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Limited Budget (limited + budget)
Selected AbstractsTwo-stage computing budget allocation approach for the response surface methodINTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2007J. Peng Abstract Response surface methodology (RSM) is one of the main statistical approaches to search for an input combination that optimizes the simulation output. In the early stages of RSM, an iterative steepest ascent search procedure is frequently used. In this paper, we attempt to improve this procedure by considering a more realistic case where there are computing budget constraints, and formulate a new computing budget allocation problem to look into the important issue of allocating computing budget to the design points in the local region of experimentation. We propose a two-stage computing budget allocation approach, which uses a limited budget to estimate the response surface in the first stage and then uses the rest of the budget to improve the lower bound of the estimated response at the center of the next design region in the second stage. Several numerical experiments are carried out to compare the two-stage approach with the regular factorial design, which allocates budget equally to each design point. The results show that our two-stage allocation outperforms the equal allocation, especially when the system noise is large. [source] Prioritisation of public investments in social infrastructures using multicriteria value analysis and decision conferencing: a case studyINTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006Carlos A. Bana e Costa Abstract Not-for-profit private organisations that provide social services to children, the elderly and the disabled apply for financial support to develop or to renew their social infrastructures, through the Portuguese Institute for Social Welfare. In the context of scarce financial resources, the Institute decision-makers felt the need to adopt an improved "rationality" in resource allocation, in order to increase transparency and to ensure that the collective best use is made of a limited budget. This paper describes the socio-technical process followed in building a multicriteria value model, under a decision conferencing framework in which participation and interaction among decision-actors were key features in the development of the three main phases of problem structuring, evaluation and prioritisation. [source] Applying benchmarking and data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques to irrigation districts in SpainIRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 2 2004J. A. Rodríguez Díaz indicateurs de performance; benchmarking; DEA Abstract In this research, the application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) is proposed as a methodology to overcome the problems related to the lack of methodology to assign the correct weightings for the calculation of indexes and to the subjectivity of the interpretations of results. DEA is a linear programming technique to determine the relative efficiencies of a company when the inputs and outputs of production units within the company are known, but the productive process itself is not. In this way, quantitative efficiencies and the weighting of any performance indicator can be assessed and compared, permitting managers to obtain a well-defined performance ranking. This is especially important when managers dispose of a limited budget. The results of the application of this methodology to Andalusian irrigation districts (Spain) are presented and discussed here. This study was used to select the most representative irrigation districts in Andalusia which were then studied in greater depth by applying the performance indicators selected by IPTRID for use by the benchmarking international program. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Dans ce travail, l'utilisation de la méthode de ,,data envelopment analysis (DEA),, est analysée en tant que méthodologie capable de résoudre les problèmes liés au manque de méthodologie pour l'attribution des pondérations dans le calcul d'indices composites et à la subjectivité des comparaisons. La DEA est une technique de programmation linéaire pour déterminer les efficiences relatives d'une compagnie. Les moyens utilisés sont la connaissance des intrants et produits de la compagnie, ignorant les processus de production. De cette façon, les gestionnaires peuvent obtenir un large ensemble d'indices de gestion qui se révèle particulièrement important lorsque le gestionnaire dispose d'un budget limité. Les résultats de l'utilisation de cette méthode pour l'irrigation dans la région d'Andalousie (Espagne) sont présentés et discutés dans ce travail. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Optimal Robust Two-Stage Designs for Genome-Wide Association StudiesANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 6 2009Thuy Trang Nguyen Summary Optimal robust two-stage designs for genome-wide association studies are proposed using the maximum of the recessive, additive and dominant linear trend test statistics. These designs combine cost-saving two-stage genotyping with robustness against misspecification of the genetic model and are much more efficient than designs based on a single model specific test statistic in detecting multiple loci with different modes of inheritance. For given power of 90%, typical cost savings of 34% can be realised by increasing the total sample size by about 13% but genotyping only about half of the sample for the full marker set in the first stage and carrying forward about 0.06% of the markers to the second stage analysis. We also present robust two-stage designs providing optimal allocation of a limited budget for pre-existing samples. If a sample is available which would yield a power of 90% when fully genotyped, genotyping only half of the sample due to a limited budget will typically cause a loss of power of more than 55%. Using an optimal two-stage approach in the same sample under the same budget restrictions will limit the loss of power to less than 10%. In general, the optimal proportion of markers to be followed up in the second stage strongly depends on the cost ratio for chips and individual genotyping, while the design parameters of the optimal designs (total sample size, first stage proportion, first and second stage significance limit) do not much depend on the genetic model assumptions. [source] A BUREAUCRAT'S PROCUREMENT STRATEGY: BUDGET CONSTRAINTS AND RATIONINGANNALS OF PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2007Signe ANTHON ABSTRACT,:,We investigate a bureaucratic principal responsible for the procurement of goods and services from private agents. The bureaucrat is evaluated on output and controlled by a limited budget. The agents maximize profit, have private information about variable production costs, and have positive outside options which are lost upon acceptance of a procurement contract. The setting is relevant for, e.g. governmental agencies. We show how this setup makes probabilistic rationing and overproduction for low-cost agents a useful tool for the bureaucrat. [source] Metropolitan Open-Space Protection with Uncertain Site AvailabilityCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005ROBERT G. HAIGHT acceso público; Chicago; modelo de selección de sitio; optimización; representación de especies Abstract:,Urban planners acquire open space to protect natural areas and provide public access to recreation opportunities. Because of limited budgets and dynamic land markets, acquisitions take place sequentially depending on available funds and sites. To address these planning features, we formulated a two-period site selection model with two objectives: maximize the expected number of species represented in protected sites and maximize the expected number of people with access to protected sites. These objectives were both maximized subject to an upper bound on area protected over two periods. The trade-off between species representation and public access was generated by the weighting method of multiobjective programming. Uncertainty was represented with a set of probabilistic scenarios of site availability in a linear-integer formulation. We used data for 27 rare species in 31 candidate sites in western Lake County, near the city of Chicago, to illustrate the model. Each trade-off curve had a concave shape in which species representation dropped at an increasing rate as public accessibility increased, with the trade-off being smaller at higher levels of the area budget. Several sites were included in optimal solutions regardless of objective function weights, and these core sites had high species richness and public access per unit area. The area protected in period one depended on current site availability and on the probabilities of sites being undeveloped and available in the second period. Although the numerical results are specific for our study, the methodology is general and applicable elsewhere. Resumen:,Planificadores urbanos adquieren espacios abiertos para proteger áreas naturales y proporcionar acceso público a oportunidades de recreación. Debido a presupuestos limitados y a la dinámica de los mercados de terrenos, las adquisiciones se llevan a cabo secuencialmente en función de la disponibilidad de fondos y sitios. Para atender estas características de la planificación, formulamos un modelo de selección de sitios de dos períodos con dos objetivos: maximizar el número esperado de especies representado en sitios protegidos y maximizar el número esperado de personas con acceso a sitios protegidos. Ambos objetivos fueron maximizados con un límite superior en la superficie protegida en los dos períodos. El balance entre la representación de especies y el acceso público fue generado por el método de ponderación de programación de multiobjetivos. La incertidumbre fue representada con un conjunto de escenarios probabilísticos de la disponibilidad de sitios en una formulación lineal-integral. Para demostrar el modelo, utilizamos datos para 27 especies raras en 31 sitios potenciales en el oeste del Condado Lake, cerca de la ciudad de Chicago. Cada curva tenía forma cóncava y la representación de especies descendió a medida que incrementó la accesibilidad pública, con un menor equilibrio en niveles altos del presupuesto para el área. Varios sitios fueron incluidos en soluciones óptimas independientemente de las funciones de ponderación de los objetivos, y estos sitios tuvieron alta riqueza de especies y acceso público por unidad de área. La superficie protegida en el período uno dependió de la disponibilidad de sitios y de las probabilidades de que los sitios no fueran desarrollados y de su disponibilidad en el segundo período. Aunque los resultados numéricos son específicos a nuestro estudio, la metodología es general y aplicable en otros sitios. [source] Genomics and systems biology , how relevant are the developments to veterinary pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutics?JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2005R. F. WITKAMP This review discusses some of the recent developments in genomics and its current and future relevance for veterinary pharmacology and toxicology. With the rapid progress made in this field several new approaches in pharmacological and toxicological research have developed and drug discovery and drug development strategies have changed dramatically. In this review, the term genomics is used to encompass the three sub-disciplines transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics (or metabonomics) to describe the formation and fate of mRNA, proteins and metabolites, respectively. The current status and methods of the technology and some applications are briefly described. Although the DNA sequencing programmes are receiving considerable attention, the real value of genomics for pharmacology and toxicology is brought by the parallel developments in bio-informatics, bio-statistics and the integration of biology with mathematics and information technology. The ultimate level of integration is now mostly called systems biology, where mRNA, proteins and metabolites are being analysed in parallel, using a complete arsenal of analytical techniques (DNA-array, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, NMR, etc.). The information thus collected is analysed, integrated, linked to database information and translated to pathways and systems. This approach offers an enormous potential to study disease mechanisms and find new drug targets. Thus far, genomics and systems biology have not been introduced significantly in typical veterinary pharmacological and toxicological research programmes. The high costs and complexity connected to these large projects often form major obstacles for research groups with limited budgets. In other veterinary areas and disciplines, including infectious diseases, animal production and food-safety more examples of application are available. Genomics and bio-informatics provide outstanding opportunities to study pharmacology and toxicology in a more holistic way, taking into account the complexity of biological systems and based on the basic principles of physiology and the concept of homeostasis. Knowledge of biology, in vivo and in vitro models, and comparative pharmacology/toxicology is essential here, creating excellent opportunities for the veterinary trained scientist. [source] Saints and CEOs: an historical experience of altruism, self-interest and compromiseBUSINESS ETHICS: A EUROPEAN REVIEW, Issue 2 2003David Molyneaux At a time when social and ethical responsibilities of companies and CEOs are being increasingly emphasised, this paper examines conduct of social business in a different age and culture to discern features of enduring relevance for ethical business practices today. The personal correspondence of three fourth-century saints gives insights into their relationships and decision-making.Community expectations were those of sharing rather than of outright giving, with ,fusion of interest' prevailing over concerns for ,con?ict of interest'. Selected incidents show two entrepreneurial bishops, Basil and Gregory of Nyssa, struggling to balance tensions between 'liberality' and ,fairness'. They compromised, competed robustly for revenues and were vexed over limited budgets and resources for projects while their disapproving cousin, the academic Gregory of Nazianzus, criticised their worldliness. Their historical experiences suggest four pragmatic and possibly normative ways of blending altruism and self-interest for the overall advancement of bene?cial change. [source] | |||||||||||||