor industry and institution linkage as well as factors such as scarcity of skilled labor and raw materials (chemicals and spare parts). In order to enhance the competitiveness of the tanning industry in the country, the industry, government and stakeholders need to work in collaboration in creating strong supporting industries, fulfilling infrastructure, providing investment capital, and supplying experienced managers and skilled workers
The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. Foster-Care System
No full textThree major hurricanes hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, the most memorable of which was Hurricane Katrina. More than 5,000 children were reported missing following Hurricane Katrina, revealing an urgent need for careful reflection on the impacts of disasters on U.S. child welfare systems. Using United States Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data, we investigate the number of children in foster care in the Gulf Coast states following the hurricanes, whether foster children in the affected states experienced more moves, whether they were placed in less-desirable situations, and whether the cost of placement increased. The mixed findings point to the complexity of child welfare systems and the networks of assistance needed to support families during emergencies. Preliminary policy recommendations are to standardize preplanning for emergencies, including using cloud technology to store and maintain access to critical records and family contact information; maintaining connections between foster children and families in disasters; signing information and service-sharing contracts which could be activated among the array of social organizations serving foster children in disasters or when displacement occurs; and following Child Welfare League of America Standards of minimizing the relocating of children
Why Children and Youth Should Have the Right to Vote: An Argument for Proxy-Claim Suffrage
No full textThis article examines recent debates about extending the right to vote to children and youth under the age of 18. It uses postmodern political theory to argue that concerns about children’s insufficient capabilities and potential to harm themselves and others are unfounded, and that, except in the earliest years, the right to vote for minors would promote the full and just functioning of democracies
The Benefits of Children’s Engagement with Nature: A Systematic Literature Review
No full textThis paper sets out the findings of a systematic review of the research literature on the benefits that arise when children under 12 spend time in natural environments. The review also explored the relationship between these benefits and the style of children’s engagement with nature. The findings support the view that spending time in nature is part of a “balanced diet” of childhood experiences that promote children’s healthy development, well-being and positive environmental attitudes and values. It also points to the value of more playful engagement styles. The findings are relevant to the development of educational and planning policy and practice, and to advocacy work
A Post-Occupancy Study of Nature-Based Outdoor Classrooms in Early Childhood Education
No full textNature Explore and the Outdoor Classroom Project are among the organizations at the forefront of the movement to create nature-based learning environments in early childhood settings. To date, hundreds of outdoor classrooms have been built using their evidence-based guiding principles. This post-occupancy study examined the extent to which these spaces produced their intended outcomes. Overall, our findings support existing theories linking nature-based outdoor education to positive learning and developmental outcomes including enhanced imaginative play, increased physical and mental well-being, and environmental stewardship. However, the most successful environments: (1) maximized choices, (2) provided many distinct spaces, especially child-sized ones, (3) embedded play affordances within pathways and borders, (4) encouraged spatial evolution, and (5) supported ongoing stakeholder engagement
Taking Kindergartners Outdoors: Documenting Their Explorations and Assessing the Impact on Their Ecological Awareness
No full textInitiated by a team of educators and academics, the only full-day nature kindergarten program in British Columbia started operations in September 2012 at a local elementary school. Following the model of forest schools in Scandinavian countries, the nature kindergarten provides young children with large amounts of time in natural outdoor settings where they can play, explore and experience natural systems and materials. In this paper, we describe the creation of the nature kindergarten and the pedagogical principles on which it is based. We also illustrate children’s experiences outdoors. Finally, we report preliminary findings of our research evaluating the effects of being in nature on children’s nature relatedness and their environmentally responsible behavior
Growing Up Green: Naturalization as a Health Promotion Strategy in Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments
No full textUsing a socio-bio-ecological, “one health” conceptual framework, Preventing Obesity by Design (POD) is presented as a system-wide health promotion strategy for North Carolina childcare centers, applying a cost-effective naturalization approach to improve the quality of the outdoor learning environment (OLE). A pre-post, action-research orientation generates sufficient data to guide program development, create an evidence base, and support scientific publication. Results demonstrate an association between OLE quality, increased time outdoors, and improved levels of physical activity, which together with hands-on gardening represent a primary health promotion strategy. The seven-step POD process engages the local community and center staff in a collaborative process with the Natural Learning Initiative to create a schematic design to be implemented in increments as local resources and funding permit. Professional development of state regulatory staff is essential to successful POD implementation. Best practice indicators, using a four-point scale, provide a new OLE quality measurement tool
Acknowledgement of Reviwers
No full textAs editors of Children, Youth and Environments, we count on the informed judgment of our reviewers to make the highest quality research and information available online to scholars and practitioners around the world. In a double-blind review process, at least three experts contribute comments about each paper published in CYE. Their advice is essential to us in deciding whether to accept a paper for publication and invaluable to authors when undertaking revisions. We, therefore, take this opportunity to thank all those who have acted as reviewers for CYE during the last year. Thank you, reviewers, for your time, energy and commitment to the journal!
— The Editor
Forest Kindergartens: The Cedarsong Way by Erin K. Kenny
No full textReviewed Work: Forest Kindergartens: The Cedarsong Way by Erin K. Kenn