Nationality Diversity of Bank Boards

The aim of this paper is to carry out a comparative study for nationality diversity in bank boards. The study covers practices of board diversity of nine commercial banks. The data are compared for subsidiary banks in Bulgaria and their parent banks from the home country. The study defines a high degree of nationality diversity in subsidiary banks. The Bulgarian banks have a higher number of foreign members on boards compared to their parent banks. The good practices on board diversity in Bulgarian banks are a consequence of their subordination in European financial conglomerates and are aimed to reduce agent conflicts.

Mesoporous SiO2-Supported Pt Nanoparticles for Catalytic Application

SiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized by combining Stober’s method and nonsurfactant process. The diameters and pore sizes can be controlled by altering the template and its concentration. Mesoporous SiO2 obtained this way has extremely large surface area compared with most oxide supports, which benefits the catalytic performance. Pt nanoparticles were in situ grown on and in mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles with low amount of the metal and high load ratio. Furthermore, we firstly developed a novel route, called “one-pot” method, to prepare Pt/SiO2 catalyst where mesoporous silica preparing and Pt loading occurred in one step. This method is more efficient in saving reagent, since it can prevent Pt loss. In the meantime, it enables the template to reduce agent. The catalytic activity of Pt/SiO2 samples was measured by CO oxidation. It is indicated that the supporting silica with mesopores is more active than silica with micropores.

Influence of Shrinkage Reduce Agent on Early Age Autogenous Shrinkage of Concrete

Based on designed and manufactured test equipment of concrete early age shrinkage, the influence of shrinkage reduce agent (SRA) on early age autogenous shrinkage of concrete was researched. The test results show that early age autogenous shrinkage of concrete was reduced with SRA added and the shrinkage-reducing ratio increased with concrete strength grade heightened. SRA could also greatly reduce early age autogenous shrinkage of concrete added with pulverized ly ash or slag. Superplasticizer would increse early age autogenous shrinkage of concrete, and the shrinkage was larger than those without superplasticizer, even the SRA mixed into. Furthermore, early age curing should be enhanced for concrete with superplasticizer.