Economic impact analyses were conducted on waterfowl hunting and the logging industry in Mississippi to determine the validity of the Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) input-output software model and associated 2007 databases. Detailed expenditure profiles were collected separately for the two studies through mail, electronic, and face-toace surveys and analyzed with separate models using default data within IMPLAN itself. Additionally, for the logging industry, total economic impacts (i.e., direct, indirect, induced) were estimated within the IMPLAN model by removing the total employment for the relevant sector and calculating the impact on the state economy. This procedure was recommended by Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Incorporated (MIG, Inc.). Economic impact results derived from replicating this method were first compared to economic impact results derived with a population size of (N=2,471) loggers and second, with a sample size of (n=33) loggers. The top 20 output sectors in the state economy from both waterfowl hunting and logging expenditures were determined from model results. In turn, new data were acquired and used in each model that was more localized to the state, to replace one, two, three, and four of the top 20 sectors of importance for each industry, respectively. Multiple IMPLAN models were then reconstructed to determine economic outputs. The Mississippi default models and survey-based data default models, and survey-based data replacement models were compared, and differences in total economic outputs derived. Results using sector changes yielded different results for both industries in comparison to default values used within the model, making the case that the IMPLAN model has the potential to both understate and overstate economic impacts to Mississippi or any state economy for recreation and industry activity.

Fishing, hunting and wildlife-associated recreation expenditures have played an important role in the U.S. economy. The 2006 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey reported 87.5 million people participated in wildlife-associated recreation activities, spending $122.4 billion on trips and equipment in U.S. Periodic assessment of economic impact of wildlife associated recreation provides a consistent perspective for forest and wildlife resource management. This research used input-output analysis to evaluate the economic impacts of wildlife associated recreation expenditures in the U.S. South. IMPLAN models were developed for each state to determine the direct, indirect and induced effects of these expenditures. The comparison revealed the differences in the individual states’ economies and levels of expenditures and illustrated the importance of understanding intra-regional variations in establishing wildlife programs and policies. Overall, this study shows that wildlife associated recreation expenditures had larger economic multiplier than of the other forest based industries in the U.S. South.

In 1978, Stanislaus County took a proactive approach to food processing byproduct waste and established the Food Processing Byproduct Use Program. It allows processors to transport byproduct to local producers, where it serves as an alternative input. There is concern that the program negatively impacts local groundwater. The Regional Water Quality Control Board proposed that the County institute water monitoring which would increase program expenses. In response to this proposal, participants investigated the impact of the cost increase and some have concluded that this increase would preclude their continued involvement. They believe the program has allowed them to maintain their competitiveness and has kept them from relocating. This study investigates the economic impact of the food processors leaving the region due to a modification of the current program. Four economic impacts were studied—output, value-added, taxes, and employment. A sensitivity analysis was run to establish a range of possible value and the analysis yielded significantly higher results. It was estimated that program modification would result in significant fiscal and employment effects for Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. This study determined that both Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties have a vested interest in ensuring that the program remains viable for processors.

This thesis aimed to improve decision-maker access to economic information by testing a pricejusting methodology to annually update expenditure information for economic impacts analyses and by conducting a trends analysis of economic sector contributions to a regional economy. A secondary data analysis of historical angler survey data generated expenditure profiles adjusted over time using price indices. A replication survey was conducted to compare expenditures. Grouping anglers by trip type (one-day/multiple-day) resulted in expenditure profiles that were generally consistent over time as anglers spent approximately $75 and $130 on one-day and multiple-day trips, respectively. These expenditures resulted in total economic impacts of over $13 million. A series of automatic social accounting matrices (ASAM) were then employed to execute economic base analyses, quantifying the role of sectors in the regional economy. The tourism sector consistently contributed over 20% of gross employment and almost 10% of gross output over time.

This thesis examines the economic impact of two alternative canning plant sizes in Scott County, Virginia. The impacts of a community cannery as well as a commercial cannery are analyzed with respect to changes in output, employment, and income. Several uses for the commercial cannery are considered, such as specialization in different product categories. In both cases, an input-output model is used to evaluate the effects of the operation of the cannery in the county. The results indicate that the impact of the commercial cannery is significantly larger than the community cannery. Specialization of the commercial cannery in the Canned Specialties sector has the largest impact with respect to industry output and labor income while specialization in the Sausages and Other Prepared Meats sector has the largest impact with respect to employment. / Master of Science

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Bill B. Golden / While Kansas, and specifically western Kansas, are known by many to be the backbone of agriculture in our nation, much of that productivity has been built on the heels of the invention and efficiency of irrigation technology. Unfortunately, recharge and replenishment of the High Plains - Ogallala Aquifer has not kept pace with the demands of agricultural production, and current indications state that without the implementation of conservation or management practices that the aquifer in Kansas could be depleted by 2060 (Steward, et al. 2013). The producers of Kansas are committed to long-term solutions to preserve their way of life, espouse their commitment to natural resources and the environment, and ensure the viability of their operations for years to come. This study analyzed the economic impact of a proposed Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA) for Groundwater Management District ¬(GMD) #4. While there currently is a LEMA in a portion of GMD #4 known as the Sheridan 6 LEMA, the board of GMD #4 has initiated the process to institute a district-wide LEMA that would affect a large portion of the 10-county area of the groundwater management district (Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Wallace, Logan, and Gove Counties). To complete the analysis for the proposed policy change, multiple scenarios were derived using the IMPLAN software. The first model serves as the baseline scenario and provides status quo information on the current irrigated cropping economics of GMD #4. The second scenario assumes that a district-wide LEMA would require a 25% reduction in groundwater use, compared to current irrigation practices. To achieve this reduction in groundwater use, irrigated acreage was reduced by 25% and transitioned to dryland production. For the third and final scenario, an optimal irrigated crop-mix ratio is determined based on the current shift in production as reported by the producers in the Sheridan 6 LEMA. While this scenario does not reduce irrigated acres, it shows the economic gains that can be captured by using less water-intensive crops as part of the crop-mix ratio. The reduction in irrigation is also imbedded in that the acreage in which production is shifted away from is more water intensive towards acreage that is less water-intensive. Due to a reduction in groundwater use for irrigation, the study determined that there is a negative economic impact in relation to employment and total output in the GMD #4 area. There are 173 less individuals employed from the 25% reduction in groundwater use. Additionally, direct output is reduced by $44.6 million and total output is reduced by $60.0 million. This equates to a $194.49 reduction per acre on a per-acre basis. The study further showed that the economic impact could be lessened by the use of a crop-mix shift as evidenced in the current Sheridan 6 LEMA. The assessment of a crop-mix shift decreased the loss of direct output by $12.0 million to $265.0 million and total output by $16.5 million to $357.1 million. On a per-acre basis, this is a reduction of $140.97, or mitigation of $53.52 in loss per acre due to the use of an optimal crop-mix shift. While agricultural production is highly dependent on many factors, it can be universally agreed that the landscape of agriculture would be different if water was not an available resource. It is the hope that this research will provide a starting point for the producers of GMD #4 to have a conversation about the economic costs associated with the implementation of a LEMA, as well as discuss other options and opportunities to make educated, well-informed decisions that are impactful both now and for generations to come.

The South is one of the leading timber producing regions in the world. Monitoring economic contribution of the forest products industry in the South over time is thus crucial in addressing critical economic issues and in understanding important industry trends. This study reports the economic impacts for the four forest-based industry (forestry, lumber and wood products, paper and allied products, and wood furniture) for 13 southern states, individually as well as regionally, and compares to 2001, the last comprehensive study of the industry in the South. During the study period, the industry’s employment decreased by 33.35% and earnings in real terms decreased by 18.44%. However, value of shipments and manufacturing valueded for the industry in real terms increased by 59.21% and 68.22% respectively. Therefore, despite of disproportionate impacts of the current recession and decline in housing starts, the industry still is an important component of the South’s economy.

Orientador: Wirley Gonçalves Assunção / Coorientador: Cristiane Duque / Banca: Leonardo Perez Faverani / Banca: Valetin Adelino Ricardo Barão / Resumo: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar, in vitro, a corrosão em diferentes superfícies de Titânio comercialmente puro-Grau 4 (Ticp-G4) em função do efeito de biofilme bacteriano de Enterococcus faecalis. 57 discos foram utilizados divididos aleatoriamente de acordo com a superfície (n=19): Grupo I superfície usinada (USI); Grupo II superfície texturizada por duplo ataque ácido (D.A.) e Grupo III superfície texturizada por duplo ataque ácido e jateamento por zircônia (D.A.Zir). Para análise microbiológica (n=9), os discos foram posicionados em placas de 24 poços contendo cultura de Enterococcus faecalis à 1.5 x 105 células/mL em meio BHI caldo e incubados por 168 horas (7 dias) a 37° C. Após este período os discos foram removidos e as bactérias aderidas em sua superfície foram avaliadas por meio de contagem de Unidades Formadora de Colônias/mL (UFC/mL). Para análise corrosiva (n=5), novos espécimes foram inoculados da mesma forma em cultura de E. faecalis e após 7 dias, estes foram destinados ao ensaio eletroquímico por meio de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE), utilizando como eletrólitos BHI e biofilme e BHI caldo estéril. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística: microbiológico (ANOVA com pós teste Tukey; 5%) e ensaio eletroquímico (ANOVA 2 Fatores e pós teste Tukey 5%). Na avaliação da contagem celular bacteriana, somente D.A.Zir (média 34 UFC/ml) diferiu de USI (média 16 UFC/ml) (p = 0,034), mas não de D.A. (24 UFC/ml). Na espectroscopia de impedân... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the corrosion in different surfaces of Titanium commercially pure-Grade 4 (Ticp-G4) as a function of the bacterial biofilm effect of Enterococcus faecalis. 57 disks were randomly divided according to the surface (n = 19): Group I machined surface (USI); Group IIsurface textured by double acid attack (D.A.) and Group III surface textured by double acid etching and zirconia (D.A.Zir). For microbiological analysis (n = 9), the discs were positioned in 24-well plates containing Enterococcus faecalis culture at 1.5 x 10 5 cells / ml in broth BHI medium and incubated for 168 hours (7 days) at 37 ° C. period the discs were removed and the bacteria adhered on its surface were evaluated by means of Colony Forming Units / mL (CFU / mL) counts. For corrosive analysis (n = 5), new specimens were inoculated in the same way in E. faecalis culture and after 7 days, they were destined to the electrochemical test by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (IEE) using BHI and biofilm electrolytes and BHI sterile broth. The results were submitted to statistical analysis: microbiological (ANOVA with Tukey post test, 5%) and electrochemical test (ANOVA 2 Factors and post test Tukey 5%). In the evaluation of bacterialcell count, only D.A.Zir (mean 34 CFU / ml) differed from USI (mean 16 CFU / ml) (p = 0.034), but not D.A. (24 CFU / ml). In electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, for Nyquist and BODE, the D.A.Zir (Biofilm) group showed ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The goal of this study is to evaluate the introduction of cellulosic ethanol conversion plants using switchgrass as the feedstock and how it impacts the economies of two Tennessee regions. Switchgrass feedstock production, storage, and transportation costs are estimated for one plant in West Tennessee and one plant in East Tennessee. In each region, the location for a cellulosic ethanol conversion plant and the acreage required to meet a 61.8 million-gallon/year capacity are specified. The costs associated with switchgrass production and cellulosic ethanol conversion are then entered into IMPLAN to estimate the economic impacts of one cellulosic ethanol plant in each region. The key findings of the study for West Tennessee are as follows. The investment impacts of switchgrass farming are $100.4 million more in total industry output, an increase of 914 jobs, and $46.9 million more in total valued added. Investment impacts of a cellulosic ethanol conversion plant include $121.3 million increase in total industry output, an additional 653 jobs, and a $47.7 million increase in total valued added. Year-to-year operations of switchgrass farming and cellulosic ethanol conversion increase the region’s total industry output by $57.1 million, increase jobs by 296, and increase total value added by $26 million. In East Tennessee the investment impacts of switchgrass farming are $118.3 million increase in total industry output, 949 jobs created, and a $66.4 million increase in total valued added. Investment impacts of a cellulosic ethanol conversion plant include a $116.9 million increase in total industry output, an additional 765 jobs, and a $48.3 million increase in total valued added. Year-to-year operations of switchgrass farming and cellulosic ethanol conversion increase the region’s total industry output by $80.4 million, jobs by 396, and the total value added by $39.2 million.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the introduction of cellulosic ethanol conversion plants using switchgrass as the feedstock and how it impacts the economies of two Tennessee regions. Switchgrass feedstock production, storage, and transportation costs are estimated for one plant in West Tennessee and one plant in East Tennessee. In each region, the location for a cellulosic ethanol conversion plant and the acreage required to meet a 61.8 million-gallon/year capacity are specified. The costs associated with switchgrass production and cellulosic ethanol conversion are then entered into IMPLAN to estimate the economic impacts of one cellulosic ethanol plant in each region. The key findings of the study for West Tennessee are as follows. The investment impacts of switchgrass farming are $100.4 million more in total industry output, an increase of 914 jobs, and $46.9 million more in total valued added. Investment impacts of a cellulosic ethanol conversion plant include $121.3 million increase in total industry output, an additional 653 jobs, and a $47.7 million increase in total valued added. Year-to-year operations of switchgrass farming and cellulosic ethanol conversion increase the region’s total industry output by $57.1 million, increase jobs by 296, and increase total value added by $26 million.In East Tennessee the investment impacts of switchgrass farming are $118.3 million increase in total industry output, 949 jobs created, and a $66.4 million increase in total valued added. Investment impacts of a cellulosic ethanol conversion plant include a $116.9 million increase in total industry output, an additional 765 jobs, and a $48.3 million increase in total valued added. Year-to-year operations of switchgrass farming and cellulosic ethanol conversion increase the region’s total industry output by $80.4 million, jobs by 396, and the total value added by $39.2 million.