A Multiple Criteria Framework to Evaluate Bank Branch Potential Attractiveness

Remarkable progress has occurred over the years in the performance evaluation of bank branches. Even though financial measures are usually considered the most important in assessing branch viability, we posit that insufficient attention has been given to other factors that affect the branches’ potential profitability and attractiveness. Based on the integrated used of cognitive maps and MCDA techniques, we propose a framework that adds value to the way that potential attractiveness criteria to assess bank branches are selected and to the way that the trade-offs between those criteria are obtained. This framework is the result of a process involving several directors from the five largest banks operating in Portugal, and follows a constructivist approach. Our findings suggest that the use of cognitive maps systematically identifies previously omitted criteria that may assess potential attractiveness. The use of MCDA techniques may clarify and add transparency to the way trade-offs are dealt with. Advantages and disadvantages of the proposed framework are also discussed.

Effects of dual-task interventions on gait performance of patients with parkinson’s disease: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms that impair patients’ gait performance, especially while performing dual/concurrent tasks. These deficits impair patients’ daily function, because dual-tasking is a crucial ability in terms of everyday living. The aim of this study was to systematically review the effects of dual task interventions on gait performance of patients with Parkinson’s disease. METHOD: Studies were retrieved from MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS and SciELO. We used the PICOS strategy to determine eligibility criteria. The search strategy included an advanced search on the included databases, using the following search query: “Parkinson’s Disease” AND “Double Task” OR “Concurrent Tasks” OR “Gait” AND “Walk”. Study selection was carried out by two independent researchers and a third one was called when consensus was needed. RESULTS: A total of 188 articles were identified: 169 articles from Medline/PubMed, 10 articles in SciELO, 8 articles in LILACS and 1 item from manual searches. A total of 56 articles were analyzed regarding the eligibility and exclusion criteria based on full text. A final total of 7 studies were included in the systematic review. CONCLUSION: The different types of dual-task interventions reported (dance, sound stimuli, visual and somatosensory) were associated to improvements in several gait performance indicators of Parkinson’s disease patients, including gait speed, stride time and length, cadence and step length. External stimuli seem to play a critical role on specific training effects on dual-task gait performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

How to create indices for bank branch financial performance measurement using MCDA techniques: an illustrative example

Most banks have been negatively affected by the recent economic recession, which has forced them to evaluate their operating performance including the financial performance of bank branches. Approaches that have been applied to address the financial performance evaluation of bank branches include: optimization techniques, simulations, stochastic tools, fuzzy logics and decision support systems. Although recent improvements have been made in assessing financial performance, the potential for significant further improvement remains since the recent world economic crisis is adding pressure on business margins. The purpose of this paper is to construct an exemplificative evaluation index for bank branch financial performance by integrating cognitive maps with measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique. We aim to apply this methodology constructively to serve as a learning mechanism and introduce transparency in the decision making process. Practical applications, strengths and weaknesses of the proposed evaluation index are also discussed

Mechanical characterization of different epoxy resins enhanced with carbon nanofibers

Epoxy with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are effective nano enhanced materials that can be prepared by easy and low-cost method. The present paper compares the improvements, in terms of flexural and viscoelastic properties, of two epoxy resins reinforced with different weight percentages (wt.%) of CNFs. These epoxy resins have different viscosities, and weight contents between 0% and 1% of CNFs were used to achieve the maximum mechanical properties. Subsequently, for the best configurations obtained, the sensitivity to the strain rate and the viscoelastic behaviour (stress relaxation and creep) were analysed based on international standards. It was possible to conclude that, for both resins, carbon CNFs promote significant improvements in all the studied mechanical properties, even for different contents by weight.   &nbsp

Adding Value to Bank Branch Performance Evaluation Using Cognitive Maps and MCDA: A Case Study

The performance evaluation of bank branches is a difficult task. One of the main reasons for this difficulty is the complexity inherent in the variety of aspects to be considered in the evaluation, and the multiple and conflicting interests of the different stakeholders involved. In this paper we aim to show how cognitive mapping and the MACBETH approach can be used to support the evaluation of bank branches through the development of multidimensional performance evaluation systems, and to deal explicitly with the trade-offs between the different dimensions of performance and interests of different stakeholders. A case study is discussed where these techniques are used in a constructive way, making the learning activity easier and introducing transparency in the decision making process. The strengths and weaknesses of the integrated use of these two operational research techniques in this context are also discussed.

Aplicação exploratória de análise multicritério para representação municipal da susceptibilidade a cheias rápidas em Portugal continental

[...] Este estudo descreve uma metodologia exploratória de avaliação de susceptibilidade a cheias rápidas para Portugal Continental, adotando uma abordagem multicritério, a partir de um conjunto de 9 fatores condicionantes, definidos ao município: escoamento acumulado, hierarquia fluvial de Strahler, rugosidade, declive, depósitos aluvionares, grau de impermeabilização, litologia de elevada permeabilidade, Landform Classification e escoamento anual. A atribuição do peso de cada fator baseou-se em Análise Hierárquica de Processos (AHP) [...]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação da vulnerabilidade natural de aquíferos cársticos: subsídios para uma gestão dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos (TEXTO DIDÁTICO)

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo discutir as representações cartográficas da vulnerabilidade como instrumento importante para a gestão dos recursos hídricos em ambientes cársticos. Para tanto, serão abordados alguns conceitos de vulnerabilidade natural de aqüíferos e os meios de análises necessários para definir seus parâmetros. O conhecimento da dinâmica hidrogeológica em aqüíferos cársticos é de fundamental importância para se analisar o grau de sensibilidade desse sistema, bem como identificar as fontes potenciais de poluição. Dessa forma, o desenvolvimento de técnicas de mapeamento da vulnerabilidade natural das águas subterrâneas tem-se mostrado como um caminho seguro para o gerenciamento desses recursos hídricos

Toxocaríase humana: contribuição dos pesquisadores brasileiros

São abordados os principais aspectos da história natural da infecção humana por larvas de Toxocara que pode resultar na ocorrência da síndrome de larva migrans visceral e/ou ocular. Deu-se destaque, principalmente, à contribuição de pesquisadores brasileiros e, em especial, aos pertencentes ao quadro do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo.In the present paper the main aspects of the natural history of human infection by Toxocara larvae that occasionally result in the occurrence of visceral and/or ocular larva migrans syndrome were reviewed. The contribution by Brazilian researchers was emphasized, especially the staff of the Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo (IMT)