Biodiversité structurelle et fonctionnelle des peuplements de macro-invertébrés en tant que descripteur de la variabilité hydraulique : exemple de deux parties court-circuitées du Rhône moyen

Le peuplement faunistique d'un hydrosystème est constamment soumis à la variabilité spatio-temporelle de l'environnement. Il en résulte que les espèces dominantes sont celles présentant les caractéristiques biologiques et les préférendums écologiques les plus appropriés aux différents types d'habitats de la mosaïque fluviale. Une approche multiparamétrique de description de l'état physique du milieu à partir de la prise en compte simultanée d'indicateurs de structure et de fonction des communautés d'invertébrés a été testée sur le Rhône Moyen. L'étude de quatre stations physiquement dissemblables situées dans deux secteurs court-circuités montre ainsi qu'à la structuration selon la vitesse du courant (unités fonctionnelles) correspond des différences trophiques et écologiques, tandis qu'à la structuration physique du milieu (secteur de cours d'eau) correspond des différences taxonomiques. La disponibilité en habitats pour les invertébrés est alors corrélée à la configuration du chenal du tronçon considéré. Les assemblages d'espèces répondent ainsi, au travers de leur occurrence et de leur abondance, à un gradient physique. Cette approche, prédictive et appliquée, mettant en parallèle constat biologique et structure physique des stations et des milieux, permet d'établir une typologie fonctionnelle des écosystèmes aquatiques considérés et de proposer une gestion intégrée adaptée aux problèmes posés (gestion des habitats et de leur biodiversité, restauration hydraulique et écologique des milieux, etc.).The aquatic communities of a hydrosystem are constantly subject to the space-time variability of the environment. As a result, the dominant species are those presenting the biological characteristics and the ecological preferences best adapted with the various types of habitats of the river mosaic. A multiparametric description of physical structure from macroinvertebrate communities, taking into account both indicators of structure and functioning of these communities, was tested on the Middle Rhône River (France). The study of four physically dissimilar stations located in two by-passed sections showed that the arrangement due to the current velocity (functional units) corresponded to trophic and ecological differences, whereas the arrangement due to physical conditions (reach of river) corresponded to taxonomic differences. The availability in habitats for the invertebrates was correlated with the configuration of the channel of the section considered. The patches of species answered thus, through their occurrence and their abundance, to a physical gradient. This approach, predictive and applied, with parallel between the biological report and the physical structure of the stations and the environments, makes it possible to establish a functional typology of the aquatic ecosystems considered and to propose an integrated management adapted to the problems arising (management of the habitats and of their biodiversity, hydraulic and ecological restoration of the environments, etc)

ESG and Financial Performance in the Eurozone: A Cross-Industry Analysis

This paper focuses on analysing the relationship between Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings and financial performance in the Eurozone across different industries. While some theories show that companies should naturally do Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), for others, CSR should be avoided as much as possible. The empirical literature does not confirm any of the CSR theories as there is high variety of results in the study of ESG and financial performance, showing that there is no clear answer regarding the link that they can take. This paper focuses on the 2010 - 2017 period to avoid the impact of the financial crisis on the data and uses 256 companies classified in different industries through the International Classification Benchmark. Among all ESG rating providers, Thomson Reuters’ is the one chosen for ESG ratings. Regarding financial performance, Tobin’s Q and ROA are chosen for market performance and accounting performance respectively. The main model of this study regresses ESG to financial performance and is completed by a second model which regresses individually the ESG pillars: Environmental, Social and Governance. To analyse this relationship, a Fixed Effects regression with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors is used as this method takes into account all the different characteristic of the data seen through various tests; necessity to use FE, heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence. This paper shows that there is a highly significant positive relationship in the Eurozone between ESG and market performance, and more specifically a highly positive relationship between Social, Governance ratings and market performance. Regarding accounting performance, this study shows that there is no relationship in the Eurozone, but positive and negative relationships do exist when looking at specific industries. The industry analysis enables to show two important characteristics in the Eurozone. First, even if some industries are related, they can still have statistically significant ESG ratings of different mathematical signs, thus showing the interest of looking at them individually. Second, ESG pillars of a same industry can have different mathematical signs of relationship with financial performance. Finally, the sensitivity test is done with different ESG ratings, showing that the model is fairly robust

Factors influencing reductions in smoking among Australian adolescents

© 2016 Harris. A continued increase in the proportion of adolescents who never smoke, as well as an understanding of factors that influence reductions in smoking among this susceptible population, is crucial. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control provides an appropriate structure to briefly examine Australian and New South Wales policies and programs that are influencing reductions in smoking among adolescents in Australia. This paper provides an overview of price and recent tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, the evolution of smoke-free environment policies, changes to tobacco labelling and packaging, public education campaigns, and restrictions to curb tobacco advertising. It also discusses supplyreduction measures that limit adolescents' access to tobacco products. Consideration is given to emerging priorities to achieve continued declines in smoking by Australian adolescents

ESG and Financial Performance in the Eurozone: A Cross-Industry Analysis

This paper focuses on analysing the relationship between Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings and financial performance in the Eurozone across different industries. While some theories show that companies should naturally do Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), for others, CSR should be avoided as much as possible. The empirical literature does not confirm any of the CSR theories as there is high variety of results in the study of ESG and financial performance, showing that there is no clear answer regarding the link that they can take. This paper focuses on the 2010 - 2017 period to avoid the impact of the financial crisis on the data and uses 256 companies classified in different industries through the International Classification Benchmark. Among all ESG rating providers, Thomson Reuters’ is the one chosen for ESG ratings. Regarding financial performance, Tobin’s Q and ROA are chosen for market performance and accounting performance respectively. The main model of this study regresses ESG to financial performance and is completed by a second model which regresses individually the ESG pillars: Environmental, Social and Governance. To analyse this relationship, a Fixed Effects regression with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors is used as this method takes into account all the different characteristic of the data seen through various tests; necessity to use FE, heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence. This paper shows that there is a highly significant positive relationship in the Eurozone between ESG and market performance, and more specifically a highly positive relationship between Social, Governance ratings and market performance. Regarding accounting performance, this study shows that there is no relationship in the Eurozone, but positive and negative relationships do exist when looking at specific industries. The industry analysis enables to show two important characteristics in the Eurozone. First, even if some industries are related, they can still have statistically significant ESG ratings of different mathematical signs, thus showing the interest of looking at them individually. Second, ESG pillars of a same industry can have different mathematical signs of relationship with financial performance. Finally, the sensitivity test is done with different ESG ratings, showing that the model is fairly robust

ESG and Financial Performance in the Eurozone: A Cross-Industry Analysis

This paper focuses on analysing the relationship between Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings and financial performance in the Eurozone across different industries. While some theories show that companies should naturally do Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), for others, CSR should be avoided as much as possible. The empirical literature does not confirm any of the CSR theories as there is high variety of results in the study of ESG and financial performance, showing that there is no clear answer regarding the link that they can take. This paper focuses on the 2010 - 2017 period to avoid the impact of the financial crisis on the data and uses 256 companies classified in different industries through the International Classification Benchmark. Among all ESG rating providers, Thomson Reuters’ is the one chosen for ESG ratings. Regarding financial performance, Tobin’s Q and ROA are chosen for market performance and accounting performance respectively. The main model of this study regresses ESG to financial performance and is completed by a second model which regresses individually the ESG pillars: Environmental, Social and Governance. To analyse this relationship, a Fixed Effects regression with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors is used as this method takes into account all the different characteristic of the data seen through various tests; necessity to use FE, heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence. This paper shows that there is a highly significant positive relationship in the Eurozone between ESG and market performance, and more specifically a highly positive relationship between Social, Governance ratings and market performance. Regarding accounting performance, this study shows that there is no relationship in the Eurozone, but positive and negative relationships do exist when looking at specific industries. The industry analysis enables to show two important characteristics in the Eurozone. First, even if some industries are related, they can still have statistically significant ESG ratings of different mathematical signs, thus showing the interest of looking at them individually. Second, ESG pillars of a same industry can have different mathematical signs of relationship with financial performance. Finally, the sensitivity test is done with different ESG ratings, showing that the model is fairly robust

ESG and Financial Performance in the Eurozone: A Cross-Industry Analysis

This paper focuses on analysing the relationship between Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings and financial performance in the Eurozone across different industries. While some theories show that companies should naturally do Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), for others, CSR should be avoided as much as possible. The empirical literature does not confirm any of the CSR theories as there is high variety of results in the study of ESG and financial performance, showing that there is no clear answer regarding the link that they can take. This paper focuses on the 2010 - 2017 period to avoid the impact of the financial crisis on the data and uses 256 companies classified in different industries through the International Classification Benchmark. Among all ESG rating providers, Thomson Reuters’ is the one chosen for ESG ratings. Regarding financial performance, Tobin’s Q and ROA are chosen for market performance and accounting performance respectively. The main model of this study regresses ESG to financial performance and is completed by a second model which regresses individually the ESG pillars: Environmental, Social and Governance. To analyse this relationship, a Fixed Effects regression with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors is used as this method takes into account all the different characteristic of the data seen through various tests; necessity to use FE, heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence. This paper shows that there is a highly significant positive relationship in the Eurozone between ESG and market performance, and more specifically a highly positive relationship between Social, Governance ratings and market performance. Regarding accounting performance, this study shows that there is no relationship in the Eurozone, but positive and negative relationships do exist when looking at specific industries. The industry analysis enables to show two important characteristics in the Eurozone. First, even if some industries are related, they can still have statistically significant ESG ratings of different mathematical signs, thus showing the interest of looking at them individually. Second, ESG pillars of a same industry can have different mathematical signs of relationship with financial performance. Finally, the sensitivity test is done with different ESG ratings, showing that the model is fairly robust

ESG and Financial Performance in the Eurozone: A Cross-Industry Analysis

This paper focuses on analysing the relationship between Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings and financial performance in the Eurozone across different industries. While some theories show that companies should naturally do Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), for others, CSR should be avoided as much as possible. The empirical literature does not confirm any of the CSR theories as there is high variety of results in the study of ESG and financial performance, showing that there is no clear answer regarding the link that they can take. This paper focuses on the 2010 - 2017 period to avoid the impact of the financial crisis on the data and uses 256 companies classified in different industries through the International Classification Benchmark. Among all ESG rating providers, Thomson Reuters’ is the one chosen for ESG ratings. Regarding financial performance, Tobin’s Q and ROA are chosen for market performance and accounting performance respectively. The main model of this study regresses ESG to financial performance and is completed by a second model which regresses individually the ESG pillars: Environmental, Social and Governance. To analyse this relationship, a Fixed Effects regression with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors is used as this method takes into account all the different characteristic of the data seen through various tests; necessity to use FE, heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence. This paper shows that there is a highly significant positive relationship in the Eurozone between ESG and market performance, and more specifically a highly positive relationship between Social, Governance ratings and market performance. Regarding accounting performance, this study shows that there is no relationship in the Eurozone, but positive and negative relationships do exist when looking at specific industries. The industry analysis enables to show two important characteristics in the Eurozone. First, even if some industries are related, they can still have statistically significant ESG ratings of different mathematical signs, thus showing the interest of looking at them individually. Second, ESG pillars of a same industry can have different mathematical signs of relationship with financial performance. Finally, the sensitivity test is done with different ESG ratings, showing that the model is fairly robust

Accessing the most lethal product on the market : community perceptions of tobacco accessibility in NSW, Australia

Aim: This study aims to describe the perceived ease of accessing tobacco retail outlets in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and the sociodemographic factors associated with reported higher density of tobacco retail outlets. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with a sample of NSW adults in February 2019. The accessibility of cigarettes was assessed and a binary logistic regression model was used to examine characteristics associated with having four or more retailers within a 5-minute drive of their home. Results: A total of 3213 NSW adults completed the survey. The vast majority of participants, 89.9% (n = 2888), described cigarettes as being easily accessed from where they live. Half of the participants (50.7%) reported having four or more tobacco retail outlets within a 5-minute drive of their home. Never-smokers were significantly less likely than daily smokers to report four or more tobacco retailers within a 5-minute drive of their home, although non-smokers may be less likely to identify tobacco retailers. Females, those living in regional areas of NSW and those with a university qualification were also less likely to report having four or more tobacco retailers within a 5-minute drive of their home. Conclusion: The ease of access to tobacco retailers in NSW is incongruent with the significant health risks associated with tobacco use and highlights the need for measures to reduce the supply of tobacco, such as a fee-based tobacco licensing system

The Basicness of Knowing, Where Semantics meets Philosophy: The KNOW prime of Natural Semantic Metalanguage and its philosophical implications

The topic of this thesis is the semantic prime KNOW of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) theory. I take an in-depth look at this NSM prime, proposed to be a fundamental concept found in all the world’s languages, considering both linguistic and broader philosophical issues in relation to the KNOW hypothesis, i.e. the proposal that the concept represented by KNOW is a legitimate NSM prime. After introducing NSM and defending a specific “psychological” interpretation of the theory (Chapter 1), I outline the KNOW proposal, including discussion of the combinatorial properties ascribed to it and how they have evolved in recent years (Chapter 2). I then look at would-be counterexamples to the universality of KNOW from a handful of languages (Chapter 3). I argue that overall the prime stands up well to these challenges, though the case of Kalam (Pawley 1994) does raise some issues that require further investigation and possibly novel kinds of testis to resolve. Then in the first part of the “philosophical” side to the thesis, I draw a comparison with the KNOW hypothesis and Timothy Williamson’s (2001) view that knowing is a conceptually fundamental concept, finding both striking similarities and instructive differences between the positions (Chapter 4). Lastly, I consider the “experimental philosophy” findings made by Weinberg et al. (2001) on what looks like cultural variation in concepts of knowing, addressing the question of whether such results are problematic for the universality of the KNOW prime (Chapter 5). Here I contend that such studies do not pose a threat to KNOW, not least because they come with a multitude of methodological issues, including specifically linguistic issues, many of which could be prevented by constructing NSM-based questionnaires. In Chapter 6, I conclude, pointing to several important avenues for further research brought up by the discussion, both on the subject of continued research on the KNOW prime and in relation to interdisciplinary applications of NSM to philosophy

Pathways to a cancer-free future: a protocol for modelled evaluations to minimise the future burden of colorectal cancer in Australia.

INTRODUCTION:With almost 50% of cases preventable and the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in place, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prime candidate for investment to reduce the cancer burden. The challenge is determining effective ways to reduce morbidity and mortality and their implementation through policy and practice. Pathways-Bowel is a multistage programme that aims to identify best-value investment in CRC control by integrating expert and end-user engagement; relevant evidence; modelled interventions to guide future investment; and policy-driven implementation of interventions using evidence-based methods. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Pathways-Bowel is an iterative work programme incorporating a calibrated and validated CRC natural history model for Australia (Policy1-Bowel) and assessing the health and cost outcomes and resource use of targeted interventions. Experts help identify and prioritise modelled evaluations of changing trends and interventions and critically assess results to advise on their real-world applicability. Where appropriate the results are used to support public policy change and make the case for optimal investment in specific CRC control interventions. Fourteen high-priority evaluations have been modelled or planned, including evaluations of CRC outcomes from the changing prevalence of modifiable exposures, including smoking and body fatness; potential benefits of daily aspirin intake as chemoprevention; increasing CRC incidence in people aged <50 years; increasing screening participation in the general and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations; alternative screening technologies and modalities; and changes to follow-up surveillance protocols. Pathways-Bowel is a unique, comprehensive approach to evaluating CRC control; no prior body of work has assessed the relative benefits of a variety of interventions across CRC development and progression to produce a list of best-value investments. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:Ethics approval was not required as human participants were not involved. Findings are reported in a series of papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented at fora to engage the community and policymakers