Incentives to Supply Enhanced Ecosystem Services from Cropland

This paper examines the willingness of farmers to participate in hypothetical programs that would pay them to adopt cropping practices that enhance provision of ecosystem services from agriculture. A survey of 3,000 Michigan corn and soybean farmers elicited willingness to adopt four sets of cropping practices that reflected increasing levels of environmental stewardship. Acreage enrollments in the programs were modeled using hurdle models. The acreage that farmers would be willing to enroll depends chiefly on farm size and the perception of environmental improvements from the practices. For farms over 500 acres, the payment offered was also a significant inducement to acreage enrollment in all systems examined. This paper advances the literature on adoption of agro-environmental practices by developing a supply function for crop acreage managed for environmental stewardship. Like prior studies of environmental technology adoption in agriculture, we find that environmental attitudes and affiliations, age, education and current farming practices are influential. But we find that the low cost suppliers of environmental services are the largest farms. Agricultural policies based on payment for environmental services that aim for cost-effective environmental impact will likely achieve most of their impact from larger farms.Willingness to participate, willingness to accept, stated preference, supply response, ecosystem services, payment for environmental services, agricultural policy, agro-environmental policy, environmental policy, corn, soybean, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q18, Q51, Q57,

The Orthographic Characters (in no particular order)

My work focuses on the development of playful and absurd combinations of small creatures that co-exist in a state of odd logic. The creatures share a vulnerable, somewhat fragile, quality, yet are assigned vital force in their existence. This juxtaposition is metaphorical for certain aspects of human existence. The Orthographic Characters is the title of a series of prints and paintings I have created that form a non-linear narrative. Each piece is inspired by the alliteration of one alphabet character. The writings form a bizarre, feverish context for the characters

The Influence of Transformational and Transactional Leadership Styles of Site Managers on Job Performance of Crafts in Cape Coast Metropolis

Leadership has been proposed to enhance employee performance and has received substantial attention in recent researches. This study empirically examines the influence of transactional and transformational leadership on crafts performance. The study employed cross sectional quantitative survey design. A questionnaire was sent to 105 crafts gang leaders within the Cape Coast Metropolis of which 71 usable responses were returned; at a response rate of 68 percent. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson product moment correlation coefficient as well as multiple regression techniques for analysing relationships between variables. Results of this study suggest that transactional leadership is more prominent in the construction sector in Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana than transformational leadership. The results also revealed that there is a positive, significant relationship between crafts performance and transactional as well as transformational leadership. However, the strength of the relationship was higher in the case of transactional leadership. From the data analysis, we conclude that transactional leadership style is more suitable for site managers/supervisors of small and medium scale construction companies whereas, transformational leadership is more fitted for site managers/supervisors of large construction companies. Keywords: Transformational leadership; Transactional leadership; Crafts Performance; Construction Industry

Why Farmers Opt Not to Enroll in Payment-for-Environmental-Services Programs

Payment-for-environmental-services (PES) programs are the focus of increasing attention globally. While existing PES programs can observe who participates and who does not, the reasons for nonparticipation can be opaque. Taking advantage of a unique stated preference data set that includes a follow-up question on conditions for participation, this study differentiates two types of non-participants, those deterred by insufficient payments, and those deterred by fundamental incompatibility with the farm operation. Survey weighted and spatially weighted probit models are applied to examine the determinants of farmers’ willingness to enroll in PES programs and their willingness to consider enrollment at the same or a high payment. Results suggest the decision to enroll relies more on farm benefit-cost factors, such as program payment, total land area and current farming practice, while the decision to consider enrolling depends more on farm and operator characteristics, such as environmental attitudes, soil traits, current government program enrollment or commitment to organic farming. Both decisions also show evidence of spatial dependence that suggest spill-over effects due to natural resources, interpersonal communication, or other socio-economic factors. These findings elucidate reasons for non-participation in PES programs and provide insights for future program design and targeting.Payment-for-environmental-services, agricultural policy, non-participation, working land, stated preference, spatial probit, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, Q18, Q51, Q57,

Improving Productivity of Multiphase Flow Aerobic Oxidation Using a Tube-in-Tube Membrane Contactor

The application of flow reactors in multiphase catalytic reactions represents a promising approach for enhancing the efficiency of this important class of chemical reactions. We developed a simple approach to improve the reactor productivity of multiphase catalytic reactions performed using a flow chemistry unit with a packed bed reactor. Specifically, a tube-in-tube membrane contactor (sparger) integrated in-line with the flow reactor has been successfully applied to the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde utilizing a heterogeneous palladium catalyst in the packed bed. We examined the effect of sparger hydrodynamics on reactor productivity quantified by space time yield (STY). Implementation of the sparger, versus segmented flow achieved with the built in gas dosing module (1) increased reactor productivity 4-fold quantified by space time yield while maintaining high selectivity and (2) improved process safety as demonstrated by lower effective operating pressures

Modellbetriebsplanung - Investitionsbedarf in der Ökosauenhaltung

In der ökologischen Ferkelerzeugung werden derzeit unterschiedliche Konzepte für Haltungsverfahren und Stallgebäude verwirklicht. Um einheitliche Aussagen zum Investitionsbedarf zu erhalten, wurde auf der Grundlage von ausgewählten Betrieben sowie der im Projekt gewonnenen Erkenntnisse, insbesondere zur Klimagestaltung des Abferkelbereichs, ein Modellbetrieb für 168 Sauen mit Ferkelaufzucht gemäß EG-Öko-Verordnung (EG) Nr.889/2008 in verschiedenen baulichen und funktionalen Varianten erarbeitet. Die Modellplanung lässt sich in zwei Grundmodelle einteilen, die sich durch die Anordnung der Abferkel- und Deck-/ Wartebereiche unterscheiden. MODELL I besteht aus mehrhäusigen Anlagen, bei denen sich die Stallabteile aller Produktionsbereiche in separaten Gebäuden befinden. Mit MODELL II liegt eine Kompaktbauweise vor. Hier wurden die Bereiche Abferkeln und Decken/ Warten in einen gemeinsamen Gebäudekomplex zusammengefasst. Die Ferkelaufzucht befindet sich bei beiden Modellvarianten in separaten Gebäuden. Der Investitionsbedarf der Stallmodelle wurde gemäß DIN 276 „Kosten im Hochbau“ über eine eigene Kostendatenbank sowie über Firmenangebote ermittelt. Der Investitionsbedarf je Sauenplatz beträgt bei reiner Fremdleistung ca. 7.300 bis ca. 7.650 €/netto

Resveratrol and the eye:activity and molecular mechanisms

Purpose: Alcohol consumption is inversely correlated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease. It is thought that red wine is specifically responsible for these cardiovascular benefits, due to its ability to reduce vascular inflammation, facilitate vasorelaxation, and inhibit angiogenesis. This is because of its high polyphenolic content. Resveratrol is the main biologically active polyphenol within red wine. Owing to its vascular-enhancing properties, resveratrol may be effective in the microcirculation of the eye, thereby helping prevent ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Such conditions are accountable for worldwide prevalence of visual loss. Method: A review of the relevant literature was conducted on the ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. Key words used to carry out the searches included 'red wine', 'polyphenols', 'resveratrol', 'eye' and 'ocular'. Articles relating to the effects of resveratrol on the eye were reviewed. Results: The protective effects of resveratrol within the eye are extensive. It has been demonstrated to have anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumourogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and vasorelaxant properties. There are potential benefits of resveratrol supplementation across a wide range of ocular diseases. The molecular mechanisms underlying these protective actions are diverse. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that resveratrol may have potential in the treatment of several ocular diseases. However, while there are many studies indicating plausible biological mechanisms using animal models and in-vitro retinal cells there is a paucity of human research. The evidence base for the use of resveratrol in the management of ocular diseases needs to be increased before recommendations can be made for the use of resveratrol as an ocular supplement. © 2014 Springer-Verlag