An Estimation of the Efficient Size of Sugarcane Enterprises for Farmers in Trinidad

This research paper provides an estimation of the efficient size of operation for sugarcane farmers in Trinidad. The estimates were based on a sample of two hundred and twenty-seven farmers selected from a cost of sugarcane production survey. To identify the efficient size of operation the ordinary least square estimation technique was used. The identification of the efficient size of operation allowed a test of the hypothesis that the minimum point on the long run average cost curve was significantly greater than the average enterprise size of six acres. The long run total cost curve was estimated and the cubic functional form provided the best fit based on both the adjusted R2 and the result from the Wald test. The results of the estimation process indicated that the optimal size was 32 acres of sugarcane and that 98% of the farmers operated at less than this size.Cost function, cost elasticity, efficient size, sugar-cane, Trinidad, Agribusiness, Farm Management, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

A continuous seismic profiling survey off the coast of Lebanon.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Geology. Thesis. 1965. M.S.Folded maps in pocket.M.S

Genomic and bioinformatics analysis of HAdV-7, a human adenovirus of species B1 that causes acute respiratory disease: implications for vector development in human gene therapy

AbstractHuman adenovirus serotype 7 (HAdV-7) is a reemerging pathogen identified in acute respiratory disease (ARD), particularly in epidemics affecting basic military trainee populations of otherwise healthy young adults. The genome has been sequenced and annotated (GenBank accession no. AY594255). Comparative genomics and bioinformatics analyses of the HAdV-7 genome sequence provide insight into its natural history and phylogenetic relationships. A putative origin of HAdV-7 from a chimpanzee host is observed. This has implications within the current biotechnological interest of using chimpanzee adenoviruses as vectors for human gene therapy and DNA vaccine delivery. Rapid genome sequencing and analyses of this species B1 member provide an example of exploiting accurate low-pass DNA sequencing technology in pathogen characterization and epidemic outbreak surveillance through the identification, validation, and application of unique pathogen genome signatures

Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 25, No. 3

• The Pennsylvania Germans and the American Revolution • The Blooming Grove Colony • The Salebill • The Schlegel Family and the Rosicrucian Movement • A Log Settler\u27s Fort/Home • Pennsylvania Dutch Studies at Ursinus College, 1976 • The Country Sale: Folk-Cultural Questionnaire No. 43https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/pafolklifemag/1067/thumbnail.jp

A qualitative exploration of priorities for quality improvement amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services

Background: Achieving quality improvement in primary care is a challenge worldwide, with substantial gaps between best practice and actual practice. Within the context of Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Primary Health Care (PHC) services have great variation across settings, structures and context. Research has highlighted how these contextual differences can critically influence the success of Quality Improvement (QI) interventions and outcomes. Less understood is the interaction between local context and other factors, which may impact the implementation of QI interventions. This paper aims to explore the strengths and challenges in QI for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PHC services and their priorities for improvement. Methods: A multiple case study design was adopted, working with eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PHC services in Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. Data were collected via a health service survey, semi-structured interviews with health service staff and service users and researcher observations, to explore QI and perceptions of care quality at the service level. Data reported here were analysed using an iterative thematic technique, within-case and across-case. Results: A total of 135 interviews were conducted with health service staff, service users and community members. Participants emphasised the centrality of resilient community, committed workforce and valued Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members in delivering care. A shared purpose around improving the health of community was a significant driver. Key challenges included staff turnover and shortages, a complex and overwhelming acute and chronic care workload, building relationships and trust between health services and the community. Service-suggested priority areas for improvement were categorised into five themes: i) cultural safety (community driving health and planning for culturally safe services); ii) community engagement (through clinical activities in the community); iii) shared ownership and a team approach around QI; iv) strengthening systems and consistent ways of doing things in the health service; and v) strengthening local workforce (and resources for a culturally safe workforce). Conclusions: These findings advance understandings of relational, community and cultural factors which are identified priorities for the delivery of quality care in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PHC services across varied contexts

In-reach specialist nursing teams for residential care homes : uptake of services, impact on care provision and cost-effectiveness

Background: A joint NHS-Local Authority initiative in England designed to provide a dedicated nursing and physiotherapy in-reach team (IRT) to four residential care homes has been evaluated.The IRT supported 131 residents and maintained 15 'virtual' beds for specialist nursing in these care homes. Methods: Data captured prospectively (July 2005 to June 2007) included: numbers of referrals; reason for referral; outcome (e.g. admission to IRT bed, short-term IRT support); length of stay in IRT; prevented hospital admissions; early hospital discharges; avoided nursing home transfers; and detection of unrecognised illnesses. An economic analysis was undertaken. Results: 733 referrals were made during the 2 years (range 0.5 to 13.0 per resident per annum)resulting in a total of 6,528 visits. Two thirds of referrals aimed at maintaining the resident's independence in the care home. According to expert panel assessment, 197 hospital admissions were averted over the period; 20 early discharges facilitated; and 28 resident transfers to a nursing home prevented. Detection of previously unrecognised illnesses accounted for a high number of visits. Investment in IRT equalled £44.38 per resident per week. Savings through reduced hospital admissions, early discharges, delayed transfers to nursing homes, and identification of previously unrecognised illnesses are conservatively estimated to produce a final reduction in care cost of £6.33 per resident per week. A sensitivity analysis indicates this figure might range from a weekly overall saving of £36.90 per resident to a 'worst case' estimate of £2.70 extra expenditure per resident per week. Evaluation early in implementation may underestimate some cost-saving activities and greater savings may emerge over a longer time period. Similarly, IRT costs may reduce over time due to the potential for refinement of team without major loss in effectiveness. Conclusion: Introduction of a specialist nursing in-reach team for residential homes is at least cost neutral and, in all probability, cost saving. Further benefits include development of new skills in the care home workforce and enhanced quality of care. Residents are enabled to stay in familiar surroundings rather than unnecessarily spending time in hospital or being transferred to a higher dependency nursing home setting

Gram Negative Bacteria Are Associated with the Early Stages of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Introduction: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) affects 5–10 % of infants born weighing less than 1500 g. Most models of NEC recapitulate late-stage disease with gut necrosis and elevated inflammatory mediators. Evaluation of NEC at earlier, less lethal stages of disease will allow investigation of initial disease triggers and may advance our understanding of temporal relationships between factors implicated in NEC pathogenesis. In this manuscript, we describe our investigation of early NEC and test the hypothesis that bacteria and inflammatory mediators differ between animals with early NEC and disease fre

Signal Transmission in the Auditory System

Contains table of contents for Section 3, an introduction and reports on six research projects.Health Sciences FundNational Institutes of Health Grant 5 R01 DC00194National Institutes of Health Grant 8 P01 DC00119National Institutes of Health Grant 5 R01 DC00473National Institutes of Health Grant 5 R01 DC00238National Institutes of Health Grant 5 T32 DC00006National Institutes of Health Grant 5 P01 DC00361National Institutes of Health Grant 5 R01 DC00235Peoples Republic of China FellowshipUnisys Corporation Doctoral FellowshipWhitaker Health Sciences Fellowshi