Agricultural policy and strategic investment in information technology

In this article the perspective shifts to the “upstream” end of the agricultural knowledge and information system (AKIS). Because knowledge policy and strategic decision-making are not the prerogative of the public sector, organizations such as cooperative unions and multinational companies are included. After considering the influence of the changing environment on the nature of the AKIS, the role of knowledge management and policy in the emerging knowledge and information market is examined. Special attention is given to public and private R&D. The article then looks where information technology (IT) fits in and what considerations determine strategic investment in IT projects and sustained services. Some of the European experiences with this strategic investment are evaluated.     

Neuropsychological analysis of some dynamic aspects of the sexual drive in men and women

IN PREVIOUS WORKS the author has proposed the conception of an affect-behavioral system as the neuropsychological basis of fundamental emotions and drives. It consists of ten subsystems (SS) integrated with relations of reciprocal induction and facilitation. The SSs are: (1) SS of flight, (2) SS of aggression, (3) SS of socially channeled attack, (4) SS of mutual aid, (5) SS of autoaggression, (6) SS of food taking, (7) SS of inhibition of food taking, (8) SS of vomiting, (9) SS of sexual contacts, and (10) SS of inhibition of sexual contacts. To the activity of the different SSs correspond fundamental emotions and drives. Thus, to the activity of the SS of flight corresponds fear; to the activity of the SS of aggression, socially uncultivated anger; to the activity of the SS of sexual contacts, sexual drive; and so forth. In the paper, appropriate observations are analyzed. They reveal that the activity of the SSs of flight and vomiting can inhibit reciprocally the sexual drive; whereas, the activity of the SSs of socially channeled attack, of mutual help, and of aggression can facilitate it. The activity of the SS of autoaggression is two-sided: According to the personality structure and the situation, it can inhibit or facilitate the sexual drive.