bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The emergence and properties of mutual synchronization inin vitrocoupled cortical networks
Authors: Baruchi Itay , Volman Vladislav , Raichman Nadav , Shein Mark , Ben‐Jacob Eshel
Published: November 2008

We have studied the emergence of mutual synchronization and activity propagation in coupled neural networks from rat cortical cells grown on a micro‐electrode array for parallel activity recording of dozens of neurons. The activity of each sub‐network by itself is marked by the formation of synchronized bursting events (SBE) – short time windows of rapid neuronal firing. The joint activity of two coupled networks is characterized by the formation of mutual synchronization, i.e. the formation of SBE whose activity starts at one sub‐network and then propagates to the other. The sub‐networks switch roles in initiating the mutual SBE. However, spontaneous propagation (initiation) asymmetry emerges – one of the sub‐networks takes on the role of initiating substantially more mutual SBE than the other, despite the fact that the two are engineered to be similar in size and cell density. Analysis of the interneuron correlations in the SBE also reveals the emergence of activity (function) asymmetry – one sub‐network develops a more organized structure of correlations. We also show activity propagation and mutual synchronization in four coupled networks. Using computer simulations, we propose that the function asymmetry reflects asymmetry between the internal connectivity of the two networks, whereas the propagation asymmetry reflects asymmetry in the connectivity between the sub‐networks. These results agree with the experimental findings that the initiation and function asymmetry can be separately regulated, which implies that information transfer (activity propagation) and information processing (function) can be regulated separately in coupled neural networks.
INEQUALITY, INCENTIVES AND THE INTERPERSONAL TEST
Authors: Lippert‐Rasmussen Kasper
Published: November 2008

This article defends three claims: (1) even if Rawls' difference principle permits incentives to induce talented people to be more productive, it does not follow that it permits inequalities; (2) the difference principle, when adequately specified, may in some circumstances permit incentives and allow that the worst off are not made as well off as they could be; and (3) an argument for incentives might pass Cohen's interpersonal test even if it is unsound and might not pass it even if it is sound.1
COHEN TO THE RESCUE!
Authors: Pogge Thomas
Published: November 2008

Cohen seeks to rescue the concept of justice from those, among whom he includes Rawls, who think that correct fundamental moral principles are fact‐sensitive. Cohen argues instead that any fundamental principles of justice, and fundamental moral principles generally, are fact‐insensitive and that any fact‐sensitive principles can be traced back to fact‐insensitive ones. This paper seeks to clarify the nature of Cohen's argument, and the kind of fact‐insensitivity he has in mind. In particular, it distinguishes between internal and external fact‐sensitivity – that is, whether facts are referenced in the content of the principle, or must otherwise be the case in order for the principle to apply at all. Cohen himself seems likely to endorse internally fact‐sensitive fundamental principles. This leads to a discussion of Cohen's Platonism about moral principles and the extent to which his arguments cover all its rivals.1
Skepticism Between Excessiveness and Idleness
Authors: Marušić Berislav
Published: November 2008

Abstract: Skepticism seems to have excessive consequences: the impossibility of successful enquiry and differentiated judgment. Yet if skepticism could avoid these consequences, it would seem idle. I offer an account of moderate skepticism that avoids both problems. Moderate skepticism avoids excessiveness because skeptical reflection and ordinary enquiry are immune from one another: a skeptical hypothesis is out of place when raised with in an ordinary enquiry. Conversely, the result of an ordinary enquiry cannot be used to disprove skepticism. This ‘immunity’ can be explained by theories such as contextualism, or sensitive invariantism. Moderate skepticism avoids idleness, because it can eliminate dogmatic elements from our commitments. An analogy is used to illustrate this: Consider someone who is rootless—someone who doesn't have a home. She won't take this conclusion to undermine her judgment that she is flying home for the holidays—even if she is sleeping in the guest bedroom. Similarly, a skeptic won't take the skeptical conclusion to undermine ordinary claims to know. Yet concluding that one is rootless is significant: it can shape one's commitments; for instance it can check one's nationalism. Similarly, accepting the skeptical conclusion is significant; it can undermine dogmatic commitments and ultimately bring about intellectual catharsis.
Recalls of microbiologically contaminated cosmetics in EU from 2005 to May 2008
Authors: Lundov M. D. , Zachariae C.
Published: November 2008

Synopsis

The Rapid Alert System for non‐food consumer products in the EU (RAPEX) notifies each week the member countries on dangerous products sold in the EU. Microbiological contaminated cosmetics pose a potential health risk and are recalled from the market. This study investigated the number of recalled microbiological contaminated cosmetics products in the RAPEX database from 2005 to until week 17 in 2008. A total of 173 cosmetic products were recalled in the period, 24 were contaminated and the most frequently found micro‐organism was the pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It appears that the number of contaminated cosmetic products could be two to three times higher in 2008 compared to 2007. The recalled products were manufactured in 17 different countries and only one company had more than one product recalled. It is important to keep monitoring the cosmetic products for contamination because an increasing number of products are recalled each year, and the majority is contaminated with potential pathogenic micro‐organism. More knowledge on the reasons for the contamination is needed.
The Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI): 1. Rationale, development, and description of a computerized children’s mental health intake and outcome assessment tool
Authors: Cunningham Charles E. , Boyle Michael H. , Hong Sunjin , Pettingill Peter , Bohaychuk Donna
Published: November 2008

Background:  This study describes the development of the Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) – a computer‐assisted telephone interview which adapts the revised Ontario Child Health Study’s (OCHS‐R) parent, teacher, and youth self‐report scales for administration as intake screening and treatment outcome measures in children’s mental health services. It focuses on the factor structure of the BCFPI’s hypothesized parent‐reported child mental health scales describing attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depression (MDD).

Methods:  Data for the analysis come from an OCHS‐R measurement study that included two groups of children and adolescents selected from the same urban area: a general population sample (n = 1,712) and a clinic‐referred sample (n = 1,512); and a third sample that was enlisted in a province‐wide implementation study of clinic‐referred 6‐ to 18‐year‐olds (n = 56,825). We used confirmatory factor analysis to assess the factor structure of the BCFPI scales in different populations and to test measurement equivalence across selected groups.

Results:  Despite the strong constraints imposed on the measurement models, estimates of model fit across the three samples were comparable in magnitude and approached the cut‐offs suggested for the GFI and CFI (>.9) and RMSEA (<.05). Measurement equivalence was demonstrated between the OCHS‐R clinic and provincial implementation samples. Within the implementation sample, the factor structure of the BCFPI scales was equivalent for boys versus girls and for 6‐ to 12‐ versus 13‐ to 18‐year‐olds. A companion paper examines the test–retest reliability, sensitivity, specificity, and validity of these BCFPI scales when used for screening.

Conclusion:  This project supports the feasibility and acceptability of a computer‐assisted telephone interview for assessing emotional‐behavioral problems of children and adolescents referred to children’s mental health services.
Research Review: The relationship between childhood violence exposure and juvenile antisocial behavior: a meta‐analytic review
Authors: Wilson Helen W. , Stover Carla Smith , Berkowitz Steven J.
Published: November 2008

Background:  The connection between childhood violence exposure and antisocial behavior in adolescence has received much attention and has important implications for understanding and preventing criminal behavior. However, there are a limited number of well‐designed prospective studies that can suggest a causal relationship, and little is known about the magnitude of the relationship.

Methods:  This meta‐analysis provides a quantitative comparison of 18 studies (N = 18,245) assessing the relationship between childhood (before age 12) violence exposure and adolescent antisocial behavior. An overall effect size (Cohen’s d) was calculated for each study, an average for the 18 studies, and averages for subsets of analyses within studies.

Results:  Results indicated a small effect from prospective studies (d = .31) and a large effect from cross‐sectional studies (d = .88). The effect for victimization (d = .61) was larger than for witnessing violence (d = .15).

Conclusions:  Effect size varied across studies employing different methodologies, populations, and conceptualizations of violence exposure and antisocial behavior. These findings do not support a simple, direct link from early violence exposure to antisocial behavior but suggest that many factors influence this relationship.
Allometry and stoichiometry of unicellular, colonial and multicellular phytoplankton
Authors: Beardall John , Allen Drew , Bragg Jason , Finkel Zoe V. , Flynn Kevin J. , Quigg Antonietta , Rees T. Alwyn V. , Richardson Anthony , Raven John A.
Published: November 2008

Contents

Summary
295

I.
Introduction
296

II.
Unicellular, pseudocolonial, colonial and multicellular phytoplankton: definitions, taxonomy and morphology
296

III.
Symbioses
298

IV.
Physical constraints on size, morphology and motility
298

V.
Elemental stoichiometry
302

VI.
Allometry of specific growth rates and specific metabolic rates
302

VII.
Trophic interactions
303

VIII.
Global significance of large unicells, colonies and multicellular organisms
303

IX.
Significance of colonies and multicellular organisms relative to large unicells in the phytoplankton
304

Acknowledgements
306

References
306
A novel molecule ‘shati’ increases dopamine uptake via the induction of tumor necrosis factor‐α in pheochromocytoma‐12 cells
Authors: Niwa Minae , Nitta Atsumi , Cen Xiaobo , Kitaichi Kiyoyuki , Ozaki Norio , Yamada Kiyofumi , Nabeshima Toshitaka
Published: November 2008

The psychostimulant properties of methamphetamine (METH) are associated with an increase in extracellular dopamine (DA) levels in the brain, via facilitation of DA’s release from pre‐synaptic nerve terminals and inhibition of its reuptake through DA transporter. Recently, we have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) increases DA uptake and inhibits METH dependence. Moreover, we have clarified ‘shati’ identified in the nucleus accumbens of mice treated with METH is involved in METH dependence. In the present study, we investigated the effects of TNF‐α on DA uptake in PC12 cells and established a PC12 cell line transfected with a vector containing shati cDNA to examine the precise mechanism behind the role of shati in DA uptake. Moreover, we examined the relationship between shati and TNF‐α. TNF‐α increased DA uptake via the mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase pathway and inhibited the METH‐induced decrease in DA uptake in PC12 cells. Transfection of the vector containing shati cDNA into PC12 cells, induced the expression of shati and TNF‐α mRNA, accelerated DA uptake, and inhibited the METH‐induced decrease in DA uptake. These results suggest that the functional roles of shati in METH‐regulated behavioral changes are mediated through inhibition of the METH‐induced decrease in DA uptake via TNF‐α.
MSH2 deficiency abolishes the anticancer and pro‐aging activity of short telomeres
Authors: Martinez Paula , Siegl‐Cachedenier Irene , Flores Juana M. , Blasco Maria A.
Published: November 2008

Mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway occur in human colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability. Mounting evidence suggests that cell‐cycle arrest in response to a number of cellular stresses, including telomere shortening, is a potent anticancer barrier. The telomerase‐deficient mouse model illustrates the anticancer effect of cell‐cycle arrest provoked by short telomeres. Here, we describe a role for the MMR protein, MSH2, in signaling cell‐cycle arrest in a p21/p53‐dependent manner in response to short telomeres in the context of telomerase‐deficient mice. In particular, progressively shorter telomeres at successive generations of MSH2−/–Terc−/–‐ mice did not suppress cancer in these mice, indicating that MSH2 deficiency abolishes the tumor suppressor activity of short telomeres. Interestingly, MSH2 deficiency prevented degenerative pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract of MSH2−/–Terc−/– mice concomitant with a rescue of proliferative defects. The abolishment of the anticancer and pro‐aging effects of short telomeres provoked by MSH2 abrogation was independent of changes in telomere length. These results highlight a role for MSH2 in the organismal response to dysfunctional telomeres, which in turn may be important in the pathobiology of human cancers bearing mutations in the MMR pathway.
Parental Perceptions of the Assessment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders in a Tier Three Service
Authors: Hackett Latha , Shaikh Sabana , Theodosiou Louise
Published: November 2008

Background:  Little is known about the satisfaction of the parents of children receiving child and adolescent mental health services in general, and autistic spectrum services in particular.

Method:  This audit examined parent and carer perceptions of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder assessments undertaken by the multi‐agency team in a Tier Three CAMHS in Manchester. Forty families completed a brief questionnaire.

Results:  The majority of parents and carers reported satisfaction with the service (95%), although responses highlighted areas in both the assessment process and the service facilities that needed improvement.

Conclusions:  Useful information with both local and national applications can be gathered quickly in an easily replicated manner.
SOME SHORT‐TERM FORECASTING METHODS
Authors: Holme F.
Published: November 2008

The calculation of a forecast is preceded by the formulation of premises about the influence of the independent variables, some of which have not been measured. If these ‘hypothetical’ variables are thought to be important, estimates of changes in them must be made; one cannot expect accuracy if it is assumed, as in these examples, that the ‘hypothetical’ variables will remain constant or that retrospective adjustments can be made for changes in them. In such instances it is desirable to consult specialists, e.g. in poultry and pig husbandry, and for forecasts to be made jointly by economists and other specialists.

There are rapidly diminishing returns to the effort applied to forecasting and simple methods seem to give as good results as more elaborate ones.
SEASONALITY AND ELASTICITY OF THE DEMAND FOR FOOD IN GREAT BRITAIN SINCE DERATIONING
Authors: BROWN J. A. C.
Published: November 2008

Such figures as have been presented in this paper are best regarded as means, often imperfect, of summarising detailed information on the history of price and quantity movements which would otherwise be difficult if not impracticable to assimilate. The advantage of presenting such results for a large number of items is that they tend to reinforce each other and to reveal cases which have individual peculiarities, but the disadvantage is perhaps that too little information can be presented on individual items for any specialised interest. In particular, for the purpose of predicting the future trend of demand or prices of individual commodities any mechanical application of the income and price elasticities here presented would involve the risk of appreciable error. For such a purpose purely econometric studies of past periods form but a small part of the information available to the forecaster, and should perhaps be regarded as the one‐tenth of the iceberg which appears above the surface of the water.
A FURTHER STUDY IN THE DEMAND FOR FATSTOCK*
Authors: COLLEY R. JAMES
Published: November 2008

This paper has been prepared in an attempt to interpret some of the price‐supply complexities in the Pork, Beef and Bacon markets. Previous writers have tackled the subject working out price flexibilities on a three monthly, half‐yearly or annual basis. It appeared that the price‐supply relationships could, with advantage, be examined on a monthly basis‐the statistical significance of the results would not be as high as with previous work, but it was felt that the contribution would be worthwhile so long as the conclusions were supported by circumstantial evidence. The pork market has been examined in detail and evidence found suggesting that during the period 1955 to 1965 there have been two shifts in the demand curve, both appearing to result from a coincidence of a period of high pig numbers with one of low beef supply.

The beef analysis did not reveal anything of note in the way of shifts in the demand curve, but there was a very marked seasonal pattern of prices in the period 1955 to 1960 with some of the months of high prices having a temptingly low price flexibility suggesting scope for profitable expansion of supplies during these months. The main months when this occurred were after the peak period of fattening stock from yards and before grass fed stock come on the market. Supplies have increased rapidly in this period and moved away from the last three months of the year when price flexibility was large and prices relatively low.

The bacon analysis has been done at the wholesale level rather than at the farm gate. Price flexibilities are high and in practically every month of the year expansion in supply results in a decrease in total value of sales. Unless a change in demand can be brought about there would appear to be little scope in expanding total supplies of bacon. The best course for the home producer would appear to be to attempt to expand the U.K. share of the market.
BRITISH HORTICULTURE AND THE COMMON MARKET
Authors: Hinton W. L.
Published: November 2008

Tariffs and quotas against the Six are not consistent with Britain as a part of the Common Market. Such restrictions have produced the traditional policy for horticulture in Britain. Now their removal is threatened and with it the incomes of our producers.

This paper attempts to measure the seriousness of the threat to British growers. Three features are most relevant to this question. Firstly, somewhat less than two‐thirds of the producers depend wholly on income from horticultural produce. Secondly, only one‐tenth of the producers account for two‐thirds of the output. Thirdly, horticultural produce is of distinct types, decorative, dessert, salad, or staple, and the future demand and supply prospects vary accordingly.

The E.E.C. is poised to send us more glasshouse vegetables and more apples and pears. Thus the most highly capitalised sectors of horticulture are most vulnerable and those growers with modernised investment will best meet the increased competition. The future will see further adjustment within the industry, but the outcome will mainly depend on the general level of prosperity in Britain.
THE SCOTTISH AGRICULTURAL SECURITIES CORPORATION LTD.
Authors: Prusmann D. F.
Published: November 2008

The object of this article is to give a brief review of the operations of one company—The Scottish Agricultural Securities Corporation Ltd. (S.A.S.C.). This institution is the Scottish counterpart of the bigger and possibly better known Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Ltd. (A.M.C.) which was set up as a consequence of the Agricultural Credits Act 1928 for the main purpose of making long term mortgage loans to the purchasers of agricultural freeholds in England and Wales. A similar statute (the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act) was enacted in the following year to provide for the extension of the same credit facilities in the Scottish agricultural community, and as a consequence of it, S.A.S.C. came into existence.

Some attention has already been devoted to the operations of the A.M.C.† It is hoped that this brief review of its smaller sister company will be of interest.
THE ECONOMICS OF HIGH‐CONCENTRATE BEEF PRODUCTION AS AFFECTED BY BREED‐TYPE, SEX, SUPPLEMENTARY HAY AND TYPE OF CEREAL
Authors: Owen E. , Davies G. M.
Published: November 2008

This paper presents the economic implications of an experiment to compare pure Friesian, Welsh Black x Friesian and Charolais x Friesian steers and heifers given high‐concentrate diets of protein, mineral, supplemented ground barley, fed with or without a pound of hay daily, or supplemented ground maize fed with a pound of hay. The favourable economic conditions that brought about a rapid spread of high‐concentrate feeding and the subsequent development of unfavourable conditions are briefly reviewed. The physical results of the experiment are presented and are followed by the main body of the paper which consists of applying economic data to the results to obtain gross‐margin and profit per animal and annual profit per animal space. Besides the experimental treatments, the effects of cereal, carcass and calf prices and the effect of E.E.C. marketing conditions are discussed.
THE DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL RATIONS FOR PIGS FED SEPARATED MILK AND GRAIN*
Authors: Battese C. E. , Duloy J. H. , Holder J. M. , Wilson B. R.
Published: November 2008

This paper demonstrates a procedure for determining economically optimal rations which avoids problems that arise in conventional analysis of experimental results. It consists of maximising a suitably constrained profit per unit time objective function, itself formed from functions obtained from pig fattening experiments under special Australian conditions. The relevant functions‐for consumption of milk and wheat, time to slaughter and percentage lean meatare first demonstrated, followed by a brief discussion of results obtained. Specifcally, it is noted that optimal diets differ according to whether the criterion adopted is profit per pig or profit per pig per week, that dairy farmers fattening pigs should feed substantial quantities of grain, and that the optimal diets are very stable to changing prices. More generally, the procedure avoids the statistical difficulties of conventional analysis of experiments arising from the estimation of weight‐gain functions based on actual quantities of food consumed.
OPERATIONS AND COSTS OF EGG PACKING STATIONS
Authors: Wilkinson Alan E.
Published: November 2008

The egg industry accounts for some 9 per cent of the total output of British agriculture and about 60 per cent of this production is marketed through the British Egg Marketing Board registered packing stations. This inquiry examines the costs and methods employed in packing station operations (up to the point of wholesale distribution) relating them to the needs of producers and consumers. Due to the lack of published data a series of case studies was made.
MARKETING BOARDS AND PRICE FUNDS IN UGANDA, 1950–1960*
Authors: Haring Joseph E. , Christy Susan , Humphrey Joseph F.
Published: November 2008

Economic development is inextricably linked with the economic institutions of today and yesterday. A study of the policies and practices of these institutions may provide some understanding to the problems of today and tomorrow.

This paper investigates the economic eflects of the Lint (Cotton) and Coffee Marketing Boards and their Price Assistance Funds in Uganda between 1950 and 1960. These institutions stood at the very centre of economic life for the vast majority of Ugandan Afiicans and therefore may be expected to have exerted considerable influence over their perception of the economic world. Uganda, along with so many other nations, is just emerging into the world of money, prices, and marketing, just as it has but recently achieved political independence. Indeed, Uganda, though possessing certain historical idiosyncrasies of its own, could almost be an archetypal low income, primary producing country. Now seeking economic development under an African administration, its development eforts must be perceived as prefaced on the earlier institutions of Britain's tutelage.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION: THE SERVICES OF THE COMMONWEALTH BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
Authors: Jones J. O.
Published: November 2008

The need for an information service in agricultural economics and rural sociology is apparent from the quantity of publications. The Bureau has evolved in response to progressive recognition of this need and from earlier attempts to meet it. An information service must provide for awareness of contents of current publications, and for retrieval of information from accumulated stores. The Bureau's journal, World Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Abstracts (WAERSA), is designed to provide these services mainly by citation of classified literature together with abstracts and author, subject and geographical indexes. Classification and subject indexing raise conceptual problems which are being handled by empirical methods. A work flow line is designed to deal smoothy with current world publications. Review articles provide complementary information. Editors and authors can facilitate the work of the Bureau by attention to form and substance of primary publications. The present situation is hardly appropriate for use of computer‐based services except possibly for inter‐disciplinary linkages. It is hoped that the Bureau will eventually operate in conjunction with a comprehensive international library, around which research, teaching, editorial and information services will interact.
A POST‐KENNEDY ROUND LOOK AT SOME PROBLEMS IN AGRICULTURAL TRADE
Authors: Kraus H.J.
Published: November 2008

The Kennedy Round, concluded in 1967, ws the most far‐reaching in the series of trade negotiations. The United States insisted on the inclusion of agricultural products, with the support of other foodexporting countries. The results for agriculture should not be underestimated. The agreement on cereals gave practical recognition of joint responsibility in food aid. There were also many agricultural tariff concessions. However, it is domestic agricultural policies, not tariffs, which really hamper agricultural trade. The cost of these policies and the extent to which they achieve their objectives are questionable. Competition becomes fiercer for the remaining accessible markets, and export subsidies multiply. The Kennedy Round left the basis problems untouched. It did, however, strengthen the “global” or comprehensive, multilateral approach.
ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS IN MILK PRODUCTION
Authors: Williams R. E. , Jones M. T.
Published: November 2008

The paper reports on the statistical aspects of work done on the National Investigation into the Economics of Milk Production in 1965/66. It argues that conclusions draw from the tabulated results of random samples invariably need checking by more rigorous methods. The method of step‐wise regression with the introduction of zero‐one variables is the principal technique for examining feed input/output relationships and their reflection in economic terms. Five basic dependent variables are considered: yield per cow, stocking density, output per forage acre, utilised starch equivalent per forage acre and margin over feed cost per forage acre. The discussion of the results argues the overwhelming importance of stocking rate in the profitability of milk production and that on many farms concentrates are being used at uneconomic levels. The latter part of the paper considers variation in labour productivity and argues the existence of economies of scale in the use of labour regardless of the system of herd operation.
STABILITY IN FARM INCOMES
Authors: Jones R. Bennett
Published: November 2008

The primary aim of this study has been to measure the extent of income variability in United Kingdom agriculture; to determine whether variability has been diminished; to compare the incidence of variability on various types of farm; to consider to what extent individual farm have consistent or divergent experience of income variation; and to determine whether net incomes generally move in the same direction as the prices of farm products. A secondary aim has been to determine whether income variation in agriculture is greater or less than in other sectors within the United Kingdom and within the United States.

Income variation has been found to be roughly twice as large in the farm sector as in other sectors and in all sectors variation was less in the second half of the period studied.
SOME DEVELOPMENTS IN SCOTTISH FARMING SINCE THE WAR
Authors: Whitby H.
Published: November 2008

The paper takes a panoramic view of Scottish farming since the war and considers in turn developments in the three major sectors, namely of livestock rearing in the hills and uplands and of dairying and arable farming in the lowlands. During this period, hill and upland farming has operated within a consistent long‐term policy framework designed to achieve comprehensive rehabilitation of these areas. The reasons why this policy has not so far succeeded are examined. The more recent changes in policy for these areas are referred to, which at one and the same time have enlarged the agricultural role of the hills and uplands and greatly increased the need for adjustment and innovation in their farming practices. Turning to lowland farming, the paper refers particularly to developments in the case of milk and beef production and in arable farming and makes some contrasts of administrative and policy significance with corresponding English farming. The last part of the paper discusses some of the dificulties in achieving a balance between stability and efficiency in agricultural policy.
FACTORS AFFECTING SUCCESS AND FAILURE IN FARMERS‘ CO‐OPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS
Authors: Pickard David H.
Published: November 2008

This paper poses a number of questions such us: Why do we want farmers to co‐operate? Who should benefit from co‐operation—the community or the co‐operators? What kind of (co‐operative) organisation should be encouraged?

It is suggested that marketing groups provide a link between farm and marketing which will be of increasing importance as the demands for produce become more specific.

Groups are see as an expression of practical sociology and some ideas for dynamic group organisation are set out. An attempt is made to suggest to more logical approach to the use of grant aid.

Arguments are presented in favour of the answers that co‐operative organisation should grow upwards from busically small group beginnings; that co‐operators are to be the primary beneficiaries and the co‐operation is a suitable wuy of coping with the inherited structure of British agriculture.
STRUCTURAL POLICIES FOR AGRICULTURE IN THE E.E.C.
Authors: Rickard R. C.
Published: November 2008

The outcome of the Common Agricultural Policy, with its “managed” market for farm products, has been high prices and surplus production, the disposal of which incurs a heavy expenditure on market support. At the same time, structural changes have been relatively insignifcant in the absence of a coherent E.E.C. programme, and, farms remain predominantly small and uneconomic.

Financial and social pressures have compelled the Comission of the E.E.C. to admit that the Common Agricultural Policy needs to be radically re‐appraised. In December 1968, far‐reaching proposals, the so‐called “Mansholt Plan”, were put forward by the Comission.

This paper outlines and compares the structural policies of E.E.C. member States, and considers their impact upon the structure of farming. An assessment is also made of the measures included in the Mansholt Plan and in subsequent Community proposals designed to raise farmers' living standards and to reduce the cost of the Common Agricultural Policy.
THE DEMAND FOR INPUTS AND THE AGGREGATE SUPPLY FUNCTION FOR AGRICULTURE*
Authors: Rayner A. J.
Published: November 2008

This paper presents a theoretical derivation of aggregate supply elasticities from the relevant input demand elasticities. By way of illustration, an estimate of the aggregate supply elasticity with respect to product price for United Kingdom agriculture is calculated. In addition, the paper investigates the supply function that is implied by input demand functions which contain a geometrically declining lag distribution. The paper concludes by suggesting that the indirect estimation of aggregate supply elasticities may well be preferable to direct estimation of the elasticities.
A FORECAST OF MILK SUPPLY IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Authors: Colman David , Leech Dennis
Published: November 2008

This paper reports the problems encountered in applying Markov Chain analysis to the Permanent sample of milk producers in England and Wales, and presents predictions obtained for producer numbers and milk output, by regions, for the years 1970/71 and 1975/76. As a consequence of the “pool of entrants” problem, dificulties arise both in estimating the required transition probabilities and in forecasting producer numbers. Solutions to these, and to other problems concerned with obtaining prediction of milk output, from those of producer numbers, are proposed. It is forecast that producer numbers will decline by 18 per cent and 33 per cent by 1970/71 and 1975/76 respectively, with the largest proportional decline occurring among smaller producers. Two forecasts are made of milk supply and these are compared with estimates made by the Milk Morltetiiic Board.
A SIMULATION APPROACH TO THE ANALYSIS OF STABILISATION POLICIES IN AGRICULTURAL MARKETS: A CASE STUDY*
Authors: Agarwala R.
Published: November 2008

Agricultural markets are very often susceptible to year‐to‐year fluctuations in price and output and it is generally agreed that it would be desirable to control these fluctuations by intelligent market support operations. In this paper we develop a simulation model to assess the efficacy of market support operations in the case of egg market in the U.K. during the period 1958‐68. We argue that for this problem a simulation approach is more effective than either a geometric or an algebraic approach. On the basis of our analysis, we find that in the absence of the market support operations of the British Egg Marketing Board during the period 1958‐68, the long‐run average return to the egg producer would have been only marginally different from the actual but the instability of the market would have been substantially greater. We also found that because of the nature of the subsidy arrangements, there were severe limits to the Egg Board's capacity to increase producer price even in the short run in spite of the inelastic demand curve. More generally, we conclude that marketing Boards in situations similar to the Egg Board's should aim at keeping close to the long‐run producer price rather than short‐run profit maximisation.
ON THE ANALYSIS OF A SIMPLEX LINEAR PROGRAMMING SOLUTION TABLEAU‐WITH REFERENCE TO NET REVENUE STABILITY LIMITS
Authors: Nuthall P. L.
Published: November 2008

An assumption in a conventional net revenue stability analysis of a linear programming solution tableau is that net revenues are independent. For many activities this assumption is violated in that changes in a particular activity's net revenue may nell be associated with changes in other activities' net revenues. The significance of the independence assumption is examined for an example problem, and a method of calculating the range over which a particular activity's net revenue can vary without giving rise to a sub‐optimal solution where activity net revenues are correlated is developed.
POTENTIAL GAINS FROM THE ENCLOSURE OF COMMON LAND: A COMMENT
Authors: Baack Ben
Published: November 2008

A recemt attempt has been made in this journal by Colin Baxter and Anthony Battomley to demonstrate that in modern underdeveloped countries there are potential gains from the enclosure of common land. It was their hypothesis that the source of the gains in a static situation is a particular reallocation of the factors of production. The first purpose of this paper is to suggest that this hypothesis is incorrect. The second purpose is to re‐examine the source of the gains from enclosure and to offer an alternative model which considers both the static and dynamic aspects of the economic disadvantage of communal land ownership and the economic effects of replacing it by private properly rights.
POTENTIAL GAINS FROM THE ENCLOSURE OF COMMON LAND: A REPLY
Authors: Bottomley Anthony
Published: November 2008

This reply outlines the experience underlying the assumptions in the previous note by Baxter and Bottomley, referring particularly to conditions in Tripolitania. There is no dispute that increases in gross rural product can be expected from the enclosure of common land. It is argued in this reply that this will be accomplished by a migration of labour and capital to the hitherto commonly held land, while Baack's model leads him to suppose the opposite. Baack's theory is used to show that the authors of the original note would still be right if dynamics were introduced into the analysis. It is agreed that Baack's analysis can be used to make the assumptions upon which the origibal note was based more precise as well as to add an additional source of gain not previously considered.
MARKETING BOARDS AND PRICE FUNDS IN UGANDA, 1950–1960: A COMMENT
Authors: Livingstone Ian
Published: November 2008

In a recent of this Journal, three authors have undertaken a critical survey of the operations of the Uganda Marketing Boards and associated Price Funds in the decade after 1950.*
SYMPOSIUM ON PROJECT APPRAISAL IN LESSER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: NUFFIELD COLLEGE RESEARCH ON PROJECT ANALYSIS IN AGRICULTURE
Authors: Little I.M.D.
Published: November 2008

This paper discusses the O.E.C.D. Manual of Industrial Project Analysis for Developing Countries by Professor Mirrlees and myself, and the extension to agriculture of its guidelines for project evaluation, a subject now being explored at Nuffield College. Since the principles of cost‐benefit analysis are very general, the question arises as to why it was restricted, in the O.E.C.D. Title at least, to developing countries and to industrial projects.
SIMULATION MODELS FOR THE SPECIFICATION OF FARM INVESTMENT PLANS
Authors: Dalton G. E.
Published: November 2008

The implicit assumption of the methods currently advocated for the appraisal of investment plans on farms is that the main task is to choose the “best” course of action given a number of alternatives. The specification of these alternatives is a difficult task since there are many ways of performing farm operations because of the heterogeneity of fixed capital. It is proposed in this paper that investment opportunities may become more apparent by building simulation models of existing farming systems. Such models, it is claimed, should assist in identifying points where improvements can be made. The process of harvesting grain on U.K. farms is used to illustrate the suggestion. Some problems of using the simulation technique are also discussed.
THE ECONOMICS OF MOVING COVENT GARDEN MARKET*
Authors: Fevre A. J. Le , Pickering J. F.
Published: November 2008

The decision to move Covent Garden wholesale fruit and vegetable market is evaluated. Trends in the consumption and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables are assessed and it is argued that the volume of the produce handled by wholesale produce markets is likely to continue to decline. The nature of the costs and benefits of the move are identifed and quantified and their distribution between diferent interest groups discussed. While certain deficiencies in cost benefit techniques are to be borne in mind the conclusion is reached that the net present value of the benefits of the move shows a negative return on investment of 30 per cent or more and therefore the investment in the new market is not justified. It is also argued that in the absence of an adequate compensation mechanism the economic welfare criteria for the move are not satisfied.
A PRINCIPLE COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF INPUTS IN A PRODUCTION FUNCTION
Authors: Nieuwoudt W. L.
Published: November 2008

A production function fitted on data for 232 production regions of the South African Agriculture, yielded negative signs for the land and machinery inputs. The inputs were then transformed into standardised orthogonal variates. A production function was derived from the orthogonal variates by dropping components that contributed little to the resource variation. The t‐values in the latter function showed a substantial improvement on that of the first function, and the machinery input turned positive. A component analysis on all the input factors, including farm income, indicates that farmers pay a premium for extensive farming land which is not reflected in their income. This may be attributed to more leisure time enjoyed by livestock farmers, or more satisfaction derived from this type of farming.
TOWARDS A DYNAMIC PRODUCTION FUNCTION
Authors: Fawcett R. H.
Published: November 2008

This paper questions the nature of pig response relationships and suggests how they might vary with time. The true response relationship may be linear and the diminishing response may be a function of the variation between individuals in small populations. Substitution between factors may be imaginary in multi‐factor response relationships. Given linear response, the author shows how nutrient density can be manipulated to make voluntary feed intake correspond with optimal response. The optimal growth curve is described and optimal slaughter weights determined according to the appropriate criterion.

VERS UNE FONCTION DE PRODUCTION DYNAMIQUE

Cette étude met en question la nature de la relation des réactions des porcs et développe des idées sur la manière dont elle pourrait varier avec le temps. La vraie relation des réactions pourrait être linéaire et la réaction déclinante pourrait être fonction de la variation entre individus dans les petites populations. La substitution entre facteurs peut être imaginaire dans la relation des réactions à facteurs multiples. Etant donnée une réaction linéaire, l'auteur explique comment la densité nutritive peut être manoeuvrée de manière à faire correspondre la dimension de la nourriture prise volontairement avec la réaction optimale. L'étude décrit la courbe de croissance optimale et détermine les poids optimaux à l'abattage selon les critères appropriés.

IN RICHTUNG AUF EINE DYNAMISCHE PRODUKTIONSFUNKTION

Dieser Artikel beschäftigt sich mit der Natur der Schweine‐reaktionsverhältnisse und zeigt auf, wie diese sich mit der Zeit verändern können. Das echte Reaktionsverhältnis kann linear sein, und die abnehmende Reaktion kann eine Funktion der Verschieden‐artigkeit der Individuen in kleinen Bevölkerungen sein. Eine Substitution zwischen den Faktoren ist in Multifaktorenreaktions‐verhältnissen vorstellbar. Unter der Annahme einer linear en Reaktion äzeigt der Autor, wie die Ernährungsdichte manipuliert werden kann, um die freiwillige Nahrungseinnahme mit der optimalen Reaktion in Einklang zu bringen. Die optimale Wachstumskurve wird beschrieben, und optimale Schlachtgewichte werden gemäss dem angemessenen Kriterium festgelegt.
TRIPARTITE DISCUSSIONS IN AGRICULTURE — THE AGRICULTURAL E.D.C. AS A WORKING EXAMPLE*
Authors: Sparrow T. D.
Published: November 2008

The Agricultural E.D.C. is one of a number of industrial Economic Development Committees, all operating on the tripartite principle of government, management, and trade union participation. All the E.D.C.s report to the National Economic Development Council. During the life of the Agricultural E.D.C. the role of the Council has changed, as have the factors affecting agricultural policy. The development of the Agricultural E.D.C. is therefore discussed against this background of change.

CONCERTATION TRIPARTITE DANS L'AGRICULTURE — LE COMITÉ DE DÉVELOPPEMENT ÉCONOMIQUE AGRICOLE OFFRE UN EXEMPLE POSITIF

Le Comité de développement économique pour l'Agriculture fait partie des différents Comités de développement économique professionnels qui fonctionnent selon le principe tripartite de la participation concertée des pouvoirs publics, de la direction d'entreprise et des syndicats. Tous les Comités de développement économique rendent compte de leur activité au Conseil national du développement économique. Depuis la création du Comité de développement économique pour l'Agriculture, le rôle du Conseil a changé, de même que les facteurs affectant la politique agricole. C'est dans ce contexte de changements que l'article examine l'évolution du Comité de développement économique pour l'Agriculture.

DREITEILUNGSDISKUSSIONEN IN DER LANDWIRTSCHAFT — DAS LANDWIRTSCHAFTLICHE E.D.C. ALS EIN PRAKTISCHES BEISPIEL

Das landwirtschaftliche E.D.C. ist eines von vielen der industriellen wirtschaftlichen Entwicklungskomittes, die alle nach dem Dreiteilungsprinzip von Verwaltung, Management und Gewerkschaftsbeteiligung arbeiten. Alle E.D.C.s berichten dem nationalem Wirtschaftsentwicklungsrat. Während der Lebenszeit des landwirtschaftlichen E.D.C. hat sich die Rolle des Rates genau wie die Faktoren, die die Agrarpolitik beeinflussen, verändert. Die Entwicklung des landwirtschaftlichen E.D.C. wird daher vor diesem Hintergrund der Veränderung diskutiert.