8,208 research outputs found
Towards a query language for annotation graphs
The multidimensional, heterogeneous, and temporal nature of speech databases
raises interesting challenges for representation and query. Recently,
annotation graphs have been proposed as a general-purpose representational
framework for speech databases. Typical queries on annotation graphs require
path expressions similar to those used in semistructured query languages.
However, the underlying model is rather different from the customary graph
models for semistructured data: the graph is acyclic and unrooted, and both
temporal and inclusion relationships are important. We develop a query language
and describe optimization techniques for an underlying relational
representation.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure
Assessing the potential for U.S. utility green bonds
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Bonds are the largest single class of financial instrument across the worldâs financial markets.
Recently, a subclass of these bonds, called green bonds, has emerged in the market place.
Green bonds are a type of bond whose proceeds may be used only for certain approved
âgreenâ investments. In exchange for agreeing to invest only in such projects, the bond issuer
obtains some value greater than they would obtain from traditional financing, and are
therefore encouraged to finance and undertake a greater number of green projects. This
unique value may not be recognized in traditional financial accounting. Of course, like any other
capital-raising investment, green bonds enable their issuer to finance a new project that should
increase (or at least maintain) its revenues, profits, and cash flow.
The utility sector was the second largest issuer of green bonds in 2017, accounting for $26.2
billion dollarsâ worth of green bond issuance globally. These were primarily issued to finance
renewable energy projects, a class of projects that makes the utility sector one of the most
logical for deployment of green bonds.
While choosing to issue green bonds does not seem to have any price advantage over regular
bonds in the market, green bonds can provide other benefits. These benefits may include
reputation effects, better treatment in secondary markets, and other intangibles (See Table ES1)
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