Costs and benefits of superfast broadband in the UK

This paper was commissioned from LSE Enterprise by Convergys Smart Revenue Solutions to stimulate an open and constructive debate among the main stakeholders about the balance between the costs, the revenues, and the societal benefits of ‘superfast’ broadband. The intent has been to analyse the available facts and to propose wider perspectives on economic and social interactions. The paper has two parts: one concentrates on superfast broadband deployment and the associated economic and social implications (for the UK and its service providers), and the other considers alternative social science approaches to these implications. Both parts consider the potential contribution of smart solutions to superfast broadband provision and use. Whereas Part I takes the “national perspective” and the “service provider perspective”, which deal with the implications of superfast broadband for the UK and for service providers, Part II views matters in other ways, particularly by looking at how to realise values beyond the market economy, such as those inherent in neighbourliness, trust and democrac

An adaptive array antenna for mobile satellite communications

The adaptive array is linearly polarized and consists essentially of a driven lambda/4 monopole surrounded by an array of parasitic elements all mounted on a ground plane of finite size. The parasitic elements are all connected to ground via pin diodes. By applying suitable bias voltages, the desired parasitic elements can be activated and made highly reflective. The directivity and pointing of the antenna beam can be controlled in both the azimuth and elevation planes using high speed digital switching techniques. The antenna RF losses are neglible and the maximum gain is close to the theoretical value determined by the effective aperture size. The antenna is compact, has a low profile, is inexpensive to manufacture and can handle high transmitter power

An adaptive array antenna for mobile satellite communications

The design of an adaptive array antenna for land vehicle operation and its performance in an operational satellite system is described. Linear and circularly polarized antenna designs are presented. The acquisition and tracking operation of a satellite is described and the effect on the communications signal is discussed. A number of system requirements are examined that have a major impact on the antenna design. The results of environmental, power handling, and RFI testing are presented and potential problems are identified

Incomplete Diversification and Asset Pricing

Investors in equilibrium are modeled as facing investor specific risks across the space of assets. Personalized asset pricing models reflect these risks. Averaging across the pool of investors we obtain a market asset pricing model that reflects market risk exposures. It is observed on invoking a law of large numbers applied to an infinite population of investors, that many personally relevant risk considerations can be eliminated from the market asset pricing model. Examples illustrating the effects of undiversified labor income and taste specific price indices are provided. Suggestions for future work on asset pricing include a need to focus on identifying and explaining investor specific risk exposures.Diversification, Asset Pricing, Investor specific risks

The relationships of vegetation and bird communities with landforms and geomorphic processes on the Central Niagara Escarpment (Ontario)

This study has examined the relationships between geomorphic form and process, vegetation composition and dynamics, and avian populations for landscapes in the central Niagara Escarpment, Southern Ontario. This includes an area extending from Speyside Conservation area near Milton to Mono Cliffs Provincial Park north of Orangeville. Data was collected for geomorphic form and process parameters, vegetation species and structural parameters, and avian species. The physical parameters included a combination of landform characteristics including slope angle, aspect, and landscape position and geomorphic processes, such as creep and debris slides, measured as a level of disturbance. Human levels of disturbance were also measured for comparative purposes. Eleven vegetation structural parameters were measured, such as deciduous/coniferous ratio, stem density, snag density and canopy cover. This data was collected for 29 land units, divided between upland, slope and valley segments, at 11 sites along the Escarpment. Sampling for the avian populations took place during the breeding season between 1996-1999. Vegetation and bird associations were classified using cluster analysis (TWINSPAN). An ordination analysis (CANOCO) was also completed to determine the relationships between the biological components and biophysical form and process. The results of these analyses were combined with field observations to create a set of landscape units. These units were presented within a descriptive model to describe the relationships within the Escarpment landscape systems. The results of this study found strong relationships between vegetation associations and landscape position. These patterns were related to disturbance and stress from natural and human processes. Avian populations were strongly related to the vegetation patterns of coniferous and deciduous cover, but there was not as strong a correspondence with landscape position and the levels of disturbance and stress. Natural disturbance created the greatest variation on species in the slope units, while human disturbance was a stronger control on upland sites. Stream gradient and the extent of floodplain were the main controls in the valley units. Overall, Escarpment landscape systems are dynamic and complex. They are composed of a strongly heterogeneic series of landscape units, which is evident in the diversity of forest and avian components. Management strategies need to recognize the role of natural and human processes in creating this heterogeneity and to develop policies that maintain the spatio-temporal pattern of the disturbance regimes

The Applicability of Contract and Trust Theories to War Bonds

The Applicability of Contract and Trust Theories to War Bond

The Applicability of Contract and Trust Theories to War Bonds

The Applicability of Contract and Trust Theories to War Bond

An analysis of metropolitan governance and institutional issues in South Africa

The main objectives of this article is to gauge to what extent metropolitan governments have led to the improvement of service delivery and to investigate how the existing governing and institutional frameworks are working for metros. Evidence suggests that the creation of widely drawn single-tier municipalities encompassing the whole city is a better governing model than the two-tier system. It has also led to the embodiment of the one city, one tax base slogan. It has also contributed to improved service delivery although there are still backlogs due to in-migration. There is evidence to suggest ordinary councillors are not communicating effectively with their constituencies. Part of the problem is that they do not have delegated powers and functions, even though they have constituencies to which they are accountable. The local government electoral system of 50% ward councillors and 50% proportional representation (PR) councillors has led in some cases to bloated councils with a number of PR councillors contributing little to the governing function. While there are some ward committees that are functioning, the evidence suggests that the majority of these structures are not working particularly well. They are too politicised and do not appear to promote public participation. Literature suggests that there is limited public participation in integrated development plans. Community Development Workers do bring some benefits to metropolitan municipalities and support councillors in some instances. However, there is some concern about their relationship with elected councillors and the implications for democratic accountability