Prices of durable nonrenewable natural resources under stochastic investment opportunities

On étudie l'évolution du prix d'une ressource naturelle non renouvelable dans le cas où cette ressource est durable, c'est-à-dire qu'une fois extraite elle devient un actif productif détenu hors terre. On emprunte à la théorie de la détermination du prix des actifs pour ce faire. Le choix de portefeuille porte alors sur les actifs suivant : un stock de ressource non renouvelable détenu en terre, qui ne procure aucun service productif; un stock de ressource détenu hors terre, qui procure un flux de services productifs; un stock d'un bien composite, qui peut être détenu soit sous forme de capital productif, soit sous forme d'une obligation dont le rendement est donn e. Les productivités du secteur de production du bien composite et du secteur de l'extraction de la ressource évoluent de façon stochastique. On montre que la prédiction que l'on peut tirer quant au sentier de prix de la ressource diffère considérablement de celle qui découle de la règle d'Hotelling élémentaire et qu'aucune prédiction non ambiguë quant au comportement du sentier de prix ne peut être obtenue de façon analytique.

Using Ancillary Text to Index Web-based Multimedia Objects

PériCulture est le nom d'un projet de recherche à l'Université de Montréal qui fait partie d'un projet plus vaste basé à l'Université de Sherbrooke. Ce dernier visait à former un réseau de recherche pour la gestion du contenu culturel numérique canadien. L'objectif général de la recherche de PériCulture était d'étudier les méthodes d'indexation de contenus culturels non textuels sur le Web, plus spécifiquement des images. Les résultats de la recherche présentés ici s'appuient sur des travaux précédents en indexation d'images et en indexation automatique (de texte), par l'étude des propriétés du texte associé à des images dans un environnement réseau. Le but était de comprendre la façon dont le texte associé à des images sur des pages Web (appelé péritexte) peut être exploité pour indexer les images correspondantes. Nous avons étudié cette question dans le contexte de pages Web sélectionnées, c'est à dire : des pages de contenu culturel canadien contenant des objets multimédia auxquels était associé du texte (plus que simplement les noms de fichiers et les légendes) et qui étaient bilingues (anglais et français). Nous avons identifié les mots-clés utiles à l'indexation situés à proximité de l'objet décrit. Les termes d'indexation potentiels ont été identifiés dans diverses balises HTML et dans le texte intégral (chacun étant considéré comme une source différente de péritexte). Notre étude a révélé qu'un grand nombre de termes d'indexation utiles sont disponibles dans le péritexte de nombreux sites Web ayant un contenu culturel, et ce péritexte de différentes sources a une utilité variable dans la recherche d’information. Nos résultats suggèrent que ces termes peuvent être exploités de différentes manières dans les systèmes de recherche d’information pour améliorer les résultats de recherche.

The Taxation of Nonrenewable Natural Resources

We provide an analytical overview of the distortionary eff ects of some common forms of taxes faced by the nonrenewable resources sector of the economy. In the category of taxes meant speci fically to capture the resource rent, we look at a speci c severance tax, an 'ad valorem' severance tax, a profi t tax and a 'lump-sum' tax, with emphasis on their e ffects on the extraction decisions over time and on the initial reserves to be developed. In the category of taxes meant for all sectors of the economy, we look at the corporate income tax and its special provision for the resource sector in the form of a depletion allowance, with emphasis on the eff ects on the intra-industry resource extraction decisions and on the inter-industry allocation of investment.

Gestion des ressources dans les réseaux cellulaires sans fil

L’émergence de nouvelles applications et de nouveaux services (tels que les applications multimédias, la voix-sur-IP, la télévision-sur-IP, la vidéo-sur-demande, etc.) et le besoin croissant de mobilité des utilisateurs entrainent une demande de bande passante de plus en plus croissante et une difficulté dans sa gestion dans les réseaux cellulaires sans fil (WCNs), causant une dégradation de la qualité de service. Ainsi, dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons à la gestion des ressources, plus précisément à la bande passante, dans les WCNs. Dans une première partie de la thèse, nous nous concentrons sur la prédiction de la mobilité des utilisateurs des WCNs. Dans ce contexte, nous proposons un modèle de prédiction de la mobilité, relativement précis qui permet de prédire la destination finale ou intermédiaire et, par la suite, les chemins des utilisateurs mobiles vers leur destination prédite. Ce modèle se base sur : (a) les habitudes de l’utilisateur en terme de déplacements (filtrées selon le type de jour et le moment de la journée) ; (b) le déplacement courant de l’utilisateur ; (c) la connaissance de l’utilisateur ; (d) la direction vers une destination estimée ; et (e) la structure spatiale de la zone de déplacement. Les résultats de simulation montrent que ce modèle donne une précision largement meilleure aux approches existantes. Dans la deuxième partie de cette thèse, nous nous intéressons au contrôle d’admission et à la gestion de la bande passante dans les WCNs. En effet, nous proposons une approche de gestion de la bande passante comprenant : (1) une approche d’estimation du temps de transfert intercellulaire prenant en compte la densité de la zone de déplacement en terme d’utilisateurs, les caractéristiques de mobilité des utilisateurs et les feux tricolores ; (2) une approche d’estimation de la bande passante disponible à l’avance dans les cellules prenant en compte les exigences en bande passante et la durée de vie des sessions en cours ; et (3) une approche de réservation passive de bande passante dans les cellules qui seront visitées pour les sessions en cours et de contrôle d’admission des demandes de nouvelles sessions prenant en compte la mobilité des utilisateurs et le comportement des cellules. Les résultats de simulation indiquent que cette approche réduit largement les ruptures abruptes de sessions en cours, offre un taux de refus de nouvelles demandes de connexion acceptable et un taux élevé d’utilisation de la bande passante. Dans la troisième partie de la thèse, nous nous penchons sur la principale limite de la première et deuxième parties de la thèse, à savoir l’évolutivité (selon le nombre d’utilisateurs) et proposons une plateforme qui intègre des modèles de prédiction de mobilité avec des modèles de prédiction de la bande passante disponible. En effet, dans les deux parties précédentes de la thèse, les prédictions de la mobilité sont effectuées pour chaque utilisateur. Ainsi, pour rendre notre proposition de plateforme évolutive, nous proposons des modèles de prédiction de mobilité par groupe d’utilisateurs en nous basant sur : (a) les profils des utilisateurs (c’est-à-dire leur préférence en termes de caractéristiques de route) ; (b) l’état du trafic routier et le comportement des utilisateurs ; et (c) la structure spatiale de la zone de déplacement. Les résultats de simulation montrent que la plateforme proposée améliore la performance du réseau comparée aux plateformes existantes qui proposent des modèles de prédiction de la mobilité par groupe d’utilisateurs pour la réservation de bande passante.

Méthodologie de conversion de dictionnaires spécialisés en dictionnaires d’apprentissage : application au domaine de l’informatique

This work describes a methodology for converting a specialized dictionary into a learner’s dictionary. The dictionary to which we apply our conversion method is the DiCoInfo, Dictionnaire fondamental de l’informatique et de l’Internet. We focus on changes affecting the presentation of data categories. What is meant by specialized dictionary for learners, in our case, is a dictionary covering the field of computer science and Internet meeting our users’ needs in communicative and cognitive situations. Our dictionary is aimed at learners’ of the computing language. We start by presenting a detailed description of four dictionaries for learners. We explain how the observations made on these resources have helped us in developing our methodology.In order to develop our methodology, first, based on Bergenholtz and Tarp’s works (Bergenholtz 2003; Tarp 2008; Fuertes Olivera and Tarp 2011), we defined the type of users who may use our dictionary. Translators are our first intended users. Other users working in the fields related to translation are also targeted: proofreaders, technical writers, interpreters. We also determined the use situations of our dictionary. It aims to assist the learners in solving text reception and text production problems (communicative situations) and in studying the terminology of computing (cognitive situations). Thus, we could establish its lexicographical functions: communicative and cognitive functions. Then, we extracted 50 articles from the DiCoInfo to which we applied a number of changes in different aspects: the layout, the presentation of data, the navigation and the use of multimedia. The changes were made according to two fundamental parameters: 1) simplification of the presentation; 2) lexicographic functions (which include the intended users and user’s situations). In this way, we exploited the widgets offered by the technology to update the interface and layout. Strategies have been developed to organize a large number of lexical links in a simpler way. We associated these links with examples showing their use in specific contexts. Multimedia as audio pronunciation and illustrations has been used.

Sustainability of Medicinal Plants in Kerala Economic Considerations in Domestication and Conservation of Forest Resources

The present study on the sustainability of medicinal plants in Kerala economic considerations in domestication and conservation of forest resources. There is worldwide consensus on the fact that medicinal plants are important not only in the local health support systems but in rural income and foreign exchange earnings. Sustainability of medicinal plants is important for the survival of forest dwellers, the forest ecosystem, conserving a heritage of human knowledge and overall development through linkages. More equitable sharing of the benefits from commercial utilization of the medicinal plants was found essential for the sustainability of the plants. Cultivation is very crucial for the sustainability of the sector. Through a direct tie-up with the industry, the societies can earn more income and repatriate better collection charges to its members. Cultivation should be carried out in wastelands, tiger reserves and in plantation forests. In short, the various players in the in the sector could find solution to their specific problems through co-operation and networking among them. They should rely on self-help rather than urging the government to take care of their needs. As far as the government is concerned, the forest department through checking over- exploitation of wild plants and the Agriculture Dept. through encouraging cultivation could contribute to the sustainable development of the medicinal plant sector.

Poverty, Inequality and Natural Resources Degradation

The present study is an attempt to understand the link between natural resource degradation and poverty among people dependent on these resources. This is done by examining the impact of depletion of marine resources on the livelihood and socio-economic condition of the small-scale marine fishery community in South Kerala. In Kerala, nearly ten lakh fisherfolk depend on the marine fishery resources for their livelihood. The overall level of education of the small-scale fishing community is lower than that of the State’s rural population. Almost all the households surveyed, is one way or other, depend on fishery resources for livelihood. Low levels percapita income and high levels of inequality imply the existence of a large proportion of poor people in the community who are vulnerable to external shocks. The study reveals that poverty was comparatively higher among households with no fishing assets, with only one earner, with more than two children, and depending entirely on pensions/remittances. The study has not provided any evidence to show that poverty in the community is the result of depletion of marine resources.

Human Resources Development in Higher Education in Kerala

The study is entitled “HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN KERALA”. The concept “Human Resource Development” is of high value in business and industry and has been used and applied since years. In industry and business the 'human' element is considred as a resource and hence its development and protection is very essential and inevitable. Of all the factors of production, human resource is the only factor having rational faculty and therefore, it must be handled with utmost care. Right recruitment, right training and right induction followed by faultless monitoring and welfare measures are but decisive factors in business and industry. Altogether there is a constant attention up on human factor there. But this is not a practice at all in education. So far there has not been any such measure of care and close watch and performance analysis of human resource on education front. This may be the main reason for lack of accountability in the sphere of education. The present study reveals the importance of introducing HRD practices in higher educational institutions in Kerala. In order to promise human capital formation through education, it is basic requirement. The higher educational institutions must follow the method of industry and commerce because education can be treated as an industry in service sector. There also we can follow the methods of right recruitment, right training and promotion, delegation, performance analysis and accountability checking of human resource. HRD is a powerful idea of transformation of human being into highly productive and contributing factor The HRD of students is the sum total of HRD of teachers. Reminding the primordial usage 'Yatha Raja Thadha Praja’ the quality of faculty resembles in students. The quality of administrative staff in colleges also affects the quality of higher education. Hence, it is high time to introduce the managerial method of HRD with all its paraphernalia in higher educational institutions so as to assure proper human capital formation in higher education in India.

Human Resources Development in Higher Education in Kerala

The study is entitled “HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN KERALA”. The concept “Human Resource Development” is of high value in business and industry and has been used and applied since years. In industry and business the ‘human’ element is considred as a resource and hence its development and protection is very essential and inevitable. Of all the factors of production, human resource is the only factor having rational faculty and therefore, it must be handled with utmost care. Right recruitment, right training and right induction followed by faultless monitoring and welfare measures are but decisive factors in business and industiy. Altogether there is a constant attention up on human factor there. But this is not a practice at all in education. So far there has not been any such measure of care and close watch and performance analysis of human resource on education front. This may be the main reason for lack of accountability in the sphere of education. The present study reveals the importance of introducing HRD practices in higher educational institutions in Kerala. In order to promise human capital formation through education, it is basic requirement. The higher educational institutions must follow the method of industry and commerce because education can be treated as an industry in service sector. There also we can follow the methods of right recruitment, right training and promotion, delegation, performance analysis and accountability checking of human resource. HRD is a powerful idea of transformation of human being into highly productive and contributing factor The HRD of students is the sum total of HRD of teachers. Reminding the primordial usage ‘Yatha Raja Thadha Praja’ the quality of faculty resembles in students. The quality of administrative staff in colleges also affects the quality of higher education. Hence, it is high time to introduce the managerial method of HRD with all its paraphernalia in higher educational institutions so as to assure proper human capital formation in higher education in India.

Studies on the exploratory trawl fishing and significance of selectivity in trawl fishing gear for conservation of marine fishery resources with special reference to the inshore waters off Mangalore

School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Institutional Dynamics in Community-Based Fisheries Resources Management for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries in Kerala

Department of Applied Economics, Cochin University of Science and Technology

International Initiatives for Regulating Access to Genetic Resources

In light of the various international instruments and international agencies that are actively engaged in resolving the issue of ABS, the present work tries to find an answer to the larger question how far the above agencies have succeeded in regulating access and make sure of benefit sharing. In this process, the work comprehensively analyses the work of different agencies involved in the process. It tries to find out the major obstacles that stand in the way of fulfilment of the benefit sharing objective and proposes the ways and means to tackle them. The study first traces the legal foundations of the concept of property in GRs and associated TK.For this, it starts with analysis of the nature of property and the questions related to ownership in GRs as contained in the CBD as well as in various State legislations. It further examines the notion of property before and after the enactment of the CBD and establishes that the CBD contains strong private property jurisprudence.Based on the theoretical foundation of private property right,Chapter 3 analyses the benefit sharing mechanism of the CBD, i.e. the Nagoya Protocol. It searches for a theoretical convergence of the notion of property as reflected in the two instruments and successfully establishes the same. It makes an appraisal of the Nagoya regime to find out how far it has gone beyond the CBD in ensuring the task of benefit sharing and the impediments in its way.Realizing that the ITPGRFA forms part of the CBD system, Chapter 4 analyses the benefit sharing structure of ITPGRFA as revealed through its multilateral system. This gives the work the benefit of comparing two different benefit sharing models operating on the same philosophy of property. This chapter tries to find out whether there is conceptual coherence in the notion of property when the benefit sharing model changes. It alsocompares the merits and demerits of both the systems and tries to locate the hurdles in achieving benefit sharing. Aware of the legal impediments caused by IPRs in the process of ABS, Chapter 5 tries to explore the linkages between IPRs and GRs and associated TK and assesses why contract-based CBD system fails before the monopoly rights under TRIPS. Chapter 6 analyses the different solutions suggested by the international community at the TRIPS Council as well as the WIPO (World Intellectual property Organisation) and examines their effectiveness. Chapter 7 concludes that considering the inability of the present IP system to understand the grass root realities of the indigenous communities as well as the varying situations of the country of origin, the best possible way to recognise the CBD goals in the TRIPS could be better achieved through linking the two instruments by means of the triple disclosure requirement in Article 29 as suggested by the Disclosure Group during the TRIPS Council deliberations. It also recommends that considering the nature of property in GR, a new section/chapter in the TRIPS dealing with GRs would be another workable solution.

A study of the hydrological features of the shelf water along the west coast of India with an attempt to explain their influence upon the living resources of the region

The objective of the present study is to elucidate the hydrological conditions of the shelf waters along the southern half or the west coast of India and their relation to the sooplankton bionase and pelagic fish resources. Data from six hydrography-plankton sections worked during the 1972-75 period of cape camerin. Quilon. cochin. Kasaragod. Karwar and kotnagiri formed the basis of the present study.Stations were fixed along the transects 10 nautical miles apart. Starting with the first station at around 15 metre depth and were usually occupied 5 to 8 times in an year at an interval of about 6 weeks. Data relating to oil sardines and macherel fisheries were availed from published information relating to the period mainly of the Central Marine fisheries Research Institute. The range of different parameters namely temperature. salinity. density and dissolved oxygen at different depths and their sloping features against the coast are discussed. Three seasons. namely south-west monsoon (summer monsoon). north-east monsoon (winter monsoon) and hot weather season are designated and data of the core months of each of these seasons considered in the study.

Environmental Resources Assessment of Cochin

In the case of urban centres of the developing countries, corrective measures for the environmental consequences of spontaneous or wrongly planned developments are often prohibitively costly. Hence environmentally planned development alone appears to be the solution for which, a compre-hensive assessment of all the resources is an essential pre—requisite. An under-standing of the prevailing environmental conditions is essential for the effective management and execution of programmes for sustainable development. The present work is a modest attempt at assessing the environmental resources of Cochin, the industrial and business capital of Kerala and a fast developing metropolis.