1522 research outputs found
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Shareholder Returns In Domestic and International Acquisitions: Evidence from the Fifth Merger Wave
Get PDFAbstract
We examine the magnitude and determinants of acquiring shareholder returns using a sample of domestic and foreign acquisitions of UK firms during the period 1990-1998. We also assess the magnitude of combined wealth gains and their division using a paired sample of 219 targets and their acquirers. Targets of foreign bids have a lower PE ratio, have experienced lower sales growth and lower profitability growth but have greater cash reserves and higher R&D intensity vis a vis targets of domestic bids. Foreign acquirers are larger and have a higher level of intangible assets and R&D expenditure vis-à-vis UK bidders. Both targets of foreign bids and their acquirers differ to their domestic counterparts in that they are from more high tech industries.
UK acquirers gain albeit insignificantly upon the takeover announcement being made in contrast to the small losses experienced by their foreign counterparts with US acquirers deem to fare worst. Combined wealth gains whilst on average are small, are larger when acquirers are from Continental Europe and when acquirers do not have a previous presence in the UK market. The determinants of acquirers value changes are found to include a mix of both target firms financial characteristics as well as bid features. Finally, a great volume of merger activity is witnessed in the 1995-1998 era compared to the 1990-94 period and we control for this in our analyses
Active Node supporting Context-aware Vertical Handover in Pervasive Computing Environment with Redundant Positioning
Get PDFA major requirement for pervasive systems is to
integrate context-awareness to support heterogeneous networks
and device technologies and at the same time support application
adaptations to suit user activities. However, current
infrastructures for pervasive systems are based on centralized
architectures which are focused on context support for service
adaptations in response to changes in the computing environment
or user mobility. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical
architecture based on active nodes, which maximizes the
computational capabilities of various nodes within the pervasive
computing environment, while efficiently gathering and
evaluating context information from the user’s working
environment. The migratable active node architecture employs
various decision making processes for evaluating a rich set of
context information in order to dynamically allocate active nodes
in the working environment, perform application adaptations
and predict user mobility. The active node also utilizes the
Redundant Positioning System to accurately manage user’s
mobility. This paper demonstrates the active node capabilities
through context-aware vertical handover applications
Principles of Secure Network Configuration: Towards a formal basis for Self-Configuration
Get PDFAbstract. The challenge for autonomic network management is the provision of future network management systems that have the characteristics of self-management, self-configuration, self-protection and self-healing, in accordance with the high level objectives of the enterprise or human end-user. This paper proposes an abstract model for network configuration that is intended to help understand fundamental underlying issues in self-configuration. We describe the cascade problem in self-configuring networks: when individual network components that are securely configured are connected together (in an apparently secure manner), a configuration cascade can occur resulting in a mis-configured network. This has implications for the design of self-configuring systems and we discuss how a soft constraint-based framework can provide a solution
We Have Moved: The evaluation report of the ten years of Moving on Programme model of work with young mothers
Get PDFThe Moving On programme at St Catherine's Community Services Centre was established in 1996 in response to the needs of young mothers in Co Carlow. The Cnetre for Social and Family Research, WIT was commissioned to carry out this evaluation report
Learnmaths: a case study of the development of learning software to support social inclusion
Get PDFThis paper discusses the role of technology in overcoming existing barriers to education and employment faced by people with specific learning disabilities and illustrates the discussion by the example of the Learnmaths toolbox for people with specific learning disabilities in mathematics. The context of the toolbox is respect for equality and diversity and consequently the recognition that different approaches to learning are equally valid and that the cognitive processes of people with specific learning disabilities can lead to creativity and innovation
An efficient process for estimation of network demand for QoS-aware IP network planning
Get PDFEstimations of network demand are an essential input to the IP network planning process. We present a technique for per traffic class IP network demand estimation based on harnessing information gathered for accounting and charging purposes. This technique represents an efficient use of pre-existing information, is easy to deploy, and, crucially, is highly cost-effective in comparison to traditional direct measurement systems employing dedicated traffic metering hardware. In order to facilitate QoS-aware network planning we also introduce a technique for estimation of QoS related effective bandwidth coefficients via analysis of a relatively small number of packet traces. The combination of the demand and effective bandwidth coefficient estimation techniques provide the basis for an effective, low-cost network planning solution. In this paper we present initial results that validate our contention that network accounting records can be reused to create a QoS aware demand matrix for IP networks
Macular carotenoids and age-related maculopathy
No full textLutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are concentrated at the macula, where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP), and where they are believed to play a major role in protecting retinal tissues against oxidative stress. Whilst the exact pathogenesis of age-related maculopathy (ARM) remains unknown, the disruption of cellular processes by oxidative stress may play an important role. Manipulation of dietary intake of L and Z has been shown to augment MP, thereby raising hopes that dietary supplementation with these carotenoids might prevent, delay, or modify the course of ARM. This article discusses the scientific rationale supporting the hypothesis that L and Z are protective against ARM, and presents the recent evidence germane to this theory
Issues in Addressing the Lifelong Learning Needs of Construction Professionals Using Technology Facilitated Learning – Experiences from an Irish Blended Learning Initiative
No full textDeveloping a Framework for the Delivery of Continuing Professional Development for Construction Management in Europe
No full textCharacterization of Bacterial Community Structure on a Weathered Pegmatitic Granite
Get PDFThis study exploited the contrasting major element
chemistry of a pegmatitic granite to investigate mineralogical
influences on bacterial community structure.
Intact crystals of variably weathered muscovite, plagioclase,
K-feldspar, and quartz were extracted, together
with whole-rock granite. Environmental scanning electron
microscopy revealed a diversity of bacterial structures,
with rods and cocci clearly visible on surfaces of
all mineral types. Bacterial automated ribosomal intergenic
spacer analysis was used to generate a ribotype
profile for each mineral. A randomization test revealed
that community fingerprints differed between different
mineral types, whereas canonical correspondence analysis
(CCA) showed that mineral chemistry affected
individual bacterial ribotypes. CCA also revealed that
Al, Si, and Ca had a significant impact on bacterial
community structure within the system, which contrasts
with the finding within fungal communities that although
Al and Si also had a significant impact, K rather
than Ca was important. The bacterial populations
associated with different minerals were different. Members
of each of these populations were found almost
exclusively on a single mineral type, as was previously
reported for fungal populations. These results show that bacterial community structure was driven by the chemical
composition of minerals, indicating selective pressure
by individual chemical elements on bacterial
populations in situ