Impacts of Population and Income Growth Rates on Threatened Mammals and Birds

Per capita income and human population levels in a country have direct influences on its environmental outcomes. Countries with same level of income may have different rate of income growth and vice versa, suggesting that the influence of the rate of income growth on environmental outcomes could be different than that of income level. Similarly, the rate of population growth might have different impact in addition to the impacts of sheer number of population. We explore this empirical question using country-level data on threatened species published by IUCN for the year 2007. Controlling for other factors, our model estimates the influences of the rate of population and income growth on threatened mammals and birds across 113 continental countries. The results suggest that, among other factors, the rate of population growth has significant influences on number of threatened mammals and birds.income, population, spatial models, spatial autocorrelation, endemic species, biodiversity, Environmental Economics and Policy, C21, Q57,

Tree Shade and Energy Savings: An Empirical Study

Trees cast shade on homes and buildings, lowering the inside temperatures and thus reducing demand for power to cool these buildings during hot times of the year. Drawing from a large sample of residences in Auburn, Alabama, we develop a statistical model that produces specific estimates of the electricity savings generated by shade-producing trees in a suburban environment. This empirical model links residential energy consumption to hedonic characteristics of the structures, characteristics and behaviors of the occupants, and the extent, density, and timing of shade cast on the structures. Our estimates suggest that if an additional 10 percent of the 125 million home owners in America started using tree shade to reduce electricity consumption an average of 10 kwh/day for 100 days per year, the annual amount of electricity conserved would be approximately 12,500 thousand megawatts. At the 2007 average residential price of electricity ($0.1065/kwh), this would save each household an estimated$106/year and $1.3 billion in the aggregate. Moreover, the electricity saved would represent approximately one-third of the electricity produced annually in the U.S. by wind power.Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

A chemical marker (M-2) based computer vision method to locate the cold spot in microwave sterilization process

The single-mode 915 MHz microwave sterilization system developed at Washington State University, Pullman has the capability to produce high quality shelf stable foods. In order for this technology to receive FDA approval there is a need for a rapid and reliable method to determine the location of cold spots in food products of different chemical composition, and size. My dissertation overcomes the limitations of the single point temperature sensor with a special focus on the development of a novel approach for determining heating patterns using chemical marker M-2 based computer vision method. Kinetic of chemical marker M-2 formation in mashed potato has been studied to develop a method to locate the cold spots in microwave sterilization processes. Formation of chemical marker M-2 with 1.5% D-ribose was found to be suitable over the timetemperature range of the microwave sterilization process. Factors for chemical marker formation and kinetic parameters, including the order of reaction, reaction rate constant and energy of activation, were determined in this study. The results demonstrated that formation of chemical marker M-2 in mashed potato is a first order reaction. A computer vision method based on the yield of chemical marker M-2 was developed to determine the heating patterns in a model food, mashed potato. Through interactive programming an IMAQ Vision Builder script was designed to locate the cold spot in foods during thermal processing. Sensitivities to the heating patterns were tested at different levels of salt and for different tray sizes. Results indicated that salt significantly influenced the dielectric loss but microwave heating patterns were repeatable for model foods. The location of the cold spot predicted by the model was validated using fiber optic temperature probes and microbial inoculation studies. The developed method here was further improved to facilitate the comparison of the heating patterns for multiple trays. To do this, a new visual scale which adjusted the brightness of the scale for samples was developed. A new image system independent of the lighting position was designed as part of this study. Relationships among computer vision parameters, color value, thermal lethality (Fo), and M-2 yield for mashed potatoes were established for two different pathes of heating. Validation tests confirmed that the method based on chemical marker M-2 yield can accurately determine the cold spot location in pre-package model food processed by microwave. To evaluate this method in a food product, salmon in Alfredo was used to determine the efficacy of this computer vision method. For these studies, a different model food based upon whey protein gels were used to simulate the heating patterns in salmon with Alfredo sauce. The dielectric properties of the whey protein gel were matched as closely as possible to the target food with addition of 0.3% salt. To predict the heating patterns in salmon with Alfredo sauce, relationship among color value in terms of grayscale value, thermal lethality to C. botulinum ( Fo), and M-2 yield were studied with whey protein gels. Matching the time-temperature profile between whey protein gel and salmon during microwave sterilization process confirmed that whey protein gel can be used to emulate the heating patterns in real foods. The microbiological study was conducted in 10 oz polymeric trays to validate the cold spot location in auto processed salmon with Alfredo sauce. Results showed that whey protein gels in combination with a computer vision method can predict the cold spot in real food system. The developed computer vision method in this study is effective in locating the cold spots in model and real food systems. Because microwave sterilization process is a promising alternative to conventional retorting methods for producing high quality shelf stable foods, methods

WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR PUBLIC GOODS: A HEDONIC DEMAND MODEL FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, SCHOOL AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

A two-stage hedonic price and demand model was developed to estimate the willingness to pay for school quality, neighborhood safety and environmental quality in six Ohio metropolitan areas. Environmental quality and public safety were complements while school quality and house size were substitutes for them.Public Economics,

Institutional Impediments to Groundwater Trading: the case of the Gnangara groundwater system of Western Australia

The development of a market in groundwater usage rights can be inhibited by constraints arising from the institutional context. Such impediments may reduce the potential gains from trade and may generate high transaction costs for prospective traders. We analyse the regulations and policies influencing groundwater transfers in a case-study area -- the Gnangara groundwater system around Perth, Western Australia -- and identify significant impediments to a groundwater market. Property rights are found to be conditional, temporary, and vulnerable to amendment. Regulatory approval is required for all transfers. Facilitating infrastructure is lacking, and price information is unavailable. Management area boundaries reflect land ownership and use rather than hydrogeological realities; the limitation of transfers to within these boundaries eliminates much of the potential for gains from trade. Over-allocation and weak monitoring also impede the development of a market. The current management system is likely to obscure unmet demand for water-rights transfers between users and usage-types.Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Land Economics/Use, Political Economy, Public Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q15, Q25, Q28, Q38, Q56, Q57, Q58, D02, R52, H41, H23, H11, D23, D47, D78, H44,

Metadata Exploitation in Large-scale Data Migration Projects

The inherent complexity of large-scale information integration efforts has led to the proliferation of numerous metadata capabilities to improve upon project management, quality control and governance. In this paper, we utilize complex information integration projects in the context of SAP application consolidation to analyze several new metadata capabilities, which enable improved governance and control of data quality. Further, we identify key focus areas for shaping future industrial and academic research efforts by investigating certain unaddressed aspects around these capabilities that often negatively impact information integration projects

Impact of Carica papaya L. Fruit juice on plasma variables and tissue glycogen of induced hyperglycemic albino rats

It was aimed at to evaluate the activity of Carica papaya fruit juice on induced diabetic rats (Rattus norvegicus) with a view of proposing a management scheme. Animals were sacrificed after treatment with unripe and ripe papaya juice. The plasma glucose, cholesterol, protein and tissue glycogen concentrations were estimated. Feeding of papaya juice raised the levels of these parameters more than the controlled value throughout the work. The results showed that the concentrations of these parameters were significantly increased (p<0.05). The rise was more with unripe papaya when compared to ripe papaya. However, papaya intake must be with caution since its consumption increases blood glucose concentration.Keywords: Papaya, Fruit juice, Albino rats, Plasma variables, Hyperglycemia, Diabete

Effect of different spacing and mulching on growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Chitwan, Nepal

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crop of Nepal. Its yield and growth parameters are affected by different cultural practices. This study was conducted at Olericulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during April 29 to July 9 of 2018. The field experiment was carried out in split plot design using three replications. The treatments consisted of three intra row spacing (30, 45 and 60 cm) and four different mulching materials (Silver plastic, Panicum repens, Lantana camara and bare soil). The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of various intra-row spacings and mulching materials on growth and yield of okra. The effect of mulching materials on okra yield was found significant. The okra yield was highest (8104 kg/ha) under silver plastic mulch followed by control (5161kg/ha), Panicum repens (3901kg/ha) and Lantana camera (3701kg/ha), respectively. Silver plastic mulch enhanced the growth parameters like canopy length, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, girth and yield of okra. The spacings provided non significant effect on okra yield, however the yield of okra was highest (7295 kg/ha) under 30×30 cm spacing followed by 45×30 cm (4660 kg/ha) and 60 cm × 30 cm spacing (3703 kg/ha), respectively. Combination of silver plastic mulch along with 30 cm × 30 cm spacing provided the highest okra yield. This study suggests that farmers of the Chitwan should grow okra at spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm and under silver plastic mulch to produce higher yield

Effect of Different Spacing and Mulching on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.) in Chitwan, Nepal

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crop of Nepal. Its yield and growth parameters are affected by different cultural practices. This study was conducted at Olericulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during April 29 to July 9 of 2018. The field experiment was carried out in split plot design using three replications. The treatments consisted of three intra row spacing (30, 45 and 60 cm) and four different mulching materials (Silver plastic, Panicum repens, Lantana camara and bare soil). The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of various intra-row spacings and mulching materials on growth and yield of okra. The effect of mulching materials on okra yield was found significant. The okra yield was highest (8104 kg/ha) under silver plastic mulch followed by control (5161kg/ha), Panicum repens (3901kg/ha) and Lantana camera (3701kg/ha), respectively. Silver plastic mulch enhanced the growth parameters like canopy length, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, girth and yield of okra. The spacings provided non significant effect on okra yield, however the yield of okra was highest (7295 kg/ha) under 30×30 cm spacing followed by 45×30 cm (4660 kg/ha) and 60 cm × 30 cm spacing (3703 kg/ha), respectively. Combination of silver plastic mulch along with 30 cm × 30 cm spacing provided the highest okra yield. This study suggests that farmers of the Chitwan should grow okra at spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm and under silver plastic mulch to produce higher yield

A framework to evaluate land degradation and restoration responses for improved planning and decision-making

Avoiding, reducing or reversing land degradation will require increased restoration investments, carefully targeted and implemented to maximize environmental, economic and social benefits. Our objective was to develop a multi-criteria framework to assess effectiveness of land degradation responses for enhanced land use planning and restoration by evaluating both direct biophysical and socio-economic responses and indirect effects of various restoration strategies. The effectiveness of restoration responses is demonstrated for degraded forestland using a comprehensive literature review and case study in Nepal. The results show that most forestland restoration responses have an ecological focus with tree planting being the dominant direct response and economic and financial instruments the indirect responses. The results confirmed that environmental desirability was the dominant factor and economic feasibility was secondary for assessing restoration responses. Cultural acceptability was given the least consideration. Among sub-criteria, improved vegetative structure was the dominant restoration response. This study, originating from the Land Degradation and Restoration Assessment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, supports the view that the scientific community and decision-makers must give greater attention to cultural, social, technical, and political dimensions that influence the outcomes of restoration responses to solve the pervasive problem of land degradation