Various Types Of Clients Research Articles

Optimal deterministic and robust selection of electricity contracts

We address the Electricity Contract Selection Problem (ECSP), of finding best parameters of an electricity contract for a client based on his/her past records of electricity consumption over a fixed time period. The objective is to optimize the electricity bill composed by some fixed cost, the cost of the subscription of the electricity contract and penalties due to overpowering when consumption exceeds subscribed power. The ECSP can be formulated as a convex separable optimization problem subject to total order constraints. Due to this special structure, ECSP is a special case of two well known classes of convex separable optimization problems, namely the minimum network flow under convex separable cost and minimizing convex separable functions under chain constraints. Both classes are well treated in the litterature and can be solved in polynomial time (Ahuja and Orlin in Oper Res 49(5):784–789, 2001; Ahuja et al. in Manag Sci 49(7):950–964, 2003; Best et al. in SIAM J Optim 10:658–672, 2000; Karzanov and McCormick in SIAM J Comput 26(4):1245–1275, 1997; Minoux in Eur J Oper Res 18(3):377–387, 1984; Minoux, in Gallo and Sandi (eds) Netflow at pisa, mathematical programming studies, Springer, Berlin, 1986). In particular, the algorithm in Ahuja and Orlin (2001) achieves the best theoretical time complexity assuming that computing the objective function value at one specific point can be done in constant time. However, when we work on a big amount of historic data as in ECSP, the time required for evaluating the objective function cannot be assumed to be O(1) anymore. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for ECSP which is specially designed to reduce the computational effort over large scale historical data. We present numerical results showing that our algorithm outperforms the algorithm in Ahuja and Orlin (2001) when applied to consumption data of various types of clients. A robust version of ECSP based on a Seasonal and Trend decomposition approach for modelling consumption uncertainty is also investigated. The resulting worst-case cost minimization problem is shown to be efficiently solvable using the same algorithm as for deterministic ECSP.

Independent Workers: Growth Trends, Categories, and Employee Relations Implications in the Emerging Gig Economy

The major objectives of this paper are threefold. First, the paper captures and explains the recent growth trends of independent workers, working as freelancers for corporations, and offering on-demand services for various types of clients mediated by App-enabled platform companies. Second, the paper discusses different terminologies used to describe independent workers and highlights the emergence of a new category of independent on-demand workers, the employment status of whom is a subject of current empirical and academic debate. Finally, the paper discusses the emergence of an increasing number of collective actions recently taken by on-demand workers against platform companies over worsened level of wages, undesirable terms and conditions of work, and inadequate workers’ protection, and examines their implications for the discipline of employee relations.

A Heterogeneous Distributed Virtual Geographic Environment—Potential Application in Spatiotemporal Behavior Experiments

Due to their strong immersion and real-time interactivity, helmet-mounted virtual reality (VR) devices are becoming increasingly popular. Based on these devices, an immersive virtual geographic environment (VGE) provides a promising method for research into crowd behavior in an emergency. However, the current cheaper helmet-mounted VR devices are not popular enough, and will continue to coexist with personal computer (PC)-based systems for a long time. Therefore, a heterogeneous distributed virtual geographic environment (HDVGE) could be a feasible solution to the heterogeneous problems caused by various types of clients, and support the implementation of spatiotemporal crowd behavior experiments with large numbers of concurrent participants. In this study, we developed an HDVGE framework, and put forward a set of design principles to define the similarities between the real world and the VGE. We discussed the HDVGE architecture, and proposed an abstract interaction layer, a protocol-based interaction algorithm, and an adjusted dead reckoning algorithm to solve the heterogeneous distributed problems. We then implemented an HDVGE prototype system focusing on subway fire evacuation experiments. Two types of clients are considered in the system: PC, and all-in-one VR. Finally, we evaluated the performances of the prototype system and the key algorithms. The results showed that in a low-latency local area network (LAN) environment, the prototype system can smoothly support 90 concurrent users consisting of PC and all-in-one VR clients. HDVGE provides a feasible solution for studying not only spatiotemporal crowd behaviors in normal conditions, but also evacuation behaviors in emergency conditions such as fires and earthquakes. HDVGE could also serve as a new means of obtaining observational data about individual and group behavior in support of human geography research.

Client, Employer and Employee: Mapping a Complex Triangulation

Many studies in the fields of law, sociology and management point to the transformation of subordination in the employment relationship. This is often explained by the triangulation of the traditionally bilateral employment relation between employer and employees by the involvement of clients or their representatives in the operational and organizational conditions of work. Such studies rarely distinguish between the various types of clients, nor between the reality and rhetoric of their role and influence. Our objective is to propose a classification of the triangular situations between employer, employees and clients based on the concept of power and to analyse the impacts of clients on conditions of work and employment relations.

Understanding the Coexistence of Formal and Informal Credit Markets in Piura, Peru

Summary This paper examines why farm households seek informal loans in Piura, Peru, where formal lenders offer loans at lower interest rates. A panel data econometric analysis reveals that the informal sector serves various types of clients: households excluded from the formal sector but also households that prefer informal loans because of lower transaction costs or lower risk. An in-depth examination of contract terms and loan technologies permits an accurate comparison of effective loan costs and contractual risk across sectors and reveals that proximity and economies of scope enjoyed by informal lenders enable them to substitute information-intensive screening and monitoring for contractual risk and supply these various types of clients.

A buffered-bandwidth approach for supporting real-time video streaming over cellular networks

In this paper, we study the admission and bandwidth allocation problems in real-time video streaming in a cellular network. Admission control in a cellular network is a complex issue due to the mobility of the clients, and the additional workload imposed by incoming clients could exceed the network capacity of a cell and seriously degrade the quality of services provided to the resident clients. To minimize the number of forced terminations of real-time video playback, we incorporate the notion of buffered bandwidth in the admission test for handoff client. Using this approach, we can balance the video workload among adjacent cells to minimize the impact of overloading as the result of handoff operations. We also examine techniques to maintain fairness in services especially under overload situations even though the requested videos from various types of clients could generate very different workload. Simulation experiments confirm the effectiveness of our approach compared to widely used schemes.

How much (and how conflicted) is that portfolio manager in the window? Implications of the SEC proposed rule on enhanced portfolio management disclosure for registered investment companies

There has been tremendous focus by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and by other parties, such as the New York Attorney General, on investment advisory fees levied by mutual funds as well as conflicts of interest between portfolio managers and their various types of clients. Sometimes these debates have ended up in Congress where the implied threat to the SEC was “if you don’t act we will.” And some of the congressional proposals, if enacted, would have created far‐reaching consequences for both investors and investment companies by proscribing certain conflicts. The SEC, on the other hand, has used sunlight principally as its preferred antiseptic. Increased disclosure requirements over a variety of activities has been the norm in the its recently adopted rules and regulations. The Commission has proposed amendments to Forms N1‐A, N‐2, N‐3 and N‐CSR calling for enhanced disclosure regarding the three C’s: compensation, composition of the management team, and conflicts of interest.

The role of monitoring outcomes in initiating implementation of evidence-based treatments at the state level.

This article describes a six-year statewide initiative to help mental health service providers in continuously monitoring the outcomes of youths with serious emotional disturbances who are treated in the public-sector managed behavioral health care system. Participating providers submit outcome data to a state-sponsored evaluator, using the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS), and receive monthly feedback that identifies youths who are making poor progress in treatment. Additional reports are used to ensure record compliance, monitor at-risk youths, and assist in reviewing the adequacy of treatment plans. In addition, outcome data for closed cases are generated for various types of clients. The consistently poor outcomes for some types of clients have generated a genuine interest among clinical staff in learning and implementing evidence-based treatments. The data for all participating providers were pooled to generate state averages for various indicators so that each provider can compare their site to these benchmarks. State administrators consider the data in generating policy and identifying systemwide needs. The processes that shaped this initiative and that created the providers' investment in continuous quality improvement activities are described.

ICOME: An Immersive Collaborative 3D Object Modelling Environment

In most existing immersive virtual environments, 3D geometry is imported from external packages. Within ICOME (an immersive Collaborative 3D Object Modelling Environment) we focus on the immersive construction of 3D geometrical objects within the environment itself. Moreover, the framework allows multiple people to simultaneously undertake 3D modelling tasks in a collaborative way. This article describes the overall architecture, which conceptually follows a client/server approach. The various types of clients, which are implemented, are described in detail. Some illustrative 3D object modelling examples are given. Extensions to the system with regard to 3D audio are also mentioned.

Formes de surveillance et de confiance dans les types de relation : l'impact de l'informatisation bancaire

The automatic management of bank accounts affects relations of trust between banks and their clients. Due to the rareness of face-to-face contact, the decision-making process becomes opaque for the client. In turn, s/he systematically becomes suspect from the point of view of the banker who, under these circumstances, is unable to assess the risks involved. Although the categorisation of various types of clients allows some of them to avoid fully automated management of their accounts, the balance between trust and surveillance is nevertheless affected.