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Objective. In September 2005, approximately 150,000 Gulf Coast residents fled to Houston, Texas, seeking shelter following Hurricane Katrina. Since the majority of evacuees were poor African Americans, the political and social consequences of the storm inspired a national dialogue on race and class. However, in Houston, the discourse on Katrina evacuees also involved immigration concerns. The city's distinction as a gateway to new arrivals influenced the dialogue on the evacuees' impact on the local area. This article assesses the extent to which race, class, and immigration concerns influenced Houstonians' beliefs about the Katrina evacuees.Methods. We analyze data from the 2006 and 2008 Houston Area Survey in order to assess attitudes toward these newcomers at two distinct time periods: within six months of their arrival and then again more than two years later.Results. Our findings show that both national and local factors influenced beliefs about the Katrina evacuees.Conclusions. The dynamics of race/ethnicity and apprehension toward immigrants drove largely antagonistic beliefs about the mostly poor, mostly black new arrivals.

This exploratory study examined member attraction, group climate, and behavioral outcomes of anger-coping group therapy with children in an urban school. Two facilitators co-led a 6-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention with five children who were identified with either emotional disturbance (ED) or exhibited difficulty with anger management. Pretest and posttest ratings on the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC) were gathered from children, parents, and teachers. Children also completed the Group Attitude Scale (GAS) after the first, middle, and last group session. All group sessions were videotaped, and three independent observers viewed the tapes and completed the Group Climate Questionnaire–Short Form (GCQ-S) following each session. Results indicated that the children formed a cohesive, healthy functioning group. Parents indicated significant improvement in children's behavior on the BASC, although teachers and children did not note these changes. Clinical implications for interventions for children with ED and directions for future research are discussed

Context. Vaccination of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) has been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to lethal control for preventing potentially bovine tuberculosis (Tb)-infected possums from crossing forested buffer zones that abut farmland.
Aim. Evaluation of these two management option requires an estimation of the buffer width required to reduce the risk of disease spread to an acceptable level.
Methods. The movements of two groups of adult and subadult possums were monitored for up to 12 months in the Kaimanawa Range, North Island of New Zealand, using GPS technology. One group was in untreated forest immediately adjacent to a recently poisoned forest buffer, and the second group was 2 km further into untreated forest, which mimicked a vaccinated buffer with no reduction in possum abundance.
Key results. Close to the poisoned buffer, where the initial population density was 0.49–1.45 ha–1, adult possum home ranges averaged 10.2 ha in the summer immediately after control and 9.5 ha in the following winter. Two kilometres into the untreated forest, where the density was >3 ha–1, the corresponding values were only 3.5 ha and 2.8 ha. Over the first 6 months of monitoring, a ~350-m wide poisoned buffer would have contained 95% of movements by adult possums, as well as movements by most individuals, but a ~150-m wide vaccinated buffer would have been as effective. Equivalent results for the subsequent 6-month period were ~450 m and ~200 m for poisoned and vaccinated buffers, respectively. Movements by possums were not biased in the direction of the population 'vacuum' created by the poisoning operation. When subadult possums were included in the analysis, buffer widths of ~500–600 m for both poisoning and vaccination would be required to contain 95% of new den site locations.
Conclusions and implications. Detailed data on possum movements provide a means for agencies managing Tb to specify the width of a buffer, subject to an acceptable level of risk that it could be breached by a potentially infected possum. As well as depending on the width of a treated buffer, the final cost-effectiveness of vaccination compared with poisoning will depend on the relative cost of applying the two control techniques, and the frequency of application required either to prevent Tb from establishing (in the case of vaccination) or to suppress possum density (in the case of lethal control).

Abstract Objective The management of dredged sediments is a major challenge for many ports and harbours who need to maintain navigable access. Sediment volumes produced may be significant and expensive to manage. This paper presents financial modelling and analysis for the management of dredged marine sediment using a financial model developed which has the potential to be used as decision support tool by stakeholders in the Sector including Ports, Engineering Consultancies and Regulators. Data/Methodology A decision support tool has been developed to assess the financial aspect of a range of management uses for dredged marine sediments for a range of different countries. The model allows financial analysis of the full range of processes from sediment generation to ultimate end use. Required inputs include sediment characteristics, relevant logistical data, financial impact area on a national scale and financial data including direct costings. Results/Findings Results are presented for a specific beneficial use of dredged sediment (wetland creation). It outlines the potential of the decision support tool to financially assess a range of sediment management options. This will provide potentially valuable information for the optimum management of dredged marine sediments and allow comparison between traditional disposal options and potential beneficial use scenarios. Implications for research/Policy The financial model developed will assist stakeholders and decision makers, including Port Authorities, in assessing the economic feasibility of a range of beneficial uses of dredged sediments. Such financial analyses may indicate the potential for an expanded range of beneficial use options for dredged marine sediments and help change traditional attitudes towards this type of material, which has often been considered a waste. Ultimately it may influence policy at a National and at an EU level.

Objective: The management of dredged sediments is a major challenge for many ports and harbours who need to maintain navigable access. Sediment volumes produced may be significant and expensive to manage. This paper presents financial modelling and analysis for the management of dredged marine sediment using a financial model developed which has the potential to be used as decision support tool by stakeholders in the Sector including Ports, Engineering Consultancies and Regulators.Data/Methodology :A decision support tool has been developed to assess the financial aspect of a range of management uses for dredged marine sediments for a range of different countries. The model allows financial analysis of the full range of processes from sediment generation to ultimate end use. Required inputs include sediment characteristics, relevant logistical data, financial impact area on a national scale and financial data including direct costings.Results/Findings:Results are presented for a specific beneficial use of dredged sediment (wetland creation). It outlines the potential of the decision support tool to financially assess a range of sediment management options. This will provide potentially valuable information for the optimum management of dredged marine sediments and allow comparison between traditional disposal options and potential beneficial use scenarios.Implications for research/Policy:The financial model developed will assist stakeholders and decision makers, including Port Authorities, in assessing the economic feasibility of a range of beneficial uses of dredged sediments. Such financial analyses may indicate the potential for an expanded range of beneficial use options for dredged marine sediments and help change traditional attitudes towards this type of material, which has often been considered a waste. Ultimately it may influence policy at a National and at an EU level.

Study objective: To describe the population mortality profile of England and Wales by deprivation and in each government office region (GOR) during 1998, and to quantify the influence of geography and deprivation in determining life expectancy.