RELATIONSHIP OF NON-BASIC SECTOR INCOME GROWTH AND THE GAMING SECTOR

Nevada disaggregated export-base multipliers were derived to determine if and to what extent non-basic sector income growth was impacted by income growth of selected basic sectors. Results indicate that growth in the Hotel and Gaming Sector is statistically significant and substantially higher than growth in the Other Basic Industries Sector.Community/Rural/Urban Development,

A DISAGGREGATED TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS OF EXPORT-BASE MODELS: A CASE STUDY ON ELKO COUNTY OF NEVADA

An important issue of debate in economic base literature is whether the export-base theory applies best to the short run, the long run, or both. An attempt is being made here in answering this crucial question by applying a two-step test for cointegration on quarterly employment data, and in gaining insights as to whether or not any unequivocal judgment can be made regarding the validity of the economic base hypothesis.International Relations/Trade,

Factors Influencing Trade Area Capture in the Great Basin Area

International Relations/Trade,

Economics of Alternative Crop Production in Arid Regions

As water resources in arid regions decline, agricultural producers are encouraged to adopt water conserving strategies. The implementation of alternative low-water use crops is one option, but is it economically feasible? Data on current and alternative crops for this study include enterprise budgets, producer interviews, and field trials in Northwestern Nevada, USA. We use WinEPIC, a Windows-based version of the EPIC model, which synthesizes both agronomics and economics, to model yields and returns of alternative crop production under differing irrigation levels. Risk analysis or the distribution of net returns to alternative crop production is also examined. This study determined that there are alternative crops that could be feasibly substituted for alfalfa and reduce water use by at least one-half while providing net returns that meet or exceed returns from alfalfa and keep producers profitable in agriculturealternative crops, arid regions, economic feasibility, irrigation, WinEPIC,

Optical Properties of Si, Ge, GaAs, GaSb, InAs, and InP at Elevated Temperatures

Investigation of the optical and electrical behavior of some semiconductors at very high temperatures has not been an area of much study, at least not experimentally. The importance of such research becomes obvious due to the effects of high temperatures on semiconductor devices such as infrared detectors and light emitters. Besides the destructive effects of thermal stress and melting, changes in the optical properties of the material can greatly affect device performance. In this research, the infrared absorption of Si, Ge, GaAs, GaSb, InAs, and InP was measured from 0.6 to 25 μm at temperatures ranging from 295 up to 900 K, using a Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectrometer in combination with a custom-designed heater assembly. The band gap shift was estimated from the experimental results and compared to existing data. There was good agreement between the two results. For GaSb and InAs, data was taken at higher temperatures than what was found in the literature. That data provides an extension of existing theory to a higher temperature range. Free-carrier absorption was also observed and was compared to existing data. Temperature dependent expressions were developed for the band gap energy and free-carrier absorption in Si, Ge, GaAs, GaSb, InAs, and InP

A Systematic Study of the Optical and Electrical Properties of Ge\u3csub\u3e1-y\u3c/sub\u3eSn\u3csub\u3ey\u3c/sub\u3e and Ge\u3csub\u3e1-x-y\u3c/sub\u3eSi\u3csub\u3ex\u3c/sub\u3eSn\u3csub\u3ey\u3c/sub\u3e Semiconductor Alloys

In order to fully utilize newly developed Ge1-ySny and Ge1-x-ySixSny materials for new novel optoelectronic devices, the optical and electrical properties of these alloys were investigated using photoluminescence (PL) and Hall-effect measurements. Direct bandgap PL emission was observed from almost all the samples, making them very promising candidates for Si-based light emitting devices. T-dependent PL studies also indicate that the indirect-to-direct bandgap transition of Ge1-ySny alloys might take place at a much lower Sn content than the theory predicts. T-dependent Hall-effect measurements showed both degenerate parallel conducting layers as well as a conductivity type change from p to n at around 370-435 K, which could affect the operation of devices made from these materials. Etch studies were performed to determine the properties of the epilayers alone. Reasonable results for the average volume carrier density in the film were obtained. It was also found that there exists high level of surface states at the surface of almost all the samples. These studies should be very useful for the development of practical devices based on Ge1-ySny alloys

Invasive Weeds, Wildfire, and Rancher Decision Making in the Great Basin

In this article, a numerical stochastic dynamic programming model (SDP) is developed to characterize the decision problem of a rancher operating on rangelands in northern Nevada that are affected by invasive annual grasses and wildfire. The model incorporates decisions about herd size management of a cow-calf operation and fuels treatment to reduce the size of rangeland wildfires. Currently, high transactions costs to obtain permits to implement land treatments on federally-owned rangelands appear to limit rancher involvement. The results of the model suggest that ranch income motives alone are likely insufficient for private ranchers to adopt preventative land treatments. The current treatment cost ($20 per acre at the minimum) appears to be prohibitively expensive relative to the benefits derived from the treatments under the low-productivity, semi-arid rangeland conditions.stochastic dynamic programming, cow-calf operation, rangeland, ecosystem, Livestock Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Barriers to women in the UK construction industry

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the main barriers that lead to the under-representation of women in the UK construction industry. The study, funded by ConstructionSkills, seeks to explore the issues that women face and investigate the potential positive impact that continuous professional development (CPD) may have upon improving the retention and career progression of women. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses an open-ended grounded theory (GT) approach, including 231 semi-structured questionnaires and nine focus groups with women from a range of professional occupations. All the findings were analysed using keyword analysis to identify the top two barriers that women face, alongside a series of cross-cutting key themes and issues. Findings – The findings reveal that male-dominated organisational cultures and inflexible working practices are the main barriers to women in the UK construction industry, irrespective of job role or profession. This paper concludes by arguing for a sea-change in the expansion of CPD opportunities for women in managerial, confidence and communication based skills, with accompanying networking and support systems to facilitate the retention and advancement of women in the industry sector. Research limitations/implications – Due to the research approach, the data are not generalisable. Therefore, researchers are advised to research and test the findings with a larger group. Researchers are also recommended to investigate the impact of expanded CPD opportunities for both men and women. Originality/value – The paper puts forward a business case for the advancement of specific CPD training for women, to facilitate the expansion of equality and diversity in the workforce in the UK construction industry

Input-Output Analysis, Linear Programming and Modified Multipliers

The input-output (IO) analysis explores changes in final demand through the regional economy using multipliers. However, it isn’t flexible to investigate the regional impact from the capacity limitations which are directly imposed on production, not final demand. This is because the multipliers are changing with exogenous restrictions on production. Conventionally, the IO analysis is performed assuming exogenous production restrictions being the changes in final demands or assuming the sector being exogenous sector like the final demand. If researchers or policy makers are interested in only economic impacts from production restrictions, there is no need to look into the modified multipliers. The modified multipliers should be considered when researchers and policy makers attempt to analyze the compensation of impact, especially recovery of loss using government expenditure. We suggest that the linear programming is a useful and efficient tool to derive modified multipliers and estimate correct regional impact from the policy changes.Input-Output Analysis, Multipliers, Regional Impact Analysis, Community/Rural/Urban Development, C67, R15, R5,

Do Job, Age, and Place of Residence Matter for Gaming Activity? A Study of the Mid-Colorado River Communities

A household survey in the mid-Colorado River communities of Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona examined local residents\u27 gaming activities. A censored regression analysis distinguished between factors affecting gaming participation versus expenditures. Results suggest that gaming behavior can often be predicted with knowledge of individuals\u27 residence, workplace, and other household demographic characteristics. Both local government agencies and casino managers can use the results to make better-informed decisions