Paul N Wilson

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Journals/Publications

• Wilson, P. N. (2014). The Formative Political Economy of the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District. Departmental Working Paper.
• Wilson, P. N., & Bilby, D. B. (2014). Best Management Practices and the Mitigation of Dust Pollution: An Arizona Case Study. Departmental Working Paper.
• Wilson, P. (2012). Impact Assessment as Knowledge Generation and Learning: Operational Challenges in Faith-Based NGOs. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 4(2), 328-349.
• Wilson, P. N. (2012). Impact assessment as knowledge generation and learning: operational challenges in faith-based non-governmental organisations. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 4(2), 328-349.
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  Abstract: This paper explores the potential role of impact assessment as a learning opportunity in faith-based development organisations. Using the case of TDO, a faith-based relief and development organisation, the dual criteria of assessment and learning are applied to TDO's evaluation culture. Information triangulation reveals the internal and external challenges confronted by transformational development organisations in their learning. Philosophical, emotional, and leadership tensions may represent a greater challenge to assessment and learning than the traditional obstacles of time, money, and data. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
• Wilson, P. (2011). "Shared Learning In and From Transformational Development Programs". Transformation., 28(2), 103-113.
• Wilson, P. (2011). "The Human Soul: A Missing Link in Economic Development Education". Faith & Economics, 57, 25-46.
• Kennedy, A. M., & Wilson, P. N. (2009). Reduced tillage systems as economical dust mitigation strategies. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 64(1), 61-69.
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  Abstract: Arizona is one of the first states in the nation to regulate agricultural practices in order to reduce dust emissions near urban areas. This best management practice program requires dust mitigation actions in some combination of tillage and harvest, cropland, and noncropland activities. Single pass multiple operation equipment represents a viable best management practice to reduce dust emissions fiom agricultural tillage operations. Partial budgeting and contingent valuation methods were used to estimate the potential profitability and willingness-to-adopt reduced tillage equipment, respectively. At $39 to $64 ha-1 ($16 to $26 ac -1) in long-term net benefits associated with single pass multiple operation equipment, we estimate that adoption will occur on approximately 10% to 35% of the cotton hectares. However, uncertainty over operating costs and yield variability associated with single pass multiple operation equipment may reduce this rate of adoption. As a result, most dust mitigation may occur through the reduction of the number of conventional tillage operations due to global competitive pressures and the urbanization of agricultural lands.
• Wilson, P., Swartzlander, G. A., Ford, E. L., Abdul-Malik, R. S., Close, L. M., Peters, M. A., Palacios, D. M., & Wilson, P. N. (2008). Astronomical demonstration of an optical vortex coronagraph. Optics express, 16(14).
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  Using an optical vortex coronagraph and simple adaptive optics techniques, we have made the first convincing demonstration of an optical vortex coronagraph that is coupled to a star gazing telescope. We suppressed by 97% the primary star of a resolvable binary system, Cor Caroli. The stars had an angular separation of 1.9lambda/D at our imaging camera. The secondary star suffered no suppression from the vortex lens.
• Wilson, P. N. (2005). Mutual gains from team learning: A guided design classroom exercise. Review of Agricultural Economics, 27(2), 288-296.
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  Abstract: Proponents of classroom- and team-based exercises argue that structured group problem-solving activities enhance student learning. A team-based, guided design exercise conducted annually from 1985 to 2002 supports the claim that teams are much more likely to reach superior decisions than individual students left to their own knowledge. However, a very small percentage of teams were not successful reaching a learning goal and an equally small number of highly competent individuals found themselves worse off, in terms of a team versus individual solution, after a team exercise. Nevertheless, the overall evidence validates the team-based approach to problem solving as a useful active learning strategy in the classroom.
• Mario, S., & Wilson, P. N. (2004). A farmer-centered analysis of irrigation management transfer in Mexico. Irrigation and Drainage Systems, 18(1), 89-107.
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  Abstract: With the rewritten Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution and the National Water Law of 1992, Mexico embarked on an ambitious program of transferring the management of many irrigation systems to local user groups, primarily farmers. By 1996, 372 water user associations had been formed to control water delivery to 2.92 million hectares. During this time water prices increased by 45-180% and government O and M subsidies were eliminated. Limited economic analysis of stakeholder impact has been conducted of the irrigation management transfer (IMT) program. This research effort pilots a partial budget analytical framework for analyzing the social benefits and costs of IMT. Two irrigation modules near Culiacan, Sinaloa were selected as case studies. Results reveal that even with significantly higher water prices, water users have invested more in their systems than during the pre-IMT period and consider their overall irrigation costs to be lower. Lower transaction costs in the post-IMT period explain the majority of these cost savings. Efforts to quantify incremental benefits and costs associated with IMT at the module and district levels proved difficult given the unavailability of reliable, time series information. © Kluwer Academic Publishers.
• Wilson, P. N. (2001). First-order economizing: Irrigation technology adoption and the farm. Agrekon, 40(2), 231-248.
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  Abstract: Expected future water shortages and emerging environmental concerns place micro irrigation near the forefront of technological alternatives for the agricultural sector. Drip irrigation-under favorable soil, biological, climatic, organizational, and economic conditions - is economically preferred to traditional flood, furrow, and even sprinkler technologies. However, superior management is required to produce the incremental yield increases necessary for acceptable returns on this investment. Other incremental benefits from adopting drip technology are realized through complementarities between the technology, other inputs, and the firm's marketing strategy.
• Wilson, P. N. (2000). Social Capital, Trust, and the Agribusiness of Economics. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 25(1), 1-13.
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  Abstract: Economists, including agricultural economists, have a long history of recognizing the importance of the behavioral foundations in decision making while ignoring these observable human dimensions in their economic models. The economics of social capital and trust, two important human characteristics influencing decisions, have captured the attention of economists in recent years. Recent empirical work demonstrates that social capital and trust considerations are prevalent and economically significant, especially in business. Trust alters the terms of trade, generates decision flexibility, reduces transaction costs, and creates additional time resources for management.
• Wilson, P. N., & Kennedy, A. M. (1999). Trustworthiness as an economic asset. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 2(2), 179-193.
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  Abstract: The evaluation of trust in economic decision making remains on the periphery of mainstream economic analysis and teaching. Yet business managers use trustworthiness in daily exchanges to create competitive advantages for their firms. An exploratory empirical test of Barney and Hansen's three levels of trust (weak, semistrong, and strong) and Lewicki and Bunker's portfolio of governance mechanisms revealed that strong-form trust exists in day-to-day business relationships along with other governance mechanisms. Identity-based transactions were more prevalent than were weak trust market exchanges in important economic transactions. © 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.
• Wilson, J. M., Restifo, L. L., & Wilson, J. M. (1998). A juvenile hormone agonist reveals distinct developmental pathways mediated by ecdysone-inducible broad complex transcription factors. Developmental genetics, 22(2).
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  Juvenile hormone (JH) is an important regulator of insect development that, by unknown mechanisms, modifies molecular, cellular, and organismal responses to the molting hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). In dipteran insects such as Drosophila, JH or JH agonists, administered at times near the onset of metamorphosis, cause lethality. We tested the hypothesis that the JH agonist methoprene acts by interfering with function of the Broad Complex (BRC), a 20E-regulated locus encoding BTB/POZ-zinc finger transcription factors essential for metamorphosis of many tissues. We found that methoprene, administered by feeding or by topical application, disrupts the metamorphic reorganization of the central nervous system, salivary glands, and musculature in a dose-dependent manner. As we predicted, methoprene phenocopies a subset of previously described BRC defects; it also phenocopies Deformed and produces abnormalities not associated with known mutations. Interestingly, methoprene specifically disrupts those metamorphic events dependent on the combined action of all BRC isoforms, while sparing those that require specific isoform subsets. Thus, our data provide independent pharmacological evidence for the model, originally based on genetic studies, that BRC proteins function in two developmental pathways. Mutations of Methoprene-tolerant (Met), a gene involved in the action of JH, protect against all features of the "methoprene syndrome." These findings have allowed us to propose novel alternative models linking BRC, juvenile hormone, and MET.
• Selley, R. A., & Wilson, P. N. (1997). Risk research and public outreach: A tale of two cultures?. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 22(2), 222-232.
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  Abstract: Agricultural economists have been challenged in recent years, by voices inside and outside the profession, to evaluate the integrity of the operational bridge between research and extension activities in the land grant system. This essay investigates links between the work of risk researchers and outreach programs. Survey results indicate that (a) a significant number of risk researchers are involved in extension activities; (b) extension economists are less frequently involved in risk research than their colleagues with no extension appointment; (c) full-time extension economists use less sophisticated risk tools in their outreach efforts than used in their research; and (d) all respondents, regardless of appointment, see a need for more applied risk analysis. Major challenges include a lack of financial support to close the data gap and to conduct relevant applied analysis. Also, the complexity of the problems and the analytical methods involved in risk analysis present a major communication challenge for outreach programs.
• Barkley, D. L., & Wilson, P. N. (1992). Is alternative agriculture a viable rural development strategy?. Growth & Change, 23(2), 239-253.
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  Abstract: Alternative agriculture is promoted as a means of enhancing rural area jobs and income. This nontraditional agricultural activity is defined as: new crops or products to an area, industrial uses of agricultural products, value-enhancement activities, and urban agricultural activities. The potential for new agriculturally-related activities is summarized. The long-term rural economic and development potential, through new income and jobs, is assessed. Five case studies are provided to illustrate alternative agriculture successes, limited successes, and failures (Guayule, Jojoba, Muscadine grapes, market windows for fresh fruit and vegetables, and aquaculture). We conclude that alternative agriculture may be viable in select rural areas. However, total employment generation potential is too small and diffused to provide significant rural development impacts. -Authors
• Coupal, R. H., & Wilson, P. N. (1990). Adopting water-conserving irrigation technology: The case of surge irrigation in Arizona. Agricultural Water Management, 18(1), 15-28.
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  Abstract: Surge-flow irrigation technology is a potential means for increasing irrigation efficiencies in desert agriculture. An economic analysis of the adoption decision for Arizona farmers reveals that an investment in surge irrigation is only economically viable when developing new agricultural lands or where gated pipe is already in use. Since the majority of the agricultural land in Arizona is furrow irrigated using ditches and syphon tubes, the potential for high adoption rates on existing farmland is rather limited. The analysis indicates that water costs, under conservative but realistic assumptions, would have to rise to US$ 0.08/m3 (US$ 100 per acre foot) before surge irrigation would be economically viable as a substitute for open ditch furrow irrigation. Further research is needed on potential labor savings and management efficiencies related to surge irrigation in order to measure potential profitability more accurately. © 1990.
• Wilson, P. N. (1988). Intensive grazing management in arid and semiarid regions: an economic assessment. Arid lands. Proc. conference, Tucson, 1985, 1197-1209.
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  Abstract: Intensive grazing management (IGM) represents a new approach for managing the range and animal resources of the ranch firm in order to maximize profitability and maintain and improve the range environment. Rotation periods and stock density levels are managed to obtain increased long-run productivity from a given land base. This paper reviews the scientific literature and institutional relationships relevant to intensive grazing in Arizona. A conceptual economic model is discussed in analyzing the IGM adoption decision. An empirical analysis of the IGM investment decision reveals the importance of animal productivity and grazing cell costs in determining profitability. Intensive grazing can increase the economic returns to ranchers in semiarid and arid lands without damaging the resource base, but only under informed and progressive management. -from Author
• Wilson, P. N., Goldammer, T. J., & Wade, J. C. (1988). Bioeconomic considerations for wastewater reuse in agricultural production. Water Resources Bulletin, 24(1), 1-9.
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  Abstract: Urban wastewater can be a valuable source of water and plant nutrients for agricultural producers, particularly in arid regions. The scientific literature reveals cautious optimism concerning the biological, institutional, and economic viability of irrigating crops with secondary-treated effluent. A derived effluent demand function for agricultural producers near Tucson, Arizona, reveals a potential annual demand of 11,000 acre-feet under present price and proposed delivery system conditions. In this case, wastewater could be exchanged for ground water and both the urban and rural areas would gain.
• Wilson, P. N., & Eidman, V. R. (1985). Dominant enterprise size in the swine production industry ( Corn Belt).. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 67(2), 279-288.
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  Abstract: Distributions of after-tax net revenues for thirteen swine production units in three subregions of the Corn Belt are generated. Risk-averse producers prefer smaller operations, while risk-loving managers prefer relatively large-scale swine enterprises. -from Authors
• Wilson, P. N., & Gundersen, C. E. (1985). Financial risk in cotton production.. Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics, 17(2), 199-206.
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  Abstract: Demonstrates the relative importance of financial risk for a representative cotton farm in Arizona. For highly leveraged operations, financial risk may account for 70% of the total risk faced by the producer.-from Authors
• Ayer, H., Wilson, P., & Snider, G. (1984). ECONOMICS AND GROUNDWATER.. Array, 50-65.
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  Abstract: Groundwater withdrawals for cotton production in the arid Southwest account for about 15 percent of all groundwater withdrawals. In Arizona, cotton's proportion of groundwater withdrawals is much higher - 34 percent. Drip irrigation of cotton can greatly reduce groundwater applications - in Arizona applications have usually been reduced by 30-50 percent of typical furrow irrigation applications. This economic analysis predicts that drip irrigation on cotton might be profitable in Arizona, given a yield increase of about a bale per acre. A review of the literature and interviews with researchers and cotton producers suggest that yield is often, but not always, improved. Key factors that affect drip yields are the soil, climate and management. Drip irrigation tended to increase yields on medium to coarse soils, where the weather was hot and dry, and where good management was applied. Conversely, there were often no yield increases where level, fine soils prevented deep percolation or runoff from conventional furrow systems, and which slowly released moisture to the plant. Yield increases may also be restricted where the growing season is shorter, cooler, and wetter.
• Wilson, P. N. (1984). Economies of scale on commercial cash-grain hog farms - reality or myth?. North Central Journal of Agricultural Economics, 6(2), 12-17.
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  Abstract: Estimates a Cobb-Douglas production function with qualitative size variables to determine if measures of the function coefficient indicate economies of scale for cash-grain pig farms and support the results of non-econometric studies. -from WAERSA
• Wilson, P. N., & Wise, M. L. (1984). Collaborative style in agricultural project design. Agricultural Administration, 16(1), 45-51.
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  Abstract: The manner in which borrower/grantees (BG) and donors work in a joint effort to design agricultural projects is identified as a critical component in the design process. Many of the criticisms and implementation problems of foreign aid can be traced back to the lack of collaboration between the BG and donor. Three administrative steps are discussed which encourage a more constructive interaction between all important parties during the design of agricultural projects. An appeal is made for incorporating an analysis of collaboration into project evaluations. © 1984.
• Wilson, P. N. (1983). Integrated rural development: Additional lessons from Nicaragua. Agricultural Administration, 14(3), 137-149.
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  Abstract: Integrated rural development (IRD) projects represented a significant proportion of international donor funded programs in low income countries during the 1970s. This paper briefly reviews the IRD literature and evaluates the Nicaraguan IRD program funded by the Agency for International Development. Important lessons learned from this IRD case study include the necessity of applying modern management techniques in development programs, the vital need for appropriate technologies, the organizational difficulties of institutional coordination and the precarious position of requiring social and economic reforms during project implementation. The author concludes that IRD programs often are inappropriate for low income countries. Scarce developmental resources would be more productive if they were concentrated on one or two key developmental constraints. © 1983.

Presentations

• Wilson, P. N. (2011). Paper Presentation &Embedded Social Networks. Annual Meeting of the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics and Culture. Washington, D.C..

Others

• Wilson, J. M., Levine, N., Earle, M., & Wilson, J. M. (1990, Jul). Controlled localized heating and isotretinoin effects in canine squamous cell carcinoma. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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  Controlled localized radiofrequency heating and systemic isotretinoin were used serially as therapy in a hairless dog that developed multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in chronically sun-damaged skin. During the course of therapy, four superficial tumors regressed completely, both clinically and histologically. Two larger, deeper tumors showed clinical signs of regression but histologic clearing did not occur. Both treatment modalities are known to have antitumor effects independently and may exert their effects in an additive fashion. However, it is also possible that heat-induced injury to tumor cells could lead to retinoid-mediated enhancement of an immunologic response to tumor antigens or some other process that might lead to regression.