IMPROVING THE RELEVANCE OF RESEARCH ON PRICE FORECASTING AND MARKETING STRATEGIES

Agricultural economists' research on price forecasting and marketing strategies has been used little by those in the real world. We argue that fresh approaches to research are needed. First, we argue that we need to adopt a new theoretical paradigm, noisy rational expectations. This paradigm suggests that gains from using price forecasting models with public data or from using a marketing strategy are not impossible, but any gains are likely to be small. We need to conduct falsification tests; to perform confirmation and replication; to adjust research to reflect structural changes, such as increased contracting; and always to conduct statistical tests. We also provide a modest agenda for changing our research and extension programs.Demand and Price Analysis, Marketing,

Stream flow characterization over longwall coal mines in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia

Six streams were studied in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to evaluate subsidence impacts from active and abandoned longwall coal mines on stream discharge. Mined longwall panels included in this study ranged in age from five months to fifteen years old and in depth from 100 to 600 feet (30.5 to 182.9 m) beneath the studied streams.;Significant stream flow losses and gains were detected in each stream studied. Comparing longwall panel locations to stream flow measurements, geophysical surveys, and geomorphology surveys, it was concluded that longwall mine subsidence caused some of the detected stream flow losses and gains. Data collected suggests that longwall mine subsidence can impact stream flow and that the impact can be different for different baseflow conditions. The impact on a stream can vary across a longwall panel and the significance of an impact is related to many factors.;The greatest stream flow changes are across the upstream and downstream edges of the longwall subsidence basins, corresponding to zones of tension. Tension zones form fractures within the surface-rock fracture zone (soil zone). Naturally occurring fractures located within the tension zone may also dilate during longwall subsidence and enhance its hydraulic conductivity. Effects to stream discharge from mine subsidence depends on the baseflow conditions. In most cases, normalized stream discharges increase across the fractured tension zones during high baseflow conditions, and declined during low baseflow condition. These characteristics are caused by the increased permeability and storage capacity of dilated fractures within the tension zones.;All streams in the study had a normalized discharge decline across subsided longwall panels. This characteristic is caused by in increase in fractures throughout the panel increasing underflow rates and bank storage potential.;Sediment thickness and particle size distribution fluctuated at measuring stations spaced across the mined longwall panel. Erosion over the upstream tension zone thinned the sediment as the stream entered the subsidence basin. The coarsest and thickest sediment is over the upstream quarter-panel reach where the largest and greatest amount of sediment is deposited from the upstream erosion. A downstream fining trend is detected. This characteristic is caused by the slope of the subsidence basin and its impact on stream power causing it to decrease from the upstream quarter-panel to the downstream quarter-panel

A Typology of Corrupt Transactions in Developing Countries

Summary Economic theory has attempted to identify the conditions under which corruption has particularly harmful effects. This article evaluates these theories and argues that the classifications offered are misleading. Very successful interventionist states have suffered from corruption just as much as very unsuccessful ones. Policy responses to corruption require an understanding of the effects of corruption and the determinants of these effects. The fact which appears to have a strong effect in determining the harmfulness of corruption is the balance of power between the state and its clients. An alternative classification of the effects of corruption is suggested on this basis

Structural Characterization of Zn(II)-, Co(II)-, and Mn(II)-loaded Forms of the argE-encoded \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e-acetyl-L-ornithine Deacetylase from \u3cem\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/em\u3e

The Zn, Co, and Mn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra of the N-acetyl-l-ornithine deacetylase (ArgE) from Escherichia coli, loaded with one or two equivalents of divalent metal ions (i.e., [Zn(II)_(ArgE)], [Zn(II)Zn(II)(ArgE)], [Co(II)_(ArgE)], [Co(II)Co(II)(ArgE)], [Mn(II)_(ArgE)], and [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)]), were recorded. The Fourier transformed data (FT) for [Zn(II)_(ArgE)], [Zn(II)Zn(II)(ArgE)], [Co(II)_(ArgE)] and [Co(II)Co(II)(ArgE)] are dominated by a peak at 2.05 Å, that can be fit assuming five or six light atom (N,O) scatterers. Inclusion of multiple-scattering contributions from the outer-shell atoms of a histidine-imidazole ring resulted in reasonable Debye–Waller factors for these contributions and a slight reduction in the goodness-of-fit value (f′). Furthermore, the data best fit a model that included a M–M vector at 3.3 and 3.4 Å for Zn(II) and Co(II), respectively, suggesting the formation of a dinuclear site. Multiple scattering contributions from the outer-shell atoms of a histidine-imidazole rings are observed at ~ 3 and 4 Å for Zn(II)- and Co(II)-loaded ArgE suggesting at least one histidine ligand at each metal binding site. Likewise, EXAFS data for Mn(II)-loaded ArgE are dominated by a peak at 2.19 Å that was best fit assuming six light atom (N,O) scatterers. Due to poor signal to noise ratios for the Mn EXAFS spectra, no Mn–Mn vector could be modeled. Peak intensities for [M(II)_(ArgE)] vs. [M(II)M(II)(ArgE)] suggest the Zn(II), Co(II), and Mn(II) bind to ArgE in a cooperative manner. Since no structural data has been reported for any ArgE enzyme, the EXAFS data reported herein represent the first structural glimpse for ArgE enzymes. These data also provide a structural foundation for the future design of small molecules that function as inhibitors of ArgE and may potentially function as a new class of antibiotics

Assessing Reasons for Involvement in Student Leadership Activities

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that either prompt or prevent undergraduate student participation in leadership development activities. A survey including 35 items was created. The survey was rated by experts for construct validity. Based on expert ratings, 17 items were retained. Internal reliability of the items was .87. Both a factor analysis and a qualitative analysis of the items indicated a single factor for student involvement centered on personal development. An analysis of demographic variables indicated that students planning to attend graduate school were more favorable toward involvement in student leadership activities. Implications for improving participation in student leadership activities are discussed

Mrub_1867, Mrub_1868, and Mrub_1869 genes are predicted orthologs of the b2279, b2280, and b2281 genes found in \u3cem\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/em\u3e coding for the NADH dehydrogenase subunits K, J, and I respectively

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_1867, Mrub_1868, and Mrub_1869. We predict that Mrub_1867 (DNA coordinates 1927237..1927527 on the reverse strand), Mrub_1868 (DNA coordinates 1927524..1928123 on the reverse strand), and Mrub_1869 (DNA coordinates 1928248..1928781 on the reverse strand) are subunits of the NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex (KEGG map number 00190). This complex catalyzes the translocation of H+ across the cytoplasmic membrane and transfers electrons from NADH to ubiquinone during oxidative phosphorylation. The respective E. coli K12 MG1655 orthologs are predicted to be b2279, b2280, and b2281 which have the gene identifiers NuoK, NuoJ, and NuoI