bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic Impacts on Agricultural Land use in the Northeast
Authors: Morris Douglas E. , Luloff Albert E.
Published: May 2017

Joad said, “You're bound to get idears if you go thinkin’ about stuff.”

John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

Past agricultural programs encouraged the withdrawal of cropland from agricultural production. With the removal of crop acreage restrictions and despite the favorable relationships of the 1972–1974 period, all of this land has not been immediately activated into crop production. Some programs encouraged shifts of cropland to pasture, timber production, or to soil improvement uses. Land converted to these alternatives is potentially available for crop production, but whether or at what rate it will be reemployed remains problematic.
Evaluation of Farmland Use-Value Assessment in New York
Authors: Boisvert Richard N. , Bills Nelson L. , Solomon Robert
Published: May 2017

This paper examines agricultural use-value legislation in light of statewide reassessment in New York. Historically, farm real estate has been underassessed relative to other classes of property. Thus, statewide reassessment at full value would significantly increase farmland property taxes. These increases could be more than offset by widespread application of use-value assessment. In 1979, the tax reductions, when compared with full-value assessment, would be about $8 per acre. The tax bases of some rural communities may be reduced significantly by use-value assessment.
Forecasts of Farm Animal Production in the New England States and in the U.S.
Authors: Lee Tsoung-Chao , Seaver Stanley K.
Published: May 2017

The purpose of the analysis is to forecast livestock and poultry numbers for New England and the U. S. The effect of increasing feed transportation rates on these numbers is also examined. The direct estimates of the reduced form equations are utilized in forecasting numbers for seven livestock and poultry classes. Forecast rules of thumb are specified in the simplified lag model. A large model consisting of 26 predetermined variables yields very high degrees of accuracy with errors mostly less than one percent.
New Directions in Northeast Extension in the 1980's
Authors: Gerwig John
Published: May 2017

The opportunity to meet with you today is much appreciated. I certainly want to compliment you on the wide range of topics to be discussed at this conference. It provides a clue to your theme, “New Directions for the 80's.” I have a long-standing interest in Northeast agriculture and most of us here grew up and have worked in this area. And, of course, I am convinced that the Cooperative Extension Service is a most important part of the agricultural scene.
An Application of the Box-Jenkins Approach to Forecasting the Cold Storage of French Fries
Authors: Beilock Richard P. , Dunn James W.
Published: May 2017

Potatoes suitable for frozen french fries are harvested in the fall and then apportioned for the rest of the year by processors. This involves storage in either fresh or frozen form. Participants in both the fresh and french fry market consider the level of frozen french fry stocks to be an important determinant of activity in these markets and therefore use stock information to form price expectations [Phillips et al., 16–18]. The ability to forecast the future level of stocks with some accuracy would undoubtedly be an additional aid in developing market strategies. This paper provides one means of forecasting frozen french fry stocks.
Waste Recycling—Factors Affecting the Residential Market for Organic Based Fertilizers
Authors: Derr Donn A. , Varner Michael C. , DiLalo Gregory J.
Published: May 2017

Economic activity producing primary goods and services often generates secondary “products” or residuals. For those residuals that are highly toxic, the only alternatives are complete destruction or long-term storage in some safe and efficient manner. But for certain residuals that are biodegradable, such as animal wastes and sewage sludges (relatively free of heavy metals), recycling is possible, particularly through soil incorporation and eventual plant uptake. These residuals, on a dry weight basis, will normally contain some nitrogen, phosphorus and potash (less than 10 percent total), and organic matter of at least 50 percent.
An Econometric Analysis of the New Hampshire Housing Market
Authors: Dunn Daniel L. , Lindsay Bruce E.
Published: May 2017

For the past two decades, New Hampshire has faced rapidly increasing population levels with the main thrust occurring in the southern portion of the State. For example, between 1960 and 1975, it is estimated that New Hampshire's population has increased by approximately 35 percent (New Hampshire Office of Comprehensive Planning [1978]). Employment has grown 105.6 percent between 1940 and 1970 for the three southern counties of the State (United States Department of Commerce [1975]). This trend of economic and population expansion has important implications for the State as a whole. These phenomena have put a severe strain upon the provision of municipal services, inflated land prices and increased property taxes. How New Hampshire as a state will deal with its situation in future years will depend in part on two parameters: (1) the value judgments (or lack thereof) contained in policy decisions about how development should expand, and (2) the amount and comprehensiveness of information supplied on which to base decisions. It is the latter parameter to which this paper addresses itself.
Interlocal Cooperation: Its Use and Importance in Small Town Service Delivery
Authors: Honadle Beth Walter
Published: May 2017

This symposium focused on the history, development, and characteristics of voluntary interlocal cooperation among small governments in the Northeast. Recent survey research results of a study on patterns and types of interlocal cooperation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts were presented. Interlocal cooperation in the area of solid wastes disposal in Massachusetts was also discussed. Factors contributing to voluntary cooperation in Rhode Island were also analyzed. Both the benefits and the disadvantages associated with interlocal cooperation were treated in the symposium.
Production Costs and Relative Profitability of Organically Grown Vegetables
Authors: Dhillon Pritam S. , Palladino Barbara
Published: May 2017

In recent decades modern technology has created phenomenal growth in U.S. agricultural output. Large scale farming systems and the application of scientific techniques have been largely responsible for the increased production of farm products. However, recently there has emerged a growing concern over the social costs of modern agricultural technology Displacement of labor with little off-farm employment opportunities, concentration of agriculture in fewer hands and extensive usage of manufactured chemicals are viewed by some with alarm. The ensuing debate has drawn attention to organic farming as an alternative to modern farming.
Challenges for the Food Industry in the Northeast During The 1980's
Authors: Cain Jarvis L.
Published: May 2017

If all the speeches with similar titles, delivered at the beginning of each decade during the twentieth century, were assembled here, they would doubtless fill this room to overflowing. Although each would have its “special touch,” common threads of growth and optimism, appeals to God and Country, as well as self-interest would be woven throughout.
Impact of New Procedures for Estimating Agricultural Use Values in New York
Authors: Bills Nelson L. , Boisvert Richard N.
Published: May 2017

This paper examines the implications of New York's new procedures for determining agricultural values for use-value assessment purposes. It has been argued that use values based on comparable sales, regardless of efforts to confine the data to farm-to-farm sales, still contained some speculative influences, which in turn, inflated use-value estimates in an urban state like New York. Interestingly, this paper shows that the Legislature's remedy – use-value estimates based on capitalized net returns to land – is likely to bring with it rather substantial increases in use values estimated for much of the State's cropland base.
Optimal Production Schedules for a Representative Farm Under Alternative Seasonal Milk Pricing Patterns of the Base-Excess Plan: A Comment
Authors: Milligan Robert A.
Published: May 2017

In the April, 1981, issue of this Journal, Prindle and Livezey (PL) address the very important question of how a dairy farm manager should attempt to adjust production in response to expected seasonal production patterns of the dairy cow, monthly milk prices and variable milk production costs. The authors construct a representative farm linear programming model to address this important question.
Profitability of Feeding Dairy Steers to Feeder and Slaughter Weight on Northeast Dairy Farms
Authors: Milligan Robert A. , Nowak Caroline J. , Knoblauch Wayne A.
Published: May 2017

On most Northeastern dairy farms bull calves are considered a superfluous output and are sent to auction markets as soon as possible after they are born. The excess supply situation in the United States dairy industry combined with other obstacles to dairy herd expansion has resulted in dairy producers seeking expansion options other than increased dairy herd size. Several alternatives for expanding the dairy farm business that utilize bull calves as a resource are possible. Dairy beef systems that are most complementary to the ongoing dairy business should be particularly attractive.
A Demand Analysis of Bob Calves for Veal and Feeder Calf Uses in The Northeast
Authors: Lesser William , Bindlish Vishva
Published: May 2017

The Northeast is the major calf-killing region in the country with the bulk of the calf supply composed of week old dairy bull calves of approximately 100 pounds (USDA, Livestock and Meat Stat.). Until recently this by-product of the dairy industry had little alternative uses. Currently, however, the meat grade standards have been relaxed to the point where it is possible for a properly fed Holstein steer to grade at or near choice with live weight below 1200 pounds. This regulatory change has made dairy bob calves more potentially valuable as feeder calves.
Satisfaction with Public Services by Rural Residents in West Virginia
Authors: Colyer Dale , Smith Dennis
Published: May 2017

Population has been increasing for at least a decade in rural areas of West Virginia as in many areas of the Nation. This phenomenon is transforming rural areas, with problems of growth replacing those of decline. If local governments, the extension service and others are to cope adequately with this emerging set of problems, more must be learned about the newer residents, their attitudes, needs and how they relate to those of the rest of the population in the area. A number of recent analyses of rural development attest to the serious data gap that exists with respect to knowledge in the area (Beal; Fuguitt, Voss and Doherty; Gilford, Nelson, and Ingram; Powers and Moe in Dillman and Hobbs, p. 14; and Sofranko and Williams). This paper reports on a 1981 survey of rural residents in nine selected West Virginia counties, a survey which was conducted to help solve the data gap problems.
An Economic Analysis of New and Old Dairy Waste Handling Technologies
Authors: Holik Dan , Lessley Billy V.
Published: May 2017

New methods of moving manure to storages, new manure storage structures and new manure spreading technologies are now found on dairy farms. Consequently, farmers are in need of labor requirements, investment and annual cost data. The purpose of this article is to present current investment, labor and annual cost information that will aid farmers in making economical decisions relative to selecting alternative manure handling systems. Manure handling systems presented in Table 1 were planned for freestall housing and 75, 150 and 300 cow herd sizes. These systems were based on a survey of 98 dairy farms in the Monocacy River Watershed (Holik and Lessley), data from the Agricultural Engineering Department of the University of Maryland, the Soil Conservation Service and the Midwest Plan Service. The manure handling systems and herd sizes modeled are considered to be representative of dairies found in Maryland.
The Effect of Energy Cost Changes on the U.S. Potato Industry
Authors: Beilock Richard P. , Dunn James W.
Published: May 2017

Since World War II U.S. Agriculture has seen regional shifts and greater concentration in the production of certain commodities. Technological and infrastructural developments in irrigation, plant varieties, cultivation techniques, transportation, storage, and processing have lowered the barriers of time and space, thus allowing remote regions to compete with and even dominate the traditional production areas. The U.S. potato industry offers an excellent example of this. Processed potatoes have become the dominant food use form and production has shifted westward and become more concentrated both with respect to time and location. In 1947, 44 percent of U.S. potato production was in the seven largest potato states for the fall crop, 35 percent was produced in the nonfall crops, and eight percent was processed. By 1978, 75 percent was produced by the seven leading states for the fall crop, 14 percent in the early nonfall crops, and 59 percent was processed. Because many of these changes involved the adoption of relatively energy intensive techniques, the existence of low and fairly stable energy prices until 1973 aided this change. The increases in energy costs since 1973 raise questions about the long-run stability of recent patterns of production and consumption.
Dynamic vs. Static Models for Erosion Control Policy Research
Authors: Shortle James S. , Miranowski John A
Published: May 2017

In recent studies of erosion control in agricultural production it has been standard practice to use timeless or static models of agricultural production processes. In this paper implications of a dynamic model of agricultural production for erosion control decision making are compared to those of a static model. On the basis of this comparison it is suggested that future research on the economics of erosion control and erosion control policy may benefit from the use of dynamic modeling methods.
Pennsylvania Farmland Prices as a Function of Land Quality and Distance from Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Downing Roger H. , Gamble Hays B.
Published: May 2017

Data on 268 farm sales in 10 counties throughout Pennsylvania in 1977 were analyzed using a hedonic price model. Problems associated with the influence of parcel size and buildings on per acre land values appear to have been overcome. Proximity of farms to metropolitan centers and the quantities of different types of land on a farm were important explanatory variables. Values per acre were computed showing the effects of those variables on price. Values for non-tillable land, high productivity tillable land, and land suitable for on-site sewage disposal tended to cluster within a $650-$700 price range per acre at 85 miles from the nearest SMSA.
The Role of the Agricultural Economist
Authors: Clawson Marion
Published: May 2017

In the past 75 years agricultural economics as a professional field has evolved from a relatively small and fragmented group of concerns into a large professional activity, with highly developed theory, sophisticated research techniques, much data, and many outputs. Agricultural economists have developed, during the same time and as part of the same process, from a small number of pioneers, often shrewd and hardheaded men, but typically not well-trained by today's standards, into a large, well-populated, well-trained profession with many subfields. Agricultural economists today have permeated many aspects of modern American life—fact of which we boast, and one which some of our critics may deplore. How this came about, and what our role is or might be today, are the subjects of this paper.
Estate Tax Reduction Through Section 2032A Use Valuation
Authors: Centner Terence J. , Flanders Archie
Published: May 2017

The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (ERTA) provides a gradual increase in the unified credit which by 1987 will exempt estates of up to $600,000 from estate taxation. The unlimited marital deduction and the increase of tax-free gifts to an amount of $10,000 per year per donee has freed many farm families from the gift and estate tax burdens that arguably had been causing the break-up of small farms (U.S. Congressional Record, vol. 122; Begleiter). At the same time, however, the estate tax relief resulting from the provisions incorporated in ERTA has not completely remedied the tax problems of farmers. Farm estates greater than $600,000 are still subject to taxation. Expensive technology together with inflation and the appreciation of the value of farm real estate will undoubtedly continue to cause the value of many farm holdings to increase in size beyond the amount exempted by the uniform tax credit. The resultant estate tax liability could require the sale of farm assets in order to raise cash to pay these taxes. Thus, estate planning techniques which diminish estate taxation are still important to farmers.
Intertemporal Basis Behaviour on the Chicago Wheat Futures Market
Authors: Sheales Terrence C.
Published: May 2017

The study consists of an economic analysis of the behaviour of the Chicago wheat basis during the two decades from 1960 to 1980. First, there is a descriptive analysis of changes to the basis between the 1960's and 1970's. Second, an econometric model which can be used to explain observed and possible future movements in the basis is estimated.

The econometric model provides for the direct estimation of both intra- and inter-seasonal movements of the basis. In developing this model a single-equation “quasi reduced-form” model incorporating the theoretically important factors determining the supply and demand for storage and the resulting price from month to month is specified.

Model estimation involves the incorporation of a lagged dependent variable and a set of seasonal dummy variables to account for the cyclical behaviour of the basis. The Generalized Least Squares regression results reveal that the basis lagged one period and the level of Chicago wheat stocks are the main factors explaining the current basis. A negative coefficient on national commercial stocks may be an indication that the variable is a proxy for hard wheat stocks. Changes in these stocks result in opposite movements in the demand for soft wheat (Chicago) stocks and hence the Chicago (soft wheat) basis.

While the estimated model “explains” a relatively high proportion of overall basis variation, it is not entirely satisfactory in predicting the direction of change in the basis. It also exhibits some downward bias when used to make forward predictions of the magnitude of the basis.

Mary of the modelling problems encountered during the analysis probably stem from incorporating intra- and inter-seasonal basis movements into the one model. A more productive approach to an analysis of this type would be to concentrate on estimating and predicting only one type of basis movement rather than both.
A Note on the Measurement of Spillovers of Agricultural Research Results
Authors: Havlicek Joseph , White Fred C.
Published: May 2017

Three measures of agricultural research spillovers considered entail estimates based on (1) level of agricultural research expenditures, (2) marginal products of agricultural research and extension expenditures, and (3) marginal products of agricultural research and extension expenditures weighted by the level of agricultural research expenditures.

The methods produce diverse spillovers but results indicate that spillovers generally exceed regional benefits attributable to a region's investment in agricultural research and extension. Also, ratios of spillovers to regional benefits exceed ratios of federal to state expenditures on agricultural research suggesting potential social benefits from additional financial support of agricultural research by the federal government.
The Attitudes of Rural Residents Toward the Expansion of Natural Resource Based Economic Activities: A Comparison Between Recent In-migrants and Long-time Residents
Authors: Stout-Wiegand Nancy , Bulman Steven D. , Smith Dennis K.
Published: May 2017

Rural residents, particularly recent in-migrants, are often characterized by preferences for a tranquil rural lifestyle based on the attributes of an open countryside. A survey of residents of an isolated rural county in West Virginia was conducted to explore the proposition that recent rural in-migrants are more opposed to the growth of natural resource based activities which are detrimental to the rural countryside than are long-term residents of the County. The hypothesis was not supported, as both recent in-migrants and long-time residents strongly favored economic development of the County's natural resources over preservation of the natural countryside.
Modeling the Use of Sewage Sludge on Pennsylvania Dairy Farms: An Economic Analysis
Authors: Zimmerman Dona C. , Epp Donald J.
Published: May 2017

A five-year linear programming farm planning model, permitting the inclusion of nitrogen decay rates, was constructed to include the use of sewage sludge as a primary crop nutrient source. Twenty-two scenarios depicting various operating conditions were examined and maximized net farm incomes compared.

Although only a small percentage difference resulted between the highest and the lowest net revenues over the five-year period, given a variety of operating circumstances, those scenarios including the use of sludge yielded the highest net incomes. Nitrogen application restrictions were at their upper limits when sludge use was included in the optimal solution. The calculation of net present values, for the two sludge contents considered, provided value estimates compatible with the linear programming solutions.
Incentive vs. Conventional Regulation of New Utility Construction
Authors: Meyer Joan K.
Published: May 2017

Major plant construction projects represent a large part of a typical utility's rate base and construction cost overruns are a perennial problem associated with these projects. The conventional approach to prevent overruns is direct regulatory oversight by a regulatory commission. Yet this approach fails to provide on-going incentives for the most cost effective decisions by the utility. This article contrasts an incentive method of regulation, which inversely relates the rate of return granted by the regulatory agency with the level of overruns incurred, with conventional rate regulation. A discounted cash flow simulation model is employed based on data from an electric generation project currently under construction in Central New York.
Costs and Returns from Producing and Marketing Maine Apples
Authors: Geiss Wilbert C.
Published: May 2017

Apple production in Maine has averaged slightly over 1.6 million bushels per year during the five year period 1966–1970, and annual cash receipts averaged about $4.1 million for the same five year period. This $4.1 million of cash receipts represents only about 2 percent of Maine's total agricultural receipts, but it is a major source of income for the relatively small number of producers involved.
The Effect of Tax Reform on the Dairy Farmer
Authors: LaDue E.L. , Bryant W.R.
Published: May 2017

Recent Congressional testimony has focused on the desirability of eliminating certain income tax “preferences” that are important in agriculture. Specifically, separate proposals have urged that capital gains treatment pertaining to livestock, vineyards and orchards be eliminated and that the cash method of tax accounting no longer be permitted. The justification for these proposals is based on the continued activity of wealthy individuals in tax loss or tax sheltered farming, despite provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1969 to limit such ventures. Furthermore, it is argued that these tax preferences result in a greater subsidy to the high tax bracket individual than low tax bracket individual and thus place low income bonafide farmers at a competitive disadvantage which could force them out of business.
Mobile Home Park Community Educational Service Costs and Revenues in New Hampshire
Authors: Tichenor Richard L. , Jansen Edmund F. , Le Ray Nelson L.
Published: May 2017

In communities where average family incomes are low relative to the costs of conventional housing – a common situation in New Hampshire – the services of adequate housing are, in effect, unavailable to many resident. If this service is to be available to low income residents, the public sector must provide public housing, or encourage private provision of low cost housing. Yet, instead of encouraging such housing, many New Hampshire communities ban or restrict the most common form of low cost housing – the mobile home.
Approaches to Research on Transferable Development Rights Proposals: An Overview
Authors: Diamond Joseph , Lindsay Bruce E.
Published: May 2017

Present land use control mechanisms are seen as inadequate for the preservation of open space, agricultural land, and other “uneconomic” uses of land. Many proposals have been cited as possible solutions to the problems created by present land use control mechanisms. The transfer of development rights (hereafter known as TDR's) is one such proposal. This mechanism for land use control can be of several forms. There are severe theoretical and practical problems, to be discussed, which a transfer of development rights program must overcome if it is to function in practical application.
On a Consistent Definition of Intensive Use of a Resource
Authors: Dhillon Pritam S.
Published: May 2017

It would seem, for the sake of convenience and in the interest of imparting exact information, that the terms used in a discipline should have one and only one meaning. Unfortunately economics terminology is not in such a completely refined state that all terms have unambiguous meanings. In some instances different meanings are attached to the same terms which is a source of confusion. This is especially the case for the term “intensive” use of a resource which frequently has been used to describe the relative abundance of a resource in production. The term has been used inconsistently in two opposing senses when applied to land and labor on the one hand and capital and labor on the other hand. While this may not pose a serious problem for a seasoned scholar who can construe the proper meaning in each context, beginning teachers and students need to be made aware of the inconsistency to avoid confusion and unnecessary debate.
Use of Markov Processes in Predicting Dairy Farm Size Distribution Changes
Authors: Wysong John W. , Seyala Mahmood Y.
Published: May 2017

During the past several decades, a number of research publications have used Markov chain processes to predict changes in number of farm firms, the average size of farms and labor resource productivity in farm production (Conneman, Harris and Wilson, Judge and Swanson, Kottke, Seyala, Willett and Saupe, Wysong and Seyala). The Markov method assumes that the pattern of change exhibited in the past will continue into the future. This method provides information on historical changes by frequency distribution categories as well as for the whole cohort, and allows for projection of these changes into the future. Previous studies have used mainly short-run periods of up to 5 years as the primary data base. This study has considered the use of longer-run base periods of 10 to 20 years combined with periodic updating of sample data in projecting long-term trends in numbers and sizes of dairy farms and revising such projections through time.
Factors Affecting Land Prices in a Rural New Jersey County
Authors: Northcraft Carl A. , Small Leslie E.
Published: May 2017

Much attention has been given in recent years to the conversion of substantial amounts of rural land to urban uses. A variety of policies designed to encourage the retention of rural open space have been either proposed or implemented by many state and local governments. Because the decision to convert land to urban uses is generally a private decision in response to market forces, an understanding of these market forces should facilitate better policy development and implementation. This paper reports on a research project designed to explore the forces affecting rural land prices in areas where the rural land market is significantly influenced by the demand for land for urban or suburban uses. Publicly available data on transfers of rural land were analyzed, using a multiple regression model, to both identify and quantify the importance of factors affecting rural land prices.
Innovative Teaching Can be Fun: An Experimental Course Utilizing Interact TV and Films
Authors: Sinclair Robert O.
Published: May 2017

Agricultural economists, whether writing for their journals or at their professional meetings, have shown little interest in pedagogy. The American Agricultural Economics Association has held three workshops on the improvement of education in agricultural economics (1963, 1967, and 1973) and published a separate proceedings for each. However, most of the papers at these workshops were devoted to educational philosophy and curriculum development; in other words, to what should be taught and why, rather than to how. An occasional paper in our journal does address technique or method, but most of the verbiage is devoted to such tools as computer assisted instruction (CAI), the use of gaming models, simulation, and other self-instruction methods.
Fiscal Implications of Changing School Enrollments
Authors: Alter Theodore R. , Moore Dan E.
Published: May 2017

Two topics dominate discussions of public elementary and secondary education. The first is declining enrollments and the second is fiscal problems, especially those problems associated with such catch words as equity, taxpayer revolt, and tax reform. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between these two topics by examining enrollment change and fiscal characteristics in 504 Pennsylvania school districts. Our purpose is to provide a descriptive base for further research on the fiscal problems raised by changing school enrollments.
Economic Issues in the Composting of Sewage Sludges
Authors: Kasper Victor , Derr Donn
Published: May 2017

In the northeast, communities have been faced with a variety of waste management problems brought about by population concentrations and higher consumption levels. One waste that has been receiving increased attention is sewage sludge generated by municipal waste treatment plants. Although alternative sludge treatment technologies are available, a number of municipalities have been ocean dumping. For example, in New Jersey it has been estimated that of the 230,000 dry tons of sludge produced annually, nearly two-thirds is being ocean dumped (Bolan et al.). Although ocean dumping is a relatively inexpensive method from the viewpoint of the municipality, it has become costly in terms of ocean and coastal resources (Colacicco et al., U.S. Department of Commerce). As a result of contaminated beaches, algae blooms, and fish kills (1976 and 1977) legislation was passed in 1977 to stop the ocean dumping of sludge by December 31, 1981 (U.S. Congress, 1977).
Range compression of migratory passerines in wintering grounds of the Western Mediterranean: conservation prospects
Authors: FANDOS GUILLERMO , TELLERÍA JOSÉ LUIS
Published: May 2017

Because migrant birds occur in different parts of the world in different seasons, their numbers may be limited by the size of the smallest area they inhabit during the year. In addition, restricted ranges make populations more susceptible to local perturbations such that range size is frequently considered a correlate of species vulnerability. Despite this, little is known about the balance between seasonal ranges in the migrant populations of partially migratory species. These migrants are difficult to segregate from sedentary conspecifics in winter grounds and thus the extent of their ranges is difficult to assess. Here, we studied the extent of potential breeding and wintering ranges of 10 partial migratory passerines moving to winter in the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb. After testing migratory connectivity of the individual species, we used niche modelling to calculate the extent of potential breeding and wintering ranges in 1,113 pairs of ring recoveries linking individuals between breeding and wintering localities. The results indicate that most species show migratory connectivity and that all of them show range compression in winter relative to the breeding range, with scores ranging between 19% and 58% (mean 37%) of breeding ranges. We discuss the importance of non-breeding grounds for conserving migratory passerines in the Western Mediterranean Basin, an area under pressure from climate change and agricultural intensification.
Characteristics of influential peers in the eyes of secondary school students: a mixed method study
Authors: Loke Alice Y. , Mak Yim-wah , Wu Cynthia S.T.
Published: May 2017

Aim

It is the aim of this study to explore the characteristics of influential peers identified by schoolmates, and the mechanism by which they exert their influence on their peers.

Background

Adolescent crowds are a salient influence on the health-risk behaviors of peers, contributing to adolescent substance use such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and taking drugs.

Methods

A mixed method study. Three schools granted us access to students and those who had been nominated as influential by their peers. The students were asked to nominate and indicated the characteristics of peers whom they considered influential in a quantitative study. Those peers whom they considered influential were invited to take part in focus group interviews. A total of six focus group interviews were conducted, comprised of two groups from each school, with an average of seven participants in each group.

Findings

Students considered caring and friendliness (91.0%), being a buddy (88.5%), and entertaining/humor (86.8%) as the top three characteristics of influential peers. The interviews revealed that the students believed that they are influential because of their cheerfulness and humor, considerateness, ability to communicate, popularity and sociability, sincerity and trustworthiness, and because they possess the characteristics of a leader. They also believed that their power to influence came about through their helpfulness, accommodation, and the closeness of their relationships. Their influence was manifested in both positive and negative ways on the academic pursuits and health-risk behaviors of their peers. In order to engage at-risk students in health promotion programs, it is important to identify their influential peers, and to understand how adolescent friends may help one another to resist behaviors that pose a risk to their health.
Evaluation of wild barley species as possible sources of drought tolerance for arid environments
Authors: Barati Mohammad , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Mostafavi Fateme , Mirlohi Aghafakhr , Safari Maryam , Karami Zohre
Published: May 2017

In this study, agro-morphological and yield-related traits associated with drought tolerance in 80 barley genotypes belonging to 15 wild species together with the cultivated one, and their potential to improve adaptation to different levels of drought stress conditions (moisture environments) were studied. There was significant genetic variation among the genotypes and species for all of the measured traits, as well as differential responses of genotypes across environments. The results indicated high variation for grain yield (GY) under drought stress among the genotypes, and that some of the wild genotypes had consistently superior specific adaptation to the water stress conditions. The genotypes belong to wild barley species, especiallyHordeum murinumandHordeum marinumhad lower GY but relatively higher yield stability under different environments. Traits such as number of seed per plant and hundred kernel weight were positively correlated with GY in all of the environments. High negative correlation between GY and days to ripening was observed only under intense drought environment, showing drought escape as a strategy of wild plants under highly stressed conditions. Grouping of the genotypes by principal component analysis completely separated cultivated barley and its progenitor (Hordeum vulgaressp.spontaneum) from other wild genotypes; however, the other wild species were slightly separated from each other. In addition, the Iranian and foreign genotypes did not completely separate from each other. The identified wild barley genotypes with favourable characters and high drought tolerance could be used in genetic studies and barley improvement programmes especially for drought stress.
RR Lyrae stars: New discoveries in the OGLE data
Authors: Smolec Radoslaw , Netzel Henryka , Soszyński Igor
Published: May 2017

We report our recent analyses of the RR Lyrae Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) photometry, which resulted in several new discoveries and important results. We present the in-depth analysis of the Blazhko effect discovered in several double-mode RR Lyr (RRd) stars for the first time. Typically, these stars show multiple modulation periods and somewhat atypical first overtone to fundamental mode period ratio. Our analysis of the Galactic bulge stars allowed a significant (~factor of 10) increase of the members of the recently detected group of double-mode radial-non-radial RR Lyr stars, pulsating in the first overtone and in an yet unidentified shorter period mode, with characteristic period ratio of the two modes around 0.61. With more than 200 new members of the group first statistical analysis of the group properties is possible. Finally, we report the discovery of an even more intriguing group of double-periodic RR Lyr stars. The dominant pulsation mode in these stars corresponds to the radial first overtone. The additional period is longer, the period ratios (first overtone to a period of an yet unidentified origin) tightly cluster around 0.686. Hence the additional period is longer than the unseen fundamental mode and cannot correspond to a purely acoustic pulsation mode.
What are they talking about? Pupil talk while translating Latin stories: a case study of a Year 7 class, using the Cambridge Latin Course
Authors: Wright Rebecca
Published: May 2017

The objective of this case study is to consider the role of pupil talk in the translation of Latin. I consider that ‘talk’ within the Latin classroom is an important pedagogical tool to support the development of pupil knowledge and understanding and to promote independent learning. Firstly, I am particularly interested in pupils’ early acquisition of the Latin language through ‘talk’. In this study, I wanted to explore how they use talk to support each other and the issues they encounter, the use of available and additional support resources and the extent of grammatical terminology within their talk. With the latter, I was curious to investigate how much terminology infiltrated pupils’ speech, or indeed if it was absent, and the subsequent effect both of these might have. The oral translation of Latin is an accepted and traditional part of learning for pupils. Throughout my PGCE teacher training course, I have observed that the majority of pupils frequently and independently consult or choose to work with another pupil when translating. I considered it was both a valid and valuable learning strategy to explore and analyse in some depth. Such research would provide a constructive insight into this accepted but sometimes overlooked learning tool, and therefore could realistically inform and improve my future teaching practice. Lastly, research into pupil talk has its own intrinsic worth, as transcripts provide both thought-provoking and informative evidence of their own. Thus, I was keen, within my placement school, to discover and consider how the pupils responded and talked about the language together in pairs.
Bridging the gap: teaching and studying Ancient History and Classical Civilisation from school to university
Authors: Goodman Penelope J.
Published: May 2017

The difficulties which students can encounter when making the transition from school or college to university are widely recognised. In some ways, of course, starting university should bring new challenges. Higher education is so called because it takes learners beyond what they have done at school, exposing them to new material and new ideas, and helping them to grow and develop in new ways. But it is in the interests of the students themselves, their school teachers, their university tutors and society at large to help them progress as smoothly as possible from the one environment to the other. Bridging the gap successfully enables students to make the most of their university education, rather than floundering needlessly.
Transitioning between School- and University-Level Latin Learning: A Scottish Perspective
Authors: Buckley Emma , König Alice , Kotarcic Ana
Published: May 2017

Students are arriving to study Latin at university with an increasingly diverse range of qualifications (including no Latin at all). This is something to celebrate. University Classics departments want students from different educational backgrounds; and we want a wide range of qualification authorities to continue to offer students the chance to start learning Latin at school. This diversity is being exacerbated, however, by an increasingly stark differential in the content and rigour of these various qualifications; and that presents challenges for universities aiming to integrate students quickly and acclimatise them to university-style learning. Classes in all subjects have more and less knowledgeable students learning side-by-side; but the dynamics of a Latin language class mean that gaps in knowledge and differences in experience become publicly visible very quickly. This is thus a social problem as much as it is an academic one, and it is particularly acute during that important period of transition, the first year of university study. This trend is not exclusive to the teaching of Latin but has also been a recurring theme of discussion within Modern Languages too, particularly in Scottish universities where the percentage of non-A Level students is higher than is generally the case south of the border.
Drosophila caspase activity is required independently of apoptosis to produce active TNF/Eiger during nociceptive sensitization
Authors: Jo Juyeon , Im Seol Hee , Babcock Daniel T , Iyer Srividya C , Gunawan Felona , Cox Daniel N , Galko Michael J
Published: May 2017

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling is required for inflammatory nociceptive (pain) sensitization in Drosophila and vertebrates. Nociceptive sensitization in Drosophila larvae following UV-induced tissue damage is accompanied by epidermal apoptosis and requires epidermal-derived TNF/Eiger and the initiator caspase, Dronc. Major gaps remain regarding TNF function in sensitization, including the relationship between apoptosis/tissue damage and TNF production, the downstream signaling in this context, and the target genes that modulate nociceptive behaviors. Here, apoptotic cell death and thermal nociceptive sensitization are genetically and procedurally separable in a Drosophila model of UV-induced nociceptive sensitization. Activation of epidermal Dronc induces TNF-dependent but effector caspase-independent nociceptive sensitization in the absence of UV. In addition, knockdown of Dronc attenuated nociceptive sensitization induced by full-length TNF/Eiger but not by a constitutively soluble form. UV irradiation induced TNF production in both in vitro and in vivo, but TNF secretion into hemolymph was not sufficient to induce thermal nociceptive sensitization. Downstream mediators of TNF-induced sensitization included two TNF receptor-associated factors, a p38 kinase, and the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B. Finally, sensory neuron-specific microarray analysis revealed downstream TNF target genes induced during thermal nociceptive sensitization. One of these, enhancer of zeste (E(z)), functions downstream of TNF during thermal nociceptive sensitization. Our findings suggest that an initiator caspase is involved in TNF processing/secretion during nociceptive sensitization, and that TNF activation leads to a specific downstream signaling cascade and gene transcription required for sensitization. These findings have implications for both the evolution of inflammatory caspase function following tissue damage signals and the action of TNF during sensitization in vertebrates.
Cryptotanshinone inhibits human glioma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo through SHP-2-dependent inhibition of STAT3 activation
Authors: Lu Liang , Zhang Sulin , Li Cuixian , Zhou Chun , Li Dong , Liu Peiqing , Huang Min , Shen Xiaoyan
Published: May 2017

Malignant gliomas (MGs) are one of the most common primary brain cancers in adults with a high mortality rate and relapse rate. Thus, finding better effective approaches to treat MGs has become very urgent. Here, we studied the effects of cryptotanshinone (CTS) on MGs in vitro and in vivo, and explored the underlying mechanisms. Effects of CTS in vitro on cell proliferation, cycle, migration and invasion were evaluated. The activation of JAK/STATs signaling was detected by western blot and immunofluorescenc staining. SHP-2 inhibitor or SiRNA were used to determine the involvement of SHP-2. The in vivo anti-MGs activity of CTS was studied with nude mice bearing intracerebral U87 xenografts. Our results revealed that CTS significantly inhibited the proliferation of MGs in vitro via inhibiting STAT3 signal pathway. The cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase. Although CTS did not change the expression of total SHP-2 protein, the tyrosine phosphatase activity of SHP-2 protein was increased by CTS treatment in a dose-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. SHP-2 inhibitor or SiRNA could reverse the inhibitory effect of CTS on phosphorylation of STAT3 Tyr705. In vivo study also showed that CTS inhibited the intracranial tumor growth and extended survival of nude mice bearing intracerebral U87 xenografts, confirming an inhibitory effect of CTS on MGs. Our results indicated CTS may be a potential therapeutic agent for MGs. The inhibitory action of CTS is largely attributed to the inhibition of STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation with a novel mechanism of upregulating the tyrosine phosphatase activity of SHP-2 protein.
miR-218-5p restores sensitivity to gemcitabine through PRKCE/MDR1 axis in gallbladder cancer
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhan Ming , Xu Sun-Wang , Chen Wei , Long Man-Mei , Shi Yong-Heng , Liu Qiang , Mohan Man , Wang Jian
Published: May 2017

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the most common malignancy of the biliary tract characterized by its high chemoresistant tendency. Although great progresses have been made in recent decades for treating many cancers with anticancer drugs, effective therapeutics methods for anti-GBC are still lacking. Therefore, investigations into identifying the mechanisms underlying the drug resistance of GBC are greatly needed. In this study, we show that miR-218-5p plays a critical role in gemcitabine resistance of GBC. miR-218-5p levels were significantly lower in GBC than adjacent non-cancer tissues, and which were also associated with patient prognosis. While miR-218-5p overexpression abrogated gemcitabine resistance of GBC cells, silencing of which exhibited the opposite effects. Via six microRNA targets prediction algorithms, we found that PRKCE is a potential target of miR-218-5p. Moreover, miR-218-5p overexpression repressed the luciferase activity of reporter constructs containing 3′-UTR of PRKCE and also reduced PRKCE expression. Further studies revealed that miR-218-5p promotes sensitivity of gemcitabine by abolishing PRKCE-induced upregulation of MDR1/P-gp. Taken together, our results imply that an intimate correlation between miR-218-5p and PRKCE/MDR1 axis abnormal expression is a key determinant of gemcitabine tolerance, and suggest a novel miR-218-5p-based clinical intervention target for GBC patients.