The study is based on the data collected in a poll conducted on 140 randomly selected private farms in western Serbia (Yugoslavia). Linear discriminat functions are evaluated for nine indicators of technical equipment and for different sizes of farms, with an aim of classifying these farms according to the farmers' working patterns. In the case of significant distribution, the indicators of descriptive statistics are complemented with a classification of farms and analysis of the contribution of individual criteria to the distribition of groups. By evaluating the indispensability of the criteria, the initial set of criteria was reduced to a subset with significant discriminatory effect. No significant distribution was found by using the selected criteria among the private farms whose area exceeded three hectares.

Eleven distinct farming systems were distinguished, based on selected indicators and locations. The indicators involve the resource basis, cropping pattern and intensity, and the major activities including off-farm work. Statistical tests were used to verify the differences. Accounting for the given constraints and for the interdependencies of the system's components, strategies are developed to improve their poor economic performance. A linear programming model is used to evaluate the effects on farm performance of (a) reallocating the existing farm resources, and (b) introduction of improved technologies. The type of relationship among the elements of the farming system determines the overall outcome of any improvement effort. Groundnut and livestock production are highly competitive. A package of technological innovations is needed to achieve a major improvement on the smallest farms.

Systematizing a framework of indicators system involves the adoption of a theoretical model, the identification of priority programs, the measurement of both the performance and process indicators, and the empirical testing of statistics in an operational context. It is based on the systemic, social learning (SL) theory which formulates two basic propositions: First, performance indicators align closely with each other under the three major areas of concern and second, the process variables influence the levels and rates of change occurring in the performance variables. The identification and appraisal of prioritized programs commence with the portrayal of a short-term scenario wherein the agency practices participatory approaches; where the technical area initiates the development of a strong farmer organization, and wherein the community has irrigators developing self-reliance. It proceeds with the appraisal of program using social cost benefit analysis. The development of measures and their empirical testing were operationalized in Division 4, PRIS [Pulangui River Irrigation System], Valencia, Bukidnon, Philippines. Analyses showed that results partially confirmed the assumptions. Actual performance of the system was evaluated as moderate against potential performance. While the statistical analyses showed weak supporting evidence, the process of formulating performance indicators framework showed strong feasibility for attaining effective management in a farmer-managed irrigation system.

A compilation of water quality criteria and information about "background levels" of micropollutants (selected metals, organochlorines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) have been used as basis for proposals of marine environmental quality classification. As knowledge of effects - except at levels wich must be regarded as strong contamination - is inadequate, the classification is based mainly on occurrence. The selected indicator organisms comprise benthic algae (metal indicators only), mussels, snails and fish. | Statens forurensningstilsyn (SFT)

An ecological evaluation and comparison of the following three prairie associations of South-Central, Chile: Hyperico-Agrostidetum, Juncetum procerii and Acaeno-Agrostidetum; the former on trumao soil, the second on trumao and nadi and the last on nadi and red loam soils was made. The floristic composition of these prairies was obtained through phytosociological sampling. For each censed species the ecological indicator value for the variables light, temperature, soil pH, nitrogen and humidity were used. The evaluations and comparisons were based on the species number and cover by using average and absolute values of ecological indicators and floristic similarity. The results confirmed that the use of ecological indicators makes possible the evaluation and comparisons of prairies biotypes. A correspondence between ecological and floristical similitude of the prairies was found. The highest floristic similitude was found between prairies on nadi soil. The Juncetum procerii on these soil and the Acaeno-Agrostidetum on the red loam soils were the floristically more isolated association. The last association and the Hyperico-Agrostidetum on trumao soil resulted to be the more xeric communities. The humidity and temperature are the factors which most differentiated the prairie vegetation of South-Central Chile; while the soil pH, showed practically no differences between them.

Immunotoxicity testing is a new addition to the safety assessment guidelines for direct food and color additives. The approaches and philosophy for this area of specialized testing are consistent with the case-by-case strategy applied in the regulatory approval process, which is based on structure-activity relationships, preexisting knowledge, and projected exposure estimates. Specialized testing such as immunotoxicity is not part of the basic testing requirements, but would be applied when indicators are positive. Concepts for immunotoxicity testing have evolved, in part, from research for evaluating various testing methods as well as specific study designs. This research, conducted over the last decade, has focused mainly on the rat as the rodent species of choice. The miniature swine was evaluated as a nonrodent model. Testing is defined by type 1 and type 2 tests, which differ in that type 1 tests are performed on the same animals used in the core study design. Sets of type 1 and type 2 tests, with reference to the indicators, define various testing levels. Retrospective testing, expansion of basic testing (such as histopathology and serum chemistry profiles), and alternative study designs, which include satellite groups for evaluation of the functional capacity of the immune system, can be considered in the evaluation of immunotoxic potential.

The reductive carboxylic acid cycle, the autotrophic pathway of CO2 assimilation in prokaryotes (photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic autotrophic bacteria), was investigated in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii F-60, an algal mutant lacking a complete photosynthetic carbon reduction pathway (C3) due to a deficiency in phosphoribulokinase. Evidence was obtained consistent with the presence of the reductive carboxylic acid cycle in F-60. This conclusion is based on the fact that: (a) acetate approximately doubled CO2 fixation in whole cells (4 micromoles per milligram chlorophyll per hour) and in chloroplasts (32 nanomoles per milligram chlorophyll per hour); and (b) pyruvate synthase, alpha-ketoglutarate synthase, and ATP-citrate lyase, three indicators of the cycle, were found in cell-free extracts.

In order to identify suitable indicators for the optimum plucking time of tea shoots, we analyzed various shape characteristics of plucked tea shoots by using an image processing technique as well as the qualities of processed green tea using a sensory evaluation method at different plucking times. Both in the first and in the second crop seasons, tea shoots were plucked at regular intervals and the images of one hundred tea-shoots were input into a computer system equipped with image processing devices for the subsequent analysis of shape characteristics. Green tea was made from the plucked shoots using tea machines and sensory evaluation tests of tea were also run. Based on the sensory evaluation tests, it was estimated that the tea made from shoots plucked on 30th April showed the best quality in the first crop. Since the ratio of the length of two sides of a circumscribed rectangle and the value of the size and percentage of the tea-shoot area to the area of the rectangle during tea-shoot growth showed a point of inflection at the time when the best quality was estimated, it was considered that these shape characteristics could become suitable indicators for the optimum plucking time of tea shoots. It was also confirmed that the leaves of the tea shoots from the second crop season spread widely because the angle formed by the petiole with the stem was larger in the leaves from the second crop than that in those from the first crop

The purpose of this research has been to develop indicators that can be used by the Ministry for the Environment to monitor what are referred to as additional dispute resolution processes permitted under the Resource Management Act. Sections 99(1)1 and 268(1)2 provide a basis for resolving disputes over resource consents, designations and heritage orders, and water conservation orders using mediation, facilitation, conciliation or similar procedures. The research was not concerned with the option of arbitration as it is not based on consensus decision making. The differences between mediation, facilitation and conciliation were clarified. Much of the literature on additional dispute resolution relates to mediation rather than to facilitation and conciliation, therefore aspects of mediation are referred to more frequently in this publication. The steps in a mediation process are described in Appendix 1. The legislative context in which additional dispute resolution is specifically referred to was outlined. It identified where the use of these processes are allowed for in the resource consent granting and appeal process in particular and with regard to the review of consent conditions, designations and heritage orders, and water conservation orders. Monitoring principles were selected after a review of the overseas literature on environmental dispute resolution and an examination of existing dispute resolution models in other fields in New Zealand. These included the Christchurch Community Mediation Service, the Employment Tribunal, and the Disputes Tribunal (formerly the Small Claims Tribunal). The principles chosen were: efficiency and cost-effectiveness, legitimacy, and fairness. No attempt was made to express principles or develop indicators that might be appropriate for Maori to use in evaluating additional dispute resolution processes.

Variation in growth rate and wood properties was studied on disks taken at breast height from 15 randomly selected Benguet pine trees growing in a plantation. Growth rate expressed in terms of ring width did not significantly affect wood features such as specific gravity, percent latewood and fiber cross-sectional dimensions, but significantly affected tracheid length and extractive content in a negative manner. The strong effects of ring number from the pith to the bark on most of the wood features were likewise noted. A systematic pattern of variation appeared to exist based on pooled data. In terms of degree of interrelationship of the different wood quality indicators, there was a strong positive correlation between specific gravity and percent latewood. A negative correlation between specific gravity with tracheid diameter and lumen width was also observed. Tracheid length was highly correlated with tracheid diameter and lumen width; tracheid diameter with lumen width, and lumen width with cell wall thickness.