A principled approach to defining actual causation

In this paper we present a new proposal for defining actual causation, i.e., the problem of deciding if one event caused another. We do so within the popular counterfactual tradition initiated by Lewis, which is characterised by attributing a fundamental role to counterfactual dependence. Unlike the currently prominent definitions, our approach proceeds from the ground up: we start from basic principles, and construct a definition of causation that satisfies them. We define the concepts of counterfactual dependence and production, and put forward principles such that dependence is an unnecessary but sufficient condition for causation, whereas production is an insufficient but necessary condition. The resulting definition of causation is a suitable compromise between dependence and production. Every principle is introduced by means of a paradigmatic example of causation. We illustrate some of the benefits of our approach with two examples that have spelled trouble for other accounts. We make all of this formally precise using structural equations, which we extend with a timing over all events

Waratah theft in Brisbane Water National Park - an analysis of the blue paint poaching reduction program

The flowers of Waratahs, Telopea speciosissima (family Proteaceae) are regularly harvested illegally from natural bushland, particularly close to urban areas such as the New South Wales Central Coast. The removal of Waratah blooms from the wild may have implications for the long-term survival of local populations because of the interaction between wildfire events, subsequent flowering and limited seedling recruitment opportunities. To reduce the incidence of theft, blue acrylic paint was applied to blooms to reduce their commercial value. The painting of blooms in 2004 did not significantly reduce the incidence of wildflower theft when compared to unpainted blooms, but overall losses were lower (27%) than in 2003 (33%). However, painting of blooms had a deleterious affect on fruit production on plants with multiple heads with painted blooms having significantly reduced fruit set compared to unpainted blooms. Painting of blooms had no significant effect on seed quality (seed production per fruit, seed germination or seedling vigour) when compared to unpainted blooms. The painting of Waratah blooms to reduce theft was relatively ineffective and decreased fruit production. Alternative strategies should be considered to reduce wildflower theft in the area

Parasupersymmetric Quantum Mechanics with Generalized Deformed Parafermions

A superposition of bosons and generalized deformed parafermions corresponding to an arbitrary paraquantization order $p$ is considered to provide deformations of parasupersymmetric quantum mechanics. New families of parasupersymmetric Hamiltonians are constructed in connection with two examples of su(2) nonlinear deformations such as introduced by Polychronakos and Ro\v cek.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX, no figures, to be published in Helv. Phys. Act

Знання як фактор конкурентних переваг: перспективи України

Introduction. In recent decades, economic growth of the leading world countries have occurred on the basis of information and knowledge embodied in new products, production technologies and management at all stages of production and marketing. Due to the generation and commercialisation of knowledge competitive advantages of individual companies, institutions and national economies, leaders of economic growth are formed and advanced. Considering the current trends in the changing conditions of economic and political space of Ukraine and abroad, which will only intensify fast and efficient reorientation to new markets is relevant for the domestic producers. The purpose of the study is to investigate the role and place of knowledge as an element of intellectual capital of organisations to ensure their competitiveness in light of trends in the global economy; to assess the current position and to outline the problems and perspectives of fast and efficient innovation growth in Ukraine based on knowledge. Results. The role of knowledge in providing competitive advantages of organisations has been outlined. The place of knowledge relevant to intellectual capital of organisations is specified. It has been determined that knowledge as an element of intellectual capital has a dual nature: it can be regarded both as an intellectual resource and as a possibility to implement existing intellectual capital of organisations. The influence of knowledge in the global economy is investigated. Ukraine’s position in the world rankings, which reflects the level of economic development based on intellectual capital and innovation, as well as the status of its competitiveness, has been studied. From these positions, we have specified strengths and weaknesses of the national economy and outlined the prospects of economic growth based on knowledge as an element of intellectual capital.Окреслено роль знань у забезпеченні конкурентних переваг організацій. Уточнено місце знань в інтелектуальному капіталі організації. Визначено, що знання як елемент інтелектуального капіталу, мають дуалістичну природу: їх можна розглядати як інтелектуальний ресурс, а також як можливість реалізації наявного інтелектуального капіталу організації. Досліджено вплив знань на розвиток світової економіки. Досліджено позиції України у світових рейтингах, які відображають рівень економічного розвитку країн на основі інтелектуального капіталу та інновацій, а також стан їхньої конкурентоспроможності. Визначено сильні та слабкі сторони вітчизняної економіки, а також окреслено проблеми та перспективи її зростання на основі знань як елементу інтелектуального капіталу