12,437 research outputs found
The Relationship Between Intellectual Property Rights and Foreign Direct Investment
Byggbranschen befinner sig mitt i ett paradigmskifte â detta i samband med att BIM kommer att ersĂ€tta de traditionella arbetsmetoderna inom byggprocessen. BIM, Ă€ven kallat objektsbaserad informationshantering, anvĂ€nds idag till 3D-projektering, visualisering och samordning. Dock utnyttjas inte BIM till sin fulla potential. FörĂ€ndringar sker Ă€ven betrĂ€ffande miljöaspekter inom byggsektorn. Miljökrav Ă€r inte lĂ€ngre enbart lagstadgade, utan kommer Ă€ven frĂ„n fastighetsĂ€garna sjĂ€lva. En anledning Ă€r den ökade miljömedvetenheten, och att byggbranschen Ă€r en viktig aktör för en hĂ„llbar utveckling. Genom en byggnadsmiljöcertifiering styrs byggproduktioner mot att bli mer miljöanpassade. Miljöbyggnad Ă€r en av de vanligaste certifieringarna i Sverige dĂ„ den Ă€r anpassad efter svenska byggregler. Ett av bedömningskriterierna för Miljöbyggnad Ă€r att dokumentera byggprodukter som byggs in i byggnadsverket i en loggbok. Det Ă€r byggnadsentreprenören som uppför denna och bĂ€r ansvaret för Miljöbyggnadscertifieringen under produktionen. Detta examensarbete utreder hur loggbokshanteringen för miljöcertifieringen Miljöbyggnad kan effektiviseras och optimeras inom ramen för BIM. Det första skedet av examensarbetet Ă€gnades Ă„t identifikation av problem kring arbetet med loggboken genom enkĂ€tundersökningar och kompletterande muntliga samtal. I det andra skedet intervjuades BIM-sakkunniga med syftet att söka praktiskt genomförbara tillĂ€mpningar av BIM inom loggbokshanteringsprocessen. KartlĂ€ggningen resulterade i ett flertal problematiska omrĂ„den inom den nuvarande loggbokshanteringen. Denna kan dock effektiviseras genom att byggföretag etablerar en konsekvent arbetsmetodik, definierar loggboksprocessen samt inför erfarenhetsĂ„terföring. Utförda intervjuer resulterade i förslag pĂ„ möjliga effektiviseringar av loggboken med hjĂ€lp av BIM â bĂ„de en lösning som Ă€r tillĂ€mpningsbar idag och tre framtida lösningar. Den lösning som fĂ„tt namnet âExcellista med GUIDâ kan tillĂ€mpas idag, och effektiviserar loggboksprocessen genom att utnyttja den BIM-modell som tas fram under projekteringsskedet med hjĂ€lp av unika kodstrĂ€ngar. Automatiska mĂ€ngdavtagningar för byggprodukter Ă€r ett exempel pĂ„ en effektiviserad loggboksprocess. Tre lösningar Ă€r tĂ€nkbara för framtida materialdokumentation inom BIM: En applikation, integrerade systemplattformar eller företagsgemensam databas. Framtidslösningarna kan effektivisera avsevĂ€rt genom en automatiserad loggboksprocess. Loggboken inom BIM-modellen skapar möjlighet till spĂ„rbarhet och visualisering. Den eliminerar kostsamma och tidskrĂ€vande moment i jĂ€mförelse med dagens hantering. Slutsatsen Ă€r att byggföretaget ska satsa pĂ„ en företagsgemensam databas för företagets alla systemplattformar, men framtiden för materialdokumentation inom BIM ligger i en vĂ€l integrerad lösning mellan BIM-modellen och ett PLM-system.The AEC industry is in the midst of a paradigm shift - this in conjunction with BIM replacing traditional working methods within the construction process. BIM, also called object-oriented information management, is currently used for 3D modeling, visualization and coordination. However BIM is not being utilized to its full potential. There are also occurring changes regarding the environmental aspects of construction. Environmental requirements are not only legal, but are now requested by the clients themselves. One reason for these changes is increased environmental awareness and another is the fact that the construction industry has a vital role in sustainable development. Environmental certification of building projects promotes an environmentally friendly production. âMiljöbyggnadâ is one of the most common certifications in Sweden because it is adapted to the Swedish building regulations. One of the assessment criteria for âMiljöbyggnadâ is the logbook documentation of all the building materials used. It is the contractor who is responsible for the logbook and for the environmental building certification during the production.                  This thesis investigates how logbook management for environmental certification can be efficient and optimized in the context of BIM. The first stage of the thesis was devoted to the identification of problems related to logbook management. This was done with the use of surveys and complementary interviews. In the second phase BIM experts were interviewed in order to find practical applications for BIM in the log management process. The survey revealed several areas of concern within current logbook management. However these problems can be resolved if construction companies can establish a consistent work methodology, define the logbook procedures and implement experience feedback. Analysis of the interviews resulted in suggestions for possible streamlining of logbook procedures using BIM âone solution which is possible to implement today and three for future use. The solution which has been named "Excel list with GUID" can be applied today. Here, the BIM model generated during the design stage, is used to streamline the logbook process with the help of unique reference numbers. Automatic quantity take off for construction products is an example of a streamlined logbook process. Three solutions are possible for future material documentation in BIM: An application, integrated computing platforms or a company shared database. In the future results can be considerably improved with an automated logbook process. The logbook within the BIM model creates the opportunity for traceability and visualization. It eliminates costly and time-consuming steps in comparison with todays logbook management. The conclusion is that construction companies should invest in a company-wide database for all computing platforms, but the future of material documentation with BIM exists in an integrated solution with the BIM model and a PLM system
Telescope performance and image simulations of the balloon-borne coded-mask protoMIRAX experiment
In this work we present the results of imaging simulations performed with the
help of the GEANT4 package for the protoMIRAX hard X-ray balloon experiment.
The instrumental background was simulated taking into account the various
radiation components and their angular dependence, as well as a detailed mass
model of the experiment. We modeled the meridian transits of the Crab Nebula
and the Galatic Centre region during balloon flights in Brazil ( of latitude and an altitude of km) and
introduced the correspondent spectra as inputs to the imaging simulations. We
present images of the Crab and of three sources in the Galactic Centre region:
1E 1740.7-2942, GRS 1758-258 and GX 1+4. The results show that the protoMIRAX
experiment is capable of making spectral and timing observations of bright hard
X-ray sources as well as important imaging demonstrations that will contribute
to the design of the MIRAX satellite mission.Comment: 9 figure
Everything you always wanted to know about wto accession (but were afraid to ask)
In this paper, the authors explore the complex, long, and unique process of accession to the World Trade Organization, with its intertwined economic, legal, and political dimensions. Referring to country case studies and sector-specific issues, the paper organizes some of the current reflections on the topic around three main themes. First, it explores the rationale of accession to the World Trade Organization: Why would new members join the WTO? And why would incumbent members let new members in? Second, it analyzes the World Trade Organization accession process in detail: What are the main characteristics and challenges of the accession process? Has it evolved over time, and how? Third, the paper looks at the implementation of World Trade Organization accession deals: Is accession the end or the beginning of the story? What are the implications for the participating countries and the multilateral trading system?World Trade Organization,Economic Theory&Research,Trade and Services,Trade Law,Debt Markets
Protection and trade in services : a survey
Until recently, trade in services was mostly ignored by iinternational economists, reflecting a perception that services were nontradable. This has never been true. Transportation and travel, for example, have always been important economic activities. In 1995, services trade climbed to a 20-percent share of global trade -no doubt an underestimate, as the most dynamic component of trade in services is telecommunications, which is not being properly captured in conventional balance of payment statistics. The authors survey the literature on trade in services, focusing on thepolicies used to restrict such trade, the gains from liberalization, and the institutional mechanisms adopted in pursuit of liberalization. They argue that technological progress (which makes services more tradable) and iinternational trade negotiations are likely to keep liberalization of trade in services a high-profile policy issue. They suggest that research focus on developing better estimates of the welfare costs of protectionism in the service sector. This will require quantifying barriers to the international exchange of services.Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Economics&Finance,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Economic Theory&Research,Decentralization,Health Economics&Finance,ICT Policy and Strategies,Knowledge Economy,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research
How stronger protection of intellectual property rights affects international trade flows
Intellectual property rights affect international trade flows when protected goods move across national boundaries. And intellectual property rights have grown in importance as the share of knowledge-intensive or high-technology products in international trade has doubled (from 12 percent in 1980 to 24 percent in 1994). The authors report new evidence about how protecting intellectual property rights affects international trade flows of nonfuel trade products. Employing a gravity model of bilateral trade, they estimate the effects of increased protection on a cross-section of 89 x 88 countries. To address estimation problems associated with zero trade flows between countries, they adopt a bivariate distributed probit regression mode. Their results confirm previous findings: stronger protection of intellectual property rights increase bilateral trade flows of manufactured nonfuel imports. But the results do not hold for trade flows in high technology, where the effect of protection intellectual property rights was found to be insignificant.Rules of Origin,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Trade Policy,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Economic Theory&Research,Trade and Regional Integration,Rules of Origin,Environmental Economics&Policies
Parma Agrifood Research Management Knowledge Network: PARMa KN
The case focuses on the proposed development of the Parma Agrifood Research Management Knowledge Network (PARMa KN). The PARMa KN is intended to be a global network of leading professionals drawn from academia, industry, and the public sector. The proposal is for the group to be funded by the City of Parma and corporate, foundation, and individual donors. Its main objective would be to build value for society through the development of cutting-edge research, educational programs, and service activities for firms in the food and agribusiness sector. It is hoped that the new foundation will bring international expertise to food and agribusiness firms in Parma to help them to expand and remain globally competitive.consulting, trade association, industry association, SWOT, industry research, Industrial Organization, International Relations/Trade, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q10, Q17,
Pregnancy with autoimmune hepatitis
AIM:
The aim of this study was to review our experience with gestations in autoimmune hepatitis patients.
BACKGROUND:
There are only limited data describing pregnancy in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Retrospective analysis of pregnancies with autoimmune hepatitis followed in Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal in the last ten years.
RESULTS:
We reported nine pregnancies in seven patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Two patients had documented liver cirrhosis prior to the pregnancy. In this study, 66.7% of patients were treated with azathioprine and 88.9% with prednisolone. Clinical improvements were observed in 11.1% of pregnancies and 22.2% exacerbations were diagnosed. There were six live births and two preterm deliveries (preterm delivery rate of 33%). We also report three first trimester miscarriages (early gestation miscarriage rate of 33%). There were no neonatal or maternal deaths.
CONCLUSION:
The favorable obstetric outcome is a realistic expectation in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Tight monitoring and control of asymptomatic and unpredictable exacerbations, which are unrelated to the severity of the underlying disease, are essential to the prognosis of the current pregnancyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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