1,698 research outputs found
Self-Enforcing Climate Change Treaties: A Generalized Differential Game Approach with Applications
Based on recent proposals on non cooperative dynamic games for analysing climate negotiation outcomes, such as Dutta and Radner (2004, 2006a), we generalize a specific framework for modelling differential games of this type and describe the set of conditions for the existence of closed loop dynamics and its relation to adaptive evolutionary dynamics. We then show that the Dutta and Radner (2004, 2006a) discrete time dynamic setup is a specific case of that generalization and describe the dynamics both analytically and numerically for closed loop feedback and perfect state patterns. Our discussion is completed with the introduction of a cooperative differential framework for welfare analysis purposes, within our non cooperative proposal for climate negotiations.Differential Game Theory, Environmental Economics, Evolutionary Dynamics, Climate Change Treaties
Grey-box Testing and Verification of Java/JML
International audienceWe present in this paper the application of constraint solving techniques to the validation and automated test cases generation for Java programs, annotated with JML specifications. The Java/JML code is translated into a constraint representation based on a subset of the set-theory, which is well-suited for modelling object-oriented programs. Symbolic code execution techniques can then be applied to produce test cases, using classical structural test selection criteria, or to detect possible runtime errors, and non-conformances between the Java code and its embedded JML model
Reactivity of N-(3-hydroxyacyl)amino acids and influence of their corresponding homoserine lactones on cyclic lipopeptide production
In this PhD thesis isotope-labelled AHLs were synthesized which can be used as a tool to study the metabolization of AHLs. Secondly, the possible rearrangement of N-(3-hydroxyacyl)- L-homoserine lactones was investigated and proven to be very unlikely. This investigation resulted in the successful development of a synthetic entry toward 1,4-oxazepane-2,5-diones, which are extremely difficult to synthesize due to the presence of a lactam with a preference for the trans-conformation and a labile lactone moiety in one ring structure. By applying the disclosed methodology on the synthesis of the natural product serratin, the incorrect structural assignment of this compound was identified. Thirdly, the profound effect of a QS signal molecule, HO8, on the swarming behavior of Pseudomonas species CMR12a, was demonstrated. This influence goes presumably via an elegant fine-tuning of the ratio of the two produced CLPs, orfamide and sessilin via the control of orfamide production
Investment under company-level pacts before and during the Great Recession
Company-level pacts between the management and the works council are often preferred in comparison to agreements between employersâ association and unions because the former negotiating partners are better informed about the economic situation of a company and have fewer goal conflicts than the latter. Moreover, these company-level pacts might reduce the âhold-upâ problems which arise once specialized investment is made. Therefore, this article investigates whether such agreements affect firm-level investment. Based on the IAB Establishment Panel Survey 2001â2010 the study indicates that the adoption of a company-level pact leads to a higher investment rate than in other firms driven by reinvestment. However, the Great Recession has damped this positive influence. From the econometric analysis the article does not detect any increase in investment during the negotiation phase. After the expiration of a company-level pact, lower reinvestment and a small increase in net investment take place. © 2013, © The Author(s) 2013
Cyclic lipodepsipeptides from Pseudomonas spp. : biological Swiss-army knives
Cyclic lipodepsipeptides produced by Pseudomonas spp. (Ps-CLPs) are biosurfactants that constitute a diverse class of versatile bioactive natural compounds with promising application potential. While chemically diverse, they obey a common structural blue-print, allowing the definition of 14 distinct groups with multiple structurally homologous members. In addition to antibacterial and antifungal properties the reported activity profile of Ps-CLPs includes their effect on bacterial motility, biofilm formation, induced defense responses in plants, their insecticidal activity and anti-proliferation effects on human cancer cell-lines. To further validate their status of potential bioactive substances, we assessed the results of 775 biological tests on 51 Ps-CLPs available from literature. From this, a fragmented view emerges. Taken as a group, Ps-CLPs present a broad activity profile. However, reports on individual Ps-CLPs are often much more limited in the scope of organisms that are challenged or activities that are explored. As a result, our analysis shows that the available data is currently too sparse to allow biological function to be correlated to a particular group of Ps-CLPs. Consequently, certain generalizations that appear in literature with respect to the biological activities of Ps-CLPs should be nuanced. This notwithstanding, the data for the two most extensively studied Ps-CLPs does indicate they can display activities against various biological targets. As the discovery of novel Ps-CLPs accelerates, current challenges to complete and maintain a useful overview of biological activity are discussed
Unity in Multiplicity: Shared Cultural Understandings on Marital Life in a Damascus Catholic and Muslim Court
__Abstract__
Family relations in Syria are governed by a plurality of personal
status laws and courts. This plurality manifests itself on
a variety of levels, including statutory, communal and individual.
In this article, the author argues that, albeit this plurality,
Syrian personal status law is also characterised by the
prevalence of shared, gendered norms and views on marital
life. Based on fieldwork conducted in a Catholic and a
sharâiyya personal status courts in Damascus in 2009, the
author examines the shared cultural understandings on marital
relationships that were found in these courts, and as laid
down â most importantly â in the respective Catholic and
Muslim family laws. The article maintains that the patriarchal
family model is preserved and reinforced by the various
personal status laws and by the various actors which operated
in the field of personal status law. Finally, two Catholic
case studies are presented and analysed to demonstrate the
importance and attachment to patriarchal gender norms in
the Catholic first instance court of Damascus
New insights in caspase-11 functions in noncanonical inflammasome signalling
International audienc
- âŠ