title: Calculated spectroscopy and atmospheric photodissociation of phosphoric acid

authors: Yekutiel, Mivsam

subjects: chemistry

abstract: Detection of phosphine (PH₃) gas in the upper troposphere suggests that the biogeochemical P cycle also includes an atmospheric component that consists of volatile phosphorus-containing molecules. A reasonable end product for the oxidation of PH3 in the atmosphere is phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). We propose that H₃PO₄ may be photodissociated into HOPO₂ and H₂O in the stratosphere, where H₃PO₄ is likely to be present in gaseous form. We have calculated the energy barrier of this reaction and show that in addition to electronic transitions, OH-stretching overtone transitions can also provide the necessary energy. OH-stretching fundamental and overtone transitions were calculated with the use of an anharmonic oscillator local mode model. The probability of overtone induced photodissociation was estimated with molecular dynamical reaction coordinate simulations. Electronic transitions were calculated with the equation of motion coupled cluster singles doubles method. We have calculated the photodissociation rate constants for absorption of visible, UV, and Lyman-α radiation at altitudes from 20 to 100 km. We show that at altitudes between 30 and 70 km, the photodissociation of H3PO4 is likely to proceed via absorption in the UV region by electronic transitions.

text: Calculated spectroscopy and atmospheric photodissociation of phosphoric acid Detection of phosphine (PH₃) gas in the upper troposphere suggests that the biogeochemical P cycle also includes an atmospheric component that consists of volatile phosphorus-containing molecules. A reasonable end product for the oxidation of PH3 in the atmosphere is phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). We propose that H₃PO₄ may be photodissociated into HOPO₂ and H₂O in the stratosphere, where H₃PO₄ is likely to be present in gaseous form. We have calculated the energy barrier of this reaction and show that in addition to electronic transitions, OH-stretching overtone transitions can also provide the necessary energy. OH-stretching fundamental and overtone transitions were calculated with the use of an anharmonic oscillator local mode model. The probability of overtone induced photodissociation was estimated with molecular dynamical reaction coordinate simulations. Electronic transitions were calculated with the equation of motion coupled cluster singles doubles method. We have calculated the photodissociation rate constants for absorption of visible, UV, and Lyman-α radiation at altitudes from 20 to 100 km. We show that at altitudes between 30 and 70 km, the photodissociation of H3PO4 is likely to proceed via absorption in the UV region by electronic transitions.

year: 2010

title: The profitability of banking sectors in the Asia-Pacific region and their contributions to economic growth

authors: Kumar, Vijay

subjects: Non-performing loans

abstract: The banking sector plays an important role in national economies by directing funds from savers to investors who create additional wealth in the economy. Dietrich and Wanzenried (2011) argue that a country’s economic activities cannot run smoothly if its banking sector is not efficient. Athanasoglou, Brissimis, and Delis (2008) argue that a profitable banking sector is necessary to overcome economic shocks. 
This study focuses on ten countries in the Asia-Pacific region which are at different stages of economic development. These countries are of particular interest because of their institutional and regulatory characteristics. The banks in these countries are all subject to similar regulations. For example, they are required to maintain minimum capital adequacy ratios according to the Basel Accords. Furthermore, banks in most of the countries are required to maintain certain proportions of their deposits as cash reserves that cannot be lent out. Based on their stage of economic development, each of the ten countries is classified as belonging to one of three categories: small emerging economies, large emerging economies and developed economies.  
Our study focuses on two important aspects of the banking sector. First, we investigate the extent to which profitable banks make a positive contribution to economic growth. Second, we investigate the determinants of bank profitability. 
The first part of the thesis investigates the relationship between the profitability of banks and economic growth. In order to investigate this relationship, we use data from ten countries in the Asia-Pacific region for the period from 2004 to 2014. In order to address the research questions, we use different econometric techniques such as linear regressions, nonlinear regressions and Granger causality tests. Our results highlight that a profitable banking sector is an important contributor to economic growth. In contrast to our expectations, we find a negative relationship between the size of the banking sector and economic growth. Further, we find that the influence of bank profitability on economic growth decreases when the size of the banking sector increases. The results of our causality tests suggest that causality runs from bank profitability to economic growth but economic growth also has a delayed feedback on bank profitability. 
The second part of this thesis has four empirical chapters that focus on the factors influencing the profitability of banks. First, we investigate the determinants of the profitability of banks in all countries together. Second, we identify the factors influencing the profitability of Islamic and conventional banks in small emerging economies. Third, we investigate the factors affecting the profitability of banks in large emerging markets, and finally, we investigate the determinants of the profitability of banks in developed economies. We use annual data sets of banks for the period from 2004 to 2014 which was gathered from different sources. We use different econometric techniques such as linear regressions and Wald tests to address the research questions. Overall, our results suggest that credit quality, bank size, capital adequacy ratio and cost management are the key factors influencing the profitability of banks in the Asia-Pacific. Cost-efficient banks with superior credit quality are more profitable than their competitors. We find that the impacts of some of the variables vary across regions and countries.

text: The profitability of banking sectors in the Asia-Pacific region and their contributions to economic growth The banking sector plays an important role in national economies by directing funds from savers to investors who create additional wealth in the economy. Dietrich and Wanzenried (2011) argue that a country’s economic activities cannot run smoothly if its banking sector is not efficient. Athanasoglou, Brissimis, and Delis (2008) argue that a profitable banking sector is necessary to overcome economic shocks. 
This study focuses on ten countries in the Asia-Pacific region which are at different stages of economic development. These countries are of particular interest because of their institutional and regulatory characteristics. The banks in these countries are all subject to similar regulations. For example, they are required to maintain minimum capital adequacy ratios according to the Basel Accords. Furthermore, banks in most of the countries are required to maintain certain proportions of their deposits as cash reserves that cannot be lent out. Based on their stage of economic development, each of the ten countries is classified as belonging to one of three categories: small emerging economies, large emerging economies and developed economies.  
Our study focuses on two important aspects of the banking sector. First, we investigate the extent to which profitable banks make a positive contribution to economic growth. Second, we investigate the determinants of bank profitability. 
The first part of the thesis investigates the relationship between the profitability of banks and economic growth. In order to investigate this relationship, we use data from ten countries in the Asia-Pacific region for the period from 2004 to 2014. In order to address the research questions, we use different econometric techniques such as linear regressions, nonlinear regressions and Granger causality tests. Our results highlight that a profitable banking sector is an important contributor to economic growth. In contrast to our expectations, we find a negative relationship between the size of the banking sector and economic growth. Further, we find that the influence of bank profitability on economic growth decreases when the size of the banking sector increases. The results of our causality tests suggest that causality runs from bank profitability to economic growth but economic growth also has a delayed feedback on bank profitability. 
The second part of this thesis has four empirical chapters that focus on the factors influencing the profitability of banks. First, we investigate the determinants of the profitability of banks in all countries together. Second, we identify the factors influencing the profitability of Islamic and conventional banks in small emerging economies. Third, we investigate the factors affecting the profitability of banks in large emerging markets, and finally, we investigate the determinants of the profitability of banks in developed economies. We use annual data sets of banks for the period from 2004 to 2014 which was gathered from different sources. We use different econometric techniques such as linear regressions and Wald tests to address the research questions. Overall, our results suggest that credit quality, bank size, capital adequacy ratio and cost management are the key factors influencing the profitability of banks in the Asia-Pacific. Cost-efficient banks with superior credit quality are more profitable than their competitors. We find that the impacts of some of the variables vary across regions and countries.

year: 2018

title: Integrating Maori perspectives into community resilience frameworks for the built environment

authors: Boston, Megan

abstract: Many governments and organisations have attempted to construct frameworks for improving community resilience, particularly as related to the built environment. Many frameworks, globally and locally, take a large overview of society and miss the potential to incorporate cultural, social, and engineering practices followed by indigenous people. However, there is much to learn from the traditional practices of Maori that could directly improve community resilience after a disaster. To date, little research has worked on integrating Maori cultural views into resilience frameworks. Using survey and interview data investigating Maori cultural views on resilience and aspects of the built environment, five Maori values were identified to strengthen resilience. These values are matauranga (knowledge), kotahitanga (unity), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), whakawhanaungatanga (relationships), and manakitanga (extending love). Further, communities can increase community cohesion and unity through adapting building and community layouts learned from observing traditional Maori practices, such as a central marae.

text: Integrating Maori perspectives into community resilience frameworks for the built environment Many governments and organisations have attempted to construct frameworks for improving community resilience, particularly as related to the built environment. Many frameworks, globally and locally, take a large overview of society and miss the potential to incorporate cultural, social, and engineering practices followed by indigenous people. However, there is much to learn from the traditional practices of Maori that could directly improve community resilience after a disaster. To date, little research has worked on integrating Maori cultural views into resilience frameworks. Using survey and interview data investigating Maori cultural views on resilience and aspects of the built environment, five Maori values were identified to strengthen resilience. These values are matauranga (knowledge), kotahitanga (unity), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), whakawhanaungatanga (relationships), and manakitanga (extending love). Further, communities can increase community cohesion and unity through adapting building and community layouts learned from observing traditional Maori practices, such as a central marae.

year: 2022