Migration, labor and business in the worlding cities of the Arabian Peninsula

This short essay, built on a foundation of more than a decade of fieldwork in the hydrocarbon-rich societies of the Arabian peninsula, distills a set of overarching threads woven through much of that time and work. Those threads include a discussion of the social heterogeneity of the Gulf State citizenries, the central role of development and urban development in these emergent economies, the multifaceted impact of migrants and migration upon these host societies, and the role of foreign 'imagineers' in the portrayal of Gulf societies, Gulf values, and Gulf social norms.

Changes in source of profits and business strategies? : some evidence from the Philippines' universal banks in the 2000s

In the 2000s, the Philippines' local banking sector have conducted very conservative lending behavior and at the same time, gradually but continuously improved their profitability in terms of ROE (return on equity). A set of analyses on the flow of funds and segment reports (information) of local universal banks, whose loans outstanding to the industrial sector have dominated more than three fourths of the total outstanding, shows that (1) they have actively manage assets overseas, (2) their profitability has come from investment activities in the securities markets, and (3) some universal banks have shifted their resources into the consumer/retail segment. Although further refinement in the dataset is needed for a more detailed analysis, diverse business strategies would be expected among the local universal banks in the near future.

Teaching art and history to photonics students

The case to be reported in this paper is the teaching of topics involving the relation among Photonics, its history, the international situation and the artistic movements in each period. These kind of new studies correspond to a new tendency in teaching interdisciplinary topics to students coming from different areas. Two main courses, one in History and other one in Art, will be taken as examples. Theses two courses have been taught for several years in Madrid, Spain, for Telecomm students and the results have been very satisfactory

Participatory design and business modeling

En este proyecto miraremos como los campos de Dise��o Participativo de las tecnolog��as de la informaci��n (DP, Participatory IT Design) y el dise��o empresarial de modelos de negocio interact��an entre s��. Exploraremos el hueco que existe en los asuntos que aborda un proyecto de DP se��alado por Kyng (2010). DP es una forma de enfocar el dise��o para dise��ar sistemas inform��ticos que tiene su propia ideolog��a, haciendo mucho hincapi�� en la participaci��n de los usuarios en el proceso. Esta ideolog��a propia de DP da paso a un conjunto de m��todos y herramientas para dise��ar. DP tiene sus or��genes en Escandinavia en la d��cada de los setenta cuando cambios de progreso social de la sociedad se introdujeron en el lugar de trabajo. Ya hay algunos investigadores del campo de DP que empiezan a estudiar este hueco se��alado por Kyng. Un modelo de negocios es la forma en que un negocio crea, entrega y captura valor. En las ��ltimas d��cadas las empresas inform��ticas han cambiado su modelo de negocios, transform��ndose en una oferta de servicios inform��ticos mayoritariamente. El mundo empresarial ya conoce los beneficios de las metodolog��as de dise��o orientadas al usuario, sin embargo no acaban de ser adoptadas por las empresas inform��ticas. En el proyecto buscamos responder a las preguntas que surgen al juntar estas dos ��reas de estudio. ��C��mo interpreta la comunidad de DP el mundo empresarial? ��La teor��a empresarial como trata la metodolog��a de dise��o orientado al usuario? ��C��mo afecta en una compa����a real su pol��tica de usuario a su modelo de negocio y que t��cnicas utilizan para involucrar al usuario? ��Qu�� intereses comunes y opuestos existen entre DP y el mundo empresarial? ��Cu��l es el futuro de DP en el mundo empresarial? En cuanto a la metodolog��a del proyecto realice un estudio de la literatura de los campos de DP y el mundo empresarial usando fuentes recomendadas por expertos de cada ��rea as�� como trabajos encontrados por mi propia cuenta que eran relevantes al tema tratado. Adem��s realice un estudio de compa����as desarrolladoras de software locales a Copenhague. Mediante una serie de visitas y entrevistas con esas compa����as obtuve informaci��n del modelo de negocio y proceso de desarrollo de software de las mismas. Tambi��n dialogamos en cuanto a su visi��n de DP y metodolog��as de dise��o orientado al usuario y como se podr��an beneficiar de ellas. Durante el desarrollo del proyecto he encontrado que DP y el mundo empresarial tienen dos visiones muy diferentes. Mientras uno busca obtener el m��ximo beneficio el otro busca apoderar a los usuarios en su ��rea de trabajo. Aunque al igual que DP las empresas necesitan obtener informaci��n acerca de los usuario como sus necesidades, gustos, etc. Est�� claro que el software producido para el mundo empresarial tiene mucho espacio para mejorar ya que suele venir con manuales de instrucciones extensos y es necesario un entrenamiento previo para su utilizaci��n. Un problema importante de la introducci��n de DP en las empresas es la falta de predisposici��n de los usuarios en colaborar en el proceso de desarrollo ya que no hay demasiada tendencia a usuarios a dar feedback. El trabajo de investigacion de Timpka y Vimarlund (1998) Participatory Design In Economic Terms: A Theoretical Discussion llega a la conclusi��n de que DP es econ��micamente favorable para los desarrolladores. Pero omite muchos factores cr��ticos de la econom��a de una empresa. En cuanto al futuro de DP en el mundo empresarial, DP tiene que adaptarse a las compa����as desarrolladoras de software. A sus necesidades y teniendo en cuenta sus l��mites de recursos. Pero hay ciertos aspectos que deben ser abordados. El primer aspecto es el uso de recursos en las t��cnicas de DP, ya que utilizan demasiados. Otro aspecto que deber��a abordar es el uso de las nuevas tecnolog��as de comunicaci��n y redes sociales, ya que apenas se han utilizado en DP. Mientras que otras ��reas de estudio han hecho uso de estas nuevas tecnolog��as y se han revolucionado DP no ha sido capaz de integrarlas en sus t��cnicas. Por ��ltimo en el proyecto realizo una comparativa del actual modelo de negocios y proceso de desarrollo de software de la compa����a Forecast.it. En esta comparativa miro como cambiaria el negocio en el caso de que se produjeran cambios en ella al introducir la ideolog��a de DP. Donde m��s se notan los cambios seria en su esquema de desarrollo de software ya que habr��a que hacer hueco para nuevos factores y pasos.

State of the Art and Future Trends in Grid Codes Applicable to Isolated Electrical Systems

Isolated electrical systems lack electrical interconnection to other networks and are usually placed in geographically isolated areas���mainly islands or locations in developing countries. Until recently, only diesel generators were able to assure a safe and reliable supply in exchange for very high costs for fuel transportation and system operation. Transmission system operators (TSOs) are increasingly seeking to replace traditional energy models based on large groups of conventional generation units with mixed solutions where diesel groups are held as backup generation and important advantages are provided by renewable energy sources. The grid codes determine the technical requirements to be fulfilled by the generators connected in any electrical network, but regulations applied to isolated grids are more demanding. In technical literature it is rather easy to find and compare grid codes for interconnected electrical systems. However, the existing literature is incomplete and sparse regarding isolated grids. This paper aims to review the current state of isolated systems and grid codes applicable to them, specifying points of comparison and defining the guidelines to be followed by the upcoming regulations.

State of the Art and Future Trends in Grid Codes Applicable to Isolated Electrical Systems

Electrical power systems are changing their traditional structure, which was based on a little number of large generating power plants placed at great distances from loads by new models that tend to split the big production nodes in many smaller ones. The set of small groups which are located close to consumers and provide safe and quality energy is called distributed generation (DG). The proximity of the sources to the loads reduces losses associated with transportation and increases overall system efficiency. DG also favors the inclusion of renewable energy sources in isolated electrical systems or remote microgrids, because they can be installed where the natural resource is located. In both cases, as weak grids unable to get help from other nearby networks, it is essential to ensure appropriate behavior of DG sources to guarantee power system safety and stability. The grid codes sets out the technical requirements to be fulfilled for the sources connected in these electrical networks. In technical literature it is rather easy to find and compare grid codes for interconnected electrical systems. However, the existing literature is incomplete and sparse regarding isolated electrical systems and this happens due to the difficulties inherent in the pursuit of codes. Some countries have developed their own legislation only for their island territory (as Spain or France), others apply the same set of rules as in mainland, another group of island countries have elaborated a complete grid code for all generating sources and some others lack specific regulation. This paper aims to make a complete review of the state of the art in grid codes applicable to isolated systems, setting the comparison between them and defining the guidelines predictably followed by the upcoming regulations in these particular systems.

Graveyards to Glamour : Development of Sexualized Angel Imagery in American Art and Advertising

Images of female angels in American art and advertisements have been sexualized in the late twentieth and early twenty-�����first centuries. Companies such as Victoria���s Secret have appropriated the image of female angels, which first appeared at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and clothed them in lingerie in order to sell a product. This Masters Research Paper explores the evolution of female angelic imagery in the United States in order to understand how and when the image of angels began to be sexualized and used in advertising. Angels in art have been studied extensively; however, there has been no work done which examines how the angels in art and advertising have been sexualized. Nor has any work been done to map the evolution of female angelic imagery in American art. This Masters Research Paper will fill that gap in scholarship.

Blurring the lines : how Japanese American internment camps re-defined art and religion's relationship

After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor during WWII, anyone of Japanese descent living on the West Coast was placed in internment camps scattered throughout the country. Life inside the camps included many different activities to make life as normal as possible. This study will focus on two intersecting day-to-day activities in particular, the practice of religion within the camps, as well as the creation of art. Art created in the camps was influenced by multiple religious traditions. An analysis of artworks created by professional and amateur artists, interviews and an examination of existing scholarship demonstrates that internment camps created a unique environment for the creation of art. The values of internees reflected the seamless coexistence of Christianity, Buddhism and Shinto in internment camp art.

Developing Civil Society and a New Leadership Class in Iraq: A Comprehensive Analysis and Business Plan

Following De-Ba'athification, forming a new leadership class will be critical to the success of creating a strong civil society in modern-day Iraq. Implementation of youth educational exchange programs, specifically promoting leadership skills, is a significant part of the solution to stimulating a new generation of leaders. Using the reign of Saddam Hussein and his toppling as a frame of reference, a brief history of Iraq's civil society reveals a need for a new leadership class through the lens of democratic transition and consolidation. After exploring the leadership challenges of post-war nation building, the proposed business plan focuses on implementing a youth leadership program in Iraq, employing a wider participation model, and a lengthier, more involved learning model from existing programs.