The Influence of Market and Agricultural Policy Signals on the Level of Organic Farming

Over the last two decades, organic farming has been one of the few sectors of agriculture to increase exponentially across the world. This paper aims to analyse the relationship of market and agricultural policy signals on the share of organic farming, with a cross-country analysis in two key years (1990 and 2001). Evidence is provided on the importance of public organic agricultural support, organic farming research and development, the availability of marketing and sales outlets for organic produce and countries environmental regulations in positively driving the adoption of organic agriculture by farmers. There seems to be more support for the influence of agricultural policy signals than market signals.organic farming, agricultural policy signals, market signals, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Marketing, Q10, Q16, Q18,

Giving back to those who serve: Greta Marlatt and the Naval Postgraduate School

The article of record as published may be found at https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.69.5.798

'The red light of emotion' : reading anger in contemporary British women's working-class fiction

This thesis investigates the representation of anger in contemporary British women's writing. It argues that Helen Zahavi, Pat Barker, Livi Michael and Anne McManus foreground anger (frequently materialising as anxiety and offset with humour) to pose a series of questions with regard to gender, class and sexuality and that they do so in contemporary 'versions' of the British working-class novel. In exploring the writing of Zahavi, Barker, Michael and McManus I define them as both feminist and working-class writers, but not in an absolute or inviolable way. In this thesis I am more interested in how anger, women's writing and the working-class novel offer what Mikhail Bakhtin calls 'a play of voices in a social context'. The introduction examines antecedent working-class novels and discusses the 4slipperiness' of such literary terms as 'the working-class novel' and 'realism'. I suggest that the male-authored working-class novels of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century frequently objectify the working classes and place workingclass women within a literary straitjacket. Chapter I explores how working-class women writers have been silenced and are generally absent from a working-class tradition and explores notions of anger and anxiety that relate to their absence within the paradigms of more recent feminist theory. The subsequent chapters offer close readings of the writers under discussion to exemplify the ways in which their representations of anger offer original, inventive and complex interrogations of a range of issues. The final chapter draws on a range of recent fictions by women writers and argues that they use representations of anger strategically in imaginative and accessible narratives that focus on contemporary British society

Social workers\u27 attitudes about physician-assisted suicide

This study was conducted with the hope of better understanding the factors that shape social workers\u27 opinions about physician-assisted suicide (PAS). A survey was designed, based on past research, to explore the opinions of social workers regarding PAS depending on the social worker\u27s age, gender, religion, years in the field, state in which they practice, and professional experience with those at the end of life. This study was conducted through an online quantitative survey developed by the authors using mostly questions from a variety of past studies. Fifty-five practicing social workers or social work students over the age of 18 responded. An analysis of the results indicated that social workers support the use of PAS in the majority of instances. However, support for PAS was significantly less in situations where their involvement would not be legal. Additionally, social workers agreed that education on PAS in social work school is limited. In regards to the role of demographic factors, social workers with more experience in the field and older social workers reported being more comfortable working with patients at the end of life. However, religion was not related to opinions. A factor analysis showed that the survey contained four major factors: rights, religion, law, and personal feelings. Due to a small sample size, we were unable to analyze the role of gender and state in which one practices. Implications for social work education, policy, and legislation are discussed. Furthermore, study limitations are explored, and recommendations are made for further research

Price elasticity of water allocations demand in the Goulburn–Murray Irrigation District

Bid prices for the demand and supply of water allocations between 2001 and 2007, and average monthly prices paid for water allocations from 1997 to 2007 in the Goulburn– Murray Irrigation District are analysed to estimate price elasticities. Based on bid prices, the price elasticity of demand for water allocations appears highly elastic, with elasticities strongly influenced by the season and drought. The price elasticity of supply for water allocations is also elastic, albeit less elastic than demand. Using actual prices paid, water demand is negatively related to price and is inelastic, and appears to be most influenced by demand the previous month, drought and seasonality factors.water allocations demand, water allocations supply, price elasticity, water markets, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Creativity & Personalization: Freshman Orientation for the Millenial Generation

The millennial generation presents new challenges for today�s librarians. Born between 1980 and 2000, this is the largest generation in U.S. history and will be entering colleges in record numbers over the next ten years. Library literature identifies the Millennials as a specific user group with distinguishing characteristics; they are self-assured, optimistic, well-educated, collaborative, and open-minded. They rely on friendships, and can share their opinions instantaneously with a vast social network via new technologies. Millennials expect customization in their learning environments and have high expectations for today�s academic libraries. Freshman orientation is the first impression of the academic library for most of these students. It is often viewed by staff as a make it or break it moment, especially in schools where there is no formal information literacy program. In 2005, Swarthmore College developed a winning freshman orientation program-- the most successful orientation to date--that meets the learning preferences of this generation by incorporating technology, structure and leadership by library staff, fun, silliness, experiential activities, exposure to positive people, personal interactions, and rewards. The presenters will discuss their process of goal-setting, program development, and assessment for freshman orientation. They will also present their research on freshman orientations in the 76 Oberlin Group colleges, and discuss the often ambiguous relationship between freshman library orientation and information literacy programs. Attendees will learn best practices for developing dynamic freshman orientation programs that provide Millenials with a positive first impression of the academic library

DETECTION OF HIV-1 VIRAL PROTEIN R IN HIV ENCEPHALITIC BRAIN TISSUE

HIV-1 Associated Dementia (HAD), the most severe neurological complication associated with HIV-1 infection, is commonly characterized by inflammation of the brain and neuronal degeneration, known as HIV Encephalitis (HIVE). HIVE develops in 20-30% of patients infected with HIV, which means that 9.5 million people are affected by HIVE throughout the world. While the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has decreased the incidence of severe late-stage HAD, the prevalence of its precursor HIVE is actually rising. Several HIV-1 viral proteins have been shown using in vitro models to have a role in the neurotoxic effects causing the neurodegeneration seen during HIVE. HIV-1 Viral Protein R (Vpr), a virion associated gene product which induces apoptosis in non-proliferating cells including neurons, is thought to contribute to the neuropathogenesis associated with HIVE. Previous studies have shown the presence of detectable levels of Vpr in the cerebrospinal fluid of HIV-1 infected patients. Extracellular Vpr released from HIV-1 infected macrophages has also been shown to be capable of transducing into cells not normally infected by HIV-1, causing death of these bystander cells. Additionally, Vpr has been shown in vitro to be able to induce apoptosis in human neurons. Although current research suggests that Vpr plays a significant role in neuropathogenesis, no work has been done yet in vivo to show the presence of Vpr in the brain tissue of HIVE patients. Using a panel of eight HIVE and four HIV seronegative patient brain tissue sections, I performed immunohistochemistry staining for Vpr, p24, and brain cell specific markers. Results indicate that Vpr was present in detectable amounts in both the basal ganglia and frontal cortex of all eight HIVE brain tissue samples tested. Double label immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies specific for astrocytes macrophages and neurons. I detected the presence of Vpr in the macrophages and neurons, but not in the astrocytes, of HIVE patients. The results of this study strongly support the role of Vpr in the neuropathogenesis seen during HIVE. Further studies based on these findings could lead to the development of effective therapeutic treatments necessary to reduce, and possibly prevent, this public health epidemic

How Slime Can Help Students Make Sense of Volume

In this practioner-based article, the authors detail a middle grades lesson utilizing slime to teach volume. Lesson questions and sample student work are shared with possible modifications to teach other grade levels. Helpful hints to future use of this activity in the classroom are also discussed