South Carolina forestland owners’ willingness to accept compensations for carbon sequestration

Background: Carbon sequestration through recommended forest management practices is an ecosystem service that helps mitigate climate change and its impacts while generating carbon credits for forestland owners to sell in cap-and-trade programs. The California’s cap-and-trade program (California’s carbon market hereafter) allows forestland owners from any part of the contiguous United States to supply carbon credits to compliance entities. In this study, we estimate South Carolina (SC) private forestland owners’willingness to accept compensations to participate in the California’s carbon market using a contingent valuation method. Results: We estimate forestland owners’mean willingness to accept as$67 per acre per year. Our results reveal higher probability of participation of forestland owners with interests in preserving forest ecosystems than those who do not. Additionally, forestland owners who trust in information about climate change from scientists or government are willing to participate more than those who do not. Conclusions: Various factors hinder landowners’ability to participate in carbon markets. Forestland owners in SC consider legislative uncertainty and long-time commitment as the main barriers to participation in California’s carbon market. From this research, average forestland tenure in SC is 27 years, which is far less than the 100-year time commitment of the California’s carbon market. Of those who agreed to participate, choosing between adopting and not adopting any of the three main forest management practices in the California’s carbon market:28% are likely to adopt improved forest management (IFM) practices, 24% are likely to adopt reforestation due to understocked forestlands, and 14% are likely to adopt avoided conversion. In another development, the concept of aggregation has dominated discussions in the California’s carbon market of late. It is an advocacy to include small-scale forestlands in the California’s carbon market. To aggregate, different forestland owners will combine their forestlands to participate. We find that 79% of SC forestland owners are willing to aggregate to participate. However, this research is unable to determine how much total forestland is available in SC for carbon market. We recommend future research in the State on forestland owners’participation in carbon market should consider evaluating forestland availability.

Family Forest Owners’ Motivation to Control Understory Vegetation: Implications for Consulting Forestry

Forest vegetation management has evolved as a recognized component of intensive forest management practice. It involves the management of competing vegetation necessary to obtain the high yields expected in modern forest plantations via control of interfering plants that influence regeneration outcome, impact timber stand development, and limit native plant and wildlife diversity. It includes cultural control, fire control, mechanical control, biological control, and chemical control. The public perception of forest vegetation management, especially chemical control, is sometimes negative due to health and environmental concerns. It is an important tool in the forest management alternatives available to consulting foresters managing family forest lands (the vast majority of private forest land in the United States). We report on a study that addresses the motivations of family forest owners that implement forest vegetation management practices and the motivation of those who chose not to implement after forester recommendations to do so. For those who do implement forest vegetation management, improvement of wildlife habitat and increased timber growth was the main motivation. For those who did not, cost was the main concern. Size of forest holding plays a major role in determining who will practice intensive forestry.

ITMA ASIA+CITME show owners extend cooperation to launch combined exhibition in Singapore

8 June 2023,Milan–The show owners of ITMA ASIA+CITME have extended their collaboration to organise the combined textile machinery exhibition in a second Asian location.The combined exhibition has been held biennially in Shanghai since 2008.

BIM-Enabled Estimating through Technology Ontology for Owners and Contractors

There are progressive architects, engineers, contractors and owners that adopt some of the newest technologies for financial benefits. The moving force to integrate BIM （building information modeling） tools may come from owners demanding a BIM deliverable to approve the work on these projects. Ifa contractor can produce this deliverable, then obtaining the project could be done in a more convincing way. Contractors are confronted with problems in selecting proper construction methods and applying their knowledge about specific and well-defined technologies to a project. Their decision-making process and better project outcomes can be improved through a database-oriented library of construction methods and therefore, a consistent methodology to classify construction methods is needed. This goal can be achieved by introducing rigorous construction method descriptors. The technology solution and the trending need of owners to pay software companies to develop software that really works for them and contractors are empirically proved in this paper through a technology ontology and BIM-enabled estimating procedure. An exploratory case study is presented. This way, owners can efficiently demand deliverables that can be utilized by them downstream, allowing contractors and subcontracting trades to work efficiently and to assure the daily flow of operations.

Serologic Detection of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>in Cat Owners Residing at Dhaka Metropolitan Area of Bangladesh

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan that can infect any warm-blooded mammal. T. gondii infects about one-third of the human population on the planet. Infection with the parasite in human causes toxoplasmosis that may pose a high risk in immunocompromised individuals under certain clinical conditions. Cats are the ultimate hosts of T. gondii where oocysts are formed through mating of male and female gametes. Infected cats can expel T. gondii oocysts in their feces, and thereby capable of pass on a disease to humans and other animals through consumption of foods, vegetables and water that are polluted with cat feces. The study was conducted to detect the presence of anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies in the blood of individuals with or without cat contact to determine if there is any relationship between cat contacts and T. gondii infection in humans. To address this, we enrolled subjects who contacted with the cat as target group and individuals with no cat contact as control group. Following register of different demographic data (including age, sex, education, foods habit, income status, etc.), whole blood from each enrolled subject of both the target group and control group was collected for serum preparation. T. gondii infected subjects were detected by Toxo Rapid test kit through identifying anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies in their serum. We found that only three out of twenty subjects who were in contact with cat showed positive IgG response while IgM antibody response was absent for all subjects. When compared with the data from control group, we did not find any significant association (p = 0.33) of cat contact with the transmission of T. gondii into human. However, with this small number of study subjects, we cannot conclusively say that there is no impact of cat contact on the transmission of T. gondii into human. Whether any association exists or not can be ascertained with a large number of subjects from different areas of Bangladesh in a future study in the population.

Private Forest Owners Play Key Role in European Forest Derived Fuel Utilization

The AFO （activating private forest owners to increase forest fuel supply） project was set up to discover the best tools for activating an important fraction of the 12 million PFOs （private forest owners） in Europe to supply wood fuel, especially to small and medium-sized heating plants. It aimed to increase the utilization of Europe＇s vast forest fuel reserves. This was expected to benefit both the economy of the forest owners and rural areas and increase the use of renewable energy sources. The project was carried out between 2009 and 2012. The project operated in selected target regions that have a high proportion of private forest ownership （France, Slovenia, Latvia and the UK）. It started by analyzing the potential wood fuel supply and use in relation to current regional markets. After assessing through inquiries the potential wood fuel supply and demand and the parties involved, the next step was to initiate and support the formation of wood fuel supply clusters and organize supply chains. This was followed by the dissemination of best practice examples from Austria and Finland--countries with the most expertise and long traditions of forest fuel production. In the last phase of the project, results and approved activation methods were disseminated to all 27 EU （European Union） countries.

Legislation,challenges and solutions for the"Dream of the Island Owner"--Review of the application and approval measures on the development and utilization of uninhabited islands in Hainan Province

China's legislation relating to islands categorizes the latter into inhabited and uninhabited ones.Between the two different types,only uninhabited islands can be acquired by those who aspire to be private island owners.In an effort to promote the development and utilization of uninhabited islands in China,a succession of laws and regulations have been formulated,including the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Offshore Islands,and the Application and Approval Measures on the Development and Utilization of Uninhabited Islands,among others.As the only tropical province in China,Hainan province boasts a large number of uninhabited islands,many of which are desired by prospective island owners.In order to promote the development of uninhabited islands,the Application and Approval Measures on the Development and Utilization of Uninhabited Islands in Hainan Province had been promulgated.Based on a detailed introduction on the main contents of the Measures,it is found that the Measures has set an innovative example for its kind in terms of the real estate publicity system,the construction permit and acceptance systems,solutions to using the islands before the issue of Island Protection Law,and verification systems.Nevertheless,the actual implementation of the Measures still brings a host of challenges with it.These relate to aspects of the Measures such as supply regulation premised on regulatory equilibrium,spatial planning with"Multiple-plan Coordination",and coordination between regulations on sea areas and islands.This paper proposes to maximize efforts to refine and coordinate general planning,to innovate systems and procedures regarding the use of islands and to promote the development and utilization of uninhabited islands through protective development in line with international standards.

3-Multi ranked encryption with enhanced security in cloud computing

Searchable Encryption(SE)enables data owners to search remotely stored ciphertexts selectively.A practical model that is closest to real life should be able to handle search queries with multiple keywords and multiple data owners/users,and even return the top-k most relevant search results when requested.We refer to a model that satisfies all of the conditions a 3-multi ranked search model.However,SE schemes that have been proposed to date use fully trusted trapdoor generation centers,and several methods assume a secure connection between the data users and a trapdoor generation center.That is,they assume the trapdoor generation center is the only entity that can learn the information regarding queried keywords,but it will never attempt to use it in any other manner than that requested,which is impractical in real life.In this study,to enhance the security,we propose a new 3-multi ranked SE scheme that satisfies all conditions without these security assumptions.The proposed scheme uses randomized keywords to protect the interested keywords of users from both outside adversaries and the honest-but-curious trapdoor generation center,thereby preventing attackers from determining whether two different queries include the same keyword.Moreover,we develop a method for managing multiple encrypted keywords from every data owner,each encrypted with a different key.Our evaluation demonstrates that,despite the trade-off overhead that results from the weaker security assumption,the proposed scheme achieves reasonable performance compared to extant schemes,which implies that our scheme is practical and closest to real life.

Does Knowledge Sharing and Technopreneurship Affect Entrepreneurial Outcomes in Developing Economies?Using The SME and ANOVA Approaches

This study on technopreneurship aims to reconfigure entrepreneurial outcomes,but how knowledge sharing moderates the interaction is an academic and practical concern.This study focuses on how knowledge sharing and technopreneurship affect the entrepreneurial outcome in Bangladeshi small and medium enterprises(SMEs).This research has established the following aims to establish a meaningful association between technopreneurship,knowledge sharing,and the outcomes of entrepreneurial endeavours.In pursuit of knowledge,data were collected through primary sources after establishing the questionnaire’s validity and reliability.Findings revealed that technopreneurship and knowledge sharing individually affected entrepreneurial outcomes.However,knowledge sharing could not significantly moderate the interaction between technopreneurship and entrepreneurial outcomes.Hence,the recommendation was anchored on improving knowledge sharing,technopreneurship,and managerial dexterity of owners and managers.

用VC++6.0实现带图像组合框的两种方法

在VC++6.0编程中,为实现列表框配有图像的视觉效果,采用ComboBoxEx控件和自绘OwnerDraw两种可行的方法。在介绍其各自原理的同时,给出了代码示例。两者比较,自绘机制是能够达到个人需要的理想方法。

Conceptual framework of applying mass valuation in Hong Kong urban renewal compensation scheme

In most urban redevelopment projects that take place in Hong Kong, the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) will offer compensation to an owner-occupier based on the market value of the property. The basis of market value assessment is defined as a seven-year-old flat in a comparable quality building, situated in a similar locality in terms of characteristics and accessibility, and located at the middle floor with average orientation. However, little was done in exploring the application and the integration of mass valuation technique in the compulsory acquisition valuation area. This paper endeavors to illustrate the prospects of using mass valuation techniques to value high-rise and strata-title dilapidated buildings by adopting a standardization statistical method to derive resumption estimates.

Realty Service Contracts and the Legal System of Realty Management in China

The realty(real estate)management of ownership of buildings includes the owner(homeowner)entrust-management and the owner self-management,the former through the way of realty service contracts,the latter through the resolution of the owners’assembly and the owners’committee.The legal disputes of realty service contracts involve balancing interests among the realty service enterprise,individual owner,and all the owners.We should use dynamic balancing of the interests of the three parties to implement the interests of the win-win cooperation rather than the interests of the trade-off of“all or nothing.”The realty service contract is similar to the entrustment contract,both of which are based on the owners’entrustment.The duty to provide realty service is not simply equivalent to fiduciary duty.The realty service contract has the essence of both behavior debt and result debt.For the former,the general provisions of the entrustment contract can be referred to,and for the latter,the general provisions of the contract for work can be referred to.In view of the group characteristics of the realty service contract,owners have no right to terminate the realty service contract at any time but should obey the principle of due process and take the majority mechanism to make a dismissal resolution resolution.The resolutions and management stipulations worked out by the owners’assembly in a majority mechanism,both of which belong to resolution behavior and are legal tools of the owners’autonomy,shall be binding on all the owners.The relationship between the owner,the owner’s assembly,and the owner’s committee is similar to the fiduciary relationship.If the decision made by the owners’assembly or the owners’committee and the management stipulation infringes upon the legal rights and interests of the owners,the injured owner has the right to revocation litigation.At present,residential commodity owners have a relatively low degree of autonomy in China,and legal disputes over realty services are frequent.In the future,we need to perfect the legal incentive and constraint measures,and stimulate the vitality of owner autonomy to promote better implementation of the owner self-management and owner entrust-management.

VRRP路由协议介绍及配置

作为信息化应用的载体——计算机网络的可靠性受到越来越多的重视.VRRP(虚拟路由器冗余协议)是一种选择协议,它的优势在于不需要在终端进行动态路由和路由发现协议的配置,即可获得一个高可靠性的缺省路由通道.通过以S9300系列交换机为载体,分析和研究VRRP虚拟路由器冗余性协议的原理和配置,实现园区网络的路由冗余.

Do common owners influence corporate social responsibility? Firm-level evidence from China

Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2018,this article explores the influence of common owners on corporate social responsibility(CSR).The results show that common owners significantly promote CSR investment,indicating that increased CSR represents a bright side to common owners,in contrast to their anticompetitive effect.Further analysis shows that the nature of state ownership significantly weakens the positive relationship between common owners and CSR investment.Prospector firms strengthen the positive influence of common owners on CSR investment,whereas defender firms weaken the effect.Moreover,common owners benefit from increasing CSR investment,and co-owned firms benefit by easing their financial constraints when they invest or increase their investment in social responsibility.The findings enhance the outstanding of how common owners affect corporate behavior and enrich the literature on common ownership and CSR investment.

Seed germination of Albizia procera(Roxb.)Benth.in Bangladesh:a basis for seed source variation and pre-sowing treatment effect

An experiment in seed morphology and seed germination techniques of Albizia procera was carried out in the nursery of the Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh in order to discover the source variation in seeds and pre-sowing treatment effects on seed germination. Mature seeds ofA. procera were collected from healthy trees in home garden plan- tations from five different districts in Bangladesh and treated with four pre-sowing treatments, i.e., control, immersion in cold water （4~C for 24 h） and immersion in hot water （80~C for 10 min and 100~C for 1 min）. The average length, width and thickness of seeds were calculated as 0.502 ＋ 0.485, 0.420 ~ 0.060 and 0.191 ~ 0.118 cm, respectively. Germination was conducted in poly-bags with a mixture of topsoil and cow dung in a ratio of 3：1. The results revealed that pre-sowing treatments affected the rate of germination of seeds, which significantly increased the germination percentages of seeds in hot water treatments compared with those in control （60.60%） and the cold water treatment （4℃ for 24 h, 63.53%）. The highest germination success was 82.07% in the treatment of im- mersion in hot water （80℃） for 10 min, followed by 79.00% in immersion in hot water （100℃） for l rain. Germination started 4 to 6 days after seed sowing and completed in a period of 22 to 25 days in all treatments. ANOVAs showed statistically significant dif- ferences （p 〈 0.05） in seed germination starting dates, closing dates, germination percentages and rates of germination among treat- ments, but no significant differences in seed germination starting dates, closing dates, germination period, germination percentages and rates of germination among the seed sources. The study also revealed that the interaction between seed source variation and treat- ment effect significantly differed in seed germination starting dates, closing dates, germination percentages and rates of germination. The hot water （100℃ for 1min） treatment is recommended for seed germination ofA. procera in rural Bangladesh.

Social Origins and Political Participation of Private Business Owners in Beijing

Over the past 30 years, Chinese society has undergone an enormous social transition. Along with the rise of a private economy, private business owners have emerged as a new social stratum, which attracts academic attention domestically and internationally. As for the social origins of the private business owners, some of the private business owners are former cadres and current members of the Chinese Communist Party（CCP）. A question rarely pursued is what effects these ties have on political participation of＂ private business owners. The paper explores this question on the basis of data gathered in a representative survey of private enterprises in 2006. The study shows that the Chinese private business owners have diverse social origins, and their behavior in terms of political participation is also distinct in some ways. When it comes to the patterns of political participation of the private business owners, CCP members and former officials among private business owners indeed have unique characteristics in their access to political resources, but the patterns of political participation vary between these two groups. Furthermore, there are also considerable differences between members of the CCP and democratic parties in China in these respects. These findings cast doubt on the common use of CCP membership and occupational experience as cadre as interchangeable indicators for the ＂political capital＂ of business owners. A more differentiated understanding of the nature of political capital and mechanisms by which it is put to use by private entrepreneurs in China is called for.

英汉对照

钱是指硬币、纸币和银行帐户上的现金存款,即我们用来支付我们想购买物品的东西。我们理所当然地持有货币,事实上,社会越是发展,我们就越离不开它。但是,在货币诞生前,人们曾生活和相做生意达数千年。最早的贸易方式是易货贸易,用货物去换取自己所需之货物,或用一种货物换取另一种货物。

电动车被偷之后

Thief steals a pricey1electric bike,then accidentally2calls the owner for help on how to recharge3it...Ben Jaconelli just recently opened Fully Charged,an East London,England elec-tric bike retailer.Mr.Jaconelli not only sells electric bikes,he rides them too.While out and about4,he locked up his electric Go Cycle5on Kingsland Road in the London Borough of Hackney6.

Goodbye to a Good Friend: An Exploration of the Re-Homing of Cats and Dogs in the U.S.

When dogs and cats are not retained in a home, they are re-homed to somewhere, and while there is a collection of research around relinquishment to shelters, little is known about the general re-homing picture. A cross sectional random digit dial survey was conducted with an aim to learn more about who is re-homing, where they are re-homing and why they are re-homing owned dogs and cats in the US. We found the prevalence of re-homing in five years at 6% making for an estimated 6.12 million household re-homing pets every five years. Pets were most likely to be re-homed by being given to a friend or family member (37%) closely followed by being taken to a shelter. Those who re-homed due to a reason related to the pet as opposed to reasons such as family issues were more likely to re-home to a shelter. For respondents who rented, housing reasons were the number one reason for re-homing, and for respondents of lower income, they were significantly more likely to re-home due to cost and housing issues as opposed to pet related issues. We conclude that some reasons for re-homing are not easily modified and humane re-homing is the best option, but that there are many areas in which intervention and prevention programs may increase retention.