Concordia University

About: Concordia University is a education organization based out in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Control theory. The organization has 13565 authors who have published 31084 publications receiving 783525 citations. The organization is also known as: Sir George Williams University & Loyola College, Montreal.

Corporate governance and environmental performance: is there really a link?

Abstract: Corporate governance scholars are increasingly interested in firms' social and environmental performance. Empirical research in this area, however, has moved forward in an uncoordinated fashion, producing fragmented and contradictory results. Our paper seeks to address this situation by adopting a fact-based research approach that comprehensively explores the link between corporate governance and environmental performance. Specifically, we aim to understand how the relationships between and among the firms' owners, managers, and boards of directors influence environmental performance. We are particularly interested in understanding the interactions among these three key sets of actors. In the end, we offer some observations about governance practices and discuss the implications for theory. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A review of the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognitive and brain functions in older adults.

Abstract: Studies supporting the notion that physical activity and exercise can help alleviate the negative impact of age on the body and the mind abound. This literature review provides an overview of important findings in this fast growing research domain. Results from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies with healthy older adults, frail patients, and persons suffering from mild cognitive impairment and dementia are reviewed and discussed. Together these finding suggest that physical exercise is a promising nonpharmaceutical intervention to prevent age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

Hearing impairment and cognitive energy: the Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL)

Abstract: The Fifth Eriksholm Workshop on “Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Energy” was convened to develop a consensus among interdisciplinary experts about what is known on the topic, gaps in knowledge, the use of terminology, priorities for future research, and implications for practice. The general term cognitive energy was chosen to facilitate the broadest possible discussion of the topic. It goes back to Titchener (1908) who described the effects of attention on perception; he used the term psychic energy for the notion that limited mental resources can be flexibly allocated among perceptual and mental activities. The workshop focused on three main areas: (1) theories, models, concepts, definitions, and frameworks; (2) methods and measures; and (3) knowledge translation. We defined effort as the deliberate allocation of mental resources to overcome obstacles in goal pursuit when carrying out a task, with listening effort applying more specifically when tasks involve listening. We adapted Kahneman’s seminal (1973) Capacity Model of Attention to listening and proposed a heuristically useful Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL). Our FUEL incorporates the well-known relationship between cognitive demand and the supply of cognitive capacity that is the foundation of cognitive theories of attention. Our FUEL also incorporates a motivation dimension based on complementary theories of motivational intensity, adaptive gain control, and optimal performance, fatigue, and pleasure. Using a three-dimensional illustration, we highlight how listening effort depends not only on hearing difficulties and task demands but also on the listener’s motivation to expend mental effort in the challenging situations of everyday life.

Composite Materials: Design and Applications

Abstract: PART ONE PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION COMPOSITE MATERIALS, INTEREST AND PROPERTIES What is Composite Material Fibers and Matrix What can be Made Using Composite Materials? Typical Examples of Interest on the Use of Composite Materials Examples on Replacing Conventional Solutions with Composites Principal Physical Properties FABRICATION PROCESSES Molding Processes Other Forming Processes Practical Hints in the Manufacturing Processes PLY PROPERTIES Isotropy and Anisotropy Characteristics of the Reinforcement-Matrix Mixture Unidirectional Ply Woven Fabrics Mats and Reinforced Matrices Multidimensional Fabrics Metal Matrix Composites Tests SANDWICH STRUCTURES: What is a Sandwich Structure? Simplified Flexure A Few Special Aspects Fabrication and Design Problems Nondestructive Quality Control CONCEPTION AND DESIGN Design of a Composite Piece The Laminate Failure of Laminates Sizing of Laminates JOINING AND ASSEMBLY Riveting and Bolting Bonding Inserts COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND AEROSPACE CONSTRUCTION Aircraft Helicopters Propeller Blades for Airplanes Turbine Blades in Composites Space Applications COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS: Composite Materials and the Manufacturing of Automobiles Composites in Naval Construction Sports and Recreation Other Applications PART TWO: MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF LAMINATED MATERIALS ANISOTROPIC ELASTIC MEDIA: Review of Notations Orthotropic Materials Transversely Isotropic Materials ELASTIC CONSTANTS OF UNIDIRECTIONAL COMPOSITES: Longitudinal Modulus Poisson Coefficient Transverse Modulus Shear Modulus Thermoelastic Properties ELASTIC CONSTANTS OF A PLY ALONG AN ARBITRARY DIRECTION: Compliance Coefficients Stiffness Coefficients Case of Thermomechanical Loading MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF THIN LAMINATED PLATES: Laminate with Miplane Symmetry Laminate without Miplane Symmetry PART THREE: JUSTIFICATIONS, COMPOSITE BEAMS, THICK PLATES ELASTIC COEFFICIENTS Elastic Coefficients in an Orthotropic Material Elastic Coefficients for a Transversely Isotropic Material Case of a Ply THE HILL-TSAI FRACTURE CRITERION: Isotropic Material: Von Mises Criterion Orthotropic Material: Hill-Tsai Criterion Evaluation of the Resistance of a Unidirectional Ply with Respect to the Direction of Loading COMPOSITE BEAMS IN FLEXURE: Flexure of Symmetric Beams with Isotropic Phases The Case of any Cross Section (Asymmetric) COMPOSITE BEAMS IN TORSION: Uniform Torsion Location of the Torsion Center FLEXURE OF THICK COMPOSITE PLATES: Preliminary Remarks Displacement Field Strains Constitutive Relations Equilibrium Equations Technical Formulation for Bending Examples PART FOUR: APPLICATIONS LEVEL 1 Simply Supported Sandwich Beam Poisson Coefficient of a Unidirectional Layer Helicopter Blade Transmission Shaft for Trucks Flywheel in Carbon/Epoxy Wing Tip Made of Carbon/Epoxy Carbon Fibers Coated with Nickel Tube Made of Glass/Epoxy Under Pressure Filament Wound Reservoir, Winding Angle Filament Wound Reservoir, Taking into Account the Heads Determination of the Volume Fraction of Fibers by Pyrolysis Lever Arm Made of Carbon/Peek Unidirectionals and Short Fibers Telegraphic Mast in Glass/Resin Unidirectional Ply of HR Carbon Manipulator Arm of Space Shuttle LEVEL 2 Sandwich Beam: Simplified Calculations of the Shear Coefficient Procedure for Calculation of a Laminate Kevlar/Epoxy Laminates: Evolution of Stiffness Depending on the Direction of the Load Residual Thermal Stresses Due to Curing of the Laminate Thermoelastic Behavior of a Tube Made of Filament Wound Glass/Polyester Polymeric Tube Loaded by Thermal Load and Creep First Ply Fracture of a Laminate Ultimate Fracture Optimum Laminate for Isotropic Stress State Laminate Made of Identical Layers of Balanced Fabric Wing Spar in Carbon/Epoxy Determination of the Elastic Characteristics of a Carbon/Epoxy Unidirectional Layer from Tensile Test Sail Boat Shell in Glass/Polyester Determination of the in-Plane Shear Modulus of a Balanced Fabric Ply Quasi-Isotropic Laminate Orthotropic Plate in Pure Torsion Plate made by Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) Thermoelastic Behavior of a Balanced Fabric Ply LEVEL 3 Cylindrical Bonding Double Bonded Joint Composite Beam with Two Layers Buckling of a Sandwich Beam Shear Due to Bending in a Sandwich Beam Column Made of Stretched Polymer Cylindrical Bending of a Thick Orthotropic Plate under Uniform Loading Bending of a Sandwich Plate Bending Vibration of a Sandwich Beam Appendix 1: Stresses in the Plies of a Laminate of Carbon/Epoxy Loaded in its Plane Appendix 2: Buckling of Orthotropic Structures Bibliography