09181 Abstracts Collection -- Sampling-based Optimization in the Presence of Uncertainty

This Dagstuhl seminar brought together researchers from statistical ranking and selection; experimental design and response-surface modeling; stochastic programming; approximate dynamic programming; optimal learning; and the design and analysis of computer experiments with the goal of attaining a much better mutual understanding of the commonalities and differences of the various approaches to sampling-based optimization, and to take first steps toward an overarching theory, encompassing many of the topics above

Newsletter new technologies and innovation policy. Special Issue. September 1985. 46A.

Title changed to Innovation and technology transfer Newsletter in 198

Newsletter new technologies and innovation policy. Special Issue. September 1985. 46A.

Title changed to Innovation and technology transfer Newsletter in 198

Aeronautical engineering: A continuing bibliography, supplement 125

This bibliography lists 407 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in July 1980

Newsletter new technologies and innovation policy. Special Issue. September 1985. 46A.

Title changed to Innovation and technology transfer Newsletter in 198

The Effect of Dividend Policy on Market Value UK Empirical Study

This study tackles the relationship between dividend policy and market value of companies in the UK through three empirical models. The aim of the first model was to test the validity of the Irrelevant Theory empirically by exploring the relationship between dividend type (cash dividend, share dividend and share repurchase), earnings (EPS) and investment policy (retained earnings per share) with the market value of a company. This is achieved through the use of annual and semi-annual data for 362 companies in different UK sectors by adopting Panel Data for the period extending from 1998 to 2007 (twenty periods), where the fixed-effect (within) regression model was used to examine this sample . The second model examines if companies favour the investment policy dividend policy by investigating whether or not companies follow a residual dividends policy. This has been identified by following the methodology of Baker and Smith (2006), based on the calculation of Standardized Free Cash Flow (SFCF) for 590 UK companies in different sectors for the period from 1998 to 2007 by using annual data. The third model seeks to explore managerial preferences regarding dividend type and the most important factors affecting the company management when setting dividends policy. In this respect, the importance of the following factors has been tested: the company’s market value; the financing decision; the investment decision; signaling theory; agency theory; and shareholder structure. The questionnaire methodology used for this model where it was distributed to 1319 UK companies in different sectors. The number of responses was 208 responses is equivalent to 15.77% of the total distributed). The study arrived at a number of important results that can be summarized as follows: 1) The invalidity of the Irrelevant Theory, as the results show that there is a relationship between dividend policy and market value of a company; 2) There is a relationship between earnings, investment policy and the market value, which indicates that the dividends policy, announced earnings and investment policy work together in affecting the market value of a company; 3) UK companies, on the whole, do not adopt a residual dividends policy, implying no preference for investment policy over dividend policy, except for the two sectors banking and insurance companies where the results showed that they follow the residuals dividends policy 4) Most UK companies’ managements prefer cash dividends to other venues choices because of its easy implementation; and 5) The most important factor affecting UK companies’ managements when they set their dividends policy is shareholder structure while the least factor listed in importance is agency theory

Cosmology intertwined: a review of the particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology associated with the cosmological tensions and anomalies

The standard ¿ Cold Dark Matter (¿CDM) cosmological model provides a good description of a wide range of astrophysical and cosmological data. However, there are a few big open questions that make the standard model look like an approximation to a more realistic scenario yet to be found. In this paper, we list a few important goals that need to be addressed in the next decade, taking into account the current discordances between the different cosmological probes, such as the disagreement in the value of the Hubble constant , the – tension, and other less statistically significant anomalies. While these discordances can still be in part the result of systematic errors, their persistence after several years of accurate analysis strongly hints at cracks in the standard cosmological scenario and the necessity for new physics or generalisations beyond the standard model. In this paper, we focus on the tension between the Planck CMB estimate of the Hubble constant and the SH0ES collaboration measurements. After showing the evaluations made from different teams using different methods and geometric calibrations, we list a few interesting new physics models that could alleviate this tension and discuss how the next decade's experiments will be crucial. Moreover, we focus on the tension of the Planck CMB data with weak lensing measurements and redshift surveys, about the value of the matter energy density , and the amplitude or rate of the growth of structure (). We list a few interesting models proposed for alleviating this tension, and we discuss the importance of trying to fit a full array of data with a single model and not just one parameter at a time. Additionally, we present a wide range of other less discussed anomalies at a statistical significance level lower than the – tensions which may also constitute hints towards new physics, and we discuss possible generic theoretical approaches that can collectively explain the non-standard nature of these signals. Finally, we give an overview of upgraded experiments and next-generation space missions and facilities on Earth that will be of crucial importance to address all these open questionsPeer ReviewedArticle signat per 202 autors/esPostprint (published version

The role of psychological contract breach in determining Chinese civil servants' behavioural responses to organizational change

In order to cope with the challenges brought about by increasing global competition and rapid technological development, organizational change has become the norm. Organizational change has a profound effect on employment relationships, with a particular area of concern being any breaches of the psychological contracts (PCB) and the negative behaviours that result from these. In extant literature concerns the impact of organizational change on employment relationship, however, the perceived obligations that exist in the employment relationship have received less attention. In addition, little research has been undertaken in a Chinese government context, thus, the current study investigated the role such breaches play in determining the behavioural responses of Chinese civil servants to organizational change. The conceptual framework is formed by strategic, structural, process-oriented and people-oriented change, in relation to the psychological contracted breaches associated with the transactional, relational and balanced elements. Finally, with respect to the employees' behavioural responses, the concepts Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect (EVLN) behaviours were used. A positivist approach of "testing-out" was adopted, whereby a specifically-designed questionnaire was used to collect data from 486 civil servants working for the Chinese government. Mutual expectations of both parties in the employment relationship were explored. Analysis involved traditional statistical techniques and included an assessment of biographical data. In certain areas, the outcomes supported Western findings on how, following change, a breach of the psychological contract can impact on employee behaviour. However, variations with previous studies were also found, which were related to the traditional Chinese cultural dimension, Confucius thought and the social phenomena surrounding the post 1980's generation. The discussion resulted in a new conceptual model of PCB being presented, which applies specifically to the cultural context of Chinese civil servants. The study advanced knowledge in a number of ways. Theoretical contributions were made to the psychological contract and particularly the breaches brought about by the change process. Contributions were also made in extending knowledge in the area of employee behaviours, particularly those of Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect. Finally, in investigating the various concepts in the culturally specific environment of China, a contribution was made to public management, international HRM and the general area of culture. Practical contributions were made through recommendations for improvement, with further areas for research also being added