bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Detection and Characterization of Extrasolar Planets
Authors: Rice Ken
Published: September 2014

We have now confirmed the existence of > 1800 planets orbiting stars other thanthe Sun; known as extrasolar planets or exoplanets. The different methods for detectingsuch planets are sensitive to different regions of parameter space, and so, we are discoveringa wide diversity of exoplanets and exoplanetary systems. Characterizing such planets isdifficult, but we are starting to be able to determine something of their internal compositionand are beginning to be able to probe their atmospheres, the first step towards the detectionof bio-signatures and, hence, determining if a planet could be habitable or not. Here, Iwill review how we detect exoplanets, how we characterize exoplanetary systems and theexoplanets themselves, where we stand with respect to potentially habitable planets and howwe are progressing towards being able to actually determine if a planet could host life or not.
A Size Exclusion HPLC Method for Evaluating the Individual Impacts of Sugars and Organic Acids on Beverage Global Taste by Means of Calculated Dose-Over-Threshold Values
Authors: Dias Luís , Sequeira Cédric , Veloso Ana , Morais Jorge , Sousa Mara , Peres António
Published: September 2014

In this work, the main organic acids (citric, malic and ascorbic acids) and sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) present in commercial fruit beverages (fruit carbonated soft-drinks, fruit nectars and fruit juices) were determined. A novel size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography isocratic green method, with ultraviolet and refractive index detectors coupled in series, was developed. This methodology enabled the simultaneous quantification of sugars and organic acids without any sample pre-treatment, even when peak interferences occurred. The method was in-house validated, showing a good linearity (R > 0.999), adequate detection and quantification limits (20 and 280 mg L−1, respectively), satisfactory instrumental and method precisions (relative standard deviations lower than 6%) and acceptable method accuracy (relative error lower than 5%). Sugars and organic acids profiles were used to calculate dose-over-threshold values, aiming to evaluate their individual sensory impact on beverage global taste perception. The results demonstrated that sucrose, fructose, ascorbic acid, citric acid and malic acid have the greater individual sensory impact in the overall taste of a specific beverage. Furthermore, although organic acids were present in lower concentrations than sugars, their taste influence was significant and, in some cases, higher than the sugars’ contribution towards the global sensory perception.
Ab Initio and Monte Carlo Approaches For the Magnetocaloric Effect in Co- and In-Doped Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler Alloys
Authors: Sokolovskiy Vladimir , Grünebohm Anna , Buchelnikov Vasiliy , Entel Peter
Published: September 2014

The complex magnetic and structural properties of Co-doped Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler alloys have been investigated by using a combination of first-principles calculations and classical Monte Carlo simulations. We have restricted the investigations to systems with 0, 5 and 9 at% Co. Ab initio calculations show the presence of the ferrimagnetic order of austenite and martensite depending on the composition, where the excess Mn atoms on Ga sites show reversed spin configurations. Stable ferrimagnetic martensite is found for systems with 0 (5) at% Co and a c=a ratio of 1.31 (1.28), respectively, leading to a strong competition of ferro- and antiferro-magnetic exchange interactions between nearest neighbor Mn atoms. The Monte Carlo simulations with ab initio exchange coupling constants as input parameters allow one to discuss the behavior at finite temperatures and to determine magnetic transition temperatures. The Curie temperature of austenite is found to increase with Co, while the Curie temperature of martensite decreases with increasing Co content. This behavior can be attributed to the stronger Co-Mn, Mn-Mn and Mn-Ni exchange coupling constants in austenite compared to the corresponding ones in martensite. The crossover from a direct to inverse magnetocaloric effect in Ni-Mn-Ga due to the substitution of Ni by Co leads to the appearance of a “paramagnetic gap” in the martensitic phase. Doping with In increases the magnetic jump at the martensitic transition temperature. The simulated magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Co- and In-doped Ni-Mn-Ga alloys are in good qualitative agreement with the available experimental data.
Accuracy Assessment of Timber Volume Maps Using Forest Inventory Data and LiDAR Canopy Height Models
Authors: Hill Andreas , Breschan Jochen , Mandallaz Daniel
Published: September 2014

Maps of standing timber volume provide valuable decision support for forest managers and have therefore been the subject of recent studies. For map production, field observations are commonly combined with area-wide remote sensing data in order to formulate prediction models, which are then applied over the entire inventory area. The accuracy of such maps has frequently been described by parameters such as the root mean square error of the prediction model. The aim of this study was to additionally address the accuracy of timber volume classes, which are used to better represent the map predictions. However, the use of constant class intervals neglects the possibility that the precision of the underlying prediction model may not be constant across the entire volume range, resulting in pronounced gradients between class accuracies. This study proposes an optimization technique that automatically identifies a classification scheme which accounts for the properties of the underlying model and the implied properties of the remote sensing support information. We demonstrate the approach in a mountainous study site in Eastern Switzerland covering a forest area of 2000 hectares using a multiple linear regression model approach. A LiDAR-based canopy height model (CHM) provided the auxiliary information; timber volume observations from the latest forest inventory were used for model calibration and map validation. The coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.64) and the cross-validated root mean square error (RMSECV = 123.79 m3 ha−1) were only slightly smaller than those of studies in less steep and heterogeneous landscapes. For a large set of pre-defined number of classes, the optimization model successfully identified those classification schemes that achieved the highest possible accuracies for each class.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Channel Retention in a Lowland Temperate Forest Stream Settled by European Beaver (Castor fiber)
Authors: Grygoruk Mateusz , Nowak Magdalena
Published: September 2014

Beaver ponds remain a challenge for forest management in those countries where expansion of beaver (Castor fiber) is observed. Despite undoubted economic losses generated in forests by beaver, their influence on hydrology of forest streams especially in terms of increasing channel retention (amount of water stored in the river channel), is considered a positive aspect of their activity. In our study, we compared water storage capacities of a lowland forest stream settled by beaver in order to unravel the possible temporal variability of beaver’s influence on channel retention. We compared distribution, total damming height, volumes and areas of beaver ponds in the valley of Krzemianka (Northeast Poland) in the years 2006 (when a high construction activity of beaver was observed) and in 2013 (when the activity of beaver decreased significantly). The study revealed a significant decrease of channel retention of beaver ponds from over 15,000 m3 in 2006 to 7000 m3 in 2013. The total damming height of the cascade of beaver ponds decreased from 6.6 to 5.6 m. Abandoned beaver ponds that transferred into wetlands, where lost channel retention was replaced by soil and groundwater retention, were more constant over time and less vulnerable to the external disturbance means of water storage than channel retention. We concluded that abandoned beaver ponds played an active role in increasing channel retention of the river analyzed for approximately 5 years. We also concluded that if the construction activity of beaver was used as a tool (ecosystem service) in increasing channel retention of the river valley, the permanent presence of beaver in the riparian zone of forest streams should have been assured.
Effects of Harvesting Systems and Bole Moisture Loss on Weight Scaling of Douglas-Fir Sawlogs (Pseudotsuga Menziesii var. glauca Franco)
Authors: Saralecos Jarred , Keefe Robert , Tinkham Wade , Brooks Randall , Smith Alistair , Johnson Leonard
Published: September 2014

Characterizing the moisture loss from felled trees is essential for determining weight-to-volume (W-V) relationships in softwood sawlogs. Several factors affect moisture loss, but research to quantify the effects of bole size and harvest method is limited. This study was designed to test whether bole size, harvest method, environmental factors, and the associated changes in stem moisture content of felled Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca Franco) affected the weight-to-volume relationship of sawlogs. Thirty trees in three size classes (12.7–25.4 cm, 25.5–38.1 cm, 38.2–50.8 cm) were felled and treated with one of two harvesting processing methods. Moisture content was sampled every two days for four weeks. Results showed 6% greater moisture loss in the crowns of stems that retained limbs after felling compared to stems with limbs removed after harvesting. Additionally, moisture loss rate increased as stem size decreased. The smallest size class lost 58% moisture content compared to 34% in the largest size class throughout the study duration. These stem moisture content changes showed a 17% reduction in average sawlog weight within the largest size class, shifting current W-V relationships from 2.33 tons m−3 to 1.94 tons m−3 during the third seasonal quarter for northern Idaho Douglas-fir and potentially altering relationships year-round.
Cross-Correlation of Diameter Measures for the Co-Registration of Forest Inventory Plots with Airborne Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Monnet Jean-Matthieu , Mermin Éric
Published: September 2014

Continuous maps of forest parameters can be derived from airborne laser scanning (ALS) remote sensing data. A prediction model is calibrated between local point cloud statistics and forest parameters measured on field plots. Unfortunately, inaccurate positioning of field measures lead to a bad matching of forest measures with remote sensing data. The potential of using tree diameter and position measures in cross-correlation with ALS data to improve co-registration is evaluated. The influence of the correction on ALS models is assessed by comparing the accuracy of basal area prediction models calibrated or validated with or without the corrected positions. In a coniferous, uneven-aged forest with high density ALS data and low positioning precision, the algorithm co-registers 91% of plots within two meters from the operator location when at least the five largest trees are used in the analysis. The new coordinates slightly improve the prediction models and allow a better estimation of their accuracy. In a forest with various stand structures and species, lower ALS density and differential Global Navigation Satellite System measurements, position correction turns out to have only a limited impact on prediction models.
The Role of Preference on Outcomes of People Receiving Evidence-Informed Community Wound Care in Their Home or in a Nurse-Clinic Setting: A Cohort Study (n = 230)
Authors: Harrison Margaret , VanDenKerkhof Elizabeth , Hopman Wilma , Carley Meg
Published: September 2014

This study followed a cohort of community-dwelling individuals receiving wound-care in a large urban-rural region. During a randomized control trial (RCT) evaluating outcomes of receiving care in a nurse-clinic or at home, many approached were willing to participate if they could choose their location of care. This provided a unique opportunity to enroll them as a “choice” cohort, following them in the same manner as the trial participants but allowing them to select their setting of care. The objective was to investigate the role of preference and location of care on care outcomes, including satisfaction with care, healing, health-related quality of life (HRQL), pain, and resource use. This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of 126 individuals enrolled in an RCT to receive care at home or in a nurse-clinic (Allocated group), and an additional 104 who received care at home or in a nurse-clinic based on their preference (Choice group). Mobile individuals with a leg ulcer of venous or mixed venous etiology, referred for community leg ulcer care, were eligible. Specially-trained nurses provided care to both groups using an evidence-informed protocol. Baseline data included socio-demographic, circumstance-of-living and a detailed wound assessment. Mean age of the cohort was 68 years. Satisfaction, healing, recurrence, pain, HRQL, and resource utilization did not differ between groups. If available, individuals should have an option of care venue given almost half of those approached indicated a clear preference for clinic or home. With outcomes being similar, health care planners and decision-makers, as well as individuals and their families, can feel confident that the setting of care will not impact the outcomes. However, larger studies in other contexts are needed to explore the interaction between choice and setting.
Diversity in TAF Proteomics: Consequences for Cellular Differentiation and Migration
Authors: Kazantseva Jekaterina , Palm Kaia
Published: September 2014

Development is a highly controlled process of cell proliferation and differentiation driven by mechanisms of dynamic gene regulation. Specific DNA binding factors for establishing cell- and tissue-specific transcriptional programs have been characterised in different cell and animal models. However, much less is known about the role of “core transcription machinery” during cell differentiation, given that general transcription factors and their spatiotemporally patterned activity govern different aspects of cell function. In this review, we focus on the role of TATA-box associated factor 4 (TAF4) and its functional isoforms generated by alternative splicing in controlling lineage-specific differentiation of normal mesenchymal stem cells and cancer stem cells. In the light of our recent findings, induction, control and maintenance of cell differentiation status implies diversification of the transcription initiation apparatus orchestrated by alternative splicing.
Report on the Fifth International Mathematics in Finance (MiF) Conference 2014, Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Authors: McAleer Michael
Published: September 2014

The Journal of Risk and Financial Management was first published in 2008, and, since its inception, has published a number of theoretical and empirical papers on various topics in risk and financial management, in pursuit of its stated goal of advancing knowledge and understanding in the practice of risk and financial management through the publication of high quality papers that are relevant to practitioners in the field.[...]
Sol-Gel Synthesis and Antioxidant Properties of Yttrium Oxide Nanocrystallites Incorporating P-123
Authors: Mellado-Vázquez Rebeca , García-Hernández Margarita , López-Marure Arturo , López-Camacho Perla , De Jesús Morales-Ramírez Ángel , Beltrán-Conde Hiram
Published: September 2014

Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanocrystallites were synthesized by mean of a sol-gel method using two different precursors. Raw materials used were yttrium nitrate and yttrium chloride, in methanol. In order to promote oxygen vacancies, P-123 poloxamer was incorporated. Synthesized systems were heat-treated at temperatures from 700 °C to 900 °C. Systems at 900 °C were prepared in the presence and absence of P-123 using different molar ratios (P-123:Y = 1:1 and 2:1). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed a characteristic absorption band of Y–O vibrations typical of Y2O3 matrix. The structural phase was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), showing the characteristic cubic phase in all systems. The diffraction peak that presented the major intensity corresponded to the sample prepared from yttrium chloride incorporating P-123 in a molar ratio of P-123:Y = 2:1 at 900 °C. Crystallites sizes were determined by Scherrer equation as between 21 nm and 32 nm. Antioxidant properties were estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) assays; the results are discussed.
Preparation and Characterization of Injectable Brushite Filled-Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Bone Cement
Authors: Rodriguez Lucas , Chari Jonathan , Aghyarian Shant , Gindri Izabelle , Kosmopoulos Victor , Rodrigues Danieli
Published: September 2014

Powder-liquid poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cements are widely utilized for augmentation of bone fractures and fixation of orthopedic implants. These cements typically have an abundance of beneficial qualities, however their lack of bioactivity allows for continued development. To enhance osseointegration and bioactivity, calcium phosphate cements prepared with hydroxyapatite, brushite or tricalcium phosphates have been introduced with rather unsuccessful results due to increased cement viscosity, poor handling and reduced mechanical performance. This has limited the use of such cements in applications requiring delivery through small cannulas and in load bearing. The goal of this study is to design an alternative cement system that can better accommodate calcium-phosphate additives while preserving cement rheological properties and performance. In the present work, a number of brushite-filled two-solution bone cements were prepared and characterized by studying their complex viscosity-versus-test frequency, extrusion stress, clumping tendency during injection through a syringe, extent of fill of a machined void in cortical bone analog specimens, and compressive strength. The addition of brushite into the two-solution cement formulations investigated did not affect the pseudoplastic behavior and handling properties of the materials as demonstrated by rheological experiments. Extrusion stress was observed to vary with brushite concentration with values lower or in the range of control PMMA-based cements. The materials were observed to completely fill pre-formed voids in bone analog specimens. Cement compressive strength was observed to decrease with increasing concentration of fillers; however, the materials exhibited high enough strength for consideration in load bearing applications. The results indicated that partially substituting the PMMA phase of the two-solution cement with brushite at a 40% by mass concentration provided the best combination of the properties investigated. This alternative material may find applications in systems requiring highly injectable and viscous cements such as in the treatment of spinal fractures and bone defects.
Optimization of Aluminum Stressed Skin Panels in Offshore Applications
Authors: Van Hove Dianne , Soetens Frans
Published: September 2014

Since the introduction of general European rules for the design of aluminium structures, specific rules for the design of aluminum stressed skin panels are available. These design rules have been used for the optimization of two extrusion products: one for explosions and wind load governing and one for explosions and floor load governing. The optimized extrusions fulfill Class 3 section properties, leading to weight reductions up to 25% of regularly-used shear panel sections. When the design is based on Class 4 section properties, even more weight reduction may be reached. The typical failure mode of the optimized stressed skin panels depends on the applied height of the hat stiffeners. For sections using relatively high hat stiffeners, failure is introduced by yielding of the heat-affected zone. For this type of cross-section, Eurocode 9 design rules and numerical calculations show very good agreement. For sections using relatively low hat stiffeners, failure is introduced by global buckling. For this type of cross-section, Eurocode 9 gives rather conservative results.
Inversion of Aerosol Optical Depth Based on the CCD and IRS Sensors on the HJ-1 Satellites
Authors: Zhang Yang , Liu Zhihong , Wang Yongqian , Ye Zhixiang , Leng Lu
Published: September 2014

To perform a high-resolution aerosol optical depth (AOD) inversion from the HJ-1 satellites, a dark pixel algorithm utilizing the HJ-1 satellite data was developed based on the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) algorithm. By analyzing the relationship between the apparent reflectance from the 1.65 μm and 2.1 μm channels of MODIS, a method for estimating albedo using the 1.65 μm channel data of the HJ-1 satellites was established, and a high-resolution AOD inversion in the Chengdu region based on the HJ-1 satellite was completed. A comparison of the inversion results with CE318 measured data produced a correlation of 0.957, respectively, with an absolute error of 0.106. An analysis of the AOD inversion results from different aerosol models showed that the rural aerosol model was suitable as a general model for establishing an aerosol inversion look-up table for the Chengdu region.
Annual Detection of Forest Cover Loss Using Time Series Satellite Measurements of Percent Tree Cover
Authors: Song Xiao-Peng , Huang Chengquan , Sexton Joseph , Channan Saurabh , Townshend John
Published: September 2014

We introduce and test a new method to detect annual forest cover loss from time series estimates of percent tree cover. Our approach is founded on two realistic assumptions: (1) land cover disturbances are rare events over large geographic areas that occur within a short time frame; and (2) spatially discrete land cover disturbances are continuous processes over time. Applying statistically rigorous algorithms, we first detect disturbance pixels as outliers of an underlying chi-square distribution. Then, we fit nonlinear, logistic curves for each identified change pixel to simultaneously characterize the magnitude and timing of the disturbance. Our method is applied using the yearly Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) tree cover product from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and the resulting disturbance-year estimates are evaluated using a large sample of Landsat-based forest disturbance data. Temporal accuracy is ~65% at 250-m, annual resolution and increases to >85% when temporal resolution is relaxed to ±1 yr. The r2 of MODIS VCF-based disturbance rates against Landsat ranges from 0.7 to 0.9 at 5-km spatial resolution. The general approach developed in this study can be potentially applied at a global scale and to other land cover types characterized as continuous variables from satellite data.
A Web-Based Tool to Interpolate Nitrogen Loading Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Park Youn , Engel Bernie
Published: September 2014

Water quality data may not be collected at a high frequency, nor over the range of streamflow data. For instance, water quality data are often collected monthly, biweekly, or weekly, since collecting and analyzing water quality samples are costly compared to streamflow data. Regression models are often used to interpolate pollutant loads from measurements made intermittently. Web-based Load Interpolation Tool (LOADIN) was developed to provide user-friendly interfaces and to allow use of streamflow and water quality data from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) via web access. LOADIN has a regression model assuming that instantaneous load is comprised of the pollutant load based on streamflow and the pollutant load variation within the period. The regression model has eight coefficients determined by a genetic algorithm with measured water quality data. LOADIN was applied to eleven water quality datasets from USGS gage stations located in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin states with drainage areas from 44 km2 to 1,847,170 km2. Measured loads were calculated by multiplying nitrogen data by streamflow data associated with measured nitrogen data. The estimated nitrogen loads and measured loads were evaluated using Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). NSE ranged from 0.45 to 0.91, and R2 ranged from 0.51 to 0.91 for nitrogen load estimation.
À la limite du monde matériel : deux cas de reconnaissance légale à Taiwan
Authors: Chen Hsin-Hsing
Published: September 2014

Cet article retrace en détail l’histoire des deux cas majeurs qui ont amené les instances de la santé et de la sécurité au travail ( isst ) de Taiwan à reconnaître les troubles mentaux comme une maladie du travail et le suicide lié au travail comme un risque professionnel. Grâce à l’examen de ces cas, cet article tente d’appliquer la perspective théorique assez peu utilisée de « culture visuelle » pour questionner l’infrastructure scientifique et politique plus large de la société. La référence à la « culture visuelle » comme concept politique est surtout utile pour comprendre certaines normes et pratiques apparemment étranges qui prévalent dans la tradition de droit civil du système judiciaire taiwanais. Il en résulte que les controverses sociales, légales ou scientifiques, se déroulent d’une manière différente à Taiwan et dans les pays qui appliquent la Common Law, là où ont été menées la plupart des études sociales antérieures concernant l’interface science/droit.
Suicides et Révoltes dans une usine mondialisée : le fonctionnement du despotisme fragmenté mondialisé chez Foxconn
Authors: Lin Thung-Hong , Tseng Wei-Ling , Lin Yi-Ling
Published: September 2014

Nous décrivons dans cet article les caractéristiques spécifiques de la plus grande usine mondialisée – en termes de nombre d’employés – appartenant au groupe taiwanais Foxconn à Shenzen en Chine. Nous montrons que le fonctionnement de l’usine s’est articulé autour de trois éléments clés : (1) la globalisation interne ; (2) la fragmentation organisationnelle, le fractionnement vertical des business groups ( bg ) et la segmentation horizontale des employés appartenant à différentes nationalités ; (3) le despotisme sur le lieu de travail. Ces trois éléments nous conduisent à qualifier le fonctionnement de l’usine de « despotisme fragmenté mondialisé ». La structure organisationnelle de l’usine mondialisée est particulièrement utile pour expliquer les terribles conditions de travail en vigueur chez Foxconn et les suicides de travailleurs qui ont eu lieu en 2010.
La psychodynamique du travail aux croisements du psychique et du social
Authors: Pagès Claire
Published: September 2014

Cet article a pour objectif d’envisager l’articulation nécessaire entre la psychanalyse et la théorie sociale, dans l’idée qu’une sociologie étrangère à la psychologie (et à la psychanalyse) est tout aussi fautive qu’une psychologie dédaigneuse de la sociologie et des interdépendances sociales. Nous proposons d’exposer ici pourquoi le projet de la psychodynamique du travail nous semble satisfaire l’exigence de faire droit et place à l’incidence du social, de reconnaître le poids de l’étiologie sociale de la souffrance. Ces points s’associent à la reconnaissance des enjeux proprement psychiques des expériences et activités humaines (en particulier ceux du travail), d’une part, de l’existence d’une logique autonome de la réalité psychique d’autre part.
Regard sur une formation destinée aux préposés aux bénéficiaires au Québec. Gestion de contradictions organisationnelles et souffrance éthique
Authors: Aubry François , Couturier Yves
Published: September 2014

Nous montrons dans cet article quelles sont les représentations des préposés aux bénéficiaires travaillant dans des organisations gériatriques du Québec d’une formation destinée à améliorer la qualité de leurs pratiques. Les compétences incluses dans cette formation permettraient a priori d’améliorer le rapport intersubjectif entre l’intervenant et le résident. En analysant les données de trente entrevues réalisées avec des préposés aux bénéficiaires, nous montrons que cette individualisation des compétences entre néanmoins en contradiction avec les stratégies de régulation créées et utilisées collectivement par les préposés. À ce titre, nous montrons comment une telle formation peut occasionner l’apparition de contradictions organisationnelles, voire des formes de souffrance éthique, et ce, précisément dans un contexte de fragilisation des collectifs de travail en contexte gériatrique.
Diez años de estudio del comportamiento higrotérmico de la cubierta del Museo del Prado
Authors: Sánchez-Montero J. , Andrade M.ª C. , Fullea J. , Linares P. , Sotorrío G. , Barroso F. J. , Rentero G.
Published: September 2014

Debido a unas filtraciones detectadas al terminar la renovación de las cubiertas del Museo del Prado se decidió instalar sensores en sus diversas capas, cuyo diseño no es tradicional. Después de más de diez años de registro, los sensores de agua líquida muestran la acumulación de humedad en la capa de impermeabilización líquida. Sin embargo, no se ha detectado la presencia de agua líquida en las capas inferiores. Los sensores de humedad relativa muestran la presencia de condensaciones locales. Los sensores de temperatura muestran la capacidad aislante de las diferentes capas de la cubierta. Y los sensores de deformación muestran un incremento de deformación continuo con el tiempo, posiblemente debido a la fluencia del conjunto. Como conclusión del estudio, se puede afirmar que el comportamiento de la cubierta ha sido correcto ya que no se ha detectado la aparición de agua líquida en las capas internas de la cubierta.
Project Initiation
Authors: Weninger Claudia , Huemann Martina
Published: September 2014

The consideration of Sustainable Development (SD) becomes more and more important for investments and the projects which implement those investments. In the project initiation process, the decision regarding the realization of an investment is made. Analyzing the investment is one of the main tasks of the project initiation process. Thus, this process is identified as most important for the integration of SD principles. The authors define SD with the following principles: economic, ecologic, and social-orientation; short, mid, and long term orientation as well as local, regional, and global-orientation. Furthermore, SD is value-based and considers values such as transparency, fairness, trust, etc. In this chapter, the authors describe the concept of responsible and ethical investment, which may also provide the basis for an investment decision within a project's initiation. While global project and program management standards show very limited consideration of comprehensive investment analysis, the authors draw on the Logical Framework Approach used by the World Bank to see how SD principles are considered in investment analysis methods. They then propose the integration of SD principles into the discipline of project initiation. This more holistic approach considers the investment life cycle, the consideration of different stakeholders, and investment method, which explicitly integrates SD principles.
Overview of Mobile Payment
Authors: Raina Vibha Kaw
Published: September 2014

According to the Mobile Payment Forum, mobile payments are the transactions with a monetary value that is conducted through a mobile telecommunications network through diverse mobile users devices, such as cellular telephones, smart phones or PDAs, and mobile terminals. Mobile payment is a transfer of funds in return for goods or services in which a mobile device is functionally involved in executing and confirming payment. The payer can be standing at a POS or be interacting with a merchant located somewhere else. Mobile payment systems enable customers to purchase and pay for goods or services via mobile phones. Here, each mobile phone is used as the personal payment tool in connection with the remote sales. Payments can take place far away from both the recipient and the bank. This chapter gives an overview of mobile payments.
Systemic Risk, Stress Testing, and Financial Contagion
Authors: Lopez-Castañon Calixto , Martinez-Jaramillo Serafin , Lopez-Gallo Fabrizio
Published: September 2014

Despite the acknowledgment of the relevance of Systemic Risk, there is a lack of consensus on its definition and, more importantly, on the way it should be measured. Fortunately, there is a growing research agenda and more financial regulators, central bankers, and academics have recently been focusing on this field. In this chapter, the authors obtain a distribution of losses for the banking system as a whole. They are convinced that such distribution of losses is the key element that could be used to develop relevant measures for systemic risk. Their model contemplates several aspects, which they consider important regarding the concept of systemic risk: an initial macroeconomic shock, which weakens some institutions (some of them to the point of failure), a contagion process by means of the interbank market, and the resulting losses to the financial system as a whole. Finally, once the distribution is estimated, the authors derive standard risk measures for the system as a whole, focusing on the tail of the distribution (where the catastrophic or systemic events are located). By using the proposed framework, it is also possible to perform stress testing in a coherent way, including second round effects like contagion through the interbank market. Additionally, it is possible to follow the evolution of certain coherent risk measures, like the CVaR, in order to evaluate if the system is becoming more or less risky, in fact, more or less fragile. Additionally, the authors decompose the distribution of losses of the whole banking system into the systemic and the contagion elements and determine if the system is more prone to experience contagious difficulties during a certain period of time.
Impact of NPAs on Bank Profitability
Authors: Sen Saurabh , Sen Ruchi L.
Published: September 2014

NPA is a “termite” for the banking sector. It affects liquidity and profitability of the bank to a great extent; in addition, it also poses a threat to the quality of asset and survival of banks. The post-reform era has changed the whole structure of the banking sector of India. Now, the economy is not confined to the domestic boundary of the country. The core intention of economic reforms in India was to attract foreign investments and create a sound banking system. This chapter provides an empirical approach to the analysis of profitability indicators with a focal point on Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of commercial banks in the Indian context. The chapter discusses NPA, factors contributing to NPA, magnitude, and consequences. By using an analytical perspective, the chapter observes that NPAs affected significantly the performance of the banks in the present scenario. On the other hand, factors like better credit culture, managing the risk, and business conditions led to lowering of NPAs. The empirical findings using observation method and statistical tools like correlation, regression, and data representation techniques identify that there is a negative relationship between profitability measure and NPAs.
The Global Financial Crisis and Central Bank Speak
Authors: Siklos Pierre L.
Published: September 2014

Words are critical in how the public perceives the work of central banks and the quality of monetary policy. Press releases that accompany policy rate decisions and, where available, the minutes of central bank committee meetings, are focal points for the media in public discussions about the conduct of monetary policy. Using data from five countries, this chapter examines whether the language used by central banks has changed since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) began. Briefly, the findings show that concerns about financial stability peaked just as the global financial crisis reached its zenith. However, concerns over uncertainty about the current and anticipated state of the economy have also risen over time. More generally, central bank speak became more aggressive throughout the crisis years. More conventional expressions about the current stance of monetary policy took a back seat to other concerns in central bank policy statements and minutes.
Liquidity Saving Mechanisms and Bank Behavior in Payment Systems
Authors: Galbiati Marco , Soramäki Kimmo
Published: September 2014

Interbank payment systems form the backbone of the financial architecture. Banks need to hold costly funds at the central bank to process interbank payments. Each bank would individually like to hold a low amount of funds and finance its outgoing payments from payments received by other banks during the day. Collectively, however, all banks cannot “free ride” on other banks' liquidity, which makes bank behavior in interbank payment systems a complex and interesting topic. This chapter investigates the effect of Liquidity Saving Mechanisms (LSM) in interbank payment systems. LSM mechanisms have recently been implemented and proposed in many major interbank payment systems. The chapter applies a novel methodology combining Agent Based Modeling (ABM) and game theory. The authors model a stylized two-stream payment system where banks choose a) how much liquidity to post and b) which payments to route into the each of two “streams”: an RTGS stream and an LSM stream. The authors simulate the systems using realistic settlement processes and solve equilibrium choices for the amount of liquidity to post and the fraction of payments to settle in each stream. The authors find that, when liquidity is expensive, the two-stream system is more efficient than the vanilla RTGS system without LSM. This is because the LSM achieves better co-ordination of payments. When liquidity is inexpensive, the second stream does not add value, as banks find it convenient to ignore it and use the plain RTGS stream. For an intermediate range of cost of liquidity, several equilibria may emerge. Besides a corner equilibrium where all payments are settled via the LSM stream, there are equilibria where both streams are used. Interestingly, some of these may be inefficient, as they involve a (somewhat paradoxical) mix of intensive use of the LSM and high liquidity usage in the RTGS stream. The appeal of the LSM resides in its ability to ease (but not completely solve) strategic inefficiencies stemming from externalities and free-riding.
Understanding Security in Consumer Adoption of Internet Banking
Authors: M. K. Normalini , Ramayah T.
Published: September 2014

As a continually growing financial service of electronic commerce, Internet banking requires the development and implementation of a sound security procedure. The existing literature highlights security as the primary factor which determines the adoption of Internet banking technology. The secondary information on Internet banking development in Malaysia shows a very slow growth rate. Much literature states that Malaysian consumers strongly agree that they are slow to adopt Internet banking because of a lack of security and reliability of transactions over the internet. The major factors affecting the adoption of Internet banking in Malaysia involve security, risk, and trust. Since biometrics technology has also been implemented in certain government departments, the issues such as new and impossible to implement in other areas should not occur and technology is growing to enhance the security level of the authentication system. Clearly, in order to grow consumer Internet banking demands, banks must make key improvements that address these consumer concerns.
Leveraging Technology Options for Financial Inclusion in India
Authors: Chopra Shalu , Dwivedi Rajeev , Mohan Sherry Arun
Published: September 2014

Financial services have a ubiquitous need however the urban rich have easy and universal access with wider options, compared to the low-income group who are forced to accept informal, expensive and riskier means to fulfill their financial needs. The demand and supply of financial services for the poor is imbalanced, with supply being acutely constrained by lack of viability and sustainability of current business models. Technology and IT has a pivotal role in making financial inclusion a viable reality. Technology, including information technology can enable lowering costs by increasing automation, enhancing efficiency, enabling scaling up through uniformity, consistency and security. Multiple technology choices are available to financial service providers but few have been proven yet. This paper examines technology options at the front end and back-end in detail with a critique of alternatives available for financial inclusion in Indian context.
Investment Attractiveness of Visegrad Group Countries
Authors: Dorożyński Tomasz , Kuna-Marszałek Anetta
Published: September 2014

The aims of this chapter are to evaluate the main determinants of the inflow of FDI into selected countries of CEE and to examine the volume, dynamics, and structure of FDI inflow into these countries. Due to certain similarities, the authors focus the analysis on four countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. The reasons are geographic proximity, political, economic, and cultural similarities, as well as shared experiences of economic transformation. This chapter focuses on matters pertaining to foreign direct investment, mostly on the reasons motivating FDI inflow in light of selected studies and theories. The authors also provide characteristics of the dynamics and structure of FDI inflow into the V4 countries. The final part of the chapter compares investment attractiveness, the system of incentives, and identifies barriers facing investors in the analyzed countries.
Explaining International Land Transactions in Africa
Authors: Hailu Yohannes G. , Adelaja Adesoji , Akaeze Henry , Hanson Steve
Published: September 2014

Rising global food prices and demand for biofuels have recently heightened global interests in agricultural land resources in Africa, resulting in increased International Land Transactions (ILTs). While opponents of ILTs have dubbed it “land grabbing,” proponents welcome the opening of Africa's agriculture to foreign direct investment. Limited empirical work exists explaining the motivations of investor and host countries. This chapter attempts to expand the literature by providing an empirical explanation of country land targeting behavior. As the debate on “land grabbing” intensifies, understanding motivations of various actors in the land market becomes relevant.
Impact Evaluation of Customer Knowledge Process on Customer Knowledge Expansion
Authors: Alhawari Samer
Published: September 2014

The article aim is to investigate how Customer Knowledge Processes used in practice by Jordanian banks to achieve customer knowledge expansion. The empirical study is based on a sample of the data collected from 165 respondents, drawn randomly from six banks. The results show that the seven selected factors (Customer Knowledge Codification, Customer Knowledge Representation, Customer Knowledge Sharing, Customer Knowledge Application, Design of Customer Knowledge, Execution of Knowledge from Customer, and Verify of Knowledge from Customer) have a significant impact on Customer Knowledge Expansion. The findings did reveal the potential relationship between the customer knowledge processes and customer knowledge expansion. It also provides advice for the Information Technology (IT) Industry as to how an analytical knowledge process from customers should be taken into account in developing countries to attain proper customer knowledge expansion because of cultural, social and educational disparities.
Establishing the Linkage between Internal Market Orientation and Service Innovation
Authors: Kaur Gurjeet , Gupta Shruti
Published: September 2014

This chapter proposes that internal intelligence generation and dissemination are significantly correlated and have substantial impact on responsiveness. In addition, responsiveness determines the success of internal market orientation and its effect on various employee-related outcomes. The study examines the extent of internal market orientation in Indian banking and its consequences as perceived by the employees of a highly successful private bank that has a wide network of branches in a northern city of India. Structural model was proposed and structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses. The findings reveal that internal intelligence generation and dissemination are correlated to the extent of 0.89 and have significant impact on a bank's responsiveness to employees' needs and wants. Results of the study reveal that internal market orientation ought to be considered as an important strategy for retaining internal customers. Internal market orientation has an indirect significant impact on service innovations in terms of new product/service development, technology advancement, and process innovation through greater staff compliance, strong team work, and greater moral responsibility.
The Royal Credit Bank Strategy and Transformation Program
Authors: Hjouj Khaled
Published: September 2014

This case discusses a strategic planning issue related to unplanned radical change. The Royal Credit Bank is the leading and largest lending bank in the Middle East. The bank suffered for a long time from bureaucracy, inefficiency, lack of productivity and misalignment with customers' needs for added value services. The Royal Credit Bank was approaching a change program of a scale and depth that occurs once in most employees' lifetime. It would transform the bank's business and operating models, culture, and leadership, impacting virtually every part of the organization. This had profound implications across strategy, leadership, people, and systems. This case highlights the impact of implementing large programs in an outdated banking environment where the challenge is beyond finding the solution. The real challenge was to make the solution work given the environmental issues and challenges faced by the leadership team to make things happen.
An Uncertain Decision Making Process Considering Customers and Services in Evaluating Banks
Authors: Akbari Fatemeh , Fazlollahtabar Hamed , Mahdavi Iraj
Published: September 2014

In today's changing environment two properties are required to service namely good relation with customers and service quality. Nowadays no organization can get great achievement unless it can attract sufficient customers providing better service quality is important for service firms. This paper proposes a novel combined approach utilizing group decision making process to evaluate and rank criteria influencing the customer relationship management and service quality of four banks in Iran based on fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (Fuzzy DEMATEL) and fuzzy analytic network process (Fuzzy ANP). Defuzzification of decision makers' judgments is handled by Converting Fuzzy data into Crisp Scores (CFCS) method. Fuzzy DEMATEL is applied to deal with inner dependencies among criteria. Fuzzy ANP is used to compute final ranking of four banks as an empirical example. An empirical study is presented to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
The Adoption Process of Payment Cards
Authors: Alexandrova-Kabadjova Biliana , Castellanos-Pascacio Sara G. , Garcia-Almanza Alma L.
Published: September 2014

The authors investigate the payment adoption rate under consumers' and merchants' awareness of network externalities, given two levels of interchange fees in a multi-agent card market. For the purpose of their research, in multiple instantiations of the model (scenarios) the investigated effects are analyzed over the complete process of adoption, until the market's saturation point is achieved. Then, for each scenario, a comparison is made between two different levels of interchange fees and different degrees of consumers' and merchants' awareness. To this end, the authors model explicitly the interactions between consumers and merchants at the point of sale. They allow card issuers to charge consumers with fixed fees and provide net benefits from card usage, whereas acquirers can charge fixed and transactional fees to merchants.