Valuing Forest Ecosystem Services: A Comparison of the Effects of Attitudes and Demographic Characteristics on Willingness to Pay

Environmental Economics and Policy,

Incentive Compatibility in an Attribute-Based Referendum Model

The manner in which WTP survey responses are elicited has received much attention in the nonmarket valuation literature because of the potential bias that may be introduced via alternate response formats. One issue of particular concern is that of incentive compatibility. Several studies have concluded that response formats that present a series of valuation questions are not incentive compatible. While the single dichotomous choice elicitation format reduces the amount of information collected, multiple-bounded elicitation formats may yield biased, unreliable results. Understanding this trade-off can help provide better information on response formats that will elicit incentive compatible responses and therefore provide realistic and policy-relevant information. This research investigates the effect of the number of multinomial choices presented to respondents in an attribute-based referendum (ABR) format on incentive compatibility of responses. Data was collected from two versions of a mail survey that used an attribute-based description of a hypothetical forest easement program in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and a referendum-style choice between the status quo and various forest easement program scenarios. The first version of the survey presented four choice scenarios to respondents while the second version presented only one choice scenario. Results suggest that the multiple-bound response format improves statistical efficiency due to the statistical significance of all estimated parameters. However, this efficiency may also overestimate WTP. The single-bounded response format displays lower statistical efficiency but may reflect more accurate preferences from respondents. Results lead to a rejection of the hypothesis that the number of choices presented to respondents has no effect on results and have implications for the reliability of nonmarket valuation information from multiple-bound response formats in attribute-based referenda models.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Connotative Meaning of L.A. Bold Cigarette Advertisement My Kind of Bold Version

This study concerns on the connotative meaning in L.A. Bold cigarette TV version advertisement. The objectives of the research are to find out connotative meaning and to describe how connotative meaning denoted in the advertisement. Regarding to this, the writers applied theory of Connotative of a Denotative Sign from Roland Barthes consisting of E, an expression (or signifier), in relation (R) to C, a content (or signified): E R C. The data and data source of this study are the text and pictures that appear in the whole advertisement. As the result, it concludes that each sign has a sign system creates connotative meaning. It is found 16 connotative meanings from 7 data, they are Good Carrier, Enjoyment and Challenge, High class, Masculine and Classic, Playboy and Glamour, Metropolitan, Modern, Masculine, Sporty, Brave, Risk Taker, and not be afraid to smoke cigarette

Kepercayaan Jawa dalam Novel Wuni Karya Ersta Andantino(Interpretatif Simbolik Clifford Geertz)

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi adanya kepercayaan Jawa yang berhubungan dengan hal mistis dan gaib dalam novel Wuni karya Ersta Adantino.  Kepercayaan yang bersifat mistis dan gaib berpengaruh dalam kehidupan  yang dijalani masyarakat. Berbagai unsur ritual kepercayaan lainnya juga hadir mengiringi cerita.  Unsur ritual kepercayaan yang ada sebagai simbol yang memiliki makna bagi kelangsungan kehidupan masyarakat setempat.  Interpretatif simbolik Clifford Geertz merupakan teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Konsep yang terdapat dalam teori berupa kebudayaan sebagai sistem pengetahuan atau kognitif, sistem nilai atau evaluatif, dan sistem simbol. Manusia memiliki simbol-simbol yang diwujudkan dalam tindakan. Tindakan yang dilakukan mempunyai makna yang berguna untuk menyikapi kehidupannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan: (1) kepercayaan Jawa yang terepresentasi dalam novel Wuni  karya Ersta Andantino, (2) makna simbolik yang terepresentasi dalam novel Wuni karya Ersta Andantino.  Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan antropologis. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif karena menghasilkan suatu deskripsi atau interpretasi. Sumber data dalam penelitian berupa novel Wuni  karya Ersta Andantino, sedangkan data penelitian berupa unit-unit teks yang berhubungan dengan rumusan masalah kepercayaan Jawa dan makna simbolik budaya Jawa. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik baca catat. Teknik analisis data menggunakan teknik deskriptif analisis. Teknik deskriptif analisis dilakukan dengan mendeskripsikan data-data yang ada kemudian disusul dengan analisis. Hasil dari penelitian adalah kepercayaan Jawa dan makna simbolik budaya Jawa yang terepresentasi dalam novel Wuni  karya Ersta Andantino. Kepercayaan Jawa yang ada berupa, (1) kepercayaan terhadap makhluk halus, (2) kepercayaan terhadap kekuatan gaib. Makna simbolik budaya Jawa yang ada berupa, (1) melayat, (2) bertapa, (3) perkawinan, (4) ungkapan Jawa, (5) sowan, (6) keris, (7) nyadran, (8) kemenyan, dan (9) selamatan.&nbsp

Can You Please Put Your Phone Away? Examining how the FOMO phenomenon and mobile phone addiction affect human relationships

This study attempts to identify how attachment to social media as well as attachment to other forms of communication technology can lead to addiction to mobile devices and affect non-virtual interpersonal communication. I examined the phenomenon known as the fear of missing out, or FOMO, which can be defined as apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent. Experiencing FOMO can lead to overuse of and even addiction to social media, another category I examined, because addicted individuals want to stay more up-to-date with social networks and social media is the most efficient way to do so. This, by default, also connects to overuse of mobile devices due to ease of access with mobile social networking applications. This addiction is linked to loneliness and depression in and of itself, but the general overuse of mobile devices also has negative effects on interpersonal face-to-face communication, the final category that I researched. Numerous studies showed that the use or even mere presence of a mobile phone decreased interpersonal trust in conversation partners. Therefore it can be inferred that excessive social media use can lead to loss of non-virtual connections. Further research into the psychological impact of virtual communication addiction is needed to explore these incredibly new phenomena and help to prevent addiction and negative associations with new technologies.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1146/thumbnail.jp

Two Classes of Optimal Fourth-Order Iterative Methods Free from Second Derivative for Solving Nonlinear Equations

This work proposes new fourth-order iterative methods to solve non-linear equations   . The iterative methods proposed here are presented by modifications of a third-order iterative method to be two classes of optimal fourth order. Convergence analysis was done for the iterative methods proposed in this paper. Multiple numerical examples were taken to explain the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed iterative methods

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; use, training and self-confidence in skills. A self-report study among hospital personnel

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Immediate start of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation have been highlighted as crucial for survival from cardiac arrest, but despite new knowledge, new technology and massive personnel training the survival rates from in-hospital cardiac arrest are still low. National guidelines recommend regular intervals of CPR training to make all hospital personnel able to perform basic CPR till advanced care is available. This study investigates CPR training, resuscitation experience and self-confidence in skills among hospital personnel outside critical care areas.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was performed at three Norwegian hospitals. Data on CPR training and CPR use were collected by self-reports from 361 hospital personnel.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 89% reported training in CPR, but only 11% had updated their skills in accordance with the time interval recommended by national guidelines. Real resuscitation experience was reported by one third of the respondents. Both training intervals and use of skills in resuscitation situations differed among the professions. Self-reported confidence decreased only after more than two years since last CPR training.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is a gap between recommendations and reality in CPR training among hospital personnel working outside critical care areas.</p

Cooperation Costs and the Economics of Intergovernmental Partnerships

Increasingly, state and local governments are promoting intergovernmental coordination, cooperation, and/or outright consolidation (3Cs) based on the perceived economies of scale advantages of such joint actions. However, the growing public finance and political science literature on interregional cooperation highlights the fact that transactions or other cooperation costs may preclude the realization of economies of scale benefits. Despite this evidence, some proponents go as far as to view such collaborative actions as effective policy tools for enhancing regional economic development and competitiveness. The role of cooperation costs and their relationship to economies of scale are not well documented in the literature. This paper develops a framework for evaluating the implications of cooperation costs for the effectiveness of intergovernmental collaborations. A simple cost function model is used to explain the costs and challenges associated with managing coordinated, cooperative, and consolidated relationships and the dynamic nature of such costs The analysis highlights the importance of such things as degree of complexity, inter-party diversity, and the relative sizes of collaborating partners