How can allocative inefficiency reveal risk preference? An empirical investigation on French wheat farms

We focus on a simple framework on wheat producer behaviour in a context of price output uncertainty. More precisely, we establish a relationship between ex post output price level and allocative inefficiency that allows to characterize farmers’ risk preferences. Given this analysis, the connection between risk aversion and other socioeconomic variables (such as degree of output specialisation, total asset, debts, farmer’s age…) can furthermore empirically be explored. This relationship is empirically tested on an unbalanced panel including about 650 wheat producers located in the French Department of Meuse over 1992- 2003.Producer behaviour, allocative inefficiency, risk aversion, Crop Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty,

Visit Your Therapist in Metaverse - Designing a Virtual Environment for Mental Health Counselling

The emergence of the metaverse as a virtual world platform has opened up new possibilities for the use of immersive technologies in healthcare. This paper aims to explore the potential of the metaverse for healthcare and show how metaverse should be designed. We conduct a study based on design science research and derive design principles for the designing of a virtual environment for mental health counselling. We evaluate each of these design principles and describe how they can be applied in a practical solution. The results indicate that the metaverse holds significant promise for improving healthcare delivery and enhancing patient outcomes. Our study thus contributes to the emerging field of metaverse in healthcare by providing a design approach for the development of applications that can serve as a virtual environment for therapeutic sessions between medical therapists and patients

Could Society’s willingness to reduce pesticide use be aligned with Farmers’ economic self-interest?

In the context of the agreement of about 50% reduction in pesticide uses according to the accords du “Grenelle de l’environnement” in France, the central part of this study involves the assessment of agricultural intensification (AI) and agricultural extensification (AE) processes in crop activities.This is done with reference to pesticide uses per ha thereby helping to proffer a solution to the lingering questions of farmers as regards the use of inputs in an intensified manner or otherwise. With respect to this, a sample of 600 farms in the Meuse department was observed over a 12-year period. The analysis was essentially to assess cost efficiency dominance between the two technologies AE and AI using non parametric cost-functions which involves different characterizations of the reference set. This therefore helps to define the relative intensive and extensive technologies in terms of pesticide uses per ha, our empirical application therefore shows that AE process is a better option than AI not only for the society but also for the producers who could significantly reduce their operating costs.agricultural intensification (AI), agricultural extensification (AE), pesticide reduction, environmental performance, non parametric cost-functions, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management,

The optimal inflation target and the natural rate of interest

We study how changes in the steady-state real interest rate affect the optimal inflation target in a New Keynesian DSGE model with trend inflation and a lower bound on the nominal interest rate. In this setup, a lower steady-state real interest rate increases the probability of hitting the lower bound. That effect can be counteracted by an increase in the inflation target, but the resulting higher steadystate inflation has a welfare cost in and of itself. We use an estimated DSGE model to quantify that trade-off and determine the implied optimal inflation target, conditional on the monetary policy rule in place before the financial crisis. The relation between the steady-state real interest rate and the optimal inflation target is downward sloping. While the increase in the optimal inflation rate is in general smaller than the decline in the steady-state real interest rate, in the currently empirically relevant region the slope of the relation is found to be close to −1. That slope is robust to allowing for parameter uncertainty. Under “make-up” strategies such as price level targeting, the required increase in the optimal inflation target under lower steady-state real interest rate is, however, much smaller

Contrôle non destructif d'un matériau excité par une onde acoustique ou thermique, observation par thermographie

Afin de pouvoir détecter un défaut dans un composite, plusieurs méthodes de contrôle non destructif ont été développées. Le but de ce travail est de localiser un délaminage dans un stratifié carbone / époxyde en utilisant deux méthodes : la thermosonique et la thermographie. La première méthode consiste en une excitation par ultrasons et une détection par caméra IR. Pour la seconde technique, le matériau est irradié par une onde thermique et la détection est aussi réalisée par une caméra IR. Afin de comparer les résultats obtenus, des tests par immersion ultrasons C-scan ont été réalisés sur les échantillons. Cette méthode permet d'obtenir une cartographie du délaminage présent dans le stratifié. Un algorithme de comparaison entre la détection du délaminage faite par les ultrasons C-scan et les deux méthodes a permis de révéler les différences de forme du défaut détecté. Différents traitements d'images ont été appliqués aux images IR obtenues : des analyses temporelles et des analyses spatiales/temporelles. L'étude de l'évolution instantanée ainsi que l'évolution globale de la température se sont révélées prometteuses pour la thermosonique. L'image la plus décorrélée obtenus par l'analyse en composante principales donne un résultat tout aussi satisfaisant pour cette méthode. Pour la méthode sans contact, la thermographie, l'étude de la phase a permis de révéler la forme du délaminage avec la même précision que la thermosonique.Une comparaison de ces deux méthodes a été réalisée afin de mettre en évidence leurs avantages et leurs inconvénients.To detect a defect in a composite, several methods of non destructive testing have been developped. The aim of this work is to find a delamination in polymer matrix laminates thanks to two methods : thermosonics and thermography. The first method consists of an ultrasonic excitation and a detection by an IR camera. For the second technique, the plate is irradiated with a thermal wave and the detection is also performed by an IR camera. To compare the results, ultrasonic immersion tests were performed on the samples. This method provides a map of the delamination in the laminate. An algorithm for comparing the detection of delamination made by the ultrasonic C-scan and both methods revealed differences in the shape of the detected defect. Several image processing have been applied to the IR images recorded : temporal analysis and spatial / temporal analysis. The study of the instant evolution and the global evolution of the temperature are promissing for thermosonics. The most uncorrelated image obtained by principal component analysis gives is satisfactory for this method. For thermography, the non contact method, the phase study revealed the shape of delamination with the same precision as thermosonics.A comparison between the two methods was realised to highlight their advantages and their drawbacks.NANTERRE-PARIS10-Bib. élec. (920509901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Are Organizations Ready for Metaverse? Identifying Influencing Factors for Initiating Metaverse in the Organizational Context

The metaverse is intended to reflect almost all activities of everyday and professional life in creating a new experience of social interaction by merging the virtual and real world in an interactive environment. It has the potential to disrupt the way we interact, socialize and work and thus organizations pursue possible application areas. However, there is a lack of research on the organizational readiness factors to ensure a successful initiation. To address this, we conducted 17 expert interviews from different industries. Drawing on the TOE framework, we identified 14 factors and respective propositions for the organizational context. Thereby well-known factors such as top management support were adapted to the requirements of the metaverse, but also new metaverse-specific factors emerged such as standards and interoperability

Datation par archéomagnétisme des terres cuites archéologiques en France au premier millénaire av. J.-C. (étalonnage des variations du champ géomagnétique en direction et intensité)

L objectif de ce travail est l amélioration des courbes de variation séculaire de la direction (inclinaison I et déclinaison D) et de l intensité (F) du champ magnétique terrestre en Europe occidentale durant le premier millénaire av. J.-C. 47 fours, foyers et lots de tessons céramiques ont été étudiés pour constituer de nouvelles structures de référence. La datation du moment d acquisition de l aimantation a été définie en analysant l ensemble des informations archéologiques et chronométriques disponibles sur les sites. 39 nouvelles archéodirections ont été obtenues après désaimantations thermique et par champ alternatif. Les 18 archéointensités ont été déterminées par le protocole de Thellier-Thellier et généralement corrigées des effets de l anisotropie et de la vitesse de refroidissement. Les courbes de variation séculaire françaises, construites par moyenne mobile et par la statistique hiérarchique bayésienne, ont été étendues jusqu en 1500 av. J.-C. pour la direction et jusqu en 800 av. J.-C. pour l intensité. L inclinaison a une variation non monotone entre 65 et 75 entre 1500 et 0 av. J.-C. Les variations de la déclinaison et de l intensité sont très fortes avec un maximum en 800 av. J.-C. (30 pour D et 90 T pour F) et un minimum (-5 pour D et 60 T pour F) en 250 av. J.-C. L interprétation géomagnétique de la variation séculaire est difficile en raison des lacunes des jeux de données de référence hors Europe. Ces nouvelles courbes plus fiables améliorent la datation archéomagnétique au premier millénaire av. J.-C. et étendent son application à l âge du Bronze final. Du fait de la forte variation séculaire, le premier âge du Fer est la période la plus propice.This study aims to improve the Western Europe secular variation curve of the direction (inclination I and declination D) and the intensity (F) of the Earth s magnetic field during the first millennium BC. New archaeomagnetic reference data were obtained from 47 kilns, hearths and sets of pottery sherds with precise magnetization acquisition ages determined through a comprehensive review of available archaeological and chronometric informations. 39 new archaeodirections were computed after thermal and alternating field demagnetizations and 18 new archaeointensities were determined by the Thellier-Thellier protocol with anisotropy and cooling rate corrections. The new French secular variation curves, built using hierarchical bayesian statistics, were extended to 1500BC for the direction and to 800BC for the intensity. Inclination vary non-monotonously (between 65 and 75) between 1500BC and 0AD. Variations in declination and intensity are very strong with a maximum at 800BC (30 for D and 90 T for F) and a minimum at 250BC (-5 for D and 60 T for F). Interpreting the geomagnetic significance of this strong variation is hindered by the scarcity of data outside Europe. However it provides a useful marker for reliable archaeomagnetic dating in Western Europe during the Iron Age, especially during the Early Iron Age thanks to the strong secular variation. The new directional curve also allows the extension of archaeomagnetic dating to the Final Bronze Age.BORDEAUX3-Bib. électronique (335229906) / SudocSudocFranceF

State-of the art methodologies dictate new standards for phylogenetic analysis

The intention of this editorial is to steer researchers through methodological choices in molecular evolution, drawing on the combined expertise of the authors. Our aim is not to review the most advanced methods for a specific task. Rather, we define several general guidelines to help with methodology choices at different stages of a typical phylogenetic ‘pipeline’. We are not able to provide exhaustive citation of a literature that is vast and plentiful, but we point the reader to a set of classical textbooks that reflect the state-of-the-art. We do not wish to appear overly critical of outdated methodology but rather provide some practical guidance on the sort of issues which should be considered. We stress that a reported study should be well-motivated and evaluate a specific hypothesis or scientific question. However, a publishable study should not be merely a compilation of available sequences for a protein family of interest followed by some standard analyses, unless it specifically addresses a scientific hypothesis or question. The rapid pace at which sequence data accumulate quickly outdates such publications. Although clearly, discoveries stemming from data mining, reports of new tools and databases and review papers are also desirable

Masses and age of the Chemically Peculiar double-lined binary χ\chi~Lupi

8 pages, accepted in AandAWe aim at measuring the stellar parameters of the two Chemically Peculiar components of the B9.5Vp HgMn + A2 Vm double-lined spectroscopic binary HD141556, whose period is $15.25$~days. We combined historical radial velocity measurements with new spatially resolved astrometric observations from PIONIER/VLTI to reconstruct the three-dimensional orbit of the binary, and thus obtained the individual masses. We fit the available photometric points together with the flux ratios provided by interferometry to constrain the individual sizes, which we compared to predictions from evolutionary models.The individual masses of the components are \Ma = 2.84 \pm 0.12\ \Msun and \Mb = 1.94 \pm 0.09\ \Msun. The dynamical distance is compatible with the Hipparcos parallax. We find linear stellar radii of \Ra=2.85 \pm 0.15\ \Rsun and \Rb=1.75 \pm 0.18\ \Rsun. This result validates a posteriori the flux ratio used in previous detailed abundance studies. We determine a sub-solar initial metallicity $Z=0.012\pm0.003$ and an age of $(2.8\pm0.3)\times10^8\$years. Our results imply that the primary rotates more slowly than its synchronous velocity, while the secondary is probably synchronous. We show that strong tidal coupling during the pre-main sequence evolution followed by a full decoupling at zero-age main sequence provides a plausible explanation for these very low rotation rates

0195: Identification of patients (pts) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at high risk of artery occlusive events (AOE) during treatment with the 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) nilotinib

BackgroundNilotinib is approved for use in pts with CML after failure of imatinib and in newly diagnosed CP-CML. However, several studies report a nilotinib-associated risk of AOE (arterial occlusive event), especially in pts with preexisting risk factors for CVD. In this study, we aimed at determining whether CVD risk estimation using the 2012 ESC classification could be useful to identify patients at high risk of AOE during nilotinib therapy.MethodsPts (n=75) treated with nilotinib upfront or after failure of prior TKI at our institution were included provided that baseline CVD status could be retrospectively collected. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to ESC 2012 classification: low/moderate (L/M) and high/very high (H/VH) CVD risk.ResultsAt nilotinib initiation, median age was 51 years (19-76), 41 pts (54.7%) were males. At baseline, medical history revealed H/VH risk category in 15 pts (20%) including established CVD in 6 pts (8%) (all diagnosed before CML), DM (diabete melitus) in 10 pts (13.3%), severe AH (arterial hypertension) in 1 pt (1.3%), familial dyslipidemia in 1 pt (1.3%) and a SCORE ≥5% in 2 pts (2.6%).AOE occurred in 12 pts with myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary heart disease (CHD) (n=3), cerebrovascular events (CeVD) (n=3) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) (n=6). Cumulative incidence of AOE by 48 months was 72.22% (95% CI: 47.46-100) in the H/VH group and only 12.13% (95% CI: 4.32-34.08) in the L/M group. Log Rank comparison of Kaplan Meier analysis of 48-month survival without AOE showed a significant difference between the 2 groups (27.78% (95% CI: 0-58.9) versus 84.38% (95% CI: 67.04-100) p=0.0001). Sensitivity of the ESC classification in nilotinib-treated patients was 67% and specificity 89%.ConclusionsIn our retrospective study, CVD risk estimation according to the 2012 ESC classification reveals that pts who belong to the H/VH risk group at baseline are at very high risk of AOE during nilotinib therapy. In this context, CVD risk should be reassessed throughout therapy and risk factors should be tightly controlled according to current guidelines