Value Of Economic Efficiency Research Articles

Potential of Stock Enhancement for Decapod Crustaceans

To evaluate the potential of stock enhancement for decapod crustaceans, we analyzed stock enhancement programs for 4 species: the penaeid prawns (Penaeus japonicus) in Japan and (Penaeus chinensis) China, the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in Norway, and the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) in Japan, for which stocking effectiveness has been intensively examined. For each species, we summarized the life cycle, fishery, and stocking programs and then comparatively analyzed the recapture rates, the yield from the released individuals (YPR), and the economic efficiency. Scylla paramamosain had some advantages in stock enhancement, including restricted living areas such as bays and estuaries, a large body size, and high values of the ratio of price per landed individual to the cost per released juvenile. These characteristics promised higher values of YPR and economic efficiency, even at lower recapture rates. Therefore, hatchery releases affect areas with small stocks of S. paramamosain. This scenario might also be inferred for H. gammarus, which had the highest YPR and does not generally migrate from the release site, although the economic efficiency was low due to the high cost of juvenile production. On the other hand, fishery productions of the penaeid prawns, which had a lower YPR, could not be augmented without a huge number of released juveniles and the maintenance of nursery habitats. The restocking is a more cost-effective measure for sustainable fishery production than only a sea ranching (put and take) operation. Therefore, hatchery releases for decapod crustaceans should be applied to rebuild wild stocks (restocking) with appropriate fishing regulations and habitat restoration. In the future, selection of target species for stock enhancement programs should take into account the necessity for restocking and their life history characteristics.

The Effect of Artichocke Leaves Meal on the Utilization of Dietary Energy for Broiler Chicks

The main target of this study was to evaluate artichoke leaves meal in broiler diets containing different energy levels (the strain requirement and lower energy level). In this study, a total number of 240 unsexed one day old Ross broiler chicks were distributed randomly and divided equally into eight experimental groups (in 3 replicates of 10 each). The experimental groups were 4 levels of artichoke leaves meal (0, 2, 4 and 6% of the diet, mainly of the corn) in each of two diets. The first diet contained the recommended strain requirement of energy (RE), while the second diet contained 200 kcal ME /kg diet lower energy level (LE). All diets were formulated to meet other nutrient requirements of the chicks according to the strain requirement. After 28 days of age all birds fed finisher diets (RE or LE) without artichoke. The chemical analysis of artichoke leaves meal showed that it had good nutritive value. It contains some amino acids, the highest were for the essential amino acids arginine (0.51%) and leucine (0.42%). Artichoke contents of cynarin and total flavonoids were 1.194 and 1.064%. The results of this study showed that, the artichoke leaves meal used in this experiment decreased both BW and BWG, decreased the amount of consumed feed during the 28 days of age, while removing of artichoke increased the feed intake (28-42 days of age), in addition; it deteriorated both the feed conversion values and EPEI as compared with the control (without artichoke). The interaction between diet energy level and artichoke level had no significant effect on broiler performance during the total experimental period. Incorporation of artichoke leaves meal, regardless to energy level, had no significant effects on carcass characteristics except abdominal fat pad (AFP) which was decreased, especially at 4% artichoke when incorporated in low energy diet. The energy level, artichoke level or the interaction had no significant effect on blood constituents, in general at 28 and 42 days of age. It was observed that artichoke increased blood proteins and decreased blood total lipids and blood cholesterol at 28 days of age. Diets containing RE improved the digestibility coefficients (P < 0.05) of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE as compared to LE diets. Supplementation of artichoke at 2 and 4% of diet improved the utilization of all the nutrients, significantly except NFE which was improved numerically, compared to the two control groups (without artichoke). Results indicated that LE diets depressed total feed cost/kg BW and improved net revenue and economic efficiency compared to RE diets. Addition of artichoke increased total feed cost/kg BW and decreased net revenue and economic efficiency compared to the control diet. However 4% artichoke when added to LE diet gave the same relative economic efficiency value as that of the RE control diet.

Effect of Feeding Artichoke Leaves Meal on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Mandarah Hens

The main target of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding Artichoke Leaves Meal (ALM) on productive and reproductive performance of Mandarah hens. In this study, a total number of 300 Mandarah hens and 30 Mandarah cocks, 28 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 10 groups and fed on the experimental diets, six levels of ALM (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12% of the diet) in comparison to three tested levels (50, 75 and 100 g/ton diet) of Artichoke Extract (AE), in addition to the basal diet. The results of this study showed that inclusion of Artichoke Leaves Meal (ALM) at 8% of the diet resulted in the highest, values, laying rate, egg mass and best feed conversion than the basal diet (control), while 12% ALM decreased feed intake, significantly as compared with the control and scored the least, numerically, egg mass. The improvements in laying rate, egg mass and feed conversion values, due to 8% ALM, compared to the control were 6.61%, 7.87% and 7.44%, respectively. None of the treatments had adverse effect on the change of body weight of the hen, however artichoke extract levels had no clear effect and may be not enough to cause remarkable effects on productive performance. Shell thickness values (mm) were improved by inclusion of AE or ALM, starting with 75 g/ton AE. There was a gradual, numerically, increase in yolk color score starting with 8% ALM. Artichoke leaves meal at 6,8 and 10% of the diet resulted in the highest fertility and hatchability percentages at the end of the experimental period. It could be concluded that AE at 75 g/ton or more or ALM up to 8% may have beneficial effect on semen quality. Digestibility coefficient of EE was improved by all levels of AE and by ALM up to 10% as compared to the control. Inclusion of Artichoke Leaves Meal (ALM) at 8, 10 and 12% of the diets decreased egg yolk total lipids significantly as compared with the control (232.01-237.94 vs. 264.44 mg/g). Artichoke Leaves Meal (ALM) at 8% decreased yolk total lipids, yolk cholesterol and yolk LDL, in comparison to the control by 10.02, 9.72 and 21.65%, respectively and increased HDL by 14.34%. It decreased serum cholesterol and serum LDL, in comparison to the control by 15.62 and 19.72%, respectively. Best net revenue, economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency values were for 8%, followed by 10% ALM. It is recommended to use 8% artichoke leaves meal to get best economic efficiency, productive, reproductive performance and low cholesterol eggs.

MODELLING WATER ALLOCATION PROBLEMS AT CATCHMENT LEVEL: THE CASE OF WATER MARKETS WITH RETURN FLOW EXTERNALITIES

Mixed integer non-linear programming was used to compare a market for consumptive water use and a market based on diverted water. Results showed that the return flow externalities associated with water markets for water diversion rights can be internalised into market decision making by restricting water transfers to consumptive use. The more restrictive water rights are the less water transfers will occur due to increased information needs. Economic, hydrological and crop growth simulation models must be integrated within a systems approach to generate more information on changing linkages between institutional settings, irrigation technology, economic efficiency and human value systems to advance meaningful water policy into the new millennium.

Maize (Zea mays)wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system: Intensification through introduction of pulses

A field experiment was carried out in 3 tehsils, namely Nathdwara, Rajsamand and Kumbhalgarh, of Rajsamand district (Sub-humid Southern Plain and Aravalli Hills Zone) of Rajasthan (IVa) in farmers fields from rainy season (kharif) 2007 to winter season (rabi) 201011, to study the intensification of maize (Zea mays L.) wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori &amp; Paol.] cropping system through introduction of pulses crop. The ex- periment comprised 5 cropping systems, viz. maizewheat, maizebarley (Hordeum vulgare L.), maize + blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (2:2)wheat, sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] + greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] (2:1)wheat and clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]wheat. Maize + blackgram (2:2)wheat cropping system gave the highest maizegrain-equivalent yield (8.22 t/ha), gross returns (87.4 103 /ha), net returns (57.5 103 /ha), land-use efficiency (64.9%), production efficiency (34.7 kg/ha/ day), monetary efficiency (242.8 /ha/day), sustainable yield index (0.65), sustainable value index (0.55), relative productivity efficiency (21.3%), relative economic efficiency (17.4%) and total calorific value (94.7 103 MJ/ha) and could intensified the existing maizewheat cropping system. However, benefit: cost ratio was the maximum (3.18:1) in clusterbeanwheat cropping system. The maximum values of total input energy (36.97 103 MJ/ha), output energy (234.2 103 MJ/ha) and energy-output efficiency (988.3 MJ/ha/day) were recorded in maize + blackgram (2:2)wheat, while energy intensiveness (9.37 MJ/ ) and energy-use efficiency (7.88) in maizebarley cropping system. The maximum values of specific energy (5.10 MJ/kg) and energy productivity (240.0 MJ/ha/day) were recorded in maizewheat and clusterbeanwheat cropping systems respectively.

Diversification and intensification of maize (Zea mays)wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system for sustainable productivity and profitability

A field experiment was carried out on farmers fields in 2 tehsils, namely Salumber and Sarada of Udaipur dis- trict situated in Humid Southern Plain Zone of Rajasthan (IVb) from rainy season (kharif) 2007 to summer 2011, to study diversification and intensification of maize (Zea mays L.)wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori &amp; Paol.] cropping system for sustainable productivity and profitability. The experiment, consisting of 5 cropping systems, viz. maizewheat, maizewheatgreengram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek], maize + blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (2:2)wheatokra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench], clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert]wheatgreengram and clusterbeanwheatokra, was laid out in randomized block design considering every farmer (12) as replication. Maize + blackgram (2:2)wheatokra cropping system recorded the highest maizegrain-equivalent yield (26.13 t/ha), gross returns ( 263.2 103/ha), net returns ( 205.8 103/ha), land-use efficiency (88.2%), production efficiency (81.1 kg/ha/day), sustainable yield index (0.57), sustainable value index (0.46), relative productivity efficiency (202.8%), relative economic efficiency (205.0%) and total calorific value (117.3 103 MJ/ha). However, benefit: cost ratio (5.10:1) and monetary efficiency ( 647.2/ha/day) were the high- est in clusterbeanwheatokra. Maize + blackgram (2:2)wheatokra recorded the highest total input energy (52.7 103 MJ/ha), while maizewheatgreengram cropping system produced the highest output energy (301.8 103 MJ/ha). On the other hand, the maximum values of energy-use efficiency (7.52), energy-output efficiency (1150.2 MJ/ha/day), energy intensiveness (9.49 MJ/ ) and specific energy (4.13 MJ/kg) were found in maizewheat crop- ping system, while energy productivity in clusterbeanwheatokra cropping system (581.9 g/MJ).

Designing Default Rules in Contract Law: Consent, Conventionalism, and Efficiency

This article considers the principles that ought to be used to determine the scope and content of contract law's 'default rules', the rules that will, in the absence of express exclusion, govern parties' contractual relationships. It examines three, ostensibly competing, approaches discussed in the literature: that defaults be grounded in the subjective consent of contracting parties, in the customs and norms immanent within the parties' community, and in the value of economic efficiency. It argues that each has something of value to tell us about default rules, but that none can, in isolation, offer a wholly compelling prescription for their design. Rather, the best such prescription must be an eclectic one, drawing something from all three accounts, but varying to reflect the institution promulgating the default. Where defaults are promulgated legislatively, the case for choosing rules that will promote efficiency is a strong one, and the main criticism of efficiency analysis is shown, in this particular context, to be misguided. Where, however, defaults are promulgated adjudicatively-in the context of settling individual cases-the normative appeal of efficiency is much reduced. The article, then, criticizes efficient adjudicative defaults against their defenders, whilst defending efficient legislative defaults against their critics.

Designing Default Rules in Contract Law: Consent, Conventionalism and Efficiency

This paper considers the principles that ought to be used to determine the scope and content of contract law's rules--rules that will, in the absence of express exclusion, govern parties' contractual relationships. The paper considers three, ostensibly competing, approaches discussed in the literature: that defaults be grounded in the subjective consent of contracting parties, in the customs and norms immanent within the contractors' community, and in the value of economic efficiency. The paper argues that each such approach has something of value to tell us about default rules, but that none can, in isolation, offer a wholly compelling prescription for their design. Rather, the best such prescription must remain an eclectic one, drawing something from all three accounts, but varying to reflect the institution promulgating the default. Where defaults are promulgated legislatively, the case for choosing rules that will promote efficiency is a strong one, and the main criticism of efficiency analysis is shown, in this particular context, to be misguided. Where, however, defaults are promulgated adjudicatively--in the context of settling individual cases--the normative appeal of efficiency is much reduced, and the appeal of the two competing accounts of defaults, much enhanced.

Economic profitability of afforestation in Thailand and the Philippines

This study aimed to assess the profitability of community afforestation programmes in Northeast Thailand and the Philippines. Financial and economic profitability were assessed using market prices and economic efficiency values respectively, for goods and factors of production. Environmental-economic profitability was evaluated by adding the monetary values of on-site costs of soil erosion, transpiration, nutrients lost in harvesting and carbon sequestration to the assessed economic profitability estimates. Economic profitability of afforestation was 40–50% higher than financial profitability, and environmental- economic profitability 6–100% higher, than economic profitability. Among the studied environmental impacts of afforestation, carbon sequestration and transpiration were most important in economic terms. A decrease in the discount rate improved afforestation profitability.

Some problems of measuring the impact of R&amp;D upon the efficiency of social production

A critical analysis of works by Soviet authors, devoted to the problem of assessing the contribution of science to the efficiency of social production, is carried out. The computational results of two different versions of production function and a factor analysis technique are also presented, based on the same statistical data of the 8th and the 9th Five-Year-Plan periods. The numerical value of economic efficiency of investment in R & D, which was determined by relating the benefits from R & D to the associated expenditures, has been found to be 2.1–11 times higher than the profitability of plant investment. The classification and analysis of the major factors, contributing to the growth of public production efficiency, using a multiple correlation technique, show, that a 1% increase in R & D expenditures is associated with a 0.43% rise in labor productivity which also confirms the higher productivity of R & D investments.