Bioacademy 2009 - Proceedings

Proceedings of lectures from the 2nd Scientific Conference within Bioacademy on the theme of “Organic Farming – A Response to Economic and Environmental Challenges”

Suggested approach for establishing a rehabilitation engineering information service for the state of California

An ever expanding body of rehabilitation engineering technology is developing in this country, but it rarely reaches the people for whom it is intended. The increasing concern of state and federal departments of rehabilitation for this technology lag was the stimulus for a series of problem-solving workshops held in California during 1977. As a result of the workshops, the recommendation emerged that the California Department of Rehabilitation take the lead in the development of a coordinated delivery system that would eventually serve the entire state and be a model for similar systems across the nation

THE MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR FRESH FISH IN SOUTH WEST ENGLAND: MODELLING THE EFFECTS OF SUPPLY VARIATION

The distribution system in the fishing industry has attracted little attention from academics in comparison to the catching sector. This realisation came in the early 1980's with questions being raised about system efficiency and the identification of problems. A lack of understanding of the distribution system led to various calls for an investigation. This research builds on existing understanding by identifying the distribution system in Devon and Cornwall and develops a modelling framework with forecasting properties within which distribution system problems can be analysed. A review of the marketing and distribution literature reveals that system efficiency and the impacts of changes in external conditions are important areas for study. The literature also reveals that few attempts have been made to develop analytical and conceptual modelling frameworks that enable the study of these phenomena in existing distribution systems. Attempts that have been made suffer from conceptual and data problems. The research identities the major features of the fresh fish distribution system, especially the structural determinants including lack of standardisation and variability of supply. Studies of the system in the United Kingdom and overseas are found to be descriptive, concentrating upon trends and past problems. Few modelling approaches have been used or developed. The system in Devon and Cornwall is identified through interview techniques and presented in quantitative terms. From an identification of the system, it is determined that a model should focus on the port merchant sector and have the ability to explain and forecast the effects of supply variation. Econometric methods are used to develop a model with exogenous supply and seasonality characteristics which when combined with sample data on costs and pricing provides a method of analysis and forecasting. The research discusses the wide range of applications possible with the model developed.University of Exete

Sustainable development and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in the context of the Saudi Arabian planning process : the case of Al-Qatif oasis and its settlements

PhD ThesisThe starting point of this study was the influence of the rapid urban growth that Saudi Arabia has experienced during the last three decades, which has had a negative effect on the environment in general and in particular has led to the loss of the natural resources of the agricultural land of the oasis areas. The study seeks to answer the following questions: How can we sustain development in the oasis ? Are there comprehensive policies in respect of urban development, including infrastructure, agriculture and water, and environmental protection? And what is the impact of these policies on the general environment and on the oases in particular? The research covers a wide range of policies and the National Development Plans, which cover different areas of development such as urban development, infrastructure, agriculture and water, and environment, as well as other government activities within the authority of several agencies and ministries. AI-Qatif oasisi n the EasternP rovinceh asb eens electeda s a cases tudy to illustrate the existing situation and the result of implementing the national policies in terms of physicald evelopmenat nde nvironmentapl rotection,a nd to highlight the factors which haver esultedi n unsustainabled evelopmenitn the Kingdom's oases. The different experiences of other countries in relation to such concerns and the various policies of the Saudi government, such as urban, infrastructure, agriculture and water, and environment policies, are assessed and reviewed in general terms as well as more particularly in relation to the physical development and environmental protection of AI-Qatif oasis. Accounts are given of MEPA and MOMRA as the responsible bodies within the Kingdom for development and environmental protection, and general details of their institutional responsibilities and policies are provided in order to aid the analysis of the research. The researcher adopted a methodology combining both qualitative and quantitative elements, a descriptive approach, a survey type of research design, and an interview data collection technique, in order to gather information for his study. An assessment of the data gathered in relation to the research has helped to illustrate the factors contributing to the existing unsustainable development in AI-Qatif oasis and the loss of the agricultural land of the oasis as a valuable natural resource. The findings show that Saudi Arabia has produced appropriate policies and has established the ministries and agencies to carry out these policies; as a result the people enjoy one of the best standards of living in the world. However, there are still in evidence some factors which cause concern in relation to environmental matters. These include the lack at national level of comprehensive sustainable development policies for the oases, such as would be aided by the utilisation of EA and SEA, the lack at local level of wide-ranging implementation of the existing national policies in relation to the physical development and environmental protection of the natural resources of the oasis, and the lack of a comprehensive institutional framework to implement the policies which exist. Other very important factors are the absence of comprehensive co-operation between government ministries and agencies in relation to the sustainable development of the oases, and the lack of public awareness of, participation in, and education about environment matters, all of which contribute to the existing unsustainable development in the oasis. Finally, the study makes recommendations that would help and guide growth and change in the oases along the way of sustainable development.king Faisal universit

Energy: A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 32

This bibliography lists 1316 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system from October 1, 1981 through December 31, 1981

Proceedings Of The 18th Annual Meeting Of The Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (Aogs 2021)

The 18th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS 2021) was held from 1st to 6th August 2021. This proceedings volume includes selected extended abstracts from a challenging array of presentations at this conference. The AOGS Annual Meeting is a leading venue for professional interaction among researchers and practitioners, covering diverse disciplines of geosciences

Economic integration and the industrialisation of small, developing nations: the case of Central America

Introduction and synopsis available: p. 6

Applied agricultural research for small farms in Asia

노트 : International Seminar Workshop on Applied Agricultural Research and Development for Small Farms (13-18 May 1985 : Los, Banos, PH