bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Makes Elementary School Students Read in Their Leisure Time? Development of a Comprehensive Questionnaire
Authors: Schüller Elisabeth M. , Birnbaum Lisa , Kröner Stephan
Published: September 2016

Why should children read in their leisure time? Reading may contribute to the acquisition of reading literacy and may foster integral human development. However, there has been a scarcity of research on determinants of leisure time reading among elementary school students, especially regarding environmental aspects. In this article, the authors report on the development of a differentiated questionnaire regarding these determinants. Based on a previous series of qualitative and quantitative pilot studies, a study with 980 elementary school students was conducted, applying scales based on behavioral beliefs (motivation in action, thematically congruent consequences, and thematically incongruent costs and benefits), normative beliefs (subjective norm), and control beliefs (self‐efficacy and controllability) as predictors of leisure time reading. After excluding motivation in action from analysis because of multicollinearity problems, the variables thematically incongruent costs and benefits, self‐efficacy, and controllability explained 50% of variance in the criterion reading frequency. Analyses of covariance indicated that children, especially daughters, of mothers with high educational attainment showed significantly more leisure time reading. The benefits of focusing on students’ beliefs and of including environmental aspects in research on leisure time reading are discussed.
Measuring efficiency of university-industry Ph.D. projects using best worst method
Authors: Salimi Negin , Rezaei Jafar
Published: September 2016

A collaborative Ph.D. project, carried out by a doctoral candidate, is a type of collaboration between university and industry. Due to the importance of such projects, researchers have considered different ways to evaluate the success, with a focus on the outputs of these projects. However, what has been neglected is the other side of the coin—the inputs. The main aim of this study is to incorporate both the inputs and outputs of these projects into a more meaningful measure called efficiency. A ratio of the weighted sum of outputs over the weighted sum of inputs identifies the efficiency of a Ph.D. project. The weights of the inputs and outputs can be identified using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. Data on inputs and outputs are collected from 51 Ph.D. candidates who graduated from Eindhoven University of Technology. The weights are identified using a new MCDM method called Best Worst Method (BWM). Because there may be differences in the opinion of Ph.D. candidates and supervisors on weighing the inputs and outputs, data for BWM are collected from both groups. It is interesting to see that there are differences in the level of efficiency from the two perspectives, because of the weight differences. Moreover, a comparison between the efficiency scores of these projects and their success scores reveals differences that may have significant implications. A sensitivity analysis divulges the most contributing inputs and outputs.
Unbalanced international collaboration affects adversely the usefulness of countries’ scientific output as well as their technological and social impact
Authors: Zanotto Sonia R. , Haeffner Cristina , Guimarães Jorge A.
Published: September 2016

The unbalanced international scientific collaboration as cause of misleading information on the country’s contribution to the scientific world output was analyzed. ESI Data Base (Thomson Reuters’ InCites), covering the scientific production of 217 active countries in the period 2010–2014 was used. International collaboration implicates in a high percentage (33.1 %) of double-counted world articles, thus impacting qualitative data as citations, impact and impact relative to word. The countries were divided into three groups, according to their individual contribution to the world publications: Group I (24 countries, at least 1 %) representing 83.9 % of the total double-counted world articles. Group II (40 countries, 0.1–0.99 % each). Group III, 153 countries (70.5 %) with <0.1 % and altogether 1.9 % of the world. Qualitative characteristics of each group were also analyzed: percentage of the country’s GNP applied in R&D, proportion of Scientists and Engineers per million inhabitants and Human Development Index. Average international collaboration were: Group I, 43.0 %; Group II, 55.8 % and Group III, 85.2 %. We concluded that very high and unbalanced international collaboration, as presented by many countries, misrepresent the importance of their scientific production, technological and social outputs. Furthermore, it jeopardizes qualitative outputs of the countries themselves, artificially increasing their scientific impact, affecting all fields and therefore, the whole world. The data confirm that when dealing with the qualitative contribution of countries, it is necessary to take in consideration the level of international cooperation because, as seen here, it can and in fact it does create false impression of the real contribution of countries.
The influence of the landscape structure within buffer zones, catchment land use and instream environmental variables on mollusc communities in a medium‐sized lowland river
Authors: Zawal Andrzej , Lewin Iga , Stępień Edyta , Szlauer‐Łukaszewska Agnieszka , Buczyńska Edyta , Buczyński Paweł , Stryjecki Robert
Published: September 2016

The world's freshwater molluscan fauna is facing unprecedented threats from habitat loss and degradation. Declines in native populations are mostly attributed to the human impact, which results in reduced water quality. The objectives of our survey were to analyse the structure of the mollusc communities in a medium‐sized lowland river and to determine the most important environmental variables at different spatial scales, including landscape structure, catchment land use and instream environmental factors that influence their structure. Our survey showed that a medium‐sized river, that flows through areas included in the European Ecological Natura 2000 Network Programme of protected sites, provides diverse instream habitats and niches that support 47 mollusc species including Unio crassus, a bivalve of Community interest, whose conservation requires the designation of a special conservation area under the Habitats Directive Natura 2000. This survey showed that mollusc communities are impacted by several environmental variables that act together at multiple scales. The landscape structure within buffer zones, catchment land use and instream environmental variables were all important and influenced the structure of mollusc communities. Therefore, they should all be taken into consideration in the future restoration of the river, future management projects and programmes for the conservation of biodiversity in running waters. The results of this study may be directly applicable for the rehabilitation of river ecosystems and are recommended to stakeholders in their future decision concerning landscape planning, monitoring species and their habitats, conservation plans and management in accordance with the requirements of sustainable development.
A necktie fashion vascular loop seton tie may simplify the treatment of perianal fistula
Authors: Issa Nidal , Weil Ruben , Powsner Eldad , Khoury Wisam
Published: September 2016

Seton for treatment of perianal fistula can be of the cutting or a loose type. We adopted a simple technique for tighten the seton by applying a necktie shape tie on the vascular loop, hence it can be used for drainage on the beginning, and for cutting purpose later on. In this retrospective study we report our experience on this seton tie method.

Material and methods Patients operated for perianal fistula between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed.

Results Of 63 patients operated, 23 (35%) had a necktie-tie seton. There were 15 (65%) men. Age 34.1 ± 10.6. Six (26%) had a recurrent fistula, 2 (9%) with loose seton in place. The external opening: anterior four (17%), lateral fifteen (65%), posterior three (13%), one patient (4%) had two opening. The internal opening was identified: posterior seventeen (74%), anterior four (17%) and right posterior two (8%). Nineteen (82%) had a trans-sphenteric tract, four (17%) females had an anterior location. Operative time was 32 min (range 22–55). The seton was tightened 4 times (range 2–5) with 2 weeks interval. Healing was achieved in 7 weeks (range 5–11). In 24 months (range 12–35) follow-up, no reported anal incontinence. Recurrence was observed in one patient (4%).

Conclusion The necktie tightening of the vascular loop seton is a simple, safe, easily performed and may simplify the seton management of perianal fistulae.
The utility of atrial pacing for identifying the electrical breakthrough sites between the left atrium and pulmonary veins
Authors: Sugiura Shinya , Matsuoka Koji , Noda Hideki , Kurata Naoya , Uemori Misa , Shioji Hirokazu , Takasaki Akihiro , Koji Takafumi , Tanigawa Takashi , Ito Masaaki
Published: September 2016

Background

Circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is occasionally difficult to achieve because electrical breakthrough sites (EBSs) between the left atrium (LA) and PVs cannot be identified during ablation especially in the carina regions.

Methods

The left PVs (Lt.PVs) of 60 AF patients and the right PVs (Rt.PVs) of 37 patients undergoing PV isolation were studied. When PV isolation was not achieved after the initial circumferential PV isolation, atrial pacing was repeatedly performed from the distal coronary sinus (CSd) and high right atrium (HRA), and the time interval from the stimulus to the earliest PV potential (stimulus‐PV interval) was measured using circular mapping catheters at each PV until PV isolation was achieved. When PV isolation was achieved via local Radiofrequency (RF) deliveries, those regions were diagnosed as final EBSs. We classified the final EBSs into six segments for each PV (anterior and posterior PV walls of the roof, carina, and bottom) and investigated the relationship between the final EBSs and stimulus‐PV intervals.

Results

For Lt.PVs, the stimulus‐PV intervals during CSd pacing were significantly shorter than during HRA pacing at the Lt.PV anterior carina and bottom (90±28 ms vs. 125±26 ms, P<0.001 and 84±20 ms vs. 148±24 ms, P=0.028, respectively), but there was no significant difference in the Lt.PV roof and any posterior segments. For Rt.PVs, the stimulus‐PV interval from both pacing sites exhibited no significant difference between either segment.

Conclusions

This pacing method may help to identify whether EBSs are located in the anterior Lt.PVs. Improved recognition of EBSs through pacing from different sites would be helpful for achieving PV isolation.
Autophagy inhibition upregulates CD4+ tumor infiltrating lymphocyte expression via miR‐155 regulation and TRAIL activation
Authors: Zarogoulidis Paul , Petanidis Savvas , Domvri Kalliopi , Kioseoglou Efrosini , Anestakis Doxakis , Freitag Lutz , Zarogoulidis Konstantinos , Hohenforst-Schmidt Wolfgang , Eberhardt Wilfried
Published: September 2016

Chemoresistance is a major challenge in lung cancer treatment. Recent findings have revealed that autophagic mechanism contributes significantly to immunosuppressive related chemoresistance. For that reason, targeting autophagy‐related immunosuppression is an important approach to reverse tumor drug resistance. In this study, we report for the first time that autophagy inhibition triggers upregulation of CD4+, Foxp3+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in late metastatic lung cancer tissues. Furthermore, autophagy blockage induces chemosensitization to carboplatin, immune activation and cell cycle arrest. This induction correlated with reduction in expression of drug resistance genes MDR1, MRP1, ABCG2 and ABCC2 along with decreased expression of PD‐L1 which is associated with severe dysfunction of tumor specific CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, experiments revealed that co‐treatment of carboplatin and autophagy inhibitor chloroquine increased lung tissue infiltration by CD4+, FoxP3+ lymphocytes and antigen‐specific immune activation. Subsequent ex vivo experiments showed the activation of carboplatin related TRAIL‐dependent apoptosis through caspase 8 and a synergistic role of miR‐155 in lung tissue infiltration by CD4+, and FoxP3+ lymphocytes. Overall, our results indicate that autophagy blockage increases lung cancer chemosensitivity to carboplatin, but also reveal that miR‐155 functions as a novel immune system activator by promoting TILs infiltration. These results indicate that targeting of autophagy can prevent cancer related immunosuppression and elucidate immune cell infiltration in tumor microenvironment thus representing a potential therapeutic strategy to inhibit lung cancer progression and metastasis.
Secondary Health Conditions, Activity Limitations, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults With Long‐Term Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Jörgensen Sophie , Iwarsson Susanne , Lexell Jan
Published: September 2016

Background

Many individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have lived several decades with their injury, leading to a need for a deeper understanding of factors associated with healthy aging in people with long‐term SCI.

Objectives

To (1) describe secondary health conditions, activity limitations, and life satisfaction in older adults with long‐term SCI, and to (2) investigate how sociodemographics, injury characteristics, and secondary health conditions are associated with their activity limitations and life satisfaction.

Design

Cross‐sectional descriptive cohort study.

Setting

Home and community settings.

Participants

A total of 123 individuals (71% men, injury levels C1‐L5, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A‐D), mean age 63 years, mean time since injury 24 years.

Methods

Baseline data as part of the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study. Associations between variables were investigated with multivariable linear regression analyses.

Main Outcome Measurements

Bowel and bladder function, nociceptive and neuropathic pain, spasticity, the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, third version, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale.

Results

Bowel‐related and bladder‐related problems were reported by 32% and 44%, respectively, 66% reported moderate or severe nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain, and 44% reported spasticity. Activity limitations were moderate (mean Spinal Cord Independence Measure, third version, total score 65.2, range 8‐100) where injury characteristics and spasticity explained 68% of the variance. Higher level and more severe SCI (based on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) exhibited the strongest association with more activity limitations. Life satisfaction was rated just above the midpoint between satisfied and dissatisfied with life (mean Satisfaction With Life Scale total score 20.7, range 6‐34). Marital status, vocational situation, bladder function and injury characteristics explained 38% of the variance, where having a partner showed the strongest association with greater life satisfaction. Activity limitations and life satisfaction were not associated with gender, age and time since injury.

Conclusion

Older adults with long‐term SCI can maintain a relatively high level of physical independence and generally are satisfied with their lives, regardless of gender, age or time since injury. The associations demonstrate the importance of injury characteristics for the performance of daily activities and the social context for life satisfaction in older adults with long‐term SCI.

Level of Evidence

III
Position of the base of the Quaternary in West Siberia (based on paleobotanical and paleomagnetic evidence)
Authors: Volkova V.S. , Kuz’mina O.B. , Gnibidenko Z.N.
Published: September 2016

This study reviews a possible new position of the base of the Quaternary in West Siberia based on paleobotanical and paleomagnetic data in view of ratification of ICS recommendations by the IUGS Executive Committee and the decision of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Quaternary Stratigraphy of Russia to lower the base of the Quaternary (and, therefore, the base of the Pleistocene) at 2.58 Ma. The paleobotanical and paleomagnetic data from two horizons on the West Siberian plain (Kulunda, attributed in part to the formerly Neogene Gelasian Stage, and Kochki, attributed to the Quaternary) were used to identify global cooling that occurred synchronously with a regional cooling phase determined at the base of the Gelasian at Monte San Nicola, Italy.
Lake Teletskoye (Altai, Russia): reconstruction of the environment and prediction for its changes according to the composition and quantity of diatoms in the bottom sediments
Authors: Mitrofanova E.Yu. , Sutchenkova O.S. , Lovtskaya O.V.
Published: September 2016

We studied the upper 0–1000 mm of the bottom sediment core from the underwater Sofia Lepneva Ridge of Lake Teletskoye. The core sediments accumulated with a rate of 0.3 mm/year (with regard to their humidity, with a rate of 0.45 mm/year) and have an age of about 2000 years. A total of 194 species (212 varieties and forms) of diatoms have been revealed. Analysis of diatom composition in tanatocoenoses showed prevalence of species inhabiting the bottom and periphyton, widely distributed geographically, indifferent to salinity, and preferring a weakly alkaline environment, as well as beta-mesosaprobionts. The number of diatom valves ranged from 0.86 to 64.4 mln valves/g, with an average of 22.90 ± 0.78 mln valves/g. Over the last millennium, the peaks of the abundance of diatoms, especially representatives of the cold-water assemblage, including the main dominant Aulacoseira subarctica (O. Müll.) Haw., are referred to the periods with low water temperature. The pH value for the period from 172 BC to 2006 AD has been reconstructed from the proportion of the numbers of valves of pH-indicating diatom species, which varied from 7.51 to 7.69, with an average of 7.580 ± 0.003. The pH value predicted up to 2259 AD was estimated by spectral (Fourier) analysis at 7.53–7.63, with a similar average of 7.580 ± 0.001. Analysis of reconstructed and predicted pH values showed their insignificant changes and correspondence to a weakly alkaline environment (7.0–8.5). These pH values suggest stability of the lake environment both in the past periods and in the nearest future.
Partial hyperbolicity and classification: a survey
Authors: HAMMERLINDL ANDY , POTRIE RAFAEL
Published: September 2016

This paper surveys recent results on classifying partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms. This includes the construction of branching foliations and leaf conjugacies on three-dimensional manifolds with solvable fundamental group. Classification results in higher-dimensional settings are also discussed. The paper concludes with an overview of the construction of new partially hyperbolic examples derived from Anosov flows.
Dynamics on the graph of the torus parametrization
Authors: KELLER GERHARD , RICHARD CHRISTOPH
Published: September 2016

Model sets are projections of certain lattice subsets. It was realized by Moody [Uniform distribution in model sets.Canad. Math. Bull. 45(1) (2002), 123–130] that dynamical properties of such a set are induced from the torus associated with the lattice. We follow and extend this approach by studying dynamics on the graph of the map that associates lattice subsets to points of the torus and then we transfer the results to their projections. This not only leads to transparent proofs of known results on model sets, but we also obtain new results on so-called weak model sets. In particular, we prove pure point dynamical spectrum for the hull of a weak model set of maximal density together with the push forward of the torus Haar measure under the torus parametrization map, and we derive a formula for its pattern frequencies.
Dimension, recurrence via entropy and Lyapunov exponents for map with singularities
Authors: BAO HONGWEI
Published: September 2016

Let $f:M\rightarrow M$ be a $C^{1}$ self-map of a smooth Riemannian manifold $M$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ be an $f$-invariant ergodic Borel probability measure with a compact support $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$. We prove that if $f$ is Hölder mild on the intersection of the singularity set and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$, then the pointwise dimension of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ can be controlled by the Lyapunov exponents of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ with respect to $f$ and the entropy of $f$. Moreover, we establish the distinction of the Hausdorff dimension of the critical points sets of maps between the $C^{1,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}$ continuity and Hölder mildness conditions. Consequently, this shows that the Hölder mildness condition is much weaker than the $C^{1,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}$ continuity condition. As applications of our result, if we study the recurrence rate of $f$ instead of the pointwise dimension of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$, then we deduce that the analogous relation exists between recurrence rate, entropy and Lyapunov exponents.
Physical measures of discretizations of generic diffeomorphisms
Authors: GUIHÉNEUF PIERRE-ANTOINE
Published: September 2016

What is the ergodic behaviour of numerically computed segments of orbits of a diffeomorphism? In this paper, we try to answer this question for a generic conservative $C^{1}$-diffeomorphism and segments of orbits of Baire-generic points. The numerical truncation is modelled by a spatial discretization. Our main result states that the uniform measures on the computed segments of orbits, starting from a generic point, accumulate on the whole set of measures that are invariant under the diffeomorphism. In particular, unlike what could be expected naively, such numerical experiments do not see the physical measures (or, more precisely, cannot distinguish physical measures from the other invariant measures).
The challenges of asymmetric mating – the influence of male and female size on the reproductive output ofAcanthochondria cornuta(Chondracanthidae)
Authors: FRADE D. G. , NOGUEIRA S. , SANTOS M. J. , CAVALEIRO F. I.
Published: September 2016

The reproductive strategy ofAcanthochondria cornuta, a parasitic copepod with dwarf, hyperparasitic males, is described in detail. The potential impact of male parasitism on the reproductive output was evaluated by determining the size of each sex and the female's fecundity, egg size and total reproductive effort for each pair/trio throughout the four seasons of the year. Marked seasonal differences were observed in female size and reproductive output, suggesting two distinct generations, but no differences were observed for male size. No statistically significant correlations were observed between male size and any measure of reproductive effort, but females with larger males had lower fecundity. A trade-off between egg number and egg size was recorded. Overall, the reproductive effort inA. cornutaseems to be determined mostly by female size, and larger females do not hold smaller males.
A PAM Analysis of Livestock Policies in Indonesia
Authors: Rae Allan N. , Kasryno Faisal
Published: September 2016

With the rapid increase in consumption of some livestock products in Indonesia, expansion of domestic production of these commodities may enhance smallholders' incomes, increase rural employment and add to the country's trade balance. Policy analysis matrices (PAMs) were constructed to estimate divergences between private and social costs and returns in poultry and pig production in selected regions of Indonesia. In each case, producers' use of capital was subsidised but feed input private costs exceeded social values, and output prices received by producers fell short of values based on world prices. Production of all products as import substitutes was socially profitable, but in many instances private returns to farmers were negative. Product price and feed cost divergences were the major policy-induced distortions. Reform of these policies was estimated in a static partial equilibrium framework to lead to supply expansions of each livestock product, a contraction in livestock product consumption, and therefore additional net foreign exchange earnings from the poultry and pig sectors of around $320 million.
The Impacts of Lesser Developed Countries on Southern Region Agricultural Exports
Authors: Marchant Mary A. , Ruppel Fred J.
Published: September 2016

Lesser developed countries (LDCs) serve as both customers and competitors for agricultural commodities produced in the Southern region of the United States. This paper focuses on the impacts of LDCs on exports of the major agricultural commodities produced in the South (cotton, rice, tobacco, poultry, and, to a lesser extent, citrus and peanuts). First the importance of LDCs as export markets for Southern commodities is explored. Then the role LDCs play as producers and exporters of these commodities is considered. Finally, these separate roles are combined into an index of LDC competitiveness with Southern agricultural commodities. Data analysis shows that Southern agricultural interests truly are divided over the role LDCs play in Southern agriculture, where poultry and rice rank highest, and peanuts lowest, in terms of a LDC markets/competition index. Thus, it is not surprising that calls for protectionism (e.g., the Bumpers' Amendment) should arise from the South.
A Strategic Agricultural Production Model with Risk and Return Considerations
Authors: Aull-Hyde Rhonda L. , Tadesse Solomon
Published: September 2016

Decision support systems are generally geared to short-term tactical decision making. As an alternative, this paper develops a mathematical programming model to evaluate long-term strategic alternatives in the context of farm-level agricultural production where a broiler farm considers long-term implications of diversification into commercial aquaculture. The model considers a ten-year strategic planning horizon, incorporates financial risk and return considerations, and accommodates capacity variations. Results indicate that a diversification strategy significantly increases farm profitability over a strategic planning horizon while simultaneously maintaining financial risk below a predetermined tolerance level and return on investment above a predetermined level.
Impacts of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact on the WIC Program: Evidence from Boston and Hartford
Authors: Wang Qingbin , Anne Zooyob , Halbrendt Catherine , Nicholson Charles , Sung Jaimie
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the impacts of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact (Compact) on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program using an autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) model and data from Boston and Hartford. While the results for Boston indicate that the difference between the net fluid milk price paid by WIC program and the forecasted fluid milk price with no Compact in effect was not significant over the period of July 1997 to June 1998, the results for Hartford suggest that the net price paid by WIC was significantly greater than the forecasted price with no Compact in effect over the same period. A similar analysis of the changes in markups suggests that the increase in the net fluid milk price paid by the WIC program in Hartford was largely due to increased markups.
Impact of Spatial Price Discrimination within Florida Dairy Cooperatives
Authors: Nubern Chris A. , Kilmer Richard L.
Published: September 2016

The trend toward deregulation and the relatively high prices in the Florida milk market have increased competition for milk supplies between the Florida dairy cooperatives (FDCs) and other cooperatives like Dairymen Incorporated and Southern Milk Sales. Because of the increased competition in the Florida markets, the FDCs may need to implement a discriminatory spatial pricing policy. The discriminatory pricing policy allows the FDCs to expand their membership by absorbing some of the transportation cost of producers in distant locations that would otherwise be independent producers or members of competing cooperatives. Spatial pricing policies are analyzed to determine the effects of discriminatory pricing on the blend price, average aggregate revenue of cooperative members, and total costs and quantity of milk imports. The results of this study show that a nondiscriminatory pricing policy maximizes the cooperative members’ blend price and average aggregate revenue. However, if the FDCs were able to increase the price by $0.50 as a result of using spatial price discrimination to gain market power, spatial price discrimination would maximize average revenue and blend price.
Income of Farmers Who Use Direct Marketing
Authors: Govindasamy Ramu , Hossain Ferdaus , Adelaja Adesoji
Published: September 2016

Policy makers are looking for ways to preserve farmlands, especially near urban areas. Farmers are also trying to find ways to increase their farm income by incorporating non-traditional activities into their farm routine. This paper attempts to quantify the contributions of selected nontraditional activities towards farmers’ efforts to enhance their farm income. For farmers involved in direct marketing, a logit model is used to estimate the probability of attaining high income for each activity considered. The results indicate that activities such as agrotourism, direct retailing to consumers, selling of farm related value-added products, greenhouse operations and urban location of farm markets will increase the chance of attaining high income levels.
Special Issue on Crop Insurance and Risk Management
Authors: Turvey Calum G.
Published: September 2016

The role of crop insurance and new risk management tools for agriculture is evolving at an almost dizzying pace. One needs only to examine recent postings on the Risk Management Agency's website to see how expansive this is. Moreover, throughout the world we are witness to a host of new programs available in both developed and developing countries that are largely based on the U.S. experience. It is necessary that academics first recognize the scope of issues facing production and market risks in agriculture and then respond with new and creative ways to address the problems. To these needs, the Crop Insurance and Risk Management Workshop—the provenance of the papers in this volume—was designed to bring academics with research and extension responsibilities together with industry to explore this ever-changing landscape and discuss research and outreach of mutual interest.
Effects of Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors on Consumption of Selected Food Nutrients
Authors: Nayga Rodolfo M.
Published: September 2016

The effects of socioeconomic and demographic factors on the consumption of food energy, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron are examined. Socioeconomic and demographic factors analyzed are urbanization, region, race, ethnicity, sex, employment status, food stamp participation, household size, weight, height, age, and income. Several of these factors significantly affect consumption of certain nutrients. Income is an important factor affecting the consumption of vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. Income elasticities are relatively small at low income levels. For example, income elasticities range from 0.016 for calcium to 0.123 for vitamin C at an income level of $20,000.
Land Development and Current Use Assessment: A Theoretical Note
Authors: England Richard W. , Mohr Robert D.
Published: September 2016

This paper jointly models a landowner's decision to develop a parcel and the option to enroll that parcel in a current use assessment program. The analytical results highlight different factors that influence the effectiveness of a current use program in delaying development. The results also underscore the difficulty a local government might have in influencing the behavior of the landowner. Except for altering eligibility rules, a local government employing current use assessment has but two policy tools: a penalty for development and the property tax rate.
New Challenges Facing Agricultural and Resource Economics Departments in the Twenty-first Century
Authors: Adelaja Adesoji O.
Published: September 2016

Land/grant colleges were established to serve the public via a tripartite system of teaching, research, and extension. Agricultural economists have played a key role in this system in meeting agriculture's needs and are expanding this role to better cover the areas of food, natural resources, and the environment. The declining economic importance of agriculture and the growing interest in relegating agriculture to free market forces has resulted in declining formula funding for the land grant system, greater emphasis on competitive funding, demands for greater accountability, and demands for a return to greater focus on public service, problem solving, and stakeholder involvement in the definition of research, teaching, and outreach agenda. Simultaneously, the demand for the traditional “agricultural economics” graduate is declining. This paper reviews the current and long-term issues and trends facing agricultural economics departments, explores the futures of their teaching, research, and outreach programs, and highlights the challenges that will be faced as these departments explore new teaching, research, and service opportunities in the areas of food, natural resources, and the environment. The paper concludes by arguing that for forward thinking agricultural economics departments, these pending changes will represent opportunities for better scholarship, more balance, and more effective service.
Cost-Benefit Analysis at the Supreme Court: Cooling Water v. Fish
Authors: Hewitt Julie A.
Published: September 2016

This is the story of a recent U.S. Supreme Court case on the use of cost-benefit analysis at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a regulation issued under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The case is Entergy Corp. v.Riverkeeper, Inc., et al. The case was not about the quality of the cost-benefit analysis, nor the fact that EPA conducted one, but whether EPA had CWA authority to base regulatory decisions on cost-benefit. I close with thoughts about an alternative Chevron legal test that acknowledges the state of ecosystem valuation.
Economic Impacts of Adoption of Best Management Practices by Crawfish Producers: The Role of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Authors: Nyaupane Narayan P. , Gillespie Jeffrey M. , Paudel Krishna P.
Published: September 2016

This study investigates reasons for adoption of best management practices (BMP), crawfish farmers' participation in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and economic impacts of BMP adoption using data from a 2008 survey of crawfish producers. Most-cited reasons for BMP adoption are farmers' perceptions of increases in profit and long-run productivity. Land tenancy, education, double-cropping or crop rotation, and proximity to a stream influence EQIP participation. Perceptions of economic profits depend on the practices used. Participation in EQIP negatively impacts farmers' perceptions of profitability from adopting BMPs. The results underscore the importance of economic incentives in promoting BMP adoption.
Do Purchasing Patterns Differ Between Large and Small Dairy Farms? Econometric Evidence from Three Wisconsin Communities
Authors: Foltz Jeremy D. , Jackson-Smith Douglas , Chen Lucy
Published: September 2016

Using farm data from three dairy-dependent communities in Wisconsin, this study addresses the question: Do small farms spend more locally than large farms? The work develops a theoretical model of farm cost functions with transaction costs varying between local and distant input sources. This model is then tested econometrically, describing farm costs and where they were spent as a function of transaction/search costs and farm characteristics. The results suggest that scale does matter to farm spending patterns.
Effects of Meat Recalls on Futures Market Prices
Authors: Lusk Jayson L. , Schroeder Ted C.
Published: September 2016

The number of meat recalls has increased markedly in recent years. This research examines the impact of beef and pork recall announcements on nearby daily live cattle and lean hog futures market prices, respectively. Results indicate medium-sized beef recalls that are of serious health concerns have a marginally negative impact on short-term live cattle futures prices. However, results are not robust across recall size and severity. This research suggests that if there is any systematic change in cattle and hog demand due to meat recalls, it likely occurs over an extended period of time and only in certain cases does it noticeably affect daily futures prices.
The Allocation of LISA Research and Extension Funding
Authors: Abler David G. , Musser Wesley N.
Published: September 2016

This article considers the political, economic, and environmental factors associated with the allocation of federal LISA (Low Input/Sustainable Agriculture) funds among states. A tobit model is estimated with LISA allocations as the dependent variable. Results indicate that pressure groups are important. LISA funding depends positively on membership in environmental organizations, the number of farms, and the size of the rural-nonfarm population, while it depends negatively on the size of the urban population. States with host LISA institutions receive significantly more funding, as do states with Senators in leadership positions on key congressional agricultural committees.
Access to Local Agriculture and Weight Outcomes
Authors: Berning Joshua P.
Published: September 2016

Recent studies examine the impact of the built environment on health outcomes such as obesity. Several studies find for certain populations that access to unhealthy food has a positive effect on obesity, whereas access to healthy choices has a negative effect. Given the growth and popularity of locally grown food, we examine how individual weight outcomes are affected by access to direct-to-consumer local food. After controlling for potential endogeneity, we find that greater access to local food has a negative association with individual weight outcomes. We also find a negative association with greater weight loss over a one-year period. These results provide evidence that local food access can have potential indirect benefits.
Sustainable School Food Procurement in Large K—12 Districts: Prospects for Value Chain Partnerships
Authors: Conner David S. , Izumi Betty T. , Liquori Toni , Hamm Michael W.
Published: September 2016

Many scholars and activists are interested in the potential for school-based childhood nutrition programs to positively impact the U.S. agri-food system. This paper explores efforts of a national K-12 school food collaborative to procure more sustainably grown and healthful food products. After a review of literature on transaction cost theory and school food procurement, the paper examines the potential of strategic partnerships in a value chain framework to meet procurement change goals. Results from a qualitative study of two participating school districts suggest that partnerships can offer potential solutions to recurring procurement barriers found in previous research.
The Future of the Land Grant University System
Authors: Weaver T.F. , Diamantides J.
Published: September 2016

Since 1980, incremental state and national policy decisions concerning public higher education have had a variety of effects on students and institutions. Although there has been very little research, most of these effects appear to be detrimental to the health of the system of public higher education and to the nation's stock of human capital. A thorough economic analysis of the effects of policy changes on public higher education is needed to guide the system into the 21st century.
Impacts of PST on Optimal Production and Marketing Decisions of a Grow-Finish Hog Farm Operation
Authors: Govindasamy Ramu , Liu Donald J. , Kliebenstein James
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the impact of PST on the optimal production/marketing decisions of a grow-finish hog farm operation. The analysis evaluates PST from three angles: the feed efficiency effect, the leaner meat price effect, and the aggregate-supply-induced price effect. When limited to the feed efficiency effect only, the primary response to the new technology is to increase the animal turnover rate of the operation. When the leaner meat price effect is also included, marketing weight increases while turnover rate remains relatively unchanged. Additionally, if the increased aggregate supply depressed the market price by more than 10%, the benefits from improved feed efficiency and leaner meat will be completely dissipated. Aggregate price adjustments (reductions) of less than 10 percent maintained positive producer benefits resulting from improved feed efficiency and leaner meat.
Testing Significance of Multi-Destination and Multi-Purpose Trip Effects in a Travel Cost Method Demand Model for Whale Watching Trips
Authors: Loomis John , Yorizane Shizuka , Larson Douglas
Published: September 2016

Inclusion of multi-destination and multi-purpose visitors has an appreciable influence on a standard count data travel cost model derived estimate of willingness to pay but the differences are not statistically significant. We adapt a more general travel cost model (TCM) of Parsons and Wilson (1997) that allows for inclusion of multi-destination visitors as incidental demand to allow estimation of an unbiased measure of single and multi-destination willingness to pay for whale viewing using a single pooled equation. The primary purpose trip values from the standard TCM and simple generalized TCM model are identical at $43 per person per day and neither are significantly different from the $50 day value from a generalized model that distinguishes between joint and incidental trips. The general models avoid underestimation of total recreation site benefits that would result from omitting the consumer surplus of multi-destination visitors.
Direct Payments, Cash Rents, Land Values, and the Effects of Imputation in U.S. Farm-level Data
Authors: Robbins Michael W. , White T. Kirk
Published: September 2016

Research using the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) and other data shows that direct government payments to farmers increase rents and the price of land. However, some ARMS data is imputed and does not account for relationships between payments and other variables. We investigate various imputation methods and benefits gained from a method with a wide scope rather than a parsimonious range of variables. Using our method, we estimate that an additional dollar of direct payment increases land value about $2.69 more per acre than ARMS imputation methods and that our imputations (using an exhaustive iterative sequential regression) outperform other methods and/or smaller models.
A Conjoint Analysis of Public Preferences for Agricultural Land Preservation
Authors: Duke Joshua M. , Ilvento Thomas W.
Published: September 2016

Public preferences for the nonmarket services of permanently preserved agricultural land are measured and compared using conjoint analysis. The results from a survey of 199 Delawareans suggest environmental and nonmarket-agricultural services are the most important preserved-land attributes. Results also suggest that open space associated with wetlands on farms is neither an amenity nor a disamenity. On the margin, preserved parcels with agricultural and environmental attributes provide net benefits, which may exceed $1,000,000 for a 1,000-acre parcel. Preserved forestland provides benefits per acre that are statistically equivalent to cropland, though forestland may be less expensive to preserve.
The Growing Importance of the Environmental Horticulture Industry in the Agricultural Economy of the Northeastern United States
Authors: Shields Martin , Willits Fern K.
Published: September 2016

This study examines several aspects of the Environmental Horticulture Industry (EHI) in the northeastern United States. First, the EHI is compared to other agricultural sectors in the region. The sector's growth is found to far outpace growth in traditionally important crops and commodities. The study then takes a closer look at the EHI in Pennsylvania, utilizing survey data and the IMPLAN input-output model to estimate the overall economic contributions of the industry to the state's economy. Results suggest that the EHI generates nearly $3.3 billion in value-added and more than 107,000 state jobs through direct, indirect, and induced effects. Finally, survey data are used to identify and discuss important issues that land grant universities throughout the Northeast can address as they seek to strengthen the sector.
Incentive Compatible Referenda and the Valuation of Environmental Goods
Authors: Taylor Laura O.
Published: September 2016

Recent attempts to test the validity of the contingent valuation method have relied on laboratory-type experiments. In these experiments, willingness to pay responses in hypothetical choice experiments are compared with responses from choice experiments requiring actual payments. Often evidence of hypothetical bias is found. Critical for these experimental tests of hypothetical surveys is that the methodology used to elicit willingness to pay from subjects in the real-payment experiment be demand revealing. If it is not, then differences in responses to hypothetical and real valuation questions could be due tofree-ridingin the real-payment survey and not due tohypothetical biasin the hypothetical survey. This paper reports on experiments that implement a theoretically incentive-compatible revelation mechanism (a closed referendum) to elicit responses to valuation questions in both hypothetical and real experiments. As in earlier studies, evidence of an upward hypothetical bias is found.
Analysis of “Don't Know” Responses to Referendum Contingent Valuation Questions
Authors: Haener Michel K. , Adamowicz Wiktor L.
Published: September 2016

This paper considers the treatment of “don't know” (DK) responses to referendum contingent valuation questions. The determinants of DK responses are empirically analyzed using a data set from a survey of old growth forest valuation. It is found that DK respondents possess unique characteristics that differentiate them from Yes and No respondents. These findings do not support the most common treatments of DK responses that are currently used. Responses to an open-ended question included in the survey are used to provide further insight into the preferences of DK respondents.
Nonparametric Bounds on Welfare with Measurement Error in Prices: Techniques for Non-Market Resource Valuation
Authors: Crooker John R.
Published: September 2016

Nonparametric techniques are frequently applied in recreation demand studies when researchers are concerned that parametric utility specifications impart bias upon welfare estimates. A goal of this paper is to extend previous work on nonparametric bounds for welfare measures to allow for measurement errors in travel costs. Haab and McConnell (2002) state that issues in travel time valuation continue to be topical in the recreational demand literature. This paper introduces a bootstrap augmented nonparametric procedure to precisely bound welfare when price data contains measurement error. The technique can be extended and becomes more convenient relative to other approaches when more than two site visits are made by a single recreationist. These techniques are demonstrated in a Monte Carlo experiment.