Factors that influence grower adoption and implementation of the ENZA Integrated Fruit Production programme : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Applied Science in Agriculture - Horticulture Systems and Management at Massey University

To maintain marker access to the key pipfruit export markets of Europe and the UK ENZAFRUIT New Zealand LTD has set a target of 100 percent grower adoption of the ENZA Integrated Fruit Production programme (ENZA-IFP) by the year 2001. In 1996 eighty eight growers had adopted the programme out of a total of 1650 growers nationally, hence the adoption rate required to met this target is very steep. However, little is known about New Zealand growers' attitudes towards the ENZA-IFP programme, or the factors that may influence the programme's adoption. Interviews of randomly selected IFP and non-IFP growers were held in Hawke's Bay and Nelson during August 1997. The purpose of the interviews was to determine the factors that influence the adoption of the ENZA-IFP programme, identify differences between IFP and non IFP growers, and identify themes of technology transfer methods that may encourage grower adoption of the ENZA-IFP programme. The results of the IFP and non-IFP case study research were cross compared, then compared and contrasted with the factors identified in the reviewed literature. The key reasons the IFP growers had adopted the ENZA-IFP programme were for philosophical and environmental factors. Market access was also a key motivating factor. Financial factors, perceived risk, and poor communication were the key factors hindering adoption tor the non-IFP growers. The main financial factors were loss of the USA supply programme incentive and a lack of financial incentives to adopt IFP. Perceived risk was in the form of a perceived increase in pest and disease damage and resulting financial loss. To reach ENZA's target of 100 percent grower adoption by 2001, growers need both clear guidelines on how this is going to be met and financial incentives over the transition period to motivate adoption. IFP technologies that bring direct financial benefits to growers, have a participatory technology transfer system, have a low level of complexity and perceived risk, and fit with a growers current production system and resources are likely to be adopted more readily. Keywords: Integrated Fruit Production, Adoption, Implementatio

A Study of the Choreographer/Composer Collaboration

This paper examines the working relationship of composers and choreographers in modern dance with attention to basic processes, barriers, and opportunities that characterize their collaborations. The paper draws its conclusions from a series of informal interviews and group discussions with musicians, choreographers, producers, presenters, and critics held at the 2000 Bates Dance Festival, as well as from the author’s own experience as a composer. By outlining a brief history of music in modern dance and dance education, along with identifying the ways in which projects combining the two genres are initiated, the author identifies the historical and institutional contexts for the experiences of his informants. Basic scenarios for collaboration are defined and the opinions of participants examined regarding the perceived advantages and disadvantages of each type. Finally, the author suggests ways to overcome some of the existing barriers between composer and choreographer, music and dance, exploring how the structure of the world of modern dance influences artistic production.

Amniotic fluid brain-specific proteins are biomarkers for spinal cord injury in experimental myelomeningocele

Myelomeningocele (MMC), the most severe form of spina bifida (SB), causes neurological deficit. Injury to the spinal cord is thought to begin in utero. We investigated whether brain-specific proteins (BSPs) would enable us to monitor the development of MMC-related tissue damage during pregnancy in an animal model with naturally occurring SB (curly tail/loop tail mouse; n = 256). Amniotic fluid levels of neurofilament heavy chain (NfH), glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP) and S100B were measured by standard ELISA techniques. The amniotic fluid levels of all BSPs were similar in SB and control mice on embryonic day (E) 12.5 and 14.5, whereas a significant increase was observed for GFAP in SB mice on E16.5. Levels of all BSPs were significantly increased in SB mice on E18.5. The rapid increase in GFAP, paralleled by a moderate increase in NfH and S100B, suggests that spinal cord damage starts to accelerate around E16.5. The macroscopic size of the MMC was related to NfH level on E16.5 and E18.5, suggesting that axonal degeneration is most severe in large MMC. Amniotic fluid BSP measurements may provide important information for balancing the risks and benefits to mother and child of in utero surgery for MMC

Public education in the dynamic city: lessons from New York City

This article was presented at a conference organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in April 2005, "Urban Dynamics in New York City." The goal of the conference was threefold: to examine the historical transformations of the engine-of-growth industries in New York and distill the main determinants of the city's historical dominance as well as the challenges to its continued success; to study the nature and evolution of immigration flows into New York; and to analyze recent trends in a range of socioeconomic outcomes, both for the general population and recent immigrants more specifically.Education - New York (N.Y.) ; Immigrants - New York (N.Y.) ; Federal Reserve District, 2nd

A comparison of methods to determine neuronal phase-response curves

The phase-response curve (PRC) is an important tool to determine the excitability type of single neurons which reveals consequences for their synchronizing properties. We review five methods to compute the PRC from both model data and experimental data and compare the numerically obtained results from each method. The main difference between the methods lies in the reliability which is influenced by the fluctuations in the spiking data and the number of spikes available for analysis. We discuss the significance of our results and provide guidelines to choose the best method based on the available data.Comment: PDFLatex, 16 pages, 7 figures

Support of the supporters

Background: A growing body of evidence indicates that health care professionals working with severely ill patients are in need of support. Beside "external” factors, such as heavy clinical patient volume or administrative duties, "intra-psychic stressors,” related to the inner significance of contextual factors, are an important source of clinician's distress. Identification of and working through intrapsychic stressors can considerably reduce psychological distress and thus provide effective and long-lasting support of the oncology clinician. Purpose: This article discusses key elements of intra-psychic stressors, namely (1) emotions towards the patient, (2) awareness of own limits, (3) confusion about empathy, identification, counter-transference and collusion, (4) the influence of early development and life trajectory on career choices and professional identity and (5) the conflicting roles a health care professional being in need of support has to fac