The value of native biodiversity enhancement in New Zealand: A case study of the greater Wellington area

New Zealand’s biodiversity consists of over 80,000 native plants, animals and fungi, many of which are indigenous and located on private property. To enhance native biodiversity and discourage activities that may deplete it, policies can be introduced that can encourage individual self-interest to coincide with social interest. Economic values for biodiversity can help to determine the best policy tools to use. In this project, we surveyed Greater Wellington Region households to determine their biodiversity enhancement values using the contingent valuation approach. Greater Wellington respondents placed a significant value on both private land biodiversity as well as public land biodiversity

CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF IRRADIATED PRODUCE

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Novel polyimide compositions based on 4,4': Isophthaloyldiphthalic anaydride (IDPA)

A series of twelve high temperature, high performance polyimide compositions based on 4,4'-isophthaloyl diphthalic anhydride (IDPA) was prepared and characterized. Tough, film-forming, organic solvent-insoluble polyimides were obtained. Three materials were semicrystalline. Several gave excellent long-term thermooxidative stability by isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (ITGA) at 300 C and 350 C in air when compared to Kapton H film (duPont). One extensively studied material displayed different levels of semicrystallinity over a wide range of final cure time/temperatures. The polyimide from IDPA and 1,3-bis (4-aminophenoxy 4'-benzoyl) benzene exhibited multiple crystallization and melting behavior, implying the existence of two kinetic and two thermodynamic crystallization and melting transitions by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

Antisymmetric tensor contribution to the muon g-2

We investigate the Kalb-Ramond antisymmetric tensor field as solution to the muon $g-2$ problem. In particular we calculate the lowest-order Kalb-Ramond contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment and find that we can fit the new experimental value for the anomaly by adjusting the coupling without affecting the electron anomalous magnetic moment results.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur

`P.S.': The dangerous logic of the postscript in eighteenth century literature

This article examines postscripts both as a feature of eighteenth-century letters and as a literary device. Although postscripts could be used for entirely banal purposes such as sending regards or expressing thanks for a gift, their fictional usage was governed by a more specialized set of conventions.. e main contention of this article is that the temporal lag between a letter and its postscript allowed novelists such as Richardson to explore new ways of manipulating narrative time. Henry Fielding's spoof novella Shamela, with its numerous postscripts, can be seen as an ironic reflection on that aspect of Richardson's novelistic practice

The Banking Habits of Eighteenth-Century Authors: Pope and Others

It is more than two decades since literary scholars first began exploring the impact of the eighteenth-century financial revolution, especially the general extension of credit, on literary culture of the period. Yet one humble aspect of this revolution has rarely been appreciated by literary scholars: the growth of personal banking. Anyone who has searched through eighteenth-century banking ledgers will be aware of the growth of the customer base over the course of the period, with some of this additional business being supplied by writers and other members of the literary trade. The purpose of my article is to shed light on how eighteenth-century writers managed their affairs through the services afforded by banks, as well as in some cases through entering into financial arrangements outside the banking sector. The most eminent literary figure of the early eighteenth century was undoubtedly Pope, who was sufficiently successful for the protection and investment of his earnings to present a considerable logistical problem. Although he benefited from informal banking services provided by wealthy friends, he still opened at least six bank accounts with different providers over the course of his life. My article concludes by taking Pope’s personal banking habits as a case-study, seeking to understand these as a discrete aspect of how he managed his professional career. Overall, I hope this essay will assist future scholarship by identifying some of the rewards and pitfalls of using bank archival material as a source for literary enquiry

CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF IRRADIATED FOOD PRODUCTS: AN APPLE MARKETING STUDY

This study was exploratory in nature, with emphasis on initial purchases and not repeat purchases or long-term loyalties to either irradiated or non-irradiated produce. The investigation involved the actual sale of irradiated and non-irradiated apples to consumers. Limited information about the process was provided, and apples were sold at roadside stands. Prices for the irradiated apples were varied while the price for the non-irradiated apples was held constant. Of these 228 West-Central Missouri shoppers, 101 (44%) bought no irradiated apples, 86 (38%) bought only irradiated apples, and 41 (18%) bought some of both types. Results of probit regressions indicated three significant independent variables. There was an inverse relationship between the price of irradiated apples and the probability of purchasing irradiated apples. There was a positive relationship between the purchasers' educational level and the probability of purchasing irradiated apples. Predicted probabilities for belonging to categories in probit models were computed. Depending on particular equation specification, correctly placed were approximately 70 percent of the purchasers of the two categories-bought only non-irradiated apples, or bought some of both irradiated and non-irradiated apples or only irradiated apples. This study suggests that consumers may be interested in food irradiation as a possible alternative or supplement to current preservation techniques.Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Using a modified Hewlett Packard 8410 network analyzer as an automated farfield antenna range receiver

A Hewlett Packard 8410 Network Analyzer was modified to be used as an automated far-field antenna range receiver. By using external mixers, analog to digital signal conversion, and an external computer/controller, the HP8410 is capable of measuring signals as low as -110 dBm. The modified receiver is an integral part of an automated far-field range which features computer controlled test antenna positioning, system measurement parameters, and data acquisition, as well as customized measurement file management. The system described was assembled and made operational, taking advantage of off-the-shelf hardware available at minimal cost

Processable polyimide adhesive and matrix composite resin

A high temperature polyimide composition prepared by reacting 4,4'-isophthaloyldiphthalic anhydride with metaphenylenediamine is employed to prepare matrix resins, adhesives, films, coatings, moldings, and laminates, especially those showing enhanced flow with retention of mechanical and adhesive properties. It can be used in the aerospace industry, for example, in joining metals to metals or metals to composite structures. One area of application is in the manufacture of lighter and stronger aircraft and spacecraft structures