PurposeEvaluation of energy and climate policy interactions is a complex issue, whereas stakeholders' preferences incorporation has not been addressed systematically. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated weighting methodology that has been developed in order to incorporate weighting preferences into an ex ante evaluation of climate and energy policy interactions.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐criteria analysis (MCA) weighting methodology which combines pair‐wise comparisons and ratio importance weighting methods has been elaborated. It initially introduces the users to the evaluation process through a warming up holistic approach for an initial rank of the criteria and then facilitates them to express their ratio relative importance in pair‐wise comparisons of criteria by providing them an interactive mean with verbal, numerical and visual representation of their preferences. Moreover, it provides a ranking consistency test where users can see the degree of (in)consistency of their preferences.FindingsStakeholders and experts in the energy policy field who tested the methodology stated their approval and satisfaction for the combination of both ranking and pair‐wise comparison techniques, since it allows the gradual approach to the evaluation problem. In addition, main difficulties in MCA weights elicitation processes were overcome.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology is tested by a small sample of stakeholders, whereas a larger sample, a broader range of stakeholders and applications on different climate policy evaluation cases merit further research.Originality/valueThe novel aspect of the developed methodology consists of the combination of ranking and pair‐wise comparison techniques for the elicitation of stakeholders' preferences.

Ð This work estimates the A Ê ngstroÈ m coecients, assuming a linear behavior of the natural logarithm of aerosol optical thickness, ln d a (k), versus the natural logarithm of wavelength, ln k, in the urban environment of Athens for a period of one year. The calculation of the coecients a, b, was carried out using records of spectral beam irradiance in the 320±575 nm spectral range. The seasonal and diurnal variation of the coecients shows dierent features with generally higher values of b and lower values of a in summertime. The A Ê ngstroÈ m coecients are investigated with respect to various wind regimes and the results are discussed with a view to air pollution sources, climatic and topographic characteristics of the Athens basin. A similar study is also carried out for the SchuÈ epp's turbidity parameter.

Excitation of NaK molecules in a collimated molecular beam by a single mode tunable argon laser with sub-Doppler resolution allows selective population of definite vibrational rotational levels (v′, J′) in the D 1Π-state. The resultant fluorescence consists of a singlet spectrum in the 470–570 nm range and a triplet spectrum in the 625–715 nm range. The analysis of the triplet fluorescence, which consists of discrete lines and of a modulated continuum, allows the determination of the a 3Σ+ potential and yields very precise values for the dissociation energies in the a 3Σ+ and X 1Σ+ states, which are measured as De(3Σ+) =204±4 cm−1 and De(1Σ+) =5269±6 cm−1. For some excitation wavelengths a fluorescence spectrum with discrete lines and with a double-modulated continuum is observed which is assigned to ’’ Condon internal diffraction’’ bands terminating close below and above the dissociation limit of the X 1Σ+ state. Its relevance for the determination of the upper and lower potential curves is discussed.

Abstract-Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the population worldwide. This paper presents a evaluation of the user experience of two online web-banking sites from an older user's point of view. We therefore conducted a usability testing employing 12 older participants, in order to analyze the needs and issues faced by this user group when performing real-world tasks. The study involved six tasks which users were required to complete within a specific time. Most of the participants were interested in learning to use online banking. Our results show that older persons do not find web-banking sites easy or user-friendly. Our qualitative findings revealed that both of the web-banking sites we examined presented problems. Implications for the future include the need to redesign bank websites so as to include guidelines and other suggestions made in this study.

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