New Developments in Agricultural Policy Modelling and Consequences for Managing the Policy Analysis Systems

Last decade, the importance of multifunctionality and environmental issues in agricultural policies has been growing. This shift in scope of agricultural policy instruments implies an adjustment of the conventional ex-ante policy analysis systems. New requirements on input and output parameters will be needed. The objective of this paper is to show how the input/output management can be improved. Focus is on how the information management by the system can enhance the policy analysis and decision making and facilitate information flow and social support from the stakeholder debate.policy impact analysis, joint production, farmers' behaviour, knowledge flow Organisation, Agricultural and Food Policy, C8, Q18,

Expectation-Driven Interaction: a Model Based on Luhmann's Contingency Approach

We introduce an agent-based model of interaction, drawing on the contingency approach from Luhmann\'s theory of social systems. The agent interactions are defined by the exchange of distinct messages. Message selection is based on the history of the interaction and developed within the confines of the problem of double contingency. We examine interaction strategies in the light of the message-exchange description using analytical and computational methods.Contingency, Message Exchange Model, Interaction, Expectation-Expectation, Asymptotic Analysis

SENTENCE ARTICULATION IN BRAZILIAN SIGN LANGUAGE – LIBRAS

Articulation of sentences is a grammatical strategy found in any natural language. This phenomenon generates complex constructions which appear in a gradient continuum (parataxis – hypotaxis – enchainment), based on the integration of syntactical, semantical, and pragmatical levels of the language in use. The current research is based on the functionalist perspective of language. The objective of this paper is to describe the process of articulation of sentences in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). Thereto, we aim at identifying strategies of articulating sentences in Brazilian sign language, taking into account possible complex articulations. We analyze videos taken from conversations via social networks, produced in bidirectional and a-synchronic interaction by three signing deaf of Brazilian sign language. The videos were analyzed on Elan, a multimodal program which enables simultaneous description of audio and/or video. This is an on-going research and here we discuss some initial findings. Among the results, we enhance that Libras employs different discourse strategies of articulating complex sentences: the use of juxtaposition and facial expressions to articulate complex sentences, as well as the use of lexical items to characterize different complex relations, which emphasize the richness and creativity of Brazilian sign language. Thus, complex sentences in Brazilian sign language embodies different discursive strategies to structure parataxis, hypotaxis and enchainment.La articulación de oraciones es una estrategia gramatical encontrada en todas las lenguas naturales. Este fenómeno origina construcciones complejas que se manifiestan en un continuo gradiente (parataxis - hipotaxis - encajamiento), a partir de la integración de niveles sintáctico, semántico y pragmático de la lengua en uso. El presente estudio se rige por una perspectiva funcionalista del lenguaje. El objetivo de este artículo es describir el proceso de articulación de oraciones en libras. Para esto, pretendemos identificar las estrategias de articulación de oraciones en la lengua brasileña de señas, considerando las posibles articulaciones complejas - parataxis, hipotaxis o encajamiento. Analizamos videos provenientes de conversaciones vía redes sociales, producidos en interacción bidireccional y asíncrona de tres sordos señalizadores de la lengua brasileña de señas. Los vídeos fueron analizados en Elan, programa multimodal de descripción simultánea de audio y/o video. Este estudio está en marcha y aquí presentamos algunos resultados iniciales. Entre ellos, destacamos que la libras utiliza diferentes estrategias discursivas para articular oraciones complejas: el uso de la yuxtaposición y expresiones faciales para articular oraciones complejas, así como el uso de elementos lexicales para caracterizar diferentes relaciones complejas, lo que enfatiza la riqueza y la creatividad de la lengua brasileña de señas. Así, las oraciones complejas de libras incorporan diferentes estrategias discursivas para estructurar parataxis, hipotaxis y encajamiento.A articulação de orações é uma estratégia gramatical encontrada em todas as línguas naturais. Esse fenômeno origina construções complexas que se manifestam em um contínuo gradiente (parataxe – hipotaxe – encaixamento), a partir da integração de níveis sintático, semântico e pragmático da língua em uso. O presente estudo é regido por uma perspectiva funcionalista da linguagem. O objetivo desse artigo é descrever o processo de articulação de orações na libras. Para tanto, pretendemos identificar as estratégias de articulação de orações na língua brasileira de sinais, considerando as possíveis articulações complexas – parataxe, hipotaxe ou encaixamento. Analisamos vídeos provenientes de conversas via redes sociais, produzidos em interação bidirecional e assíncrona de três surdos sinalizantes da língua brasileira de sinais. Os vídeos foram analisados no Elan, programa multimodal de descrição simultânea de áudio e/ou vídeo. Este estudo está em andamento e aqui apresentamos alguns achados iniciais. Dentre os resultados, destacamos que a libras utiliza diferentes estratégias discursivas para articular orações complexas: o uso de justaposição e expressões faciais para articular orações complexas, bem como o uso de itens lexicais para caracterizar diferentes relações complexas, o que enfatiza a riqueza e a criatividade da língua brasileira de sinais. Assim, as orações complexas da libras incorporam diferentes estratégias discursivas para estruturar parataxe, hipotaxe e encaixamento

Fate of metals in coastal sediments of a Mediterranean flood-dominated system: An approach based on total and labile fractions

The dynamics of sediment-bound metals (Cs, Cu, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn) were studied off the Têt River (western Gulf of Lion), a typical Mediterranean coastal river punctuated by short and violent flash-floods. Spatial and temporal sampling strategies were combined to elucidate the fate of these elements in response to both the riverine sediment input and the offshore transport of these sediments through hydrodynamics. Our results show the temporal entrapment of riverborne particles and associated metals, consecutively to a major flood event, in the nearshore sedimentary unit called prodelta. Here, deposition and resuspension mechanisms define a sedimentological cycle that could be followed completely in this study. In terms of speciation between reactive (labile) and residual fractions along the fluvio-deltaic continuum, our results show that Cu, Pb and Zn are the most labile (potentially mobile) metals in the river, in accordance with their contributions from anthropogenic sources. But in the marine surficial sediments, two main behaviours can be discriminated when compared to the riverine suspended particulate matter. While Pb and Zn depict rather a constant labile fraction, Cu is characterized by decreasing levels (up to 50% difference). In terms of environmental impact, these contrasting trends have direct repercussions for the contaminant dispersal in the coastal area. Whereas Pb and Zn conserve their enhanced levels because of their stronger affinity with fine sediments, Cu is marked by the entire loss of its anthropogenic component that is progressively transferred to the dissolved phase, likely mediated by organic ligands. We ascribe these behaviours to different post-depositional partition mechanisms with respect to oxidation of the particulate organic phase at the bottom sediment/water interface. Also, analysis of one sediment core from the prodelta indicates that these early diagenetic processes govern the chemical forms of land-derived contaminants sequestrated in the nearshore sedimentary archives

Bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone, with or without cyclophosphamide, for patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma: 5-year follow-up

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License.-- et al.This follow-up extension of a randomised phase II study assessed differences in long-term outcomes between bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) and VTD-cyclophosphamide (VTDC) induction therapy in multiple myeloma. Newly diagnosed patients (n = 98) were randomised 1:1 to intravenous bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2; days 1, 4, 8, 11), thalidomide (100 mg; days 1-21), and dexamethasone (40 mg; days 1-4, 9-12), with/without cyclophosphamide (400 mg/m2; days 1, 8), for four 21-day cycles before stem-cell mobilisation/transplantation. After a median follow-up of 64·8 months, median time-to-next therapy was 51·8 and 47·9 months with VTD and VTDC, respectively. Type of subsequent therapy was similar in both arms. After adjusting for asymmetric censoring, median time to progression was not significantly different between VTD and VTDC [35·7 vs. 34·5 months; Hazard ratio (HR) 1·26, 95% confidence interval: 0·76-2·09; P = 0·370]. Five-year survival was 69·1% and 65·3% with VTD and VTDC, respectively. When analysed by minimal residual disease (MRD) status, overall survival was longer in MRD-negative versus MRD-positive patients with bone marrow-confirmed complete response (HR 3·66, P = 0·0318). VTD induction followed by transplantation provides long-term disease control and, consistent with the primary analysis, there is no additional benefit from adding cyclophosphamide. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00531453).This study was supported by research funding from Janssen Research & Development.Peer Reviewe

Velocity Dependence in the Cyclic Friction Arising with Gears

Recent research on friction in robot joints and transmission systems has considered meshing friction a position-dependent friction component. However, in this paper we show experimental evidence that meshing friction depends highly on joint speed.We identify the meshing friction in the gearboxes of a robotic leg, and we propose a new mathematical model that considers the rate dependency of meshing friction. The resulting model is validated through experimentation. Results show that meshing friction is responsible for friction torque oscillations with an amplitude up to 25 percent of the average friction torque at low speeds. Therefore, this friction component should be taken into account if an accurate friction model is desired.Peer reviewe

ОПАЛЬНИЙ ГОЛОВА ОБЛВИКОНКОМУ Г.Г. ДЕМЕНТЬЄВ

У статті висвітлюється життя та діяльність в органах міського самоврядування першого секретаря Дніпропетровського обкому КП(б)У та голови виконкому обласної ради депутатів трудящих, учасника Великої Вітчизняної війни 1941-1945 рр Г.Г.ДементьєваThis article introduces G.G.Dementyevs life and activities in local governmental organs. G.G.Dementyev was the first Secretari of Dniepropetrovsk Regional Executive Committee of the Communist Party ( bolchevyks) of Ukraine, participant in the Great Patriotic War ( from 1941-1945 )

Effects of a flat rate introduction: shifts in farm activity and impact on farmers' income

Current thoughts on CAP changes, e.g. the "Health Check", emphasize the necessity to move away from payments based on historical receipts towards a "flatter rate" system. The aim of current research is to simulate the impact of a flat rate system (equal payments per hectare of cultivated land) compared to the current historical system (payments based on individual historic entitlements). Impact on production and income of arable, dairy and cattle farms of two different flat rate scenario's, is assessed with a farm-based sector model for Flanders. The model maximizes income at farm level, calibrated to observed farming behavior in 2001-2003. Farm data can be selected by farm type, size and region, simulations could be run for specific sub sectors, size classes or regions. In the two simulated flat rate scenario's subsectors will gain subsidies at the expense of other subsectors. However, farms can compensate a substantial part of their income loss by changing activity choice.Positive Mathematical Programming, farm model, Common Agricultural Policy, Payment Entitlements., Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Farm Management, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Clima institucional y los resultados del aprendizaje en los alumnos del cuarto grado de secundaria de la Institución Educativa Tupac Amaru de la Policia Nacional del Perú Cercado de Lima 2012

La presente investigación tuvo como propósito principal determinar la relación del clima institucional y los resultados del aprendizaje en los alumnos del cuarto grado de la Institución Educativa Túpac Amaru de la Policía Nacional del Perú Cercado de Lima 2012 El diseño de la investigación fue descriptivo correlacional. La población de estudio estuvo conformada por 62 estudiantes del cuarto grado de secundaria y 30 docentes, siendo esta una muestra censal. La técnica de muestreo fue no probabilístico e intencional; es decir, es dado por el interés particular de quien selecciona la muestra debido a la limitada accesibilidad de toda la muestra por parte de la institución. Los instrumentos aplicados fueron encuestas que miden la percepción del clima escolar, tanto a alumnos y docentes y los resultados de aprendizajes que fueron tomados de las actas de evaluación del 2012. Los resultados permitieron rechazar la hipótesis, es decir, decir, no hubo correlación entre el clima institucional y los resultados de los aprendizajes, debido a que estos no tuvieron una diferencia significativa