Situating Middle East and North Africa (MENA) capital markets within the emerging markets universe

The objective of this paper is to situate the MENA area within the emerging markets universe. We first discuss the various components of market emergence and generate four bootstrapped indexes reflecting market size, market activity, market pricing and transparency. We then draw inter-regional and country-level comparisons using a probit model and a hierarchical cluster analysis. Our results suggest that in spite of intra-regional heterogeneity, the MENA region ranks favorably by comparison to Latin America and Eastern Europe. We can therefore expect greater international financial integration of the MENA region in the near future.Common Agricultural Policy, World Trade Organizations, Trade Negotiations.

Element abundances in the stars of the MILES spectral library: the Mg/Fe ratio

We have obtained [Mg/Fe] measurements for 76.3 per cent of the stars in the Mid-resolution Isaac Newton Telescope Library of Empirical Spectra (MILES) spectral library used for understanding stellar atmospheres and stellar populations in galaxies and star clusters. These abundance ratios were obtained through (1) a compilation of values from the literature using abundances from high-resolution (HR) spectroscopic studies and (2) a robust spectroscopic analysis using the MILES mid-resolution (MR) optical spectra. All the [Mg/Fe] values were carefully calibrated to a single uniform scale, by using an extensive control sample with results from HR spectra. The small average uncertainties in the calibrated [Mg/Fe] values [respectively 0.09 and 0.12 dex with methods (1) and (2)] and the good coverage of the stars with [Mg/Fe] over stellar atmospheric parameter space of the library will permit the building of new simple stellar populations (SSPs) with empirical α-enhancements. These will be available for a range of [Mg/Fe], including both sub-solar and super-solar values, and for several metallicities and ages. These models will open up new prospects for testing and applications of evolutionary stellar population synthesis

Modeling the adsorption of benzeneacetic acid on CaO2 nanoparticles using artificial neural network

AbstractThe present work reported a method for removal of benzeneacetic acid from water solution using CaO2 nanoparticle as adsorbent and modeling the adsorption process using artificial neural network (ANN). CaO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical precipitation technique. The characterization and confirmation of nanoparticles have been done by using different techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope (HR-FESEM),transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) analysis. ANN model was developed by using elite-ANN software. The network was trained using experimental data at optimum temperature and time with different CaO2 nanoparticle dosage (0.002–0.05 g) and initial benzeneacetic acid concentration (0.03–0.099 mol/L). Root mean square error (RMS) of 3.432, average percentage error (APE) of 5.813 and coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.989 were found for prediction and modeling of benzeneacetic acid removal. The trained artificial neural network is employed to predict the output of the given set of input parameters. The single-stage batch adsorber design of the adsorption of benzeneacetic acid onto CaO2 nanoparticles has been studied with well fitted Langmuir isotherm equation which is homogeneous and has monolayer sorption capacity

Transforming toxic debates towards European futures: Technological disruption, societal fragmentation, and enlightenment 2.0

Online toxicity refers to a spectrum of problematic communicative phenomena that unfold in various ways on social media platforms. Most of the current efforts to contain it focus on computational techniques to detect online toxicity and build a regulatory architecture. In this paper, we highlight the importance of focusing on the social phenomena of toxicity, and particularly, exploring the public understanding and future imaginaries of toxic debates. To explore how users construe online toxicity and envisage the future of online discussions, we examine 41 scenarios produced by European experts from the field of technology and culture. Through a content analysis informed by a narrative approach and insights from futures studies, we identify three myths that characterize the future scenarios: technological disruption, societal fragmentation, and digital Enlightenment. After a discussion of their relations, we conclude by stressing the importance of platform transparency and user empowerment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Towards Better Sharing of Cultural Heritage -- An Agenda for Copyright Reform

This paper is intended to act as a pillar and reference point for CC's advocacy work in copyright reform in the cultural heritage context, with a focus on issues arising in the digital environment. It may serve to support members of the CC community in their own advocacy efforts, guide policymakers in their legislative processes, and inform anyone interested in the policy issues gravitating around access and reuse of culture and cultural heritage. It will likely be adapted into a GLAM Guide for Policymakers and will be augmented with real-life examples, case studies and practical advice.It starts with an overview of copyright challenges to the legitimate activities of GLAMs, notably preservation (largely through digitization) and sharing of digital and digitized content images and data for access, use and reuse. It also notes copyright's chilling effects in the face of the GLAM sector's general risk aversion. The paper then offers insights towards effective copyright reform addressing those challenges, with a focus on the opportunities related to the digital environment. The proposals for reform aim to create legal certainty and international harmonization as well as to facilitate cross-border transactions.The paper encourages policymakers to recognize and support the pivotal roles of GLAMs in preserving and providing access to knowledge and culture to all members of society. It urges policymakers to engage with stakeholders to ensure there are clear, simple, and effective policies in place to support better sharing of cultural heritage in the public interest.The paper provides a high-level overview of the policy issues and, as a whole, it does not necessarily reflect the current situation in any specific jurisdiction.

O Papel dos Adjuvantes de Óleo Vegetal na Promoção da Sustentabilidade na Agricultura

Abstract: Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different adjuvants in the application of desiccants in soybeans. The experiment was conducted in two locations: in the rural district of São João, municipality of Cascavel, and in the municipality of Braganey. Seed weight, moisture percentage, and seed impurities were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were compared using the Tukey test at 5% significance level. The results showed that the vegetable adjuvant based on soybean oil meets the requirements of others present in the market. Keywords: Sustainability. Desiccants. Glycine max. Oil.Resumen: De esta manera, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de diferentes adyuvantes en la aplicación de desecantes en la soja. El experimento se realizó en dos localidades: en el distrito rural de São João, municipio de Cascavel, y en el municipio de Braganey. Se evaluaron el peso de las semillas, el porcentaje de humedad y de impurezas de las semillas. Los datos se sometieron a análisis de varianza y las medias se compararon mediante la prueba de Tukey al 5% de significancia. Los resultados demostraron que el adyuvante vegetal a base de aceite de soja cumple con los requisitos de los demás presentes en el mercado. Palabras clave: Sostenibilidad. Desecantes. Glycine max. Aceite.Résumé : Ainsi, le présent travail avait pour objectif d'évaluer l'effet de différents adjuvants dans l'application de dessiccants sur le soja. L'expérience a été menée dans deux localités : dans le district rural de São João, dans la municipalité de Cascavel, et dans la municipalité de Braganey. Le poids des graines, le pourcentage d'humidité et d'impuretés des graines ont été évalués. Les données ont été soumises à une analyse de variance et les moyennes ont été comparées par le test de Tukey à 5 % de signification. Les résultats ont montré que l'adjuvant végétal à base d'huile de soja répond aux exigences des autres présents sur le marché. Mots-clés : Durabilité. Dessiccants. Glycine max. Huile.Resumo: A utilização do óleo de soja como adjuvante na solução dessecante destaca-se como uma prática agrícola sustentável devido aos seus inúmeros benefícios ambientais. Além de aumentar a eficácia dos herbicidas, o óleo de soja fornece uma fonte renovável e biodegradável, contrastando positivamente com os adjuvantes sintéticos à base de petróleo, reduzindo assim a poluição e a dependência de recursos não renováveis. A melhor aderência do herbicida às folhas das ervas daninhas permite dosagens químicas mais baixas, reduzindo assim o impacto nos ecossistemas e na saúde humana. Além disso, o fornecimento local de óleo de soja em muitas regiões agrícolas diminui ainda mais as emissões de carbono associadas ao transporte, reforçando as economias regionais. Consequentemente, a sua adopção pelos agricultores não só otimiza a eficácia dos herbicidas, mas também demonstra um compromisso genuíno com a sustentabilidade ecológica e econômica. Desta maneira o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes adjuvantes em aplicação com dessecantes na soja. O experimento foi realizado em duas localidades; no distrito rural de São João, município de Cascavel e no município de Braganey.  Foram avaliados o peso das sementes, porcentagem de umidades e de impurezas das sementes. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Os resultados demonstraram que o adjuvante vegetal a base de óleo de soja, atende os requisitos dos demais presente no mercado. Palavras-Chave: Sustentabilidade. Dessecantes. Glycine max Óleo