The Dynamics of Economic Performance and Organizational Diversity. An Empirical Study in Zwolle, the Netherlands, 1850-1914

Cities differ dramatically with respect to the extent in which their economic and other activities are diversified. Some cities are specialized, while other cities harbour a myriad of organizations, performing a huge variety of activities. An unanswered question is: Where does such organizational diversity within city communities originate from, and what are its consequences for economic performance and growth? We argue that the extent of organizational diversity goes hand in hand with the fractionalization of the city’s resource environment. Specifically, the more heterogeneous the pool of city inhabitants on salient characteristics such as age, gender and religious background, the more organizational diversity can be expected. This is because human population heterogeneity implies variety and preferences of needs, which spurs entrepreneurship and ultimately sustains organizational diversity. Furthermore, we claim that organizational diversity is beneficial for economic performance and growth, but only up to a certain maximum after which diversity might undermine performance. Cities with an optimal organizational composition have a level of organizational diversity that is high enough to shield it from external exogenous shocks, but not too high to prevent them from reaping externalities resulting from the performance of related activities. In other words, we suggest that cities have to balance technical efficiency and long-run adaptive capacity. In this paper, the above theory will be tested for the city of Zwolle in the Netherlands in the period 1850-1914.

More Crop per Drop: Benchmarking On-Farm Irrigation Water Use for Crop Production.

Efficient use of irrigation is essential to meet food production needs of growing global populations while ensuring long-term sustainability of freshwater resources. However, lack of on-farm irrigation data constrains understanding of irrigation variation and no framework exists to benchmark irrigation use using actual irrigation data. The following work investigates variation in irrigation using a database of ca. 1400 maize and soybean fields over 9 years in Nebraska and presents a framework to benchmark irrigation use using a separate database of ca. 1000 maize and soybean fields in Nebraska as proof of concept. “State-of-the-art” crop models estimated yield potential and irrigation water requirements for each field-year observation and were compared against producer-reported yield and irrigation. Precipitation and ETo accounted for \u3e68% of observed year-to-year variation in irrigation in maize and soybean fields. Irrigation differed by ca.150 mm between regions due to differences in available water holding capacity. Weather and soils explained field-to-field variation in irrigation; however, the majority of field-to-field variation remained unexplained, attributable to producer behavior. Fields with above/below-average irrigation remained consistent across all years, suggesting behavioral components of irrigation variability. Findings illustrate the difficulty of predicting field-scale irrigation due to multiple biophysical and behavioral factors driving irrigation decisions. Increased availability of high-quality, on-farm irrigation data is needed to inform decision-making related to water resources and irrigated agriculture. Benchmarking found that 82% of fields reached ≥70% of yield potential. Nearly 75% of maize and ca. 40% of soybean fields were irrigated above simulated irrigation requirements, indicating room for improvement in irrigation use. Irrigation surplus increased with decreasing soil water holding capacity. Fields irrigated using high-level technology (e.g. soil water sensors) received 95 mm less irrigation than fields where irrigation decisions were not properly informed, with no yield difference between scheduling methods. Half of current irrigation volumes could be potentially reduced in above- or near-average rainfall years if current irrigation surplus is eliminated, but only 10% in drought years. The framework developed can be used to benchmark irrigation use for crop production at different spatial levels (field, region, state), help prioritize extension and research activities, and inform policy and incentive programs. Advisor: Patricio Grassin

More Crop per Drop: Benchmarking On-Farm Irrigation Water Use for Crop Production.

Efficient use of irrigation is essential to meet food production needs of growing global populations while ensuring long-term sustainability of freshwater resources. However, lack of on-farm irrigation data constrains understanding of irrigation variation and no framework exists to benchmark irrigation use using actual irrigation data. The following work investigates variation in irrigation using a database of ca. 1400 maize and soybean fields over 9 years in Nebraska and presents a framework to benchmark irrigation use using a separate database of ca. 1000 maize and soybean fields in Nebraska as proof of concept. “State-of-the-art” crop models estimated yield potential and irrigation water requirements for each field-year observation and were compared against producer-reported yield and irrigation. Precipitation and ETo accounted for \u3e68% of observed year-to-year variation in irrigation in maize and soybean fields. Irrigation differed by ca.150 mm between regions due to differences in available water holding capacity. Weather and soils explained field-to-field variation in irrigation; however, the majority of field-to-field variation remained unexplained, attributable to producer behavior. Fields with above/below-average irrigation remained consistent across all years, suggesting behavioral components of irrigation variability. Findings illustrate the difficulty of predicting field-scale irrigation due to multiple biophysical and behavioral factors driving irrigation decisions. Increased availability of high-quality, on-farm irrigation data is needed to inform decision-making related to water resources and irrigated agriculture. Benchmarking found that 82% of fields reached ≥70% of yield potential. Nearly 75% of maize and ca. 40% of soybean fields were irrigated above simulated irrigation requirements, indicating room for improvement in irrigation use. Irrigation surplus increased with decreasing soil water holding capacity. Fields irrigated using high-level technology (e.g. soil water sensors) received 95 mm less irrigation than fields where irrigation decisions were not properly informed, with no yield difference between scheduling methods. Half of current irrigation volumes could be potentially reduced in above- or near-average rainfall years if current irrigation surplus is eliminated, but only 10% in drought years. The framework developed can be used to benchmark irrigation use for crop production at different spatial levels (field, region, state), help prioritize extension and research activities, and inform policy and incentive programs. Advisor: Patricio Grassin

The Dynamics of Economic Performance and Organizational Diversity. An Empirical Study in Zwolle, the Netherlands, 1850-1914

Cities differ dramatically with respect to the extent in which their economic and other activities are diversified. Some cities are specialized, while other cities harbour a myriad of organizations, performing a huge variety of activities. An unanswered question is: Where does such organizational diversity within city communities originate from, and what are its consequences for economic performance and growth? We argue that the extent of organizational diversity goes hand in hand with the fractionalization of the city's resource environment. Specifically, the more heterogeneous the pool of city inhabitants on salient characteristics such as age, gender and religious background, the more organizational diversity can be expected. This is because human population heterogeneity implies variety and preferences of needs, which spurs entrepreneurship and ultimately sustains organizational diversity. Furthermore, we claim that organizational diversity is beneficial for economic performance and growth, but only up to a certain maximum after which diversity might undermine performance. Cities with an optimal organizational composition have a level of organizational diversity that is high enough to shield it from external exogenous shocks, but not too high to prevent them from reaping externalities resulting from the performance of related activities. In other words, we suggest that cities have to balance technical efficiency and long-run adaptive capacity. In this paper, the above theory will be tested for the city of Zwolle in the Netherlands in the period 1850-1914

Comparisons Of Cooking Self-Efficacy And Food Safety Knowledge Of Food Secure And Food Insecure Sophomores At Appalachian State University

Background: Food insecurity (FI) exists when access to nutritionally adequate and safe foods is limited or uncertain. Research indicates that FI is a serious problem among college students, with rates from 14%-59%. The FI rate among students at Appalachian State University (App State) was 46.2% in 2016. Objective: The purpose of this research was to measure the food security (FS) status of sophomores attending App State, compare the food safety knowledge and cooking competency of food secure and food insecure sophomores, and identify correlations between these variables based on sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 226 App State sophomores. Data were collected through online questionnaires. FS was measured using the USDA 10- item Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM). Statistical analysis included chi-square and correlational analyses. Statistical significance was p < 0.05. Results: Almost half of the sophomores (46%) were food insecure. A significant, but small correlation was found between AFSSM scores and food safety knowledge (r = .008, p < .05). A significant, but weak correlation existed between AFSSM scores and BMI (r = 0.160, p < .05). Conclusions: Findings suggest a need for educational activities that teach food safety and cooking techniques to food secure and food insecure sophomores to help reduce their high rate of FI

The Genetics of Pneumothorax.

A genetic influence on spontaneous pneumothoraces-those occurring without a traumatic or iatrogenic cause-is supported by several lines of evidence: 1) pneumothorax can cluster in families (i.e., familial spontaneous pneumothorax), 2) mutations in the FLCN gene have been found in both familial and sporadic cases, and 3) pneumothorax is a known complication of several genetic syndromes. Herein, we review known genetic contributions to both sporadic and familial pneumothorax. We summarize the pneumothorax-associated genetic syndromes, including Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, Marfan syndrome, vascular (type IV) Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, tuberous sclerosis complex/lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, cystic fibrosis, homocystinuria, and cutis laxa, among others. At times, pneumothorax is their herald manifestation. These syndromes have serious potential extrapulmonary complications (e.g., malignant renal tumors in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome), and surveillance and/or treatment is available for most disorders; thus, establishing a diagnosis is critical. To facilitate this, we provide an algorithm to guide the clinician in discerning which cases of spontaneous pneumothorax may have a genetic or familial contribution, which cases warrant genetic testing, and which cases should prompt an evaluation by a geneticist

Elizabeth Polk Benson (13 May 1924-19 March 2018

An appreciation of the life and work of Pre-Columbian art historian Elizabeth Polk Benson.is presented from multiple points of view

Students’ Perception of Embedding Cultural Diversity Content into Early Childhood Courses

This study examined the incorporation of specific content framed with a diversity and equity lens into two existing early childhood courses. The purpose was to investigate how embedding the diversity and equity content impacted student perceptions and supported their cultural competence. Pre- and post-survey results (N = 50) show student awareness of biases and beliefs were positively influenced. Implications are examined related to course content and activities that could enhance students’ competencies and understanding to work with colleagues, children and families in diverse, inclusive settings

Confronting law affectively: encounters of a Patpong sex tourist

When considering spaces of sex-work such as Patpong in Bangkok, Thailand, the inclination is to be drawn into habitual debates concerning the legitimacy of sex-work and the clear objectification of sex-workers. While these concerns are valid and real, there are significant absences in terms of the theoretical mapping of the space, such as the affect of the presence of law, bodies, space and the sexual encounter itself. Law emerges as the most significant presence, since it both forms the transactional surface of Patpong and produces the confusion and revilement that results from the confluence of cold legal exchange with the tactile intimacy of the sexual encounter. This text explores the ethnographic space of Patpong in order to understand ways in which law’s transactional, effective surface is both embodied through subjectivication and spatially emplaced, yet also disrupted through the affective agency of the bodies and spaces it enfolds in order to produce this surface. This exploration will point to the limitations of law’s effective surface and suggest ways in which law might be located within a regime of affect, which returns the law to the body it subjectivises