Finance, social economics and community development

<p>The last three decades have seen social enterprises in the United Kingdom pushed to the forefront of welfare delivery, workfare and area-based regeneration. For critics, this is repositioning the sector around a neoliberal politics that privileges marketization, state roll-back and disciplining community groups to become more self-reliant. Successive governments have developed bespoke products, fiscal instruments and intermediaries to enable and extend the social finance market. Such assemblages are critical to roll-out tactics, but they are also necessary and useful for more reformist understandings of economic alterity. The issue is not social finance itself but how it is used, which inevitably entangles social enterprises in a form of legitimation crises between the need to satisfy financial returns and at the same time keep community interests on board. This paper argues that social finance, how it is used, politically domesticated and achieves re-distributional outcomes is a necessary component of counter-hegemonic strategies. Such assemblages are as important to radical community development as they are to neoliberalism and the analysis concludes by highlighting the need to develop a better understanding of finance, the ethics of its use and tactical compromises in scaling it as an alternative to public and private markets.</p>

The challenge of MNCs and development: oil extraction, CSR, Nigeria and corruption

Globalisation has led to a shift in world order with the rise of the corporate non-state actor. This rise has led to an assumption that Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) must assume responsibilities beyond profit maximisation for shareholders. With the rise of the MNC as a corporate non-state actor there have been discussions around the role of business with regard to human rights. <br/><br/>This article looks at the case of oil extraction in Nigeria. Focussing on the historical dependency of Nigeria and the evolution of the state into a resource-dependent country, it looks at the limitations of existing human rights obligations as they relate to business. This article proposes that corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies of MNCs can act as a preliminary stage in the quest for wider human rights protections. It is in motivating MNCs to design and implement effective CSR policies in dependent states like Nigeria, that the challenge lies. <br/>

Development of a Vehicle-Bridge-Soil Dynamic Interaction Model for Scour Damage Modelling

Damage detection in bridges using vibration-based methods is an area of growing research interest. Improved assessment<br/>methodologies combined with state-of-the-art sensor technology are rapidly making these approaches applicable for real-world<br/>structures. Applying these techniques to the detection and monitoring of scour around bridge foundations has remained<br/>challenging; however this area has gained attraction in recent years. Several authors have investigated a range of methods but<br/>there is still significant work required to achieve a rounded and widely applicable methodology to detect and monitor scour.This<br/>paper presents a novel Vehicle-Bridge-Soil Dynamic Interaction (VBSDI) model which can be used to simulate the effect of scour<br/>on an integral bridge. The model outputs dynamic signals which can be analysed to determine modal parameters and the variation<br/>of these parameters with respect to scour can be examined.The key novelty of this model is that it is the first numerical model for<br/>simulating scour that combines a realistic vehicle loadingmodel with a robust foundation soil responsemodel.This paper provides a<br/>description of the model development and explains the mathematical theory underlying themodel. Finally a case study application<br/>of the model using typical bridge, soil, and vehicle properties is provided.

Dynamic State Estimation of Power Systems with Quantization Eects: A Recursive Filter Approach

In this paper, a recursive filter algorithm is developed to deal with the state estimation problem for power systems with quantized nonlinear measurements. The measurements from both the remote terminal units and the phasor measurement unit are subject to quantizations described by a logarithmic quantizer. Attention is focused on the design of a recursive filter such that, in the simultaneous presence of nonlinear measurements and quantization effects, an upper bound for the estimation error covariance is guaranteed and subsequently minimized. Instead of using the traditional approximation methods in nonlinear estimation that simply ignore the linearization errors, we treat both the linearization and quantization errors as norm-bounded uncertainties in the algorithm development so as to improve the performance of the estimator. For the power system with such kind of introduced uncertainties, a filter is designed in the framework of robust recursive estimation, and the developed filter algorithm is tested on the IEEE benchmark power system to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Development of a novel immersive interactive virtual reality cricket simulator for cricket batting

<p>Research in the field of sports performance is constantly developing new technology to help extract meaningful data to aid in understanding in a multitude of areas such as improving technical or motor performance. Video playback has previously been extensively used for exploring anticipatory behaviour. However, when using such systems, perception is not active. This loses key information that only emerges from the dynamics of the action unfolding over time and the active perception of the observer. Virtual reality (VR) may be used to overcome such issues. This paper presents the architecture and initial implementation of a novel VR cricket simulator, utilising state of the art motion capture technology (21 Vicon cameras capturing kinematic profile of elite bowlers) and emerging VR technology (Intersense IS-900 tracking combined with Qualisys Motion capture cameras with visual display via Sony Head Mounted Display HMZ-T1), applied in a cricket scenario to examine varying components of decision and action for cricket batters. This provided an experience with a high level of presence allowing for a real-time egocentric view-point to be presented to participants. Cyclical user-testing was carried out, utilisng both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with users reporting a positive experience in use of the system.</p>

A governance approach to integrated rural tourism: factors influencing organisational performance and tourism support of local development organisations

Ao longo das ��ltimas tr��s d��cadas, o envolvimento das comunidades na formula����o de pol��ticas locais tem vindo a ganhar cada vez mais aten����o como uma abordagem sustent��vel para o desenvolvimento rural na Uni��o Europeia (UE) e no mundo. Emergendo da globaliza����o, novas estruturas de governa����o t��m desafiado a base territorial restricta da autoridade do Estado soberano atrav��s do envolvimento de uma rede complexa e de autoorganiza����o de atores governamentais e n��o-governamentais na tomada de decis��es coletivas. A reestrutura����o territorial e institucional das zonas rurais, associada �� expans��o da governan��a rural, ganhou aten����o consider��vel na literatura. No entanto, o potencial de empregar princ��pios de governan��a como fatores que determinam as dire����es de desenvolvimento rural atrav��s de desempenho organizacional e apoio no turismo n��o tem sido amplamente explorado na literatura. Deste modo, o principal objetivo desta tese consiste no emprego de ���integra����o���, ���participa����o��� e ���empowerment��� como fatores cr��ticos que influenciam os rumos do desenvolvimento rural (1) atrav��s do desempenho organizacional das organiza����es de governan��a rural e (2) apoio no turismo de organiza����es de desenvolvimento rural tendo em vista a valida����o da abordagem de governan��a para o turismo integrado. Ao longo deste duplo objectivo geral, a tese �� dividida numa componente qualitativa de ���desempenho��� e numa componente quantitativa de ���apoio���. Seguindo uma abordagem sistem��tica baseada num sistema conceptual, foram realizadas 38 entrevistas em profundidade com pessoas chave envolvendo gestores do programa LEADER da UE na Hungria (34% do n��mero total de Grupos de A����o Local [GAL]), seguido por um levantamento de campo transversal realizado atrav��s de um sistema de recolha de dados na Internet, tendo resultado em 662 question��rios v��lidos para uma taxa de resposta de 63.6%. Os resultados da componente ���desempenho��� revelaram padr��es na implementa����o dos princ��pios de governan��a, que por sua vez permitiram a identifica����o de fatores que permitem e restringem o desempenho organizacional. Os resultados da componente ���apoio��� permitiram destacar que o ponto de vista de redes de desenvolvimento local nos princ��pios de governan��a n��o �� homog��neo. Diferen��as significativas foram encontradas entre organiza����es respons��veis pelo planeamento e os grupos de aconselhamento. Contudo, os resultados sugeriram que a dimens��o sustent��vel de turismo rural integrado �� um prognosticador da contribui����o do turismo para o desenvolvimento global da comunicade e para o apoio do turismo ao longo das redes de desenvolvimento local. Este estudo responde a uma necessidade crescente de investiga����o, que resulta da prolifera����o �� escala mundial de forma����es de governan��a em sistemas de administra����o p��blica, tanto no lado dos investigadores como no lado dos praticantes.

Development of open models and tools for seismic risk assessment: application to Portugal

The exponential growth of the world population has led to an increase of settlements often located in areas prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes. Consequently, despite the important advances in the field of natural catastrophes modelling and risk mitigation actions, the overall human losses have continued to increase and unprecedented economic losses have been registered. In the research work presented herein, various areas of earthquake engineering and seismology are thoroughly investigated, and a case study application for mainland Portugal is performed. Seismic risk assessment is a critical link in the reduction of casualties and damages due to earthquakes. Recognition of this relation has led to a rapid rise in demand for accurate, reliable and flexible numerical tools and software. In the present work, an open-source platform for seismic hazard and risk assessment is developed. This software is capable of computing the distribution of losses or damage for an earthquake scenario (deterministic event-based) or earthquake losses due to all the possible seismic events that might occur within a region for a given interval of time (probabilistic event-based). This effort has been developed following an open and transparent philosophy and therefore, it is available to any individual or institution. The estimation of the seismic risk depends mainly on three components: seismic hazard, exposure and vulnerability. The latter component assumes special importance, as by intervening with appropriate retrofitting solutions, it may be possible to decrease directly the seismic risk. The employment of analytical methodologies is fundamental in the assessment of structural vulnerability, particularly in regions where post-earthquake building damage might not be available. Several common methodologies are investigated, and conclusions are yielded regarding the method that can provide an optimal balance between accuracy and computational effort. In addition, a simplified approach based on the displacement-based earthquake loss assessment (DBELA) is proposed, which allows for the rapid estimation of fragility curves, considering a wide spectrum of uncertainties. A novel vulnerability model for the reinforced concrete building stock in Portugal is proposed in this work, using statistical information collected from hundreds of real buildings. An analytical approach based on nonlinear time history analysis is adopted and the impact of a set of key parameters investigated, including the damage state criteria and the chosen intensity measure type. A comprehensive review of previous studies that contributed to the understanding of the seismic hazard and risk for Portugal is presented. An existing seismic source model was employed with recently proposed attenuation models to calculate probabilistic seismic hazard throughout the territory. The latter results are combined with information from the 2011 Building Census and the aforementioned vulnerability model to estimate economic loss maps for a return period of 475 years. These losses are disaggregated across the different building typologies and conclusions are yielded regarding the type of construction more vulnerable to seismic activity.

Transient transpiration radiometer : development of a heat flux sensor for high aggressivity environments

The development of a new instrument for the measurement of convective and radiative is proposed, based on the transient operation of a transpiration radiometer. Current transpiration radiometers rely on steady state temperature measurements in a porous element crossed by a know gas mass flow. As a consequence of the porous sensing element���s intrinsically high thermal inertia, the instrument���s time constant is in the order of several seconds. The proposed instrument preserves established advantages of transpiration radiometers while incorporating additional features that broaden its applicability range. The most important developments are a significant reduction of the instrument���s response time and the possibility of separating and measuring the convective and radiative components of the heat flux. These objectives are achieved through the analysis of the instrument���s transient response, a pulsed gas flow being used to induce the transient behavior.

Development of a single photon counting computed tomography system using MPGDs

The development of computed tomography systems with energy resolving detectors is a current challenge in medical physics and biomedical engineering. A computed tomography system of this kind allows getting complementary informations relatively to conventional systems, that can help the medical diagnosis, being of great interest in medicine. The work described in this thesis is related to the development of a computed tomography system using micropattern gaseous detectors, which allow storing, simultaneously, information about the interaction position and the energy of each single photon that interacts with the detector. This kind of detectors has other advantages concerning the cost and characteristics of operation when compared with solid state detectors. Tomographic acquisitions were performed using a MicroHole & Strip Plate based detector, which allowed reconstructing cross-sectional images using energy windows, applying the energy weighting technique and performing multi-slice and tri-dimensional reconstructions. The contrast-to-noise ratio was improved by 31% by applying the energy weighting technique, comparing with the corresponding image obtained with the current medical systems. A prototype of a computed tomography with flexibility to change the detector was developed, making it possible to apply different detectors based on Thick-COBRA. Several images acquired with these detectors are presented and demonstrate their applicability in X-ray imaging. When operating in NeCH4, the detector allowed a charge gain of 8 104, an energy resolution of 20% (full width at half maximum at 8 keV), a count rate of 1 106 Hz/mm2, a very stable operation (gain fluctuations below 5%) and a spacial resolution of 1.2 mm for an energy photon of 3.6 keV. Operating the detector in pure Kr allowed increasing the detection efficiency and achieving a charge gain of 2 104, an energy resolution of 32% (full width at half maximum at 22 keV), a count rate of 1 105 Hz/mm2, very stable operation and a spatial resolution of 500 m. The software already existing in the group was improved and tools to correct geometric misalignments of the system were also developed. The reconstructions obtained after geometrical correction are free of artefacts due to the referred misalignments.

International cooperation for development in tourism destinations

The main goal of this thesis is to propose a conceptual theoretical model of critical success factors of International Development Cooperation programmes that are based in knowledge transfer approaches in the context of tourism development. The research was structured around three main theoretical pillars: international development cooperation (IDC), tourism as a tool for development, and knowledge transfer (KT). By exploring these pillars�� main interrelations, it was possible to gather the necessary background to develop the theoretical model and apply it to a real context. It was adopted a qualitative research approach using as a case study an IDC programme in tourism - the UNWTO.Volunteers programme. The key contribution of this thesis in the theoretical realm is the bridging of fields of study that are insufficiently covered in the scientific literature. The resulting model proposal applied to a real context of an IDC programme implementation permitted to test it partially providing useful insights for future research. It is postulated that IDC programmes in these contexts constitute a process rather than an end in itself. Therefore, they should be seen as a way of changing the state of the art of the tourism system in a sustainable manner so that it potentially generates positive development changes. This study suggested that it is not possible to achieve positive results if, instead of encouraging a KT and learning environment, it is simply disseminated knowledge in a linear, static, north-south approach. The characteristics of these interventions should be reviewed in that it was found that it is very difficult to guarantee the maintenance of the development changes induced by them if it is not safeguarded the necessary conditions and accountability to implement the recommended actions. While it was perceived a great potential for development changes to be induced by some IDC programmes in tourism destinations, it was concluded that these processes are too much dependent on the local political systems and existing power relations, as well as on the level of tourism development of the destination. However, more research is needed to examine the ability to generalise the findings to other IDC programmes and different destinations of developing countries.

Pol��ticas, conce����es e pr��ticas dominantes do ensino superior em Mo��ambique

O presente trabalho come��a por analisar a evolu����o dos sistemas ao longo de v��rios per��odos hist��ricos, bem como os conceitos e tipologias que os sustentam, no quadro da problem��tica e da conceptualiza����o te��rica do ensino superior. A origem da universidade na idade m��dia, na Europa e em outras partes do mundo, fundamenta-se, principalmente, na procura do saber e nas condicionantes socioecon��micas da ��poca. A evolu����o da universidade sustentada pela narrativa da modernidade, resultou em modelos diferenciados de ensino superior, que mantinham, no entanto, a raz��o e a epistemologia do conhecimento acad��mico, como fatores unificadores. O modelo utilizado para traduzir a referida evolu����o, �� proposto por Scott (1995) e configura a rela����o que se estabelece entre a universidade e outras formas de ensino superior. Na sequ��ncia do desenvolvimento dos sistemas, suscitados pelas rela����es entre os diversos atores envolvidos no ensino superior, procurou-se evidenciar a rela����o entre o Estado o mercado e os acad��micos, bem como outros atores sociopol��ticos, institucionais e da sociedade civil. O quadro de an��lise dos mecanismos de coordena����o destas envolventes, baseou-se no ���Tri��ngulo de Clark���, complementado com o modelo da ���Met��fora da Flutua����o���. Desde o in��cio da d��cada de 80 do s��culo XX, que a miss��o, o modo de organiza����o e o funcionamento das IES t��m vindo a ser questionadas, como resultado das mudan��as econ��micas de cariz neoliberal. Este cen��rio, propiciador de crises e de transforma����es, n��o tem impedido, por��m, de manter o papel fundamental da universidade como produtora e difusora do conhecimento. No contexto da globaliza����o e da cada vez maior influ��ncia do mercado no ensino superior, procura-se impor um modelo hegemonizado de racionalidade econ��mica, competitividade e efici��ncia - o managerialismo. N��o obstante alguns ��xitos, esta ideologia n��o tem sido completamente bem-sucedida. Ali��s, �� tentativa da globaliza����o de gerar uma ordem uniformista, t��m sido contrapostos modelos de recontextualiza����o que procuram refletir as realidades locais. Embora num reduzido n��mero de pa��ses, ��frica, registou formas de ensino superior end��genas, no per��odo pr��-colonial. Depois do espectro colonial que mant��m, ainda hoje, a sua influ��ncia, os sistemas debatem-se na atualidade com diferentes dilemas, originados pelas correntes da globaliza����o. Por��m, o ensino superior em ��frica assume um papel central no contexto do desenvolvimento dos diferentes pa��ses contribuindo, igualmente, para a constru����o da Na����o e da sua identidade. Esta dimens��o, n��o �� impeditiva do seu envolvimento, nos desafios da sociedade e da economia do conhecimento, buscando, ao mesmo tempo, modelos e pr��ticas equilibradoras, que proporcionem uma resposta satisfat��ria ��s necessidades sociais e econ��micas, nacionais e regionais. Ao enquadrar o sistema de ensino superior em Mo��ambique merecem destaque as etapas do processo hist��rico, nomeadamente o surgimento dos estudos gerais universit��rios como primeira forma de ensino superior mais tarde transformada em universidade, a mudan��a de paradigma ap��s a independ��ncia nacional, a abertura ao setor privado e, ainda, a expans��o do sistema. A discuss��o sobre pol��ticas e estrat��gias �� sustentada pela an��lise dos respetivos planos estrat��gicos bem como, pela compreens��o das leis fundamentais e respetivos documentos reguladores. Este conjunto de instrumentos concorre para a reforma do sistema, que se procura implementar em Mo��ambique. Nesta sequ��ncia, �� de salientar o debate p��blico realizado em torno das qualifica����es e graus oficialmente estabelecidos, que parece constituir uma problem��tica ainda n��o completamente resolvida. Numa outra parte do trabalho, procede-se �� apresenta����o e an��lise dos resultados de uma investiga����o sobre o ensino superior em Mo��ambique. Seguindo uma metodologia de an��lise qualitativa, foi poss��vel estruturar a informa����o obtida, em diferentes dimens��es e categorias. A informa����o foi recolhida e tratada, a partir de entrevistas efetuadas a diferentes grupos de atores, direta ou indiretamente relacionados com o ensino superior em Mo��ambique. Os resultados da an��lise conduziram �� sistematiza����o de um conjunto de linhas de for��a e ao tra��ar de conclus��es, contributivas para a melhoria do quadro de refer��ncia sobre pol��ticas, conce����es e pr��ticas do ensino superior em Mo��ambique.