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Osmium, the least compressible metal, has recently been observed to undergo abrupt changes in the c/a ratio at extreme pressures. These are claimed to provide evidence for two unusual electronic behaviors: a crossing of the semicore 4f and 5p levels, and an electronic topological transition. We demonstrate that these two electronic phenomena are readily reproduced and understood in density functional theory, but that neither perturbs the trend in c/a ratio against pressure. Hence the observed anomalies in c/a must have another cause. Osmium is also notable for its high yield stress: the c/a anomalies lie well within the differential strains which osmium can support. We propose that observed c/a changes can arise from mechanical yield of crystallites with strong preferred orientation under high deviatoric stress in the experimental data. We discuss what evidence remains for the more general hypothesis that core-level overlap under pressure can have measurable effects on the crystal structure in any material., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures. Published in Physical Review B

This paper begins with a comparative regional survey of the current status of democracy and development in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Each region shares a legacy of colonial domination by European powers. The comparative study uses criteria from the basic needs approach. Critical social thought and future visions about democracy and development in each region are then reviewed as insights for education. Current evidence of the roles that education plays in helping or hindering achievement of these goals are then analyzed. Current ideas and efforts for reconstruction of education to strengthen social democracy and human development are examined. (EH)

This paper investigates the role of environmental education in promoting activism or social action on behalf of the environment. The connection between between environmental education and social studies in school curricula is weak. Fields within social studies such as civics, history, law-related education, government, and problems of democracy have great potential to enrich environmental education by exposing students to the ways and means by which problems are managed or resolved through political systems. Recent studies have revealed the ineffectiveness of existing environmental education as a stimulus for meaningful social action. School programs have emphasized environmental awareness but have not changed the behavior patterns that perpetuate ecological problems. Because most environmental problems originate from socioeconomic conditions, it is argued that effective environmental education requires a strong social problem-solving component. Some of the issues addressed in this paper include the lack of emphasis on urban minority environments, making environmental education a vehicle for social change, the need for values clarification to develop a personal environmental ethos, and student empowerment. Several programs are described that involve students in the community through environmental action. The role of technology in environmental education and activism is also discussed. Contains extensive references and notes. (PVD)

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN), this paper examines the contributions of the UN to the area of South Asia. The paper focuses on regional conditions in South Asia that affect the achievement or denial of basic needs essential for peacebuilding. These needs include equal opportunity, education, employment, food, health care, political freedom, security, shelter, and social welfare. The paper summarizes the leaders' hopes for their societies and for the United Nations. The paper also reviews the role of UN sponsored educational programs in South Asia in the quest for social equity and justice. Sections of the paper include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Basic Indicators of Development for South Asia"; (3) "South Asian Leaders Look at the United Nations and the Future"; and (4) "United Nations School Reform Efforts in South Asia." (Contains 58 references.) (EH)

This paper focuses on two aspects of the development of international approaches in peace studies: one concern is to examine the conceptual evolution of global thinking about social conflict and peace, while the other is to investigate the origins, goals, and work of international institutions which conduct research and education related to world problems of conflict resolution and peace. The paper is divided into sections on: (1) "Origins"; (2) "Conceptual Development"; (3) "Critical Perspectives"; (4) "Applied Peace Studies"; (5) "Peace Education"; and (6) "Future Directions." The paper concludes that the international development and structure of peace studies have reflected the emergence of a global culture and awareness after World War II, associated with the shrinkage of distance brought about by the revolution in communications and transportation. Contains 37 notes. ((BT))

The news media are often the main source of public information about education. This paper analyzes press coverage of selected issues in contemporary Australian education. From December 28, 1998, to February 17, 1999, daily educational reporting was surveyed in "The Australian" (a paper roughly equivalent to "USA Today") and in 18 state-based newspapers, including 12 dailies published in major cities, 2 small-town newspapers, and 2 less frequent publications from Aboriginal communities. During the period, 295 articles on education were reviewed, including 158 on private and public pre-K-12 education, 102 on higher education, and 35 on other education-related topics. Following a review of recent trends in Australian education, this paper discusses press coverage of controversial issues and other educational topics. These include: (1) government funding of private schools and related questions about the function and quality of public versus private education; (2) wide variation among states in the availability and quality of preschool education; (3) shortage of secondary school teachers, particularly mathematics teachers; (4) discipline problems and conflict resolution in schools; (5) a government plan to reduce welfare benefits to unemployed youth who fail literacy and numeracy tests; (6) assessment issues and the higher achievement of girls than boys; (7) reduced government funding for Aboriginal education and bilingual education; and (8) international educational competition and the development of offshore programs by Australian universities. (Contains 65 references.) (SV)