International codes and standards: challenges and priorities for financial stability.

The smooth functioning of the increasingly interdependent world economy requires the adoption and observance of common rules. In the light of recent economic crises, it has become clear that the effective implementation of codes and standards could contribute to strengthening financial stability at the national level, and thereby, reduce the risks of spillover. To effectively implement standards, a strategy has been defined within the international community and tasks shared out: the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank conduct assessments of their member states’ observance of the main international standards. Numerous hurdles nevertheless remain to be cleared in order to increase the contribution made by codes and standards to prevent financial crises. Emerging economies’ ownership of codes and standards must be strengthened, which requires these countries to be more closely involved in the definition of standards, and also a more gradual approach in implementing standards to take account of diverse levels of development. The importance given to the assessment of the implementation of codes and standards is a noteworthy step forward in IMF surveillance. It requires increased co-ordination among international financial institutions (IFIs), other standard setting bodies such as the Basel Committee, the OECD and the FATF, and the countries themselves. In addition, countries to be assessed should be more carefully selected, clear priorities should be set in the areas covered by standards and countries should be provided with greater incentives to publish external assessment results. Lastly, the private sector in developed countries could further encourage the implementation of standards by factoring them more fully into its investment strategies, or by supplementing official initiatives in respect of the assessment of observance.

Observations of GEO Debris with the Magellan 6.5-m Telescopes

Optical observations of geosynchronous orbit (GEO) debris are important to address two questions: 1. What is the distribution function of objects at GEO as a function of brightness? With some assumptions, this can be used to infer a size distribution. 2. Can we determine what the likely composition of individual GEO debris pieces is from studies of the spectral reflectance of these objects? In this paper we report on optical observations with the 6.5-m Magellan telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile that attempt to answer both questions. Imaging observations over a 0.5 degree diameter field-of-view have detected a significant population of optically faint debris candidates with R > 19th magnitude, corresponding to a size smaller than 20 cm assuming an albedo of 0.175. Many of these objects show brightness variations larger than a factor of 2, suggesting either irregular shapes or albedo variations or both. The object detection rate (per square degree per hour) shows an increase over the rate measured in the 0.6-m MODEST observations, implying an increase in the population at optically fainter levels. Assuming that the albedo distribution is the same for both samples, this corresponds to an increase in the population of smaller size debris. To study the second issue, calibrated reflectance spectroscopy has been obtained of a sample of GEO and near GEO objects with orbits in the public U.S. Space Surveillance Network catalog. With a 6.5-m telescope, the exposures times are short (30 seconds or less), and provide simultaneous wavelength coverage from 4500 to 8000 Angstroms. If the observed objects are tumbling, then simultaneous coverage and short exposure times are essential for a realistic assessment of the object fs spectral signature. We will compare the calibrated spectra with lab-based measurements of simple spacecraft surfaces composed of a single material

Is radical innovation in architecture crucial to sustainability? Lessons from three Scottish contemporary buildings

Radical innovation is largely recognised as a medium for advancement, a source of growth for economies, and a trigger for progress in different economic sectors. Often, this type of innovation is identified with technological advancements, disruptive phenomena and the creation of new systems and dynamics. Yet, within the context of a changing world, in which principles of economic, environmental and social sustainability are largely adopted as common objectives, a reflection on the type of progress and the need for radical innovation is necessary with the aim of informing on their impacts and effectiveness. This work presents an analysis of a number of contemporary Scottish architectural designs, developed under the aegis of sustainability principles, and explores the types of sustainable innovations introduced and the results achieved by analyzing the type of design change that triggered specific sustainable results, demonstrating alternative innovation strategies, other than the radical one. This analysis provides a basis for discussion on the need for radical innovation in the context of sustainable architecture and explores the role of other types of innovation against the results achieved. This discussion could contribute to a better understanding of the current state of practice in architectural design, as well as in policy making in regard to the design and management of the future built environment

Prise en charge du malade alcoolique par le médecin généraliste (à propos d'une enquête auprès de praticiens généralistes du pays d'Aix)

AIX-MARSEILLE2-BU Méd/Odontol. (130552103) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Déformation et parasite du Senecio vulgaris, de la Capselle

Boullu Antoine Etienne, Viviand-Morel Joseph-Victor, Cardonna . Déformation et parasite du Senecio vulgaris, de la Capselle. In: Annales de la Société botanique de Lyon, tome 5, 1876-1877. 1878. pp. 169-170

Elastic energy of strained islands: Contribution of the substrate as a function of the island aspect ratio and inter-island distance

The finite element method is applied to strain-induced islands. The distribution of the elastic energy in the island and the substrate is determined as a function of the island aspect ratio and inter-island distance. When the height-over-base ratio increases, the total elastic energy density decreases and the relative contribution of the substrate increases. When the inter-island distance decreases, the elastic energy density increases and the relative contribution of the substrate decreases. The influence of the aspect ratio on the relaxation rate is amplified for short inter-island distances