2,754 research outputs found
Monetary Theory from a Chinese Historical Perspective
No full textWe discuss monetary thought in ancient China from the perspective of Western monetary theory. It sets out the structure of economic activity in the various dynasties of ancient China and emphasizes the differences in monetary structure from Europe (and later North America). Imperial China was a politically integrated structure with regional segmentation of economic activities and hence with regional money. Monetary policy was one body conducted at regional level, but overseen naturally politically before national integration under the Ming dynasty (14th century). In various regions different forms of money circulated, with gold, silver, copper, and paper all present at various times. Monetary policy was guided by monetary thought, such as later in Europe. Basic concepts such as monetary function, the velocity of circulation, inflation, interest rate parity and the quantity theory were all present. The economics of Imperial China witnessed boom and bust, inflation and deflation and monetary control much like Europe to follow. Monetary thought thus seemingly preceded Western thought, and had remarkable similarities. Whether much of this thought travelled down the silk road remains unknown, but the possibility is intriguing.
Light, sediment, temperature, and the early life-history of the habitat-forming alga Cystoseira barbata
No full textRecruitment is essential for the maintenance of populations, but far more is typically known about the more easily-observed adult stages than their smaller, often microscopic early life-history counterparts. This discrepancy can be particularly problematic for populations of foundation species that create biogenic habitat for a multitude of other taxa, but are themselves prime candidates for exploitation, fragmentation, and loss, and therefore become the focus of restoration efforts partly or fully dependent on recruitment. The purpose of this study was to improve ecological understanding for early life-history stages of the habitat-forming marine alga Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agardh (Fucales: Sargassaceae), member of a genus that has experienced considerable fragmentation and population decline on European coasts. Using experimental manipulations of water temperature, light intensity, and sediment accumulation, we observed that sediment virtually precluded recruitment of C. barbata, and greatly impacted the survival of recently settled germlings (up to ~83% mortality). Stronger intensities of light facilitated the growth of germlings, including the capacity for ~50% of them to outgrow detrimental sediment and survive. Temperature (10 vs. 16°C) had no effect on early recruitment, survival, or growth. This information helps to identify likely causes and locations of recruitment failure, and by extension, the conditions needed (either naturally or through human intervention) to facilitate recruitment and possible habitat restoration. Ultimately, this knowledge can increase our capacity to predict population persistence and the likely success of restoration efforts.Andrew D. Irving, David Balata, Francesco Colosio, Guillaume A. Ferrando and Laura Airold
The Middle Platonists: 80 B.C. to A.D. 220
No full textThe Middle Platonists: 80 B.C. to A.D. 220 John M. Dillon (Author), 1977 Table of Contents Preface Abbreviations 1 The Old Academy and the Themes of Middle Platonism 2 Antiochus of Ascalon: The Turn to Dogmatism 3 Platonism at Alexandria: Eudorus and Philo 4 Plutarch of Chaeroneia and the Origins of Second-Century Platonism 5 The Athenian School in the Second Century A.D. 6 The 'School of Gaius': Shadow and Substance 7 The Neopythagoreans 8 Some Loose Ends Bibliography Afterword General ..
Charles Berlitz, Author of "Doomsday," Takes Predictions
No full textCharles Berlitz, author of "Doomsday," makes predictions that life will cease after 2000 A.D
THE FOOD INDUSTRY - 2000 A.D. REVISITED
No full textWhat will be the nature of the food industry in the year 2000 A.D.? What will be the roles of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers? The author presents his views of future food processing and distribution practices and thereby poses a challenge to the industry to maximize its opportunities for growth during the next three decades.Agribusiness,
THE FOOD INDUSTRY - 2000 A.D. REVISITED
No full textWhat will be the nature of the food industry in the year 2000 A.D.? What will be the roles of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers? The author presents his views of future food processing and distribution practices and thereby poses a challenge to the industry to maximize its opportunities for growth during the next three decades
A study of the issues surrounding the understanding of historic military artefacts as primary source documents with particular emphasis on the sword
No full text"Minsky and Economic Policy: 'Keynesianism' All Over Again?"
No full textRecently, national newspapers all over the world have suggested that we should reread John Maynard Keynes, and that Hyman P. Minsky provides a valuable framework for understanding the world in which we live. While rereading Keynes and discovering Minsky are noble goals, one should also remember the mistakes that were made in the past. The mainstream interpretation and implementation of Keynes's ideas have been very different from what Keynes proposed, and they have been reduced to simple "fiscal activism." This led to the 1950s and 1960s "Keynesian" era, during which fine-tuning was supposed to be a straightforward way to fix economic problems. We know today that this is not the case: just playing around with taxes and government expenditures will not do. On the contrary, problems may worsen. If one wants to get serious about Keynes and Minsky, one should understand that the theoretical and policy implications are far-reaching. This paper compares and contrasts Minsky's views of the capitalist system to the tenets of the New Consensus, and argues that there never has been any true Keynesian revolution. This is illustrated by studying the Roosevelt and Kennedy/Johnson eras, as well as Keynes's reaction to the former and Minsky's critique of the latter. Overall, it is argued that the theoretical framework and policy prescriptions of Irving Fisher, not Keynes, have been much more consistent with past and current government policies.
Learning from biophysical heterogeneity: inductive use of case studies for maize cropping systems in Central America
No full textGlobal society has become conscious that efforts towards securing food production will only be successful if agricultural production increases are obtained through mechanisms that ensure active regeneration of the natural resource base. Production options should be targeted in the sense of that their suitability to improve agricultural production and maintain natural resources is evaluated prior to their introduction. Biophysical targeting evaluates production options as a function of the spatial and temporal variability of climate conditions, in interaction with soil, crop characteristics and agronomic management strategies. This thesis contributes to the development of a system-based methodology for biophysical targeting. Cropping system simulation and weather generator tools are interfaced to geographical information systems. Inductive use of two case studies - a green manure cover crop and reduced tillage with residue management - helped to develop the methodology. Insight is gained into the regional potential for and the soil and climate conditions under which successful introduction of these production options may be achieved. The resulting information supports regional stakeholders involved in agriculture in their analysis and discussion, negotiation and decision-making concerning where to implement production systems. This process can improve the supply of appropriate agricultural production practices that enhance production and conserve soil and water resources
Invitation to David Bishop from the Order of United Americans for a celebration of George Washington's birthday, February 1858
No full textThe Order of United Americans, also known as the Know-Nothings, formed in the mid-1800s to support the rights of native-born Americans over those of immigrants, and to combat what they saw as foreign influences on America. This letter is an invitation to Order member David Bishop, to a celebration in honor of George Washington's birthday. Page 1 shows the actual letter, and page 2 is the transcripts of the letter
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