Finance and the technology-trade nexus

This paper sketches the contours of the evolving international/monetary system and examines the various roles of the intemediation mechanisms. Then it examines the extent to which the financial system is independent from the “real economy” and the various ways in which it impacts it. The paper discusses some views in good currency on the dynamics of the technology-trade-finance nexus and shows how the financial system influences organization, location and technology choices in meso-innovation systems. The final section of the paper looks at the policy implications that might be derived from the analysis and suggests some directions for the future research.     

Perceived consequences of risky behaviors: Adults and adolescents.

Adult and adolescent Ss were asked to list possible consequences of either accepting or declining opportunities to engage in various potentially risky behaviors (e.g., drinking and driving, skipping school to go to a mall). Response patterns were quite similar for these adults and adolescents, indicating shared beliefs about the possibilities. Although taking and avoiding a risk are logically complementary actions, they did not prove to be psychologically complementary. Other comparisons showed systematic differences in the consequences produced for 1-time and regular (or repeated) versions of the same behaviors, as well as open-ended and closed-ended response modes. These results are discussed in terms of their methodological implications for studying risk perceptions, their practical implications for influencing adolescents' risk behaviors, and their theoretical implications for understanding intellectual development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Actions speak no louder than words: Symmetrical cross-modal interference effects in the processing of verbal and gestural information.

Five experiments are reported that investigate the distribution of selective attention to verbal and nonverbal components of an utterance when conflicting information exists in these channels. A Stroop-type interference paradigm is adopted in which attributes from the verbal and nonverbal dimensions are placed into conflict. Static directional (deictic) gestures and corresponding spoken and written words show symmetrical interference (Experiments 1, 2, and 3), as do directional arrows and spoken words (Experiment 4). This symmetry is maintained when the task is switched from a manual keypress to a verbal naming response (Experiment 5), suggesting the mutual influence of the 2 dimensions is independent of spatial stimulus-response compatibility. It is concluded that the results are consistent with a model of interference in which information from pointing gestures and speech is integrated prior to the response selection stage of processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship between the enzymatic determination of starch and the starch iodine index in two varieties of cider apple

Monitoring the hydrolysis or disappearance of starch by the starch iodine test is a simple procedure for determining the maturity of cider apples, but it does not indicate the exact amount of starch present. So far, studies of starch in apples have dealt exclusively with dessert apples. In this paper the relationship between the visual starch index, the dark‐coloured surface area and the real starch content was studied in two varieties of cider apple commonly used in Normandy (France). Starch determination in cider apples required adapting the protocol provided by the Boehringer enzymatic kit. The work led to proposing a simplified index with five scales instead of 10. This index gives the correspondences between the new and old scales as well as the probable starch contents for each new scale. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inhibition of sulfide on the simultaneous removal of nitrate and p‐cresol by a denitrifying sludge

BACKGROUND: Many industrial discharges, such as those generated from petrochemical refineries, contain large amounts of sulfurous, nitrogenous and organic contaminants. Denitrification has emerged as a suitable technology for the simultaneous removal of these pollutants in a single reactor unit; however, more evidence is demanded to clarify the limitations of denitrification on the simultaneous removal of sulfide and phenolic contaminants and to optimize the biological process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of a denitrifying sludge to simultaneously convert sulfide and p‐cresol via denitrification. RESULTS: Sulfide was the preferred electron donor over p‐cresol, imposing a 5 h lag phase (required for complete sulfide removal) on organotrophic denitrification. Addition of sulfide (20 mg S^2? L^?1) to p‐cresol‐amended denitrifying cultures also decreased the reduction rate of nitrate and nitrite, as well as the production rate of nitrogen gas. Nitrite reduction rate was the most affected step by sulfide, decreasing from 35 to 21 mg N (g VSS d)^?1. A synergistic inhibitory effect of nitrate and sulfide was also observed on nitrite reduction. Despite the effects of sulfide on the respiratory rates monitored, complete removal of nitrate, sulfide and p‐cresol could be achieved after 48 h of incubation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that simultaneous removal of sulfide and p‐cresol could be achieved in denitrifying reactors, but a large hydraulic residence time may be required to sustain an efficient process due to inhibitory effects of sulfide. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Stress in Dairy Farming and the Adoption of New Technology.

Previous studies have identified a number of different farm stressors and have reported gender and age differences in levels of stress. This study aimed to determine stress experienced by New Zealand dairy farmers, particularly in relation to adoption of new technology and its relationship to age and gender. Measures of farm stress and adoption of technology were completed by 985 dairy farmers. The highest levels of stress were reported for time pressures, machinery breakdown, weather, and government policies. Stress related to new technologies occurred rarely. Women reported more stress and higher levels of stress for understanding new technologies. There was also an increase in severity of stress with age related to new technologies. Overall, stress levels were moderate and may reflect favorable economic conditions. The findings suggest a need to tailor stress interventions to meet specific needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gelatinases in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis

BACKGROUND: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP2 and MMP9 play a significant role in epidermal detachment, inflammation and re-epithelialization. We have evaluated their activity in toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). DESIGN: The level and pattern of activity of MMP2 and MMP9 were investigated by measuring the degradation of 3H-labelled gelatin and by zymography in blister fluid from six TEN patients and compared the results with three other blistering conditions: bullous pemphigoid (n = 6), second-degree burn (n = 13) or suction blister (n = 3). RESULTS: A higher amount of MMP2 was found in TEN blister fluid with the constant presence of a significantly larger proportion of the activated forms of MMP2, a particular feature of TEN, than the other blistering diseases studied. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the potential role of MMP2 in the specific inflammatory reaction and reparation process in TEN skin.     

The impact of micro‐ and macroergonomics considerations on appropriate technology transfer decisions in developing countries: The case of Turkey

The research presented in this paper aims to support the decision process of appropriate technology transfer to industrially developing countries by improving a broader understanding of relationships between the key micro‐ and macroergonomics factors and the technology alternatives. The methodology involves knowledge acquisition, identifying and categorizing a holistic set of key criteria about technology transfer with respect to ergonomics. This work attempts briefly to identify factors affecting the success of technology transfer in order to reduce the potential of incompatibilities with respect to micro‐ and macroergonomics and to optimize the decision process of managers. The objective of the decision model, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), determines the global priority weights for different technology alternatives and examines the critical factors and benefits, which affect the appropriateness of technology transfer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 1–19, 2007.     

Personalizing 3D virtual fashion stores: Exploring modularity with a typology of atmospherics based on user input

This research develops a typology of atmospherics that contains user-identified modules and modular options for personalizing 3D virtual fashion stores. A content analysis of 46 focus group discussions (n = 170) was conducted to understand the user’s perspective for personalizing 3D virtual fashion store atmospherics. Based on three atmospheric categories (pathfinding assistant, environment, and the manner of product presentation), 17 modules and 207 modular options were identified for personalizing 3D virtual stores. This research pioneers the development of an atmospherics typology for personalizing 3D virtual shopping environments as a persuasive selling tool in the emerging field of 3D virtual reality (VR) retailing.