Greenfield FDI attractiveness index: a machine learning approach

Purpose – This study aims to propose a comprehensive greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) attractiveness index using exploratory factor analysis and automated machine learning (AML). We offer offer a robust empirical measurement of location-choice factors identified in the FDI literature through a novel method and provide a tool for assessing the countries’ investment potential. Design/methodology/approach – Based on five conceptual key sub-domains of FDI, We collected quantitative indicators in several databases with annual data ranging from 2006 to 2019. This study first run a factor analysis to identify the most important features. It then uses AML to assess the relative importance of each resultant factor and generate a calibrated index. AML computational algorithms minimize predictive errors, explore patterns in the data and make predictions in an empirically robust way. Findings – Openness conditions and economic growth are the most relevant factors to attract FDI identified in the study. Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malta and Ireland are the top five countries with the highest overall greenfield attractiveness index. This study also presents specific indices for the three sectors: energy, financial services, information and communication technology (ICT) and electronics. Originality/value – Existent indexes present deficiencies in conceptualization and measurement, lacking theoretical foundation, arbitrary selection of factors and use of limited linear models. This study’s index is developed in a robust three-stage process. The use of AML configures an advantage compared to traditional linear and additive models, as it selects the best model considering the predictive capacity of many models simultaneously

Função energia generalizada de controle para estabilização de sistemas não lineares

Neste trabalho, o conceito de função de Lyapunov de controle é estendido em duas direções principais. Na primeira direção, o conceito de função energia de controle (FEC) é proposto com o objetivo de não somente projetar leis de controle estabilizantes para sistemas não lineares mas também com o objetivo de fornecer uma estimativa da região de estabilidade do sistema em malha fechada. A FLC garante estabilidade local de um certo ponto de equilíbrio do sistema em malha fechada, mas usualmente não fornece estimativasótimas da região de estabilidade. O conceito de FEC é mais exigente que o conceito de FLC. Além de garantir estabilidade local do equilíbrio, a FEC fornece informações globais a respeito dos conjuntos limites e estimativas ótimas das regiões de estabilidade. A segunda direção está relacionada com o fato de que, em geral, é difícil encontrar FLC ou FEC para muitos sistemas não lineares. De forma a minimizar este problema e aplicar õ conceito de CEF em uma classe maior de sistemas, propõe-se neste artigo o conceito de função energia generalizada de controle (FEGC). A FEGC permite o projeto de controladores mesmo quando a derivada da função energia é positiva em algumas regiões limitadas do espaço de estados.extended in two main directions. In the first direction, the concept of control energy function (CEF) is proposed not only to design stabilizing feedback control laws but also to provide an estimate of the stability region of the closed-loopsystem. The CLF guarantees local stability of the closedloop- system but usually cannot provide optimal estimates of its stability region. The CEF concept is more restrict than the CLF concept. Beyond the guarantee of local stability, the CEF provides global information about limit sets and optimal estimates of stability region. The second direction is related to the fact that, in general, it is difficult to find a CLF or a CEF for many nonlinear systems. In order to overcome this problem and apply the concept of CEF for a larger class of systems, the concept of generalized control energy function (GCEF) is proposed in this paper. The GCEF allows the design of nonlinear controllers even when the derivative of the energy function is positive in some bounded regions of the state space

Masonry dams : analysis of the historical profiles of Sazilly, Delocre and Rankine

The significant advances in masonry dam design that took place in the second half of the 19th century are analyzed and discussed within the context of the historical development of dam construction. Particular reference is made to the gravity dam profiles proposed by Sazilly, Delocre and Rankine, who pioneered the application of engineering concepts to dam design, basing the dam profile on the allowable stresses for the conditions of empty and full reservoir. These historical profiles are analyzed taking into consideration the present safety assessment procedures, by means of a numerical application developed for this purpose, based on limit analysis equilibrium methods, which considers the sliding failure mechanisms, the most critical for these structures. The study underlines the key role of uplift pressures, which was only addressed by Lévy after the accident of Bouzey dam, and provides a critical understanding of the original design concepts, which is essential for the rehabilitation of these historical structures.This work has been funded by FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) through the PhD grant SFRH/BD/43585/2008, for which the first author is grateful

Putative oncogenic viruses : some data on Brazilian subjects

The concepts of cancer etiology have changed over the years, mainly based on molecular epidemiology studies and bioinformatics approaches. Until relatively recently, the most accepted theory of cancer etiology has dealt with the accumulation of gene mutations and the consequent cognate proteins dysfunction, but now some authors have argued against the proposed theory. The additional role of noncellular genes in the cause of malignancy, associated to environmental factors and host genetic background, has been proposed and mostly accepted by the scientific community. Some of our data from human populations in Brazil concerning cancer epidemiology, molecular and serological surveys, were conducted looking for the detection of putative oncogenic viruses, as the Human T-cell Lymphotropic virus/HTLV-1/2, Human Papillomavirus/HPV, the Mouse or Human Mammary Tumor Virus/MMTV, the Human Endogenous Retrovirus/HERVs and the Hepatitis C virus/HCV, in healthy and malignized human tissues. Generally, research work around the world suggests that 10 to 20 % of all human cancers are etiologically linked to oncogenic viruses, so if the presence of exogenous or endogenous virus sequences in the human DNA has any significancy in the cancer etiology, it deserves further and continuous research work and discussion, always taking in account the human populations in their interacting surrounding environment