Energetics and ecosystem integrity: The defining principles of sustainable agriculture

1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy E. Crews ◽  
Charles L. Mohler ◽  
Alison G. Power
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Broad Array ◽  
Ecological Criteria ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Concise Definition

AbstractIn this paper, we criticize recent definitions of sustainable agriculture as being overly based on short-term economic criteria, rather than long-term ecological criteria. A concise definition of sustainable agriculture is put forth, premised on the assumption that the ecological parameters of energetics and ecosystem integrity ultimately determine the long-term viability of farming systems. We share with others the view that, in designing sustainable farming systems, a broad array of social and economic factors should be taken into consideration. We believe, however, that these factors are not intrinsic to a sustainable agriculture, but rather separate, desirable goals.

scholarly journals When is a Learning Object not an Object: A first step towards a theory of learning objects

2002 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Sosteric ◽  
Susan Hesemeier
Keyword(s):  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Learning Objects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Object A ◽  
Smart Learning ◽  
Smart Learning Environments ◽  
Adequate Definition ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Conceptual Confusion

<p> For some, “learning objects" are the “next big thing” in distance education promising smart learning environments, fantastic economies of scale, and the power to tap into expanding educational markets. While learning objects may be revolutionary in the long term, in the short term, definitional problems and conceptual confusion undermine our ability to understand and critically evaluate the emerging field. This article is an attempt to provide an adequate definition of learning objects by (a) jettisoning useless theoretical links hitherto invoked to theorize learning objects, and (b) reducing the definition of learning objects to the bare essentials. The article closes with suggestions for further research and further refinement of the definition of learning objects. </P>

scholarly journals Systema Temporis: A Time-Based Dimensional Framework for Consciousness and Cognition

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lachlan Kent ◽  
George Van Doorn ◽  
Britt Klein
Keyword(s):  
Time Perception ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Approach ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Hierarchical Framework ◽  
Time Consciousness ◽  
Emotion And Memory ◽  
Definition Of

This study uses a combined categorical-dimensional approach to depict a hierarchical framework for consciousness similar to, and contiguous with, factorial models of cognition (cf., intelligence). On the basis of the longstanding definition of time consciousness, the analysis employs a dimension of temporal extension, in the same manner that psychology has temporally organised memory (i.e., short-term, long-term, and long-lasting memories). By defining temporal extension in terms of the structure of time perception at short timescales (&lt; 100 s), memory and time consciousness are proposed to fit along the same logarithmic dimension. This suggests that different forms of time consciousness (e.g., experience, wakefulness, and self-consciousness) are embedded within, or supported by, the ascending timescales of different modes of memory (i.e., short-term, long-term, etc.). A secondary dimension is also proposed to integrate higher-order forms of consciousness/emotion and memory/cognition. The resulting two-dimensional structure accords with existing theories of cognitive and emotional intelligence.

scholarly journals The Profitability of Sustainable Agriculture on a Representative Grain Farm in the Mid-Atlantic Region, 1981–89

1990 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Hanson ◽  
Dale M. Johnson ◽  
Steven E. Peters ◽  
Rhonda R. Janke
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Atlantic Region ◽  
Net Worth ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Safety First

A long-term whole-farm analysis compared conventional and low-input farming systems. Data from a nine-year agronomic study at the Rodale Research Farm, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, were used to analyze profitability, liquidity, solvency, and risk on a representative commercial grain farm. Conventional and low-input farms participating in government programs are the most profitable scenarios, followed by conventional and low-input farms not participating in government programs. All farms increased their net worth. The low-input approach is advantageous for risk-averse farmers using a safety-first criterion.

Drinking problems among recidivist prisoners

1971 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 388-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Griffith Edwards ◽  
Celia Hensman ◽  
Julian Peto
Keyword(s):  
Operant Conditioning ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Social Instability ◽  
Drinking Problems ◽  
Homeless Men ◽  
Conditioning Model ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Definition Of

SYNOPSISThe general relationship between alcohol and crime is reviewed, and five central methodological problems are identified relevant to prison population ‘alcoholism prevalence surveys’ as a prelude to a report of an investigation of 500 recidivist prisoners. The prevalence rate is shown to be highly dependent on the particular definition of ‘alcoholism’ which is employed. Long-term and short-term prisoner subgroups are compared, and similarities with a population of non-prisoner homeless men discussed. A ‘dependence score’ derived from an operant conditioning model of alcoholism correlates significantly with various measures of social instability.

scholarly journals EARTHQUAKE FORECAST BY TIME-DEPENDENT HAZARD MODELS

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 1309
Author(s):  
R. Console
Keyword(s):  
Epidemic Model ◽  
Stress Change ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Hazard Models ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Probability Of Occurrence ◽  
Seismogenic Structures ◽  
Definition Of

This presentation outlines methodological aspects of earthquake forecasting. The recurring debates concerning predictability of earthquakes clearly show how this problem is centred on the difficulty of systematically testing the numerous methodologies that in the years have been proposed and sustained by the supporters of prediction. This difficulty starts, sometimes, from the lack of a quantitative and rigorous definition of the concerned precursor, and other times from the lack of continuous observations, upon which statistical analyses could be based. After an introduction concerning the definition of earthquake precursors, the way how to validate forecast hypotheses and the cost associated to their operational application, I give two examples of time-dependent hazard models, for long-term and short-term earthquake forecasts respectively. Considering the long-term forecast modelling, the effect of stress change due to previous historical earthquakes on the probability of occurrence of future earthquakes on neighbouring faults is taken into account. Following a standard methodology developed a couple of decades ago, the probability of occurrence in the next 50 years for a characteristic earthquake on known seismogenic structures can be estimated by a time-dependent renewal model. Then, a physical model for the Coulomb stress change caused by previous earthquakes on these structures is applied. The influence of this stress change on the occurrence rate of characteristic earthquakes is computed taking into account the permanent perturbation (clock advance). The method so developed is applied to the computation of earthquake hazard of the main seismogenic structures recognized in the Southern Apennines region, for which both historical and paleoseismological data are available. A popular short-term time dependent hazard forecast model is the epidemic model. In this model earthquakes are regarded as the realization of a stochastic point process, and their magnitude distribution is described by the Gutenberg-Richter law with a constant b-value. The occurrence rate density is computed by the sum of two terms, one representing the independent, or spontaneous activity, and the other representing the activity induced by previous earthquakes. While the first term depends only on space, the second one is factored into three terms that respectively include the magnitude, time and location of the past earthquakes. An example of application of the epidemic model to the 2009 L’Aquila seismic series is shown.

scholarly journals Conceptions regarding sustainable agriculture – the national sustainable development strategy

2006 ◽  
pp. 42-51
Author(s):  
Andrea Gáthy
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Eu

The task of the national sustainable development strategy is to provide a long term conception for the economy and society, so that this might function and develop in harmony with the environment. Creating the conditions for sustainable agricultural production requires the elaboration and implementation of long-term programs spanning generations. The objective is to find a compromise between the conceptions appearing in the long-term and the short-term programs.In Hungary, several principles, conceptions and proposals have been suggested regarding sustainable agriculture. In the present study, I intend to systematize the above mentioned principles and conceptions, and compare them to the conceptions regarding agriculture in the national strategies of the EU member states. Furthermore, I examine to what extent the agricultural policy of the European Union supports the conceptions regarding agriculture in the strategies. This topic deserves special attention, as the Hungarian national sustainable development strategy is being prepared and is supposed to be finished by the end of 2005.

scholarly journals Zaniedbane emocjonalnie dzieci – symptomy, diagnoza, formy wsparcia w środowisku przedszkolnym

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-44
Author(s):  
Angelika Kleszczewska-Albińska
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Kindergarten Teachers ◽  
Emotional Neglect ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Behavioral Techniques ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
Neglected Children ◽  
Definition Of

Children Emotional Neglect – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Forms of Support in Kindergarten Environment This article aims to present analysis of possible actions of kindergarten teachers and other specialists working with emotionally neglected children. The first part of the text includes definition of emotional neglect and information about the symptoms observed in emotionally neglected child. The short term and long term consequences of emotional neglect in group of children aged 3–6 were shortly described. The characteristics enabling recognition of emotional neglect and diagnostic procedures facilitating identification of a problem by teachers and kindergarten specialists were given. Basic cues concerning the work with emotionally neglected child that can be accomplished in kindergarten, including description of basic behavioral techniques, were presented. The cues for working with neglecting parent were also given. The article serves as a preliminary set of indicators for working with emotionally neglected children.

scholarly journals The Profitability of Sustainable Agriculture on a Representative Grain Farm in the Mid-Atlantic Region, 1981–89: Comment

1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-137
Author(s):  
Wayne S. Roberts ◽  
Scott M. Swinton
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Computational Error ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Atlantic Region ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Low Input

A long term whole farm analysis comparing conventional and low-input farming systems is reviewed. A computational error led to the mistaken conclusion that conventional farming with government programs is less preferred by risk-averse farmers than the low input alternative. The greater income variance of conventional agriculture need not make it less preferred provided a higher mean income sufficiently offsets the higher variance.

Aneurysms in Vascular Access: State of the Art and Future Developments

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 464-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Inston ◽  
Hiren Mistry ◽  
James Gilbert ◽  
David Kingsmore ◽  
Zahid Raza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Access ◽  
Audience Participation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Av Fistula ◽  
Active Audience ◽  
Cross Sectional Imaging ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of

A master class was held at the Vascular Access at Charing Cross (VA@CX2017) conference in April 2017 with invited experts and active audience participation to discuss arteriovenous (AV) vascular access aneurysms, a serious and common complication of vascular access (VA). The natural history of aneurysms in VA is poorly defined, and although classifications exist they are not uniformly applied in studies or clinical practice. True and pseudo aneurysms of AV access occur. Whilst an AV fistula by definition is an abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel, an agreed definition of 18 mm, or 3 times accepted maturation diameter, is proposed. The mechanism of aneurysmal dilatation is unknown but appears to be a combination of excessive external remodeling, wall changes due to injury, and obstruction of outflow. Diagnosis of AV aneurysms is based on physical examination and ultrasound. Venography and cross-sectional imaging may assist and be required for the investigation of outflow stenosis. Treatment of pseudo aneurysms and true aneurysms of VA (AVA) is not evidence-based, but relies on clinical experience and available facilities. In many AVA, a conservative approach with surveillance is suitable, although intervals and modalities are unclear. Avoidance of rupture is imperative and preemptive treatment should aim for access preservation, ideally with avoidance of prosthetic materials. Different techniques of aneurysmorrhaphy are described with good results in published series. Although endovascular approaches and stenting are described with good short-term results, issues with cannulation of stented areas occur and, while possible, this is not recommended, and long-term access revision is recommended.

Profitability of coupled potato and dairy farms in Maine

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron K. Hoshide ◽  
Timothy J. Dalton ◽  
Smith N. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Returns To Scale ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Coupled Systems ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Integrated Or

AbstractAfter decades of farm specialization, re-integrating crop and livestock farming systems is being reconsidered as a key step toward sustainable agriculture. The relative profitability of Maine farms integrating crops and livestock is compared to non-integrated or conventional farms. Crop and livestock integration in Maine occurs through either diversified on-farm integration or, more commonly, through coupled interactions between specialized crop and livestock producers. Potato and dairy systems coupled for only 2 years (short-term) had greater profitability compared to conventional systems. Profitability increased in the short term in two ways. First, potato farms grew more of their primary cash crop. Secondly, dairy farms expanded cow numbers, increasing profitability assuming increasing returns to scale. Coupled systems integrated for more than 10 years (long-term) had more favorable profitability than short-term couplers since greater manure-nutrient credits were taken for potatoes and silage corn. The advantages of potato–dairy integration were even greater if potato yields increased in the long term, as suggested by long-term rotation plot studies in Maine. Even if coupling is more profitable than non-integrated systems, it requires that farms be in close proximity and for farmers to have adequate working relationships and management skills. Despite these challenges to re-integrating crops and livestock, short- and long-term economic benefits may encourage farmers in appropriate areas to consider coupling with other producers.

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