Academic literature on the topic 'High and low involvement purchase'

This fifth volume of The Papers of James Monroe presents many important and never-before published documents relating to the critical years 1803—1811, providing a documentary record of the early American Republic as well as of a future president of the United States. For academic scholars, college and high school students, and general readers interested in the history of the United States, The Papers of James Monroe series has established itself as the go-to resource for primary documents about President James Monroe and the early history of the United States. In this latest volume, readers have access to more than 400 annotated original documents, some of which have never before been published. This fifth volume of this acclaimed series presents a chronologically organized collection of documents covering the period from January 1803 through April 1811. Following an introductory essay, the subjects covered include Monroe's involvement in treaty negotiations with England, Spain, and France—most notably, those talks surrounding the Louisiana Purchase; his candidacy in the 1808 presidential election; and his appointment as secretary of state in 1811. The documents in this volume illuminate the decisions made by American, British, French, and Spanish leaders during this specific period, especially regarding events leading up to the War of 1812, which illustrate how monumental events such as war can result from the choices of certain key individuals.

Management of prostate cancer remains controversial, in large part because of its wide heterogeneity in terms of aggressiveness and prognosis. Early detection efforts based on prostate specific antigen (PSA) and aggressive treatment of high-risk cancers have yielded major improvements in mortality rates, but overtreatment of low-risk cancers—those unlikely to cause symptoms or threaten life if they were never detected—is associated with high rates of avoidable toxicity and cost. Prostate cancer can be effectively risk-stratified based on tools (e.g. nomograms, CAPRA score) integrating the PSA level, Gleason grade, clinical stage, and extent of biopsy tissue involvement. Most men with low-risk tumours are eligible for active surveillance, a programme of careful monitoring based on PSA and follow-up biopsies. Men with higher-risk cancers are best served with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy.

AbstractConsumer interest is driving growth in the use of greener products, such as those using recycled materials. However, several outstanding questions remain regarding purchase intentions for green products. One current debate regards the role of age, with some findings showing older consumers are more willing to purchase green products, and other studies to the contrary. There are also a number of studies with differing results regarding the role of product involvement. We conduct an experiment and use conjoint analysis to test for the influence of age and involvement on purchase intentions for green products. We find that younger consumers are more likely to purchase green products if they are affordable. We also observe that being green can directly lead to higher purchase intentions for a low involving affordable product, whereas the green attribute is one of several attributes a consumer evaluates for a high involving affordable product.

AbstractThe chapter utilises four variables to examine Russia’s food trade from the 1970s to the present. The four variables include: frequency of entrance into the global food market; degree of food trade protectionism; degree of integration with Western global trading institutions; and degree of involvement in the global food market. For the period since 2014, the chapter concludes that the frequency of Russia’s entrance into the global food market is likely to remain high as an annual importer and exporter. Agricultural protectionism is likely to remain selectively high. The degree of integration with Western trade institutions is likely to remain low. Russia’s degree of involvement with the global food market is likely to remain high.

AbstractRetroperitoneal (RP) masses represent a wide variety of pathologies. They can grow to a substantial size before presenting symptoms that lead to imaging work-up. They are also often detected incidentally due to increased use of cross-sectional imaging. Contrast-enhanced CT is the modality of choice, yet MRI can clarify involvement of muscle, bone, or neural foramina. 18F FDG PET/CT is not routinely indicated, however, for lesions which are inaccessible to percutaneous biopsy it can differentiate between intermediate/high-grade lesions and low grade/benign lesions. This chapter aims to describe the most common indeterminate RP masses and to highlight features which help in the differential diagnosis.

Abstract Theological journals were an important stage for negotiating the high–low distinction between academic and non-academic scholars. This chapter examines three German theological journals (1828–1870), focussing on the interactions between their editorial boards and non-academic scholars. The fates of these journals, the Theologische Studien und Kritiken, the Deutsche Zeitschrift für christliche Wissenschaft und christliches Leben and the Jahrbücher für deutsche Theologie, give valuable insight into both the attempted professionalisation of academic theology and the impossibility of fully disentangling it from non-academic scholarship. The chapter argues that the involvement of non-academic contributors was integral to the journals’ inception plans. Over the years, some non-academic contributors, primarily those from the clergy or involved in education, developed an impressive activity in the journals’ content. This chapter seeks to assess the motivations of these authors through an analysis of their publications. It concludes with case studies from the editorial correspondence of the Theologische Studien und Kritiken to illustrate the tensions between maintaining academic standards and incorporating contributions from scholars outside academia.

Abstract Carotid artery (CA) involvement in head and neck cancer (HNC) has a low incidence, occurring in 2–7% cases of advanced HNCs. Clinical scenarios can be various, with the CA being displaced, surrounded by the mass, or with its wall invaded in different degrees of depth. Magnetic resonance has proved to be a reliable tool in predicting CA invasion, although standardization in terms of radiological criteria that define CA involvement are lacking. Management of CA involvement has been historically debated in HNC, primarily due to the high risk of treatment-related complications, which are not counterbalanced by reasonable control of the disease. Even if indications have been profoundly changed over the years, with some data supporting the feasibility of common and internal carotid artery (CCA/ICA) unilateral resection in accurately selected patients with skull base cancer (SBC) or HNC, debate arises from the potential severe morbidity of resection and reconstruction, neurological complications after vessel removal, and dismal prognosis in advanced-stage malignancies. While CA resection-sparing alternatives exist, these are still not devoid of risks. Thus, awareness of the existing different options is critical, and accurate evaluation of surgical and non-surgical alternatives is mandatory. In this overtly complex setting, clinicians should focus on a few specific questions: is CCA/ICA resection feasible? Is vessel reconstruction feasible? How accurately can we predict tolerance to CA resection? Is the risk/benefit ratio acceptable? Are there valuable alternatives? In this review, much attention is paid to analyze the evolution over the years of the definition of CCA/ICA involvement, the different impact of surgical and nonsurgical approaches, and prognostic outcomes. Ultimately, multidisciplinary management, which can guarantee a comprehensive and thoughtful approach, is essential to achieve an optimized patient-centered approach and to pursue favorable oncologic outcomes while not exposing the patient to unreasonable morbidity.

AbstractAn integral part in the comprehensive care of HIV and a significant health service is contraception, however research carried out to evaluate the perception and utilization of contraception among HIV positive men are few. This research aim to determine the knowledge, perception and uptake of contraception among HIV positive male patients at Saye-Zaria. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with collection of quantitative data through questionnaire and qualitative data with Focused group discussion (FGD). The majority (85.1%) of respondents have heard about contraception, most had good perception, and only 61.9% of the respondents have ever used contraception. There was a significant association between level of education and perception. In conclusion there was high knowledge, low usage and poor acceptance of contraception. Therefore, the government should put adequate policies in place to encourage male involvement in the utilization of contraception.

AbstractThe number of people living in rural areas of low and middle-income countries is projected to increase in the coming decades. It is in the rural areas of these countries where a large majority of the world’s extreme poor reside. The livelihoods of two to three billion rural people depend on small farms. These small farms are responsible for the production and supply of a large portion of the calories feeding low- and middle-income countries. Small farms are also preservers of crops and associated biodiversity and with the right incentives can contribute to land stewardship. Small farms are diverse, and, hence, so are their associated challenges. We categorize small farms as commercial farms, small farms in transition and subsistence-oriented farms and highlight evidence-based innovations for the sustainable transformation of each type of small farm. Broadly, small farms face high transaction costs, lack collective action, and experience coordination failure in production and marketing. Lack of market access is also a major challenge. Investments in infrastructure, including those that support access to digital technologies, can improve farmers’ access to markets and incentives as well as foster growth in the midstream segments of the value chain that provide inputs, storage, processing, and logistics to small farms. Rural Non-Farm Employment (RNFE) is increasingly the main source of income for most small farmers and provides them with a risk diversification strategy and cash, both to purchase food and for farm investments to raise productivity, expand commercial activities, and produce higher-value products. Public investments and policies that facilitate growth of the agrifood system must pay more attention to creating enabling environments for the development of RNFE and strengthening the synergy between agriculture and RNFE in rural areas.

Abstract In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of cracking for RPV steels in high temperature water, slow strain rate tests and polarization measurements have been made in a series of Fe-C-Mn-X alloys, where X was either Cr, Ni, Mo or Si (typical alloying elements for RPV steels) and on some relevant commercial alloys. The slow strain rate tests were performed in 250°C water at a series of applied potentials. On the criteria of the minimum potential at which cracking will occur, nickel and chromium retard cracking whereas molybdenum enhances cracking. The mechanism of cracking is discussed in terms of the maximum crack velocities observed and typical anodic current densities observed in polarization studies. Whereas it would be helpful to obtain straining electrode data in typical low conductivity reactor grade water to assist interpretation of the present results, the existing data suggests that the rate controlling mechanism for cracking is anodic dissolution at the crack tip, but that the observed crack growth rate might only be explained by the involvement of a significant contribution from mechanical tearing in the fracture process.

Abstract Garnet has proven itself to be an exceptionally high performance abrasive over the last 25 years. It is efficient, low dusting, consistent, environmentally friendly and worker-safe. Knowledgeable blasters favor garnet and facility engineers specify it. As a very heavy and hard mineral, garnet offers a unique blend of high performance characteristics unmatched by conventional dry abrasives. The only perceived negative to blasting garnet is a higher cost per ton. As project costs increase and environmental and safety regulations broaden, the higher purchase price is easy to justify. All the user need do is apply it properly. The wide range of performance advantages garnet provides is now recognized by informed users who need a more efficient abrasive. Currently garnet enjoys widespread popularity as a single pass abrasive for field work with sales setting record levels year after year.

Abstract Laboratory and field work has been undertaken to identify an appropriate laboratory test environment for hydrogen- induced cracking-resistant linepipe purchase specification purposes. Field hydrogen permeation measurements were made on several sour service linepipes to determine the variation of the surface concentration of diffusing hydrogen atoms with time. Laboratory hydrogen permeation measurements were made on specimens of linepipes exposed to several candidate hydrogen-induced cracking test environments. These environments included the NACE TM0284 and TM0177-86 environments and three environments with intermediate pH values. The surface concentration of hydrogen in a linepipe exposed to either laboratory or field sour environments initially rose to a peak value and then fell to a low value. Since hydrogen-induced cracking-related failures of tubulars have sometimes occurred within a few days of start-up, it was decided that a valid laboratory test environment should have a peak surface concentration of hydrogen which is at least as high as the worst case field value. A modified TM0284 environment with an initial pH of 3.5 had a peak surface concentration of hydrogen equivalent to that of the worst case field environment.

This study investigates the perception of human content creators about virtual AI influencers and their impact on influencer marketing. The research explores how virtual AI influencers affect purchase intentions compared to human influencers, considering factors such as perceived realism, human-like qualities, product involvement levels, and consumer trust. The study employed a quantitative research design with a sample of 258 respondents, using a structured questionnaire and statistical analyses including correlation, paired ttests, and regression. Key findings reveal a strong positive correlation between perceived realism of AI influencers and consumer trust. Virtual AI influencers were found to be more effective in influencing purchase intentions for low-involvement products, while human influencers were more effective for high- involvement products. Interactivity, content quality, and brand image significantly impact consumer purchase intentions for AI influencers. The research highlights the distinct yet complementary roles of virtual and human influencers in modern marketing. While virtual influencers offer advantages like control and cost-effectiveness, human influencers provide authentic, personal connections. The study concludes that the effectiveness of influencers varies based on product type and consumer perceptions, emphasizing the importance of strategic selection in influencer marketing campaigns. These insights contribute to understanding the evolving digital marketing landscape and offer practical strategies for leveraging both virtual and human influencers effectively.

Abstract The modern world progressively demands more energy; according to forecasts energy consumption will grow at an average annual rate of 3 percent. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase products or devices that are efficient and environmentally friendly. Technology in LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting is presented as an alternative to energy saving, since LEDs have proven to be extremely efficient, have a long service life and their cost-effective ratio is very good. However, the heat emitted by the LED chip must be dissipated effectively, since the overheating of the chip reduces the efficiency and lifetime of the lamp. Therefore, heat sinks that are reliable, efficient and inexpensive should be designed and built. The present work proposes new designs for heat sinks in LED lamps, some of the models in the design of the fins refer to the Fibonacci series. The models proposed in the present work that have a significant advantage are the Type 1E Model (5.2% mass savings and better thermal efficiency of 8.33%), GR Type 1 Model (3.12% lighter and 3.33% more efficient) and the GRL Type Model (4. 51% mass savings and 5.55% thermally more efficient) compared to the Type 2 Reference Model proposed by Jang et al. [12].

A photovoltaic (PV) distributed energy resource (DER) was established to support the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Green Power Switch program, which allows utility customers to purchase blocks of electricity generated by solar resources. The PV DER was also used to study the potential shading benefits of roof-mounted PV systems for commercial buildings. Test data derived by monitoring an offset-mounted PV array shading a built-up low-slope roof system shows that the annual savings per square foot of low-slope roof can be as high as $0.18 ($1.95 per square meter) in Phoenix, AZ.

Today, more than 70% of people live in and around cities. Existing urban and regional food systems are unsustainable and society expects and demands change. In order to help prevent and reduce food waste, reduce the environmental impact of food production and food waste, and promote access to healthy food for all, it is essential to design and develop smart, food-oriented food chains. Therefore, the involvement of local entrepreneurs, municipalities and citizens in the development of the food security ecosystem of cities and regions is important. Involvement in local food supply chains allows businesses to increase the added value of their products and make farmers less vulnerable to market risks by reducing the number of intermediaries through diversification and better price control, guaranteeing less asymmetric relationships with customers. Municipalities promote the consumption of quality products through green public procurement of food and thus reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases, but in the long run the costs of health care. In Latvia, according to the data of 2019, only 3% of biologically certified farms sold their products through public procurement, incl. purchase of school catering. The aim of this study is to identify barriers and possible solutions for increasing the share of local organic food purchased by mainstream schools. The study finds that the role of local organic food in green public procurement and its impact on territorial development is linked to environmental, social and economic benefits. The main obstacles to participating in GPP tenders and winning the tender were: 1) the quantity and range of products required (division of goods into lots), as well as the purchase prices of organic products; 2) high bureaucratic burden for “small” producers, complex Electronic Procurement System and tender submission criteria; 3 cal organic food is more expensive than imported; 4) limited financial resources; 5) insufficient amount of food produced. There were significant communication gaps between stakeholders regarding GPP, as well as a lack of knowledge about the organic market and how to implement GPP.

Going green is increasingly important to the market. The present research indicates that functional and emotional factors can achieve the best-perceived effects when choosing an environment-friendly product. Therefore, this study aims to gather these attractive factors from high-involvement groups by using Miryoku engineering. First, we capture the factors through the Evaluation Grid Method and use Quantification Theory Type I for quantitative analysis. Then, generalize four feelings about environment-friendly products, namely “Assured,” “Responsible,” “Safe,” and “Comfortable.” We also define a linear dimension with short-, normal-, and far-sight for locating attractive factors and feelings. The result shows that high-involvement groups are more concerned about the long-term impacts of “Responsible” feelings, while low-involvement groups focus more on the obvious benefits of “Responsible” and “Safe” feelings. Moreover, the emphasis on natural ingredients is necessary for achieving “Assured” and “Comfortable” feelings for both the high- and low-involvement groups.

This study looked at how price discounts affected consumer purchasing decisions, aiming to understand the role that affordability plays in promoting the consumption of healthier foods. Although there are many studies on the effect of discounting prices on purchase of foods there is limited focus on purchase of healthy foods in developing markets capable of establishing causal inferences. Given the problems of limited nutritional diversity and high rates of malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries- LMICs ( Dukhi, 2020), this research offers insight that could inform policies and interventions aimed at enhancing nutritional outcomes and preventing malnutrition in these countries.

The density of communication towers in the Republic remains very low (1 tower per 1600 inhabitants).Despite high levels of adult literacy, digital literacy remains at lower levels. In Uzbekistan, only 7% of adults use the internet to either pay bills or purchase merchandise online through mobile applications, smartphones, bank card, mobile payments. The development of domestic e-commerce can benefit the Uzbek economy by low capital intensity and high speed of capital turnover.

This paper examines the evolution of women's participation in the labor market from 1960 to 2018, shedding light on the complex factors that influence their labor opportunities. The study emphasizes the significance of the historical context in understanding these factors. This research uncovers nuanced insights using a two-step methodology involving principal component analysis and Time-Varying Effect Modeling (TVEM). The results indicate that the transition from high to low fertility rates significantly influenced female labor participation until the late 1970s. Educational advancements, economic growth, and changing marital dynamics also played a role in shaping evolving patterns. From 1980 to 1995, factors such as diminishing fertility, declining infant mortality, and varying economic conditions influenced women's labor involvement. From 1995 to 2010, higher education emerged as a key driver, accompanied by shifting societal norms, and from 2010 to 2018, the period witnessed positive contributions from fertility rates, minimum wage, and male labor participation. This study underscores the intricate relationship between education, demographics, social norms, and economics in shaping women's labor force participation, providing valuable insights for gender-inclusive policies and promoting women's economic empowerment.

Electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) are becoming increasingly popular as an eco-friendly mode of transport. They provide a convenient and efficient option for short-distance travel, particularly in urban areas. However, the widespread adoption of E2Ws in India still faces several challenges. In order to address these issues, the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) and International Copper Association India (ICA India) have teamed up to identify the key barriers hindering the adoption of electric two-wheelers in the market. The joint research project aims to identify effective pathways for a market transformation for E2Ws in India and promote the widespread adoption of E2Ws as a sustainable and efficient mode of transport. The goal of the study is to facilitate the increased adoption of E2Ws in India by examining the perspectives of various stakeholders, including consumers, fleet operators, financial institutions, dealerships, and service centers. The study was conducted in three zones - North Zone (Delhi, Lucknow), West Zone (Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Rajkot), and South Zone (Bangalore, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Chennai). The study collected 1159 responses from both E2W users and internal combustion engine (ICE) users across India, as well as E2W dealers, in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the E2W market across the country. The survey results revealed key insights about the prevalence of E2W users, their awareness of ICE options, and their willingness to adopt more eco-friendly modes of transport. The report covers key aspects of E2Ws, including purchase, charging, performance, aftersales, safety, retrofitting, etc. Chapter 1 introduces the E2W ecosystem and sets the background and need for the study. Chapter 2 details the scope and methodology adopted for the research. Various barriers and motivating factors and their role in attracting or deterring consumers from or towards EV adoption, like charging practices, usage behaviour, ownership cost, purchase experience, etc., were delved into. The chapter also details the respondents’ profiles and the surveying techniques incorporated for the study, i.e., face-toface interviews with E2W users and In-person qualitative discussions with the E2W dealers. It was found that the younger generations had an equal propensity towards both ICE and E2Ws. Also, the average income of EV owners was found to be higher than the average income of ICE two-wheelers. Chapter 3 discusses the findings and key insights from the consumer survey. It examines the key perceptions of customers regarding E2W and ICE vehicles and their purchase and usage practices. The chapter discusses important current and future triggers and barriers to EV adoption. Access to charging stations, Safety concerns, high upfront costs, long charging times, etc., were found to be the major deterrents towards EV adoption. Chapter 4 presents the key insights from the dealer consultation and discusses the various obstacles, including warranty and battery replacement costs, low margins, the lack of supplier credit facilities, battery backup, the high price of E2Ws, and low speed. These obstacles impede their ability to sell electric vehicles and compete with other types of vehicle dealers. Nonetheless, as the EV market grows and develops, manufacturers and dealers will be able to overcome these obstacles and establish a more sustainable and competitive EV industry. Chapter 4 presents the key insights from the dealer consultation and discusses the various obstacles dealers face, including warranty and battery replacement costs, low margins, the lack of supplier credit facilities, battery backup, the high price of E2Ws, and low speed. These obstacles impede their ability to sell electric vehicles and compete with other types of vehicle dealers. Nonetheless, as the EV market grows and develops, manufacturers and dealers will be able to overcome these obstacles and establish a more sustainable and competitive EV industry. Chapter 5 provides recommendations to address the different barriers to E2W adoption in India, like high upfront costs of E2W, charging stations, safety issues, battery issues, etc. The whitepaper provides recommendations to address the challenges and barriers hindering the adoption of E2Ws in India. These recommendations cover various topics such as consumer perceptions, demand incentives, and product-related issues like servicing, safety, and performance. To encourage ix the wider adoption of E2Ws, the whitepaper proposes several measures, including improving the availability of charging infrastructure, regular maintenance of charging points, and investment support to charging and swapping players. Additionally, partnering with financial institutions to offer affordable loans is recommended to make E2Ws more accessible to consumers. These measures are critical to overcoming the challenges faced by E2W users and promoting the adoption of ecofriendly transport options in India. To achieve the target of increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions by 33-35% by 2030, as set by the Indian government, it is crucial for the various stakeholders in the electric vehicle ecosystem to implement the strategies outlined in the whitepaper. The aim is to accelerate the adoption of E2Ws and support the government in achieving its goals.

The research had two specific goals; (1) to develop and optimize a postharvest heat treatment and characterize the response of tomato to the heat and subsequent cold storage, and (2) to investigate the involvement of heat shock proteins (HSP) in resistance to chilling injury. For the first goal we have investigated many time-temperature treatments using dry heat and found that 48 h at 38oC is optimum for Israeli cultivars, while 48 h at 42oC worked better for American cultivars in preventing chilling injury. We have also compared hot water to hot air and found hot water to be effective, but less so than hot air. Membrane lipid composition in relation to chilling injury was investigated after hot water and hot air treatments. Investigation of fruit ripening found that mRNAs of ripening-related genes were inhibited by high temperature, but recovered during the subsequent storage period and allowed normal ripening to proceed. Sensory studies showed no difference in the taste of heated or nonheated fruit. Following the production of HSP in heated and stored fruit allowed us to determine that during low temperature storage the HSP remained present in the fruit tissue, and their presence was correlated with resistance to chilling injury. HSP clones have been isolated by both differential screening of a cDNA library of heated and chilled tomatoes (Israel) and by mRNA differential display (United States). These clones are being characterized.

Chile's housing policy is widely regarded as a success. For almost a decade, new construction has been above the level required to provide houses for new families and replace obsolete structures. This raises hopes that within the next decade all families in Chile will occupy dwellings that comply with minimum quality and service standards. This is no small accomplishment for a country just entering the middle ground in the development scale. Moreover, the private sector is taking an increasingly active role in housing production and financing. This too is a significant achievement considering that in the 1970s most housing was built and financed by the government. Further, government assistance is effectively reaching the poor, and most public resources are benefiting low-income households. Confidence in the housing policy is high among the low-income population as expressed in their high level of participation in a housing savings program and by the absence of land invasions. These accomplishments are the result of a long maturation process in the Chilean housing sector. Fifty years of government policy have consolidated the legal, institutional, and entrepreneurial foundations of the current housing production and financing system. Several success factors can be identified: an integrated sector approach (which incorporates the housing needs of all income groups); an efficient subsidy system (the result of a long process of experimentation); and reforms of the general banking system and the social security system (which created strong institutions to intermediate the financial resources accumulated by pension funds and life insurance companies). Even with its accomplishments, Chile's housing sector still faces significant challenges. Improvements are needed to more effectively mobilize the resources devoted to housing. The lack of coordination between housing and urban development policies is becoming a major liability for both efficient housing production and equitable urban growth. Direct government involvement in house construction and home financing enforce uniformity in design and repayment schedules failing to fully meet the diversified demand of the target households and to fully mobilize the repayment capacity of beneficiaries. It is suggested that it may be time for housing policy to move beyond this basic approach introducing more flexibility through greater market participation in low-income housing.

The Report provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on the ageing of large dams –an emerging global development issue as tens of thousands of existing large dams have reached or exceeded an “alert” age threshold of 50 years, and many others will soon approach 100 years. These aged structures incur rapidly rising maintenance needs and costs while simultaneously declining their effectiveness and posing potential threats to human safety and the environment. The Report analyzes large dam construction trends across major geographical regions and primary dam functions, such as water supply, irrigation, flood control, hydropower, and recreation. Analysis of existing global datasets indicates that despite plans in some regions and countries to build more water storage dams, particularly for hydropower generation, there will not be another “dam revolution” to match the scale of the high-intensity dam construction experienced in the early to middle, 20th century. At the same time, many of the large dams constructed then are aging, and hence we are already experiencing a “mass ageing” of water storage infrastructure. The Report further explores the emerging practice of decommissioning ageing dams, which can be removal or re-operation, to address issues of ensuring public safety, escalating maintenance costs, reservoir sedimentation, and restoration of a natural river ecosystem. Decommissioning becomes the option if economic and practical limitations prevent a dam from being upgraded or if its original use has become obsolete. The cost of dam removal is estimated to be an order of magnitude less than that of repairing. The Report also gives an overview of dam decommissioning’s socio-economic impacts, including those on local livelihoods, heritage, property value, recreation, and aesthetics. Notably, the nature of these impacts varies significantly between low- and high-income countries. The Report shows that while dam decommissioning is a relatively recent phenomenon, it is gaining pace in the USA and Europe, where many dams are older. However, it is primarily small dams that have been removed to date, and the decommissioning of large dams is still in its infancy, with only a few known cases in the last decade. A few case studies of ageing and decommissioned large dams illustrate the complexity and length of the process that is often necessary to orchestrate the dam removal safely. Even removing a small dam requires years (often decades), continuous expert and public involvement, and lengthy regulatory reviews. With the mass ageing of dams well underway, it is important to develop a framework of protocols that will guide and accelerate the process of dam removal. Overall, the Report aims to attract global attention to the creeping issue of ageing water storage infrastructure and stimulate international efforts to deal with this emerging water risk. This Report’s primary target audiences are governments and their partners responsible for planning and implementing water infrastructure development and management, emphasizing adaptat

The Local Development Councils (LDCs) play a significant role in participatory governance for local policy development, as local government units (LGUs) are required to include members from civil society organizations (CSOs) in LDCs. While the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) monitors LDC functionality in accordance with the Local Government Code’s operational guidelines through the Seal of Good Local Governance, the effectiveness of LDCs—particularly the quality and substance of CSO participation—has not been reviewed. To address this, the DILG developed the Participatory Governance Metrics-LDC (PGM-LDC) tool to assess various dimensions and variables of participatory governance (PG). This research provides a comprehensive assessment of the baseline participation status in LDCs using the PGM-LDC tool. Through a rigorous mixed-methods approach, the analysis explores LDC participation from the perspectives of LGUs and CSOs across different LGU types and LDC functionality ratings (high/low) nationwide. The baseline analysis consists of three parts. First, it establishes the context of PG in LDCs by examining various LDC mechanisms, practices, and adherence to national participation policies (e.g., perceptions of LDC composition and frequency of participation, status and level of participation in LDC functions and committees, mandated representation of women and indigenous peoples, etc.). Second, it analyzes the PGM-LDC variable statements corresponding to the three PG dimensions (space, engagement, results), including qualitative explanations and correlations of perceptions with LGU type, LDC functionality, and respondent group. Third, additional analytical explorations are included to test for inter-variable interactions (among the PGM statements and dimensions) according to the PG logics of the PGM-LDC tool design. Recommendations are provided in each section to enhance existing and planned policies and capacity development initiatives of the DILG to improve participation in LDCs. Operational recommendations for the future deployment of the PGM-LDC survey are also included. Finally, the report concludes with an assessment of the baseline status of participation in LGUs. The analysis reveals that, when viewed through the lens of mandated mechanisms and practices, the state of participation in LDCs reflects active involvement from CSOs but is limited to ‘invited’ parameters. Furthermore, when analyzed through the PGM-LDC framework, agreeable ratings across the variable statements characterize the state of participation in LDCs, although more substantive PG principles, such as CSO influence and autonomy, rank lower among the 14 variables. In addition to specific recommendations in each variable-indicator discussion, the study also advocates for the elevation of national policy prescriptions and support for quality participation, as well as a deeper understanding of factors contributing to CSO satisfaction, particularly those influencing CSOs’ perceptions of their participation and referencing potential (rather than actual) benefits of participation for their satisfaction.

Banco de la República is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023. This is a very significant anniversary and one that provides an opportunity to highlight the contribution the Bank has made to the country’s development. Its track record as guarantor of monetary stability has established it as the one independent state institution that generates the greatest confidence among Colombians due to its transparency, management capabilities, and effective compliance with the central banking and cultural responsibilities entrusted to it by the Constitution and the Law. On a date as important as this, the Board of Directors of Banco de la República (BDBR) pays tribute to the generations of governors and officers whose commitment and dedication have contributed to the growth of this institution.1 Banco de la República’s mandate was confirmed in the National Constitutional Assembly of 1991 where the citizens had the opportunity to elect the seventy people who would have the task of drafting a new constitution. The leaders of the three political movements with the most votes were elected as chairs to the Assembly, and this tripartite presidency reflected the plurality and the need for consensus among the different political groups to move the reform forward. Among the issues considered, the National Constitutional Assembly gave special importance to monetary stability. That is why they decided to include central banking and to provide Banco de la República with the necessary autonomy to use the instruments for which they are responsible without interference from other authorities. The constituent members understood that ensuring price stability is a state duty and that the entity responsible for this task must be enshrined in the Constitution and have the technical capability and institutional autonomy necessary to adopt the decisions they deem appropriate to achieve this fundamental objective in coordination with the general economic policy. In particular, Article 373 established that “the State, through Banco de la República, shall ensure the maintenance of the purchasing power of the currency,” a provision that coincided with the central banking system adopted by countries that have been successful in controlling inflation. In 1999, in Ruling 481, the Constitutional Court stated that “the duty to maintain the purchasing power of the currency applies to not only the monetary, credit, and exchange authority, i.e., the Board of Banco de la República, but also those who have responsibilities in the formulation and implementation of the general economic policy of the country” and that “the basic constitutional purpose of Banco de la República is the protection of a sound currency. However, this authority must take the other economic objectives of state intervention such as full employment into consideration in their decisions since these functions must be coordinated with the general economic policy.” The reforms to Banco de la República agreed upon in the Constitutional Assembly of 1991 and in Act 31/1992 can be summarized in the following aspects: i) the Bank was assigned a specific mandate: to maintain the purchasing power of the currency in coordination with the general economic policy; ii) the BDBR was designatedas the monetary, foreign exchange, and credit authority; iii) the Bank and its Board of Directors were granted a significant degree of independence from the government; iv) the Bank was prohibited from granting credit to the private sector except in the case of the financial sector; v) established that in order to grant credit to the government, the unanimous vote of its Board of Directors was required except in the case of open market transactions; vi) determined that the legislature may, in no case, order credit quotas in favor of the State or individuals; vii) Congress was appointed, on behalf of society, as the main addressee of the Bank’s reporting exercise; and viii) the responsibility for inspection, surveillance, and control over Banco de la República was delegated to the President of the Republic. The members of the National Constitutional Assembly clearly understood that the benefits of low and stable inflation extend to the whole of society and contribute mto the smooth functioning of the economic system. Among the most important of these is that low inflation promotes the efficient use of productive resources by allowing relative prices to better guide the allocation of resources since this promotes economic growth and increases the welfare of the population. Likewise, low inflation reduces uncertainty about the expected return on investment and future asset prices. This increases the confidence of economic agents, facilitates long-term financing, and stimulates investment. Since the low-income population is unable to protect itself from inflation by diversifying its assets, and a high proportion of its income is concentrated in the purchase of food and other basic goods that are generally the most affected by inflationary shocks, low inflation avoids arbitrary redistribution of income and wealth.2 Moreover, low inflation facilitates wage negotiations, creates a good labor climate, and reduces the volatility of employment levels. Finally, low inflation helps to make the tax system more transparent and equitable by avoiding the distortions that inflation introduces into the value of assets and income that make up the tax base. From the monetary authority’s point of view, one of the most relevant benefits of low inflation is the credibility that economic agents acquire in inflation targeting, which turns it into an effective nominal anchor on price levels. Upon receiving its mandate, and using its autonomy, Banco de la República began to announce specific annual inflation targets as of 1992. Although the proposed inflation targets were not met precisely during this first stage, a downward trend in inflation was achieved that took it from 32.4% in 1990 to 16.7% in 1998. At that time, the exchange rate was kept within a band. This limited the effectiveness of monetary policy, which simultaneously sought to meet an inflation target and an exchange rate target. The Asian crisis spread to emerging economies and significantly affected the Colombian economy. The exchange rate came under strong pressure to depreciate as access to foreign financing was cut off under conditions of a high foreign imbalance. This, together with the lack of exchange rate flexibility, prevented a countercyclical monetary policy and led to a 4.2% contraction in GDP that year. In this context of economic slowdown, annual inflation fell to 9.2% at the end of 1999, thus falling below the 15% target set for that year. This episode fully revealed how costly it could be, in terms of economic activity, to have inflation and exchange rate targets simultaneously. Towards the end of 1999, Banco de la República announced the adoption of a new monetary policy regime called the Inflation Targeting Plan. This regime, known internationally as ‘Inflation Targeting,’ has been gaining increasing acceptance in developed countries, having been adopted in 1991 by New Zealand, Canada, and England, among others, and has achieved significant advances in the management of inflation without incurring costs in terms of economic activity. In Latin America, Brazil and Chile also adopted it in 1999. In the case of Colombia, the last remaining requirement to be fulfilled in order to adopt said policy was exchange rate flexibility. This was realized around September 1999, when the BDBR decided to abandon the exchange-rate bands to allow the exchange rate to be freely determined in the market.Consistent with the constitutional mandate, the fundamental objective of this new policy approach was “the achievement of an inflation target that contributes to maintaining output growth around its potential.”3 This potential capacity was understood as the GDP growth that the economy can obtain if it fully utilizes its productive resources. To meet this objective, monetary policy must of necessity play a countercyclical role in the economy. This is because when economic activity is below its potential and there are idle resources, the monetary authority can reduce the interest rate in the absence of inflationary pressure to stimulate the economy and, when output exceeds its potential capacity, raise it. This policy principle, which is immersed in the models for guiding the monetary policy stance, makes the following two objectives fully compatible in the medium term: meeting the inflation target and achieving a level of economic activity that is consistent with its productive capacity. To achieve this purpose, the inflation targeting system uses the money market interest rate (at which the central bank supplies primary liquidity to commercial banks) as the primary policy instrument. This replaced the quantity of money as an intermediate monetary policy target that Banco de la República, like several other central banks, had used for a long time. In the case of Colombia, the objective of the new monetary policy approach implied, in practical terms, that the recovery of the economy after the 1999 contraction should be achieved while complying with the decreasing inflation targets established by the BDBR. The accomplishment of this purpose was remarkable. In the first half of the first decade of the 2000s, economic activity recovered significantly and reached a growth rate of 6.8% in 2006. Meanwhile, inflation gradually declined in line with inflation targets. That was how the inflation rate went from 9.2% in 1999 to 4.5% in 2006, thus meeting the inflation target established for that year while GDP reached its potential level. After this balance was achieved in 2006, inflation rebounded to 5.7% in 2007, above the 4.0% target for that year due to the fact that the 7.5% GDP growth exceeded the potential capacity of the economy.4 After proving the effectiveness of the inflation targeting system in its first years of operation, this policy regime continued to consolidate as the BDBR and the technical staff gained experience in its management and state-of-the-art economic models were incorporated to diagnose the present and future state of the economy and to assess the persistence of inflation deviations and expectations with respect to the inflation target. Beginning in 2010, the BDBR established the long-term 3.0% annual inflation target, which remains in effect today. Lower inflation has contributed to making the macroeconomic environment more stable, and this has favored sustained economic growth, financial stability, capital market development, and the functioning of payment systems. As a result, reductions in the inflationary risk premia and lower TES and credit interest rates were achieved. At the same time, the duration of public domestic debt increased significantly going from 2.27 years in December 2002 to 5.86 years in December 2022, and financial deepening, measured as the level of the portfolio as a percentage of GDP, went from around 20% in the mid-1990s to values above 45% in recent years in a healthy context for credit institutions.Having been granted autonomy by the Constitution to fulfill the mandate of preserving the purchasing power of the currency, the tangible achievements made by Banco de la República in managing inflation together with the significant benefits derived from the process of bringing inflation to its long-term target, make the BDBR’s current challenge to return inflation to the 3.0% target even more demanding and pressing. As is well known, starting in 2021, and especially in 2022, inflation in Colombia once again became a serious economic problem with high welfare costs. The inflationary phenomenon has not been exclusive to Colombia and many other developed and emerging countries have seen their inflation rates move away from the targets proposed by their central banks.5 The reasons for this phenomenon have been analyzed in recent Reports to Congress, and this new edition delves deeper into the subject with updated information. The solid institutional and technical base that supports the inflation targeting approach under which the monetary policy strategy operates gives the BDBR the necessary elements to face this difficult challenge with confidence. In this regard, the BDBR reiterated its commitment to the 3.0% inflation target in its November 25 communiqué and expects it to be reached by the end of 2024.6 Monetary policy will continue to focus on meeting this objective while ensuring the sustainability of economic activity, as mandated by the Constitution. Analyst surveys done in March showed a significant increase (from 32.3% in January to 48.5% in March) in the percentage of responses placing inflation expectations two years or more ahead in a range between 3.0% and 4.0%. This is a clear indication of the recovery of credibility in the medium-term inflation target and is consistent with the BDBR’s announcement made in November 2022. The moderation of the upward trend in inflation seen in January, and especially in February, will help to reinforce this revision of inflation expectations and will help to meet the proposed targets. After reaching 5.6% at the end of 2021, inflation maintained an upward trend throughout 2022 due to inflationary pressures from both external sources, associated with the aftermath of the pandemic and the consequences of the war in Ukraine, and domestic sources, resulting from: strengthening of local demand; price indexation processes stimulated by the increase in inflation expectations; the impact on food production caused by the mid-2021 strike; and the pass-through of depreciation to prices. The 10% increase in the minimum wage in 2021 and the 16% increase in 2022, both of which exceeded the actual inflation and the increase in productivity, accentuated the indexation processes by establishing a high nominal adjustment benchmark. Thus, total inflation went to 13.1% by the end of 2022. The annual change in food prices, which went from 17.2% to 27.8% between those two years, was the most influential factor in the surge in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Another segment that contributed significantly to price increases was regulated products, which saw the annual change go from 7.1% in December 2021 to 11.8% by the end of 2022. The measure of core inflation excluding food and regulated items, in turn, went from 2.5% to 9.5% between the end of 2021 and the end of 2022. The substantial increase in core inflation shows that inflationary pressure has spread to most of the items in the household basket, which is characteristic of inflationary processes with generalized price indexation as is the case in Colombia. Monetary policy began to react early to this inflationary pressure. Thus, starting with its September 2021 session, the BDBR began a progressive change in the monetary policy stance moving away from the historical low of a 1.75% policy rate that had intended to stimulate the recovery of the economy. This adjustment process continued without interruption throughout 2022 and into the beginning of 2023 when the monetary policy rate reached 12.75% last January, thus accumulating an increase of 11 percentage points (pp). The public and the markets have been surprised that inflation continued to rise despite significant interest rate increases. However, as the BDBR has explained in its various communiqués, monetary policy works with a lag. Just as in 2022 economic activity recovered to a level above the pre-pandemic level, driven, along with other factors, by the monetary stimulus granted during the pandemic period and subsequent months, so too the effects of the current restrictive monetary policy will gradually take effect. This will allow us to expect the inflation rate to converge to 3.0% by the end of 2024 as is the BDBR’s purpose.Inflation results for January and February of this year showed declining marginal increases (13 bp and 3 bp respectively) compared to the change seen in December (59 bp). This suggests that a turning point in the inflation trend is approaching. In other Latin American countries such as Chile, Brazil, Perú, and Mexico, inflation has peaked and has begun to decline slowly, albeit with some ups and downs. It is to be expected that a similar process will take place in Colombia in the coming months. The expected decline in inflation in 2023 will be due, along with other factors, to lower cost pressure from abroad as a result of the gradual normalization of supply chains, the overcoming of supply shocks caused by the weather, and road blockades in previous years. This will be reflected in lower adjustments in food prices, as has already been seen in the first two months of the year and, of course, the lagged effect of monetary policy. The process of inflation convergence to the target will be gradual and will extend beyond 2023. This process will be facilitated if devaluation pressure is reversed. To this end, it is essential to continue consolidating fiscal sustainability and avoid messages on different public policy fronts that generate uncertainty and distrust. 1 This Report to Congress includes Box 1, which summarizes the trajectory of Banco de la República over the past 100 years. In addition, under the Bank’s auspices, several books that delve into various aspects of the history of this institution have been published in recent years. See, for example: Historia del Banco de la República 1923-2015; Tres banqueros centrales; Junta Directiva del Banco de la República: grandes episodios en 30 años de historia; Banco de la República: 90 años de la banca central en Colombia. 2 This is why lower inflation has been reflected in a reduction of income inequality as measured by the Gini coefficient that went from 58.7 in 1998 to 51.3 in the year prior to the pandemic. 3 See Gómez Javier, Uribe José Darío, Vargas Hernando (2002). “The Implementation of Inflation Targeting in Colombia”. Borradores de Economía, No. 202, March, available at: https://repositorio.banrep.gov.co/handle/20.500.12134/5220 4 See López-Enciso Enrique A.; Vargas-Herrera Hernando and Rodríguez-Niño Norberto (2016). “The inflation targeting strategy in Colombia. An historical view.” Borradores de Economía, No. 952. https://repositorio.banrep.gov.co/handle/20.500.12134/6263 5 According to the IMF, the percentage change in consumer prices between 2021 and 2022 went from 3.1% to 7.3% for advanced economies, and from 5.9% to 9.9% for emerging market and developing economies. 6 https://www.banrep.gov.co/es/noticias/junta-directiva-banco-republica-reitera-meta-inflacion-3

Application research of V containing high strength weathering steel in steel structure building was conducted. The research shows that: adding 0.04% V into weathering steel can lead to grain refinement of ferrite, thereby improving steel performance. Fine polygonal ferrite can make for obvious yield platform, and front cooling method can make V(C, N) precipitation in ferrite fine and dispersive to enhance dislocation pinning, which can further enhance yield effect. In this research V containing weathering steel can realize 500MPa of strength grade, 0.84 of yield ratio, 26.0% of elongation, 3.0% of yield point elongation, 225J of -20℃ impact value (three quarters size). The combination property can satisfy earthquake resistant behavior requirement of steel structure building, and realize replacement of low strength steel for steel structure building, thereby reducing material thickness and weight to realize purchase cost reduction. Cyclical soaking corrosion experiment was conducted, when atmosphere corrosion index of tested steel is around 6.0, the relative corrosion ratio comparing to Q355B is around 40%, which indicates good atmosphere corrosion resistance. In cyclical soaking corrosion experiment, v containing weathering steel for steel structure can realize 5.9g/(m2·h) of 72h average weight loss and 43.4% of relative corrosion ratio, the atmosphere corrosion resistance is good, exposed application of v containing weathering steel for steel structure in industrial atmosphere can obviously reduce rust protection and reduction cost of steel structure building