NEIGHBORHOOD ATTACHMENT,SOCIAL CAPITAL BUILDING,AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: A CASE STUDY OF LOW‐ AND MODERATE‐INCOME RESIDENTS OF WATERLOO,IOWA

ABSTRACT: This case study examines the importance of neighborhood identity and engagement in place‐based social networks within the neighborhood in fostering and stimulating neighborhood‐based participation in the urban political process. Scholars concerned with civic engagement have argued that there is a strong link between the informal ties known as “social capital” and citizen engagement in the larger community. If this linkage can be shown to exist in the neighborhood setting, then it can provide guidance to both scholars and practitioners in utilizing informal, place‐based networks to empower disadvantaged neighborhoods. Evidence presented in this essay, based on interviews with a representative sample of neighborhood residents in the small industrial city of Waterloo, Iowa, suggests that strong informal networks of social capital exist within neighborhoods, but that persons who are more strongly engaged in these networks are not necessarily more involved in the efforts of formal neighborhood associations. However, individuals who are involved in these formal associations are much more likely to be connected to the local and national political systems through voting and other forms of participation.     

Replying to email with structured responses

Structured response objects include buttons, menus and formatted fields that an email sender can insert in a message to elicit predetermined responses from recipients. Two studies explored the usefulness of structured response objects in meeting the needs of everyday email. In Study 1, subjective content classifications suggested that more than half of typical email messages are requests or answers to requests. Further, a significant proportion of requests and answers could be expressed as structured response objects, the most common one being the choice of a single item from a predetermined list. Study 2 experimentally determined social factors that affect preference for structured responses compared with free form text. It found an overall preference for replying with structured responses compared with text. But, in accordance with social richness theories, this preference was reduced for ambiguous messages and for those of a personal nature. Together, these results suggest that structured response objects can be a useful tool to increase the convenience and efficiency of electronic messaging.     

Effect of Heating Rate on Thermally Formed Myosin, Fibrinogen and Albumin Gels

Myosin, fibrinogen and albumin gels were formed by heating in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer at three heating rates. Turbidity (A_660nm) and solubility were monitored along with gel strength, as measured with an annular pump. Myosin and fibrinogen suspensions became turbid and solubility decreased as temperatures preceding the development of gel strength. Linearly increasing heating rates of 12°C/hr and 50°C/hr produced the strongest myosin and fibrinogen gels at 70°C, whereas albumin gels formed at 95°C by heating at 12°C/hr or constant heating for 20 min did not differ in strength.     

Nutrients and Chemical Residues in One- to Two-Pound Mississippi Farm-raised Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Composite samples of Mississippi farm-raised channel catfish (FRCC) fillets were analyzed at four different seasons for the following: proximate composition, cholesterol, fatty acids, eight vitamins, eleven minerals, four heavy metals and eight chemical residues. Nutrients and other compounds did not vary appreciably with season. Mississippi FRCC were higher in fat, calories and thiamin compared with USDA and wild catfish data and had much less cholesterol than previously reported. Monounsaturates comprised over half the fatty acids in FRCC and omega-3 fatty acid content was low. Chemical residues were not detectable or present in extremely small amounts.