Improved System (improved + system)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


A Competitive, Sustainable and Diverse Agriculture: A View of the CAP Beyond 2013 Pour une agriculture compétitive, durable and variée : un point de vue sur la PAC après 2013 Eine wettbewerbsfähige, nachhaltige und vielfältige Landwirtschaft: Ein Ausblick auf die GAP nach 2013

EUROCHOICES, Issue 2 2010
Kris Peeters
Summary A Competitive, Sustainable and Diverse Agriculture: A View of the CAP Beyond 2013 New challenges make clear that past achievements of the CAP cannot be taken for granted. A strong European agricultural policy remains necessary after 2013, at the service of Europe's citizens and agricultural sector. However, in order to realise the vision embedded in the European agricultural model, the CAP will have to evolve. Beyond dealing with the negative consequences of the economic crisis, more attention should go to competitiveness and entrepreneurship. The functioning of the supply chain should be improved leading to a fairer distribution of costs and benefits. Producer organisations should be expanded and strengthened. Work is needed to put into practice the concept of green growth and to explore the synergy between the demand for public goods and the need for higher farm income. An improved system of direct support remains justified, to compensate for extra costs and to stabilise income. The CAP post-2013 should offer a strong EU framework, able to meet shared challenges, with clear objectives and sufficient funding. Within that framework, diversity is a fact, and regions should be able to deploy CAP policies and funds in a more flexible way to accommodate local needs and problems and to be able to react to changing circumstances. De par l'apparition de nouveaux défis, il est clair que les réalisations antérieures de la PAC ne peuvent être considérées comme acquises.Une politique agricole européenne forte, au service des citoyens et du secteur agricole de l'Europe, reste indispensable après 2013. Cependant, pour concrétiser la vision comprise dans le modèle agricole européen, la PAC devra évoluer. Au-delà du traitement des conséquences négatives de la crise économique, l'attention doit se porter davantage sur la compétitivité et l'esprit d'entreprise. Il faudrait améliorer le fonctionnement de la filière de l'offre pour obtenir une répartition des coûts et des avantages plus équitable. Les organisations de producteurs devraient se développer et se renforcer. Des travaux sont nécessaires pour mettre en pratique le concept de croissance verte et pour étudier les synergies entre la demande de biens d'intérêt public et le renforcement nécessaire des revenus agricoles. Un système de soutien direct amélioré reste justifié, pour compenser les coûts supplémentaires et stabiliser les revenus. La PAC d'après 2013 devrait fournir un cadre européen solide, capable d'atteindre les défis partagés, avec des objectifs clairs et des financements suffisants. Au sein de ce cadre, la diversité est un fait et les régions devraient pouvoir déployer les politiques et les fonds de la PAC de manière plus flexible pour répondre aux besoins et problèmes locaux et pour permettre de réagir aux changements. Neue Herausforderungen lassen erkennen, dass die früheren Erfolge der GAP nicht als selbstverständlich angesehen werden können.Nach 2013 wird zum Wohle der Bürger und des Agrarsektors in Europa nach wie vor eine stabile europäische Agrarpolitik gebraucht. Die GAP wird sich jedoch weiterentwickeln müssen, um der Vision aus dem europäischen Agrarmodell entsprechen zu können. Das Augenmerk sollte hierbei nicht nur auf den Umgang mit den negativen Auswirkungen der Wirtschaftskrise, sondern ebenfalls auf Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Unternehmertum gerichtet werden. Die Funktionsfähigkeit der Wertschöpfungskette sollte erhöht werden und zu einer gerechteren Verteilung von Kosten und Nutzen führen. Erzeugerorganisationen sollten ausgeweitet und gestärkt werden. Es muss viel getan werden, um das Konzept des Grünen Wachstums umzusetzen und die Synergien zwischen der Nachfrage nach öffentlichen Gütern und der Notwendigkeit für höhere Einkommen in der Landwirtschaft zu untersuchen. Ein verbessertes System für die Direktzahlungen ist nach wie vor gerechtfertigt, um zusätzliche Kosten auszugleichen und die Einkommen zu stabilisieren. Nach 2013 sollte die GAP einen stabilen EU-Rahmen bieten, um den gemeinsamen Herausforderungen mit klaren Zielen und ausreichender Finanzierung begegnen zu können. Innerhalb dieses Rahmens ist Platz für Diversität, und die Regionen sollten dazu in der Lage sein, die Politikmaßnahmen der GAP flexibler einzusetzen, um auf die Bedürfnisse vor Ort reagieren und sich den wechselnden Bedingungen anpassen zu können. [source]


Shape measurement using pulsed optical holography , Fast and precise shape measurement of moving objects

LASER TECHNIK JOURNAL, Issue 1 2006
Susanne Frey Dr.
The starting point for the development of a new shape measurement system was the request of surgeons working in the field of cranio-facial and reconstructive surgery for an improved system for precise facial measurement. For the planning and documentation of surgical interventions, information on the bone structure of the patient is needed, which is imaged by computer tomography (CT). In particular in facial surgery it is vital to the patient, that not only the functionality of the face is given, but also the appearance of the patient is restored. To account for this aspect in the planning and evaluation of surgery, the outer appearance of a patient has to be documented, hence a surface model of the face has to be generated. [source]


A fluorimetric method for the determination of trace pentachlorophenol, based on its inhibitory effect on the redox reaction between the improved Fenton reagent and rhodamine B

LUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 5 2007
Huiqin Guo
Abstract A sensitive fluorimetric method is presented and discussed for the determination of pentachlorophenol in aqueous solutions. This method is based on the inhibitory effect of pentachlorophenol on the reaction of conventional Fenton [Fe(III) + H2O2] reagent with rhodamine B in the medium of perchloric acid, which results in the fluorescence quenching of rhodamine B. It was further found that the sensitivity for the determination was improved significantly when the molecular ligand EDTA was added. This improved system was therefore presented for the determination of pentachlorophenol. The characteristics of the excitation and emission spectra, optimization of the experimental conditions, the stability of the system and the influence of foreign matter have all been investigated. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for the determination of pentachlorophenol is 12,480 ng/mL with a 3, limit of detection of 0.96 ng/mL. Compared with the conventional Fenton system, the improved system shows obvious advantages in both sensitivity and selectivity. By combination with the pretreatment of samples using ion exchange resins and XDA-1 absorption resin, the improved Fenton method was used for the first time for the determination of pentachlorophenol in synthetic samples and natural water samples, and satisfactory results, in agreement with those of the HPLC method, were achieved. The possible mechanism of the reactions has also been discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


In Vitro Sunscreen Transmittance Measurement with Concomitant Evaluation of Photostability: Evolution of a Method

PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Robert M. Sayre
The recent paper by Miura et al. (Photochem. Photobiol. 84[6], 1569,1575) offers a re-examination of extant in vitro methods for dynamically measuring sunscreen photodegradation under continuous irradiation in situ. We commend the authors' efforts toward developing an improved system for accurate in vitro sunscreen assessment. This work describes an alternate derivative apparatus incorporating an improved detector which may prove an exceptionally valuable contribution toward that goal. Unfortunately their report suffers from insufficient detail in instrumentation description and lacks requisite calibration procedures. Their utilization of a solar simulator filtered for conventional in vivo sun protection factor (SPF) testing poses transmittance measurement limitations at short wavelengths that are not adequately addressed and is also deficient, relative to sunlight, in longer UVA wavelengths shown to contribute to sunscreen photoinstability. We concur that the in vitro sunscreen testing should utilize continuous or multiple irradiation doses and should ideally use the same 2 mg cm,2 product application amount as does the human SPF test. We encourage their proposal that methodology, which simultaneously measures sunscreen spectral transmittance and photodegradation under continuous irradiation to an accumulated erythemic endpoint, as we previously described, be developed into a consensus test standard. [source]


Tooth follicle extirpation and uvulectomy

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2005
NL Johnston
Abstract Migration is not only the movement of people, but also of their culture, customs and beliefs. As more people from developing countries in Africa migrate to industrialized countries, the more likely health professionals will find themselves providing care for people of whose customs and practices they have little knowledge. This review of the literature suggests that removal of deciduous canine follicles and uvulectomy are frequently practised in some African and neighbouring countries. Reasons given for deciduous canine extirpation include the prevention of vomiting, fever and diarrhoea. The indications for uvulectomy appear widespread, including treatment for persistent fever, coughing and growth retardation. The practices are usually performed by traditional healers. Risks for children who undergo these procedures are extensive, including septicaemia, potential for HIV transmission, numerous dental complications and death. With improved understanding between Western health teams and local, traditional people, an improved system may develop whereby the two systems can work together in providing improved health outcomes for the people. [source]


An Economic Analysis of Auto Compensation Systems: Choice Experiences From New Jersey and Pennsylvania

JOURNAL OF RISK AND INSURANCE, Issue 4 2003
Joan T. Schmit
Nearly since the first automobile traveled on U.S. soil, questions about how best to compensate people injured by their use have been raised. As early as in 1932, in fact, the tort system of imposing costs on negligent drivers was strongly criticized, and a system of compensation without regard to negligence recommended. Yet despite various efforts to identify and implement improved systems during the past more than 70 years, no clear best compensation mechanism has been found. Current discussions have focused on the "choice" system, under which insureds are allowed to select either a tort system or a no-fault system of compensation at the time of insurance purchase. New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which implemented very similar choice programs in 1989 and 1990, respectively, offer an opportunity to observe the effects of choice on outcomes such as: use of attorneys, speed of payment, and consistency (equity) of payment. Our results indicate outcomes consistent with expectations in New Jersey (NJ), which switched from no-fault to choice, but inconsistent with expectations in Pennsylvania (PA), which switched from tort to choice. Furthermore, analysis of tort versus no-fault selectors postchoice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania does not offer clear evidence of no-fault's lower administrative costs and speedier, more equitable payment in these jurisdictions. [source]


Practices and views on fetal heart monitoring: a structured observation and interview study

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2006
S Altaf
Objective, To assess and explain deviations from recommended practice in National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines in relation to fetal heart monitoring. Design, Qualitative study. Setting, Large teaching hospital in the UK. Sample, Sixty-six hours of observation of 25 labours and interviews with 20 midwives of varying grades. Methods, Structured observations of labour and semistructured interviews with midwives. Interviews were undertaken using a prompt guide, audiotaped, and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was based on the constant comparative method, assisted by QSR N5 software. Main outcome measures, Deviations from recommended practice in relation to fetal monitoring and insights into why these occur. Results, All babies involved in the study were safely delivered, but 243 deviations from recommended practice in relation to NICE guidelines on fetal monitoring were identified, with the majority (80%) of these occurring in relation to documentation. Other deviations from recommended practice included indications for use of electronic fetal heart monitoring and conduct of fetal heart monitoring. There is evidence of difficulties with availability and maintenance of equipment, and some deficits in staff knowledge and skill. Differing orientations towards fetal monitoring were reported by midwives, which were likely to have impacts on practice. The initiation, management, and interpretation of fetal heart monitoring is complex and distributed across time, space, and professional boundaries, and practices in relation to fetal heart monitoring need to be understood within an organisational and social context. Conclusion, Some deviations from best practice guidelines may be rectified through straightforward interventions including improved systems for managing equipment and training. Other deviations from recommended practice need to be understood as the outcomes of complex processes that are likely to defy easy resolution. [source]