DOES TRANSPARENCY PAY OFF FOR GREEN BOND ISSUERS? EVIDENCE FROM EU STATE AGENCIES’ GREEN BONDS

This paper investigates the impact of transparent allocation of proceeds on green bonds’ yields, providing insights to green bonds’ issuers for optimizing their financing terms. Using data from the EU state agencies’ green bond market, we applied a Prais-Winsten regression model with correlated panels corrected standard errors and common AR(1) to estimate the relationship between green bonds’ yields and various factors, including the transparency of proceeds. Transparent allocation of proceeds has a negative effect on green bonds’ yields, confirming that investors require lower returns when they are well-informed about a bond’s environmental goals. Additionally, higher credit ratings, and shorter remaining maturity are associated with lower green bonds’ yields. Transparent use of proceeds significantly influences green bonds’ yields, demonstrating that specifying the use of bond proceeds for environmentally friendly projects can lead to more favorable financing terms. Future research direction should provide additional classification of the green bonds’ transparency

The usage of 3D printing in the analysis of the product design: Case: Electronic enclosure of compact pressure transmitter

Aditivna proizvodnja uključuje izradu proizvoda složene geometrije u relativno malim količinama, kao i izradu alata i kalupa za masovnu proizvodnju. Aditivnom proizvodnjom realizuju se modeli prema digitalnom prikazu, a primena je ogromna u različitim industrijskim sektorima. U poređenju sa tradicionalnom proizvodnjom, glavni parametri u odabiru aditivne tehnologije su: ušteda energije, smanjenje otpada, smanjenje upotrebe većeg broja alata, kao i optimizacija dizajna. Aditivna proizvodnja ili tehnologija 3D štampe rade na principu dodavanja materijala u slojevima, tj. model se formira od slojeva rastopljenog materijala koji se odmah hladi i očvršćava. 3D štampa omogućava čestu i jednostavnu modifikaciju modela na zahtev kupca, a pre ulaska modela u samu proizvodnju. Ovo čini komunikaciju na relaciji proizvođač-kupac dosta jednostavnom. Polazni materijal za izradu modela je polilaktična kiselina (PLA). To je ekološki termoplastični poliester koji se prirodno razgrađuje u prirodi. Na mehaničke karakteristike realizovanog modela od PLA značajno utiču različite tehnološke promenljive kao što su: prečnik brizgaljke, debljina definisanog sloja, procentualna vrednost ispune, veličina uzorka koji se puni, brzina punjenja i temperatura proizvodnje. Cilj ovog rada je da se prikaže postupak realizacije kutije elektronike za malogabaritni transmiter pritiska na 3D štampaču. Time se projektantu daje mogućnost da ispravi postojeće greške, modifikuje proizvod prema zahtevima krajnjih korisnika i na kraju daje polazna osnova za realizaciju prototipa novog proizvoda.Additive manufacturing involves manufacturing of products with complex geometry in relatively small quantities, as well as the tools and molds manufacturing for mass production. With additive manufacturing, digital models are being realized and implementation is huge in various industrial sectors. Compared to traditional manufacturing, the main parameters in the choice of additive technology are: energy savings, waste reduction, reduced use of more tools and optimization of design. Additive manufacturing or 3D printing technology works on the principle of adding material in layers, i.e. the model is formed from layers of molten material that is immediately cooled and solidified. 3D printing allows to work with customers to solve design problems before embarking on a launch production. The starting material for the model is polyactic acid (PLA). It is an eco-friendly thermoplastic polyester, that breaks down naturally. The mechanical characteristics of the realized PLA model are significantly influenced by various technological variables, such as following: nozzle diameter, thickness of defined layer, percentage of fill, sample size to be filled, filling rate and production temperature. The aim of this paper is to present the process of realization of an electronics enclosure for a compact pressure transmitter on a 3D printer. This gives the designer the possibility to correct existing errors, modify the product according to the wishes of the end users and finally provides a starting point for the prototype of new product

The usage of 3D printing in the analysis of the product design: Case – Electronic enclosure of compact pressure transmitter

Aditivna proizvodnja uključuje izradu proizvoda složene geometrije u relativno malim količinama, kao i izradu alata i kalupa za masovnu proizvodnju. Aditivnom proizovnjom realizuju se modeli prema digitalnom prikazu, a primena je ogromna u različitim industrijskim sektorima. U poređenju sa tradicionalnom proizvodnjom, glavni parametri u odabiru aditivne tehnologije su: ušteda energije, smanjenje otpada, smanjenje upotrebe većeg broja alata, kao i optimizacija dizajna. Aditivna proizvodnja ili tehnologija 3D štampe rade na principu dodavanja materijala u slojevima, tj. model se formira od slojeva rastopljenog materijala koji se odmah hladi i očvršćava. 3D štampa omogućava čestu i jednostavnu modifikaciju modela na zahtev kupca, a pre ulaska modela u samu proizvodnju. Ovo čini komunikaciju na relaciji proizvođač-kupac dosta jednostavnom. Polazni materijal za izradu modela je polilaktična kiselina (PLA). To je ekološki termoplastični poliester koji se prirodno razgrađuje u prirodi. Na mehaničke karakteristike realizovanog modela od PLA značajno utiču različite tehnološke promenljive kao što su: prečnik brizgaljke, debljina definisanog sloja, procentualna vrednost ispune, veličina uzorka koji se puni, brzina punjenja i temperatura proizvodnje. Cilj ovog rada je da se prikaže postupak realizacije kutije elektronike za malogabaritni transmiter pritiska na 3D štampaču. Time se projektantu daje mogućnost da ispravi postojeće greške, modifikuje proizvod prema zahterima krajnjih korisnika i na kraju daje polazna osnova za realizaciju prototipa novog proizvoda.Additive manufacturing involves manufacturing of products with complex geometry in relatively small quantities, as well as the tools and molds manufacturing for mass production. With additive manufacturing, digital models are being realized and implementation is huge in various industrial sectors. Compared to traditional manufacturing, the main parameters in the choice of additive technology are: energy savings, waste reduction, reduced use of more tools and optimization of design. Additive manufacturing or 3D printing technology works on the principle of adding material in layers, i.e. the model is formed from layers of molten material that is immediately cooled and solidified. 3D printing allows to work with customers to solve design problems before embarking on a launch production. The starting material for the model is polyactic acid (PLA). It is an eco-friendly thermoplastic polyester, that breaks down naturally. The mechanical characteristics of the realized PLA model are significantly influenced by various technological variables, such as following: nozzle diameter, thickness of defined layer, percentage of fill, sample size to be filled, filling rate and production temperature. The aim of this paper is to present the process of realization of an electronics enclosure for a compact pressure transmitter on a 3D printer. This gives the designer the possibility to correct existing errors, modify the product according to the wishes of the end users and finally provides a starting point for the prototype of new product

The Impact of EU Norms and Policies on Consumer Protection Enforcement in Serbia

Pursuant to its 2008 Stabilization and Association Agreement governing the process of EU integration, Serbia is obliged to align its consumer protection standards (including those related to enforcement) with those of the EU. This article considers the overall approach to enforcement of consumer law in Serbia, focussing in particular on the extent to which EU enforcement principles have been successfully exported to Serbia and whether the goals of EU consumer policy have been achieved. It argues that the incorporation of EU norms has brought fundamental changes to Serbian enforcement mechanisms at a formal level, such as in relation to mediation processes as well as the introduction of injunctions for the protection of collective consumer interests. In practice, however, the impact of this incorporation is quite limited. A number of factors that restrict the practical effectiveness of the mediation processes and injunctions required by EU law are explored in the article, including weak sanctions, excessive reliance on poorly resourced consumer organizations, absence of a business culture of compliance or a sophisticated and determined consumer protection enforcement culture sufficiently grounded in expertise, as well as an overarching political, legislative, and institutional instability. These factors also undermine the general aim of EU policy to achieve effective consumer protection enforcement in the Serbian context

Hybrid Nanoscale Materials for Convergent Technologies

The convergence of nano-, bio-, and information technologies is based on the understanding of complex hierarchical structures and systems, as well as on the material unity at the nanoscale and on technology integration from that scale. A growing interest in these technologies is a result of their potential to provide solutions to numerous societal challenges, such as advanced healthcare, environmental remediation, sustainable development, and adoption of cyber-physical systems based on the Internet of Things and the Internet of Systems. Taking into account that hybrid nanomaterials possess extraordinary physical and chemical properties derived from their size in the nanoscale, the aim of this work is to present the connection between processing parameters and multifunctional properties of nano scale hybrid materials, focusing on the study of ceramic-polymer structures before they can be nano-engineered into functional devices. The unique functionality of these nanostructures has enabled their applications in numerous devices such as: micro and nano-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), sensors, microactuators, surface acoustic wave devices, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, switches, thermistors, resonators and filters, electrooptic devices, etc. In this study special attention has been paid to their applications in the fields of electronics, biotechnology, environmental protection and remediation

Hybrid Nanoscale Materials for Convergent Technologies

The convergence of nano-, bio-, and information technologies is based on the understanding of complex hierarchical structures and systems, as well as on the material unity at the nanoscale and on technology integration from that scale. A growing interest in these technologies is a result of their potential to provide solutions to numerous societal challenges, such as advanced healthcare, environmental remediation, sustainable development, and adoption of cyber-physical systems based on the Internet of Things and the Internet of Systems. Taking into account that hybrid nanomaterials possess extraordinary physical and chemical properties derived from their size in the nanoscale, the aim of this work is to present the connection between processing parameters and multifunctional properties of nano scale hybrid materials, focusing on the study of ceramic-polymer structures before they can be nano-engineered into functional devices. The unique functionality of these nanostructures has enabled their applications in numerous devices such as: micro and nano-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), sensors, microactuators, surface acoustic wave devices, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, switches, thermistors, resonators and filters, electrooptic devices, etc. In this study special attention has been paid to their applications in the fields of electronics, biotechnology, environmental protection and remediation

Galectin-1 Is Part of Human Trophoblast Invasion Machinery - A Functional Study In Vitro

Interactions of glycoconjugates with endogenous galectins, have been long proposed to participate in several reproductive processes including implantation. In human placenta gal-1, gal-3, gal-8, and gal-13 proteins are known to be present. Each of them has been proposed to play multiple functions, but so far no clear picture has emerged. We hypothesized that gal-1 participates in trophoblast invasion, and conducted Matrigel invasion assay using isolated cytotrophoblast from first trimester placenta and HTR-8/SVneo cell line to test it.<0.001) by Ox-gal-1 at 1 µg/ml. Both sets of results confirmed involvement of gal-1 in trophoblast invasion. Galectin profile of isolated cytotrophoblast and HTR-8/SVneo cells was established using RT-PCR and real-time PCR and found to consist of gal-1, gal-3 and gal-8 for both cell types. Only gal-1 was located at the trophoblast cell membrane, as determined by FACS analysis, which is consistent with the results of the functional tests.These findings qualify gal-1 as a member of human trophoblast cell invasion machinery

Vulnerability to natural disasters in Serbia: spatial and temporal comparison

The frequency of natural disasters and the extent of their consequences at a global level are constantly increasing. This trend is partially caused by increased population vulnerability, which implies the degree of population vulnerability due to high magnitude natural processes. This paper presents an analysis of vulnerability to natural disaster in Serbia in the second half of the twentieth and the early twenty-first century. Vulnerability changes were traced on the basis of demographic–economic indicators derived from statistical data for local government units (municipalities) provided by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Calculations were performed in the geographical information system environment. The results of the study show that spatial and temporal vulnerability variations are causally correlated with changes in the selected components. Significant rise of vulnerability is related to urban areas, while lower values are characteristic for other areas of Serbia; this is primarily a consequence of different population density