Diversity and SMEs : Existing Evidence and Policy Tensions : ERC White Paper No.3

The purpose of this White Paper is to present an overarching review of the evidence that currently exists with regard to diversity and SMEs. It outlines longstanding concerns that entrepreneurial activities and ambitions are restricted to a narrow range of social groups, with others, in particular some ethnic minority groups and women, characterised as having both lesser interest in enterprise and lower levels of resources necessary to participate. Attempts to increase participation rates of under-represented groups have resulted in only modest changes. This White Paper introduces the key evidence relating to ethnic minority and women-led enterprises, explaining the context of each group, and summarising research evidence relating to their relative access to finance, markets and management. Research and policy within the field of diversity and SMEs is characterised by a number of tensions, relating to perceived or real discrimination; whether to promote a volume of new businesses or focus on high growth potential firms; whether specialist business support is more effective or desirable than mainstream provision; and whether there is evidence of market failure in the support provided to diverse enterprises

Sulfur Poisoning of SOFCs: A Model Based Explanation of Polarization Dependent Extent of Poisoning

Several experimental studies have shown that, 1) the extent of the poisoning effect due to trace amounts of sulfur compounds in the fuel is lower if a SOFC is operated at a higher current density, and 2) the performance drop due to sulfur poisoning is much lower for Ni-GDC or Ni-ScSZ anodes when compared to Ni-YSZ anodes. This work presents a first principles numerical model that simulates experimental studies of sulfur poisoning on SOFC button cells. The exchange current densities for the electrodes are determined using sulfur-free polarization data for cells fueled by humidified mixtures of H2 and N2. A detailed surface reaction model that predicts the fractional coverage of all adsorbed species at the three phase interface is coupled to the SOFC model and the sulfur coverage is used to alter the anode exchange current density. The resulting model predictions match experimental observations during both galvanostatic and potentiostatic operation. Our analysis shows that the observed lower performance drop at higher current density is due to the non-linear nature of the electrochemical rate equations, and that the lower impact of sulfur poisoning on Ni-GDC and Ni-ScSZ anodes (compared to Ni-YSZ anodes) is due to their higher electrochemical activity

A novel MapReduce-based approach for distributed frequent subgraph mining

National audienceRecently, graph mining approaches have become very popular, especially in certain domains such as bioinformatics, chemoinformatics and social networks. One of the most challenging tasks is frequent subgraph discovery. This task has been highly motivated by the tremendously increasing size of existing graph databases. Due to this fact, there is an urgent need of efficient and scaling approaches for frequent subgraph discovery. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to approximate large-scale subgraph mining by means of a density-based partitioning technique, using the MapReduce framework. Our partitioning aims to balance computational load on a collection of machines. We experimentally show that our approach decreases significantly the execution time and scales the subgraph discovery process to large graph databases

A Distributed Parameter Model for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Simulating Realistic Operating Conditions

We present a detailed multiphysics model capable of simulating the dyn amic behavior of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). This model includes a description of a ll the important physical and chemical processes in a fuel cell: fluid flow, mass and heat trans fer, electronic and ionic potential fields, as well as the chemical and electrochemical react ions. The resulting highly nonlinear, coupled system of differential equations is solved using a fi nite volume discretization. Our interest lies in simulating realistic operating conditions with the obj ective of high efficiency operation at high fuel utilization. While there are a number of studies in the literature that present multiphysics models for SOFCs, few have focused on simulat ing operating conditions that are necessary if SOFC systems are to realize their promise of h igh efficiency conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. In this report we present s imulation results at operating conditions that approach the required ranges of power density an d overall efficiency. Our results include a) the temperature and composition profiles along a typical f uel cell in a SOFC stack, b) the dynamic response of the cell to step changes in the available inpu t variables. Since models such as the one presented here are fairly expensive computationa lly and cannot be directly used for online model predictive control, one generally looks to use simplifie d reduced order models for control. We briefly discuss the implications of our model results o n the validity of using reduced models for the control of SOFC stacks to show that avoid ing operating regions where well-known degradation modes are activated is non-trivial without u sing detailed multiphysics models

Whaling in Circles: The Makahs, the International Whaling Commission, and Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling

In Anderson v. Evans, the Ninth Circuit held that the International Whaling Commission (“IWC”) Schedule’s approval of a quota to hunt whales for the Native American Makah Tribe (“Makahs”) violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The implications of this holding were troubling: despite the U.S. government and the IWC approving, on domestic and international levels, the Makahs’ whaling proposal in the 1990s, the Makahs were still unable to hunt whales legally. The Makahs’ right to whale stemmed from the 1855 Neah Bay Treaty, an agreement between the Makahs and the U.S. government in which the government promised the Makahs the right to whale. However, the enactment of a domestic law called the Whaling Convention Act in 1949 superseded the treaty, rendering it void. Yet, enforcement of these domestic and international approvals presents problems. First, allowing the Makahs to resume whaling risks setting a dangerous precedent that will trigger a “domino effect,” causing other countries to resume whaling as well. Further, the international community might perceive the IWC’s approval of the Makahs’ whaling as favoritism to the United States. Such a perception might lead to further fragmentation of the global community regarding whaling. Accordingly, this Note suggests that the moratorium on whaling be lifted for specific whale stocks because oftentimes, a complete ban results in unnecessary and avoidable violations of the law. Further, this Note suggests that other countries be allowed to whale under science-based IWC regulations to achieve international consensus and yield better compliance

THE INFLUENCE OF THE THICKNESS OF ROOTSTOCK AND SCIONS ON THE GROWTH AND QUALITY OF THE OBTAINED SHRUBS OF TWO Rosa × hybrida CULTIVARS. PART I. GROWTH PARAMETER OF THE ROSE SHRUBS

In 1999–2001 years two Rosa × hybrida cultivars, ‘Casanova’ and ‘Korlingo’, were obtained by bud-grafting on a thornless multiflora rootstock (Rosa multiflora Thunb.). The first factor studied was the rootstock quality: class I (base diameter Ø = 4–6 mm); class II (Ø = 3–4 mm); class III (Ø = 2–3 mm). The second factor studied was the scion size: thick scions (Ø = 6–8 mm); medium scions (Ø = 4–6 mm); thin scions (Ø = 2–4 mm). Plant mass of Rosa × hybrida shrubs was greater with class I than with class II or class III rootstocks. The shrubs obtained by bud-grafting on class I and class II rootstocks were higher than with III class rootstocks. Rose shrubs of greater height and mass were obtained by bud-grafting with medium scions, and shrubs of lowest height and mass were obtained with thin scions. The number of primary shoots was not significantly affected by either rootstock quality or scion size. Plant mass and plant height were greater in ‘Casanova’ than in ‘Korlingo’

THE INFLUENCE OF THE THICKNESS OF ROOTSTOCK AND SCIONS ON THE GROWTH AND QUALITY OF THE OBTAINED SHRUBS OF TWO Rosa × hybrida CULTIVARS. PART II. THE QUALITY OF SHRUBS

In 1999–2001 years two Rosa × hybrida cultivars, ‘Casanova’ and ‘Korlingo’, were obtained by bud-grafting on a thornless multiflora rootstock (Rosa multiflora Thunb.). The first factor studied was the rootstock quality: class I (base diameter Ø = 4–6 mm); class II (base diameter Ø = 3–4 mm); class III (base diameter Ø = 2–3 mm). The second factor studied was the scion size: thick scions (Ø = 6–8 mm); medium scions (Ø = 4–6 mm); thin scions (Ø = 2–4 mm). The highest rate of rose shrubs was obtained with class I rootstocks, and lowest with class III rootstocks. The biggest number of I class shrubs was obtained on class I and class II rootstocks, and from thick scions, and the smallest number with class III rootstocks. The root system development was best with class I and class II rootstocks. The rate of successful grafts and the quality of the shrubs obtained were not affected by the scion size

Diversity, economic development and new migrant entrepreneurs

How do migrant entrepreneurs contribute to economic development? The growing attention to the contribution that migrants make tends to be skewed towards their economic role. Drawing on interviews with 49 new migrant business owners and 60 workers in the West Midlands, UK, we argue that benefits of diversity should be explored beyond the economic dividend. We engage with key theoretical developments in the fields of migrant entrepreneurship and diversity economics, and show that migrant entrepreneurs are characterised by the polarisation of their performance between high fliers and survival entrepreneurs. Despite their overall resource poverty, migrant entrepreneurs on the lower level create employment for their locality, cater to community needs and cushion the social incorporation of new communities in British society. We argue that debates around the benefits of diversity should incorporate not only economic growth, but also its impact on social processes