The design of an informatic model to estimate the efficiency of agricultural vegetal production.
In the present exists a concern over the inability of the small and medium farms managers to accurately estimate and evaluate production systems efficiency in Romanian agriculture. This general concern has become even more pressing as market prices associated with agricultural activities continue to increase. As a result, considerable research attention is now orientated to the development of economical models integrated in software interfaces that can improve the technical and financial management. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to present an estimation and evaluation model designed to increase the farmer’s ability to measure production activities costs by utilizing informatic systems.
INFORMATION AND DECISION IN AGRICULTURE : HOW RELEVANCE IN MANAGEMENT DIAGNOSIS IS IMPROVED BY AN EXPERT SYSTEM
This paper describes the experiment of modelizing and computerizing the management diagnosis of a farm carried out by 9 advisory centers with the Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs en Techniques Agricoles de Bordeaux. The tool chosen for computerizing the reasoning process was an expert system based on production rules, on a micro-computer. The authors first describe the aims of the expert system and the methodology used. Then, they draw the following conclusions. Fine-tuning the expert system to bring it up to a professional level requires a specific method of work and a homogenous information system. Moreover, the quality of diagnosis depends on the one hand on the transcription of human reasoning and on the other hand on information used to evaluate references, that is to say standard references and normative references. The authors define these two terms before showing that the relevance of the diagnosis depends on these references. Finally, they try to show that it is possible to improve the definition of a reference as well as the way of using it in order to provide the farmer with a more evolved Information System.
Gambling and Problem Gambling in Sweden: Changes Between 1998 and 2009
Gambling participation and rates of problem gambling change over time in response to a variety of factors including gambling availability, demographic changes and adaptation at individual and societal levels. These relationship are complex and only partially understood. The major aim of the present study was to provide general population estimates of gambling participation and problem gambling for Sweden and compare these estimates with estimates from a previous national study. The study was also designed to identify risk factors for problem gambling including change in these factors over time. Data are from the first phase of the Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study (Swelogs) in which a representative sample of 8,165 people was assessed using validated problem gambling and other measures to facilitate comparison with findings from the 1997/1998 Swedish Gambling Study (Swegs). Overall, it was found that gambling participation reduced markedly, although in some population sectors increases were evident for some forms including poker and electronic gaming machines. Lifetime prevalence of probable pathological gambling increased; however, past 12 months probable pathological and problem gambling prevalence did not. Males, younger adults and people born outside Sweden were at high risk in both studies. Significant prevalence increases were evident for people aged 18–24 and those with low levels of education. The results indicate that relationships between gambling exposure, participation and problems are dynamic with shifting implications for public health and social policy.