The Political Preferences of Arkansas Farmers and Ranchers

This research was conducted to evaluate where farmers and ranchers find political information and assess their political preferences. By conducting a survey of Arkansas farmers and ranchers we were able to determine that they prefer face to face interaction as a source of information by large margins. They typically consult friends, peers, and extension agents where appropriate. Depending on the type of political information they are seeking (information about candidates as opposed to information about policy topics), they often used other types of information sources such as the internet and broadcast media. We also ascertained that farmers and ranchers have higher than average levels of voter turnout and typically prefer to take political action by writing letters to their elected representatives. This study also collected rankings of selected issues in order of importance, concluding that most farmers and ranchers prioritize gun control and access to abortion as critical issues they consider when choosing to support a candidate. The results of this research show that farm advocacy groups and information sharing networks may need to alter their approach to communicating with farmers so that the information they attempt to spread can be done so efficiently

The political preference of Arkansas farmers and ranchers

Access to information is critical to improving production efficiency, but little is known about how farmers are informed on the policy or issues influencing programs related to farming. This research sought to determine the sources of communication used by farmers and ranchers to form opinions about agricultural policy and candidates, identify the issues important in voting, and their level of participation in the political process. Face-to-face interaction was the preferred form of communication in farm organization meetings, with friends, or farm agencies. Magazines were the preferred source of print communication, and university/extension websites were preferred for internet sources. Broadcast media and social media were the least preferred sources for policy information, yet were consulted more often for information about candidates. Friends and family were also the preferred source used to gather information about candidates, along with meet-the-candidate events. The Farm Bureau was the most frequently preferred source of published information. Farmers and ranchers have higher than average levels of voter turnout and typically prefer to take political action by writing letters to their elected representatives. The candidate’s values were the most important characteristic when choosing to support a candidate. While farm advocacy groups are producing information on policy and candidates, this information is frequently shared through friends. Additional research is needed to determine the trusted opinion-leaders who convey the information from community meetings or publications to other producers through face-to-face interactions

A public health framework for legalized retail marijuana based on the US experience:Avoiding a new tobacco industry

Rachel Barry and Stanton Glantz argue that a public health framework that prioritizes public health over business interests should be used by US states and countries that legalize retail marijuana

Taxing Fracking: The Politics of State Severance Taxes in the Shale Era

States producing gas and oil have long levied severance taxes at the point of extraction, commonly placing most revenues into general funds. These taxes have assumed new meaning in many states amid the expansion of gas and oil production accompanying the advent of hydraulic fracturing. We reviewed all major statutes and constitutional amendments related to severance taxes that were enacted at the state level during the first decade of the “shale era” (2005–14). There have been only modest adjustments in statutory tax rates and some evidence that states have attempted to reduce these rates, possibly in response to growing national production. In turn, there is also evidence that states have begun to pursue more targeted strategies for revenue use, including some expanded focus on responding to the negative externalities linked to drilling, expanded revenue sharing with localities, and increased long‐term protection of resources through state trust funds.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112282/1/ropr12127.pd

Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine Enhance Sensory-Evoked Neuronal Activity in the Visual Thalamus of Male Rats

Attention deficits and inappropriate regulation of sensory signal processing are hallmarks of many neuropsychiatric conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), for which methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) are commonly prescribed therapeutic treatments. Despite their widespread use and known mechanism of blocking reuptake of catecholamine transmitters in the brain, the resultant actions on individual neuron and neural circuit function that lead to therapeutic efficacy are poorly understood. Given the ability of MPH and ATX to improve cognitive performance in humans and rodent assays of attention, we were interested in their influence on early sensory processing in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), the primary thalamic relay for visual information from the retina to the visual cortex. In male rats, dLGN neuronal responses to light stimuli were altered in multiple ways following doses of MPH or ATX observed to enhance performance in visually-guided assays of attention in rats (MPH, 2 mg/kg; ATX, 0.5 mg/kg). Latencies to response onset and to the peak of the primary response were decreased, while the peak intensity and area of the primary response were increased. In addition, some cells that were unresponsive to light stimuli prior to drug treatment displayed a ‘gating effect,’ wherein prominent responses to light stimuli were evident following drug administration. Our results begin to reveal unique effects of MPH and ATX in enhancing sensory signal transmission through visual circuitry, and may yield new insights for understanding the pathophysiology of certain cognitive disorders and inform development of improved therapeutic treatments for these conditions

Synthetic factors affecting the stability of methylammonium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals.

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have emerged as promising candidates for use in optoelectronic devices. Significant focus has been directed towards optimising synthetic conditions to obtain PNCs with tunable emission properties. However, the reproducible production of stable PNC dispersions is also crucial for fabrication and scale-up of these devices using liquid deposition methods. Here, the stability of methylammonium lead halide (MAPbX3 where X = Br, I) PNCs produced via the ligand-assisted reprecipitation process is explored. We have focussed on understanding how different combinations of specific synthetic factors - dilution, halide source and ratio as well as capping-ligand concentration - affect the stability of the resultant PNC dispersion. Photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies revealed that subtle changes in the reaction conditions lead to significant changes in the particle morphology and associated optical properties, often with catastrophic consequences on stability. This study highlights the importance of designing PNC dispersions in order to make more efficient and reliable optoelectronic devices.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 818762 - SPECTRACON)

Understanding Post 1995s’ career expectations: What employers need to know

In the present hunt for human capital with intense competition for talents, talent management has become an important priority for employers. Dynamic adjustments in strategies are necessary to attract and retain talents as factors affecting employees’ decisions have witnessed a generational change. The paper examines the theoretical validity of talent attraction and talent retention and how it develops in a Chinese context, which stresses the importance of updating the understanding on a young generation’s career expectations. Serving as the methodology, a questionnaire survey is conducted among university students, most of which are post 1995s’, to understand their career expectations. The results showed a shift in their career expectations such as preference for stability and attention paid to a fair system. Based on the research findings, recommendations are put forward for employers to better attract and retain talents

Challenges of conflict of interest, co-ordination and collaboration in small island contexts:Towards effective tobacco control governance in the UK Overseas Territories

INTRODUCTION: The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are semi-autonomous jurisdictions that face distinctive challenges in implementing tobacco control and protecting policy from industry influence. They are not eligible to become independent parties of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), although they can apply for treaty extension under the UK’s ratification. This study explores the relevance of the FCTC—particularly Article 5.3—for tobacco control governance across a sample of UKOTs. METHODS: From March to May 2019, we interviewed 32 stakeholders across four territories (Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, St Helena) at diverse stages in implementing key FCTC measures. Thematic qualitative analysis explored awareness and perceptions in relation to tobacco control. RESULTS: Interviewees’ accounts highlight the complexity of protecting health policy from industry influence in a context where the ‘tobacco industry’ covers a diverse range of actors. Despite not being formally covered by the FCTC, several health officials spoke about the strategic value of invoking Article 5.3 in the context of tensions with economic priorities. Nevertheless, effective tobacco control governance is complicated by territories’ reliance on local businesses—including tourism—and close social connections that occasionally blur the lines between private and public spheres. CONCLUSIONS: The UKOTs share many characteristics with other small island jurisdictions, creating distinctive challenges for advancing tobacco control and protecting policy from industry interference. Despite their complex status in relation to WHO and its architecture, these territories benefit from the norms embedded in the FCTC and the systems that support its implementation