The Adoption and Management of Soil Conservation Practices in Haiti: The Case of Rock Walls

Farmers are usually reluctant to adopt measures to reduce the toll of soil erosion; and even when soil conservation structures are adopted, farmers fail to manage them. This study investigates factors that influence adoption and management of soil conservation structures in Fort-Jacques, Haiti. The results show that personal characteristics of farmers, institutional factors, such as local group membership, training in soil conservation, per capita income and size of farm influence soil conservation adoption in Forte-Jacques. Age, education, per capita household income, participation in local groups, the interaction of per capita household income and farmers’ age influence rock wall management.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Every family has occasional difficulties : The Stability of Family Dynamics Post Coming Out

This presentation highlights findings from a study of SDA parents whose LGBTQ+ child came out to them within the past 10 years. The findings revealed that parents noted few changes in family functioning post coming out. Many noted small improvements in family functioning and enduring family strength

Information capacity of genetic regulatory elements

Changes in a cell's external or internal conditions are usually reflected in the concentrations of the relevant transcription factors. These proteins in turn modulate the expression levels of the genes under their control and sometimes need to perform non-trivial computations that integrate several inputs and affect multiple genes. At the same time, the activities of the regulated genes would fluctuate even if the inputs were held fixed, as a consequence of the intrinsic noise in the system, and such noise must fundamentally limit the reliability of any genetic computation. Here we use information theory to formalize the notion of information transmission in simple genetic regulatory elements in the presence of physically realistic noise sources. The dependence of this "channel capacity" on noise parameters, cooperativity and cost of making signaling molecules is explored systematically. We find that, at least in principle, capacities higher than one bit should be achievable and that consequently genetic regulation is not limited the use of binary, or "on-off", components.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure

Perceptions of Employers in Spokane County Regarding Employing Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

There is limited research available addressing employment opportunities for adolescents or adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With the growing population of adults with ASD in the United States, there will likely be an increase in the demand for support to help them live independently. The purpose of this research is to obtain employers’ perceptions on employing individuals with ASD. Businesses in Spokane County were mailed invitations to participate in an on-line survey. Results will be analyzed and shared with local agencies for potential program development

Extension Education Drives Economic Stimulus Through Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers (TAAF) is a national multifaceted USDA program that provided technical and financial assistance to farmers and fishermen adversely affected by import competition. This article describes how Extension was successfully mobilized to deliver the TAAF program to 10,983 producers across the nation using innovative education technologies to achieve program objectives and improve the economic well-being of participating farmers and fisherman. The innovative technologies included online curricula and business planning, the use of personal business planning consultants, and linking Extension education outcomes to financial assistance payments that producers used primarily to invest in their business

The LGBT+ Divide: Identity, Shame, and Equality Before God and the Church

Navigating one’s sexual and/or gender identity can be a difficult and complex process for Christian LGBT+ youth, leaving many of them at high risk for poor mental health outcomes and self-harming thoughts and behaviors. Seventh-day Adventist families and congregations are just beginning to grapple with how they should respond to their LGBT+ children. This survey of 310 Seventh-day Adventist adult Millennials explored perceived levels of their families’ acceptance or rejection of their sexual orientation or gender identity during their teen years. Other variables included recent levels of self-esteem, social support, depression, substance abuse, high-risk sexual activity, and suicidal thinking or attempts. Findings showed generally low levels of family acceptance and support, as well as elevated rates of depression and at-risk thoughts and behaviors. A high proportion of respondents have retained strong spiritual commitment and moderate church involvement. We conclude with recommendations for parents, family, church members, and friends who have LGBT+ loved ones

Trends in Substance Use in a Prohibitionist University Compared to General College Populations

Researchers at the Institute for the Prevention of Addictions have conducted surveys on health risk behaviors among Andrews University students from 1995 to 2023. In examinations of five data points between 1995 and 2018, the gap in the rates of substance use between Andrews University students and a general U.S. college population remained about the same each time period. However, both groups tended to increase or decrease use over the same time periods. Data from the March 2023 collection period will be included in the presentation and will be examined to see if cultural levelling has occurred or if Andrews students have been able to resist the pull of cultural levelling

Completion of the INEEL's WERF Incinerator Trial Burn

This paper describes the successes and challenges associated with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permitting of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory's (INEEL) Waste Experimental Reduction Facility (WERF) hazardous and mixed waste incinerator. Topics to be discussed include facility modifications and problems, trial burn results and lessons learned in each of these areas. In addition, a number of challenges remain including completion and final issue of RCRA Permit and implementation of all the permit requirements. Results from the trial burn demonstrated that the operating conditions and procedures will result in emissions that are satisfactorily protective of human health, the environment, and are in compliance with Federal and State regulations