3,691 research outputs found
On the problem of network monopoly
We introduce a new regulatory concept: the independent profit-maximising agent, as a model for regulating a network monopoly. The agent sets prices on cross-network goods taking either a complete, or arbitrarily small, share of the associated profit. We examine welfare and profits with and without each agent type under both network monopoly and network duopoly. We show that splitting up the network monopoly (creating network duopoly) may be inferior for both firm(s) and society compared with a network monopoly "regulated" by an agent and that society always prefers any of the four agent regimes over network monopoly and network duopoly
Network Regulation Using an Agent
This paper introduces a new regulatory concept: the independent profit-maximising regulatory agent, as a possible model for regulating network industries where complex demand interdependencies, in particular demand complementarities, make traditional methods of regulation difficult. We derive a simple theoretical network model with differentiated demands and explore alternative competitive and regulatory strategies. We show that the employment of an independent profit-maximising agent may offer a partial solution to the problem of network regulation, yielding outcomes which involve all parties pursuing their own interests yet are relatively desirable to both firms and society
On the Economics of Integrated Ticketing
In this paper we explore alternative pricing and regulatory strategies within a simple transport network with Cournot duopoly and differentiated demands. We show that whilst firms always prefer to offer integrated ticketing, a social planner will not. With integrated ticketing, the firms always prefer complete collusion but there is not a uniform ranking of some of the less collusive regimes. Society generally prefers the less collusive regimes to complete collusion but prefers some collusion to independent pricing
Dimension of posets with planar cover graphs excluding two long incomparable chains
It has been known for more than 40 years that there are posets with planar
cover graphs and arbitrarily large dimension. Recently, Streib and Trotter
proved that such posets must have large height. In fact, all known
constructions of such posets have two large disjoint chains with all points in
one chain incomparable with all points in the other. Gutowski and Krawczyk
conjectured that this feature is necessary. More formally, they conjectured
that for every , there is a constant such that if is a poset
with a planar cover graph and excludes , then
. We settle their conjecture in the affirmative. We also discuss
possibilities of generalizing the result by relaxing the condition that the
cover graph is planar.Comment: New section on connections with graph minors, small correction
How Constructivist Theories of Development can be used to Re-conceptualise NAPLAN as an Opportunity to Develop Student Resilience
Teachers have come under increased pressure to improve educational outcomes as Australia has sought to meet the challenges of competing on an international level. This intensified pressure has been accompanied by improved levels of funding, a National Curriculum for all Australian states, and territories, along with assessments to measure these key outcomes. However, this increased level of scrutiny has affected the pedagogical choices of teachers. Traditional modes of instruction have been reinforced, with teachers moving away from effective constructivist approaches to learning. This article will propose that a reinterpretation of constructivist theories of development is needed to arrest this decline, so that increased accountability measures, like NAPLAN, can be perceived as constructivist opportunities to build both core subject knowledge and broader 21st Century skills, such as resilience
Sulfur amino acid requirement of the growing pig
A growth trial and a nitrogen retention trial were conducted to determine the sulfur amino acid requirement of the growing pig. Adding 0.10% DL-methionine to a 14.1% protein basal diet containing 0.21% sulfur amino acids significantly (P\u3c.05) increased daily gain and nitrogen retention. Further additions gave no beneficial effect, indicating that the sulfur amino acid requirement had been met by the initial addition of DL-methionine. Thus, the sulfur amino acid requirement of the growing pig fed a 14.1% protein diet does not exceed 0.31% of the diet.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 14, 197
On an extremal problem for poset dimension
Let be the largest integer such that every poset on elements has a
-dimensional subposet on elements. What is the asymptotics of ?
It is easy to see that . We improve the best known upper
bound and show . For higher dimensions, we show
, where is the largest
integer such that every poset on elements has a -dimensional subposet on
elements.Comment: removed proof of Theorem 3 duplicating previous work; fixed typos and
reference
Exploring the Variation in Spatial Landscape Utilisation by Cows in the Pre- and Post-Partum Period Using GNSS Technology
On-animal sensors refer to systems that monitor the location, behaviour, or physiological characteristics of livestock. These technologies provide a method to overcome many of the challenges that are associated with monitoring livestock within an extensive grazing system. A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) could be used to detect the changes in spatial utilisation associated with when a cow has a calf at foot. In this study, forty pregnant Belmont Red heifers were fitted with GNSS collars programmed to provide a location reading at 5 minute intervals. The data was cleaned and mapped in ArcGIS to identify changes in paddock area preference in the week prior to (-7d to -1d) and following (1d to 7d) parturition. A total of 14 heifers calved during this period and an overall reduction in the total area utilised was observed following parturition. Ten animals showed a preference for the eastern-side of the paddock following calving. These results suggest that paddock utilisation by cows does change around parturition but is inconsistent. Further research is required to better understand this issue, however, this information could be used to inform management decisions around resource distribution in the post-partum period to maximise productivity and animal welfare
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