CHANGE AND CONFLICT IN LAND AND WATER USE: RESOURCE VALUATION IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AMONG COMPETING USERS

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The plasmatron: Advanced mode thermionic energy conversion

A theory of the plasmatron was developed. Also, a wide range of measurements were obtained with two versatile, research devices. To gain insight into plasmatron performance, the experimental results are compared with calculations based on the theoretical model of plasmatron operation. Results are presented which show that the plasma arc drop of the conventional arc (ignited) mode converter can be suppressed by use of an auxiliary ion source. The improved performance, however, is presently limited to low current densities because of voltage losses due to plasma resistance. This resistance loss could be suppressed by an increase in the plasma electron temperature or a decrease in spacing. Plasmatron performance characteristics for both argon and cesium are reported. The argon plasmatron has superior performance. Results are also presented for magnetic cutoff effects and for current distributing effects. These are shown to be important factors for the design of practical devices

Association of prior depressive symptoms and suicide attempts with subsequent victimisation - analysis of population-based data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

Background: Symptoms of mental disorder, particularly schizophrenia, predispose to victimisation. Much less is known about the relationship between depressive symptoms and later victimisation in the general population, the influence of these symptoms on types of subsequent victimisation, or the role of symptom severity. We investigated this in nationally representative data from the UK. Methods: Data were from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007. Multivariable logistic regressions estimated association between: a. prior depressive symptoms, and b. prior depressive symptoms with suicide attempt, and types of more recent victimisation. Gender-specific associations were estimated using multiplicative interactions. Results: Prior depressive symptoms were associated with greater odds of any recent intimate partner violence (IPV), emotional IPV, sexual victimisation, workplace victimisation, any victimisation, and cumulative victimisation (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for increasing types of recent victimisation: 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 1.89). Prior depressive symptoms with suicide attempt were associated with any recent IPV, emotional IPV, any victimisation, and cumulative victimisation (aOR for increasing types of recent victimisation: 2.33, 95%: 1.22, 4.44). Limitations: Self-reported recalled data on previous depressive symptoms, may have limited accuracy. Small numbers of outcomes for some comparisons resulted in imprecision of these estimates. Conclusion: Aside from severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, previous depressive symptoms in the general population are associated with greater subsequent victimisation. Men and women with prior depressive symptoms may be vulnerable to a range of types of victimisation, and may benefit from interventions to reduce this vulnerability

COASTAL ALABAMA RECREATIONAL LIVE BAIT STUDY

Recreational fishing is major industry and reasonably priced, high quality bait plays an important role in sustaining recreational fishing's popularity. This study provides a summary of Alabama's coastal live bait market including information on previous live bait studies and results of two surveys on the live bait shrimp, bull minnow and other bait markets. Results indicated there were periods of supply shortages, dealer willingness to pay more for shrimp that live longer and a dealers' use of multiple supply sources. Lost income was reported from not having live bait shrimp available for sale at peak demand periods. The economics of shrimp mariculture needs to be examined to determine its feasibility in augmenting the current supply of shrimp to the live bait industry.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

SOCIOECONOMIC INFLUENCES ON LAND USE CHOICE AT WATERSHED LEVEL: A MULTINOMIAL LOGIT ANALYSIS OF LAND USE DISTRIBUTION IN WEST GEORGIA

Allocation of fixed proportion of land to developed, forest, agricultural and other land uses in a watershed was modeled as an optimization problem faced by a single user. A multinomial logit model was used to estimate the effects of urbanization, demographic structure, personal income and spatial distribution of watersheds.Land Economics/Use,

An Investigation of the Socioeconomic Impacts of Tri-State Bypass, 1970-2000

Geographical information systems and econometric tools were used to determine the socioeconomic impacts of bypasses in Atlanta-Birmingham Metropolitan area. Mean household income and per capita income of county is separately used as a proxy for anticipated bypass impact as a function, of socioeconomic variables: farm income, farm employment, non-farm employment, age groups, and population density. The cross-sectional and the time series data were pooled together and estimated as panel data. Results indicate that most of these variables have positive impacts on growth.Public Economics,

AN APPLICATION OF SAFETY-FIRST PROBABILITY LIMITS IN A DISCRETE STOCHASTIC FARM MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMING MODEL

A sequential decision-making model was developed, and data from farm-raised catfish production were used to demonstrate its use. Outcomes of sequences of decisions which satisfied chance constraints on ending cash balances were traced through a specified time period. Discrete choice variables were specified due to the fixed nature of pond facilities. Recourse actions specified were sale of production in excess of endogenously determined transfer levels or purchase of inputs to supplement needs of the next production stage. Production activities cannot be changed during the planning period. Only yield variability was considered due to its impact on relative competitiveness among growth stages. Deviations were calculated from endogenously determined target levels based on goal and probability limits.Farm Management,

Understanding Staff Perceptions of SWPBIS

About eight years ago a school district, located in the foothills of western Maine, implemented a Tier-1, universal, school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) framework to provide school staff with positive behavior supports to achieve positive outcomes for all students. A key factor to the initial success of SWPBIS was staff buy-in. Research has shown that teacher and staff support is needed, not just for the implementation phase, but for the continued success of the framework. In the eight years since implementation, one of the district’s elementary schools has seen a staff and teacher turnover rate of over 50%. Also, a recent Fidelity Evaluation Report (FET) on the health of the framework reported the absence of a formal process of professional development for new staff. Research supports the benefit of developing targeted training by understanding individuals’ perceptions of a phenomenon. Such is the focus of this research project –to understand teacher and staff perceptions of SWPBIS in order to create targeted professional development of the framework at this school

Book Review: \u3ci\u3eGrasses of Colorado\u3c/i\u3e By Robert B. Shaw

This comprehensive, systematic treatment of the grasses of Colorado is going to become the standard for new floras in the state. With this book the “student of grasses” will be able to more accurately identify and key the species within this economically important and unique family. Users will need to read the introductions and follow the author’s excellent instructions in how to use the book to be most successful. There are brief but adequate discussions of physiography and ecoregions that place Colorado’s grass vegetation in the proper context with surrounding states. The section on the “grass plant” is particularly well written and illustrated

A Cytological, Morphological, and Anatomical Study of Elymus simplex

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the taxonomy, report the chromosomen umber, report meiotic chromosome behavior, and give the anatomy of Elymus simplex Scribner and Williams. The isotype of Elymus simplex and the type description were used to compare this and other species that have been confused. Cytological and anatomical methods are reported as an aid in clarification of the taxonomic problem that has been associated with this species