Tyrimo objektas – tiesioginių išmokų reikšmė ūkininkų ūkių pajamoms. Tyrimo tikslas – įvertinti tiesioginių išmokų reikšmę ūkininkų ūkių pajamoms. Uždaviniai: 1) išanalizuoti tiesioginių išmokų žemės ūkyje paskirtį bei apskaičiavimo principus; 2) atlikti ūkininkų ūkių pajamų pagal pasirinktus kriterijus analizę; 3) nustatyti tiesioginių išmokų reikšmę ūkininkų ūkių pajamoms. Tyrimo metodai: mokslinės literatūros, statistinių duomenų analizės ir sintezės, grafinio vaizdavimo bei apklausos metodai . Tyrimo laikotarpis. 2004 - 2009 metai. Tyrimo rezultatai: • pirmoje darbo dalyje išnagrinėtos ir aptartos mokslinėje literatūroje tyrinėtos žemės ūkio pajamos ir jas įtakojantys veiksniai. Taip pat aptarta tiesioginių išmokų paskirtis, jų apskaičiavimo principai bei tiesioginių išmokų turinio kaita; • antroje dalyje atlikta ūkininkų ūkių pajamų analizė, nustatyta kokią dalį pajamose sudaro tiesioginės išmokos bei parama investicijoms. Taip pat parodomi ūkininkų ūkių pajamų pokyčiai 2004 – 2009 metais. Dėl nepalankių meteorologinių sąlygų ir žemės ūkio produktų kainų svyravymų, ūkininkų ūkių pajamos kito nevienodai, tačiai išliko bendra didėjimo tendencija; • trečioje dalyje atliktas tiesioginių išmokų reikšmės ūkininkų ūkių pajamoms tyrimas, anketinės apklausos pagalba nustatyta, kad tiesioginių išmokų reikšmė ūkininkų pajamoms yra didesnė ūkininkų ūkiuose, kurie vysto savo veiklą mažiau derlingose vietovėse, kurie užsiima ekologiniu ūkininkavimu bei naudoja mišriuosius... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of the research – influence of direct payments on income of farmers' farms. Aim of the research – to evaluate the impact of direct payments on incomes of farmers’ farms. Objectives: 1) to analyze purposes and calculation of direct payments for agriculture; 2) to analyze income of farmers’ farm’ according to specific criteria; 3) to determine the influence of direct payments on farmers’ farm income. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature, statistical data analysis and synthesis, graphical representation and interviewing techniques. Research period: 2004 - 2009 Research results: • The first part analyzes and discussed income from agricultural and influencing factors, discusses the purpose of direct payments, principles of their calculation and change of direct benefits content. • The second part analyzes income of farmers’ farm, determines the proportion of direct payments and investments support in the income, shows changes in farmers’ farm income in 2004 - 2009. Due to unfavorable weather conditions and fluctuations of agricultural production prices, the income of farmers’ farms varied, however, the overall increasing trend remained. • The third part investigates the importance of direct payments for the farmers’ farm income. The questionnaire results provide that direct payments are of greater importance in the for farmers' farms, which develop activity in less fertile areas, which are involved in organic farming and in mixed farming. Direct... [to full text]

The black bear (Ursus americanus) is an iconic species with cultural, economic and ecological importance in Vermont, USA. Bears exhibit a highly variable diet, and few studies have described bear diet in the state. Information on diet may provide insight into foraging behavior, thus allowing managers to better assess patterns of human-bear conflict. My objectives were to estimate the relative contribution of food items to bear diet and how factors including sex, habitat, food availability, and nuisance status describe patterns of consumption. I collected samples from bears and major food groups including C3 plants, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), corn (Zea mays), and human foods, then quantified diet using stable isotope analysis. Samples were collected from 71 bears, 547 plants, and 38 deer throughout Vermont. I also collected 12 corn samples, and 20 human hair samples to represent anthropogenic foods. I determined δ13C and δ15N isotope values for all samples, then used Bayesian mixing models to estimate the contribution of foods and effect of each factor on proportional contribution estimates. Nuisance status best described patterns of diet over other factors. Median percent contributions for non-nuisance bears were 73.2% C3 plants, 23.8% corn, 1.9% human foods, and 0.5% deer. Median percent contributions for nuisance bears were 64.6% C3 plants, 28.9% corn, 3.2% human foods, and 0.7% deer. Factors such as sex, habitat, and food availability exerted less effect on diet than expected. Proportional contribution of meat was lower than in some other parts of North America, suggesting bears forage differently in Vermont. Results provide the first statewide estimate of bear diet and indicate corn may represent a much larger component of diet than previously thought. In particular, bears labeled as nuisance animals may forage on greater proportions of corn throughout the year.

In this study we are going to analyse the criteria, on which Stockholm’s Municipality distribute public grants to cultural and sport organizations. Public funding is very importantfor many organisations, and even it is necessary for survival for some of the organisations. Although previous studies give some criticism for the criteria of the public funding. It is claimed that these criteria are not clear enough, or might have an impact on the activities in organisations. In order to achieve most objective results, we have used a qualitative research method, by interviewing representatives from cultural and sports sector. Study reviews the existing criteria of the local administrations in Stockholm for concession of financial support to the different organizations active in the field of culture and sports. Using as an argument the testimonies of the same actors involved in these areas, the study tries to find out the effects of those criteria on both social activities. During this study, new institutional theories, concerning legitimacy, decoupling and isomorphism, were used. The results of this study shows that the criteria are quite different for different types of organisations. They affect one organization and the other in a very different way. For cultural organizations the criteria havea direct effect, determining their future activities and projects. Although, for sportsorganizations the influence of the criteria is more an administrative routine that must becarried out, according to established standards.

Algal blooms are directly related to human-caused nutrient enrichment of water bodies. The cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa produces microcystin (MC), a toxin that has been linked with mortalities and illness of many organisms. We show that MC is not constrained by the aquatic-terrestrial ecotone. MC was detected in a primary consumer and emerging aquatic invertebrate (Hexagenia Mayfly), a terrestrial insect and predator of emerging aquatic invertebrates (Tetragnathidae Spider), and a vertebrate consumer (Prothonotary Warbler). Mayfly and spider MC levels varied across the blooming period. MC levels in prothonotary warbler livers varied by age class; nestlings having the highest levels. MC levels decreased in fledglings over time. A more aquatic diet was related to higher MC levels in nestlings at one site and nestling fecal-sacs varied spatially, also indicating that aquatic diet is related to MC consumption. Warbler body condition and growth rate was not related to liver microcystin levels.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the impact of government non-investment and applied R&D subsidies on the firm level competitiveness. According to many literature sources the indicators of competitiveness are assumed to be Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Return on Sales and Asset Turnover ratio. The tool used to test the effect is counterfactual analysis. The subsidized companies are compared to a control group drawn by Propensity Score Matching, the effect is tested by Average Treatment Effect on the Treated and the difference in size of other financials is derived by Difference in Differences. The study focuses on two industries NACE C25 (metallurgy) and C28 (manufacture of machines). The subsidized companies show no added significant growth of competitiveness whatsoever. The financials (Total Assets, Equity, Turnover) grew, compared to the control group, only for industry C25. JEL Classification O31, O38, H21 Keywords R&D, Innovation, non-investment, subsidies, applied R&D, competitiveness Author's e-mail petr.rotr@post.cz Supervisor's e-mail petr.teply@fsv.cuni.cz

"The failure to consider the complexity of the regional telecommunication systems in planning has increased the telecom gap between other regions and the rural sectors in the developing countries. Earmarked funds generated by Universal Service Obligations and various types of other direct and cross-subsidies have not helped this situation. This research uses system dynamics modeling approach to understand the complexity of the system and to evaluate how different policies affect telephone densities. It is demonstrated that some of the prevalent policies may be counterproductive. Policy experiments with the model demonstrate that market-clearing pricing implemented with Universal Service Obligations, and a value-added service combination may significantly improve rural telecommunications."

"The failure to consider the complexity of the regional telecommunication systems in planning has increased the telecom gap between other regions and the rural sectors in the developing countries. Earmarked funds generated by Universal Service Obligations and various types of other direct and cross-subsidies have not helped this situation. This research uses system dynamics modeling approach to understand the complexity of the system and to evaluate how different policies affect telephone densities. It is demonstrated that some of the prevalent policies may be counterproductive. Policy experiments with the model demonstrate that market-clearing pricing implemented with Universal Service Obligations, and a value-added service combination may significantly improve rural telecommunications."

The purpose of the study was to investigate and examine the impact of the government housing subsidies in Alexandra, Gauteng, in terms of improving the socio-economic conditions of poor people. The ANC government promised to change the material conditions of people by among other things eliminating poverty when it ascended to power. Access to adequate housing is regarded as a fundamental right in terms of the prescripts of the South African constitution. By implication the government has a developmental duty to provide housing to eligible citizens. A policy decision by government in 1995 to provide housing subsidies to poor households, particularly those earning between R0-3500 rand provided a significant catalyst in the objective to improve the socio-economic conditions of poor people. That is why the study was conducted in the Alexandra Township, given the proximity of the area to affluent suburbs such as Sandton. This also provided a perfect case study to measure the effectiveness of the housing subsidy system and how the system has been managed to maximise the housing delivery impact in terms of outcomes. In terms of research findings, the expectation was that delivery of low cost housing using government subsidies should not have experienced problems on housing delivery backlogs and administrative blockages. The research results revealed that the failure to quickly improve the socio-economic conditions of poor people through providing adequate housing and creating a progressive environment to create and access job opportunities has exacerbated the state of poverty, which perpetuates dependency on state assistance. The research findings further showed that there is no conclusive evidence that many if not all beneficiaries were using their subsidised house as an asset in terms of leveraging it to improve their financial position; and that there is still a high level of dependency on government for assistance even on maintenance of these units, especially after taking ownership. This has exposed a grave lack of knowledge or information on the side of beneficiaries on how to utilise the house as an asset in order to be progressive as far as improving social and economic conditions. The overall research results demonstrated that vi the existing low cost housing funding model (in Gauteng) is not sustainable in terms of delivering subsidised housing units; and significantly improving the quality of life and standard of living of poor people. In terms of limitations, the study took to account that the new government needed enough time to translate policy into concrete implementable ideas as far as housing was concerned, hence the period of study was from 1995 to 2012. This study is important because its findings contribute knowledge in the field of Public Administration and housing literature; and also assists the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) to explore recommended solutions to improve the Housing Subsidy System. Most importantly, the study provides valuable data relating to the impact of government housing subsidies, including challenges on housing allocations and subsidies management. The study concludes with recommendations on what an effective government subsidy programme should look like. This provides an opportunity to review the entire government subsidy system, as recommended in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 vision. The government of the day needs to urgently review the existing grant and subsidy regime for housing with a view to ensuring diversity in product and finance options that allows for more household choice and greater spatial mix and flexibility. Moreover, government should ensure that state funding does not support the further provision of non-strategic housing investments in poorly located areas. / Public Administration / D.P.A.

A tese que apresento perante a Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo tem por foco a análise dos mecanismos de controle da dupla-tributação apurados pelas Convenções Fiscais Bilaterais e os princípios decorrentes dos Tratados Comerciais, especialmente o de não-concessão de subsídios e o tratamento da nação mais favorecida. Tomando como pano de fundo a relação entre os países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento, demonstro que a resistência dos Estados exportadores de capital na implementação das cláusulas de crédito fictício nas Convenções Fiscais Bilaterais é injustificada, prestando-se unicamente para dar prevalência à tributação com base na residência, em detrimento da neutralidade fiscal em face dos Estados de fonte dos rendimentos. Ainda, colocada a relação entre os fundamentos da celebração de Convenções Fiscais Bilaterais, afasto a possibilidade de o regime delas decorrente ser estendido a terceiros por força da cláusula do tratamento da nação mais favorecida constante do GATT e de outros Tratados Comerciais. / This thesis makes an analysis of the mechanisms of control of the double-taxation thickened by the Bilateral Fiscal Conventions and the principles of the Commercial Agreements, especially the one of no-concession of subsidies and the treatment of the most-favored-nation. Taking as backdrop the relationship among the developed countries and indevelopment countries, I demonstrate that the resistance of Capital Exporters States in the negotiating fictitious credit in the Bilateral Fiscal Conventions is unjustified, being only rendered to maintain to the taxation based in the residence, avoiding the fiscal neutrality in face of States of source of the revenues. Still, placed the relationship among the foundations of the Bilateral Fiscal Conventions, I move away the possibility of the regime of them to be extended in favor of Third Countries using the GATTs most favored nation clause.

The subsidized island biogeography hypothesis proposes that nutrient subsidies, those translocated from one ecosystem to another, can indirectly influence species richness on islands by directly increasing terrestrial productivity. However, the lack of a formal statistical model makes it difficult to assess the strength of the hypothesis. I created a formal subsidized island biogeography model to determine how nutrient subsidies, in addition to area and distance from mainland, influence tree species richness. My model showed that an increase in terrestrial nitrogen abundance results in a decrease of tree species richness. Soil and plant δ 15N values were higher than expected and it is likely that nutrient subsidies from the marine environment are responsible for 15N enrichment. However, the range of observed nitrogen abundance is similar to inland coastal-zone forests, indicating that islands are similarly nitrogen deprived and may not be receiving enough nutrient subsidies to alter productivity. Tree species decline may therefore be more strongly related to the environmental conditions leading to patterns of nitrogen abundance rather than the abundance of nitrogen itself. Additionally, I proposed that bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are vectors of nutrient subsidies, depositing nutrient-rich guano at nest sites, which could alter soil chemistry and vegetation composition. In an exploratory study of seven nest sites, I found higher soil phosphorous at eagle nest sites relative to control sites (~ 33% higher). Phosphorous is a limiting nutrient in coastal temperate forests, additions help to alleviate chlorosis and slow growth especially when paired with nitrogen. Higher potassium concentration also occurred on eagle-inhabited islands but was not associated specifically with current nest sites, perhaps reflecting differential persistence of macronutrients in the soil. Despite expectations, soil δ 15N abundance was not statistically higher at eagle nest sites. Total soil nitrogen was also not statistically higher at eagle nest sites. There were no significant differences between vegetation composition at eagle nest sites and reference sites, but reference sites tended to be dominated by shrub species. Additionally, I proposed that bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are vectors of nutrient subsidies, depositing nutrient-rich guano at nest sites, which could alter soil chemistry and vegetation composition. In an exploratory study of seven nest sites, I found higher soil phosphorous at eagle nest sites relative to control sites (~ 33% higher). Phosphorous is a limiting nutrient in coastal temperate forests, additions help to alleviate chlorosis and slow growth especially when paired with nitrogen. Higher potassium concentration also occurred on eagle-inhabited islands but was not associated specifically with current nest sites, perhaps reflecting differential persistence of macronutrients in the soil. I expected to observe elevated nitrogen isotope signatures (δ 15N) given bald eagles’ position in the trophic web and the potential for volatilization of guano but soil δ 15N abundance was not statistically higher at eagle nest sites. Total soil nitrogen was also not statistically higher at eagle nest sites. There were no significant differences between vegetation composition at eagle nest sites and reference sites, but reference sites tended to be dominated by shrub species / Graduate