Shareholder engagement for corporate governance in the light of the harmonization and transposition

Purpose: This comparative study holistically assesses the EU harmonization and various transposition strategies embraced by EU member states to implement measures for corporate governance, namely for the sustainable corporate governance. Design/Methodology/Approach: The contribution and the relevant methodology is based on a duality of purposes. They are (i) on a review and analysis of EU harmonization endeavors designed to shape the exercise of shareholders rights and specifically encouraging a longterm shareholder engagement as the vehicle to increase corporate social responsibility (CSR) and (ii) on a pioneering critical comparative Meta-analysis of selected transposition strategies and their potential to testify about the genuiness of the underlying commitment. Findings: Based on the holistically implied arguments and yielded results, it is proposed that, despite rather clear EU harmonization measures, there are dramatic differences in transposition strategies testifying about deep differences in the approach to corporate governance and CSR across the EU. Practical implications: Based on addressing its dual purposes, this study sheds a new light on the perception and attitude to the corporate governance, shareholder long-term engagement, CSR and their framework in the EU. This leads to a set of recommendations to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the current harmonization endeavors. Originality/Value: Although this study organically builds upon recent studies about corporate governance and CSR, it brings a pioneering comparative assessment of transposition strategies and an innovative idea to use it as a well founded instrument to understand and appreciate the harmonization potential in this field and to improve it.peer-reviewe

The Alcohol Concern SMART recovery pilot project: final evaluation report

Evaluation of the Alcohol Concern/SMART Recovery (Self Mangement and Recovery Training) pilot project. The pilot project ran in England from 2008-2010 and was funded by the Department of Health

Effect of HINS light on the contraction of fibroblast populated collagen lattices

High intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) light has been shown to have bactericidal effects on a range of medically important bacteria[1]. HINS technology could potentially be useful as a method for disinfecting medical implants, tissue engineered constructs and wounds. The fibroblast populated collagen lattice (FPCL) was used as an in vitro model to investigate the effect of HINS light on the wound contraction phase of wound healing

Pion-pion scattering and the diffractive production of nucleon resonances

The physics related to two aspects of the π N → π π N reaction is studied. We first consider the imposition of the constraints of analyticity, unitarity and, in particular, crossing, on the pion-pion scattering amplitudes, as extracted from studies of the low dipion mass kinematic region of the π N → π π N reaction. The application of the Roy equations to pion-pion scattering is discussed, then physical region crossing sum rules are systematically derived and applied, in conjunction with finite energy sum rules, to obtain information on the asymptotic pion-pion scattering amplitudes. The amplitudes are found to be well described in terms of Regge and pomeron exchange, with rho-f strong exchange degeneracy broken and an asymptotic total cross section for pion-pion scattering rather smaller than that expected from naive factorization arguments. Other evidence for a small meson-meson scattering asymptotic total cross section is collected, and possible explanations for the apparent failure of the pomeron to factorize are discussed. The second part of this thesis deals with diffraction dissociation processes. We discuss how the Deck-Drell-Hiida mechanism, in conjunction with the diffractive production, and subsequent decay, of resonances provides a good qualitative explanation of many of the features of inelastic diffractive scattering. Detailed data on the angular distributions of the diffractively produced pion-nucleon system in the 16 GeV. π N → π π N reaction are then interpreted quantitatively in terms of a simple model based on the above ideas, with full account taken of spin and interference effects. Information is obtained on the pomeron couplings, and the high energy t channel isospin zero pion-pion scattering amplitude, directly determined, is found to be consistent with the sum rule calculation results and a small asymptotic pion-pion scattering total cross section

A Computer Aided Method for Preliminary Design of SWATH Ships

This thesis describes a computer aided method for integrating the preliminary design and hydrodynamic analysis of SWATH ships. A considerable quantity of data for use in the design of these vessels is also provided. The thesis begins with a brief outline of the development history and the advantages and disadvantages of the SWATH concept. Some difficulties associated with the efficient design and operation of SWATH ships are described. A related need for integrating advances in hydrodynamics with a means of producing balanced designs is identified. A large collection of SWATH design data is presented and analysed. Several well defined expressions relating principal vessel dimensions are identified and proposed as aids in initial design. Current practices in the fields of ship design and computer aided engineering design are reviewed. These aspects are discussed with particular reference to SWATH design. From this background, an approach to the design of SWATH ships with computer assistance is developed. A number of methods for the initial sizing of SWATH ships are developed. These are; a computer database, a mini-synthesis program, a weight equation approach, and manual approaches based on curves relating SWATH size to desired seakeeping characteristics, payload weight and/or volume, deck area and enclosed volume. These are designed to increase the efficiency of more complex synthesis tools. The development and validation of a method for hull definition and associated hydrostatic analysis is described. This is a necessary link between simple geometry definitions and those required for full synthesis including hydrostatics, resistance, seakeeping, and graphics. A family of SWATH designs produced by this tool is introduced as a basis for parametric studies. A review is made of available methods for predicting the resistance of SWATH ships. The integration of these techniques with the synthesis model is described and results of some comparative and parametric studies presented. Methods currently used in preliminary design of propellers for SWATH ships are reviewed and a collection of model test data is presented. The available data is used to develop expressions relating self propulsion factors to basic design parameters. These are integrated with the open water characteristics of Troost B-series propellers in a computer program. A study of the propulsion aspects of a family of typical SWATH designs is presented. The machinery options available to the SWATH designer are considered. A collection of relevant data is provided as a basis for power plant selection and weight estimation, and a computer model to aid in SWATH machinery design is described. Results from studies carried out using this tool are used to illustrate important factors in this aspect of SWATH synthesis. Limiting powers and speeds are identified for a wide range of prime movers and hullforms. A method for estimating SWATH ship structural weight is developed. Design for primary wave loading and slamming impact is considered. The validation of this tool and its use in parametric studies is described. Data is provided to assist in the preliminary arrangement of structure and its weight estimation. A regression analysis performed on a collection of data is used to develop a parametric method for weight estimating. The development of a generalised computer program for estimating the space requirements of escort warships is also described. These weight and space routines are applied to the design of SWATH escort vessels and a strong conflict between space and weight demand is identified. The importance of vehicle density in balancing SWATH designs is illustrated. Some additional systems which provide greater design definition are briefly discussed. In particular, a graphics interface and link with a 3D motions and loading program are described. The use of the SWATH design method is illustrated by means of examples. The application of the procedure to two conceptual SWATH designs for the UK MoD and the design of the first SWATH ship to be constructed in the UK is described

Failures of Steel Parts in Service

Presumably, the matter of failure of metal parts in service would arise very infrequently, in the thousands of years mankind knew how to make use of metals, before the introduction of steam power. There is much evidence, however, that failures bean to occur with distressing frequency from the time steam was applied to marine propulsion, and to railway engines early in the ninetee- nth century. Not that the steam of itself had anything to do with the failures, but its use as a prime mover implies normal working stresses higher than those empl-oyed when man, animal, water, and wind power were the sole means of making machinery go round. Not only were higher stresses used after the introduction of the steam engine, but the intermittent nature of the earlier prime movers would give place to long continued appli-cations of the reversed stresses imposed by a steam drive

Application of analysis techniques for low frequency interior noise and vibration of commercial aircraft

Finite element analysis (FEA), statistical energy analysis (SEA), and a power flow method (computer program PAIN) were used to assess low frequency interior noise associated with advanced propeller installations. FEA and SEA models were used to predict cabin noise and vibration and evaluate suppression concepts for structure-borne noise associated with the shaft rotational frequency and harmonics (less than 100 Hz). SEA and PAIN models were used to predict cabin noise and vibration and evaluate suppression concepts for airborne noise associated with engine radiated propeller tones. Both aft-mounted and wing-mounted propeller configurations were evaluated. Ground vibration test data from a 727 airplane modified to accept a propeller engine were used to compare with predictions for the aft-mounted propeller. Similar data from the 767 airplane was used for the wing-mounted comparisons

Bloodstream form pre-adaptation to the tsetse fly in Trypanosoma brucei

African trypanosomes are sustained in the bloodstream of their mammalian hosts by their extreme capacity for antigenic variation. However, for life cycle progression, trypanosomes also must generate transmission stages called stumpy forms that are pre-adapted to survive when taken up during the bloodmeal of the disease vector, tsetse flies. These stumpy forms are rather different to the proliferative slender forms that maintain the bloodstream parasitaemia. Firstly, they are non proliferative and morphologically distinct, secondly, they show particular sensitivity to environmental cues that signal entry to the tsetse fly and, thirdly, they are relatively robust such that they survive the changes in temperature, pH and proteolytic environment encountered within the tsetse midgut. These characteristics require regulated changes in gene expression to pre-adapt the parasite and the use of environmental sensing mechanisms, both of which allow the rapid initiation of differentiation to tsetse midgut procyclic forms upon transmission. Interestingly, the generation of stumpy forms is also regulated and periodic in the mammalian blood, this being governed by a density-sensing mechanism whereby a parasite-derived signal drives cell cycle arrest and cellular development both to optimise transmission and to prevent uncontrolled parasite multiplication overwhelming the host.In this review we detail recent developments in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underpin the production of stumpy forms in the mammalian bloodstream and their signal perception pathways both in the mammalian bloodstream and upon entry into the tsetse fly. These discoveries are discussed in the context of conserved eukaryotic signalling and differentiation mechanisms. Further, their potential to act as targets for therapeutic strategies that disrupt parasite development either in the mammalian bloodstream or upon their transmission to tsetse flies is also discussed