A Cointegration Analysis of the Long-Run Supply Response of Spanish Agriculture to the Common Agricultural Policy

Using cointegration techniques, we estimate two models that capture the long-term relationship between Spanish prices and agricultural production. The models were estimated over Spanish agricultural data from 1970 to 2000, a period spanning Spain’s implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in 1986 and the application of the MacSharry Reforms in 1992. The models, as well asplausible counterfactual scenarios constructed to assess the production changes induced by the CAP, lead to three principal results. First, we find that Spanish agricultural output is responsive to agricultural prices. Second, we find that the MacSharry reforms have been instrumental in restraining agricultural production. Third, we find that Spanish agricultural output would have been higher if Spain had not applied the CAP. These results are important and have broad implications. First, they strengthen the position of those reformers both within and outside of Europe that argue for lower price supports as an appropriate policy for stemming European agricultural surpluses. Second, they indicate that recent EU reforms, which have in effect extended the MacSharry reforms, are appropriate measures for curbing European agricultural surpluses

Feature Selection and Improving Classification Performance for Malware Detection

The ubiquitous advance of technology has been conducive to the proliferation of cyber threats, resulting in attacks that have grown exponentially. Consequently, researchers have developed models based on machine learning algorithms for detecting malware. However, these methods require significant amount of extracted features for correct malware classification, making that feature extraction, training, and testing take significant time; even more, it has been unexplored which are the most important features for accomplish the correct classification. In this Thesis, it is created and analyzed a dataset of malware and clean files (goodware) from the static and dynamic features provided by the online framework VirusTotal. The purpose was to select the smallest number of features that keep the classification accuracy as high as the state of the art researches. Selecting the most representative features for malware detection relies on the possibility reducing the training time, given that it increases in O(n2) with respect to the number of features, and creating an embedded program that monitors processes executed by the OS. Thus, feature selection was made taking the most important features. In addition, classification algorithms such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machine and Neural Networks were used in a novel combination that not only showed an increase in accuracy, but also in the training speed from hours to just minutes. Next, the model was tested on one additional dataset of unseen malware files. Results showed that “9” features were enough to distinguish malware from goodware files within an accuracy of 99.60%

Γ-convergence Approximation of Fracture and Cavitation in Nonlinear Elasticity

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00205-014-0820-3Our starting point is a variational model in nonlinear elasticity that allows for cavitation and fracture that was introduced by Henao and Mora-Corral (Arch Rational Mech Anal 197:619–655, 2010). The total energy to minimize is the sum of the elastic energy plus the energy produced by crack and surface formation. It is a free discontinuity problem, since the crack set and the set of new surface are unknowns of the problem. The expression of the functional involves a volume integral and two surface integrals, and this fact makes the problem numerically intractable. In this paper we propose an approximation (in the sense of Γ-convergence) by functionals involving only volume integrals, which makes a numerical approximation by finite elements feasible. This approximation has some similarities to the Modica–Mortola approximation of the perimeter and the Ambrosio–Tortorelli approximation of the Mumford–Shah functional, but with the added difficulties typical of nonlinear elasticity, in which the deformation is assumed to be one-to-one and orientation-preservingD. Henao gratefully acknowledges the Chilean Ministry of Education’s support through the FONDE-CYT Iniciación project no. 11110011. C. Mora-Corral has been supported by Project MTM2011-28198 of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity, the ERC Starting grant no. 307179, the “Ramón y Cajal” programme and the European Social Fund. X. Xu acknowledges the funding by NSFC 1100126

Comparison of computation methods for CBM production performance

Coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs have become a very important natural resource around the world. Because of their complexity, calculating original gas in place and analyzing production performance require consideration of special features. Coalbed methane production is somewhat complicated and has led to numerous methods of approximating production performance. Many CBM reservoirs go through a dewatering period before significant gas production occurs. With dewatering, desorption of gas in the matrix, and molecular diffusion within the matrix, the production process can be difficult to model. Several authors have presented different approaches involving the complex features related to adsorption and diffusion to describe the production performance for coalbed methane wells. Various programs are now commercially available to model production performance for CBM wells, including reservoir simulation, semi-analytic, and empirical approaches. Programs differ in their input data, description of the physical problem, and calculation techniques. This study will compare different tools available in the gas industry for CBM reservoir analysis, such as numerical reservoir simulators and semi-analytical software programs, to understand the differences in production performance when standard input data is used. Also, this study will analyze how sorption time (for modeling the diffusion process) influences the gas production performance for CBM wells

Productivity and preferences by forage of dairy cows grazing an intensive silvopastoral system from high Andean area of Roncesvalles, Tolima

P?ginas 29-35Recurso Electr?nicoSe evalu? la productividad de vacas lecheras y la preferencia de forraje en un sistema silvopastoril (SSP) de sauco (Sambucus nigra) asociado con pasto kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum) en una ?rea alto andina del Tolima. Se confirm? una buena interacci?n de las especies en el SSP, bajo las condiciones clim?ticas de la zona, pues mostraron caracter?sticas productivas similares a otras zonas, reportadas en art?culos cient?ficos. Las vacas prefirieron la gram?nea respecto al sauco, pero la producci?n de leche mostr? diferencias significativas entre tratamientos, revelando efectos ben?ficos del SSP sobre la producci?n de la leche.ABSTRACT. Productivity of dairy cows and preferences by forage were evaluated in a silvopastoral system (SSP) of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) with kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum)in a high Andean area from Tolima. Results confirm a good interaction between these species in SSP, under specific climate conditions of the area, because the SSP showed productive characteristics similar to other areas, reported in scientific papers. Cows preferred intake grasses rather than elderberry forage, but milk production was better in SSP than Control, suggesting benefic effects of SSP on milk production

Introduction to construction dispute resolution

Leading construction experts have identified Productivity, Innovation, Cost Control, Safety, and Litigation Expenses as critical areas in need of improvement in the construction industry of this next century. In the United States alone, $60 billion are spent every year on lawsuits, of which the construction industry accounts for nearly$5 billion. The fact that these construction litigation expenditures have increased at an average rate of 10% per year for the past ten years is one of the primary motivations for this book. This reality has generated the need to develop new Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Techniques (DART) with the aim of curving this cost spiral and improving productivity. Fueled by this need, and as projects throughout the world continually achieve higher levels of complexity, the field of construction dispute resolution has exploded with innovative ways to prevent conflict and resolve disagreements. Companies have found that in highly competitive markets, the resolution of disputes has become a key to forging stronger and longer-lasting relationships with their clients. As a result, the construction industry has been in the forefront of the development of DART. This book presents and reviews a significant number of new and innovative ways to promote collaborative environments and resolve disputes in construction. This includes some practical applications of DART in the construction industry throughout a number of nations. The aim is to provide the reader with data to support the successes or failures of these techniques in multiple cultures. In effort to ground the material in this book, some examples are presented of how the material relates to current construction projects. These examples will be referred to as cases. Not all the information specific to the project has been presented, as they are only included to correlate theory with practice. They are also not included to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of dispute avoidance and resolution procedures. In addition, some names or facts may have been changed for confidentiality reasons. Each of the relevant chapters will open up with an introduction of facts to the case and leave the reader with some questions to ponder while reading the chapter. At the end of each chapter the case is revisited relating the chapter information to the project situation. This introductory book is divided into 12 chapters. The first chapter describes the construction industry, focusing on its size, structure, relationships and sources of conflicts. Chapter 2 presents a background for the evolution of construction DART. It also presents a brief review of the reasons behind the apparent large number of disputes in the construction industry, and identifies characteristics that make the construction process adversarial in nature. The final section of Chapter 2 looks at two different proposals for the organization of DART in the construction industry. It selects the concept of the “Dispute Resolution Ladder” (DRL) to organize and present different techniques found being used around the world. Chapters 3 through 9 present the state of the art review of DART in the construction industry following each of the stages of the DRL defined in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 reviews techniques in the Prevention Stage with examples of mechanisms that can mitigate and discourage disputes during the construction process. This chapter highlights the role the owner plays in the introduction of dispute avoidance and resolution clauses in construction contracts and as a promoter of honest communications between the parties to the project. Chapter 4 reviews the concept of Partnering. Although not a Stage in the Dispute Resolution Ladder (DRL), Partnering was developed to change the adversarial approach to the construction process, with the aim to improve job performance and reduce conflict and confrontation. This concept integrates dispute resolution with other communication and collaboration techniques that have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of conflicts in those projects in which it is fully implemented. This chapter introduces the essential phases of the system, and its key components. Chapter 5 examines the Negotiation Stage in the process of dispute resolution in construction. This chapter offers three different approaches to improving the outcomes of negotiations: Step Negotiations, Structured Negotiations, and Facilitated Negotiations. The introduction of neutral third parties begins in Chapter 6, with the Standing Neutral Stage; a concept based on the incorporation of an unbiased, knowledgeable party as an instrument to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively as soon as they develop. Chapter 7 examines the Non-Binding Phase of the DRL, covering Mediation, Advisory Opinion, Fact-based Mediation, Minitrial, Summary Jury Trial, and Voluntary Settlement Conference as the available DART techniques. A significant acceptance of non-binding dispute resolution mechanisms is reflected in the number of variations that have developed, as these procedures represent the last stage of the DRL in which the parties have control over the outcome of the dispute. Chapter 8 examines approaches where a third party issues a final award to settle the dispute. These approaches correspond to the Binding Dispute Resolution Stage in the DRL. Arbitration, the most common form of binding resolution procedure, is reviewed, together with three other developments that can prove advantageous to a project that might be inclined to minimize arbitration. Finally, as part of this review of DART in construction, Chapter 9 looks at Alternative Litigation and Litigation as the last Stage in the DRL. This Stage corresponds to a dispute resolution procedure of “last-resort,” and is examined together with three techniques that can help reduce the amount of resources spent on court proceedings (i.e., time and money). Chapter 10 presents the concept of a Conflict Management Plan for projects. In all arenas of construction, conflict is evident, but being able to quantify the degree of conflict is challenging. Taking into consideration, the causes and results of the most common conflict situations, a conflict management plan can be designed from the DART presented in the previous chapters. The probability of conflict occurring is assessed along with the impact that each conflict may have on the project. A preventative strategy is developed to reduce the probability of conflict occurring and a resolution strategy is planned to minimize the impact of conflict if it does occur. The resulting Conflict Management Plan will help owners and contractors to evaluate the interactions among participants and actively involve everyone in the dispute resolution process. Following the presentation of all the material in the book, Chapter 11 analyzes a light rail transit project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This case study is included to promote discussion on the methods to avoid claims and resolve disputes used in the project. This project made use of preventative measures such as Partnering as well as a predefined dispute resolution system. Analyzing this project allows the reader to envision how new and innovative techniques can be implemented into the industry. Finally, Chapter 12 gathers the conclusions of the book. First, it summarizes the DART techniques. Second, it highlights the importance of alternative dispute resolution in construction worldwide and how cultural conditions have affected the selection of the DART, based on the examples presented throughout the book. Finally, this chapter suggests areas for further study in the field of construction conflict, dispute avoidance, and alternative resolution methodologies

In vitro activation of NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases by Nudix hydrolases is more widespread than assumed

AbstractIn the Gram-positive methylotroph Bacillus methanolicus, methanol oxidation is catalyzed by an NAD-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (Mdh) that belongs to the type III alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) family. It was previously shown that the in vitro activity of B. methanolicus Mdh is increased by the endogenous activator protein Act, a Nudix hydrolase. Here we show that this feature is not unique, but more widespread among type III Adhs in combination with Act or other Act-like Nudix hydrolases. In addition, we studied the effect of site directed mutations in the predicted active site of Mdh and two other type III Adhs with regard to activity and activation by Act