A New Agro-Meteorological Simulation Model for Predicting Daily Grass Growth Rates Across Ireland

Grass growth rates and herbage yields depend on weather conditions, soil characteristics and grassland management and differ from year to year and from site to site. In the past, grass growth has been predicted using both mechanistic and statistical models. The accuracy of mechanistic models is commonly insufficient for practical application, while statistical models generally apply to one test site only (e.g. Han et al., 2003). In this paper a semi-empirical grass growth model is presented which is numerically accurate, but which can be applied to contrasting sites across Ireland at the same time

Scene on Leaf River with Trees on Both Sides of the River, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

This color postcard features Leaf River with trees in both sides. RPO is handwritten in the upper right side of the card. The title along the top of the card reads Scene on Leaf River, Hattiesburg, Miss. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information as well as indication for address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Merid & N. O., R. P. O. [Railroad Post Office], April 4, 1909. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Miss Edith Baker in Mattafan, Massachusetts.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-pine-belt/1051/thumbnail.jp

Natchez Hotel, Natchez, Mississippi

This color postcard features a hotel with a balloon style roof over a corner tower/cupola. The card is inscribed along the top and bottom of the image. The title in the upper right corner of the card reads Natchez Hotel, Natchez, Miss. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for correspondence and address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Jackson and Natchez R. P. O., May 3, 1909. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Mr. M. A. Bray in Fulton, Mississippi.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-sw/1005/thumbnail.jp

Observatory University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi

This color postcard features a large building with a round elevation in the center of the roof. Another round elevation is on a building to the back right. Bare trees are in front of the building, along with an evergreen. The title along the top of the card identifies the building as Observatory, University of Miss., Oxford, Miss. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information as well as indication for correspondence and address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Fulton and Jackson, R. P. O., December 10, 1911. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Miss Alice Barrett in Webster Grove, Missouri.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-ne/1043/thumbnail.jp

European macroeconomic imbalances at a sectorial level: Evidence from German and Spanish food industry

P u r p o s e: This research has analyzed the structural differences observed comparing medium size Spanish and German firms in the food industry, specifically biscuit production. A second objective has been to analyze if the different macroeconomic conditions in Spain and Germany have affected the performance of firms. Design/methodology: Using financial information from AMADEUS data base, a sample of firms (135 observations) in the food industry from Spain and Germany have been analyzed, considering the changes observed in the periods 2007-2009, 2010-2012 and 2013-2015. Productivity, real investment, cost per employee, profitability and interests paid by the firms are among the variables considered. The different hypotheses proposed have been tested using non-parametric test, mainly, Mann-Whitney test and Rho Spearman coefficient. Findings: Medium size German firms are bigger, using number of employees, than Spanish firms and show a higher profitability (using ROE) whatever the period consider. The evidence suggests that after a certain threshold size the correlation between size and productivity is negative. An interesting result is the negative correlation between interest rate and labour productivity; financial conditions can have a clear effect on firm’s performance. At this sector level there is no evidence of the process of internal devaluation, probably because the growth observed either by increase in real investment or sales have been accompanied by the need to hire skilled labour. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation is that this research has only focused on particular economic activity, biscuit producers, to include others firms in the food industry must be considered in future research. Practical implications: Size is a strategic decision that managers must face, to understand how labour productivity and financial performance is affected by size will help to take the optimum decision. The performance of the firm is also partially affected by the interest rate that the firm faces, the negative correlation found between interest rate and labour productivity is important in informing right decisions about increasing firm’s debt level. Social implications: Europe is rethinking industrial policy in the aftermath of the financial crisis (20082009) and in a global context with an increasing number of industrial activities locating in low labour costs destinations. Understanding the structural differences that industries across the European countries show is a key factor in deciding an efficient industrial policy. Originality/value: The last decade has accentuated the macroeconomic differences, in terms of long term interest rates or levels of unemployment between the core of Europe, Germany, and the periphery, including countries like Spain. This research is one the first ones in analyzing how these differences are affecting financial performance and structural differences in a particular industry, that is one of the most important exporters of the European Union.Peer Reviewe

The Effect of Grassland Management on Bovine Nitrogen Efficiency

Nitrogen (N) losses through grazing bovines are at the heart of the current debate on environment and agriculture. N utilisation of grazing bovines is predominantly determined by the form and amount of energy and protein in their diet, which in Ireland consists mainly of grazed grass. The two main problems of grazed grass with respect to animal N utilisation are 1) the imbalance between total N content and energy content, and 2) the lack of synchronisation between the release of N and carbohydrates in the rumen. It was hypothesised that both the balance and synchronisation of N and energy in herbage could be improved through grassland management. The objective of this study was to study the effect of grassland management on herbage carbohydrate and protein fractionation

Lyceum Building, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi

This color postcard features a two story building with a pitched roof in the center over the entrance and six tall white columns at the entrance. Bare trees stand in front of the building and an empty flower bed is in the center of the sidewalk leading up to the building. The title in the upper right corner identifies the building as Lyceum Building, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information as well as indication for correspondence and address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Fulton and Jackson R. P. O. December 10, 1911. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Miss Alice Barrett in Webster Groves, Missouri.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-ne/1047/thumbnail.jp

The role of patron dining experience and emotions on relationship quality in chain restaurant industry

P u r p o s e: This paper investigates the role of patron dining experience (PDE) and emotions on relationship quality in the chain restaurant industry. Design/methodology: Stratified random sampling method was used where questionnaires were distributed to the respondents in 16 selected ‘Kopitiam’ outlets throughout Malaysia. The empirical findings from 316 customers of those outlets were examined using Partial Least Squares (PLS). Findings: The findings provide strong evidence of the relationships between PDE and emotions with relationship quality, where relationship quality in turn is an essential determinant of customer loyalty. Research limitations/implications: The sample of this study was obtained from a single local chain restaurant in Malaysia. Practical implications: The findings of this study highlighted the importance for service firms, generally those in the restaurant industry to strengthen the relationship with their customers in pursuit of better competitive advantage and long-term profit. Originality/value: This study contributes to theoretical knowledge by providing an empirical study on the effect of emotions construct towards the formation of relationship quality within the hospitality industry context.Peer Reviewe