On the vibronic level structure in the NO_3 radical. Part III. Observation of intensity borrowing via ground state mixing

The A^2E" ← X^2A'_2 absorption spectrum exhibits vibronically allowed transitions from the ground state of NO_3 to upper state levels having a"_1 and e' vibronic symmetries. This paper explores the coupling mechanisms that lend intensities to these features. While transitions to e' vibronic levels borrow intensity from the very strong B^2E' ← X^2A'_2 electronic transition, those to a"_1 levels involve only negligible upper-state borrowing effects. Rather, it is the vibronic mixing of the ground vibronic level of NO_3 with vibrational levels in the B^2E' electronic state that permit the a"_1 levels to be seen in the spectrum. These ideas are supported by vibronic coupling calculations. The fact that the intensities of features corresponding to the two different vibronic symmetries are comparable is thus accidental

An Investigation of Significant Factors Influencing Western Australian Wool Producers to Produce Wool: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Why Australian wool producers remained in the business despite the hardship they have experienced for much of the 1990s from low prices of wool? This question was raised frequently by research scientists and policymakers of the wool industry. A recent exploratory study gives a notion that Australian wool production could be a 'lifestyle' choice and/or a choice other than economic reasons. To validate this notion this paper investigates the factors that drive and motivate the Western Australian wool producers, as identified in the exploratory study, by applying a Structural Equation Modelling approach. An innovative mixed research method is adopted in this study. Telephone survey is conducted among a random selection of 290 wool producers in WA. The results suggest that despite some expectations lifestyle factor is not significant in influencing WA wool producers to produce wool. Income, input factor and personal motivation are significant predictors of wool production by WA wool producers. Implications of the results are discussed.Livestock Production/Industries, C21, L2, L7, Q10,

Adjustment and poverty in Mexican agriculture : how farmers'wealth affects supply response

The authors report the results of a study of Mexican farm households using 1991 survey data and a smaller resurvey of some of the same households in 1993. One study goal was to empirically examine the relationship between assets and the output supply function. Using a production model focusing on capital as a productive input, they found that both the supply level and the responsiveness (elasticities) to changing input and output prices tend to depend on the farmer's net assets and on how productive assets are used. Regression analysis using data from the surveys shows that farmers who use productive assets such as machinery tend to be positively responsive to price changes, while those with no access to such assets are not. Another study goal was to monitor the condition of Mexican farmers in a rapidly changing policy environment. The 1991 survey data suggest that farmers with more limited use of capital inputs (low-CI) to grow principally corn and to grow fewer crops, on average, than the others. They aso had more problems getting credit and were less likely to use purchased inputs, such as seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides, or to use a tractor to prepare the soil. They tended to be less well-educated, and their land tended to be of lower quality. Results from the panel data showed conditions generally improving for the average farmer in the sample area between 1991 and 1993, during a period when agricultural reforms were implemented. Cropping patterns were more diversified, the average size of landholdings increased, the average farmer received more credit (in real terms), more farm households earned income from off-farm work, and more farmers used purchased inputs. Asset ownership and educational attainment also improved modestly. The very small low-CI group in this sample fared as well as, or better than, the other goroups. True, their level of educational achievement fell, and fewer of them had off-farm income than in 1991. But their use of credit, irrigation, machinery, and purchased inputs increased more than for other groups. The limited data are not proof of a causal link, but the fact that the goals are being met should at least ensure that adverse conditions are not undermining reform. Farmers that lacked access to productive assets did not respond as well to incentives or take advantage of the opportunities presented by reform and may need assistance, particularly to get access to credit markets. There may be a good argument for decoupling income supports from pricesupports for farmers, since income payments that are independent of the vagaries of production could provide a more stable signal of creditworthiness than price supports do. Possibly reorienting research and extension services more to the needs of low-CI producers could also improve the efficiency with which the sector ajdusts to new incentives. Hypotheses and tentative conclusions from this study will be explored further when more data are collected in 1995.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Agricultural Research,Crops&Crop Management Systems,Water Conservation,Crops&Crop Management Systems,Environmental Economics&Policies,Agricultural Research,Economic Theory&Research,Agricultural Knowledge&Information Systems

Explorations of Quantum Entanglement

This thesis develops an undergraduate level understanding of quantum entanglement by expressing its properties in three unique mediums: mathematical formalism, application in technology and experiment. The mathematical formalism of entanglement is developed by working through theoretical experiments that utilize the entangled polarization states of photons. Notation used to describe entangled photon states is then used to illustrate how other types of entangled quantum states can be used in real technology, such as is the case with quantum computing. Finally, the theoretical predictions associated with entanglement are discussed in reference to two quantum optics experiments

A measure of justice for Western Australian wools

Western Australian wools are sometimes perceived as inferior to those from eastern States, and this perception has often been reflected in price. For the first time a detailed comparison of the characteristics of our wool with the rest of the country has been undertaken. It shows that Western Australian wools are sometimes different from their eastern counterparts, but not necessarily \u27inferior\u27. Overcoming these industry perceptions of inferiority is probably our biggest challenge, according to JOHN STANTON

Food Marketing: Impact on Consumer Purchasing and Food Discards

Everyone shares some blame for food wastes but food processors and retailers have done more than their fair share. This talk will focus on sources of food waste by food industry and offer suggestions as what can be done to reduce the wastes. Three areas will be identified: farmers, food processors, and food retailers. In many cases the food industry will state that they are just responding to consumer desires so solutions involve collaboration between the two