Impacts of flood hazards on small and medium companies:strategies for property level protection and business continuity

Worldwide floods have become one of the costliest weather-related hazards, causing large-scale human, economic, and environmental damage during the recent past. Recent years have seen a large number of such flood events around the globe, with Europe and the United Kingdom being no exception. Currently, about one in six properties in England is at risk of flooding (EA, 2009), and the risk is expected to further increase in the future (Evans et al., 2004). Although public spending on community-level flood protection has increased and some properties are protected by such protection schemes, many properties at risk of flooding may still be left without adequate protection. As far as businesses are concerned, this has led to an increased need for implementing strategies for property-level flood protection and business continuity, in order to improve their capacity to survive a flood hazard. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute a significant portion of the UK business community. In the United Kingdom, more than 99% of private sector enterprises fall within the category of SMEs (BERR, 2008). They account for more than half of employment creation (59%) and turnover generation (52%) (BERR, 2008), and are thus considered the backbone of the UK economy. However, they are often affected disproportionately by natural hazards when compared with their larger counterparts (Tierney and Dahlhamer, 1996; Webb, Tierney, and Dahlhamer, 2000; Alesch et al., 2001) due to their increased vulnerability. Previous research reveals that small businesses are not adequately prepared to cope with the risk of natural hazards and to recover following such events (Tierney and Dahlhamer, 1996; Alesch et al., 2001; Yoshida and Deyle, 2005; Crichton, 2006; Dlugolecki, 2008). For instance, 90% of small businesses do not have adequate insurance coverage for their property (AXA Insurance UK, 2008) and only about 30% have a business continuity plan (Woodman, 2008). Not being adequately protected by community-level flood protection measures as well as property- and business-level protection measures threatens the survival of SMEs, especially those located in flood risk areas. This chapter discusses the potential effects of flood hazards on SMEs and the coping strategies that the SMEs can undertake to ensure the continuity of their business activities amid flood events. It contextualizes this discussion within a survey conducted under the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded research project entitled “Community Resilience to Extreme Weather — CREW”.

Solid biofuel production by mechanical pre-treatment of brewers' spent grain

The brewing industry produces large amounts of by-products and wastes like brewers' spent grain (BSG). In Germany, each year approximately 2.1 million tonnes of BSG are generated. During the last years conventional routes of BSG utilization face a remarkable change, such as the decline in the demand as animal feed. Due to its high content of organic matter energetic utilization may create an additional economic value for breweries. Furthermore, in the recent past breweries tend to shift their energy supply towards more sustainable concepts. Although, a decent number of research projects were carried out already, still no mature strategy is available. However, one possible solution can be the mechanical pretreatment of BSG. This step allows optimized energy utilization by the fractionation of BSG. Due to the transfer of digestible components, such as protein, to the liquid phase, the solid phase will largely consist of combustible components. That represents an opportunity to produce a solid biofuel with lower fuelnitrogen content compared to only thermal dried BSG. Therefore, two main purposes for the mechanical pre-treatment were determined, (1) to reduce the moisture content to at least 60 % (w/w) and (2) to diminish the protein content of the solid phase by 30 %. Moreover, the combustion trials should demonstrate whether stable processes and flue gas emissions within the legal limits in Germany are feasible. The results of the mechanical pre-treatment trials showed that a decrease of the moisture and protein content has been achieved. With regard to the combustion trials inconsistent outcomes were found. On the one hand a stable combustion was realized. On the other hand the legal emission levels of NOx (500 mgm -3) and dust (50 mgm-3) could not be kept during all trials. The further research steps will focus on the optimization of the air/fuel ratio by reducing the primary and secondary air conditions. Copyright © 2014,AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.

Venir de (+ infinitive):an immediate anteriority marker in French

This paper deals with the grammaticalization of venir into aspectual auxiliary of immediate anteriority, against the traditional approach (Gougenheim 1929/1971) according to which venir de + inf., would express recent past and so would be a temporal auxiliary. On the basis of the (revised) Reichenbachian model, it shows that venir de + inf. bears upon the relationship between R and E (aspect) and not on the relationship between R and S (time). This analysis allows explain why venir, in this periphrasis, is defective (i.e. why venir cannot be conjugated in the passé simple or in any compound tense).

Versenyző együttműködés és a turisztikai desztinációk versenyképessége - "Hol volt, hol nem volt...?" (Co-opetition and the competitiveness of touristic destinations - "Where was, where it was not...?")

A versenyző együttműködés (co-opetition) népszerű fogalma számos elméleti alátámasztást nyert a versenyképesség elméleti megközelítéseiben is, így a regionális versenyképesség és a klaszterek elméleti alapvetéseinek területén. Maga a fogalom pedig kifejezetten „divatossá” vált hazánk turizmusában: a közelmúltban kerültek a versenyző együttműködést és a turisztikai versenyképességet szolgáló desztináció-menedzsment szervezetek (Turisztikai Desztináció Menedzsment Szervezetek, TDMSZ a továbbiakban) a turisztikai irányításpolitika és a turisztikai szakma figyelmének középpontjába. Jelen cikkben a szerző célja a versenyző együttműködés és a turisztikai desztinációk versenyképessége közötti elméleti összefüggés feltárása. További cél az elméleti alapvetések primer kutatás során való vizsgálata: az együttműködés mintáinak feltárása a desztinációk szereplői között három (egy hazai és két ausztriai) esettanulmány keretében, a hazai és nemzetközi esetek specifikumainak, valamint a desztinációk fejlettsége miatti kritikus különbségeknek a kimutatása által. / === / The popular term of co-opetition gained theoretical support even in the theoretical approaches of the area of competitiveness, particularly in the field of regional competitiveness and the clusters.The term became rather popular in Hungary: as the tools of destination management and the destination management organizations (DMOs) focusing on the development of co-opetition and competitiveness came to the focus of the Hungarian touristic practice, governmental decisions in the recent past. In this article the author’s aim is to describe the theoretical connections among co-opetition, and the competitiveness of the touristic destinations. Further aim is to analyze the theoretical baselines in primary research, to map the samples of cooperation among the actors of touristic destinations in three case studies (made in one Hungarian, and two Austrian destinations) regarding the topic with regard to Hungarian and international cases, as well as the stage of development.

The Current State of Argentina's Oil Industry

An oil wealthy country, Argentina has repeatedly tried and failed to capitalize on its potential. The unfortunate energy policies of subsequent Argentinean government and a lack of investment capital have been two of the main reasons that have significantly limited the production of export oil in the recent past. Yet, with recent discoveries and changes to the country’s hydrocarbon laws, there may be a new dawn for Argentina’s oil industry. Since 1999 when Argentina’s oil production peaked at approximately 800,000 barrels per day, there has been a 24 percent decrease in its oil output. The country’s oil reserves have also been in steady decline. Yet, the recently enacted reforms by Argentina’s government to incentivize foreign investment in the oil industry seem to be working, allowing investors to negotiate the terms of exploration directly with local governments. As a result, foreign investment is increasing, as well as new willingness to finance exploration of untapped reserves. Also, the discovery of shale oil in Argentina may provide the potential to become a key exporter in the region. Nonetheless, there are challenges that need to be overcome and it may be years before the various oil projects underway become profitable. The success of current oil projects, coupled with the potential of shale oil, new discoveries and the sustainability of the current energy policy reforms will likely determine if Argentina is finally able to fulfill its potential and exert itself as an oil exporter country in Latin America.

Internacionalização de empresas e o fechamento do capital : um estudo sobre a deslistagem no mercado brasileiro

This work contributes to the finance literature proposing to analyze the relationship between the degree of internationalization of Brazilian companies and the likelihood of delisting. Therefore, even though the internationalization as a differential, in the formulation of hypotheses and analysis of the relationship between the variables dealt with concepts and theories within the Corporate Governance, which is already established in theory when it comes to delisting. First, with a view to the theory of internalization, which gives competitive advantages to the company due the adoption internationalization strategy and in parallel to the positive effects that this strategy generates on firms performance, it was formulated an hypothesis that the degree of internationalization would be adversely related to the probability of delisting, mainly due to such benefits generated to the organization. In turn, as an alternative hypothesis of the research, it proposed a positive relationship between these variables, based on agency theory, according to which internationalization would contribute to delisting by increasing geographical separation between shareholders and managers and, consequently, agency conflicts and the difficulty of monitoring. For the achievement of objectives, as well as being included economic and financial variables and GC, it was proposed the analysis of periods of crisis, as the events of recent past of the Brazilian economy. Starting from a base model initially developed by Pour and Lasfer (2013), which later, the proxies of internationalization and crisis have been added also contemplating adjustments to the Brazilian context. The data collected include the period from 2006 to 2014 and information on active and inactive companies at Bovespa. As results, it was found negative significance between the degree of internationalization and the delisting decision, confirming the first hypothesis of the research and stating that the benefits generated by internationalization in the company generate it spreads and results that reduce the probability of delisting. By analyzing the results of control variables was still possible to observe that, even internationalization reducing the likelihood of delisting, by particular aspects of corporate governance in Brazil, such as the high ownership concentration, the benefits it generates contribute to delisting. Regarding the analysis in crisis, the consequences of the crisis of the US subprime in general market were more relevant that the occurrence of itself, unlike the Brazilian internal crisis of 2014, which was statistically significant for the analyzed event. For future researches it is suggested the expansion of database and individual treatment of the reasons adopted by a company when delisting decision.

Hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado : Justicia, identidad y memoria en el movimiento de derechos humanos en Argentina, 1995-2008

Este trabajo analiza la agrupación HIJOS, organismo de derechos humanos conformado por hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado argentino. El objetivo consiste en realizar un estudio de algunas de las características distintivas de este grupo, teniendo en cuenta especialmente sus rupturas y continuidades con respecto a las prácticas dele derechos humanos. Se analiza el surgimiento del grupo, la conformación de su identidad colectiva, su demanda de justicia y la elaboración de relatos acerca del pasado reciente

HIJOS La Plata. Memorias tensionadas. Análisis de los relatos sobre el pasado reciente que elaboran los militantes de HIJOS

El presente trabajo propone mostrar y analizar cómo los integrantes de la agrupación HIJOS La Plata (organismos de derechos humanos conformado por hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado argentino) han construido sus memorias acerca del pasado reciente. Interesan, más específicamente, las maneras en que elaboran relatos referidos al terror estatal llevado a cabo por la última dictadura (1976-1983) y al período de radicalización política inmediatamente anterior. Mientras la memoria humanitaria, propia del los organismos de derechos humanos que nacieron como respuesta defensista frente al terror estatal, centra sus denuncias en el carácter humano de las personas cuyos derechos fueron violados y omite o silencia sus trayectorias políticas; la memoria militante de los HIJOS rescata en clave reivindicatoria las experiencias políticas de sus padres y pretende no recordarlos sólo como víctimas, sino también como luchadores políticos. El objetivo de este trabajo es indagar las tensiones que resultan de la pertenencia de HIJOS al movimiento de derechos humanos, muchas de cuyas prácticas reproducen, y los conflictos que supone su intención de reivindicar la lucha revolucionaria de sus padres

"Macanas", "tragedias" y "dramas" : Los jueces y su presentación del pasado de terrorismo de Estado en el Juicio por la Verdad de Bahía Blanca, Argentina

El trabajo que aquí se presenta tiene como objetivo indagar en las diferentes manifestaciones sobre el pasado reciente de terrorismo de Estado realizadas por los jueces durante las audiencias de uno de los denominados "Juicios por la Verdad", que se realizó en la ciudad de Bahía Blanca, Argentina entre 1999 y 2000. Se trabajó con una metodología de análisis cualitativo y se utilizaron distintas fuentes de información tales como entrevistas a jueces y abogados de organizaciones de derechos humanos y la totalidad de los videos de las audiencias del Juicio por la Verdad de Bahía Blanca. Como resultado se establece la manera en que estos profesionales del derecho interpretaron el terrorismo de Estado confrontando la posición adoptada por los militares de no brindar información y de reivindicar la "guerra antisubversiva", deslindando a la vez las distintas responsabilidades entre los miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas.

Hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado : Justicia, identidad y memoria en el movimiento de derechos humanos en Argentina, 1995-2008

Este trabajo analiza la agrupación HIJOS, organismo de derechos humanos conformado por hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado argentino. El objetivo consiste en realizar un estudio de algunas de las características distintivas de este grupo, teniendo en cuenta especialmente sus rupturas y continuidades con respecto a las prácticas dele derechos humanos. Se analiza el surgimiento del grupo, la conformación de su identidad colectiva, su demanda de justicia y la elaboración de relatos acerca del pasado reciente

HIJOS La Plata. Memorias tensionadas. Análisis de los relatos sobre el pasado reciente que elaboran los militantes de HIJOS

El presente trabajo propone mostrar y analizar cómo los integrantes de la agrupación HIJOS La Plata (organismos de derechos humanos conformado por hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado argentino) han construido sus memorias acerca del pasado reciente. Interesan, más específicamente, las maneras en que elaboran relatos referidos al terror estatal llevado a cabo por la última dictadura (1976-1983) y al período de radicalización política inmediatamente anterior. Mientras la memoria humanitaria, propia del los organismos de derechos humanos que nacieron como respuesta defensista frente al terror estatal, centra sus denuncias en el carácter humano de las personas cuyos derechos fueron violados y omite o silencia sus trayectorias políticas; la memoria militante de los HIJOS rescata en clave reivindicatoria las experiencias políticas de sus padres y pretende no recordarlos sólo como víctimas, sino también como luchadores políticos. El objetivo de este trabajo es indagar las tensiones que resultan de la pertenencia de HIJOS al movimiento de derechos humanos, muchas de cuyas prácticas reproducen, y los conflictos que supone su intención de reivindicar la lucha revolucionaria de sus padres

Hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado : Justicia, identidad y memoria en el movimiento de derechos humanos en Argentina, 1995-2008

Este trabajo analiza la agrupación HIJOS, organismo de derechos humanos conformado por hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado argentino. El objetivo consiste en realizar un estudio de algunas de las características distintivas de este grupo, teniendo en cuenta especialmente sus rupturas y continuidades con respecto a las prácticas dele derechos humanos. Se analiza el surgimiento del grupo, la conformación de su identidad colectiva, su demanda de justicia y la elaboración de relatos acerca del pasado reciente

HIJOS La Plata. Memorias tensionadas. Análisis de los relatos sobre el pasado reciente que elaboran los militantes de HIJOS

El presente trabajo propone mostrar y analizar cómo los integrantes de la agrupación HIJOS La Plata (organismos de derechos humanos conformado por hijos de víctimas del terrorismo de Estado argentino) han construido sus memorias acerca del pasado reciente. Interesan, más específicamente, las maneras en que elaboran relatos referidos al terror estatal llevado a cabo por la última dictadura (1976-1983) y al período de radicalización política inmediatamente anterior. Mientras la memoria humanitaria, propia del los organismos de derechos humanos que nacieron como respuesta defensista frente al terror estatal, centra sus denuncias en el carácter humano de las personas cuyos derechos fueron violados y omite o silencia sus trayectorias políticas; la memoria militante de los HIJOS rescata en clave reivindicatoria las experiencias políticas de sus padres y pretende no recordarlos sólo como víctimas, sino también como luchadores políticos. El objetivo de este trabajo es indagar las tensiones que resultan de la pertenencia de HIJOS al movimiento de derechos humanos, muchas de cuyas prácticas reproducen, y los conflictos que supone su intención de reivindicar la lucha revolucionaria de sus padres

BIDIRECTIONAL AC-DC CONVERTERS USING ONE CYCLE CONTROL (OCC) FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The electric vehicle (EV) market has seen a rapid growth in the recent past. With an increase in the number of electric vehicles on road, there is an increase in the number of high capacity battery banks interfacing the grid. The battery bank of an EV, besides being the fuel tank, is also a huge energy storage unit. Presently, it is used only when the vehicle is being driven and remains idle for rest of the time, rendering it underutilized. Whereas on the other hand, there is a need of large energy storage units in the grid to filter out the fluctuations of supply and demand during a day. EVs can help bridge this gap. The EV battery bank can be used to store the excess energy from the grid to vehicle (G2V) or supply stored energy from the vehicle to grid (V2G ), when required. To let power flow happen, in both directions, a bidirectional AC-DC converter is required. This thesis concentrates on the bidirectional AC-DC converters which have a control on power flow in all four quadrants for the application of EV battery interfacing with the grid. This thesis presents a bidirectional interleaved full bridge converter topology. This helps in increasing the power processing and current handling capability of the converter which makes it suitable for the purpose of EVs. Further, the benefit of using the interleaved topology is that it increases the power density of the converter. This ensures optimization of space usage with the same power handling capacity. The proposed interleaved converter consists of two full bridges. The corresponding gate pulses of each switch, in one cell, are phase shifted by 180 degrees from those of the other cell. The proposed converter control is based on the one-cycle controller. To meet the challenge of new requirements of reactive power handling capabilities for grid connected converters, posed by the utilities, the controller is modified to make it suitable to process the reactive power. A fictitious current derived from the grid voltage is introduced in the controller, which controls the converter performance. The current references are generated using the second order generalized integrators (SOGI) and phase locked loop (PLL). A digital implementation of the proposed control ii scheme is developed and implemented using DSP hardware. The simulated and experimental results, based on the converter topology and control technique discussed here, are presented to show the performance of the proposed theory.

What is this thing called Historical Archaeology?

Historical archaeology, in its narrow temporal sense -as an archaeology of the emergence and subsequent evolution of the Modern world- is steadily taking pace in Spanish academia. This paper aims at provoking a more robust debate through understanding how Spanish historical archaeology is placed in the international scene and some of its more relevant particularities. In so doing, the paper also stresses the strong links that have united historical and prehistorical archaeology since its inception, both in relation to the ontological, epistemological and methodological definition of the first as to the influence of socio-political issues in the latter. Such reflection is partly a situated reflection from prehistory as one of the paper’s authors has been a prehistorian for most of her professional life.