Search results for "Key issues"
showing 10 items of 32 documents
Implementing Performance Reporting in Local Government: A Cross-Countries Comparison
2016
ABSTRACTProviding information on economy, efficiency, and effectiveness is one of the most important innovations in local government management, with performance reporting emerging as a new component for accountability and decision-making. This article compares 17 countries to ascertain whether there is convergence between them, studying key issues in the implementation of performance reporting by local governments. It also identifies some lessons that can be of use to countries that want to implement or improve performance reporting systems. Findings show that there is no convergence in practice or results, and that institutional factors influence the implementation of performance reportin…
An Embedded Processor for Metabolic Networks Optimization
2011
In recent years biological processes modelling and simulation have become two key issues in analyzing complex cellular systems. The computational requirements suggest to investigate alternative solutions to the common supercomputers and clusters in order to optimize and overcome computational bottleneck. The goal of this work is the design and the realization of an embedded processor for metabolic networks optimization in order to examine their behaviour and robustness under malfunctions of one or more nodes. The embedded processor has been prototyped on the Celoxica RC203E board, equipped with programmable FPGA technologies. A case studied outlining the E. Coli bacteria metabolic network i…
Thin film growth of Fe-based superconductors: from fundamental properties to functional devices. A comparative review.
2014
Fe-based superconductors bridge a gap between MgB2 and the cuprate high temperature superconductors as they exhibit multiband character and transition temperatures up to around 55 K. Investigating Fe-based superconductors thus promises answers to fundamental questions concerning the Cooper pairing mechanism, competition between magnetic and superconducting phases, and a wide variety of electronic correlation effects. The question addressed in this review is, however, is this new class of superconductors also a promising candidate for technical applications? Superconducting film-based technologies range from high-current and high-field applications for energy production and storage to sensor…
Seven Mathematical Models of Hemorrhagic Shock
2021
Although mathematical modelling of pressure-flow dynamics in the cardiocirculatory system has a lengthy history, readily finding the appropriate model for the experimental situation at hand is often a challenge in and of itself. An ideal model would be relatively easy to use and reliable, besides being ethically acceptable. Furthermore, it would address the pathogenic features of the cardiovascular disease that one seeks to investigate. No universally valid model has been identified, even though a host of models have been developed. The object of this review is to describe several of the most relevant mathematical models of the cardiovascular system: the physiological features of circulator…
On the Characterization of Distributed Virtual Environment Systems
2003
Distributed Virtual Environment systems have experienced a spectacular growth last years. One of the key issues in the design of scalable and cost-effective DVE systems is the partitioning problem. This problem consists of efficiently assigning clients (3-D avatars) to the servers in the system, and some techniques have been already proposed for solving it.
A comparison study of evolutive algorithms for solving the partitioning problem in distributed virtual environment systems
2004
Fast Internet connections and the widespread use of high performance graphic cards are making Distributed Virtual Environment (DVE) systems very common nowadays. However, there are several key issues in these systems that should still be improved in order to design a scalable and cost-effective system. One of these key issues is the partitioning problem. This problem consists of efficiently assigning clients (3D avatars) to the servers in the system. In this paper, we present a comparison study of different modern heuristics for solving the partitioning problem in DVE systems, as an alternative to the ad hoc heuristic proposed in the literature. Performance evaluation results show that some…
A Comparison Study of Modern Heuristics for Solving the Partitioning Problem in Distributed Virtual Environment Systems
2003
Fast Internet connections and the widespread use of high performance graphic cards are making Distributed Virtual Environment (DVE) systems very common nowadays. However, there are several key issues in these systems that should still be improved in order to design a scalable and cost-effective system. One of these key issues is the partitioning problem. This problem consists of efficiently assigning clients (3-D avatars) to the servers in the system. In this paper, we present a comparison study of different modern heuristics for solving the partitioning problem in DVE systems, as an alternative to the ad-hoc heuristic proposed in the literature. Performance evaluation results show that som…
Mesoporous silica-based materials for use in biosensors
2012
Abstract There have been great advancements in the development of biosensors capable of characterizing and quantifying biomolecules. This article gives an overview of the formation, the properties and the electrochemical applications of ordered mesoporous silica-based materials in electrocatalysis, electrosorption, matrix immobilization, construction of systems for controlled release of active compounds, sensors, biosensors and immunosensors. We also present a comprehensive overview of current developments and key issues in the determination of some biological molecules with particular emphasis on the evaluation of models.
Mesoporous silica materials for use in electrochemical immunosensing
2013
Abstract Silica-based electrochemical immunosensors recently gained much importance for detecting antigens and biomarkers responsible for cancer diagnosis. This review describes fabrication and chemical modification of the surfaces of mesoporous silica materials for biomedical and immunosensing applications. We also present a comprehensive overview of current developments and key issues in the determination of some biological molecules with particular emphasis on evaluating the models.
Civil society participation in international decision making: recent developments and future perspectives in the indigenous rights arena
2012
This article focuses on key issues and recent developments concerning indigenous peoples' involvement in international decision making affecting their rights and interests. Based on a human rights-based approach to participation, it suggests that while a number of positive steps have been taken to allow indigenous peoples the possibility to take part to, and influence, relevant intergovernmental decision-making processes, there's a need to provide their own self-governing institutions and organisations with a more influential status than that granted to civil society organisations (CSOs) generally, whereby they can exercise different levels of participatory rights, depending upon the nature…