Environmental efficiency : meaning and measurement and application to Australian dairy farms

Technical efficiency has been widely studied in the literature, but in its pursuit, many of the inputs used can impact on the environment. Environmental effects can be modelled as undesirable output or, as has been the case in more recent studies, as conventional inputs. This paper examines the concept of environmental efficiency and how it can be used to evaluate the performance of Australian dairy farming, using nitrogen surplus, arising from excessive applications of fertilizer, as a detrimental input. Farming promotes the image of clean and green production and if this image is to be maintained, there is a need to ensure activities are environmentally friendly.<br /

Biophysical Modelling and Performance Measurement

Agricultural production, by its nature, impacts both positively and negatively on the environment. Impacts can be point source or diffuse; however all should be considered in performance measurement. To estimate potential environmental impacts from the use of nitrogen fertilizer, a biophysical model of dairy grazing systems, DairyMod, is used to simulate individual farming practices and determine the likely extent of leaching and run-off from each farm. Although not the only environmental impacts of farming, leaching and run-off are two variables that can be measured and combined with other marketed inputs to determine farm performance.Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries,

Environmental efficiency: Meaning and measurement and application to Australian dairy farms

Technical efficiency has been widely studied in the literature, but in its pursuit, many of the inputs used can impact on the environment. Environmental effects can be modelled as undesirable output or, as has been the case in more recent studies, as conventional inputs. This paper examines the concept of environmental efficiency and how it can be used to evaluate the performance of Australian dairy farming, using nitrogen surplus, arising from excessive applications of fertilizer, as a detrimental input. Farming promotes the image of clean and green production and if this image is to be maintained, there is a need to ensure activities are environmentally friendlyefficiency, detrimental inputs, nitrogen surplus, DEA, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management,

Starting Salary Differences Between Women and Men: Organization-Level Findings and an Analysis of Current Policy Options

This study examined the starting salaries paid by over 250 employers to 2,800 university graduates. Of the overall female-male salary difference of $4,396, the majority, or$3,175 (72%), occurred between employers; $1,221 (28$1,221 (28%) of the female-male pay difference. Although adjustment for qualifications such as degree level, grade point average, and college major reduced the pay difference between women and men, our findings indicate that, on average, the same employer pays graduating women 3.5% to 5.8% less than graduating men with similar qualifications

An investigation into the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora of normal and ill/low birthweight newborn babies

Imperial Users onl

64-slice computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis and assessment of coronary artery disease : systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To assess whether 64-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography might replace some coronary angiography (CA) for diagnosis and assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods We searched electronic databases, conference proceedings and scanned reference lists of included studies. Eligible studies compared 64-slice CT with a reference standard of CA in adults with suspected/known CAD, reporting sensitivity and specificity or true and false positives and negatives. Data were pooled using the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model. Results Forty studies were included; 28 provided sufficient data for inclusion in the meta-analyses, all using a cutoff of ≥ 50% stenosis to define significant CAD. In patient-based detection (n=1286) 64-slice CT pooled sensitivity was 99% (95% credible interval (CrI) 97 to 99%), specificity 89% (95% CrI 83 to 94%), median positive predictive value (PPV) across studies 93% (range 64 to 100%) and negative predictive value (NPV) 100% (range 86 to 100%). In segment-based detection (n=14,199) 64-slice CT pooled sensitivity was 90% (95% CrI 85 to 94%), specificity 97% (95% CrI 95 to 98%), median positive predictive value (PPV) across studies 76% (range 44 to 93%) and negative predictive value (NPV) 99% (range 95 to 100%). Conclusions 64-slice CT is highly sensitive for patient-based detection of CAD and has high NPV. An ability to rule out significant CAD means that it may have a role in the assessment of chest pain, particularly when the diagnosis remains uncertain despite clinical evaluation and simple non-invasive testing.UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme (project number 06/15/01). The Health Services Research Unit is core funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates.Peer reviewedAuthor versio

Elimination of gender-related employment disparities through statistical process control

This paper proposes a novel approach that has the potential to hasten the eradication of gender disparities in employment. This approach relies upon the concept of statistical process control (SPC) to more systematically remedy disparate employment outcomes for women. SPC also serves as a new vehicle for conceptualizing the influence of industry on equal employment opportunity (EEO) outcomes. Using data from U.S. Current Population Surveys, we compare industries on EEO performance as assessed by a recently developed Systemic Gender Disparity Scorecard. The theory and practice of SPC suggest that further improvement, and by far the greater opportunity for gender-related EEO progress, necessitates fundamental changes in each industry's practices and norms that serve as barriers to gender parity. We recommend more resources to support collaboration between employers and EEO enforcement agencies.Women - Employment

Art Reference: A Study

Among the overwhelming amount of resources available in the arts, it is difficult to identify the most relevant and valuable information. It is the intent of this paper to highlight quality resources for both artists’ books and miniature books from the viewpoint of professional librarians in Indiana. This paper reports on the perceived value of reference sources. Based on the findings of this study a better understanding of the value of the tools reference librarians use will be gained

Incorporating environmental impacts into productivity analysis: the case for nitrogen leaching in the Australian dairy industry

This paper examines how the adoption of a system\u27s perspective to the use of both marketed and public resources can be incorporated into an analysis of productivity measurement.&nbsp; A biophysical model is used to measure the environmental inputs which are combined with conventional marketed inputs to develop a Malmquist Productivity Index to determine social productivity growth over the perios under study.&nbsp; The analysis is applied to data collected from selected farms in south west Victoria and includes a measure of leaching and run-off as a proxy measure of the impact the application of fertilizers has on ground and surface water.&nbsp; Although the sample is small, the results show measured productivity growth differs when environmental factors are considered