Higher-Order Demand-Driven Program Analysis

We explore a novel approach to higher-order program analysis that brings ideas of on-demand lookup from first-order CFL-reachability program analyses to higher-order programs. The analysis needs to produce only a control-flow graph; it can derive all other information including values of variables directly from the graph. Several challenges had to be overcome, including how to build the control-flow graph on-the-fly and how to deal with non-local variables in functions. The resulting analysis is flow- and context-sensitive with a provable polynomial-time bound. The analysis is formalized and proved correct and terminating, and an initial implementation is described

Higher-Order Demand-Driven Program Analysis (Artifact)

This artifact is a proof-of-concept implementation of DDPA, an on-demand program analysis for higher-order functional programs. The implementation, written in OCaml, includes a parser, evaluator, and DDPA analysis for the language defined in the companion paper (including the proper record semantics extension). The analysis may be performed using different levels of precision as specified by the user and is capable of rendering the control flow graphs and pushdown systems using the GraphViz language DOT. This artifact was used to verify the conclusions of the companion paper and produces visualizations matching those figures in the companion paper\u27s overview

Strategic Capacity Withholding by Energy Storage in Electricity Markets

Abstract: Although previous work has demonstrated the ability of large energy storage (ES) units to exercise market power by withholding their capacity, it has adopted modeling approaches exhibiting certain limitations and has not analyzed the dependency of the extent of exercised market power on ES operating properties. In this paper, the decision making process of strategic ES is modeled through a bi-level optimization problem; the upper level determines the optimal extent of capacity withholding at different time periods, maximizing the ES profit, while the lower level represents endogenously the market clearing process. This problem is solved after converting it to a Mathematical Program with Equilibrium Constraints (MPEC) and linearizing the latter through suitable techniques. Case studies on a test market quantitatively analyze the extent of capacity withholding and its impact on ES profit and social welfare for different scenarios regarding the power and energy capacity of ES

Characteristics of Agricultural Communications Undergraduate Programs

This study was designed to characterize agricultural communications undergraduate programs nationwide. A total of 41 undergraduate agricultural communications programs were identified via the National ACT database, Internet searches, and previous academic program research. Objectives included creating an accounting of existing programs, a description of those programs, identifying trends in program demographics, curriculum development and identifying top programs. This study employed a census approach and used a mixed methods design. A mixed-methods survey instrument was used to collect the data. The survey included questions to gain both qualitative and quantitative data to meet this study\u27s objectives. The quantitative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed via thematic analysis, which included open and axial coding. A total of 26 respondents from undergraduate agricultural communications programs participated in this study. An increase in the number of academic programs across the U.S. was observed, suggesting an increase in popularity and student demand, which is most likely a result of an increase in industry demand for agricultural communications graduates. Current faculty projected an increase in enrollment, driven by industry needs. This study confirmed agricultural communications programs use teaching methods aligned with Bloom\u27s Taxonomy. The most common teaching methods in those courses were problem-based learning, experiential/capstone/internships, and collaborative learning. In comparison with data from previous similar studies, this study showed an increase in the use of program advisory committees to guide curriculum and instruction. Faculty\u27s opinions regarding the value of a national accreditation program for the discipline were mixed. Recommendations for practice include faculty continuing to employ teaching methods focus on higher-order cognitive skills. Internship and capstone courses are vital for program success. Program advisory committees are standard nationwide and should continue to serve in advisory roles in growing programs across the country. Future studies characterizing the discipline should be conducted on a more frequent, standardized schedule, and improved participation in the study should be a goal. National curriculum studies should also be conducted to tie program characteristics and instructional methodologies to program success and to correlate program characteristics and demographics

The Political Economy Of Sanitation: How Can We Increase Investment and Improve Service For The Poor?

This report presents the results of a Global Economic and Sector Work (ESW) Study on the Political Economy of Sanitation in Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Senegal that was conducted by the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) and the World Bank. Its purpose is to help WSP and the World Bank -- through a better understanding of the political economy of sanitation -- in their efforts to support partner countries and development practitioners in the design, implementation, and effectiveness of operations that aim to provide pro-poor sanitation investments and services to improve health and hygiene outcomes