MULTIPLE-OBJECTIVE DECISION MAKING FOR AGROECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT

Multiple-objective decision making (MODEM) provides an effective framework for integrated resource assessment of agroecosystems. Two elements of integrated assessment are discussed and illustrated: (1) adding noneconomic objectives as constraints in an optimization problem; and (2) evaluating tradeoffs among competing objectives using the efficiency frontier for objectives. These elements are illustrated for a crop farm and watershed in northern Missouri. An interactive, spatial decision support system (ISDSS) makes the MODEM framework accessible to unsophisticated users. A conceptual ISDSS is presented that assesses the socioeconomic, environmental, and ecological consequences of alternative management plans for reducing soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution in agroecosystems. A watershed decision support system based on the ISDSS is discussed.Agribusiness,

An Improved Graph Drawing Algorithm for Email Networks

This paper addresses the graph drawing problem for email networks. First, the graph drawing problem is formulated as a minimization problem. Then, a genetic algorithm based graph drawing method is proposed by solving the minimization problem. By taking into account the small-world property of the email-networks, the proposed method improved the force-directed graph drawing algorithm to draw the graph more intuitively and aesthetically. It also speeds up the graph drawing algorithm by ignoring repulsive force far away from the vertex, and prevents the nearly disconnected graph from being pushed to the border. Moreover, the key cliques of the email networks are placed in the central of the layout. Experiment tests show that the proposed method has better performance in satisfying the aesthetic criterions and time consumption

Version-sensitive mobile app recommendation

National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under International Research Centres in Singapore Funding Initiativ

Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to avian influenza in urban and rural areas of China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies have revealed that visiting poultry markets and direct contact with sick or dead poultry are significant risk factors for H5N1 infection, the practices of which could possibly be influenced by people's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) associated with avian influenza (AI). To determine the KAPs associated with AI among the Chinese general population, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used standardized, structured questionnaires distributed in both an urban area (Shenzhen, Guangdong Province; n = 1,826) and a rural area (Xiuning, Anhui Province; n = 2,572) using the probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling technique.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Approximately three-quarters of participants in both groups requested more information about AI. The preferred source of information for both groups was television. Almost three-quarters of all participants were aware of AI as an infectious disease; the urban group was more aware that it could be transmitted through poultry, that it could be prevented, and was more familiar with the relationship between AI and human infection. The villagers in Xiuning were more concerned than Shenzhen residents about human AI viral infection. Regarding preventative measures, a higher percentage of the urban group used soap for hand washing whereas the rural group preferred water only. Almost half of the participants in both groups had continued to eat poultry after being informed about the disease.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study shows a high degree of awareness of human AI in both urban and rural populations, and could provide scientific support to assist the Chinese government in developing strategies and health-education campaigns to prevent AI infection among the general population.</p

The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Conservation Compliance Under The 1996 Farm Bill

The level of government program benefits was reduced in the newly passed 1996 Farm Bill. One concern about this reformed farm policy was how policy changes in the 96F AIR will affect farm profitability and environmental quality

Regional Disparity Of Agricultural Productivity In Post-Reform China

We examine regional total factor productivity growth in post-reform (1980-95) Chinese agriculture using nonparametric Malmquist procedures. The results indicate that average productivity growth was 2.8% annually for the country as a whole

Productivity Growth And Its Components In Chinese Agriculture After Reforms

This study uses nonparametric Malmquist procedures to investigate the temporal and spatial nature of productivity growth and its components in Chinese agriculture over the period 1980- 1995

Cost Efficiency and Scope Economies of Crop and Livestock Farms in Missouri

This study investigates productive efficiency for a sample of Missouri crop-only (specialized) and integrated crop-livestock (diversified) farms using a cost frontier approach. Results suggest that significant cost inefficiency exists among sample farms. Lower cost efficiency in both types of farms was attributed to improper scale of operations and mis-allocation of inputs. On average, diversified farms were as technically and scale efficient as specialized farms. Lower allocative efficiency diluted gains in technical efficiency and resulted in greater cost inefficiency for diversified farms than for specialized farms. Technical efficiency was independent of farm size, whereas allocative, scale, and scope efficiencies were not