Use of low-cost space launchers could expand globally

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Hypersonic Vehicle ◽  
Launch Vehicles ◽  
Soft Landing ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Recovery ◽  
New Business ◽  
Deep Cuts ◽  
The Cost

Subject Outlook for low-cost satellite launchers. Significance SpaceX has made a breakthrough in satellite-launcher technology, with the successful recovery of a first-stage rocket involving a soft landing. SpaceX is challenging other launcher companies with a new business model that promises deep cuts in the cost of gaining access to space. This could transform the economics of space applications in near-Earth orbit communications and other space-based services. Impacts Some of the potential gains of cheap launch vehicles may require the development of more exotic technologies. Reaction Engines aims to reduce the cost of payload carried directly to low orbit to 1,000 euros (1,090 dollars)/kilogramme, from 22,000. A viable hypersonic vehicle is unlikely to be available before 2030.

The impact of law, religion, and culture on the ease of starting a business

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana L. Haggard ◽  
K. Stephen Haggard
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Cultural Dimension ◽  
Legal Origin ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dynamic Factors ◽  
New Business ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Starting A Business

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of culture, legal origin and religion on four measures of the ease of starting a new business; the number of procedures required, the number days required, the ease of getting credit and the cost to start a business. Design/methodology/approach The authors use linear regression to test the hypotheses using publicly available data on legal origin and religion from La Porta et al. (1999), cultural dimension information from Hofstede (2009) and measures of the ease of starting a business from the World Bank’s (2017) Doing Business Initiative. The final sample consists of 71 countries for which information was available on all the variables of interest. Findings Legal origin affects the number of procedures and the length of time needed to start a business, as well as the ease of getting credit. Culture (power distance) and religion are important for explaining gender differences in the ease of starting a business. The cost of starting a business is unrelated to culture, legal origin or religion. Originality/value Economic development is an important determinant of a country’s political stability and standard of living. Although politicians play a significant role in how a friendly a country is toward business, the study demonstrates that other longer-term and less dynamic factors have a material influence on economic development.

scholarly journals Enhanced Neutralization of HIV by Antibodies Displayed on the S-Layer of Caulobacter crescentus

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 5547-5552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Duval ◽  
Christopher J. Lewis ◽  
John F. Nomellini ◽  
Marc S. Horwitz ◽  
John Smit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Caulobacter Crescentus ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Hiv Antibodies ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Anti Hiv Agents ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTInnovative methods of prevention are needed to stop the more than two million new HIV-1 infections annually, particularly in women. Local application of anti-HIV antibodies has been shown to be effective at preventing infection in nonhuman primates; however, the concentrations needed are cost prohibitive. Display of antibodies on a particulate platform will likely prolong effectiveness of these anti-HIV agents and lower the cost of goods. Here, we demonstrate that the bacteriumCaulobacter crescentusand its highly expressed surface-layer (S-layer) protein can provide this antibody display platform. Caulobacters displaying protein G, alone or with CD4 codisplay, successfully captured HIV-1-specific antibodies and demonstrated functional neutralization. Compared to soluble antibodies, a neutralizing anti-HIV antibody displayed onCaulobacterwas as effective or more effective at neutralizing diverse HIV-1 isolates. Moreover, when an antibody reactive with an epitope induced by CD4 binding (CD4i) was codisplayed with CD4, there was significant enhancement in HIV-1 neutralization. These results suggest that caulobacters displaying anti-HIV antibodies offer a distinct improvement in the use of antibodies as microbicides. Furthermore, these reagents can specifically evaluate anti-HIV antibodies in concert with other HIV-1 blocking agents to assess the most suitable tools for conversion to scFvs, allowing for direct display within the S-layer protein and further reducing cost of goods. In summary,C. crescentus, which can be easily produced and chemically stabilized at low cost, is well suited for engineering as an effective platform, offering an inexpensive way to produce and deliver HIV-1-specific microbicides.

scholarly journals Where the Engineers Are

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (06) ◽  
pp. 26-31
Author(s):  
Alan S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
3D Cad ◽  
Offshore Engineering ◽  
New Business ◽  
Cad Models ◽  
The Cost

This article appreciates the powerful pull of low-cost offshore engineering services. Elkay, a privately held company, employs 3800 workers at 14 manufacturing sites. For most of its 85-year history, it has made stainless steel sinks and plumbing accessories from two-dimensional drawings. In many ways, Elkay’s case highlights the forces behind the new shift to offshore engineering. While multinationals have shuffled work among remote engineering centers for decades, small and medium-size companies are just starting to tap foreign engineering talent. Access to offshore services makes many companies more competitive. Barry-Wehmiller used its Indian center to cut the cost of customizing packaging machines. Elkay used the same engineers to build a library of 3D CAD models that let it design products faster and cheaper. The auto industry is already adapting a new business model that involves collaborating in real time across nontraditional boundaries.

Latin America budget airline competition to intensify

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Air Travel ◽  
Airline Competition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flight Frequency ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Regional Airports ◽  
The Cost

Subject The expansion of low-cost airlines in Latin America. Significance In late October, the first tickets for flights with Wingo -- a new no-frills carrier running routes between Colombia, Central America and the Caribbean -- went on sale. The new Colombia-based company is competing directly against several traditional and budget airlines for a share of the growing market for domestic and international air travel within the region. Wingo's creation, together with that of Viva Air Peru in November, highlights the continued disruption to a sector long dominated by a small number of high-cost carriers. Impacts Greater availability of reasonably priced international flights will boost Latin American tourism to the Caribbean. Cheap air travel may also help expand and consolidate regional trade ties, reducing the cost of business trips. Increased flight frequency and passenger numbers will help regional airports which have often operated below capacity.

The effects of audit quality on the costs of capital of firms in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Coffie ◽  
Ibrahim Bedi ◽  
Mohammed Amidu
Keyword(s):  
Audit Quality ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Of Debt ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
The Cost

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the effects of audit quality on the cost of capital in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachNon-financial firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) as well as non-listed firms from the database of Ghana Club 100 were included in the sample. Series are yearly, covering a sample of 40 firms during the six-year period, 2008-2013. The study employed the positivist research paradigm to establish the relationship between audit quality and the cost of capital.FindingsThere is evidence to suggest that the cost of debt and the overall cost of capital of firms in Ghana can be explained by the quality of the external auditors. The results also show that the large size of the board is associated with low cost of debt.Research limitations/implicationsThe fact that the choice of quality measure is based on firm size only and other measurements of audit quality could not be measured. Future research may examine how other approaches to measuring audit quality affect cost of capital.Practical implicationsThe results significant for those charged with assurance and regulation, as well as lenders and managers of companies.Originality/valueThe authors investigate how external auditing quality affects the cost of capital of firms operating in Ghana.

Global airlines will need long-term productivity gains

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mergers And Acquisitions ◽  
Airline Industry ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Air Transport ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Productivity Gains

Subject Airline industry outlook. Significance The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that the global airline industry will record a fifth year of profitable operations in 2016. The average profit margin is foreseen at 5.6%, with the industry meeting the cost of capital for the second consecutive year. This is the first period of economic sustainability in the airline industry's history. Impacts Further consolidation is likely among North American airlines, but smaller carriers are reluctant to embark on major restructuring. In Asia, the appetite for looser alliances and joint ventures will prevail over mergers and acquisitions. Low-cost carriers offering cheap business class services, in addition to less expensive economy-class tickets, will pressure IATA members.

scholarly journals Beacons and Blockchains in the Mobile Gaming Ecosystem: A Feasibility Analysis

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 862
Author(s):  
Iakovos Pittaras ◽  
Nikos Fotiou ◽  
Vasilios A. Siris ◽  
George C. Polyzos
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mobile Gaming ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
New Business ◽  
Iot Devices ◽  
Permissioned Blockchains ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Attraction And Retention

We explore the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs), such as blockchains, in mobile gaming, focusing on ecosystem expansion and diversification, customer attraction and retention, exploitation of context sensitive and personalized advertisements, and improved monetization of in-game assets. We evaluate the cost and transaction delay of DLTs in a location-based mobile game ecosystem using two types of blockchains (permissioned and permissionless or public), based on defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Our evaluation shows the advantages of using both types of blockchains as well as interledger technologies that combine them. Permissioned blockchains enable high performance, e.g., in terms of throughput and delay, and low cost, while permissionless (public) blockchains, through their transparency, immutability, and openness, support trust and facilitate interactions among unrelated parties. Finally, we show that the combination of IoT devices and DLTs in mobile gaming offers new business opportunities and enables innovative business models for both traditional mobile gaming companies and other participants in the ecosystem, e.g., game players, cafes, malls, and similar establishments, advertising companies, and independent programmers.

Hard-hit Gulf airlines will seek new business models

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Code Sharing ◽  
The World ◽  
New Business ◽  
The Cost ◽  
New Business Models

Significance The backing of wealthy sovereigns has nevertheless allowed the state-owned carriers to maintain some operations even as the world locked down. Impacts More airline staff layoffs are likely as carriers emphasise partnerships and code-sharing to reach more destinations. The sudden security-related closure of Iraqi or Iranian airspace will be a significant risk, especially to Qatar Airways. The cost benefit of low energy prices will be outweighed by the risk to state support afforded to Gulf airlines.

Profiling the international academic ghost writers who are providing low-cost essays and assignments for the contract cheating industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Contract Cheating ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Essay Writing ◽  
Customer Reviews ◽  
The Public ◽  
International Industry ◽  
The Cost

Purpose Students have direct access to academic ghost writers who are able to provide for their assessment needs without the student needing to do any of the work. These ghost writers are helping to fuel the international industry of contract cheating, raising ethical dilemmas, but not much is known about the writers, their business or how they operate. This paper aims to explore how the ghost writers market their services and operate, based on observable information. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews data from providers actively offering contract cheating services available to the public on Fiverr.com, a low-cost micro outsourcing site. The search term write essay is used to identify providers, finding 103 Gigs from 96 unique providers. Visible information, such as provider marketing, advertised services, pricing information and customer reviews, is analysed. Findings The results demonstrate that bespoke essays are readily available to students at a low cost. The majority of providers operate from Kenya. Revenue calculations indicate a price point of US$31.73 per 1,000 words, below the cost of traditional essay mills, but show that these 96 providers have generated around US$270,000 of essay writing business between them. Originality/value This study affords a look into a complex and established industry whose inner workings are normally kept private and for which little published information currently exists. The research adds to what is known about the extent, location and operation of the contract cheating industry.

A frontier-based hierarchical clustering for airport efficiency benchmarking

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Rodríguez-Déniz ◽  
Augusto Voltes-Dorta
Keyword(s):  
Hierarchical Clustering ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Variable Weighting ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Factor Shares ◽  
Input Prices ◽  
Improve Cost

Purpose – When large samples are used to estimate airport efficiency, clustering is a necessary step before carrying out any benchmarking analysis. However, the existing literature has paid little attention to developing a robust methodology for airport classification, instead relying on ad hoc techniques. In order to address this issue, this paper aims to develop a new airport clustering procedure. Design/methodology/approach – A frontier-based hierarchical clustering procedure is developed. An application to cost-efficiency benchmarking is presented using the cost function parameters available in the literature. A cross-section of worldwide airports is clustered according to the relevant outputs and input prices, with cost elasticities and factor shares serving as optimal variable weights. Findings – The authors found 17 distinct airport clusters without any ad hoc input. Factors like the use of larger aircraft or the dominance of low-cost carriers are shown to improve cost performance in the airport industry. Practical implications – The proposed method allows for a more precise identification of the efficiency benchmarks, which are characterized by a set of cophenetic distances to their “peers”. Furthermore, the resulting classification can also be used to benchmark other indicators linked to airport costs, such as aeronautical charges or service quality. Originality/value – This paper contributed to airport clustering by providing the first discussion and application of optimal variable weighting. In regard to efficiency benchmarking, the paper aims to overcome the limitations of previous papers by defining a method that is not dependent on performance, but on technology, and that can be easily adapted to large airport datasets.

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