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Microfinance, EU structural funds and capacity building for managing authorities : A comparative analysis of European convergence regions
Presents a study of capacity building and structural funds in public managing authorities for the microcredit sector. It presents two surveys to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the managing authorities' capacity building. The first survey investigates the authorities' need for and interests in capacity building activities, assessing the areas in which capacity building support is needed, and explores the different types of support offered. The second survey analyses the results of the microcredit and microfinance programming activity, investigating its target groups and other operational features. It examines the key monitoring and reporting issues involved in this activity, before analysing the regulatory framework of the microcredit and microfinance sector.
Intelligent Techniques for Web Personalization ; IJCAI 2003 Workshop, ITWP 2003, Acapulco, Mexico, August 11, 2003, Revised Selected Papers
Web personalizationcan be de?ned as any set of actions that can tailor the Web experience to a particular user or set of users. The experience can be something as casualas browsinga Web site oras (economically)signi?cantas tradingstock or purchasing a car. The actions can range from simply making the presentation more pleasing to anticipating the needs of a user and providing customized and relevant information. To achieve e?ective personalization, organizations must rely on all available data, including the usage and click-stream data (re?e- ing user behavior), the site content, the site structure, domain knowledge, user demographics and pro?les. In addition, e?cient and intelligent techniques are needed to mine these data for actionable knowledge, and to e?ectively use the discovered ...
Hormones and the brain
Peripheral hormones have a major impact on the brain: they are able to interfere with its development, to affect release of neurotransmitters and concentrations of receptors, to trigger growth factors involved in lesion repair. These multiple actions account for their capacity to modulate a number of physiological parameters, from reproductive functions to memory, behaviour and aging. Depending upon intensity and duration of exposure, they can be either neuroprotective or neurotoxic, for instance by affecting production of free radicals. This book, based on contributions of pioneer investigators in the field, outlines the ambiguous actions of gonadal steroids (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, inhibin and activin) and of neurosteroids, related moieties produced in the brain itself. After summarizing their multiple mechanisms of action, which involve both direct effects on neuronal membranes and activation of genes coding for specific proteins in neurons or glial cells, the book outlines the role of hormones in pathogenic processes such as mental disturbances or neurodegenerative diseases.
Economics of the Environment : Theory and Policy
The labor of nature is paid, not because she does much, but because she does little. In proportion as she becomes niggardly in her gifts, she exacts a greater price for her work. Where she is munificently bene- cent, she always works gratis.“ David Ricardo* This book interprets nature and the environment as a scarce resource. Whereas in the past people lived in a paradise of environmental superabundance, at p- sent environmental goods and services are no longer in ample supply. The en- ronment fulfills many functions for the economy: it serves as a public-c- sumption good, as a provider of natural resources, and as receptacle of waste. These different functions compete with each other. Releasing more pollutants into the environment reduces environmental quality, and a better environm- tal quality implies that the environment’s use as a receptacle of waste has to be restrained. Consequently, environmental disruption and environmental use are by nature allocation problems. This is the basic message of this book.
Development and In-vitro Dissolution Test of Pilocarpine PVA : Hydrogel Lenses
Due to high water content of hydrogel (wetting) and due to extended drug release comparing to ophthalmic solution and higher transparency comparing to ophthalmic ointment, soft contact lenses were found to elongate contact time with the eye and use it for long time without causing hypoxia or needing multiple dosing per a day. The objective of the study was to design, fabricate, and investigate the effectiveness of PVA hydrogel with DMSO soft contact lens in releasing the model drug, pilocarpine.
Cost-effective energy efficient building retrofitting : Materials, technologies, optimization and case studies
The building sector is responsible for high energy consumption and its global demand is expected to grow as each day there are approximately 200,000 new inhabitants on planet Earth. The majority of electric energy will continue to be generated from the combustion of fossil fuels releasing not only carbon dioxide, but also methane and nitrous oxide. Energy efficiency measures are therefore crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of the building sector. Energy efficient building retrofitting needs to not only be technically feasible, but also economically viable. New building materials and advanced technologies already exist, but the knowledge to integrate all active components is still scarce and far from being widespread among building industry stakeholders.
Contemporary Esthetic Dentistry
Covering both popular and advanced cosmetic procedures, Contemporary Esthetic Dentistry enhances your skills in the dental treatments leading to esthetically pleasing restorations. Then covers essential topics such as ultraconservative dentistry, color and shade, adhesive techniques, anterior and posterior direct composites, and finishing and polishing. Popular esthetic treatment options are described in detail, including bleaching or tooth whitening, direct and porcelain veneers, and esthetic inlays and onlays.
Chemical Leasing Goes Global : Selling Services Instead of Barrels : A Win-Win Business Model for Environment and Industry
Chemical Leasing is an innovative business model within the sustainable management of chemicals. The economic benefit is achieved by selling chemicals services instead of increasing the sales volume. This book contains detailed descriptions and evaluations based on existing projects in Austria, Egypt, Russia and Mexico where in a broard range of sectors and companies the application of Chemical leasing was assisted. The book also contains political and scientific interpretations and analyses.
