bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal phenology and distribution in soil in sugarcane fields of the pink ground pearl, Eumargarodes laing Jakubski, with notes on Promargarodes spp. (Hemiptera: Margarodidae)
Authors: Samson PR , Harris WJ
Published: April 2007

The distribution of cysts of Eumargarodes laingi in soil and the seasonal phenology of the different life stages were examined in sugarcane fields near Bundaberg. Cysts were widely distributed in soil, occurring in equal numbers in both the planting rows of sugarcane and most or all of the inter‐row space. Cysts were smaller at increasing distance from the sugarcane plants. Most cysts were found in the top 20 cm of soil but some occurred to a depth of at least 50 cm. Cysts of Promargarodes spp. were also found in one field. These had a similar lateral distribution to E. laingi but a greater proportion occurred more than 20 cm deep. Adults of E. laingi were found from October to February in the four fields examined in 1993 and 1994. Adults were found in the greatest numbers in November, but they comprised less than 10% of the total E. laingi population at any time. A large number of cysts of all sizes was present throughout the year, and the results indicate that most individuals had a life cycle of at least 2 years. the large reservoir of cysts during the adult emergence period explains why E. laingi has proved difficult to control with insecticides and with cultural methods during this supposedly vulnerable time.
Development of Trichogramma australicum Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in fertile and infertile Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs
Authors: Dahlan AN , Gordh Gordon
Published: April 2007

Trichogramma australicum wasps were reared in fertile and infertile Helicoverpa armigera eggs. In one experiment, all parasitised and unparasitised infertile moth eggs collapsed 48–60 h after they were laid and no wasps emerged. In a second experiment, 20% of parasitised infertile eggs (<12 h old) produced adult wasps but their number was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those from fertile eggs. Conversely, almost all parasitised fertile eggs produced T. australicum adults and all unparasitised fertile eggs produced H. armigera larvae. The number of wasps emerging per egg from fertile and infertile host eggs was not significantly different (P > 0.05). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were noted in the number of progeny produced by female wasps reared in fertile or infertile eggs. It is recommended that only fertile H. armigera eggs be used to mass rear T. australicum.
Distribution and identity of biotypes of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in member countries of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Authors: Barro Paul J De , Liebregts Wilco , Carver Mary
Published: April 2007

Samples of Bemisia tabaci were obtained from 18 Pacific island countries between October 1996 and June 1997. All countries were found to host at least one biotype of B. tabaci. The occurrence of the B biotype in the Cook Islands, Guam and New Caledonia was confirmed, and the B biotype was newly recorded from American Samoa, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands and French Polynesia (Tahiti). A new biotype, herein designated as the Nauru biotype, was found in American Samoa, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Western Samoa. This biotype was subsequently found in Taiwan. A third biotype, identical to the Australian form of B. tabaci, was found in New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The clarification of the distribution of the B biotype will enable countries to develop quarantine strategies that will help reduce the spread of this pest to unaffected countries. The results also indicate trade routes that are more likely to lead to an introduction of the B biotype.
EFFECTS OF NEUTRON IRRADIATION ON LOW‐CYCLE FATIGUE AND TENSILE PROPERTIES OF AISI TYPE 304 STAINLESS STEEL AT 298 K
Authors: DE VRIES M. I. , TJOA G. L. , ELEN J. D.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Room temperature studies have been made of the effect of neutron damage on the mechanisms concerned with the low‐cycle fatigue and tensile test behaviour of stainless steel AISI Type 304. Samples were irradiated in the HFR at Petten to a fast fluence of 5·1024 n m−2 (E > 0·1 MeV) at 333 K followed by mechanical testing at room temperature. The low temperature irradiation caused irradiation hardening: the 0·2 yield stress increased from 230 MN m−2 for the unirradiated material to a lower yield point value of 540 MN m−2. Irradiation had no significant effect on fatigue life. The loop type damage was removed by glide dislocations resulting in cyclic softening. Dislocation substructures were observed after fatigue testing: cell structures were more pronounced after fatigue testing to failure the higher the applied strain ranges.

The formation of fatigue cracks at the surface of the specimens was observed in a series of specimens exposed to an increasing number of fatigue cycles.
SLOW FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH AND THRESHOLD BEHAVIOUR IN AIR AND VACUUM OF COMMERCIAL ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
Authors: KIRBY B. R. , BEEVERS C. J.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Fatigue crack growth and threshold behaviour have been examined in three commercial aluminium alloys in both air and vacuum environments. It was observed that, in air, the threshold stress intensity range ΔKt, varied linearly with the ΔKt ratio. In contrast ΔK, in vacuum was found to be independent of R. Over the whole growth rate range examined fatigue crack growth in vacuum was ΔK controlled and failure occurred by a dimple and ductile striation mechanism. This also applied to failure in the intermediate growth rate ranges in air. However, at slow growth rates in air, fatigue crack growth was structure sensitive and crystallographic facets were formed during the crack propagation process.
HIGH TEMPERATURE LOW‐CYCLE FATIGUE BEHAVIOUR OF TWO TURBINE‐DISC ALLOYS*
Authors: JIZHOU XIE , REIFA ZHOU
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The high temperature low‐cycle fatigue behaviour of two turbine disc alloys was studied at 600 and 650°C, at total strain ranges, between 0·6 and 2·1%. These results showed that the life of both alloys may be predicted by a Coffin‐Manson type equation.

The fracture surfaces of the specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy.
Decelerating growth in tropical forest trees
Authors: Feeley Kenneth J. , Joseph Wright S. , Nur Supardi M. N. , Kassim Abd Rahman , Davies Stuart J.
Published: April 2007

The impacts of global change on tropical forests remain poorly understood. We examined changes in tree growth rates over the past two decades for all species occurring in large (50‐ha) forest dynamics plots in Panama and Malaysia. Stem growth rates declined significantly at both forests regardless of initial size or organizational level (species, community or stand). Decreasing growth rates were widespread, occurring in 24–71% of species at Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI) and in 58–95% of species at Pasoh, Malaysia (depending on the sizes of stems included). Changes in growth were not consistently associated with initial growth rate, adult stature, or wood density. Changes in growth were significantly associated with regional climate changes: at both sites growth was negatively correlated with annual mean daily minimum temperatures, and at BCI growth was positively correlated with annual precipitation and number of rainfree days (a measure of relative insolation). While the underlying cause(s) of decelerating growth is still unresolved, these patterns strongly contradict the hypothesized pantropical increase in tree growth rates caused by carbon fertilization. Decelerating tree growth will have important economic and environmental implications.
Examination of the microbial ecology of the avian intestine in vivo using bromodeoxyuridine
Authors: Scupham Alexandra J.
Published: April 2007

Bromodeoxyuridine, a thymidine analogue that can be incorporated into the DNA of actively dividing cells, has been used in vivo to identify intestinal bacteria that are metabolically active in 3‐week‐old turkey poults during an acute period of feed withdrawal. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis was used to identify amplicons unique to animals subjected to feed withdrawal. One amplicon was unique to fasted birds while two amplicons were present in 60% of fasted birds and absent in all fed birds. Sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal genes indicated the caecal communities of all birds were dominated by Clostridiaceae while also harbouring low levels of metabolically active γ‐proteobacteria and Bacteroides. Twenty per cent of clones from the fasted animals were identified as belonging to the genus Papillibacter, suggesting these microbes may be specifically dividing in response to environmental conditions present in the caeca of fasted birds.
Lack of association between polymorphisms in the gene encoding protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPN1) and risk of Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wanic K. , Malecki M. T. , Klupa T. , Warram J. H. , Sieradzki J. , Krolewski A. S.
Published: April 2007

Aims  Recently, an association of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with polymorphisms in PTPN1 located on chromosome 20q was reported. We attempted to replicate this finding in an ethnically homogeneous Polish population.

Methods  The study groups comprised 474 cases with T2DM and 411 control subjects with normal fasting glucose. All individuals were genotyped for the five previously reported PTPN1 polymorphisms using a fluorescence polarization method. HAPLO.STAT software was used to infer and compare haplotype distributions.

Results  The distributions of alleles and genotypes for the five genotyped PTPN1 polymorphisms did not differ between the T2DM cases and control subjects (lowest P = 0.6). Similarly, the frequency of the common haplotype reported to be associated with T2DM did not differ in cases and control subjects. We also failed to find such an association in Whites by performing a meta‐analysis of all the available data on the association of those five SNPs with T2DM.

Conclusion  This case–control study in a Polish population did not confirm the reported association between polymorphisms in PTPN1 and T2DM.
Foot abnormalities in Canadian Aboriginal adolescents with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chuback J. , Embil J. M. , Sellers E. , Trepman E. , Cheang M. , Dean H.
Published: April 2007

Aims  To determine the profile of foot abnormalities in Canadian Aboriginal adolescents with Type 2 diabetes and the risk factors associated with these abnormalities.

Methods  Aboriginal adolescents with Type 2 diabetes underwent an interview, medical record review and foot examination in a tertiary care, paediatric hospital diabetes clinic and two geographically remote outreach clinics. The notes of 110 subjects were reviewed [mean age 15 ± 3 years; mean duration of diabetes, 30 ± 20 months; 71 (66%) female and 39 (34%) male] and 77 (70%) of the subjects were examined.

Results  Foot abnormalities were identified by either interview or notes review, and included poor toenail condition in 85 (77%), paronychia in 29 (26%), ingrowing toenails in 16 (15%) and neuropathic symptoms in 13 (12%) subjects. Foot abnormalities were identified by examination in many subjects, including poor toenail condition in 38 (49%), calluses in 34 (44%) and paronychia in 13 (17%) subjects. Eighteen (24%) of 75 subjects did not have running water in the home. Factors that significantly increased the presence of foot abnormalities included: foot care provided by a person other than self; absence of running water in the home; decreased frequency of bathing; and decreased frequency of nail clipping. A greater percentage of subjects living on a reservation or rural community had specialized consultations for retinal examination, footwear, or both than of those living in an urban or unknown residence.

Conclusions  A high prevalence of foot abnormalities was noted in Aboriginal adolescents with Type 2 diabetes. These findings highlight the associated comorbidities in this population, emphasizing the need for early detection and intervention.
GOODS AND SERVICES IN EXCHANGE FOR GOODS AND SERVICES The Milhaud Plan
Authors: Edridge W. H. , Upton A. E. , Bradley R. S.
Published: April 2007

The following article, which forms the first of a series, is taken from the December, 1941, number of the English periodical “Export”, the official journal of the Institute of Export(*). It will be followed by all the other articles which go to make up the series. We thank the authors and the directors of the review for their kindness in giving us permission to reprint this series of articles. (Editor of the Annals.)
The French Centre for Research and Information on Collective Economy has been set up and is already at work
Authors: MILHAUD Edgard
Published: April 2007

The formation of the French Section of the International Centre for Research and Information on Collective Economy is of the greatest importance.
The Housing Programme of the London County Council
Authors: HAERDER R.
Published: April 2007

In the following article, we offer our readers a summary of the most interesting chapters from a profusely illustrated and thoroughly remarkable publication‘, which describes how the London County Council is performing the most urgent task—that of supplying 100,000 new dwellings —in the fulfilment of its immediate housing programme.
Co‐existence of Private Economy and Collective Economy in the Democratic State
Authors: KREISKY Bruno
Published: April 2007

At the Working Union of Austrian Collcctive Economy autumn assembly, held on 3 December 1954, the principal speaker was Dr. Kreisky, and we are reproducing the following interesting extracts from his address.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PAPAL ENCYCLICAL “MATER ET MAGISTRA”
Authors: Leclercq Canon Jacques
Published: April 2007

Although the Annals is mainly concerned with developments in its own particular field, it cannot ignore trends of opinion or major doctrinal works. We have requested Canon lacques Leclercq to analyse the most recent Papal Encyclical, entitled Mater et Magistra, for us. As is customary in this review, the author has been left perfectly free to express his own views
The ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISE IN BELGIUM
Authors: Langer Edmond
Published: April 2007

The economic importance of the public enterprises has been established on the basis of the following criteria: Own capital, personnel employed, gross added value and various factors giving rise to appreciation.

This survey is of a purely preliminary nature, since, in actual fact, given the present situation of the published data, it has not so far been possible to arrive at more precise figures, taking enterprise by enterprise according to a systematic plan.

Moreover, it would have been desirable to fill out the above‐mentioned criteria by data concerning turnover and investment, As the data collected in the course of this study are so extremely fragmentary, we have been obliged to exclude any statement concerning these two factors.
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION
Authors: TAN Chwee‐Huat
Published: April 2007

During the past two decades, the Singapore economy has performed remarkably well. Its achievement has often been cited as an economic miracle for a 600‐square kilometre city nation without resources except its three million inhabitants. Public enterprises have contributed much to this achievement. They have been so successful in competing with the private sector that there have been some criticisms against the dominance of government in business. Several major government companies have been privatized and listed on the local stock exchange.

Preparations have been made for commercially viable statutory boards to become private enterprises. The government will play a catalytic and supportive role and refrain from local competition. Its new emphasis will be on internationalizing the economy through joint ventures in informational technology and telecommunication industries where the local private sector lacks the resources.
CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES, PREFERENCE CHANGES AND THE ‘SAMARITAN'S DILEMMA’
Authors: KAUFMAN Dennis A.
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT: *

This paper examines the desirability of an exogenously induced change in the preferences of individuals in an economy characterized by (i) asymmetrical, localized positive consumption externalities, (ii) private, non‐market, negotiation‐free transfers, and (iii) the ‘Samaritan's dilemma.’ A model is analysed in which a benefactor (individual 1) makes an unrestricted voluntary transfer to a beneficiary (individual 2) who ran use the transfer to increase 2's consumption of either a purely private good x or a good y that generates external benefits for 1. Once 1 makes a transfer to 2, 1 cannot control how 2 spends it. If 2 fails to take into account this externality, then good y is under consumed and a loss in social welfare results. When such externalities and their concomitant welfare losses arise, conventional solutions are frequently inappropriate, impractical or impossible. This power shows that exogenously inducing the adoption of new externality internalizing preferences by the benefactor and the beneficiary not only increases the benefactor's transfer and the beneficiary's consumption of good y but also produces a ‘socially superior’ state. The welfare improvement is measured in terms of a welfare criterion that is based on the initial and new preferences of each individual
FRONTIÈRE DE PRODUCTION ET MESURE DE L'EFFICACITÉ TECHNIQUE: Le cas de 1‘électricité dans dix entreprises subsahariennes*
Authors: LESUEUR Jean‐Yves , PLANE Patrick
Published: April 2007

RÉSUMÉ**: Mesurer la performance globale des entreprises publiques est wte tâche ardue en raison des multiples objectifs konomiques et sociaux qui sod habituellemeni assignés à ces organisatwns. L'article s'attmhe à appécier un aspect particulier mais néanmoins important de laperformance éonomique: l‘efficience techruque. Une frontiére des possibilités de production est dérwée de l'estimation d'une fonction de production de type Cobb‐Douglas sur un éhantillon de dix sociétés africaines pmductrices d‘éectricité. La principale conclusion qui se dégage de l’analyse économétrique est la suivante: l‘écart relatif d‘efficience entre les dew soeiétés extrêmes de la distribution est de l'odre de20%, avant comme aprè correction Cle l'efficience pour l'action de factews d'environnement exogènes à la gestion des sociitb.
SOUTH KOREA'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM: Some issues further considered
Authors: YAN Penggui
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: The South Korean 1983 reform of government invested enterprises has been commonly regarded a success. In particular, the core element of the reform ‐ the Performance Evaluation System (PES) ‐ has been recommended as a model. This paper contributes to the existing understanding of the PES by arguing that it is strained by three inherent defects: measurement leniency vis‐à‐vis‘diminishing rate of improvement: indicator complexity and excessive weight assignment to the qualitative criteria; and incentive divergence. These defects are interrelated and can work to joint affect ‐ introducing perverse incentives, and therefore eroding the credibility of the system and, further, the reform. The causes of these defects should be identified either with inherent contradictions in the system itself or with inadequate institutional support, or both. Thus, there emerges from the discussion unlearned lessons from the Korean experience. Such unlearned lessons, however, should be considered in a much wider, public policy‐making context.
LA GESTION DES ENTREPRISES MUNICIPALES ENTRE MISSIONS DE SERVICE PUBLIC ET AUTONOMIE*
Authors: OETTLE Karl
Published: April 2007

RESUME: Dam les Etats fédéraux, comme en Allemagne, les entreprises communales font partie intégrante de l'autommie de gestion locale par la mise à disposition d'une certaine infrastructure. Dernièrement, du côtéétatique et scientifique, on réclame de plus en plus une gestion de type commercial pour les entmprises publiques, et donc communales, d'infrastructure (approvisionnement, transport, évacuation). Cet article postule, à l'encore de ces tendances à l'uniformisation, de clairement marquer la distinction entre les fournisseurs privés et ceux du service public en raison de leur objet social différent.

Même si la problématique de fond d‘une gestwn tutélaire d‘une entreprise est la même dam le secteur public que dans le secteur privé, le contnôle du comportement des gestwnnaires engagés est toutefois fort différent. La reddition de comptes de type commercial ‐ qui est proposée également pour les entreprises publiques ‐ permet plutôt de contnôler la gestion commerciale que cell d'un service public. Dam les deux cas, le contrôle comptable est complété par des dispositions organisationnelles. Dans le cas (d'infrastrmture), ces dispositions doivent satisfaire des exigemes différentes et nettement plus importantes que celles d'gpplication dans le secteur commercial en raison de la faible signification des résultats commerciaux dam le secteur public.
COMMENT EXPLIQUER LA PRÉSENCE D'ORGANISATIONS A BUT NON LUCRATIF DANS UNE ECONOMIE DE MARCHÉ? Une théorie socio‐économique des organisations non lucratives
Authors: ENJOLRAS Bernard
Published: April 2007

RÉSUMÉ**: Le secteur à but non lucratif constitue un secteur non néligeable de notre écommie qui reste cependant sous exploré tant sur leplan empirique que théorique. De récents travaux anglo‐Saxons et français permettent de mieux cerner cette réalité. Le programme de recherche du secteur à but non lucratif traite deux types de problématiques: la problématique de l‘origine (pourquoi les organisations à but non lucratif existent elles?) et la problématique du comportement (en quoi se différencient‐elles d‘autres formes d‘organisations?).

Une approche socio‐économique des organisations non lucratives est auancée à partir du problème de la coordination de l‘action. On peut en effet considérer que les institutions sont créées afin d‘aider les agents éonomiques à résoudre les problèmes rècurrents de coordination auxquels ils ont à faire face. Dam cette perspective l'organisatwn rwn lucrative peut être comprise comme un mécanisme de compromis permettant de gérer les tensions entre quatres logiques de coordination: les logiques marchande, domestique, solidaire et civique.
THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TAXES An empirical study of water and solid waste levies in Flanders*
Authors: COECK C. , S'JEGERS R. , VERBEKE A. , WINKELMANS W.
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT**: Environmental problems are considered by the majority of economic agents as important factors in making public policy. As a result, economic and market‐integrated instruments are increasingly being used as alternatives to traditional environmental policy instruments. This article aims to determine the actual effect of environmental taxes on pollution levels. In particular, a case study of Flemish environmental taxes on water and solid waste pollution is reported. A quantitative model for testing the actual effectiveness of environmental taxes is developed, based on similar studies that analysed Dutch environmental policy. The conclusions of this analysis are extended with a qualitative analysis of information provided by in‐depth interviews. Data‐driven empirical research of the Flemish situation does not confirm the expected direct relationship between an increase in taxation and a decrease in pollution. In general, industrial firms do not consider the present taxation system a legitimate one for changing their polluting activities. As a result, the greening’of management is limited and environmental taxes are considered by the majority of firms as a mere business taxation rather than a system to create a switch from polluting to non‐polluting behaviour.
POPULAR COMPANIES IN GREECE: why the need for expansion might threaten their character?
Authors: SIFNIOTIS Constantinos H. , VAVOURAS Ioannis S.
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT: In this paper we look at the most successful enterprises in the social sector, the enterprises that have been growing steadily for decades and whose assets today exceed 250 million ECUs. However, they are also facing the need for further expansion and for more and new capital. They must also compete with the capitalistic firms who draw millions of ECUs from the stock exchange. In short, these companies are being told that they can get all the money they need but they must first abandon all the elements that give them their social character.
MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN INDONESIAN PUBLIC ENTERPRISES: Concepts and Approaches
Authors: ROHDEWOHLD Rainer
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: The improvement of the proficiency and capabilities of management staff of public enterprises (BUMN) in Indonesia has become more important with the introduction of a public sector policy which focuses on the efficiency, cost recovery and profitability of public enterprises. Management training in Indonesian BUMN is in most cases an instrument of career development for management staff. Training programmes continue to be influenced by the training concepts of the civil service and reflect the fact that despite the business orientation of the official public sector policy, BUMN continue to be part of the political/administrative system. Business orientation, efficiency, entrepreneurship and profit orientation are seen as the most important characteristics of BUMN managers to be developed in the training programmes; however, management training also aims at the political socialization of BUMN managers into the national leadership. In the implementation of management training, public enterprises tend to cooperate most closely with their respective technical departments and the university sector. Considering the objectives of the public sector policy of the government, BUMN should be allowed to design and implement their management training without interference from other central government institutions.
LES ENTREPRISES PUBLIQUES DANS LE PROCESSUS DE TRANSITION EN EUROPE DEL' EST
Authors: LECLERCQ Olivier
Published: April 2007

RÉSUMÉ**:Les entreprises publiques sont le fil conducteur de cet article. Elles sont to& d'abord envisagées sous l'angle de la disparition soit pour cause d'incapacitéà poursuivre leur activité, soit pow cause de privatisation. Ensuite elles sont étudiées dans une perspective constructive en constatant d'abord la vaste étendue du secteur public, puis en soulignant la nécessité d'une modernisation de leur gestion. Enfin nous avons dégagé diffe'rents arguments pour que 1'Etat adopte une conception active de sa participation au processus de transition et tracé deux pistes de réflexion: la cre'ation de holdings publics et le développement de la mixitééconomique.
POUR UNE NOUVELLE APPROCHE COMMUNAUTAIRE DU SERVICE D'INTÉRĚT ÉCONOMIQUE GÉNÉRAL*
Authors: Fournier Par Jacques
Published: April 2007

RESUME**: Face à laprimauté de la politique de la concurrence dans la construction européenne la prise en compte du service d'intérět économique général peut ětre un élément utile de rééquilibrage. L'auteur propose dans ce but une nouvelle approche. Celle‐ci trouverait sa base dans une modification du traité dont les termes possibles sont discutés. Elle devrait se traduire concrètement par la mise en oeuvre de quatre orientations: le développement et l'interopérabilité des grands réseaux d'infrastructure; la qualité et l'accessibilité du service public, qui ne se réduit pas au “service universel”; un meilleur usage de la concurrence et l'amélioration de l'efficacité de l'actionpublique.

* Comme le rappelait récemment son président, Fritz Gautier, le CIRIEC n'est pas un groupe de pression mais une institution scientifique de réflexion et d'étude. Cela n'interdit pas à ses membres d'avoir une opinion sur l'évolution souhaitable des politiques dans les domaines qu'ils étudient.

C'est une telle opinion qui est exprimée ci‐dessous. Elle n'engage que son auteur, qui l'a présentée le 21 mai 1996 au 21ème congrès international du CIRIEC à Lisbonne. Elle s'appuie sur une expérience acquise en qualité de fonctionnaire de l'Etat français, de président de grandes entreprises publiques françaises et de président du Centre européen des entreprises à participation publique.
PRIVATIZATION IN AUSTRIA: causes and consequences
Authors: NOWOTNY Ewald
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: This paper examines the privatization experiences in Austria. Nationalized industries historically played a great role in Austria. Mainly for budgetary reasons a far reaching privatization was rapidly effected, the state holding company acting as the privatization agency. In privatization decisions not only micro‐economic but also macro‐economic and structural aspects had been considered, such as the impact on national research and development, employment perspectives and market structures, all this being of special relevance for privatization projects in small countries. From the point of view of both the privatized enterprises and the economy as a whole, privatization in Austria has been successful. Privatizations also had a strong impact on Austrian capital markets: 90 per cent of privatizations were carried out on the stock exchange. In 1995 30 per cent of the turnover of the Vienna stock exchange was accounted for by shares of private enterprises.
PRIVATIZATION EXPERIENCES IN SLOVENIA
Authors: MENCINGER Joze
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: Slovenia has not avoided disputes over privatization: two major concepts competed. The controversies between them resulted in a compromise, and the Law on the Transformation of Social Ownership encompassed features of both: decentralization and a gradual approach from one, and predominantly distributive privatization by ownership certificates to all citizens from the other. Insiders (workers and managers) retained majority ownership of most privatized companies by bringing their certificates to their ‘own’ company. Slovenia has thus encouraged a continuation of self‐management. Ownership by insiders has advantages over transfer of ownership rights to formally private institutions established by the state. Actual development confirms that a normal macroeconomic framework, hardening of the soft‐budget constraint, independence of companies, and managers’ loyalty matter more than formal property links.
CONTRIBUTIONS DU MOUVEMENT COOPÉRATIF AU CONTRǑLE DE L'ÉCONOMIE ET À LA COHÉSION SOCIALE DU QUÉBEC
Authors: ST‐PIERRE Par Majella
Published: April 2007

RESUME*: Selon l'auteur, le mouvement coopératif du Québec s'est développé en trois grandes étapes:—1900–1920;‐1940–1960;‐1975–1985, sous l'impulsion de leaders proches des besoins populaires. Prětres, intellectuels, membres de professions libérales, leaders syndicaux et communautaires liés par le nationalistie québécois, vont permettre au mouvement coopératif de se donner un enracinement populaire exceptionnel et des résultats économiques impressionnants.

i
PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE AREA OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN ARGENTINA
Authors: RAVINA Arturo Octavio
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: The author describes the development of the public sector of the social economy in the last few years. The state‐owned companies with significant participation in the economic activity of the country were privatized within the so‐called State Reform Scheme (Law 23696), beginning in 1990. Privatizations are still being carried out, but the main activities that were formerly in the hands of the state (electricity, transport, public service) are now in the hands of the lucrative private sector (corporations, mainly of foreign origin). The policy regarding the transfer of these companies has not favoured the social economy sector.
THE RE‐MONETARIZATION OF WELFARE BENEFITS: Entitlements, liabilities and transaction costs in the relationship between citizens and public agencies: the US EBT system and the outlook for European citizen cards
Authors: MORLEY‐FLETCHER Edwin
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: The revolution in transaction costs brought about by new technology can make it economically efficient to restore purchasing power to citizens in the case of in‐kind benefits. Analysis of the economic and institutional evolution of the US electronic benefit transfer (EBT) experience shows that a system of welfare payments can evolve either towards monopolistic (or semi‐monopolistic) solutions promoted by government or towards competitive, open‐market solutions. The EBT system has addressed the diseconomies created by the high proportion of unbanked citizens among welfare recipients by creating electronic pseudoaccounts for the unbanked piggybacked on the commercial payments infrastructure. The EBT card is the first obligatory payment card to be issued by a government, albeit through the intermediary of a government‐designated issuer (GDI). Moving to chip cards, the problems posed by setting up a large‐scale network of terminals and the fact that ‘universal’ welfare cards are born as ‘natural’ government monopolies may lead banks, governments and central banks to consider the great economies of scale and of critical mass for migration that can be offered by combining various functions in a single, universally distributed ‘citizen card'. Starting with health care, European citizen cards could gradually take over functions such as the transfer of benefits to specific groups of citizens, payment for other public services, payment of national and local taxes, and payment for utilities. This would make explicit the level of subsidization now implicit in the provision of benefits in kind. The clear indication of deductions, reimbursements and subsidies in the context of payment would mark a considerable advance in the transparency of the welfare market.
Plan parsing for intended response recognition in discourse1
Authors: Sidner Candace L.
Published: April 2007

In a discourse the hearer must recognize the response intended by the speaker. To perform this recognition, the hearer must ascertain what plans the speaker is undertaking and how the utterances in the discourse further that plan. To do so, the hearer can parse the initial intentions (recoverable from the utterance) and recognize the plans the speaker has in mind and intends the hearer to know about. This paper reports on a theory of parsing the intentions in discourse. It also discusses the role of another aspect of discourse, discourse markers, that are valuable to intended response recognition.
A functional approach to non‐monotonic logic1
Authors: Sandewall Erik
Published: April 2007

Axiom sets and their extensions are viewed as functions from the set of formulas in the language to a set of four truth values, t, f, u for undefined, and k for contradiction. Such functions form a lattice with “contains less information” as the partial order ?, and “combination of several sources of knowledge” as the least‐upper‐bound operation ⊔. Inference rules are expressed as binary relations between such functions. We show that the usual criterium on fixpoints, namely, to be minimal, does not apply correctly in the case of non‐monotonic inference rules. A stronger concept, approachable fixpoints, is introduced and proven to be sufficient for the existence of a derivation of the fixpoint. In addition, the usefulness of our approach is demonstrated by concise proofs for some previously known results about normal default rules.
Spatiotemporal inseparability in early vision: centre‐surround models and velocity selectivity
Authors: Fleet David J. , Jepson Allan D.
Published: April 2007

Several computational theories of early visual processing, such as Marr's zero‐crossing theory, are biologically motivated and based largely on the well‐known difference of Gaussians (DOG) receptive‐field model of retinal processing. We examine the physiological relevance of the DOG, particularly in the light of evidence indicating significant spatiotemporal inseparability in the behaviour of retinal cell types. From the form of the inseparability we find that commonly accepted functional interpretations of retinal processing based on the DOG, such as the Laplacian of a Gaussian and zero crossings, are not valid for time‐varying images. In contrast to current machine‐vision approaches, which attempt to separate form and motion information at an early stage, it appears that this is not the case in biological systems. It is further shown that the qualitative form of this inseparability provides a convenient precursor to the extraction of both form and motion information. We show the construction of efficient mechanisms for the extraction of orientation and two‐dimensional normal velocity through the use of a hierarchical computational framework. The resultant mechanisms are well localized in space‐time and can be easily tuned to various degrees of orientation and speed specificity.
A theory of schema labelling
Authors: Havens William
Published: April 2007

Schema labelling is a knowledge organization theory for recognition systems. In this theory, recognition constructs symbolic network descriptions of sensory data in terms of a stored knowledge base of schemas. A schema knowledge representation is formally specified. Each schema represents a class of objects by specifying class membership as a set of constraints on other classes. The constraints are based on two orthogonal relationships in knowledge organization: composition and specialization. Complex objects have internal structure which can be represented as composition constraints among their parts. Likewise, specialization constraints segment classes into subclasses by type. The description produced by schema labelling is a network consistency graph. The nodes of the graph are schema instances derived from the knowledge base. The domain for each instance is its finite set of subclasses and the network constraints are the constraints defined between schemas. Constraints are propagated in the network using an arc consistency algorithm mat has been adapted to schema representations. The constructed network description makes explicit the objects recognized in the data and their relationships. The graph is hierarchical, providing a description at multiple levels of detail. A hypothetical scene analysis system is used to illustrate the methodology.
Student modelling by a knowledge‐based system
Authors: Paliès Odile , Caillot Michel , Cauzinille‐Marmèche Evelyne , Laurière Jean‐Louis , Mathieu Jacques
Published: April 2007

ELECTRE is a project to build an intelligent tutoring system for learning basic electricity. This paper describes a student model based on the student's cognitive processes. This model includes, for each student, his/her domain knowledge and the specific heuristics. Moreover, it uses meta‐knowledge of problem solving. This model is simulated by a knowledge‐based system that controls the solving processes by meta‐rules. A case study is presented.
Parsing with restricted quantification: an initial demonstration1
Authors: Frisch Alan M.
Published: April 2007

The primary goal of this paper is to illustrate how smaller deductive search spaces can be obtained by extending a logical language with restricted quantification and tailoring an inference system to this extension. The illustration examines the search spaces for a bottom‐up parse of a sentence with a series of four strongly equivalent grammars. The grammars are stated in logical languages of increasing expressiveness, each restatement resulting in a more concise grammar and a smaller search space.

A secondary goal is to point out an area where further research could yield results useful to the design of efficient parsers, particularly for grammatical formalisms that rely heavily on feature systems.
On the consistency of commonsense reasoning
Authors: Perlis Donald
Published: April 2007

Default reasoning is analyzed as consisting (implicitly) of at least three further aspects–oracles, jumps, and fixes‐which in turn are related to the notion of a belief. Beliefs are then discussed in terms of their use in a reasoning agent. Next an idea of Israel is embellished to show that certain desiderata regarding these aspects of default reasoning lead to inconsistent belief sets, and that as a consequence the handling of inconsistencies must be taken as central to commonsense reasoning. Finally, these results are applied to standard cases of default reasoning formalisms in the literature (circumscription, default logic, and nonmonotonic logic), where it turns out that even weaker hypotheses lead to failure to achieve commonsense default conclusions.
Learning rules for graph transformations by induction from examples
Authors: Bersohn Malcolm
Published: April 2007

The input to the described program, in learning mode, consists of examples of starting graph and result graph pairs. The starting graph is transformable into the result graph by adding or deleting certain edges and vertices. The essential common features of the starting graphs are stored together with specifications of the edges and vertices to be deleted or added. This latter information is obtained by mapping each starting graph onto the corresponding result graph. On subsequent input of similar starting graphs without a result graph, the program, in performance mode, recognizes the characterizing set of features in the starting graph and can perform the proper transformation on the starting graph to obtain the corresponding result graph. The program also adds the production to its source code so that after recompilation it is permanently endowed with the new production. If any feature which lacks the property “ordinary” is discovered in the starting graph and only one example has been given, then there is feedback to the user including a request for more examples to ascertain whether the extraordinary property is a necessary part of the situation.
Meaning representation in Montague grammar and situation semantics1
Authors: Cooper Robin
Published: April 2007

This paper compares certain aspects of situation semantics and Montague grammar and points out some issues related to natural language programming. It provides and introduction to certain basic concepts of situation semantics and makes some tentative claims about possible advantages of situation semantics.
Gödel, Lucas, and mechanical models of the mind
Authors: Hadley Robert F.
Published: April 2007

In Minds, Machines, and Gödel, Lucas offers an argument, based upon Godel's incompleteness theorems, that his mind cannot be modelled by a machine. This argument has generated a variety of alleged refutations, some of which are incompatible with others. It is argued here that the incompatibility of these refutations points to a puzzle or paradox which has not yet been resolved. A solution to this puzzle is presented in which it is argued that the existence of an algorithm, capable of generating a godel sentence for an axiomatic model of that same algorithm, is not incompatible with Godels well‐known results. It is further argued that, contrary to received opinion, Gödel's results do not provide grounds for believing that cognitive agents are incapable of proving the consistency of correct formal models of their own cognitive mechanisms. This is shown to be so, even on the assumption that these formal models are known by those agents (on empirical grounds) to be formal models of themselves. Finally, the implications of the above issues for theoretical questions in AI are explored.
Domain circumscription: a reevaluation
Authors: Etherington David W. , Mercer Robert E.
Published: April 2007

Some time ago, McCarthy developed the domain circumscription formalism for closed‐world reasoning. Recently, attention has been directed towards other circumscriptive formalisms. The best known of these, predicate and formula circumscription, cannot be used to produce domain‐closure axioms; nor does it appear likely that the other forms can. Since these axioms are important in deductive database theory (and elsewhere), and since domain circumscription often can conjecture these axioms, there is reason to resurrect domain circumscription.
Similarity‐based learning and its extensions
Authors: Rendell Larry
Published: April 2007

This paper synthesizes a number of approaches to concept representation and learning in a multilayered model. The paper emphasizes what has been called similarity‐based learning (SBL) from examples, although this review is extended to address wider issues. The paper pays particular attention to requirements for incremental and uncertain environments, and to interrelationships among concept purpose, concept representation, and concept learning.

One goal of the paper is to unite some of the notions underlying recent research, in an attempt to construct a more complete and extensible framework. This framework is designed to capture representations and methods such as those based on hypothesis search and bias selection, and to extend the ideas for greater system capability. This leads to a specific perspective for multilayered learning which has several advantages, such as greater clarity, more uniform learning, and more powerful induction.

The approach clarifies and unifies various aspects of the problem of concept learning. Some results'are (1) Various concept representations (such as logic, prototypes, and decision trees) are subsumed by a standard form which is well suited to learning, particularly in incremental and uncertain environments; (2) Concept learning may be enhanced by exploiting a particular phenomenon in many spaces‐this phenomenon is a certain kind of smoothness or regularity, one instance of which underlies the similarity in SBL systems; (3) The paper treats the phenomenon in a general way and applies it hierarchically. This has various advantages of uniformity. For example the model allows layered learning algorithms for concept learning all to be instantiations of one basic algorithm. A single kind of representation (an instantiation of the standard form) is prominent at each level. The combination of representation and algorithm allows fast, accurate, concise, and robust concept learning.
Learning in artificial neural systems
Authors: Matheus Christopher J. , Hohensee William E.
Published: April 2007

This paper presents an overview and analysis of teaming in artificial neural systems (ANSs). It begins with a general introduction to neural networks and connectionist approaches to information processing. The basis for learning in ANSs is then described and compared with classical machine learning. While similar in some ways, ANS learning deviates from tradition in its dependence on the modification of individual weights to bring about changes in a knowledge representation distributed across connections in a network. This unique form of learning is analyzed from two aspects: the selection of an appropriate network architecture for representing the problem, and the choice of a suitable learning rule capable of reproducing the desired function within the given network. The various network architectures are classified, and then identified with explicit restrictions on the types of functions they are capable of representing. The learning rules, i.e., algorithms that specify how the network weights are modified, are similarly taxonomized and, where possible, the limitations inherent to specific classes of rules are outlined.
Inductive ambiguity and the limits of artificial intelligence
Authors: Watanabe Satosi
Published: April 2007

Most artificial intelligence (AI) systems are based fundamentally on deduction. Such systems usually rely on a number of deductive heuristics. We can justify this reliance only when we can assume that the logical lattice of propositions is closed. In particular, this restriction forces us to concede that deductive AI systems cannot be capable of performing activities such as abduction and inductive evaluation, which arc at the heart of scientific activity. To illustrate, we will look at diagnostic practices in medicine and compare the inductive‐scientific and deductive‐technological processes. Deductive AI systems can help us only with the latter type of analysis.