How Modifying Third‐Party Information Affects Interpersonal Impressions and the Evaluation of Collaborative Online Media

Previous research has drawn upon warranting theory to help explain how viewers evaluate people and entities online. Extending previous research, this study assesses how the ability of a target to modify third‐party information affects perceptions of warranting value, and in turn, interpersonal impressions and the perceived legitimacy of online media that host evaluations. Additionally, this work explores how the perceived objectivity of a third‐party evaluator affects impressions in online settings. The results provide support for warranting theory and help clarify how impressions are formed in online environments when people have the ability to generate and modify content collectively. The theoretical implications this study has for warranting theory and future research directions are discussed.     

Mandating Low-Carbon Fuels to Reshape a Regional Electricity Market

The national policy debate over how to reduce carbon emissions while preserving the integrity of wholesale electricity markets heard a jarring message from the Northeast this summer. In a region known for first creating and then defending competition in its wholesale electricity market, the largest consuming state, Massachusetts, passed legislation that requires distribution utilities to purchase carbon-free electricity under long-term contracts for up to 30 percent of the state's electricity supply.     

Med‐Arb Agreements since Thione: A Practice Update

In 2008, we published an article exploring the potential for federal courts to conclude that mediation and arbitration, or med‐arb, agreements did not qualify as “arbitration” under the Federal Arbitration Act. 9 U.S.C. § 2 (2011). See David J. McLean & Sean‐Patrick Wilson, “Compelling Mediation in the Context Med‐Arb Agreements,” 63 Dispute Resolution Journal 28 (2008)(available at http://ow.ly/Q8Oob ).     

Dealing with the One‐Hour SO2 NAAQS Implementation

In June 2010, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new, very stringent National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide¹ (SO₂).     

Lignosulfonates: effects on plant growth and survival and migration through the soil profile

The effects of Lignosite^#rm lignosulfonate, a refined lignosulfonate product that is obtained from the sulfite pulping process, on growth and survival of plants were investigated. Following applications of 0, 7500, 15,000 and 22,500 cm³#shm² to 32 plots within a forest plantation, the following were monitored: (1) live aboveground biomass of vascular plants, (2) growth of Douglar fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and (3) lignosulfonate migration through the soil profile. Live aboveground biomass of woody vegetation was not affected, and that of herbaceous plants was significantly decreased only at the two greatest application rates. Growth of the Douglas fir trees was not significantly affected. Lignosulfonates disappeared from the soil profile at the same rate regardless of initial concentration. Although it is not practical to use this material as a herbicide in western Washington, land application of lignosulfonates may be environmentally more attractive than traditional disposal methods.