Economic Concepts of Organic Certification

Certification is a key element in marketing organic food products. Based on economic theory, this report wants to illustrate the economic reasoning for certification. The intention is to provide a description of economic concepts, which is understandable for a wider audience. We are focusing on the basic economic literature. Chapter 1 “Organic certification system” describes the current control system in the European Union. Why this is necessary, will then be explained based on a synopsis of economic literature. Of specific significance for organic certification and the CERTCOST project are the concepts of institutional economics and economics of crime. The relevant points of economic theory will be presented and discussed in chapter 2 “Theoretical framework”. Finally, the costs and benefits of organic certification will be illustrated in chapter 3 “Costs and benefits of organic certification”

Honest Certification and the Threat of Capture

This paper derives conditions under which reputation enables certifiers to resist capture. These conditions alone have strong implications for the industrial organization of certification markets: 1) Honest certification requires high prices that may even exceed the static monopoly price. 2) Honest certification exhibits economies of scale and constitutes a natural monopoly. 3) Price competition tends to a monopolization. The results derive from a general principle of reputation models that favors concentration. This principle implies benefits from specialization and explains specialized certifiers as efficient market institutions that sell reputation as a service to other firms.certification; collusion; bribery; reputation; natural monopoly

THE IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT LEARNING SMK N 3 YOGYAKARTA OF BUILDING SKILLS BEFORE AND AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEACHER CERTIFICATION (ACADEMIC YEAR 2005-2010)

This study aims at understanding the development of student achievement SMK N 3 Yogyakarta area of building expertise before and after the certification of teachers of the school year 2005-2010. Specifically, this study also seeks to identify the developmental competency of teachers in building expertise SMK N 3 Yogyakarta along with the implementation of the teacher certification program organized government. This study is a quantitative descriptive research. In this study sample will be deducted from the student of SMK N 3 Yogyakarta areas of building expertise in the academic year 2005-2010. Data collection was using documentation in the form of a data value rapport/results student school year 2005-2010. Analysis of the development of student achievement in terms of learning outcomes in one eye training, learning on the combined results of training the eye, and in terms of teacher certification passing score. Data analysis techniques were using quantitative descriptive analysis of the figures presented in the form of tables, graphs and pie charts. The results (1) in terms of one eye on the teacher's training certification, in 2005 (6.539), 2006 (7.136), 2007 (7.528), 2008 (7.318), 2009 (7.328), 2010 (7.217). In the teacher has not been certified, in 2005 (6.886), 2006 (6.774), 2007 (7.202), 2008 (7.162), 2009 (7.364), 2010 (7.143). (2) in terms of combined eye on the teacher's training certification, in 2005 (6.783), 2006 (7.002), 2007 (7.401), 2008 (7.332), 2009 (7.656), 2010 (7.211). In the teacher has not been certified, in 2005 (6.586), 2006 (6.868), 2007 (7.202), 2008 (7.216), 2009 (7.306), 2010 (7.107). (3) in terms of graduation teacher certification, graduation interval 650- 799 (7.299), 800-949 (7.180), 950-1099 (7.524), 1100-1249 (7218). Key words: learning achievement, certified teacher

Probabilistic simulation of uncertainties in thermal structures

Development of probabilistic structural analysis methods for hot structures is a major activity at Lewis Research Center. It consists of five program elements: (1) probabilistic loads; (2) probabilistic finite element analysis; (3) probabilistic material behavior; (4) assessment of reliability and risk; and (5) probabilistic structural performance evaluation. Recent progress includes: (1) quantification of the effects of uncertainties for several variables on high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFT) blade temperature, pressure, and torque of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME); (2) the evaluation of the cumulative distribution function for various structural response variables based on assumed uncertainties in primitive structural variables; (3) evaluation of the failure probability; (4) reliability and risk-cost assessment, and (5) an outline of an emerging approach for eventual hot structures certification. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the structural durability/reliability of hot structural components can be effectively evaluated in a formal probabilistic framework. In addition, the approach can be readily extended to computationally simulate certification of hot structures for aerospace environments

Skylab missions SL/1, 2, 3, 4 photographic processing control plan

The control parameters to be used by the Photographic Technology Division for the processing of films flown on Skylab Missions SL/1, 2, 3, and 4 are defined. The sensitometric exposure and processing conditions PTD plans to use and the procedures necessary for general film certification are described

Iowa's Community College Basic Literacy Skills Credential Program Annual Report, 2004

The purpose of this report is to document the results of Iowa’s community college based basic literacy skills credential program for Program Year 2004 (July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004). The credentialing program is administered through Iowa’s community colleges and consists of four (4) components: (1) basic literacy skills certification, (2) Iowa High School Equivalency Diploma, (3) community college based adult high school diploma, and (4) traditional high school diploma. A brief description of each component is presented in the following sections

Progress through precedent: Going where no helicopter simulator has gone before

Helicopter simulators have been approved by means of special exemption; there are no FAA standards for simulators used in training or airmen Certification checking. The fixed-wing industry provides a precedent which can be used for expediting implementation of helicopter simulators. The analysis in this paper is founded on the experience with that precedent and is driven by a clear definition of helicopter user needs for (1) improved training at lower cost, (2) more comprehensive emergency training at lower risk, (3) increased fidelity of transition and instrument training compared with low-cost aircraft alternatives, and (4) certification credit for improved simulator training