Awareness, use, and perceptions of biodiesel: A comparison of consumers in Belgium and the United States

Belgian (N = 61) and American (N = 134) fuel consumers were interviewed in the summer of 2012 to determine their awareness, use, and perceptions of biodiesel. Consumers who were aware of biodiesel were asked their perceptions. A significantly P \u3c 0.0001) higher percentage of Belgian consumers (78.7%) reported owning or driving a diesel vehicle compared to American consumers (9.0%). Belgian and American consumers moderately agreed biodiesel is a high-quality fuel. For both Belgian and American consumers, there was no significant association between owning a diesel vehicle and being aware of biodiesel or having purchased biodiesel. Although Belgian and American consumers agreed that using non-food crops for biodiesel is justified, Belgians were significantly less supportive than American consumers of using food crops for biodiesel. Both Belgian and American consumers disagreed with the statement “I would never use biodiesel”, and the two sets of consumers moderately disagreed that diesel engines would not run properly on biodiesel. Belgian and American consumers agreed that global warming is increasing; however, American consumers were more positive about the potential of biodiesel to reduce harmful exhaust emissions and global warming. Belgian consumers moderately agreed and American consumers agreed that biodiesel is better to use because it is made from renewable resources. Belgian and American consumers generally show similar perceptions of biodiesel, with the exception that American consumers were more positive toward the environmental and renewable aspects of biodiesel use. Recommendations for further research include gaining a better understanding of the potential positive influences that impact consumers’ perceptions of biodiesel

Aspects of the Remnant Concept in the Gospel of Matthew

Only some aspects of the remnant concept in the christology and ecclesiology of Matthew are dealt with in this dissertation. Special attention is given to the evangelist\u27s distinctive interpretation of Jesus as the remnant and the conceptual structures (e.g., μαθητἠς, ὲκκλησἰα, μικροἰ, πτωχοἰ, ὲκλεκτοἰ, ὸλἰγοι, and others) that cohere with the remnant concept. A brief survey of the recent debate on the ecclesiology of Matthew and a statement on the purpose, scope, method, and plan of the dissertation are set forth in the Introduction. The need for a careful analysis which would necessitate a much more inclusive review of the complex Traditionsgeschichte of ancient Israelite and primitive Christian self-understanding is stressed. Chapter 1 examines the remnant concept in the OT prophets and select literature of Late Judaism. Chapter 2 investigates the remnant concept in theway Matthew introduces Jesus as the Son of David (legitimate King), the Son of Abraham (true Israelite), and the Prophet like Moses (new Lawgiver). Chapter 3 treats the remnant concept in the Baptist\u27s message of judgment and repentance. Chapter 4 examines the remnant concept in the baptism and temptation of Jesus. Chapters 5-7 deal with the nature of the remnant concept in the ecclesiology of the gospel. Chapter 5 treats the remnant concept in Jesus\u27 call ofdisciples. Chapter 6 discusses the concept as related to the Sermon on the Mount. Chapter 7 examines the concept in four other teachings of Jesus: the poor, the little ones and the sheep, the reproof of an erring brother, and the covenant at the Last Supper. Aware of the difficulties and pitfalls of reducing the remnant concept in Matthew to a set of lowest-common terms, greater emphasis is placed on the evangelist\u27s presentation of Jesus as the remnant of Israel, whose role of sonship he re-enacts with divine approval. Following the call of the first disciples, an ever-widening circle of disciples is formed around Jesus, the Master. This, in essence, is Matthew\u27s ὲκκλησἰα: those who have appropriated Jesus\u27 words on his messianic authority and who, as disciples, share in the experiences of the Master who shares in those of ancient Israel

Behavior of shell-model configuration moments

An important input into reaction theory is the density of states or the level density. Spectral distribution theory (also known as nuclear statistical spectroscopy) characterizes the secular behavior of the density of states through moments of the Hamiltonian. One particular approach is to partition the model space into subspaces and find the moments in those subspaces; a convenient choice of subspaces are spherical shell-model configurations. We revisit these configuration moments and find, for complete $0\hbar\omega$ many-body spaces, the following behaviors: (a) the configuration width is nearly constant for all configurations; (b) the configuration asymmetry or third moment is strongly correlated with the configuration centroid; (c) the configuration fourth moment, or excess is linearly related to the square to the configuration asymmetry. Such universal behavior may allow for more efficient modeling of the density of states in a shell-model framework.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Knowledge and Perceptions of Agricultural Communications Pilot Curriculum in Arkansas Secondary Agricultural Classrooms

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to assess the effectiveness of agricultural communications curriculum developed and incorporated into a semester-long agricultural leadership and communications course for secondary agricultural education programs in Arkansas. Students (N = 297) participated in newly developed instructional modules addressing four categories of agriculture-themed curricula predetermined by a committee of agricultural education and communications faculty at the University of Arkansas (careers, writing, design, and multimedia). Student agricultural communications knowledge change was assessed using pre- and post-test instruments in each module of study. Additionally, content analysis of participating teachers’ journals was used to identify emergent themes related to teachers’ experiences teaching the curriculum throughout the semester. Overall, the findings from this study indicated students’ knowledge increased after instruction for each curriculum module: careers (16.2%), writing (23.1%), design (35.7%), and multimedia (31.3%). Lack of time, limited technology, teacher training, and curriculum content were the most common emergent themes among teachers. Based on findings from this study, it was concluded future efforts should be made to provide technology for agricultural education instructors to improve agricultural communications program effectiveness and reach

Awareness, Use, and Perceptions of Biodiesel by Belgian and American College Students

Biodiesel is a renewable liquid transportation fuel with potential to extend petroleum supplies and reduce tailpipe emissions of particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons, andcarbon monoxide (CO)and reduce life-cycle carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions relative to petroleum diesel.However, little is known about how various groups, eitherinternationally or domestically, view biodiesel.This study examined Belgian and Americancollege students’ awareness, use, and perceptions of biodiesel.A higher percentage of Belgian students versus American students reported driving diesel automobiles (60%and 17%, respectively) and being aware of biodiesel (100%and 86%, respectively).However, only 4% of either Belgian or Americanstudents had purchased biodiesel.Belgianstudents were undecidedand Americanstudents slightly agreed there were renewable and environmental benefits ofbiodieseluse.Both Belgian and Americanstudents were undecided about biodiesel quality, with Belgian students being more uncertain.Belgian and Americanstudents were also undecidedif there were negative externalities associated with biodiesel.Both groups tended to agree that continued long-term reliance on fossil fuels is not sustainable; however, Belgian students agreed more strongly than Americanstudents.While there were significant differences between Belgian and Americanstudents, both groups were largely undecided about biodiesel quality and the food and economic consequencesof biodiesel production and use; differences were primarily in the degree of uncertainty.Both groups (especially Belgian students) were concerned about continued reliance on fossil fuels.Given the low level of use and the high degree of uncertainty, efforts should be made to educate Belgian and Americancollege students about biodiese