Water has become a key restricting factor of the urbanization process in developing arid areas.Based on qualitative and quantitative methods,we constructed an integrated in-dicator system to assess the status of water...Water has become a key restricting factor of the urbanization process in developing arid areas.Based on qualitative and quantitative methods,we constructed an integrated in-dicator system to assess the status of water resources and urbanization system in arid area,and established an AHP model reformed by entropy technology to evaluate the temporal and spatial variations of water resources constraint intensity on urbanization.This model is ap-plied to the Hexi Corridor,a typical arid area in NW China.Results show that,water resources constraint intensity on urbanization in the Hexi Corridor is bigger in the east and smaller in the west.It has changed from the less strong constraint type into the strong constraint type from 1985 to 2005,yet it decreased appreciably in recent years.At present,most areas in the Hexi Corridor belong to the less strong or strong constraint type.Through rational adjustment of water resources and urbanization system,the Hexi Corridor can still promote water resources sustainable utilization and accelerate the urbanization process.This study suggests that the integrated assessment model of water resources constraint intensity on urbanization is an effective method to analyze the conflicts between water resources and urbanization system in arid area.展开更多
Increasing salinity of the groundwater is one of major challenges faced by agricultural sector in West Bank/Palestine. This study was carried out in the Lower Jordan Valley (LJV) under greenhouse field condition, wh...Increasing salinity of the groundwater is one of major challenges faced by agricultural sector in West Bank/Palestine. This study was carried out in the Lower Jordan Valley (LJV) under greenhouse field condition, where an area of 0.12 ha was irrigated with 3.5 dS/m magnetic treated water during the growing season 2012/2013. The results of this pilot project show that there are significant increases in the yield of red and yellow bell pepper of about 20% and 18% on fresh weight basis, respectively. Water use efficiency increased by 15% and an increase in shelf time of 7 d were also recorded. The chlorophyll content raised significantly in the leaves of treated plants compared to the controlled one by 2.5 mg/g. Bell pepper irrigated with magnetic water produces 37% more four champers than that of the controlled one. On the other hand, there were no clear significant effects on the height of the plant, number of fruits, distance between nods, size of fruits, number and thickness of walls and sugar contents. Applying visible/near infrared (VIS/N|R) spectroscopy test shows that it is possible to distinguish between treated and controlled bell pepper fruits. Multivariate data analysis (MVDA) method was used to test the classification of chemical elements in the fruit and it was found that treated and controlled fruit samples are divided into two groups according to their water treatment. An increase in all nutrient concentrations was found in fruits irrigated with magnetic treated water compared with the controlled one. Further testing is needed especially by involving other variables such as decreasing the volume of irrigated water and fertilizers.展开更多
Natural ventilation is an efficient design strategy for the passive cooling of buildings, especially in tropical countries such as Brazil. Among the ventilation strategies, sheds can be highlighted. These structures c...Natural ventilation is an efficient design strategy for the passive cooling of buildings, especially in tropical countries such as Brazil. Among the ventilation strategies, sheds can be highlighted. These structures consist of roof openings that work as air captors or extractors depending on their location in relation to the prevailing wind directions. The hospitals of the Sarah Network, designed by the Brazilian architect Joao Filgueiras Lima, Lele, are worldwide known for using these elements to improve natural ventilation. This paper analyses the natural ventilation performance of sheds for air collecting and extracting in two Sarah hospitals located in the cities of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. In each building, the sheds were analyzed for air extracting and collecting. The analyses were carried out by reduced physical models in an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel. The wind velocity was measured at external and internal points of the buildings, using hot-wire anemometers. The results show that the wards in Rio de Janeiro hospital are 17% more ventilated than the ones in the Salvador hospital. However, this difference occurs not only because of the collecting sheds but also because of set of openings and the configuration of the covering in hospitals in Rio de Janeiro.展开更多
The objective of this paper is to measure the risk charge for credit risk as one of the components in the risk based capital of the capital adequacy framework. Currently, the risk charge for credit risk is measured by...The objective of this paper is to measure the risk charge for credit risk as one of the components in the risk based capital of the capital adequacy framework. Currently, the risk charge for credit risk is measured by referring it to the credit rating of a company. Following the subprime crisis in 2007, the markets start to question the soundness of the credit rating issued as it has resulted in an inadequate risk charge. Therefore, this study attempts to determine the risk charge for credit risk using the probability of default (PD) for life insurers in Malaysia. The credit risk has been categorized into several types of debt obligations. Whereby, the KMV-Merton model has been used to measure the distance to default and estimate the probability of default. The estimation of default probability is based on the movement in the price index of several debt obligations. The price index of debt obligations from year 2004 to 2009 is collected inclusive of the subprime crisis period during the crisis period. Therefore, Malaysia insurance industry is The results found that the risk charges are lower not affected by the subprime crisis in 2007.展开更多
A new static de Sitter solution with torsion in the model of de Sitter gauge theory of gravity is obtained. The torsion only contains Q(3)-symmetric tensor part according to irreducible decomposition. Some propertie...A new static de Sitter solution with torsion in the model of de Sitter gauge theory of gravity is obtained. The torsion only contains Q(3)-symmetric tensor part according to irreducible decomposition. Some properties of the new solution are discussed.展开更多
Taking its point of departure from a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) conference held in Copenhagen in 1953, this papers begins by tracing the foundation of the powerful political role that labor organizati...Taking its point of departure from a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) conference held in Copenhagen in 1953, this papers begins by tracing the foundation of the powerful political role that labor organizations held during a significant part of the twentieth century. At the conference, "labor" was emphasized as occupying a "key role" in the struggle of Western societies to withstand the challenge of communism--military alone could not achieve this objective. Since around 1990, this has fundamentally changed and the paper explores the contemporary situation through an ethnographic study--involving fieldwork at both workplaces and private homes--of Polish migrant laborers participating in the Danish labor market. Firstly, it is shown how the Polish laborers, due to the lower costs they represent, benefit from the new opportunities. Secondly, the paper illustrates how the trade union, though uneasy with the downward pressure on wage and working conditions that the Polish represent, prioritizes the organization of workers in order to maintain some degree of control over the labor market. Finally, the question is raised how the EU (European Union) is able to navigate two contrasting concerns: the urge both to create more cross-border competition and to uphold an image of a "social Europe" which might be key to maintain cohesion and legitimacy.展开更多
Xi’an is situated at west China, the industrial structure the restriction function which grows to the economy is not balanced more obvious, uni? es the Xi’an actual situation, speeds up the supplies side constituti...Xi’an is situated at west China, the industrial structure the restriction function which grows to the economy is not balanced more obvious, uni? es the Xi’an actual situation, speeds up the supplies side constitutive property reform, the promotion industrial structure optimized promotion appears especially importantly. Firstly, this paper analyzes the present situation and development trend of supply-side reform at home and abroad. Based on the situation of Xi’an, the author analyzes ? ve production-side reforms, such as “de-production,” “de-stocking,” “deleveraging”, “cost reduction” The author puts forward the main problems of Xi’an’s supply-side reform to promote economic growth. Finally, it puts forward the path choice of supply-side reform to promote economic growth in Xi’an. Adhere to reform and expand and demand side, supply side in xian accurate docking, supply and demand in xi ‘an supply side reform should constantly improve production quality, give full play to the market on the supply side of the reform main body role and foster the subject of the new.展开更多
This Study investigated the effect of metrological factors variations between eastern and western foothills on olive oil quality in northern West Bank. Samples were collected from two villages: Assera A1 Shamalia (l...This Study investigated the effect of metrological factors variations between eastern and western foothills on olive oil quality in northern West Bank. Samples were collected from two villages: Assera A1 Shamalia (locates on Western foothills) and Bet Dagan (Locates on Eastern foothills). Differences in metrological factors and harvesting times between the two villages cause differences in olive oil quality and higher content of stigmastadiene in Bet Dagan than Assera olive oil. The higher monthly averages of minimum and maximum temperatures of Bet Dagan cause the increase of Stigmastadiene content of olive oil. While the higher amount of precipitation in Assera; cause higher quality and quantity of produced olive oil in Assera compared to Bet Dagan. The lower relative humidity and longer day hours; in Assera village enhances higher amounts of olive oil accumulation and better quality as this is the favorable conditions for olive oil formation. The compression between Cuba, Crete, Spain and Italy olive oil quality with Palestinian olive oil quality, we found that Palestinian olive oil shows good competition quality parameters for acidity and peroxide values according to the international olive oil council limits compared with these countries olive oil acidity and peroxide values.展开更多
The purpose of this study is to analyze the robust performance of equity-based sukuk in Malaysia, that is, Musharakah and Mudharabah contract. Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (...The purpose of this study is to analyze the robust performance of equity-based sukuk in Malaysia, that is, Musharakah and Mudharabah contract. Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), as an international standard-setting organization for Islamic finance, raised an issue that 85% issuances of Musharakah and Mudharabah sukuk have breached the shariah rulings and do not comply with Islamic principles (AAOIFI, 2002). Consequently, the performance of equity-based sukuk in Malaysia was affected. This study used a secondary data for size of issuances which are gathered from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)'s Bond Info website and Securities Commission (SC) website. The performance of equity-based sukuk, either Musharakah or Mudarabah, is robust in the study year period of 2000-2012 as regards their sizes of issuances.展开更多
The issue of the future of Europe is becoming increasingly important what with the depth of the economic crisis that started in 2008. In addition to a continuous growth in the number of the unemployed, the crisis part...The issue of the future of Europe is becoming increasingly important what with the depth of the economic crisis that started in 2008. In addition to a continuous growth in the number of the unemployed, the crisis particularly emphasizes the chronic level of energy dependence. The energy saving measures ~energy efficiency), diversification of sources (stability of supply), and the creation of substitutes in renewable energy (energy transition), intertwine with administrative measures and form the response of European countries to the growing energy dependence. At the same time, although facing the threatening warming (or cooling) of the Earth, Europe, as a big advocate of reducing CO2 remains passively dependent on NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) policy in the field of defense in the context of energy dependence. However, for the first time after many decades, Europe and America do not have the same energy, and consequently geo-strategic objective: The US has become energy independent while Europe is chronically energy dependent.展开更多
The growth in shadow banking system over the past few years is acknowledged as the key risk to Malaysia's financial stability. This is because that it is associated with growth in the household debts extended by the ...The growth in shadow banking system over the past few years is acknowledged as the key risk to Malaysia's financial stability. This is because that it is associated with growth in the household debts extended by the shadow banks. In line with initiatives by the Bank Negara Malaysia (the Central Bank of Malaysia) to enhance surveillance on the activities of the shadow banks in Malaysia, this study attempts to examine the determinants of default risks of shadow banks restricting to focus on their two main activities: securitization and collateralization. The results provide empirical evidence that future methodology to examine the systemic risks in the shadow banking system may need to account for additional explanatory variables that measure collateralized assets that are being intermediated.展开更多
Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest American novelists. His For Whom the Bell Tolls, a novel on Spanish Civil War, is generally regarded as "his most ambitious artistic endeavor and a heroic epic of the 20th cent...Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest American novelists. His For Whom the Bell Tolls, a novel on Spanish Civil War, is generally regarded as "his most ambitious artistic endeavor and a heroic epic of the 20th century American literature". The protagonist, Jordan, is a brave, unselfish, and stressful fighter for fascist, who is the more mature epitome of Ernest Hemingway in the reality. It is an example of application of"meta-fiction". Both of their views on war change from being pessimistic to being optimistic; both Hemingway and Jordan are the heroes of "Grace under Pressure" and both of them start to care for the society and love others.展开更多
In 2005, an innovative program was formed between the local government and The University of Toledo to help improve environmental and economic conditions in Lucas County, Ohio, USA by providing no cost energy assessme...In 2005, an innovative program was formed between the local government and The University of Toledo to help improve environmental and economic conditions in Lucas County, Ohio, USA by providing no cost energy assessments to various types of organizations. Unlike the Industrial Assessment Centers, which focus on manufacturing and are funded by the Federal Government, this program demonstrates that successful partnerships can be established at the local government level to aid various types of organizations in energy conservation and cost reduction. Since 2005, the program completed ten energy assessments and identified over 143,000 kwh and 103,000 kg of CO2 for reduction. Additionally, over $12,000 has been identified as annual cost savings for Lucas County businesses. The purpose of this paper is to provide a complete overview and framework of this program so that other institutions may learn from it and adopt similar programs at the local level. A focus of this paper is a discussion of a case study that details the process and results of a typical energy assessment conducted through the project and comparison to similar programs in the US.展开更多
Soy yogurt has gained significant popularity due to its nutritional health benefits. The objectives of this study were to develop flavored yogurt from soybean milk with reduced soy aftertaste by the addition of 30% (...Soy yogurt has gained significant popularity due to its nutritional health benefits. The objectives of this study were to develop flavored yogurt from soybean milk with reduced soy aftertaste by the addition of 30% (wt/wt) strawberry or orange jam in conjunction with a lactic acid fermentation. Soy milk-based yogurt products were assessed for microbial quality and for acceptability by a panel of Jordanian and Malaysian consumers. Sixty-one individuals, of whom 75.4% (n = 46) were Jordanian and 24.6% (n = 15) were Malaysian, evaluated the plain and flavored soy milk-based yogurt. The overall acceptability of orange and strawberry soy yogurt was rated significantly higher than plain soy yogurt. In general, the orange and strawberry soy yogurt received higher sensory ratings from Malaysian than Jordanian consumers. In addition, formulations with orange jam received higher scores than those flavored with strawberry. Shelf life tests showed that soy yogurt was acceptable for at least 8 d without perceptible spoilage. Therefore, the approach used yielded flavored products with better acceptability and improved sensory attributes, including decreased intensity of off flavor, with suitable shelf life at 4 ℃.展开更多
During the course of the last years the need for the increase in the electric energy production in Brazil as well as in the rest of the world, has raised the tone of the debate about the environment impact of such pro...During the course of the last years the need for the increase in the electric energy production in Brazil as well as in the rest of the world, has raised the tone of the debate about the environment impact of such production. As a result of these debates, both the several levels of government and some of the NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) have commissioned innumerous opinion researches aiming at measuring and evaluating the knowledge and perception of the public in relation of the best non-polluting energy sources. Prior to 2001 these researches would not make any sense in Brazil., however due to that year's drought, the competent authorities were faced with the necessity of developing a plan, the PNE2030 (Piano Nacional de Energia) aiming, among others objectives, at finalizing the construction of the Angra three plants and implementing new nuclear plants in places still to be determined. Allowing for the complexity of the subject, this paper presents a field research conducted from September 28th, 2010 to October 28th, 2010 assessing the current level of perception of the Brazilian population about the nuclear area, in particular of the residents of three cities of Rio de Janeiro. As a result of this work, the authors suggest how the competent authorities should proceed to reach in an efficient manner a greater understanding of the population about the proposed subject, through communication campaigns being both informative and educational.展开更多
When World War I ended in 1918 the aviators wanting to fly higher and further and they started a raced in which everyone wanted to be first. The Spanish pilots were initially excluded by the Moroccan War, which demand...When World War I ended in 1918 the aviators wanting to fly higher and further and they started a raced in which everyone wanted to be first. The Spanish pilots were initially excluded by the Moroccan War, which demanded all available air forces be used to put an end to the conflict. Motivated by the successes of The Alhucemas amphibious landing, one of best Spanish aviators, Major Ramon Franco presented to the Government in 1925 a project to undertake a flight to Argentina across the South Atlantic Ocean in a DornierJ Wal seaplane. In the memorandum, Franco said: The Spain-Argentina flight would be a worthwhile trial and verification of air navigation. It would also serve to let the entire world know of the merits of our Aviation and allow us to occupy the aeronautical place that belongs to us in aeronautics. It would also help us strengthen our ties with our brothers at the other side of the ocean. The DornierJ Walwas named "Plus Ultra" referring to the Discovery of America. The route should be Palos de la Frontera-Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Cape Verde islands-Fernando Noronha island-Pernambuco-Rio de Janeiro-Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Franco reasoned that the best time of year to make the flight was from December to April. The raid started in the city Palos de la Frontera on 22 January 1926 and ended in Buenos Aires on February 9, after flying 10,825 kilometers in 59 hours and 48 minutes.展开更多
基金Knowledge Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,No.KZCX2-YW-307-02China Post-doctoral Science FoundationK.C.Wong Education Foundation,Hong Kong
文摘Water has become a key restricting factor of the urbanization process in developing arid areas.Based on qualitative and quantitative methods,we constructed an integrated in-dicator system to assess the status of water resources and urbanization system in arid area,and established an AHP model reformed by entropy technology to evaluate the temporal and spatial variations of water resources constraint intensity on urbanization.This model is ap-plied to the Hexi Corridor,a typical arid area in NW China.Results show that,water resources constraint intensity on urbanization in the Hexi Corridor is bigger in the east and smaller in the west.It has changed from the less strong constraint type into the strong constraint type from 1985 to 2005,yet it decreased appreciably in recent years.At present,most areas in the Hexi Corridor belong to the less strong or strong constraint type.Through rational adjustment of water resources and urbanization system,the Hexi Corridor can still promote water resources sustainable utilization and accelerate the urbanization process.This study suggests that the integrated assessment model of water resources constraint intensity on urbanization is an effective method to analyze the conflicts between water resources and urbanization system in arid area.
文摘Increasing salinity of the groundwater is one of major challenges faced by agricultural sector in West Bank/Palestine. This study was carried out in the Lower Jordan Valley (LJV) under greenhouse field condition, where an area of 0.12 ha was irrigated with 3.5 dS/m magnetic treated water during the growing season 2012/2013. The results of this pilot project show that there are significant increases in the yield of red and yellow bell pepper of about 20% and 18% on fresh weight basis, respectively. Water use efficiency increased by 15% and an increase in shelf time of 7 d were also recorded. The chlorophyll content raised significantly in the leaves of treated plants compared to the controlled one by 2.5 mg/g. Bell pepper irrigated with magnetic water produces 37% more four champers than that of the controlled one. On the other hand, there were no clear significant effects on the height of the plant, number of fruits, distance between nods, size of fruits, number and thickness of walls and sugar contents. Applying visible/near infrared (VIS/N|R) spectroscopy test shows that it is possible to distinguish between treated and controlled bell pepper fruits. Multivariate data analysis (MVDA) method was used to test the classification of chemical elements in the fruit and it was found that treated and controlled fruit samples are divided into two groups according to their water treatment. An increase in all nutrient concentrations was found in fruits irrigated with magnetic treated water compared with the controlled one. Further testing is needed especially by involving other variables such as decreasing the volume of irrigated water and fertilizers.
文摘Natural ventilation is an efficient design strategy for the passive cooling of buildings, especially in tropical countries such as Brazil. Among the ventilation strategies, sheds can be highlighted. These structures consist of roof openings that work as air captors or extractors depending on their location in relation to the prevailing wind directions. The hospitals of the Sarah Network, designed by the Brazilian architect Joao Filgueiras Lima, Lele, are worldwide known for using these elements to improve natural ventilation. This paper analyses the natural ventilation performance of sheds for air collecting and extracting in two Sarah hospitals located in the cities of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. In each building, the sheds were analyzed for air extracting and collecting. The analyses were carried out by reduced physical models in an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel. The wind velocity was measured at external and internal points of the buildings, using hot-wire anemometers. The results show that the wards in Rio de Janeiro hospital are 17% more ventilated than the ones in the Salvador hospital. However, this difference occurs not only because of the collecting sheds but also because of set of openings and the configuration of the covering in hospitals in Rio de Janeiro.
文摘The objective of this paper is to measure the risk charge for credit risk as one of the components in the risk based capital of the capital adequacy framework. Currently, the risk charge for credit risk is measured by referring it to the credit rating of a company. Following the subprime crisis in 2007, the markets start to question the soundness of the credit rating issued as it has resulted in an inadequate risk charge. Therefore, this study attempts to determine the risk charge for credit risk using the probability of default (PD) for life insurers in Malaysia. The credit risk has been categorized into several types of debt obligations. Whereby, the KMV-Merton model has been used to measure the distance to default and estimate the probability of default. The estimation of default probability is based on the movement in the price index of several debt obligations. The price index of debt obligations from year 2004 to 2009 is collected inclusive of the subprime crisis period during the crisis period. Therefore, Malaysia insurance industry is The results found that the risk charges are lower not affected by the subprime crisis in 2007.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.10775140,10975141Knowledge Innovation Funds of CAS under Grant No.KJCX3-SYW-S03
文摘A new static de Sitter solution with torsion in the model of de Sitter gauge theory of gravity is obtained. The torsion only contains Q(3)-symmetric tensor part according to irreducible decomposition. Some properties of the new solution are discussed.
文摘Taking its point of departure from a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) conference held in Copenhagen in 1953, this papers begins by tracing the foundation of the powerful political role that labor organizations held during a significant part of the twentieth century. At the conference, "labor" was emphasized as occupying a "key role" in the struggle of Western societies to withstand the challenge of communism--military alone could not achieve this objective. Since around 1990, this has fundamentally changed and the paper explores the contemporary situation through an ethnographic study--involving fieldwork at both workplaces and private homes--of Polish migrant laborers participating in the Danish labor market. Firstly, it is shown how the Polish laborers, due to the lower costs they represent, benefit from the new opportunities. Secondly, the paper illustrates how the trade union, though uneasy with the downward pressure on wage and working conditions that the Polish represent, prioritizes the organization of workers in order to maintain some degree of control over the labor market. Finally, the question is raised how the EU (European Union) is able to navigate two contrasting concerns: the urge both to create more cross-border competition and to uphold an image of a "social Europe" which might be key to maintain cohesion and legitimacy.
文摘Xi’an is situated at west China, the industrial structure the restriction function which grows to the economy is not balanced more obvious, uni? es the Xi’an actual situation, speeds up the supplies side constitutive property reform, the promotion industrial structure optimized promotion appears especially importantly. Firstly, this paper analyzes the present situation and development trend of supply-side reform at home and abroad. Based on the situation of Xi’an, the author analyzes ? ve production-side reforms, such as “de-production,” “de-stocking,” “deleveraging”, “cost reduction” The author puts forward the main problems of Xi’an’s supply-side reform to promote economic growth. Finally, it puts forward the path choice of supply-side reform to promote economic growth in Xi’an. Adhere to reform and expand and demand side, supply side in xian accurate docking, supply and demand in xi ‘an supply side reform should constantly improve production quality, give full play to the market on the supply side of the reform main body role and foster the subject of the new.
文摘This Study investigated the effect of metrological factors variations between eastern and western foothills on olive oil quality in northern West Bank. Samples were collected from two villages: Assera A1 Shamalia (locates on Western foothills) and Bet Dagan (Locates on Eastern foothills). Differences in metrological factors and harvesting times between the two villages cause differences in olive oil quality and higher content of stigmastadiene in Bet Dagan than Assera olive oil. The higher monthly averages of minimum and maximum temperatures of Bet Dagan cause the increase of Stigmastadiene content of olive oil. While the higher amount of precipitation in Assera; cause higher quality and quantity of produced olive oil in Assera compared to Bet Dagan. The lower relative humidity and longer day hours; in Assera village enhances higher amounts of olive oil accumulation and better quality as this is the favorable conditions for olive oil formation. The compression between Cuba, Crete, Spain and Italy olive oil quality with Palestinian olive oil quality, we found that Palestinian olive oil shows good competition quality parameters for acidity and peroxide values according to the international olive oil council limits compared with these countries olive oil acidity and peroxide values.
文摘The purpose of this study is to analyze the robust performance of equity-based sukuk in Malaysia, that is, Musharakah and Mudharabah contract. Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), as an international standard-setting organization for Islamic finance, raised an issue that 85% issuances of Musharakah and Mudharabah sukuk have breached the shariah rulings and do not comply with Islamic principles (AAOIFI, 2002). Consequently, the performance of equity-based sukuk in Malaysia was affected. This study used a secondary data for size of issuances which are gathered from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)'s Bond Info website and Securities Commission (SC) website. The performance of equity-based sukuk, either Musharakah or Mudarabah, is robust in the study year period of 2000-2012 as regards their sizes of issuances.
文摘The issue of the future of Europe is becoming increasingly important what with the depth of the economic crisis that started in 2008. In addition to a continuous growth in the number of the unemployed, the crisis particularly emphasizes the chronic level of energy dependence. The energy saving measures ~energy efficiency), diversification of sources (stability of supply), and the creation of substitutes in renewable energy (energy transition), intertwine with administrative measures and form the response of European countries to the growing energy dependence. At the same time, although facing the threatening warming (or cooling) of the Earth, Europe, as a big advocate of reducing CO2 remains passively dependent on NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) policy in the field of defense in the context of energy dependence. However, for the first time after many decades, Europe and America do not have the same energy, and consequently geo-strategic objective: The US has become energy independent while Europe is chronically energy dependent.
文摘The growth in shadow banking system over the past few years is acknowledged as the key risk to Malaysia's financial stability. This is because that it is associated with growth in the household debts extended by the shadow banks. In line with initiatives by the Bank Negara Malaysia (the Central Bank of Malaysia) to enhance surveillance on the activities of the shadow banks in Malaysia, this study attempts to examine the determinants of default risks of shadow banks restricting to focus on their two main activities: securitization and collateralization. The results provide empirical evidence that future methodology to examine the systemic risks in the shadow banking system may need to account for additional explanatory variables that measure collateralized assets that are being intermediated.
文摘Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest American novelists. His For Whom the Bell Tolls, a novel on Spanish Civil War, is generally regarded as "his most ambitious artistic endeavor and a heroic epic of the 20th century American literature". The protagonist, Jordan, is a brave, unselfish, and stressful fighter for fascist, who is the more mature epitome of Ernest Hemingway in the reality. It is an example of application of"meta-fiction". Both of their views on war change from being pessimistic to being optimistic; both Hemingway and Jordan are the heroes of "Grace under Pressure" and both of them start to care for the society and love others.
文摘In 2005, an innovative program was formed between the local government and The University of Toledo to help improve environmental and economic conditions in Lucas County, Ohio, USA by providing no cost energy assessments to various types of organizations. Unlike the Industrial Assessment Centers, which focus on manufacturing and are funded by the Federal Government, this program demonstrates that successful partnerships can be established at the local government level to aid various types of organizations in energy conservation and cost reduction. Since 2005, the program completed ten energy assessments and identified over 143,000 kwh and 103,000 kg of CO2 for reduction. Additionally, over $12,000 has been identified as annual cost savings for Lucas County businesses. The purpose of this paper is to provide a complete overview and framework of this program so that other institutions may learn from it and adopt similar programs at the local level. A focus of this paper is a discussion of a case study that details the process and results of a typical energy assessment conducted through the project and comparison to similar programs in the US.
文摘Soy yogurt has gained significant popularity due to its nutritional health benefits. The objectives of this study were to develop flavored yogurt from soybean milk with reduced soy aftertaste by the addition of 30% (wt/wt) strawberry or orange jam in conjunction with a lactic acid fermentation. Soy milk-based yogurt products were assessed for microbial quality and for acceptability by a panel of Jordanian and Malaysian consumers. Sixty-one individuals, of whom 75.4% (n = 46) were Jordanian and 24.6% (n = 15) were Malaysian, evaluated the plain and flavored soy milk-based yogurt. The overall acceptability of orange and strawberry soy yogurt was rated significantly higher than plain soy yogurt. In general, the orange and strawberry soy yogurt received higher sensory ratings from Malaysian than Jordanian consumers. In addition, formulations with orange jam received higher scores than those flavored with strawberry. Shelf life tests showed that soy yogurt was acceptable for at least 8 d without perceptible spoilage. Therefore, the approach used yielded flavored products with better acceptability and improved sensory attributes, including decreased intensity of off flavor, with suitable shelf life at 4 ℃.
文摘During the course of the last years the need for the increase in the electric energy production in Brazil as well as in the rest of the world, has raised the tone of the debate about the environment impact of such production. As a result of these debates, both the several levels of government and some of the NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) have commissioned innumerous opinion researches aiming at measuring and evaluating the knowledge and perception of the public in relation of the best non-polluting energy sources. Prior to 2001 these researches would not make any sense in Brazil., however due to that year's drought, the competent authorities were faced with the necessity of developing a plan, the PNE2030 (Piano Nacional de Energia) aiming, among others objectives, at finalizing the construction of the Angra three plants and implementing new nuclear plants in places still to be determined. Allowing for the complexity of the subject, this paper presents a field research conducted from September 28th, 2010 to October 28th, 2010 assessing the current level of perception of the Brazilian population about the nuclear area, in particular of the residents of three cities of Rio de Janeiro. As a result of this work, the authors suggest how the competent authorities should proceed to reach in an efficient manner a greater understanding of the population about the proposed subject, through communication campaigns being both informative and educational.
文摘When World War I ended in 1918 the aviators wanting to fly higher and further and they started a raced in which everyone wanted to be first. The Spanish pilots were initially excluded by the Moroccan War, which demanded all available air forces be used to put an end to the conflict. Motivated by the successes of The Alhucemas amphibious landing, one of best Spanish aviators, Major Ramon Franco presented to the Government in 1925 a project to undertake a flight to Argentina across the South Atlantic Ocean in a DornierJ Wal seaplane. In the memorandum, Franco said: The Spain-Argentina flight would be a worthwhile trial and verification of air navigation. It would also serve to let the entire world know of the merits of our Aviation and allow us to occupy the aeronautical place that belongs to us in aeronautics. It would also help us strengthen our ties with our brothers at the other side of the ocean. The DornierJ Walwas named "Plus Ultra" referring to the Discovery of America. The route should be Palos de la Frontera-Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Cape Verde islands-Fernando Noronha island-Pernambuco-Rio de Janeiro-Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Franco reasoned that the best time of year to make the flight was from December to April. The raid started in the city Palos de la Frontera on 22 January 1926 and ended in Buenos Aires on February 9, after flying 10,825 kilometers in 59 hours and 48 minutes.