Defining the Thermal Features of Sub-Surface Reinforcing Fibres in Non-Polluting Thermo–Acoustic Insulating Panels: A Numerical–Thermographic–Segmentation Approach

Natural fibres present ozone-friendly solutions in the field of construction. The attenuation of the sound and heat losses is an important feature in such type of materials above all, when used in non-woven fabrics and fibre-reinforced composites. Hemp fibres show robust insulation performance; this research work should be considered beneficial to the development of a non-destructive thermographic methodology, which can address the thermal barrier (typically applied on multi-layer panel) effects. The intent is to assess the integrity of the sub-surface reinforcing glass fibres; such integrity state will help confer the rigidity and the resistance to mechanical stresses. The testing proposed in this study can be further developed in a laboratory right after the manufacturing process of similar type of components. The testing needs preliminary numerical simulations to help guide the selection of the appropriate pre- and post-processing algorithms combined with or without segmentation operators. A set of numerical and experimental tests were performed through controlled thermal stimulation while recording the thermal responses. The study also highlights the advantages, disadvantages, and future development of the presented technique and methodologies.

The influence of panel effects and inertia on travel cost elasticities for car use and public transport

Studies on the impact of changes in travel costs on car and public transport use are typically based on cross-sectional travel survey data or time series analysis and do not capture intrapersonal variation in travel patterns, which can result in biased cost elasticities. This paper examines the influence of panel effects and inertia in travel behaviour on travel cost sensitiveness, based on four waves of the Mobility Panel for the Netherlands (comprising around 90,000 trips). This paper analyses the monetary costs of travel. Panel effects reflect (within wave) intrapersonal variations in mode choice, based on three-day trip diary data available for each wave. The impact of intrapersonal variation on cost sensitiveness is shown by comparing mode choice models with panel effects (mixed logit mode choice models with error components) and without panel effects (multinomial logit models). Inertia represents variability in mode choice between waves, measured as the effect of mode choice decisions made in a previous wave on the decisions made in the current wave. Additionally, all mode choice models include socio-economic and spatial variables but also mode preferences and life events. The effect of inertia on travel cost elasticities is measured by estimating mixed logit mode choice models with and without inertia effects. The main conclusion is that the inclusion of intrapersonal effects tends to increase cost sensitiveness whereas the inclusion of inertia effects decreases travel cost sensitiveness for car and public transport modes. Car users are identified as inert travellers, whereas public transport users show a lower tendency to maintain their usual mode choice. This paper reveals the inertia effects over four waves of repeated respondent’s data repeated yearly.

Economic and Non-Economic Variables Affecting Fraud in European Countries

Fraud is one of the most harmful phenomena, because it leads to collapse of organizations, causes economic downfall of countries, and destroys faith in a country’s capital markets. The impact of fraud is complex and has varying degrees depending on political and financial institutional structures of a country. In this paper, we investigate the combined effect of economic and non-economic variables on fraud using a sample of 41 developed, in transition, and developing European countries. The data cover the period July 2014–December 2020. Panel data techniques of pooled estimation and the dynamic panel data/generalized method of moments (DPD/GMM) is used, keeping in view the endogeneity perspective. Nevertheless, two-way impacts of fixed effect model estimation—cross-sectional and time-based (panel) effects (alternatively)—are used for analyzing the relationship among the given variables, based on Hausman specification test results. Empirical results of panel data extended REM and FEM approaches with country-specific cross-sectional effects showing that political stability, economic freedom, poverty, and GDP significantly affect fraud proliferation. Political stability is appraised to be the most scoring determinant of fraud incidence in a country.

Bank-Specific Variables and Banks’ Financial Soundness: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

This study examines the explanatory power of capital adequacy, asset quality, management soundness, earnings quality, liquidity and sensitivity to market risk (CAMELS) framework as well as a number of other variables on the financial soundness (measured by regulatory capital adequacy ratios) of banks in Nigeria. The findings, using ordinary least squared (OLS) regression subsequent to the establishment of no panel effects among the sampled banks, reveal the significant explanatory potentials of these bank-specific variables though some give a reversal of their prior expectations. Apart from reawakening the investors’ and depositors’ interest, the findings further have policy implications on the regulation and operation of these financial institutions. The study breaks new grounds in the measurement of capital adequacy using gross revenue ratio and leverage ratio, asset quality using income statement impairment charges for loan losses, and in the inclusion of the sensitivity to market risk most especially in the Nigerian context.

Privatisation of Socially Owned Enterprises, the Methods Used and the Impact on Economic Growth Empirical evidence from Kosovo

Privatisation together with the related social consequences and impact on the economy represent key challenges facing the former communist countries. This paper aims to assess how the privatisation of socially owned enterprises (SOEs) affects economic growth, entailing an empirical test using a panel effects regression analysis on a sample of 571 SOEs (or 1,600 assets) over a 16-year period (2003–2018). We find that privatisation at the aggregate level does not boost economic growth; in particular, the methods used to privatise SOEs or parts of them are not a determining factor. We also show that the quality of institutions is fragile, confirming a negative associations with economic growth. We also show that the effects of privatisation vary according to the method used, although we note that the sale of SOEs or parts thereof in the first decade of privatisation has been quite selective, devoid of development effects and faced with serious impediments to privatisation funds being directly invested in the economy.

MUCH BEYOND THE MINIMUM why do brazilian municipalities overallocate their own revenues to healthcare?

This article identifies reasons for Brazilian municipalities overallocating their own revenues to healthcare which, since the promulgation of Constitutional Amendment 29/2000, have progressively expanded them until they far exceed the constitutional minimum. Linear regression models with mixed panel effects were used for the period of 2008-2017. The tested hypotheses are related to the effects of the population scale of the municipalities; the level of economic and social development of the region in which they operate; the degree of incorporation of technological resources of medium and high complexity; the effort spent on basic care; political guidance from municipal governments; and, finally, to allocation to other budgetary functions and sub-functions of interest to healthcare. The results point to two factors which better explain the dependent variable: the population scale in inverse relation, and the concentration of greater technologically complex services in a direct relation.

Exploring potential cruisers behavior based on a preference model: the Japanese cruise market

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the preferences of potential Japanese cruise ship tourists and identify the factors influencing their participation in cruise ship tourism. In the analysis, preference for cruise ports in East Asia is also examined. Design/methodology/approach The behavioral model of potential cruiser is developed through a mixed ordered logit approach. The data are collected by means of the stated preference method with the application of a Web-based questionnaire. Multiple answers are collected from each respondent. Hence, panel effects between answers are considered so as to obtain a robust model. Findings The results show that Nagasaki and Hong Kong ports are preferred, and other domestic ports, namely, Kobe, Kagoshima, and Naha are also relatively popular places to visit. However, potential Japanese cruisers are reluctant to visit two South Korean destinations which are frequently selected as cruise lines by avoiding Cabotage rule. Besides, shorter cruise duration and lower prices increase the possibility of participation in cruise tourism, particularly for working people. Retirees tend to have less interest in cruise tourism. However, Japanese-related services will increase retirees’ intentions to participate in cruise tourism. Research limitations/implications This study attempts to analyze potential cruisers’ behavior toward cruise ship tourism in Japan and discusses how to increase the number of cruisers participating in cruise ship tourism. In this vein, repeat behavior should also be analyzed. Repeat behavior contributes to the maintenance and increase in cruisers in Japan. Originality/value There is no study on potential cruiser’s behavior analysis in Japan which is the emerging country as cruise market. Thus, the number of potential cruisers is expected to be high. This study reveals that potential cruisers’ preferences on cruise ship services (e.g. duration, price, on board services, etc.), which are separately analysed for working ages and retirees. Besides, preferences on port of calls in East Asian context are revealed. These results are useful for cruise ship industries, especially for cruise lines.

Analysis of Transit Users’ Response Behavior in Case of Unplanned Service Disruptions

Public transit disruption is becoming more common across different transit services, and can have a destructive influence on the resiliency of the transportation system. Even though transit agencies have various strategies to mitigate the probability of failure in the transit system by conducting preventative actions, some disruptions cannot be avoided because of their either unpredictable or uncontrollable nature. Utilizing recently collected data of transit users in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, the current study aims to analyze how transit users respond to an unplanned service disruption and disclose the factors that affect their behavior. In this study, a random parameter multinomial logit model is employed to consider heterogeneity across observations as well as panel effects. The results of the analysis reveal that a wide range of factors including socio-demographic attributes, personal attitudes, trip-related information, and built environment are significant in passengers’ behavior in case of unplanned transit disruptions. Moreover, the effect of service recovery time on passengers is not the same among all types of disrupted services; rail users are more sensitive to the recovery time as compared with bus users. The findings of this study provide insights for transportation authorities to improve the transit service quality in relation to user satisfaction and transportation resilience. These insights help transit agencies to implement effective recovery strategies.