WTP and WTA in relation to irrigation development in the Fitzroy Basin, Queensland

Estimates of the compensating surplus generated by changes in non-marketed environmental amenities can be estimated using stated preference valuation techniques. These are typically framed in terms of WTP tradeoffs, even if the situation of interest involves a property right vestment that calls for a WTA question. The differences created by the two questioning formats are explored in this paper using the results of two choice modelling applications. Both applications were framed on the potential for irrigation development and environmental losses in the Fitzroy River Basin, Central Queensland. The scenarios used in the applications differed only in that they used alternatively WTP and WTA questioning formats. The results indicate that robust models could not be constructed from either WTP- or WTA-based data sets when only two alternatives were used in the choice sets. In contrast, a strongly fitting model was derived from WTP-based data where three alternatives formed the choice sets.choice modelling, compensating surplus, WTP, WTA, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Consumer demands for organic and genetically modified foods

Issues concerning consumer demands for genetically modified and organic food remain topical. It is unclear how consumers perceive issues associated with food production such as food safety, environmental impacts or animal welfare. It is also unclear how consumers might value potential changes in those issues in regional and metropolitan centres. This paper reports on research using the choice modelling technique to estimate and compare consumer demand for genetically modified and organic foods in Australia. The case study considers tomatoes, milk and beef commodities. The results draw comparisons between the contribution of associated factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions in a regional and metropolitan city. The results are relevant to the current policy debate regarding the introduction of GM foods.Genetically modified, organic, demand, choice modelling, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Designing choice experiments to incorporate tests for geographic scale and scope differences

Designing a choice modelling (CM) experiment to place a value on increasing protection of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) raises complex issues. The size and diversity of the GBR, and the number of different pressures impacting on it, mean protection and improvement scenarios can be drafted in several different ways. This report discusses some of the considerations in selecting, describing and combining choice attributes. It also looks at how to incorporate tests for geographic scale (size) and scope (complexity) differences into the design of the CM survey instrument. The potential to include information about management options designed to achieve increased protection, and the associated risk and uncertainty, is also discussed.choice modelling, scale, scope, coral reef, Environmental Economics and Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Some Observations on Western Anthropological Research on Japan

Paper by John W. Bennet

Quasi-option values for enhanced information regarding genetically modified foods

Issues concerning the long-term environmental and health risks associated with the production of genetically modified foods remain highly topical in Australia. It is unclear how consumers values for a precautionary approach to the release of genetically modified crops compares to the opportunity costs of forgoing economic growth associated with the use of these technologies. In this paper, an application of the contingent valuation method is reported. That technique was used to estimate quasi-option values held by consumers regarding a potential five year moratorium on the use of genetic modification in Australian agriculture. The results are compared to the estimated opportunity costs of imposing such a ban o Queensland consumers.Quasi-option values, genetically modified organisms, contingent valuation, Agricultural and Food Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Bostonia. Volume 2

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

The Power of LOCCq State Transformations

Reversible state transformations under entanglement non-increasing operations give rise to entanglement measures. It is well known that asymptotic local operations and classical communication (LOCC) are required to get a simple operational measure of bipartite pure state entanglement. For bipartite mixed states and multipartite pure states it is likely that a more powerful class of operations will be needed. To this end \cite{BPRST01} have defined more powerful versions of state transformations (or reducibilities), namely LOCCq (asymptotic LOCC with a sublinear amount of quantum communication) and CLOCC (asymptotic LOCC with catalysis). In this paper we show that {\em LOCCq state transformations are only as powerful as asymptotic LOCC state transformations} for multipartite pure states. We first generalize the concept of entanglement gambling from two parties to multiple parties: any pure multipartite entangled state can be transformed to an EPR pair shared by some pair of parties and that any irreducible $m$ $(m\ge 2)$ party pure state can be used to create any other state (pure or mixed), using only local operations and classical communication (LOCC). We then use this tool to prove the result. We mention some applications of multipartite entanglement gambling to multipartite distillability and to characterizations of multipartite minimal entanglement generating sets. Finally we discuss generalizations of this result to mixed states by defining the class of {\em cat distillable states}

Magnetoplasmadynamic thrustor research Final report

Radiation-cooled and water-cooled magnetoplasmadynamic thrustors tested in 10 to kW power range with 1000 to 5000 sec specific impuls

A pH-based pedotransfer function for scaling saturated hydraulic conductivity reduction: improved estimation of hydraulic dynamics in HYDRUS

Hydraulic conductivity is a key soil property governing agricultural production and is thus an important parameter in hydrologic modeling. The pH scaling factor for saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) reduction in the HYDRUS model was reviewed and evaluated for its ability to simulate Ks reduction. A limitation of the model is the generalization of Ks reduction at various levels of electrolyte concentration for different soil types, i.e., it is not soil specific. In this study, a new generalized linear regression model was developed to estimate Ks reduction for a larger set of Australian soils compared with three American soils. A nonlinear pedotransfer function was also produced, using the Levenberg–Marquardt optimization algorithm, by considering the pH and electrolyte concentration of the applied solution as well as the soil clay content. This approach improved the estimation of the pH scaling factor relating to Ks reduction for individual soils. The functions were based on Ks reduction in nine contrasting Australian soils using two sets of treatment solutions with Na adsorption ratios of 20 and 40; total electrolyte concentrations of 8, 15, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 mmolc L−1; and pH values of 6, 7, 8, and 9. A comparison of the experimental data and model outputs indicates that the models performed objectively well and successfully described the Ks reduction due to the pH. Further, a nonlinear function provided greater accuracy than the generalized function for the individual soils of Australia and California. This indicates that the nonlinear model provides an improved estimation of the pH scaling factor for Ks reduction in specific soils in the HYDRUS model and should therefore be considered in future HYDRUS developments and applications

Valuing remnant vegetation in Central Queensland using choice modelling

In the Desert Uplands region of Central Queensland, many pastoralists are clearing vegetation in order to improve cattle grazing production. A choice modelling study was undertaken to provide estimates of the benefits of retaining remnant vegetation that are appropriate for inclusion in a cost benefit analysis of tighter clearing restrictions. Attributes included in the choice model were reductions in the population size of non‐threatened species, the number of endangered species lost to the region, and changes in regional income and employment. A nested logit model was used to model the data in order to avoid violations of the independence of irrelevant alternatives condition. The estimated benefits are reported for several tree clearing policy regimes that are more stringent than those currently applied.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,