On the complexity of path problems in properly colored directed graphs

We address the complexity class of several problems related to finding a path in a properly colored directed graph. A properly colored graph is defined as a graph G whose vertex set is partitioned into $\mathcal{X}(G)$ stable subsets, where $\mathcal{X}(G)$ denotes the chromatic number of G. We show that to find a simple path that meets all the colors in a properly colored directed graph is NP-complete, and so are the problems of finding a shortest and longest of such paths between two specific nodes.     

Topp–Leone generated family of distributions: Properties and applications

We introduce a new family of distributions based on a one-parameter distribution exhibiting bathtub-shaped hazard rates. We study the mathematical properties of the family and estimate its parameters by the method of maximum likelihood. Finally, the usefulness of the family is illustrated using a real dataset.     

Challenges of local government capacity building initiatives: experiences of an UNDP nationally executed programme in Thailand

In 1996 the Government of Thailand, with technical and financial assistance from the UNDP, designed a package of strategies and policies to help sustain the development of the urban centres in the various regions of the country. The package, which focused on strengthening capacity at the local level came to be known as the Regional Urban Development Program (RUDP). This article is an analysis of the process of implementing this capacity building initiative. It summarizes the achievements of and constraints faced by the programme and suggests recommendations that implementing agencies may consider with a view to improve conditions at the local level.     

Intergenerational Considerations Affecting the Future of Nuclear Power: Equity as a Framework for Assessing Fuel Cycles

Alternative fuel cycles are being considered in an effort to prolong uranium fuel supplies for thousands of years to come and to manage nuclear waste. These strategies bring with them different benefits and burdens for the present generation and for future generations. In this article, we present a method that provides insight into future fuel cycle alternatives and into the conflicts arising between generations within the framework of intergenerational equity. A set of intersubjective values is drawn from the notion of sustainable development. By operationalizing these values and mapping out their impacts, value criteria are introduced for the assessment of fuel cycles, which are based on the distribution of burdens and benefits between generations. The once‐through fuel cycle currently deployed in the United States and three future fuel cycles are subsequently assessed according to these criteria. The four alternatives are then compared in an integrated analysis in which we shed light on the implicit tradeoffs made by decisionmakers when they choose a certain fuel cycle. When choosing a fuel cycle, what are the societal costs and burdens accepted for each generation and how can these factors be justified? This article presents an integrated decision‐making method, which considers intergenerational aspects of such decisions; this method could also be applied to other technologies.     

Bridging the Gap between Social Acceptance and Ethical Acceptability

New technology brings great benefits, but it can also create new and significant risks. When evaluating those risks in policymaking, there is a tendency to focus on social acceptance. By solely focusing on social acceptance, we could, however, overlook important ethical aspects of technological risk, particularly when we evaluate technologies with transnational and intergenerational risks. I argue that good governance of risky technology requires analyzing both social acceptance and ethical acceptability. Conceptually, these two notions are mostly complementary. Social acceptance studies are not capable of sufficiently capturing all the morally relevant features of risky technologies; ethical analyses do not typically include stakeholders’ opinions, and they therefore lack the relevant empirical input for a thorough ethical evaluation. Only when carried out in conjunction are these two types of analysis relevant to national and international governance of risky technology. I discuss the Rawlsian wide reflective equilibrium as a method for marrying social acceptance and ethical acceptability. Although the rationale of my argument is broadly applicable, I will examine the case of multinational nuclear waste repositories in particular. This example will show how ethical issues may be overlooked if we focus only on social acceptance, and will provide a test case for demonstrating how the wide reflective equilibrium can help to bridge the proverbial acceptance‐acceptability gap.