Information technology investment announcements and market value in transition economies: Evidence from Warsaw Stock Exchange

This study examines stock market reactions to announcements of information technology investments in Poland, an emerging market and transition economy. Based on 66 announcements by companies traded at the Warsaw Stock Exchange in the period 2002–2009, our study confirms some previously published results from studies conducted primarily in highly developed markets, but also shows that specific characteristics of announcements play a more important role than has been commonly assumed. Our results indicate that investors in Poland react more positively if systems are acquired from global rather than local vendors. Announcements about completed projects are more positively received than announcements about planned or in-progress projects. Furthermore, announcements in Polish, targeted at existing shareholders, are more likely to be received positively than similar announcements released in English, targeting global investors.     

Assessment of the Superheater Ash Fouling Using a Numerical Model of the Superheater

ABSTRACT

Superheaters are high-temperature cross-flow heat exchangers. Steam flows inside the tubes, and the flue gas outside in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubes. However, they differ very substantially from the other heat exchangers operating at low temperatures. Superheaters are characterized by complex flow system and high tube walls temperature. Superheaters are among the most exposed to damaging pressure elements of steam boilers. Damage to the superheater causes about 40% of emergency shutdowns of boilers. The paper presents the boiler superheater model with distributed parameters, which is used to determine on-line the degree of superheater fouling by ash.     

The Reluctant President.

Coaching CEO successor candidates is challenging and deeply nuanced in the best of circumstances. The stakes rise exponentially when the sitting CEO owns the company, resents having "anointed" an eventual successor, and has been phenomenally successful despite the bruising effects of his narcissism and toxic micromanagement. This case study describes how a data-driven, insight-oriented coaching methodology helped the CEO candidate accelerate his effectiveness, instill hope in the organization, and forge a more stable relationship with the CEO--a sufficiently functional relationship for the future CEO to decide to remain with the company. Furthermore, this work highlights the importance of clinical skills and 3 coaching meta principles (traction, trust, and truth-telling). Finally, this longer term coaching engagement illustrates the dynamic role shift from coach to trusted advisor. Through this deepened relationship, coaching gains were consolidated and an objective sounding board was retained for both the CEO and his eventual successor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Numerical solution of parabolic equations related to level set formulation of mean curvature flow

Numerical approximation of a nonlinear diffusion equation of mean curvature flow type is discussed. Computational results related to image processing are presented. Received: 22 April 1997 / Accepted: 27 February 1998     

The evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen determination in the pericardial fluid in the diagnosis of the cause of pericarditis

Pericardial fluid CEA level was measured with radioimmunoassay in 19 patients with large pericardial effusion of unknown origin. In 11 patients malignancy was diagnosed. In all of these patients pericardial fluid CEA levels were above 7 ng/ml (mean value 52.6 +/- 42.6 ng/ml). In 8 patients the etiology of pericarditis was non-malignant. In all of them pericardial fluid CEA levels were below 7 ng/ml (mean value 2.2 +/- 1.6 ng/ml). In 9 patients with malignant pericarditis serum CEA levels were also determined: they were found to be lower than pericardial fluid CEA values in 6 patients. It was concluded that pericardial fluid CEA elevation is a reliable criteria of neoplastic pericardial involvement.     

Juvenescent soap films. The evaporative stabilization of a film by a volatile surfactant

In the absence of evaporation, soap films may be preserved indefinitely after a rapid evolution to an equilibrium thickness, the black film. This evolution can be slowed down enormously so that the appearance of a recently formed thick and colored film can be preserved for hours or weeks. Such juvenescent films form when the evaporation of water is prevented and that of a minor but highly surface-active component is favored. For example, a solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate containing decyl or octyl alcohol gives juvenescent films in a thermostated enclosure, containing also a micellar solution which is initially free of the alcohol and is capable of absorbing it from the vapor phase. Juvenescence depends on a pseudo-steady state in which the surface tension of a film element increase on account of evaporation of the alcohol, and this causes contraction and thickening, return to the bulk liquid, and replacement by a fresh film element rich in alcohol. The analogy to “tears of strong wine” is marked. Quantitative experiments, using octyl alcohol, are also described. Any condition favoring this effect must be eliminated if accurate equilbrium film-thickness measurements are to be obtained.     

Working with families: A practitioner's perspective:.

Suggests that school psychologists face a challenge to provide assessment and intervention within a family context. Comments are provided on a discussion by J. C. Hansen et al (see record 1990-18461-001) of the types of ethical dilemmas school psychologists are likely to face in providing services to families. The key to providing appropriate and ethical interventions with families will depend on the development of sound policies, professional awareness, and supervision. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)