Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Some Economic Issues In Indian Textile Sector, Badri Narayanan G.

Badri Narayanan G.

No abstract provided.

The Potential Role Of Probiotics In Reducing Poverty-Associated Infections In Developing Countries, Kingsley C. Anukam

Kingsley C Anukam

Probiotics are defined by the Food and Agricultural Organization/ World Health Organization as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” [1]. The potential benefits of their use have not been adequately investigated, especially in the developing world. Japan introduced Yakult, a probiotic fermented food drink in 1935, and in the Northern hemisphere, research and use of probiotics has gained an unprecedented momentum in the last decade [2]. Use of probiotics is not uncommon in Europe [3], but in many developing countries use of probiotics in its present definition is a foreign concept. …

Is More Information Always Better? An Experimental Study Of Charitable Giving And Hurricane Katrina, Catherine Eckel, Philip J. Grossman, Angela C. M. De Oliveira

Angela C. M. de Oliveira

We report results of an experiment designed to assess the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the pattern and level of charitable contributions of donors. The study includes an experimental measure of charitable giving and targets three charities: the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Oxfam International. In the experiment subjects make allocation decisions from three endowments ($10, $20, and $50) and with four different matching subsidies (0%, 25%, 50%, and 100%), with the matching amount provided by the experimenter. Two locations (Texas and Minnesota) and two information conditions are used. Survey measures of sympathy, risk perceptions, and perceptions of …

Introduction To Research Methodologies, Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

In this book, I introduce basics of research methodologies in Arabic language which I believe is an unprecedented step. The conceptions, research frameworks, sampling and some detailed methods are given in this text book. Moreover, some analytical statistical methods are introduced to give insights to researchers. Methods of writing the scientific reports and papers in addition to documentation of references and classifying the required logical process of a thesis are detailed in this text. I introduce this book that was published by the Africa International University in Khartoum, Sudan for the purpose of helping sub and post graduate university students …

Athol Slaughterhouse Rises From The Ashes, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

Plans for rebuilding the Athol slaughterhouse destroyed by fire in 2006.

Effects Of Particle Size Distribution And Composition On Rheological Properties Of Dark Chocolate, Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Alistair Paterson, Mark Fowler

Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa

Control of chocolate viscosity is vital to its quality and production cost, and directly influenced by solids particle size distribution (PSD) and composition. Effects of PSD and composition on rheological properties of molten dark chocolate were investigated by varying PSD [D90 (90% finer than this size) of 18, 25, 35 and 50 lm], fat 25, 30 and 35% and lecithin (0.3 and 0.5%) using a shear rate-controlled rheometer. PSD, fat and lecithin content significantly affected all rheological parameters, with significant interaction among factors. Increasing particles size gave significant reductions in Casson plastic viscosity, Casson yield value, yield stress, apparent viscosity …

Response Surface Methodology For Studying The Effect Of Processing Conditions On Some Nutritional And Textural Properties Of Bambara Groundnuts (Voandzei Subterranea) During Canning, Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Agnes Simpson Budu, Alan Bullock Merson

Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa

The response surface methodology and central composite rotatable design for K=3 was used to study the combined effect of blanching, soaking and sodium hexametaphosphate salt concentration on moisture, ash, leached solids, phytates, tannins and hardness of bambara groundnut during canning. Regression models were developed to predict the effects of the processing parameters on the studied indices. Significant interactions were observed between all the factors with high regression coefficients (64.4-82.6%). Blanching and soaking of the seeds prior to canning led to increases in moisture content and leached solids, while significant decreases were observed for phytates, tannins and hardness of the canned …

Subsidies For Energy Efficiency Improvements: Theory And Practice, Theodoros Zachariadis

Theodoros Zachariadis

No abstract provided.

Factors Influencing Rheological And Textural Qualities In Chocolate - A Review, Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Alistair Paterson, Mark Fowler

Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa

Chocolate, a complex emulsion, is a luxury food that during consumption evokes a range of stimuli that activate pleasure centres of the human brain. Central to chocolate quality is an appropriate melting behaviour so that products are solid at ambient temperature and on ingestion melt to undergo dissolution in oral saliva, with a final assessment of texture after phase inversion. Particle size distribution and ingredient composition play important roles in shaping its rheological behaviour and sensory perception but are poorly understood. With opportunities for improvements in quality possible through improved and more transparent supply chain management, plant breeding strategies and …

Effects Of Cowpea Fortification And The Level Of Ripeness Of Plantain On The Nutritive Value Of Plantain Based Snack Foods , Ann Etsey, Esther Sakyi-Dawson, Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, Emmanuel Afoakwa, Kwaku Tano-Debrah, George Annor

George Amponsah Annor Mr.

To investigate effects of cowpea addition and level of ripeness of plantain on the nutritional and sensory characteristics of Kaklo and Ofam in Ghana, A 2X4 factorial experiment with firm and soft ripe plantain and cowpea fortification of 0, 10, 20 and 30% was designed. The proximate composition and acceptability of products using a 7-point hedonic scale were evaluated. With the addition of 30% cowpea, the protein content of the Kaklo from the firm ripe and soft ripe plantain increased from 2.92% to 7.32% and 3.65% to 8.05% respectively, whilst the protein of the Ofam from the firm and soft …

Influence Of Spontaneous Fermentation On Some Quality Characteristics Of Maize-Based Cowpea-Fortified Nixtamalized Foods, Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, Agnes Simpson Budu, Esther Sakyi-Dawson, Justice Asomaning

Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa

Spontaneous fermentation has been identified to improve the quality characteristics of foods derived from them. When combined with cowpea fortification and nixtamalization, it is expected to improve the nutritional, functional, physico-chemical and sensory qualities of maize based foods thereby improving the qualities as well as broadening the food processing techniques in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the influence of spontaneous fermentation on the functional, physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of maize-based cowpeafortified nixtamalized foods. A 3x3x2 factorial experiment with fermentation time (0, 24, 48 h), cowpea (0, 10 and 20%) and alkaline treatment (nixtamalized and nonnixtamalized maize) …

The Divine Command Theory, Corey A. Ciocchetti

Corey A Ciocchetti

No abstract provided.

The Eu–Acp Economic Partnership Agreements And The ‘Development Question’: Constraints And Opportunities Posed By Article Xxiv And Special And Differential Treatment Provisions Of The Wto, Cosmas Milton Obote Obote Ochieng Ochieng

Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng Ochieng

This article argues that Article XXIV and special and differential treatment (SDT) provisions of the WTO present a number of constraints and opportunities to the design and scope of the proposed economic partnership agreements between the European Union (EU) and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. It examines the negotiating positions of both sides to argue that were the EU's position to prevail, ACP and other developing countries would likely suffer an ‘erosion of the development principles’ embedded within the WTO. It is shown that the differences between the two groups over the desirability and/or applicability of negotiating free trade …

Revitalising African Agriculture Through Innovative Business Models And Organisational Arrangements: Promising Developments In The Traditional Crops Sector, Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng Ochieng

Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng Ochieng

Within the last four years, a number of high profile reports outlining new strategies for pulling African agriculture out of its current impasse have emerged. These include the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme of NEPAD, and the InterAcademy Council Report commissioned by UN Secretary General Koffi Annan. Whilst these strategies are a welcome improvement on those that have characterised African agriculture in the past, it is argued here that like their predecessors, they fail to focus on business-competitive approaches as an integral part of the reform package needed to stimulate African agricultural productivity and development. This paper draws on innovation, …

Development Through Positive Deviance And Its Implications For Economic Policy Making And Public Administration In Africa: The Case Of Kenyan Agricultural Development, 1930–2005, Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng Ochieng

Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng Ochieng

Positive internal innovation has long been a central element of African agricultural development, even if modern efforts to stimulate technical, institutional, and policy innovations in African agriculture have tended to look outwards. This paper examines the role of positive deviance in Kenyan agriculture over the last 75 years to cast doubt on the alleged authoritative sources of policy advice and mandates from the outside. Positive deviance and appreciative inquiry are suggested as organizing frameworks for identifying and amplifying the generation and uptake of internal African innovations.

Vermicomposting And Fertility Management, Sanhita Athalye

Sanhita Athalye

No abstract provided.

Nonparametric Estimation Of A Hedonic Price Function, Christopher Parmeter, Daniel Hnederson

Christopher F. Parmeter

Rosen’s (1974) theory of hedonic prices is implemented econometrically using recently developed nonparametric techniques to examine the influence of qualitative factors on the price of a house. Our ability to smooth categorical variables leads to greater generalization in the valuation process and provides a canvas for interactions between categorical and continuous variables that is difficult to exploit in parametric and semiparametric models. This is illustrated with a replication of a previously used partially linear model specification.

Market And Welfare Effects Of The U.S. Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act, Kenneth Njoroge, Amalia Yiannaka, Azzeddine Azzam, Konstantinos Giannakas

Azzeddine Azzam

This paper analyzes the market and welfare effects of the United States Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act enacted in 2001. The act mandates meat packers to report their transactions daily to a government agency and requires the agency to make a summary of those transactions available to the public through the Mandatory Livestock Meat Market News Reports. Considering the case of an imperfect packer cartel that uses trigger price strategies, this paper examines the impact of market information provided by the reports on equilibrium livestock slaughter and the welfare of the groups involved and identifies the determinants of the socially optimal …

Vertical Economies And The Structure Of U.S. Hog Farms, Azzeddine Azzam, Cari Skinner

Azzeddine Azzam

Scale economies are often touted as the factor behind the trend in the structure of the U.S. hog industry toward fewer and larger hog farms. However, since hog production is multistage and farms either integrate or separate the stages, the appropriate measures are multistage economies. In theory, a smaller and, presumably, high-cost operation, by the standards of single stage/output scale economies, may still be cost-competitive if it enjoys multistage economies--that is if vertical scope economies more than offset stage-specific scale diseconomies. Whether that holds in practice remains heretofore unexplored in the agricultural economics literature. Using a unique data set on …

A Long And Winding Road: The Regulation Of Private Native Forestry In New South Wales, Australia, Jerome K. Vanclay, J Doland Nichols

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

This special issue of Small-Scale Forestry is concerned with private native forestry (PNF) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Private native forests comprise indigenous species in a semi-natural formation on privately owned land. Such forests are usually uneven-aged, and regenerated naturally rather than by sowing or planting. These forests are of major conservation and commercial importance in NSW, covering 8 M ha and comprising one-third of all native forest in the state (Thompson 2007). The management and harvesting of these forests is known as PNF, and has been the focus of public attention for several years, as the desirability and …

Potential Contributions Of Statistics And Modelling To Sustainable Forest Managment: Review And Synthesis, Keith Rennolls, Margarida Tomé, Ronald E. Mcroberts, Jerome K. Vanclay, Valerie Lemay, Biing T. Guan, George Z. Gertner

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

This chapter provides a review of the statistical and modelling disciplines, their techniques and potential contribution to sustainable forest management (SFM). The main topics covered are:

Mensuration and models for sustainable forest management (SFM) Inventory and monitoring for forest sustainability: criteria and indicators Models of tropical forests for the conservation of biodiversity Integrating information and models across spatial and temporal scales for SFM Climate and carbon models in relation to sustainability New techniques for the statistical analysis of sustainability data Uncertainly analysis in modeling and monitoring for SFM Forest data, information and model archives

There are major contributions to be …

The Drivers Of Regional Entrepreneurship In Rural And Metro Areas, Jason Henderson, Sarah A. Low, Stephan Weiler

Sarah A. Low

No abstract provided.

Vessel Decommissioning In Danish Fisheries, Erik Lindebo, Niels Vestergaard

Niels Vestergaard

The fishing capacity issue has lately received considerable global attention. The application of an embracing structural policy in the European Union (EU) during the 1980s and 90s has indicated the desire of fisheries managers and administrators to rebalance the level of capacity of fishing fleets with resource availability. A previous study is drawn upon to shed light on the impact of vessel decommissioning on the Danish fleet during 1987-93. The Danish administration has since continued to structurally adjust the national fishing fleet under the guidance of the EU structural policy framework. The official capacity figures corresponding to EU multiannual guidance …

Environmental Effects Of Intensification Of Agriculture: Livestock Production And Regulation, Ujjayant N. Chakravorty, Donna K. Fisher, Chieko Umetsu

Ujjayant Chakravorty

This article deals with the relationship between industrialization of agriculture and the environment in developing countries. We specifically focus on livestock production and regulation. We develop a simple economic framework to demonstrate the effect of location on intensification of industrial activity in farming, and discuss this issue in the context of urbanization and economic growth in developing countries. Policy implications of the model are discussed in light of the experience of developed countries in regulating livestock pollution and other externalities. We argue that environmental problems from agricultural industrialization in developing countries may pose major challenges. In the case of livestock …

Revenue-Based Capacity Utilisation Measures And Decomposition: The Case Of Danish North Sea Trawlers, Erik Lindebo, Ayoe Hoff, Niels Vestergaard

Niels Vestergaard

In fisheries, capacity analysis has largely been limited to measuring physical capacity, defined as the maximum amount of output that can be produced per unit of time, given existing plant and equipment and unrestricted availability of variable inputs. An economic measure of capacity can be defined as the maximum revenue attainable for the given fixed inputs, using relevant outputs and output prices. This paper examines these two approaches to capacity by applying data envelopment analysis to physical and economic input/output data for Danish North Sea trawlers. The economic and physical measures are compared and contrasted using correlation analysis. An innovative …

Asymmetric Information And Uncertainty: The Usefulness Of Logbooks As A Regulation Measure, Niels Vestergaard, Frank Jensen

Niels Vestergaard

In many fisheries managed by quota systems fishermen are required to keep a logbook containing information about catches. No well functioning enforcement system is set up in connection with the logbooks, since the purpose is to assist biologists in making stock assessments. In this paper we consider a case where three market failures (a stock externality problem, a stock uncertainty problem and problems with measuring individual catches) arise simultaneously. It is shown that a stock tax and a tax on voluntary self- reported catches may solve these three problems. By taxing voluntary self-reported catches wemake use of logbook information. It …