Glyphosate prohibitions effect on crop production strategy

According to LRF Konsult, who carried out a survey named Lantbruksbarometern 2016, a large proportion of the participating farmers stated that their profitability is low or indeed very low. The Swedish agricultural sector has gone through substantial structural changes, which has led to an increasing competition. Along with the European Union´s proposition to ban the active substance glyphosate, debate among several stakeholders have aroused. A glyphosate ban could enhance the impression of a low profitability among farmers. Furthermore, a glyphosate ban would likely affect the current strategy of farmers’ cropping systems. To handle the effects of a glyphosate ban a strategy could be of use. To examine what strategy is the most sufficient, it is of great deal to make decisions. From here, a strategy may be formed along with defining long term goals. The purpose of this study is to examine what strategies farmers most likely will use in the event of a glyphosate ban. This study has conducted five interviews with farm businesses to provide a deeper knowledge of how the context in relationship with the businesses current position affects their decision-making. A qualitative method with an inductive research approach has been used in order to interpret the empirical material from a wider perspective. This study cannot argue that one change solely affects the choice of strategy concerning the businesses cropping systems. The required changes are dependent of the business unique situation and its surrounding context. This study reveals that necessary changes involve crop rotation, cropping system, the use of chemicals or the choice of organic farming. In order for the businesses to make these changes investment in new machinery may be required. In addition, utilization of available resources will be of importance. Finally, the farm operation believe that a glyphosate ban will result in additional chemical use along with an increase of working hours

Adipocyte-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B deletion increases lipogenesis, adipocyte cell size and is a minor regulator of glucose homeostasis

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Drop-out and mood improvement: a randomised controlled trial with light exposure and physical exercise [ISRCTN36478292]

BACKGROUND: Combining bright light exposure and physical exercise may be an effective way of relieving depressive symptoms. However, relatively little is known about individual factors predicting either a good response or treatment failure. We explored background variables possibly explaining the individual variation in treatment response or failure in a randomised trial. METHODS: Participants were volunteers of working-age, free from prior mental disorders and recruited via occupational health centres. The intervention was a randomised 8-week trial with three groups: aerobics in bright light, aerobics in normal room lighting, and relaxation/stretching in bright light. Good response was defined as a 50% decrease in the symptom score on either the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) or 8-item scale of atypical symptoms. Background variables for the analysis included sex, age, body-mass index, general health habits, seasonal pattern, and sleep disturbances. RESULTS: Complete data were received from 98 subjects (11 men, 87 women). Of them, 42 (5 men, 37 women) were classified as responders on the HDRS. Overall, light had a significant effect on the number of responders, as assessed with the HDRS (X(2 )= .02). The number needed to treat (NNT) for light was 3.8. CONCLUSIONS: We investigated the effect of bright light and exercise on depressive symptoms. Problems with sleep, especially initial insomnia, may predict a good response to treatment using combined light and exercise. Bright light exposure and physical exercise, even in combination, seem to be well tolerated and effective on depressive symptoms

Strategic price models and pricing calculations for fossil-free modular production facilities

Komplexa värdekedjor och utsläppstung produktion har länge präglat vårt samhälle och utgör grunden till flera globala svårigheter. Syftet med detta självständiga arbete är att undersöka hur prismodeller och prissättningskalkyler kan användas som underlag i prissättning och produktlansering av fossilfria modulära produktionsanläggningar. Studien identifierar 4 prismodeller inom försäljning av fossilfria modulära produktionsanläggningar och hur dessa kan realisera ett värdeerbjudande för ett företag i uppstartsposition.  I studien behandlas priset för en produktionsanläggning som tvådelat. Ett pris för att förvärva anläggningen och redovisas i prismodell A och B. En licensavgift för att bedriva operativ verksamhet och presenteras i prismodell C och D.  Prismodell A behandlar ägande i from av direkt förärvning (evigt ägande) och prismodell B behandlar leasing. Båda modellerna genererar en omedelbar intäktsström till fallföretaget som på grund av sin uppstartsposition vill undvika att låsa upp stora mängder kapital. Av dessa två framgår att prismodell A utsätter kunden för en ekonomisk risk men bidrar till en högre lönsamhet på lång sikt. Att erbjuda kunden ett leasingalternativ (Prismodell B) eliminerar den ekonomiska risken och öppnar upp fallföretaget för en större marknad. Detta alternativ raderar en del av lönsamheten som i stället går till den intermediära parten. Prismodell C och D behandlar licensavgiften som vars pris kommer korrelera till företagets allmänna marknadsposition. Modell C prissätter licensavgiften från ett marknadsperspektiv. I och med fallföretagets låga operativa kostnader identifieras penetrationsprissättning som en ovanligt fördelaktig strategi. Modell D behandlar en värdebaserad prissättning och presenterar lokal- och fossilfri produktion som två stora kundvärden. Värdet på dessa behöver revideras och utvärderas i varje ny kundrelation. Complex value chains and emission-intensive production have long characterized our society and underpin several global challenges. The purpose of this independent study is to investigate how pricing models and pricing calculations can be used as a basis for pricing and product launch of fossil-free modular production facilities. The study identifies four pricing models within the sale of fossil-free modular production facilities and how these can realize a value proposition for a start-up company.  The study addresses the price of a production facility as twofold. A price for acquiring the facility is presented in pricing models A and B. A licensing fee for operational activities is presented in pricing models C and D.  Pricing model A deals with ownership in the form of direct acquisition (perpetual ownership), and pricing model B deals with leasing. Both models generate an immediate revenue stream for the case company, which, due to its start-up position, seeks to avoid locking up significant amounts of capital. Of these two, it is evident that pricing model A exposes the customer to financial risk but contributes to higher long-term profitability. Offering the customer a leasing alternative (pricing model B) eliminates the financial risk and opens up a larger market for the case company. However, this alternative erases part of the profitability, which instead goes to the intermediary party.  Pricing models C and D address the licensing fee, which will correlate with the company's overall market position. Model C prices the licensing fee from a market perspective. Given the case company's low operational costs, penetration pricing is identified as an unusually advantageous strategy. Model D deals with value-based pricing and presents local and fossil-free production as two significant customer values. The value of these needs to be revised and evaluated in each new customer relationship.

Strategic price models and pricing calculations for fossil-free modular production facilities

Komplexa värdekedjor och utsläppstung produktion har länge präglat vårt samhälle och utgör grunden till flera globala svårigheter. Syftet med detta självständiga arbete är att undersöka hur prismodeller och prissättningskalkyler kan användas som underlag i prissättning och produktlansering av fossilfria modulära produktionsanläggningar. Studien identifierar 4 prismodeller inom försäljning av fossilfria modulära produktionsanläggningar och hur dessa kan realisera ett värdeerbjudande för ett företag i uppstartsposition.  I studien behandlas priset för en produktionsanläggning som tvådelat. Ett pris för att förvärva anläggningen och redovisas i prismodell A och B. En licensavgift för att bedriva operativ verksamhet och presenteras i prismodell C och D.  Prismodell A behandlar ägande i from av direkt förärvning (evigt ägande) och prismodell B behandlar leasing. Båda modellerna genererar en omedelbar intäktsström till fallföretaget som på grund av sin uppstartsposition vill undvika att låsa upp stora mängder kapital. Av dessa två framgår att prismodell A utsätter kunden för en ekonomisk risk men bidrar till en högre lönsamhet på lång sikt. Att erbjuda kunden ett leasingalternativ (Prismodell B) eliminerar den ekonomiska risken och öppnar upp fallföretaget för en större marknad. Detta alternativ raderar en del av lönsamheten som i stället går till den intermediära parten. Prismodell C och D behandlar licensavgiften som vars pris kommer korrelera till företagets allmänna marknadsposition. Modell C prissätter licensavgiften från ett marknadsperspektiv. I och med fallföretagets låga operativa kostnader identifieras penetrationsprissättning som en ovanligt fördelaktig strategi. Modell D behandlar en värdebaserad prissättning och presenterar lokal- och fossilfri produktion som två stora kundvärden. Värdet på dessa behöver revideras och utvärderas i varje ny kundrelation. Complex value chains and emission-intensive production have long characterized our society and underpin several global challenges. The purpose of this independent study is to investigate how pricing models and pricing calculations can be used as a basis for pricing and product launch of fossil-free modular production facilities. The study identifies four pricing models within the sale of fossil-free modular production facilities and how these can realize a value proposition for a start-up company.  The study addresses the price of a production facility as twofold. A price for acquiring the facility is presented in pricing models A and B. A licensing fee for operational activities is presented in pricing models C and D.  Pricing model A deals with ownership in the form of direct acquisition (perpetual ownership), and pricing model B deals with leasing. Both models generate an immediate revenue stream for the case company, which, due to its start-up position, seeks to avoid locking up significant amounts of capital. Of these two, it is evident that pricing model A exposes the customer to financial risk but contributes to higher long-term profitability. Offering the customer a leasing alternative (pricing model B) eliminates the financial risk and opens up a larger market for the case company. However, this alternative erases part of the profitability, which instead goes to the intermediary party.  Pricing models C and D address the licensing fee, which will correlate with the company's overall market position. Model C prices the licensing fee from a market perspective. Given the case company's low operational costs, penetration pricing is identified as an unusually advantageous strategy. Model D deals with value-based pricing and presents local and fossil-free production as two significant customer values. The value of these needs to be revised and evaluated in each new customer relationship.