On the Benefit of Merging Suffix Array Intervals for Parallel Pattern Matching

We present parallel algorithms for exact and approximate pattern matching with suffix arrays, using a CREW-PRAM with $p$ processors. Given a static text of length $n$, we first show how to compute the suffix array interval of a given pattern of length $m$ in $O(\frac{m}{p}+ \lg p + \lg\lg p\cdot\lg\lg n)$ time for $p \le m$. For approximate pattern matching with $k$ differences or mismatches, we show how to compute all occurrences of a given pattern in $O(\frac{m^k\sigma^k}{p}\max\left(k,\lg\lg n\right)\!+\!(1+\frac{m}{p}) \lg p\cdot \lg\lg n + \text{occ})$ time, where $\sigma$ is the size of the alphabet and $p \le \sigma^k m^k$. The workhorse of our algorithms is a data structure for merging suffix array intervals quickly: Given the suffix array intervals for two patterns $P$ and $P'$, we present a data structure for computing the interval of $PP'$ in $O(\lg\lg n)$ sequential time, or in $O(1+\lg_p\lg n)$ parallel time. All our data structures are of size $O(n)$ bits (in addition to the suffix array)

Valuation of Phoenics

This work presents theoretical background for diverse valuation methods, with special attention paid to the real options method and its advantages over traditional methods for valuation of young entities. Additionally, it presents a case study of a start-up company, the value of which is found using diverse methods. The main result shows that the value of the company obtained with the real options approach is much higher than the one found with traditional discounted cash flow (DCF) method. Moreover, it shows that the difference in the obtained valuations leads to different strategic decisions: according to DCF certain projects should not be undertaken, whereas according to the real options approach the company should expand its operations.Esta dissertação apresenta uma base teórica para diversos métodos de avaliação, com especial atenção para o método de opções reais e as suas vantagens em relação aos métodos tradicionais de avaliação de entidades jovens. Além disso, apresenta um case study de uma empresa start-up, cujo o seu valor é encontrado usando diversos métodos. O resultado principal mostra que o valor da empresa obtido com a utilização de opções reais é muito maior do que o encontrado com o método tradicional de fluxos de caixa descontados (DCF). Também mostra que a diferença entre as valorizações obtidas, leva a diferentes decisões estratégicas: de acordo com DCF determinados projectos não devem ser realizados, no entanto segundo as opções reais, a empresa deve expandir suas operaçõe

Failing interventions? assessing the success of liberal peace-building in Kosovo after 2008

Dealing with a world of constant crises and wars, the international community is continuously applying efforts in peace-building processes to war-torn countries, in order to impose stability and development. The underlying concept of liberal peace-building and the form it is carried out are discussed critically amongst scholars and creates controversies. Especially in the course of and after the Yugoslav wars the discussion gained additional momentum. This thesis explores and evaluates the success of the international engagement in post-war Kosovo, where the liberal concept was applied extensively after the conflict. For this purpose a single case study, mostly based on document analysis is employed in order to analyse the developments in core areas of liberal peace-building. Set standards and description of the engaged missions support the overall understanding of the situation in Kosovo. The thesis seeks to contribute to the knowledge of the effects of liberal approaches, as well as the reasons for the prevailing failure in Kosovo. The areas of liberal economy, democratization, human rights and rule of law are found to show major shortcomings for which the reasons lie in misconceptions based within the liberal approach, but also in the structure of the integrated mission carried out in Kosovo. In light of ongoing engagement in Kosovo by international actors, it is discussed that the overall approach of an external imposed framework does not, as intended, lead to liberal democracies. The thesis argues that the roots for instability are strengthened by the international engagement and hinder sufficient development in Kosovo and does essentially not allow a positive outlook.http://www.ester.ee/record=b4684704*es

Dynamic Skyline Computation with the Skyline Breaker Algorithm

Given a sequential data input, we tackle parallel dynamic skyline computation of the read data by means of a spatial tree structure for indexing fine-grained feature vectors. For this purpose, we modified the Skyline Breaker algorithm that solves skyline computation with multiple local split decision trees concurrently. With this approach, we propose an algorithm for dynamic skyline computation that inherits the robustness against the dimension curse and different data distributions

Stringency and Distribution in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme –The 2005 Evidence

With the release of the verified emissions for installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for the first trading year 2005 we are able to compare actual emissions and allowances for each installation. Based on data available for 24 Member States as of January 2007, this paper uses a thorough data analysis for about 9,900 installations to investigate evidence on three issues: first, the stringency of the total allocation cap and allocation differences both among the Member States and a selection of emission intensive sectors; second, the distribution of the size of installations; and third, the spread of allocation discrepancies and possible allocation biases regarding the size of installations.Emission Trading, EU Emissions Trading Scheme, Climate Policy

Campaign finance regulations and policy convergence: the role of interest groups and valence

Regulation of campaign finance of political parties and candidates is intended to decrease the political influence of special interest groups and enhance the public interest in electoral outcomes. I investigate empirically the consequences of campaign financing regulations and find that public funding leads parties' platforms to diverge whereas ceilings on individual contributions lead to platform convergence to the median voter outcome. I relate these consequences to differences in valence or intrinsic popularity of parties. I also show that platform divergence is associated with a ban on corporate donations and with requirements of public disclosure of parties' income statements.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio