28,545 research outputs found
Dynamic Facility Location via Exponential Clocks
The \emph{dynamic facility location problem} is a generalization of the
classic facility location problem proposed by Eisenstat, Mathieu, and Schabanel
to model the dynamics of evolving social/infrastructure networks. The
generalization lies in that the distance metric between clients and facilities
changes over time. This leads to a trade-off between optimizing the classic
objective function and the "stability" of the solution: there is a switching
cost charged every time a client changes the facility to which it is connected.
While the standard linear program (LP) relaxation for the classic problem
naturally extends to this problem, traditional LP-rounding techniques do not,
as they are often sensitive to small changes in the metric resulting in
frequent switches.
We present a new LP-rounding algorithm for facility location problems, which
yields the first constant approximation algorithm for the dynamic facility
location problem. Our algorithm installs competing exponential clocks on the
clients and facilities, and connect every client by the path that repeatedly
follows the smallest clock in the neighborhood. The use of exponential clocks
gives rise to several properties that distinguish our approach from previous
LP-roundings for facility location problems. In particular, we use \emph{no
clustering} and we allow clients to connect through paths of \emph{arbitrary
lengths}. In fact, the clustering-free nature of our algorithm is crucial for
applying our LP-rounding approach to the dynamic problem
The capital barrier to innovation in the small and medium-sized enterprises
The article discusses SMEs' situation with reference to the process of creating an innovative economy. The presented discussion covers both non-material and financial barriers impeding the development of innovations. The examined range of new solutions designed to finance innovation includes types of capital support such as leasing, franchising, venture capital, Business Angels, NewConnect
Facility Location in Evolving Metrics
Understanding the dynamics of evolving social or infrastructure networks is a
challenge in applied areas such as epidemiology, viral marketing, or urban
planning. During the past decade, data has been collected on such networks but
has yet to be fully analyzed. We propose to use information on the dynamics of
the data to find stable partitions of the network into groups. For that
purpose, we introduce a time-dependent, dynamic version of the facility
location problem, that includes a switching cost when a client's assignment
changes from one facility to another. This might provide a better
representation of an evolving network, emphasizing the abrupt change of
relationships between subjects rather than the continuous evolution of the
underlying network. We show that in realistic examples this model yields indeed
better fitting solutions than optimizing every snapshot independently. We
present an -approximation algorithm and a matching hardness result,
where is the number of clients and the number of time steps. We also
give an other algorithms with approximation ratio for the variant
where one pays at each time step (leasing) for each open facility
Asset Identification Under the Cape Town Convention and Protocols
A titania-supported nickel catalyst was prepared and tested in methanation in order to evaluate its catalytic properties (activity, selectivity and specially, activity loss), and compare it with an alumina-supported nickel catalyst. The titania-supported catalyst did not only show higher stability than alumina, but also presented a different cause of deactivation, carbon formation. In addition, a kinetic model was obtained for the titania-supported catalyst, and a study of the effect of different operating conditions (temperature, composition and partial pressures of synthesis gas and water) on the deactivation rate and carbon formation of this catalyst was performed. </p
Study Of The Challenges That Hinder MSME Development In FYR Macedonia : Country Report for the British Council and Swedish Institute
In addition to this Study, a further six studies were produced. One for each of the countries, under investigation (Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro & Serbia) and a Main Report, which was published in May 2018.The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (to be referred to as FYR Macedonia from herein) is a landlocked country. It has made considerable progress since 2000 and the end of the Balkan Wars, but would still greatly benefit from raising its rate of economic growth. It has an interesting population profile with a dip in the economically important 25–34 years age range. We undertook a survey of aspiring entrepreneurs across FYR Macedonia. The sample was largely self-selected based on previous telephone surveys where respondents had expressed an interest in entrepreneurship, plus a review of the commercial register and referrals from respondents. The age distribution of aspiring entrepreneurs was under represented in younger age groups but higher in the 25–34 year old group compared with the population. Increased economic growth needs to be achieved against a background of relatively modest inflows of foreign direct investment, and disappointingly flat levels of gross domestic capital formation, contrasting with sustained increases in consumption. There has been significant progress in stabilising the trade balance. FYR Macedonia has a significant informal economy, a sizeable unemployment rate and a worrying loss of skills as qualified people migrate overseas. There have been sustained efforts to improve the skills training systems, but the vocational training system still needs support. Entrepreneurship aspirations are positive. There are few problems with structural issues such as ease of forming a company, although important regulatory simplifications (for example in property registration) are still needed. Five key issues stand out: 1. Access to finance is very challenging and acts as a significant barrier to both innovation and entrepreneurship. There is a particular need for access to affordable seed capital. This is a similar to the challenge being addressed by some of the rural micro-finance programs in Asia. 2. Connection to markets outside FYR Macedonia and the Western Balkans region is challenging for new entrepreneurs. 3. There is a considerable amount of energy and effort already being injected, but significant scope for improving the skills of entrepreneurial teams. 4. There may be a need to raise the entrepreneurial appetite of young people (under 25 years old). 5. FYR Macedonia seems to have incubated a significant number of opportunity-seeking entrepreneurs, rather than involuntary entrepreneurs seeking family incomes, but the support structure is limited. They might benefit from a focused event to bring together industries from across FYR Macedonia.Final Published versio
Study Of The Challenges That Hinder MSME Development In FYR Macedonia : Country Report for the British Council and Swedish Institute
In addition to this Study, a further six studies were produced. One for each of the countries, under investigation (Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro & Serbia) and a Main Report, which was published in May 2018.The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (to be referred to as FYR Macedonia from herein) is a landlocked country. It has made considerable progress since 2000 and the end of the Balkan Wars, but would still greatly benefit from raising its rate of economic growth. It has an interesting population profile with a dip in the economically important 25–34 years age range. We undertook a survey of aspiring entrepreneurs across FYR Macedonia. The sample was largely self-selected based on previous telephone surveys where respondents had expressed an interest in entrepreneurship, plus a review of the commercial register and referrals from respondents. The age distribution of aspiring entrepreneurs was under represented in younger age groups but higher in the 25–34 year old group compared with the population. Increased economic growth needs to be achieved against a background of relatively modest inflows of foreign direct investment, and disappointingly flat levels of gross domestic capital formation, contrasting with sustained increases in consumption. There has been significant progress in stabilising the trade balance. FYR Macedonia has a significant informal economy, a sizeable unemployment rate and a worrying loss of skills as qualified people migrate overseas. There have been sustained efforts to improve the skills training systems, but the vocational training system still needs support. Entrepreneurship aspirations are positive. There are few problems with structural issues such as ease of forming a company, although important regulatory simplifications (for example in property registration) are still needed. Five key issues stand out: 1. Access to finance is very challenging and acts as a significant barrier to both innovation and entrepreneurship. There is a particular need for access to affordable seed capital. This is a similar to the challenge being addressed by some of the rural micro-finance programs in Asia. 2. Connection to markets outside FYR Macedonia and the Western Balkans region is challenging for new entrepreneurs. 3. There is a considerable amount of energy and effort already being injected, but significant scope for improving the skills of entrepreneurial teams. 4. There may be a need to raise the entrepreneurial appetite of young people (under 25 years old). 5. FYR Macedonia seems to have incubated a significant number of opportunity-seeking entrepreneurs, rather than involuntary entrepreneurs seeking family incomes, but the support structure is limited. They might benefit from a focused event to bring together industries from across FYR Macedonia.Final Published versio
Crisis' Heritage Management - New Business Opportunities Out of the Financial Collapse
This paper intends to present the opportunities emerging for the national
economy, out of the financial crisis. In particular the management of those,
which arise from the commercial real estate owned property sector, defined by
the author as crisis heritage management. On one hand, as real estate property
prices are subject of wide fluctuations, the longer possession of such assets
can seriously impact the financial condition of the already shattered financial
institutions, but on the on other - with the help of professional and proactive
management, and the right kind of attitude by all the stakeholders, the
heritage left out of the financial collapse, can not only help stabilize the
system - bringing liquidity into it, but can also support its healthy corporate
governance in the long-term. The properties themselves (business buildings,
warehouses, retail-and-office spaces), being an object of optimization of
maintenance costs, re-engineering, intensive marketing, as a result of the
crisis, can serve as a solid base for number of new and profitable business and
investment opportunities, described in the article, as a proof of the healing
effect of the financial crisis and the second chance it gives.Comment: Presented at the 2013 Sofia Business School Master Classes in Global
Risks Managemen
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Protecting Species or Endangering Development? How Consultation Under the Endangered Species Act Affects Energy Projects on Public Lands
Executive Summary
Throughout its forty-three-year history, the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) has been one of the most celebrated environmental laws but also one of the most reviled. After passing with strong bi-partisan support in 1973, the ESA has recently faced growing opposition, amid concerns that it has failed to adequately protect species, while unreasonably impeding economic development. Much of the criticism has been directed towards section 7 of the ESA, which requires federal agencies to ensure that actions they undertake or authorize do not jeopardize threatened or endangered species, by consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”). Industry groups have argued that the consultation requirement frequently stops or delays much needed energy, transportation, water supply, and other projects.
This study seeks to assess the impact of consultation, under section 7 of the ESA, on energy development on public land. To this end, the study analyzes 179 consultations undertaken between FY2010 and FY2014 with respect to oil, gas, solar, and wind energy projects on public land managed by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”). Basic information about each consultation, including a brief description of the project involved and a list of species affected, was obtained from FWS’s Tracking and Integrated Logging System. We also reviewed the biological opinions and concurrence letters issued by FWS and, for a subset of consultations, interviewed agency staff and industry representatives involved.
Key findings from the analysis include:
A relatively small number of energy projects authorized on federal lands between FY2010 and FY2014 went through the consultation process. The majority (eighty percent) of consultations that were carried out involved oil and gas drilling projects. Fifteen percent of consultations related to solar energy projects and five percent to wind energy projects.
Only a small proportion (ten percent) of all oil and gas drilling projects approved by BLM from FY2010 to FY2014 were subject to consultation. In contrast, eighty-two percent of BLM approved solar energy projects and seventy-one percent of BLM approved wind energy projects underwent consultation.
Most of the energy project consultations undertaken between FY2010 and FY2014 were completed within the 135 day time limit set in the ESA. There was, however, often significant back-and-forth between FWS, BLM, and the project proponent prior to the official start of consultation. This is a concern for industry, as pre-consultation discussions can add significant time to the review process and thereby lead to project delays.
The need to consult can also give rise to significant uncertainty for industry. The assessment of project effects and the measures required to mitigate those effects often differs markedly between, and even within, FWS offices. Similar projects may, therefore, be assessed differently depending on the FWS staff handling the consultation.
FWS has recently taken steps to address industry concerns regarding the potential for project delays and inconsistencies in the review process. To this end, FWS has issued a number of programmatic biological opinions, which cover multiple similar actions.
Where a project is covered by a programmatic biological opinion, consultation tends to proceed more quickly, and there is less need for pre-consultation discussions. The existence of a programmatic biological opinion can also greatly reduce the complexity of consultation and generally leads to increased certainty for project developers.The Kay Bailey Hutchison Center for Energy, Law, and Busines
Arctic Standards: Recommendations on Oil Spill Prevention, Response, and Safety in the U.S. Arctic Ocean
Oil spilled in Arctic waters would be particularly difficult to remove. Current technology has not been proved to effectively clean up oil when mixed with ice or when trapped under ice. An oil spill would have a profoundly adverse impact on the rich and complex ecosystem found nowhere else in the United States. The Arctic Ocean is home to bowhead, beluga, and gray whales; walruses; polar bears; and other magnificent marine mammals, as well as millions of migratory birds. A healthy ocean is important for these species and integral to the continuation of hunting and fishing traditions practiced by Alaska Native communities for thousands of years.To aid the United States in its efforts to modernize Arctic technology and equipment standards, this report examines the fierce Arctic conditions in which offshore oil and gas operations could take place and then offers a summary of key recommendations for the Interior Department to consider as it develops world-class, Arctic-specific regulatory standards for these activities. Pew's recommendations call for improved technology,equipment, and procedural requirements that match the challenging conditions in the Arctic and for full public participation and transparency throughout the decision-making process. Pew is not opposed to offshore drilling, but a balance must be achieved between responsible energy development and protection of the environment.It is essential that appropriate standards be in place for safety and for oil spill prevention and response in this extreme, remote, and vulnerable ecosystem. This report recommends updating regulations to include Arctic specific requirements and codifying temporary guidance into regulation. The appendixes to this report provide substantially more detail on the report's recommendations, including technical background documentation and additional referenced materials. Please refer to the full set of appendixes for a complete set of recommendations. This report and its appendixes offer guidelines for responsible hydrocarbon development in the U.S. Arctic Ocean
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