bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extension of the Periods For Consent to and Payment of Quota Increases
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: July 2020

On June 18, 2020, the IMF’s Executive Board approved an additional extension, for one year, of the period for members to consent to an increase in their quotas under the Fourteenth General Review of Quotas (“Fourteenth Review”) through June 30, 2021. The current deadline was due to expire on June 30, 2020. However, the Board of Governors Resolution No. 66-2 provides that the Executive Board may extend the period for consent as it may determine. An extension under Resolution No. 66-2 also extends the periods of consent for quota increases under the 2008 Reform of Quota and Voice (Resolution No. 63-2) and the Eleventh General Review of Quotas (Resolution No. 53-2). The Executive Board also approved an additional extension by one year of the period for payment of quota increases under the Fourteenth Review, and an extension for the payment of the quota increases under the 2008 Reform, through June 30, 2021.
Temporary Modification to the Fund's Annual Access Limits
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a uniquely severe synchronized shock across the global economy, in turn leading numerous member countries to request substantial financial assistance from the Fund. The Executive Board responded to members’ needs by increasing the access limits under the Fund’s emergency financing instruments by 50 percent of quota for a period of 6 months (until October 5, 2020), subject to a possible extension by the Executive Board.
Electoral Rulings and Public Trust in African Courts and Elections
Authors: Kerr Nicholas , Wahman Michael
Published: July 2020

On the African continent, where elections are often surrounded by accusations of fraud and manipulation, legal avenues for challenging elections may enhance election integrity and trust in political institutions. Court rulings on electoral petitions have consequences for the distribution
of power, but how do they shape public opinion? We theorize and study the way in which court rulings in relation to parliamentary election petitions shape public perceptions of election and judicial legitimacy. Using survey data from the 2016 Zambian election, our results suggest that opposition
voters rate quality of elections lower when courts nullify elections. However, judicial legitimacy seems unaffected even for voters in constituencies where the courts have shown independence vis a vis the executive and nulli' fied parliamentary elections won by the governing party.
Temporary and net sinks of atmospheric CO2 due to chemical weathering in subtropical catchment with mixing carbonate and silicate lithology
Authors: Cao Yingjie , Xuan Yingxue , Tang Changyuan , Guan Shuai , Peng Yisheng
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The study provided the major ion chemistry, chemical weathering
rates and temporary and net CO2 sinks in the Bei Jiang, which was
characterized as a hyperactive region with high chemical weathering rates,
carbonate and silicate mixing lithology, and abundant sulfuric acid chemical
weathering agent of acid deposition and acid mining drainage (AMD) origins.
The total chemical weathering rate of 85.46 t km−2 a−1 was comparable to that of other rivers in the
hyperactive zones between the latitudes 0 and 30∘. A carbonate weathering rate
of 61.15 t km−2 a−1 contributed to about
70 % of the total. The lithology, runoff, and geomorphology had a significant
influence on the chemical weathering rate. The proportion of carbonate
outcrops had a significant positive correlation with the chemical weathering
rate. Due to the interaction between dilution and compensation effect, a
significant positive linear relationship was detected between runoff and
total carbonate and silicate weathering rates. The geomorphology factors
such as catchment area, average slope, and hypsometric integral value (HI)
had nonlinear correlation with chemical weathering rate and showed
significant scale effect, which revealed the complexity in chemical
weathering processes. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) apportionment showed that CCW (carbonate
weathering by CO2) was the dominant origin of DIC (35 %–87 %). SCW
(carbonate weathering by H2SO4) (3 %–15 %) and CSW (silicate
weathering by CO2) (7 %–59 %) were non-negligible processes. The
temporary CO2 sink was 823.41×103 mol km−2 a−1.
Compared with the temporary sink, the net sink of CO2 for the
Bei Jiang was approximately 23.18×103 mol km−2 a−1 of CO2 and was about 2.82 % of the “temporary”
CO2 sink. Human activities (sulfur acid deposition and AMD)
dramatically decreased the CO2 net sink, even making chemical
weathering a CO2 source to the atmosphere.
Leaf-scale quantification of the effect of photosynthetic gas exchange on Δ17O of atmospheric CO2
Authors: Adnew Getachew Agmuas , Pons Thijs L. , Koren Gerbrand , Peters Wouter , Röckmann Thomas
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Understanding the processes that affect the triple oxygen isotope
composition of atmospheric CO2 during gas exchange can help constrain
the interaction and fluxes between the atmosphere and the biosphere. We
conducted leaf cuvette experiments under controlled conditions using three
plant species. The experiments were conducted at two different light
intensities and using CO2 with different Δ17O. We directly
quantify the effect of photosynthesis on Δ17O of atmospheric CO2 for the first time. Our results demonstrate the established
theory for δ18O is applicable to Δ17O(CO2) at
leaf level, and we confirm that the following two key factors determine the effect of
photosynthetic gas exchange on the Δ17O of atmospheric
CO2. The relative difference between Δ17O of the CO2
entering the leaf and the CO2 in equilibrium with leaf water and the
back-diffusion flux of CO2 from the leaf to the atmosphere, which can
be quantified by the cm∕ca ratio, where ca is the CO2 mole
fraction in the surrounding air and cm is the one at the site of oxygen
isotope exchange between CO2 and H2O. At low cm∕ca ratios
the discrimination is governed mainly by diffusion into the leaf, and at
high cm∕ca ratios it is governed by back-diffusion of CO2 that has equilibrated
with the leaf water. Plants with a higher cm∕ca ratio modify the Δ17O of atmospheric CO2 more strongly than plants with a lower cm∕ca ratio. Based on the leaf cuvette experiments, the global value for discrimination against Δ17O of atmospheric CO2 during photosynthetic gas exchange is estimated to be -0.57±0.14 ‰ using cm∕ca values of 0.3 and 0.7 for C4 and C3 plants, respectively. The main uncertainties in this global estimate arise from variation in cm∕ca ratios among plants and growth conditions.
Exploring Constraints on a Wetland Methane Emission Ensemble
(WetCHARTs) using GOSAT Satellite Observations
Authors: Parker Robert J. , Wilson Chris , Bloom A. Anthony , Comyn-Platt Edward , Hayman Garry , McNorton Joe , Boesch Hartmut , Chipperfield Martyn P.
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Wetland emissions contribute the largest uncertainties to the current global atmospheric CH4 budget and how these emissions will change under future climate scenarios is also still poorly understood. Bloom et al. (2017b) developed WetCHARTs, a simple, data-driven, ensemble-based model that produces estimates of CH4 wetland emissions constrained by observations of precipitation and temperature. This study performs the first detailed global and regional evaluation of the WetCHARTs CH4 emission model ensemble against 9 years of high-quality, validated atmospheric CH4 observations from the GOSAT satellite. A 3-D chemical transport model is used to estimate atmospheric CH4 mixing ratios based on the WetCHARTs emissions and other sources. Across all years and all ensemble members, the observed global seasonal cycle amplitude is typically underestimated by WetCHARTs by −7.4 ppb, but the correlation coefficient of 0.83 shows that the seasonality is well-produced at a global scale. The Southern Hemisphere has less of a bias (−1.9 ppb) than the Northern Hemisphere (−9.3 ppb) and our findings show that it is typically the North Tropics where this bias is worst (−11.9 ppb). We find that WetCHARTs generally performs well in reproducing the observed wetland CH4 seasonal cycle for the majority of wetland regions although, for some regions, regardless of the ensemble configuration, WetCHARTs does not well-reproduce the observed seasonal cycle. In order to investigate this, we performed detailed analysis of some of the more challenging exemplar regions (Parana River, Congo, Sudd and Yucatan). Our results show that certain ensemble members are more suited to specific regions, either due to deficiencies in the underlying data driving the model or complexities in representing the processes involved. In particular, incorrect definition of the wetland extent is found to be the most common reason for the discrepancy between the modelled and observed CH4 concentrations. The remaining driving data (i.e. heterotrophic respiration and temperature) are shown to also contribute to the mismatch to observations, with the details differing on a region-by-region basis but generally showing that some degree of temperature dependency is better than none. We conclude that the data-driven approach used by WetCHARTs is well-suited to produce a benchmark ensemble dataset against which to evaluate more complex process-based land surface models that explicitly model the hydrological behaviour of these complex wetland regions.
The response of terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycling under different
aerosol-based radiation management geoengineering
Authors: Lee Hanna , Muri Helene , Ekici Altug , Tjiputra Jerry , Schwinger Jörg
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Geoengineering has been discussed as a potential option to offset the global impacts of anthropogenic climate change, and at the same time help reach global temperature targets of the Paris Agreement. Before any implementation of geoengineering, however, the complex natural responses and consequences of such methods should be fully understood to avoid any unexpected and potentially degrading impacts. Here we assess the response of different terrestrial biomes in their ecosystem carbon exchange and storage storage under three different aerosol-based radiation management (RM) methods applied on top of the baseline RCP8.5 scenario using an Earth System Model (NorESM1-ME). All three methods used in this study (stratospheric aerosol injection, marine sky brightening, cirrus cloud thinning) target the global mean radiation balance at the top of the atmosphere to that of the RCP4.5 scenario. The three different RM methods investigated in this study exhibit vastly different precipitation patterns especially in the tropical forest biome due to the methodological differences in how the aerosols are applied. This resulted in large variability in global vegetation carbon uptake and storage across the three methods as tropical forest biome contribute the largest to global vegetation carbon uptake and storage. Our findings show that there are unforeseen regional consequences in the biogeochemical cycles under geoengineering and these consequences should be taken into account in future climate policies. Although, changes in temperature and precipitation play a large role in vegetation carbon uptake and storage, our results show that CO2 fertilization also plays a considerable role. We find that changes in vegetation carbon storage under geoengineering application was much smaller than what is exhibited under RCP4.5 scenario that uses climate mitigation efforts by afforestation in the tropics. Hence, it would be important to consider the multiple combined effects and responses of land biomes when applying different strategies to reach the global temperature targets of the Paris Agreement.
Measurement uncertainty analysis of field-programmable gate-array-based, real-time signal processing for ultrasound flow imaging
Authors: Nauber Richard , Büttner Lars , Czarske Jürgen
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Research in magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) aims to understand the complex interactions of electrically conductive fluids and magnetic fields.
A promising approach for investigating complex instationary flow phenomena are lab-scale experiments with low-melting alloys.
They require a noninvasive flow instrumentation for opaque liquids with a high spatiotemporal resolution, a low velocity uncertainty and a long measurement duration.
Ultrasound Doppler velocimetry can achieve multiplane, multicomponential flow imaging with multiple linear ultrasound arrays.
However the average raw data output amounts to 1.2 GBs−1 at a frame rate of 33 Hz in a typical configuration for 200 transducers.
This usually prevents long-duration measurements when offline signal processing is used. In this paper, we propose an online signal-processing chain for pulsed-wave Doppler velocimetry that is tailored to the specific requirements of flow imaging for lab-scale experiments.
The trade-off between measurement uncertainty and computational complexity is evaluated for different algorithmic variants in relation to the Cramér–Rao bound.
By utilizing selected approximations and parameter choices, a prepossessing could be efficiently implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), enabling a typical reduction of the data bandwidth of 6.5:1 and online flow visualization.
We validated the performance of the signal processing on a test rig, yielding a velocity standard deviation that is a factor of 3 above the theoretical limit despite a low computational complexity. Potential applications for this signal processing include multihour flow measurements during a crystal-growth process and closed-loop velocity feedback for model experiments.
Magma ascent mechanisms in the transition regime from
solitary porosity waves to diapirism
Authors: Dohmen Janik , Schmeling Harro
Published: July 2020

Abstract. In partially molten regions inside the earth melt buoyancy may trigger upwelling of both solid and fluid phases, i.e. diapirism. If the melt is allowed to move separately with respect to the matrix, melt perturbations may evolve into solitary porosity waves. While diapirs may form on a wide range of scales, porosity waves are restricted to sizes of a few times the compaction length. Thus, the size of a partially molten perturbation controls whether a diapir or a porosity wave will emerge. We study the transition from diapiric rise to solitary porosity waves by solving the two-phase flow equations of conservation of mass and momentum in 2D with porosity dependent matrix viscosity. We systematically vary the initial size of a porosity perturbation from 1 to 100 times the compaction length. If the perturbation is much larger than a regular solitary wave, its Stokes velocity is large and therefore faster than the segregating melt. Consequently, the fluid is not able to form a porosity wave and a diapir emerges. For small perturbations solitary waves emerge, either with a positive or negative vertical matrix velocity inside. In between the diapir and solitary wave regimes we observe a third regime of solitary wave induced focusing of melt. In these cases, diapirism is dominant but the fluid is still fast enough to locally build up small solitary waves which rise slightly faster than the diapir and form finger like structures at the front of the diapir. In our numerical simulations the width of these fingers is controlled by the compaction length or the grid size, whichever is larger. In cases where the compaction length becomes similar to or smaller than the grid size the finger-like leading solitary porosity waves are no more properly resolved, and too big and too fast waves may be the result. Therefore, one should be careful in large scale two-phase flow modelling with melt focusing especially when compaction length and grid size are of similar order.
The contrasting response of outlet glaciers to interior and ocean forcing
Authors: Christian John Erich , Robel Alexander A. , Proistosescu Cristian , Roe Gerard , Koutnik Michelle , Christianson Knut
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The dynamics of marine-terminating outlet glaciers are of fundamental interest in glaciology and affect mass loss from ice sheets in a warming climate. In this study, we analyze the response of outlet glaciers to different sources of climate forcing. We find that outlet glaciers have a characteristically different transient response to surface-mass-balance forcing applied over the interior than to oceanic forcing applied at the grounding line. A recently developed reduced model represents outlet-glacier dynamics via two widely separated response timescales: a fast response associated with grounding-zone dynamics and a slow response of interior ice. The reduced model is shown to emulate the behavior of a more complex numerical model of ice flow. Together, these models demonstrate that ocean forcing first engages the fast, local response and then the slow adjustment of interior ice, whereas surface-mass-balance forcing is dominated by the slow interior adjustment. We also demonstrate the importance of the timescales of stochastic forcing for assessing the natural variability in outlet glaciers, highlighting that decadal persistence in ocean variability can affect the behavior of outlet glaciers on centennial and longer timescales. Finally, we show that these transient responses have important implications for attributing observed glacier changes to natural or anthropogenic influences; the future change already committed by past forcing; and the impact of past climate changes on the preindustrial glacier state, against which current and future anthropogenic influences are assessed.
Modal sensitivity of rock glaciers to elastic changes from spectral
seismic noise monitoring and modeling
Authors: Guillemot Antoine , Baillet Laurent , Garambois Stéphane , Bodin Xavier , Helmstetter Agnès , Mayoraz Raphaël , Larose Eric
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Among mountainous permafrost landforms, rock glaciers are mostly abundant in periglacial areas, as tongue-shaped heterogeneous bodies. Passive seismic monitoring systems have the potential to provide continuous recordings sensitive to hydro-mechanical parameters of the subsurface. Two active rock glaciers located in the Alps (Gugla, Switzerland and Laurichard, France) have then been instrumented with seismic networks. Here, we analyse the spectral content of ambient noise, in order to study the modal sensitivity of rock glaciers, which is directly linked to elastic properties of the system. For both sites, we succeed in tracking and monitoring resonance frequencies of specific vibrating modes of the rock glaciers during several years. These frequencies show a seasonal pattern characterized by higher frequencies at the end of winters, and lower frequencies in hot periods. We interpret these variations as the effect of the seasonal freeze-thawing cycle on elastic properties of the medium. To assess this assumption, we model both rock glaciers in summer, using seismic velocities constrained by active seismic acquisitions, while bedrock depth is constrained by Ground Penetrating Radar surveys. The variations of elastic properties occurring in winter due to freezing were taken into account thanks to a three-phases Biot-Gassmann poroelastic model, where the rock glacier is considered as a mixture of a solid porous matrix and pores filled by water or ice. Assuming rock glaciers as vibrating structures, we numerically compute the modal response of such mechanical models by a finite-element method. The resulting modeled resonance frequencies fit well the measured ones along seasons, reinforcing the validity of our poroelastic approach. This seismic monitoring allows then a better understanding of location, intensity and timing of freeze-thawing cycles affecting rock glaciers.
Work Preferences in Rural Health Job Posting Among Medical Interns in a Lower Middle-Income Country— a Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Migriño Julius R.
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Timely empirical evidence is important in the success of health systems, and such evidence is necessary for informed policy making to address inequity in the health workforce. Literature is ripe with incentives that affect recruitment and retention of physicians in rural and remote areas, but such data in still lacking in the Philippine setting. Discrete choice experiment is one methodology utilized by the World Health Organization which provides both qualitative and quantitative information to aid policy makers in health human resource management.Methods: The study utilized a discrete choice experiment involving three phases: 1) identification of incentives and levels using key informant interviews and focus group discussions, 2) selection of scenarios utilizing an experimental design, and 3) administration of survey based on WHO guidelines. Conditional logistic regression, point estimates, and correlational analyses were done using Stata.Results: There is significant association between type of background and considerations for rural practice among the respondents based on Pearson’s correlation (p < 0.01). The respondents put more value into non-wage rural job posting incentives than small to modest base salary increases. The high willingness to pay for the presence of supervision, relative location of work areas from families, and status of workplace infrastructure/equipment or supplies suggest the importance of workplace conditions to attract rural health physicians. Combinations of wage and non-wage incentives may be necessary to provide for the most cost-efficient increases in rural job post uptake rates based on post-estimate calculations.Conclusion: Philippine medical interns and young doctors value non-wage incentives in considering rural health job postings. Rural health job postings with these incentives are predicted to significantly increase recruitment in rural health job posts, particularly when combinations of wage and high-impact non-wage incentives are considered.
Clinical Data, Comorbidities, and Mortality of COVID-19 in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico until May 20, 2020
Authors: Padilla-Raygoza Nicolás , Navarro-Olivos Efraín , Gallardo-Luna María de Jesús , Magos-Vázquez Francisco J , Díaz-Martínez Daniel Alberto , Sandoval-Salazar Cuauhtémoc , Díaz-Becerril Luis Antonio
Published: July 2020

Introduction: In December 2019, cases of pneumonia of unknown cause arose in Wuhan, China. The causative agent was subsequently identified as 2019-nCoV and later called SARS-CoV-2. In Mexico, since January 2020 when the first cases were reported, the spread of the infection has occurred throughout the country. The state of Guanajuato, which is located in the center of the country, has taken isolation measures and closed public places in March 2020. The objective of this study was to analyze the evolution, symptoms, co-morbidities and deaths due to confirmed cases of COVID-19.Methods: An ecological study was designed from the database of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Guanajuato. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for symptoms and co-morbidities in deaths of confirmed cases. Logistic regression models were generated adjusting for age group and gender.Results: Among the 838 confirmed cases in the state, cases with dyspnea and cyanosis showed more significant effect on death. Age group and gender had little involvement as confounders. For practically all comorbidities (including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and immunosuppression), there was a significant effect (odds ratio greater than 2) on mortality from COVID-19. Age group showed a confounding effect on comorbidities and death, but not gender.Conclusion: The confirmed cases had more than twice the possibility of having comorbidities, compared with those who did not die.
Operating Cash Flow and Dividend Changes as a Management Tool for Planning and Making Decision
Authors: Alqadi Faris
Published: July 2020

The main objective of this study was to examine whether operating cash flows have incremental information beyond operating net income in explaining dividend changes for a sample of Jordanian industrial firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) during the period 2010-2016 Arguments for operating cash flow information suggest that it is better than accrual net income in reflecting the firm performance and in measuring the firm liquidity. Both performance and liquidity are viewed as significant factors influencing a firm’s dividend policy. To examine this, operating cash flow, operating net income and lagged dividends were incorporated in a regression model. The results of this model indicated that the only significant variables explaining dividend changes were operating net income and lagged dividends with positive and negative coefficients, respectively. An attempt was also made to address the problem of nonlinearity in the relationship between cash flow and dividend changes. The sample of the industrial firms were divided into two groups (high growth and low growth firms) based on market to book value ratio. The results of the two regression models provided evidence consistent with the superiority of accrual operating net income over operating cash flow in explaining dividend changes. The results of this study suggest that Jordanian industrial firms base their dividend policies on accrual net income rather than on cash flows. One possible consequence of this suggestion is that cash dividends are not internally financed and as a result, this would deteriorate the liquidity and solvency position of a firm.
Authors: Mendoza Henríquez Miguel R. , Muñoz C. Juan P.
Published: July 2020

This paper analyzes the role of advertising within the social system. The first part discusses the social consequences in terms of consumer manipulation values, beliefs and life style of consumers. An analysis is performed of the economic effects of advertising, by testing the hypothesis that advertising has positive effects on economic decisions made by companies and consumers.
Authors: Hidalgo C. Pedro
Published: July 2020

The puipose of this investigation was to study the advertising management planning process followed by the largest advertisers in Chile. Specifically, I studied the decisions that are framed on the model about the advertising planning process presented in this paper. An analysis was performed of the activities and responsibilities related to the advertising strategy and the activities to which advertisers allot the greatest amount of time; what advertising budgeting methods are used and which are the most important; what criteria are consdiered importat when approving advertisements; what is the relative importance of various factors in media planning, and what testing and measurement techniques are used to determine advertising message effectiveness and how meaningful they are. In line with such purposes, a descriptive study was performed, for the first time in Chile, comprising the 109 largest advertiser in the country, getting a response rate of 56 percent, which represented 28 percent of the total advertising expenditures and 55 percent of the advertising expenditures of the sample frame. The result of the statistical test proved, in general, that the companies follow in then- decisions the recommendations stated by the marketing theoiy, and that they do not show any significant differences among the three types of companies analyzed, on the factors studied on each step of the advertising planning model. A key factor in the result was the fact that the companies directly relate advertising to sale. This is most clear in the analysis of how sales are present on activities receiving time and attention from the executives, in the advertising budgeting methods more used, or in the measurement of advertising effectiveness.
Authors: Maquieira V. Carlos , Osorio M. Desiré
Published: July 2020

The following is the first study in documenting the impact of significant changes in dividend payments on shareholders’ wealth in Chilean companies. The sample consists of 129 changes in dividend payments (75 increases and 59 decreases) above or below a real change of 10%. The study period goes from 1990 to 1995. The cumulative abnormal returns for two days around the dividend announcement date are 1.11% and –1.19% for increases and decreases, respectively. These results are statistically significant. Furthermore, we only find significant abnormal returns for definitive dividend announcements. Finally, we also report significant CAR for 10 days around the dividend announcement date, for which we do not have an economic explanation.
Authors: Chang R. Jorge , Maquieira V. Carlos
Published: July 2020

The objective of this article is to analyze the determinants of the financial leverage of a sample of Latin American companies that issued ADRs. This constitutes the first study in this area. We consider a sample of thirty-two public firms that issued ADRs in NYSE market during 1990-1994. According to the model proposed by Rajan and Zingales (1995) we find similar results in three of the four variables explored by these authors. Our results show a negative relationship between growth opportunities and leverage. Secondly, there is a positive relation between size of the company and leverage. Furthermore, profitability is negatively related to leverage. Finally, tangibility shows to be statistically significant but with an unexpected negative relationship with the leverage. This last result is not consistent with previous evidence in the corporate finance literature.
Authors: Marshall Pablo , Arnold Ignacio
Published: July 2020

This paper considers the loyalty and inheritance effects in the news program of the open television in Chile. The study uses data from the People Meter system to measures the loyalty and inheritance effects concepts for different television channels and different socio-demographic groups.The results of the study show significant differences in loyalty and inheritance effects across channels and sociodemographic groups. The paper represents a contribution, not only for this specific data set. It also gives a methodological contribution in the analysis of other data sets from the People Meter system.
Authors: Zurita L. Salvador
Published: July 2020

Forward and Future contracts are frequently treated as synonymous, akin contracts playing the same economic function in hedging financial price risks. But they differ in fundamental ways. In the case of a forward contract, the counter-parties only interchange cash at the maturity of the contract; no money changes hands initially or during the lifetime of the contract. This difference implies different minimum variance hedge ratios when using a forward contract versus a futures contract for hedging purposes. In this paper we explore those for different types of underlying assets and different assumptions about the evolution of the risk-free interest rate.
Authors: Acuña A. Eduardo
Published: July 2020

The paper identifies contributions from the literature, novels and stories, for the study of human behaviour in organizations, specially for their use in educational activities. Antecedents are presented about the application of literary works in the social sciences and the field of organizations. It also reports on the use of Chilean stories in the education of professionals in Chile. The contributions from those stories are identified and commented. The paper reveals that novels and stories offer rich and varied contents for learning about human life in organizations particularly for educational purposes.
Valuation of Investment Companies in Chile
Authors: Maquieira V. Carlos , Zurita L. Salvador , García O. Valeria , Velasco D. María Luisa
Published: July 2020

Though no clear definition of investment companies exists in Chile, it has been generally understood to refer to companies that have investments in other companies (with or without corporate control) but that do not own productive assets. A question that naturally arises is whether the market value of investment companies is equal to the economic value of the assets in which they invest, and if not, what factors account for the difference. International evidence indicates that for conglomerates a discount on market value would exist and also the situation would be similar (although not identical) to closed-end funds. In this paper we study the existence and explanation of a discount to Chilean investment companies. We find an average discount of 28% in a sample of 22 investment companies studied in the period December 1993 -- December 1999; and the structure of premiums and discounts is explained in an 83% by four variables. The results reported in this study are consistent with the following hypotheses: The discount of the investment companies is positively related to the percentage of insider ownership (insiders can maximise its wealth to the detriment of outsiders). On the other hand, it is negatively related to: the investment in filiated and related companies, the amount invested in investment companies maintained in the portfolio (probably due to an agency problem among shareholders), and the Depurate Book Value of Assets (a regulatory accounting restriction that affects Chilean pension fund investments).
Authors: Gregoire C. Jorge , Obilinovic P. Francisco
Published: July 2020

The objective of this research is to study the statistical properties of the time series of the CLP / USD nominal exchange rate, for the period of recent free float, specifically to model the returns and volatility, to finally evaluate the short-term predictive efficiency out of the sample and the ability of the models to generate abnormal returns through simulation of buying and selling strategies. ARIMA and GARCH models are applied to the daily data series of the interbank exchange rate, January 1999-December 2001; The predictive efficiency outside of sample uses the year 2002. The results are rather even in the short term, so the predictive power of a martingale is almost as good as the estimated models. This would lead us to think that the exchange market in Chile is efficient at least in its weak form. The final simulations indicate that when applying rolling, all the models improve profitability compared to the recursive technique and regarding the profitability of the static strategy, but it is not conclusive.
Authors: Manzur M. Enrique , Hidalgo C. Pedro , Olavarrieta S. Sergio , Farías N. Pablo
Published: July 2020

Private Labels are steadily but slowly included in Chileans´ consumption baskets. However, they have not reached the market share and penetration levels of European countries. The main

objective of this article is to study how customers` psychographics affect private labels buying intentions. A shopping center intercept study was conducted, interviewing 300 female shoppers, regarding 14 psychographic variables and private labels purchase intentions. Nine product categories were used, in order to improve the generalizability of findings. Using discriminant analysis, the relative importance of each psychographic variable to explain private labels´ purchasing intentions was assessed, in order to help retailers and manufacturers optimize their marketing efforts of private labels.
Authors: Castillo R. Augusto , Moreno S. David
Published: July 2020

En este artículo se analiza la existencia de una relación entre el uso de derivados cambiarios y el valor de mercado de empresas chilenas no financieras. Los resultados señalan una relación positiva entre el monto de derivados utilizado y el valor de la empresa. El uso de derivados permitiría reducir el riesgo cambiario, el que a su vez presenta un impacto negativo en el valor de las empresas analizadas.
Authors: Torres M. Eduardo , Manzur M. Enrique , Hidalgo C. Pedro , Barra V. Cristóbal
Published: July 2020

La satisfacción es uno de los elementos más importante para la gestión de los supermercados. Uno de sus principales determinantes es la calidad del servicio. Si bien muchos estudios han analizado su relación de manera agregada, no existen antecedentes del efecto de sus dimensiones de manera independiente. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar, en el contexto de los supermercados, cuáles de las dimensiones de la calidad del servicio podrían cumplir un rol de satisfactor y cuáles de ellas se comportarían como factores higiénicos. Los resultados muestran, que la confiabilidad, los tangibles, la accesibilidad y la seguridad son dimensiones satisfactoras o duales, mientras que la higiene y la atención personal, son factores higiénicos. Estos resultados, sirven de base para que los administradores de los supermercados, asignen los recursos de manera eficiente para lograr la satisfacción de sus clientes.
Authors: Valenzuela Leslier
Published: July 2020

La orientación al cliente y establecer relaciones a largo plazo con ellos anteceden al crecimiento y rentabilidad sustentable de los negocios. Para ello, las empresas implementan estrategias de

marketing y ventas que permitan aumentar el valor de su cartera de clientes. Por otra parte, este estudio sugiere que la ética empresarial se relaciona positivamente con el valor del tiempo de vida del cliente. Las hipótesis han sido probadas con las respuestas de los vendedores del sector bancario. Los resultados señalan que la orientación al cliente y la ética ayudan a retener y desarrollar

clientes desde la perspectiva del valor.
Authors: González Marcelo , Contreras Silvana , Rodríguez Arturo
Published: July 2020

La literatura en finanzas conductuales sugiere que resultados de la investigación realizada en el área de la psicología pueden ayudar a entender varias características de los mercados financieros. Nuestro estudio encaja en esa corriente. El presente trabajo estudia si cambios que afectan el comportamiento de la población en general,vía alteración de los patrones de sueño, como los cambios de horario oficial (el paso desde el horario de invierno al de verano yviceversa) tienen algún efecto en el mercado accionario. Nuestra muestra incluye tres países latinoamericanos: Chile, Brasil y México. Encontramos que, controlando por el llamado efecto de fin de semana (o efecto lunes), no hay una relación significativa entre los retornos accionarios y cambios de horario oficial en nuestra muestra.
Aplicaciones clínicas de Doppler Transcraneal en Neurología y Cuidados Neuro críticos.
Authors: Peña Martínez Susana Lissete , Bello Quezada Manuel Enrique , Cueli Gabino Alberto
Published: July 2020

En la actualidad el ultrasonido permite obtener en forma no invasiva imágenes de la mayoría de estructuras. A nivel cerebral, se puede acceder a la vasculatura y evaluar la hemodinamia.  Es un estudio seguro, no utiliza radiación y se puede realizar a la cabecera del paciente, las veces necesarias, hasta en monitoreo continuo. La limitación es que necesita un operador y cerca del 5-20% de las personas poseen ventanas óseas temporales poco accesibles, por el grosor del hueso.  Durante la realización del Doppler transcraneal, se debe seguir una serie de pasos. Tras localizar los vasos esperados, según la ventana y profundidad, se siguen las ondas espectrales en al menos dos puntos en cada arteria y se miden las velocidades de cada una. El objetivo de esta revisión fue describir las utilidades más frecuentes del doppler transcraneal en personas con enfermedades neurológicas y en pacientes en cuidados neurocríticos.  Se realizó búsqueda con la palabra clave “Transcranial doppler” en PUBMED, MEDLINE y EMBASE. Se encontraron 13 000 publicaciones, en inglés y español, con menos de 10 años de antigüedad. Se sintetizaron las principales aplicaciones neurológicas del doppler transcraneal, como herramienta auxiliar en la detección de la presión endocraneana y la muerte cerebral.
Quantum Model of Inertia - Predictions - Confirmations, Consequences for Gravitation into Galaxies, and LCDM Cosmology Models
Authors: Poher Claude , Poher Danielle
Published: July 2020

We propose a Quantum model of Inertia using two main hypotheses, (i) existence of a general isotropic flux of Quanta (named “Universons”, which differ from Gravitons), propagating at light velocity into the Universe, (ii) a very short time duration interaction of these Quanta with elementary massive matter particles, with temporary momentum transfer (really a 2π phase shift of the wave function). Model parameters values are obtained from observations. The natural flux has Random Fluctuations in intensity and in direction, predicted to be the cause of Gravitational acceleration, a model of Gravitation is deduced. Predictions of the two models are confirmed by free fall of cold Neutrons; and by strong electrons accelerations into superconducting devices. A supplementary Cosmological acceleration H0 c, from Universe expansion, is predicted and confirmed by Astronomical observations. Galaxies rotation velocities are predicted from quantum fluctuations and H0c effect, solving the enigma that required Cold Dark Matter mass hypothesis. The cosmological concordance model has therefore to be strongly modified, and the isotropic flux expansion could also explain observations without “Dark Energy”.
Some New Epigraphy Material from the Hashemite Kingdom of the Jordan
Authors: Al-Manaser Ali , Turki Hind Mohammad Turki Al
Published: July 2020

The aim of this research is to present a new collection of ANA inscriptions (Safaitic) discovered in 2017 in the Jordanian northeastern Badia in the area of Tall Al-Hafit. The research attempts to add a new meaning to the interpretation of the verb ʿwr in the Safaitic inscriptions. This research also introduces a new inscription bearing a reference to the town of Salkhad, which is located in southern Syria. This is the fifth inscription mentioning the name of this town. In addition, the research attempts to shed light on the importance of interpreting Safaitic inscriptions in relation to their geographical locations (the places where the inscriptions were discovered). This is because it is believed that these inscriptions and the meanings their authors wanted to convey can be better understood when interpreting these inscriptions in relation to their geographical contexts.
Research on the Current Status and Policy Evolution of International Education Industry in China
Authors: Ye Yankun , Xia Xinrong
Published: July 2020

The paper analyzed the current status and policy evolution of international education industry in China based on statistical data of the education market scale, source countries, education levels and study subjects. It is found that the international education in China has undergone three major stages, including the stage of “unified national management dominated by politics”, the stage of “exploration of the model for self-financed study abroad”, and the stage of “all-round open development”. The achievements of international education industry are closely related to the key policies in the 3 stages. The research shows that the scale of international education in China is basically the same as that in the developed countries but there exists a big import and export deficit since China has slightly smaller international market share. Asian and African countries are the main sending countries of international students, and students from these countries prefer to receive academic education in China than those from Europe and America. In terms of major subjects, Chinese language and literature are still the main subjects, but engineering, economics and management are becoming more popular. Finally, suggestions are made on how to further expand the international education market and optimize the international education structure in China.
A Comparison of the Logical Structure of Marx and Marcuse's Alienation Theory
Authors: Feng Yu
Published: July 2020

“Economic & Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844” is one of Marx's early important works. In the manuscript, Marx, based on his criticism of "alienated labor", provided a new method or a new perspective for people to analyze practical problems. Marcuse inherited Marx's theory of "alienation" and depicted the historical prospect of "comprehensive alienation" in developed industrial society. Starting from Hegel, this paper analyzes and reveals the basic structure of alienation logic. Based on this, a systematic and comprehensive comparison is made between Marx's theory of alienation and Marcuse's theory of alienation from two aspects: the internal logic of alienation and the external logic of alienation. The final aim is to show Marcuse's inheritance and transcendence of Marx's theory of alienation. Marcuse basically followed the logical structure of Marx's alienation theory and abandoned the application of this concept in speculative sense. Marcuse based on the reality of the development of capitalism in new era, developed it into a theory of social criticism, and even regarded it as the inner motive force of the real political revolution.
An Investigation of Instructors' Approaches in Teaching Pronunciation: A Case Study
Authors: Elnagar Bakheit Mohamed Abdelgadir
Published: July 2020

This study aimed to investigate how instructors teach pronunciation based on the pronunciation training they received. This study involved instructors from King Abdul Aziz University, who were teaching at the English Language Institute (ELI). The data were collected through a questionnaire given to (50) instructors at (ELI). The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program.

The results displayed that instructors used cognitive-content of teaching pronunciation and most of them focused on it as a valuable teaching approach. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the instructors had a constructive trend in teaching pronunciation. Most instructors pointed out that they taught pronunciation in their classes; in many cases they spent a considerable amount of time in pronunciation instruction. The lack of the pronunciation equipment and technological resources stands as a stumbling- block problem to teaching this language skill. In addition, the findings showed most of the language instructors did not receive any specific pronunciation training. Recommendations are given to provide suitable teaching pronunciation training which prepares the instructors to use powerful technology to boost teaching of this essential skill.
The Social Sustainability of Public Debt in the Framework of Middle East and North African Countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey
Authors: Ajili Wissem , Ayoub Hassan
Published: July 2020

The paper’s main objective is to analyze the social sustainability of the external public debt of some MENA countries, namely, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey between 1990 and 2018. The study carries out a dual statistical and econometric analysis to determine the impact of external public debt on the population welfare. The first analysis aims to examine the evolution of the debt social sustainability indicators and the second uses the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) panel data estimation technique.

Statistical analysis reveals that the external public debt service weighs heavily on public spending in health, education, and public investment. While the econometric study establishes that the ratio of external public debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has a negative effect on the population’s standards of living.

The study concludes that external public debt in MENA countries has been used to finance non-productive expenditures, which have no effect on the population’s living conditions. It highlights the need to consider the views of both debtors and creditors to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable approach to public debt. The latter should integrate the social and environmental consequences of debt on the well-being and living conditions of the population.