data envelopment analysis (dea) measures the relative efficiency of a homogenous set of decision-making units (dmus) when multiple inputs and outputs are present. the deabased malmquist productivity index measuring the productivity change of dmus over time has proven itself to be a valid tool to compare group performance. however, in the previous models developed for this purpose, it was suppos...

Utility maximization problems of mixed optimal stopping /control type are considered, which can be solved by reduction to a family of related pure optimal stopping problems. Sufficient conditions for the existence of optimal strategies are provided in the context of continuous-time, Itô process models for complete markets. The mathematical tools used are those of optimal stopping theory, contin...

This paper studies two disclosure regimes when a firm with superior private information must rely on a strategic certifier to disclose credibly its prospects. In the ex ante (ex post) disclosure regime, the firm must decide on whether to hire the certifier before (after) observing the certifier's noisy assessment. Endogenously determined certification fees can actually cause the disclosure prob...

Discretionary Access Control (DAC) systems provide powerful mechanisms for resource management based on the selective distribution of capabilities to selected classes of principals. We study a type-based theory of DAC models for concurrent and distributed systems represented as terms of Cardelli, Ghelli and Gordon’s pi calculus with groups [3]. In our theory, groups play the rôle of principals,...

Which budgetary institutions result in efficient provision of public goods? We analyze a model with two parties bargaining over the allocation to a public good each period. Parties place different values on the public good, and these values may change over time. We focus on budgetary institutions that determine the rules governing feasible allocations to mandatory and discretionary spending pro...

this paper investigates the relationship between earnings management and quality of earnings for the bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms listed in the tehran stock exchange from 2007 to 2012.the earnings quality  is measured by four separate accounting-based earnings attributes: accruals quality, earnings persistence, earnings predictability; earnings and is also examined by testing the relationshi...

Interest in the study of discretionary databases has grown as numerous large-scale public file-sharing systems have emerged as mainstream internet applications. In particular, much recent work has focused on the free-rider problem in peer-to-peer networks. We examine the related problem of over-contribution in the Usenet file-sharing network, which occurs when a surfeit of contribution causes c...

I the past 20 years, many articles about public agencies’ increasing exposure to liability have been published in engineering journals, legal journals, and in the popular press. These articles have helped to further professional awareness of the need to design, construct, and maintain highway facilities with public safety in mind. However, there has been no relief from the relentless juggernaut...

On a population level, dietary improvement strategies have had limited success in preventing the surge in overweight and obesity or reducing risk factors for chronic disease. While numerous multi-component studies have examined whole-of-diet strategies, and single component (i.e. discrete) dietary intervention strategies have targeted an increase in core foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables, dairy), ...