Showing papers by "Peter Davies published in 2002"

Education as a Positional Good: Implications for Market‐Based Reforms of State Schooling

Abstract: Analyses of market-based reforms of state schooling have occasionally acknowledged positional elements in parental demand, but none has fully examined their nature and implications. Contrary to the normal predictions of orthodox economic analysis, competition in positional markets can result in inefficient outcomes. Predominantly relying upon recent British experience, we examine the extent to which compulsory schooling can be viewed as a positional good and explore its implica-tions for policy. In particular, we consider whether policies targeting increases in parental choice assist a rise in the overall level of educa-tional attainment.

Markets for Schooling: An Economic Analysis

Abstract: 1 The Economic Theory of Schooling Markets: an Introduction 2 Education and the Economy: Examining the context of Schooling Markets 3 Parents, Pupils, Schools and Teachers: the Microeconomics of Schooling 4 Market Reforms: Funding and Open Enrolment 5 Market Reforms: Parental Choice in an Open Enrolment System 6 Market Reforms: Licensing, Training and Remuneration of Teachers 7 Governance, Monitoring and Performance Indicators 8 Schools in the Market Place 9 Conclusions

Triple junction distribution profiles as assessed by electron backscatter diffraction

Abstract: The connectivity between the boundaries is very important because the defect character of triple junctions is expected to have a significant influence on the bulk properties of materials, particularly mechanical behaviour. The investigation of triple junction investigations presented here indicates that a restricted Coincidence Site Lattice (CSL) model was found to be the most relevant and practicable for the characterisation of triple junctions in “Grain Boundary Engineered” materials. The triple junction character distribution was measured using the automated Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) application of Crystal Orientation Mapping (COM) for a series of thermomechanically processed copper and alpha-brass specimens. Triple junction character statistics were determined from COM data, automatically using a custom-built computer program, utilising the CSL model. The alpha-brass data were then compared with a series of previously acquired triple junction data for a series of strain-recrystallisation copper specimens. The main aim of the investigation was to determine the relationship between the grain boundary and triple junction character distributions, which was found to be essentially a linear relationship.

Anomalies in moisture absorption of glass fibre reinforced epoxy tubes

Abstract: This paper describes the moisture absorption of glass/epoxy panels and tubes produced by filament winding. Panels have been immersed in distilled water for up to 10 years at temperatures up to 60°C to establish baseline data. Tubes of the same material were wound at ±55° to the tube axis with two diameters, 60 and 150 mm. These were also immersed in water and lower absorption levels were measured than in panels. Another series of tubes was subjected to internal and external water contact and it was established for both tube diameters that virtually no water enters through the inner wall. Reasons for this apparent internal barrier effect are examined.

Influence of mechanical stresses on the hydrolytic aging of standard and low styrene unsaturated polyester composites

Abstract: Standard and low styrene emission glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester (FRP) composites were aged by immersion under flexural and tension loads, to evaluate modifications to the mechanical properties as a function of exposure time under stress. The application of a mechanical load does not modify either the quantity of the absorbed water or the diffusion coefficients significantly. For an applied stress of less than 10% of the fiber strength, the influence on aging is small, but for larger applied stresses, the rate of reduction in the mechanical properties is accelerated and, in some cases, premature rupture is observed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2185–2195, 2002

Denitrification activity in sediment surrounding polychaete (Ceratonereis aequisetis) burrows

Abstract: The effect of burrow-dwelling fauna on sediment denitrification within the Swan River Estuary, Western Australia, was assessed by determining the spatial profile of potential denitrification activity surrounding individual burrows of a polychaete. This activity was described for Ceratonereis aequisetis and compared with uninhabited sediment. Potential porewater denitrification activity was measured as N’2O production in the presence of acetylene (which blocks N2O reduction and NH4+ oxidation) and supplementary NO3-(provided as a substrate for denitrification). Snap-freezing of sediment cores in liquid nitrogen allowed easy sectioning in both the vertical (perpendicular depth from surface sediment) and radial (depth from burrow wall) planes. Overall, potential denitrification activity was significantly greater in inhabited sediment than in uninhabited sediment, although uninhabited sediment had higher surficial (0–10 mm) potential denitrification activity. Potential denitrification activity was also greater closer to the burrow wall (0–9 mm) rather than further into the sediment (9–13 mm). Greater sampling resolution would be required to determine whether a thin oxygenated surface layer (of either the vertical or radial plane) exists in which denitrification is inhibited. Although this study accurately demonstrates the spatial effect of C. aequisetis on sediment potential denitrification, the reported denitrification intensity may not reflect the rate in situ.

Principals or Agents? Developing Citizenship through Business, Economics and Financial Education

Abstract: Nach einer Periode, wahrend der sie in der englischen Bildungspolitik vernachlassigt wurde, erhalt okonomische Bildung z. Zt. mehr Aufmerksamkeit. Dieses Papier beschreibt neue Entwicklungen in Politik und Praxis in England und konzentriert sich auf die Ziele okonomischer Bildung. Insbesondere uberpruft es das Verhaltnis zwischen diesen Zielen und dem Schwerpunkt, den das Curriculum zur politischen Bildung auf das Verstehen von unterschiedlichen Interessen und Perspektiven legt. Der Beitrag zeigt, dass die Festlegung von Prufungsinhalten in England einige Hinweise fur zukunftige Politik gibt, wahrend die vergangene Praxis zusammenhanglos war. Es wird argumentiert, dass die Verwendung des Prinzipal-Agent-Modells einen klaren und nutzlichen Rahmen dafur bilden konnte, mit dem Problem der vielfaltigen Interessen und Perspektiven umzugehen die Lernenden darauf vorzubereiten, als Prinzipale und Agenten zu handeln.