Radial basis functions-finite differences collocation and a Unified Formulation for bending, vibration and buckling analysis of laminated plates, according to Murakami's zig-zag theory

In this paper, we propose to use the Murakami's zig-zag theory for the static and vibration analysis of laminated plates, by local collocation with radial basis functions in a finite differences framework. The equations of motion and the boundary conditions are obtained by the Carrera's Unified Formulation, and further interpolated by a local collocation with radial basis functions and finite differences. This paper considers the analysis of static deformations, free vibrations and buckling loads on laminated composite plates. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd

Effects of thickness stretching in functionally graded plates and shells

1The present work evaluates the effect of thickness stretching in plate/shell structures made by materials which are functionally graded (FGM) in the thickness directions. That is done by removing or retaining the transverse normal strain in the kinematics assumptions of various refined plate/shell theories. Variable plate/shell models are implemented according to Carrera's Unified Formulation. Plate/shell theories with constant transverse displacement are compared with the corresponding linear to fourth order of expansion in the thickness direction ones. Single-layered and multilayered FGM structures have been analyzed. A large numerical investigation, encompassing various plate/shell geometries as well as various grading rates for FGMs, has been conducted. It is mainly concluded that a refinements of classical theories that include additional in-plane variables could results meaningless unless transverse normal strain effects are taken into account

The EU's dialogue on migration, mobility, and security with the Southern Mediterranean: filling the gaps in the global approach to migration. CEPS Liberty and Security in Europe, June 2011

Recent events in North Africa and the Mediterranean have had consequences in terms of human mobility, and are putting the foundations and components of EU’s migration policy under strain. The forthcoming European Council summit of 23-24 June 2011 is expected to determine ‘the orientations for further work’ under the Polish Presidency and the next JHA Trio Presidency Programme for the EU’s policies on crossborder migration in the Mediterranean and internal mobility within the scope of the Schengen regime. This paper constitutes a contribution to current and future EU policy discussions and responses on migration, mobility and security. It provides a synthesised selection of recommendations in these domains resulting from the research conducted by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Section of the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) during the last nine years of work. This Policy Brief argues that for the EU’s Global Approach to Migration to be able to satisfactorily address its unfinished elements and policy incoherencies, the Union needs to devise and develop common policy strategies focused on: first, new enforcement and independent evaluation mechanisms on the implementation of the European law on free movement, borders and migration, and the compatibility of EU member states and EU agencies’ actions with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. And second, the development of a kind of cooperation (dialogue) with third states that goes beyond security-centred priorities and that is solidly based on facilitating human mobility, consolidating fundamental rights and the general principles of the rule of law upon which the EU legal system is founded

Mandatory audit firm rotation in Spain: a policy that was never applied

In recent international debates on auditing regulation, Spain has assumed a real prominence as a claimed practical example of where a policy of mandatory audit firm rotation did not work and was duly abolished. This study provides an analysis of the implementation and removal of such policy in Spain. Using the evidence provided by congressional hearings, financial newspapers and other documents we demonstrate that at no stage was mandatory rotation of audit firms ever enforced on Spanish auditors.Auditing regulation, Auditor independence, Mandatory audit firm rotation

The Bank Lending Channel in Peru: evidence and transmission mechanism

In the past ten years the Peruvian economy has experienced important structural changes regarding monetary policy. This document focuses on the bank lending channel as part of the transmission process to macroeconomic activity in the Peruvian economy based on Bernanke, Gertler, and Gilchrist (1996) flight-to-quality argument. The purpose of this work is to identify the bank lending channel (using bank level data), and test its relevance for understanding the transmission to economic activity by comparing monetary policy effects under two scenarios; with and without a bank lending channel (using structural autoregressive vectors). As in Gambacorta (2005), I consider a sample period in which a policy variable can capture the monetary policy stance of the central bank. For the case of Peru, I conclude that the bank lending channel has operated but this channel is not important for identifying the transmission process from monetary policy to macroeconomic activity.Monetary policy transmission, Bank lending channel, flight-to-quality, panel of banks

Estimating Information Rigidity using Firms’ Survey Data

The slope of the sticky information Phillips curve proposed by Mankiw and Reis (2002) is based on the degree of information rigidity on the part of firms. Carroll (2003) uses an epidemiology model of expectations and finds evidence for the U.S. of a one-year lag in the transmission of information from professional forecasters to households. Using financial institutions‟ and firms‟ survey data from Peru and the model proposed by Carroll, I estimate the degree of information rigidity for the Peruvian economy. This paper also considers heterogeneous responses and explores the cross-sectional dimension of these survey forecasts. I find that the degree of information stickiness is such that it takes between one and three quarters for updating information, a result that is robust to different specifications.Inflation expectations, Heterogeneous expectations, Survey expectations, Epidemiology, Sticky Information

The Malta declaration on SAR and relocation: A predictable EU solidarity mechanism? CEPS Policy Insights No 2019-14/October 2019

The joint declaration of intent signed at the informal summit between the interior ministers of Italy, Malta, France and Germany in La Valletta on 23 September 2019 (the ‘Malta declaration’) has been presented as a milestone in addressing controversies over Search and Rescue (SAR) and disembarkation of asylum seekers and migrants in the Mediterranean. This Policy Insight provides a critical analysis of the declaration, questioning its added value in ensuring a predictable EU solidarity mechanism in the Mediterranean. It underlines how the intergovernmental and extra-EU Treaty character of this initiative raises a number of concerns regarding its compliance with EU Treaties and principles such as the one of equal solidarity and fair responsibility sharing for asylum seekers among all member states