Interregional transfers and solidarity mechanisms via the government budget

The article examines transfers between regions via the central government budget, referring essentially to the regional household accounts published by the National Accounts Institute. It examines only the aspects concerning allocation between the regions of that part of government revenue and expenditure for which there is no direct counter-consideration. The Flemish Region is currently a net contributor to transfers between regions via the central government budget, whereas the Walloon Region is a net recipient. The Brussels Capital Region also makes a net contribution, though only a small one. These transfers between regions are due largely to variations in the contributions of each region to government revenues. In the case of households, the contribution of the Flemish Region exceeds that of the other two regions; for businesses, it is the Brussels Capital Region that makes the largest contribution. In addition, these transfers originate from the regional allocation of social benefits. Thus, unemployment benefits entail transfers from the Flemish Region to the Walloon Region and the Brussels Capital Region. In contrast, transfers between the regions via pensions currently favour the Flemish Region. In regard to health care expenditure, there are hardly any transfers between the regions at present. Projections also show the importance of both the expected demographic trends and labour market developments for the future pattern of transfers between regions. The influence of demographic trends is most favourable for the Brussels Capital Region and least favourable for the Flemish Region. This is likely to increase the net contribution from the former while the latter’s net contribution will decline, even if the current labour market divergences largely persist in the future. In contrast, in the event of full convergence of employment levels, the inter-regional transfers paid by the Flemish Region would actually disappear altogether, and the Brussels Capital Region would become the sole net contributor, though in that case the inter-regional transfers received by the Walloon Region would decline sharply. Finally, international comparison shows that transfers between regions are relatively small in Belgium, compared to what is seen in other EU Member States.regions, transfers, solidarity mechanisms

Weather Information for En Route Controllers

In this study, a team of Engineering Research Psychologists and Subject Matter Experts reviewed weather information available at the en route controller workstation and the area of specialization. Using an analysis framework outlined by Ahlstrom (2004), we assessed how controllers use weather information during operations to highlight instances where information is missing or inadequately disseminated. To obtain feedback from the field, we conducted a survey where en route Front Line Managers (a) rated the impact on controller operations from different weather phenomena, (b) rated the frequency of use of weather information, and (c)provided suggestions for the development of future weather displays. Our review shows that en route controllers have access to a variety of weather information sources during operations. However, our review also suggests that en route controllers do not have an accurate or timely weather display for precipitation areas at their workstation. We discuss possible enhancements for future weather displays, recommend enhancements to controller precipitation displays, and suggest further research to evaluate enhancements for the dissemination of weather advisories to pilots

Fragile Mental Retardation Protein Interacts with the RNA-Binding Protein Caprin1 in Neuronal RiboNucleoProtein Complexes

Fragile X syndrome is caused by the absence of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein. FMRP is associated with messenger RiboNucleoParticles (mRNPs) present in polyribosomes and its absence in neurons leads to alteration in synaptic plasticity as a result of translation regulation defects. The molecular mechanisms by which FMRP plays a role in translation regulation remain elusive. Using immunoprecipitation approaches with monoclonal Ab7G1-1 and a new generation of chicken antibodies, we identified Caprin1 as a novel FMRP-cellular partner. In vivo and in vitro evidence show that Caprin1 interacts with FMRP at the level of the translation machinery as well as in trafficking neuronal granules. As an RNA-binding protein, Caprin1 has in common with FMRP at least two RNA targets that have been identified as CaMKIIα and Map1b mRNAs. In view of the new concept that FMRP species bind to RNA regardless of known structural motifs, we propose that protein interactors might modulate FMRP functions

Dynamics of Disks and Warps

This chapter reviews theoretical work on the stellar dynamics of galaxy disks. All the known collective global instabilities are identified, and their mechanisms described in terms of local wave mechanics. A detailed discussion of warps and other bending waves is also given. The structure of bars in galaxies, and their effect on galaxy evolution, is now reasonably well understood, but there is still no convincing explanation for their origin and frequency. Spiral patterns have long presented a special challenge, and ideas and recent developments are reviewed. Other topics include scattering of disk stars and the survival of thin disks.Comment: Chapter accepted to appear in Planets, Stars and Stellar Systems, vol 5, ed G. Gilmore. 32 pages, 17 figures. Includes minor corrections made in proofs. Uses emulateapj.st

Physiological Correlates of Volunteering

We review research on physiological correlates of volunteering, a neglected but promising research field. Some of these correlates seem to be causal factors influencing volunteering. Volunteers tend to have better physical health, both self-reported and expert-assessed, better mental health, and perform better on cognitive tasks. Research thus far has rarely examined neurological, neurochemical, hormonal, and genetic correlates of volunteering to any significant extent, especially controlling for other factors as potential confounds. Evolutionary theory and behavioral genetic research suggest the importance of such physiological factors in humans. Basically, many aspects of social relationships and social activities have effects on health (e.g., Newman and Roberts 2013; Uchino 2004), as the widely used biopsychosocial (BPS) model suggests (Institute of Medicine 2001). Studies of formal volunteering (FV), charitable giving, and altruistic behavior suggest that physiological characteristics are related to volunteering, including specific genes (such as oxytocin receptor [OXTR] genes, Arginine vasopressin receptor [AVPR] genes, dopamine D4 receptor [DRD4] genes, and 5-HTTLPR). We recommend that future research on physiological factors be extended to non-Western populations, focusing specifically on volunteering, and differentiating between different forms and types of volunteering and civic participation

Etudes complémentaires sur le séchage des plaquettes de bois combustibles au moyen des gaz récupérés de l'échappement d'un moteur alimenté aux gaz pauvres

Les essais qui ont été faits sur les deux types de séchoir verticol et horizontal ont d'abord confirmé que les calories récupérées des gaz d'échappement sont importantes et dépassent les besoins de séchage du bois combustible demandé par le gazogène. Le séchoir vertical a donné un rendement de 1500Kcal/Kg d'eau évaporée avec une puissance évaporatoire de 7 kg d'eau à l'eau. Les perfectionnements sont possibles en apportant des modification

Questionnaires d'évaluation qualitative de la fluidité de la conscience. (EQFC)

Three questionnaires were constructed to evaluate the "letting go", ie the fluidity of consciousness, whether as a characteristic of an individual (questionnaire "trait"), or before and after one or a few sessions. hypnosis, EMDR, or explanation of conscious experiences ("state" questionnaire), or even after hypnotherapy or more generally psychotherapy ("effect" questionnaire). The three questionnaires are presented with their theoretical basis and the methods of quotation. The quantified results will be proposed in an article currently being written.Trois questionnaires ont été construits pour évaluer le « lâcher prise », c’est à dire la fluidité de la conscience, que ce soit comme caractéristique d’un individu (questionnaire « trait »), ou bien avant et après une ou quelques séances d’hypnose, d’EMDR, ou d’explicitation des vécus conscients (questionnaire « état »), ou bien encore après une hypnothérapie ou plus généralement une psychothérapie (questionnaire « effet »). Les trois questionnaires sont présentés avec leur fondement théorique et les modalités de cotations. Les résultats chiffrés seront proposés dans un article en cours de rédaction

Questionnaires d'évaluation qualitative de la fluidité de la conscience. (EQFC)

Three questionnaires were constructed to evaluate the "letting go", ie the fluidity of consciousness, whether as a characteristic of an individual (questionnaire "trait"), or before and after one or a few sessions. hypnosis, EMDR, or explanation of conscious experiences ("state" questionnaire), or even after hypnotherapy or more generally psychotherapy ("effect" questionnaire). The three questionnaires are presented with their theoretical basis and the methods of quotation. The quantified results will be proposed in an article currently being written.Trois questionnaires ont été construits pour évaluer le « lâcher prise », c’est à dire la fluidité de la conscience, que ce soit comme caractéristique d’un individu (questionnaire « trait »), ou bien avant et après une ou quelques séances d’hypnose, d’EMDR, ou d’explicitation des vécus conscients (questionnaire « état »), ou bien encore après une hypnothérapie ou plus généralement une psychothérapie (questionnaire « effet »). Les trois questionnaires sont présentés avec leur fondement théorique et les modalités de cotations. Les résultats chiffrés seront proposés dans un article en cours de rédaction