Globalization of Confluent Partial Actions on Topological and Metric Spaces

We generalize Exel's notion of partial group action to monoids. For partial monoid actions that can be defined by means of suitably well-behaved systems of generators and relations, we employ classical rewriting theory in order to describe the universal induced global action on an extended set. This universal action can be lifted to the setting of topological spaces and continuous maps, as well as to that of metric spaces and non-expansive maps. Well-known constructions such as Shimrat's homogeneous extension are special cases of this construction. We investigate various properties of the arising spaces in relation to the original space; in particular, we prove embedding theorems and preservation properties concerning separation axioms and dimension. These results imply that every normal (metric) space can be embedded into a normal (metrically) ultrahomogeneous space of the same dimension and cardinality.Comment: New presentation of material on rewritin

Named Models in Coalgebraic Hybrid Logic

Hybrid logic extends modal logic with support for reasoning about individual states, designated by so-called nominals. We study hybrid logic in the broad context of coalgebraic semantics, where Kripke frames are replaced with coalgebras for a given functor, thus covering a wide range of reasoning principles including, e.g., probabilistic, graded, default, or coalitional operators. Specifically, we establish generic criteria for a given coalgebraic hybrid logic to admit named canonical models, with ensuing completeness proofs for pure extensions on the one hand, and for an extended hybrid language with local binding on the other. We instantiate our framework with a number of examples. Notably, we prove completeness of graded hybrid logic with local binding

Innovative agroforestry designs : Ecobuffers

Paper presented at the 12th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held June 4-9, 2011 in Athens, Georgia.In Ashton, S. F., S.W. Workman, W.G. Hubbard and D.J. Moorhead, eds. Agroforestry: A Profitable Land Use. Proceedings, 12th North American Agroforestry Conference, Athens, GA, June 4-9, 2011.The predominance of large scale agriculture on the Canadian prairies and the introduction of precision farming technology has led to a noticeable reduction in habitat of marginal lands adjacent to agricultural fields. Removal of existing shelterbelts and a reduction in the number of new shelterbelt plantings is also partially a product of increased field and farm implement size. While improved land management techniques such as zero tillage can help mitigate the negative impact of the loss of shelterbelts, the positive functionality of agroforestry systems cannot be adequately replaced by monocultural farming practices. It is therefore important to target research and development on new agroforestry designs that will fit into modern farming practices. The AAFC Agroforestry Development Centre is conducting research and development on new multi-functional tree planting designs, particularly along field boundaries and riparian zones. The function of the new designs is for multiple purposes including enhancing biodiversity and water quality, conserving soil, biomass production, sequestering carbon and providing economic returns. Three alternative planting designs are being evaluated and demonstrated for their ability to be successfully integrated into current farming systems; ecological buffers (ECOBUFFERS), forest belts and willow buffers. Ecobuffers are a narrow, densely mixed shelterbelt that use native species to mimic natural hedgerows in design and function. Forest Belts are multi species in design, based on traditional plant spacings and willow buffers consist of multiple linear rows of willow cuttings planted in a dense arrangement along riparian areas acting as effective interceptors of nutrients and a source of renewable on farm bio-energy. Only ecobuffers will be addressed in this paper.Bill Schroeder (1), Dan Walker (1), Garth Inouye (1), Laura Poppy (1) and Janna Lutz (1) ; 1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Agroforestry Development Centre, Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada.Includes bibliographical references

Media freedom made in Scandinavia : Sweden and Denmark : six examples of best practices

Report of a fact finding mission by the European Centre for Press and Media freedom on good media practices and press freedom in Denmark and Swede

Early and Differential Diagnosis of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Design and Cohort Baseline Characteristics of the German Dementia Competence Network

Background: The German Dementia Competence Network (DCN) has established procedures for standardized multicenter acquisition of clinical, biological and imaging data, for centralized data management, and for the evaluation of new treatments. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was set up for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), patients with mild dementia and control subjects. The aims were to establish the diagnostic, differential diagnostic and prognostic power of a range of clinical, laboratory and imaging methods. Furthermore, 2 clinical trials were conducted with patients suffering from MCI and mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease (AD). These trials aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of the combination of galantamine and memantine versus galantamine alone. Results: Here, we report on the scope and projects of the DCN, the methods that were employed, the composition and flow within the diverse groups of patients and control persons and on the clinical and neuropsychological baseline characteristics of the group of 2,113 subjects who participated in the observational and clinical trials. Conclusion: These data have an impact on the procedures for the early and differential clinical diagnosis of dementias, the current standard treatment of AD as well as on future clinical trials in AD. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

Kritische Entgegnung auf die Studie «Zur Relevanz informatischer Bildung in der Schule für den Erwerb computer- bzw. informationsbezogener Kompetenzen»

Dieser Beitrag nimmt Bezug auf den Artikel «Zur Relevanz informatischer Bildung in der Schule für den Erwerb computer- und informationsbezogener Kompetenzen als Teilaspekt von Medienbildung», der an gleicher Stelle in einem früheren Heft erschien. Basierend auf Sekundäranalysen der ICILS 2013-Daten wird darin geschlussfolgert, es gebe einen Zusammenhang zwischen der Belegung von Informatikunterricht in der Schule und geringeren computer- bzw. informationsbezogenen Kompetenzen. Der vorliegende Beitrag legt dar, warum diese und andere Schlussfolgerungen basierend auf dem zur Verfügung stehenden Datenmaterial und der von den Autorinnen gewählten Auswertungsmethodik wissenschaftlich nicht haltbar sind