Joint Bidding in Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Lease Auctions

This paper provides an explanation for why cartels are not observed frequently in mineral-rights auctions even though it was not illegal for them to form. We use the techniques of mechanism design to characterize the efficient, incentive compatible cartel and show that it can be implemented by a first-price knockout tournament with information sharing. We show, however, that bidders with the highest signals typically prefer to bid alone rather than join the cartel. We examine bid data from federal offshore oil and gas auctions for evidence that cartels used bid coordination schemes. We also examine the determinants of joint bidding.

Clustered engine study

Several topics are presented in viewgraph form which together encompass the preliminary assessment of nuclear thermal rocket engine clustering. The study objectives, schedule, flow, and groundrules are covered. This is followed by the NASA groundrules mission and our interpretation of the associated operational scenario. The NASA reference vehicle is illustrated, then the four propulsion system options are examined. Each propulsion system's preliminary design, fluid systems, operating characteristics, thrust structure, dimensions, and mass properties are detailed as well as the associated key propulsion system/vehicle interfaces. A brief series of systems analysis is also covered including: thrust vector control requirements, engine out possibilities, propulsion system failure modes, surviving system requirements, and technology requirements. An assessment of vehicle/propulsion system impacts due to the lessons learned are presented

Site Planning Using GIS: University / Agency Service Learning Collaboration

This case study presentation outlines an ongoing partnership between Western Illinois University and the Army Corps of Engineers Mark Twain Lake (ACOE) that allows students to integrate classroom knowledge into field-based work. While attending a series of classes students receive appropriate natural resource management curriculum, practice GIS skills through labs, and engage in the planning and implementation of an actual facility. First, the students visit the area, engaging in a tour giving them an overview of the area. Second, they create an open space plan for a recreation area that is devoid of facilities or underutilized. GIS is utilized in the classroom to display digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQ) of the area and delineate possible activity/use zones. In the first project, the “Indian Creek” area open space plan resulted in the identification of a need for multi-use trails between campsites and beaches. Thus, in the third class, students performed on-site planning and layout by marking trails and using GPS units to map trails, again using the open space plan (budgets, etc.) and DOQ. In the final class, students will assist in on-site construction of trails, working in conjunction with ACOE personnel and contractors. Through this series of courses the students receive hands on experience with GIS/GPS and open space planning, while the ACOE benefits by receiving the opportunity to offer more services to park users. Similar projects with other agencies are in the planning stages. The presentation will also discuss challenges to alternative learning experiences. In context of service learning, challenges presented include finding agencies to collaborate with, scheduling time outside the classroom, and liability issues associated with on site work. The problem of managing the broad spectrum of the quality of student work in context of agency expectations will also be addressed. The challenges of integrating geospatial technology into the classroom will be discussed, including teaching techniques, student trepidation toward such technology, and time needed for adequate comprehension of the GIS software. The presentation will include time for discussion and sharing of experiences by conference participants using similar service learning pedagogies and geospatial technologies

Heritage and Stigma. Co-producing and communicating the histories of mental health and learning disability

University engagement with mental health services has traditionally been informed by the vocational and pedagogical links between the two sectors. However, a growth in the interest in public history and in the history of mental healthcare has offered new opportunities for those in the humanities to engage new audiences and to challenge perceptions about care in the past. The introduction of the ‘impact agenda’ and related funding streams has further encouraged academics to contribute to historical debates, and to those concerning current services. One such example of this is the Arts and Humanities Research Council funded Heritage and Stigma project at the University of Huddersfield, which was conceived to support mental health and learning disability charities in the exploration and dissemination of their own histories. Using this project as a case study, this paper will draw on primary source material to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of working in partnership with such groups. In particular, it will consider the need to address issues of stigma and exclusion in tandem with a critical understanding of the moves to ‘community care’ instigated by landmark legislation in the form of the 1959 Mental Health Act. Overall, it provides evidence of an inclusive, coproductive model of design and highlights the positive contribution to communicating mental health made by those based in the humanities

Antecedents and performance consequences of international outsourcing

The outsourcing of intermediate products to international suppliers is believed to improve firm performance. We investigate this claim and test key dimensions of the decision to outsource internationally using survey data on 200 manufacturing firms located in the Netherlands. We find that most international outsourcing is intra-regional in nature. Furthermore international outsourcing is a consequence of a firm‟s ability to search and evaluate foreign suppliers, which is co-determined by its size, multinationality, and frequency of cross-border communications. Finally, no performance effects were observed for international or global outsourcing. We conclude international outsourcing is a balancing act between lower production costs abroad and lower transaction costs locally

Fungicides in English rivers: widening the understanding of the presence, co-occurrence and implications for risk assessment

Fungicides are commonly found in freshwater; however, the understanding of their wider presence, co-occurrence, and potential risk remains limited. This study examined English national datasets to highlight knowledge gaps and identify improvements to monitoring and risk assessment. The analysis found that at least one fungicide was present in 91% of samples collected from English rivers over a 5-year period, with four fungicides detected at rates exceeding 50%. Co-occurrence occurs widely, with up to nine different fungicides detected within the same sample and four detected the most frequently, raising concerns for synergistic interactions. The semi-quantitative nature of much of the available data precludes a clear determination of the potential risk of detrimental effects on aquatic biota. Fully quantitative analysis is required, and ecotoxicity-based water quality standards need to be agreed upon. The monthly sampling regime reflected in the national datasets will infrequently capture high flow events and so is unlikely to fully represent fungicides transported to rivers via rainfall-driven processes. Several information gaps exist, including the risk posed by fungicides in sewage sludge applied to land and the extent to which fungicides in the aquatic and terrestrial environments contribute to antifungal resistance. Improvements in spatial and temporal information on fungicide use are needed

Fungicides in English rivers: Widening the understanding of the presence, co-occurrence and implications for risk assessment

Fungicides are commonly found in freshwater; however, the understanding of their wider presence, co-occurrence, and potential risk remains limited. This study examined English national datasets to highlight knowledge gaps and identify improvements to monitoring and risk assessment. The analysis found that at least one fungicide was present in 91% of samples collected from English rivers over a 5-year period, with four fungicides detected at rates exceeding 50%. Co-occurrence occurs widely, with up to nine different fungicides detected within the same sample and four detected the most frequently, raising concerns for synergistic interactions. The semi-quantitative nature of much of the available data precludes a clear determination of the potential risk of detrimental effects on aquatic biota. Fully quantitative analysis is required, and ecotoxicity-based water quality standards need to be agreed upon. The monthly sampling regime reflected in the national datasets will infrequently capture high flow events and so is unlikely to fully represent fungicides transported to rivers via rainfall-driven processes. Several information gaps exist, including the risk posed by fungicides in sewage sludge applied to land and the extent to which fungicides in the aquatic and terrestrial environments contribute to antifungal resistance. Improvements in spatial and temporal information on fungicide use are needed