The zoo as ecotourism attraction – visitor reactions, perceptions and management implications: the case of Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand

This paper reports results from a survey of 359 visitors to Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand. The questionnaire comprised items relating to motives for visiting the zoo, and evaluations of attributes, thereby permitting an importance-evaluation approach. The construction of the questionnaire was prompted by zoo management wishing to learn more about what motivated visits, and whether there were perceived deficiencies in visitors' experiences of the zoo. Like other studies (e.g. Turley, 2001) it was concluded that zoos represent an opportunity for family-based trips. However, while some opportunities exist for learning, on the whole visitors were not generally interested in acquiring detailed information about wildlife. Indeed, more importance was attached to the viewing of animals than to the recognition that possibly animals might require 'private places'. These findings prompt a discussion about the extent to which zoos might be able to replace or supplement trips to natural habitats as a means of viewing animals, and concludes that for this to happen significant changes in zoo layout would be required. Additionally, possible implications for zoo management are discussed

On the Evaluation of Plug-in Electric Vehicle Data of a Campus Charging Network

The mass adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) requires the deployment of public charging stations. Such facilities are expected to employ distributed generation and storage units to reduce the stress on the grid and boost sustainable transportation. While prior work has made considerable progress in deriving insights for understanding the adverse impacts of PEV chargings and how to alleviate them, a critical issue that affects the accuracy is the lack of real world PEV data. As the dynamics and pertinent design of such charging stations heavily depend on actual customer demand profile, in this paper we present and evaluate the data obtained from a $17$ node charging network equipped with Level $2$ chargers at a major North American University campus. The data is recorded for $166$ weeks starting from late $2011$. The result indicates that the majority of the customers use charging lots to extend their driving ranges. Also, the demand profile shows that there is a tremendous opportunity to employ solar generation to fuel the vehicles as there is a correlation between the peak customer demand and solar irradiation. Also, we provided a more detailed data analysis and show how to use this information in designing future sustainable charging facilities.Comment: Accepted by IEEE Energycon 201

Unintended Effects of Residential Energy Storage on Emissions from the Electric Power System.

In many jurisdictions, policy-makers are seeking to decentralize the electric power system while also promoting deep reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). We examine the potential roles for residential energy storage (RES), a technology thought to be at the epicenter of these twin revolutions. We model the impact of grid-connected RES operation on electricity costs and GHG emissions for households in 16 of the largest U.S. utility service territories under 3 plausible operational modes. Regardless of operation mode, RES mostly increases emissions when users seek to minimize their electricity cost. When operated with the goal of minimizing emissions, RES can reduce average household emissions by 2.2-6.4%, implying a cost equivalent of $180 to$5160 per metric ton of carbon dioxide avoided. While RES is costly compared with many other emission-control measures, tariffs that internalize the social cost of carbon would reduce emissions by 0.1-5.9% relative to cost-minimizing operation. Policy-makers should be careful about assuming that decentralization will clean the electric power system, especially if it proceeds without carbon-mindful tariff reforms

Zoning Control of Abortion Clinics

This note will address some of the issues involved when communities propose to use the zoning power to limit the exercise of the constitutionally protected abortion decision, focusing on abortion clinic regulations in Cleveland, Ohio, and comparing them to ordinances in three other cities

SB70-12/13: Amending Election Bylaws

SB70-12/13: Amending Election Bylaws. This resolution passed during the March 27, 2013 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM)

The Digital Age: Reminder and Confirmation Preference in Blood Donation

Introduction: It is widely accepted that individuals are more likely to comply and follow through with responsibilities when reminded and asked to confirm their commitments. With the American Red Cross’ access to fast and affordable communication and this notion in mind, there is potential to develop new recruitment strategies and better methods of ensuring blood donation commitments. In particular, understanding modes of communication with the donor population can have significant implications: avoiding loss of follow up, improving donor experience, and ensuring appropriate use of resources and staff; therefore, the American Red Cross is interested in understanding demographic differences among those who prefer different modes of communication for blood donor appointment reminders and confirmations.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1223/thumbnail.jp

Identification of Volunteer Screening Practices for Selected Ohio Youth Organizations

This qualitative study identified volunteer screening practices for selected Ohio youth organizations. Programs were selected based on current volunteer screening in place and involvement of adult volunteers giving leadership to youth-focused programs. Eight volunteer coordinators were interviewed using an interview schedule focused on program screening procedures, liability issues, and volunteer responsibilities. Use of selected screening devices, specific volunteer screening policies, and potential volunteer non-acceptance and liability issues were identified as overall patterns from the data. The researcher concluded that screening procedures are being implemented but that additional focus on consistent policies, implementation of advanced screening devices, and strengthening of current practices should be addressed

SB71-12/13: Amending Election Bylaws

SB71-12/13: Amending Election Bylaws. This resolution passed during the March 27, 2013 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM)

SB65-12/13: Amending House Rules

SB65-12/13: Amending House Rules. This resolution passed during the March 27, 2013 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM)