Does corporate debt help predict troubles? : an empirical analysis of recession forecasting

This thesis examines whether debt of non-financial corporates in relation to GDP serves as a predictor for recessions in European countries. For this purpose, I set up a logit regression model to measure the impact of up to eight lags of change in non-financial corporate debt-to-GDP. In order to assess the predictive power of the estimated model, the AUROC-method is used, which has experienced rising popularity among researchers. Applying the model to panel data of 10 European countries and including country fixed effects, the results suggest that non-financial corporate debt delivers useful warning sig- nals for upcoming recessions. Corporate debt shows similar, albeit weaker, performance when combined with variables that in previous studies proved to be good predictors for recessions. Finally, some indications for an influence of corporate debt on the severity of a recession are found, although results are inconclusive.Tobias EppacherUniversity of Innsbruck, Diplomarbeit, 2019(VLID)457371

Generative scripting and form-finding in space grid systems

This paper reports on research undertaken during preparation of a competition entry for a new roof structure at Zurich International Airport. Using MicroStation Generative Components and Maya dynamic scripting (MEL), the structure attempts to address traditional modernist concepts of openness, lightness and legibility of the flow of forces, whilst utilising parametric design to generate a randomised space frame structure. The resulting roof is presented as an architectural proposal in its physical context. Furthermore, the paper suggests the introduction of threshold levels and selective form finding routines within the script, which, if combined with rapid prototyping techniques for instant evaluation and mutation purposes, explore the possibility of a widened conceptual approach towards structural design

Formaldehyde—A Key Monad of the Biomolecular System

Experiments will be presented and reviewed to support the hypothesis that the intrinsic reactivity of formaldehyde may lead to the formation of a rather comprehensive set of defined biomolecules, including D-glucose, thus fostering concepts of evolution considering the existence of a premetabolic system as a primordial step in the generation of life