Thesis (M.S. in Defense Analysis)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Arquilla, John. Second Reader: Hocevar, Susan P. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 28, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Fusion center, fusion cell, interagency fusion, interagency reform. Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-120). Also available in print.

This thesis describes the methods of communication in the Integrated Rescue System, considering especially its basic components. The theoretical part focuses on the description of the Integrated Rescue System components and the regulations determining the competence and connection of the basic IRS components and between each other. The research part evaluates possibilities of the investigated IRS components, their tools for connection and communication, and the principles which are usually used in their work. All knowledge are summarised at the end of the thesis. Included is also a proposal for particular types of activities of the Integrated Rescue System components as regards joint action - the organization of connection. This part determines the basic communication rules which could be helpful in mutual communication of the Integrated Rescue System components dealing with extraordinary events.

Sistemas multiagentes muitas vezes apresentam características que os aproximam de sociedades de agentes e, como as humanas, possuem normas e organizações com o objetivo de coordenar as interações entre os seus membros. Coalizão é um tipo de estrutura organizacional temporária, montada com objetivos específicos. A teoria dos jogos estuda formalmente o fenômeno coalizional, se detendo em demonstrações de propriedades e características dessa estrutura. A área de sistemas multiagentes, por outro lado, tem mostrado significativo interesse nas estruturas coalizionais como forma de organizar a cooperação entre os agentes, dedicando-se ao desenvolvimento de algoritmos para formação de coalizões. Esse trabalho apresenta um algoritmo de formação de coalizões para compartilhamento de recursos, denominado heurística ganha-ganha. Definimos um modelo que utiliza a abstração de recursos para representar tanto a posse de habilidades e objetos, quanto para representar os objetivos dos agentes. Um jogo de votação k-ponderado é utilizado para implementar o processo decisório de quais coalizões são válidas e o algoritmo testa iterativamente cada vizinhança de um agente na busca de associações vantajosas. Demonstramos que o algoritmo incrementa monotonicamente o bem-estar da sociedade e converge para uma estrutura coalizional. Também mostramos empiricamente que a heurística é eficiente para compartilhamento de recursos em situações de abundância de recursos, montando coalizões em poucas iterações e com uma quantidade grande de agentes. / Multiagent systems frequently show characteristics that come closer to agent societies and, like the humans ones, have norms and organizations in order to coordinate the interactions of its members. Coalition is a type of temporary organizational structure, assembled with specific goals. Game theory formally studies the coalitional phenomenon focusing in the demonstrations of properties and characteristics of this structure. The area of multiagent systems, on the other hand, has devoted significant interest in coalition structures as a way to organize cooperation between its members, and has been dedicated to the development of algorithms for coalition formation. This dissertation presents an algorithm to coalition formation named win-win heuristic. We define a model which uses the abstraction of resources to represent either, the possession of abilities and objects, or to represent the agents target. A k-weight voting game is used to implement the decision process of what coalitions are worth and an iteratively algorithm tests each agent neighborhood in the pursue of better associations. We demonstrate that the algorithm monotonically increases the society welfare and converges to a coalitional structure. We also show empirically that the heuristic is efficient for resource sharing in situations of availability of resources, building coalitions with few iterations and a large amount of agents.

Sistemas multiagentes muitas vezes apresentam características que os aproximam de sociedades de agentes e, como as humanas, possuem normas e organizações com o objetivo de coordenar as interações entre os seus membros. Coalizão é um tipo de estrutura organizacional temporária, montada com objetivos específicos. A teoria dos jogos estuda formalmente o fenômeno coalizional, se detendo em demonstrações de propriedades e características dessa estrutura. A área de sistemas multiagentes, por outro lado, tem mostrado significativo interesse nas estruturas coalizionais como forma de organizar a cooperação entre os agentes, dedicando-se ao desenvolvimento de algoritmos para formação de coalizões. Esse trabalho apresenta um algoritmo de formação de coalizões para compartilhamento de recursos, denominado heurística ganha-ganha. Definimos um modelo que utiliza a abstração de recursos para representar tanto a posse de habilidades e objetos, quanto para representar os objetivos dos agentes. Um jogo de votação k-ponderado é utilizado para implementar o processo decisório de quais coalizões são válidas e o algoritmo testa iterativamente cada vizinhança de um agente na busca de associações vantajosas. Demonstramos que o algoritmo incrementa monotonicamente o bem-estar da sociedade e converge para uma estrutura coalizional. Também mostramos empiricamente que a heurística é eficiente para compartilhamento de recursos em situações de abundância de recursos, montando coalizões em poucas iterações e com uma quantidade grande de agentes. / Multiagent systems frequently show characteristics that come closer to agent societies and, like the humans ones, have norms and organizations in order to coordinate the interactions of its members. Coalition is a type of temporary organizational structure, assembled with specific goals. Game theory formally studies the coalitional phenomenon focusing in the demonstrations of properties and characteristics of this structure. The area of multiagent systems, on the other hand, has devoted significant interest in coalition structures as a way to organize cooperation between its members, and has been dedicated to the development of algorithms for coalition formation. This dissertation presents an algorithm to coalition formation named win-win heuristic. We define a model which uses the abstraction of resources to represent either, the possession of abilities and objects, or to represent the agents target. A k-weight voting game is used to implement the decision process of what coalitions are worth and an iteratively algorithm tests each agent neighborhood in the pursue of better associations. We demonstrate that the algorithm monotonically increases the society welfare and converges to a coalitional structure. We also show empirically that the heuristic is efficient for resource sharing in situations of availability of resources, building coalitions with few iterations and a large amount of agents.

Os serviços de saneamento básico, considerando-se o histórico de sua concretização no Brasil, configuram o campo ideal para a aplicação mecanismos de gestão de serviços públicos que possibilitem a atuação coordenada de diversos entes da federação. De fato, se de um lado é possível reconhecer o interesse local que as atividades de saneamento apresentam, de outro deve-se levar em consideração que, muitas vezes, a prestação dos serviços terá caráter regional e ocorrerá em um contexto em que parcela significativa dos Municípios brasileiros não possuirá, isoladamente, condições econômicas de proporcionar a sustentabilidade dos serviços. O renovado arranjo institucional proporcionado pelo art. 241 da Constituição da República, pela Lei Federal n. 11.445/2007, pela Lei Federal n. 11.107/05 e o tradicional arranjo das regiões metropolitanas demonstram, em muitos pontos, a importância da união de esforços entre entes federados para a implantação dos serviços de saneamento. Tal prestação integrada exige peculiar conformação institucional, dotada de normatividade própria, além de requisitos específicos, temas esses aqui examinados desde seus fundamentos até sua organização prática. / The sanitation services, on what concerns the history of its concretization in Brazil, configure an ideal field for the appliance of the public services management mechanisms that enable a coordinate action between different federation entities. Indeed, if on one hand it is possible to recognize the local interest that such sanitation activities represents, on the other hand, it must be considered that, many times, the provision of those services will have regional characteristics and will occur in a context in which significant part of the Brazilian municipalities will not have, on its own, economical conditions to sustain the services. The new institutional framework brought by article 241 of the Federal Constitution, by the Federal Laws 11.445/2007 and 11.107/05 and by the well-known arrangement set forth by the metropolitan regions, demonstrate all together the importance of federal entities to unify efforts to implement the sanitation services. Such integrated provision of sanitation services demands a peculiar institutional framework, ruled by specific laws and regulations and specific requirements, matters which are here examined from its foundations to its practical organization.

Os serviços de saneamento básico, considerando-se o histórico de sua concretização no Brasil, configuram o campo ideal para a aplicação mecanismos de gestão de serviços públicos que possibilitem a atuação coordenada de diversos entes da federação. De fato, se de um lado é possível reconhecer o interesse local que as atividades de saneamento apresentam, de outro deve-se levar em consideração que, muitas vezes, a prestação dos serviços terá caráter regional e ocorrerá em um contexto em que parcela significativa dos Municípios brasileiros não possuirá, isoladamente, condições econômicas de proporcionar a sustentabilidade dos serviços. O renovado arranjo institucional proporcionado pelo art. 241 da Constituição da República, pela Lei Federal n. 11.445/2007, pela Lei Federal n. 11.107/05 e o tradicional arranjo das regiões metropolitanas demonstram, em muitos pontos, a importância da união de esforços entre entes federados para a implantação dos serviços de saneamento. Tal prestação integrada exige peculiar conformação institucional, dotada de normatividade própria, além de requisitos específicos, temas esses aqui examinados desde seus fundamentos até sua organização prática. / The sanitation services, on what concerns the history of its concretization in Brazil, configure an ideal field for the appliance of the public services management mechanisms that enable a coordinate action between different federation entities. Indeed, if on one hand it is possible to recognize the local interest that such sanitation activities represents, on the other hand, it must be considered that, many times, the provision of those services will have regional characteristics and will occur in a context in which significant part of the Brazilian municipalities will not have, on its own, economical conditions to sustain the services. The new institutional framework brought by article 241 of the Federal Constitution, by the Federal Laws 11.445/2007 and 11.107/05 and by the well-known arrangement set forth by the metropolitan regions, demonstrate all together the importance of federal entities to unify efforts to implement the sanitation services. Such integrated provision of sanitation services demands a peculiar institutional framework, ruled by specific laws and regulations and specific requirements, matters which are here examined from its foundations to its practical organization.

Cette étude analyse les différents angles de vue qui permettent de comprendre l’état des politiques internationales d’atténuation du changement climatique au début du XXIème siècle. Dans un contexte réellement inquiétant au regard des données scientifiques actuellement à disposition sur le sujet, elle interroge la capacité d’action de la communauté internationale dans la gestion de la crise environnementale en cours. Alors que la plupart des études et des mesures adoptées tendent à se concentrer sur les capacités d’adaptation au changement climatique, il importe de savoir dans quelle mesure les politiques d’atténuation de ce dernier gardent une forme de légitimité et d’intérêt. S’appuyant sur un grand nombre de publications du monde universitaire et de rapports publics nationaux ou internationaux, cette étude bibliographique dresse un bilan sur l’état des connaissances relatives à la gestion internationale de la crise environnementale contemporaine, sur les enjeux fondamentaux que cette dernière soulève pour les prochaines décennies par rapport à nos modèles de sociétés (politiques, économiques, sociaux, éthiques…), sur les difficultés qu’elle ne manque pas de rencontrer dans le cadre des négociations internationales (atteinte aux souverainetés nationales, défense d’intérêts particuliers, répartition des rôles entre les différents acteurs, organisation et mise en place de moyens complexes…), puis enfin sur les différentes perspectives qu’elle pourrait voir émerger au cours des décennies à venir en fonction du degré d’action ou d’inaction de la communauté internationale à court terme (ampleur du réchauffement et de ses conséquences, modèles politiques et économiques associés, forme et niveau de la coopération internationale…). Le travail s’intéresse dans un premier temps au processus du changement climatique lui-même ainsi qu’à son contexte par l’intermédiaire de l’évolution de la société contemporaine (Partie I). Il met ensuite en évidence l’existence des difficultés importantes auxquelles est confronté le politique aujourd’hui, dans sa capacité notamment à prendre en charge la gestion de la crise environnementale en cours (Partie II). Il analyse en outre l’incapacité systémique du modèle économique mondialisé à assurer seul l’atténuation du changement climatique (Partie III). Il met enfin en avant certaines pistes de réflexion démontrant la nécessité de l’établissement sur la scène internationale d’un développement mondial durable et équitable (Partie IV). / This study analyses the different points of view that lead to a better understanding of international public policies addressing climate change mitigation in the beginning of the XXIth century. In a truly worrying context according to current scientific data, it questions the international community’s ability to act upon the current environment crisis. Many studies and policies about climate change are focusing on the ability to adapt to climate change; but it is important to know how policies that mitigate the climate change still remain legitimate and gather interest. Based on a large number of research publications and national or international public reports, this bibliographic study produces a review of the international management of the current environment crisis; an evaluation of the most important issues it reveals for the next decades about our society’s models (political, economic, social, ethical...); an assessment of the difficulties it creates for international negotiations (threats to national sovereignties, protection of specific interests, roles sharing between various stakeholders, organization and logistics of complicated means...); and finally an analysis of the different outlooks for the next decades depending on the international community’s level of action in the near term (magnitude of temperature warming and its consequences, associated political and economic models, form and extent of international cooperation...). First, this study addresses the climate change process itself and its context within the evolution of our contemporary society (Part I). Second, it exposes the great difficulties facing today’s politicians to tackle the environmental crisis (Part II). Then, it analyses the systematic inability of the global economic model to assume by itself the full responsibility of climate change mitigation (Part III). Finally, this study presents a number of considerations regarding the need to establish an equitable and sustainable economic development at the global scale (Part IV).

The aim of this PhD thesis is to analyse the current status of European insolvency law and with the help of both national and European judicial decisions put together an overview of practical obstacles that insolvency courts, debtors, creditors and insolvency trustees across Europe are facing when dealing with cross-border insolvencies. At the very core of this topic stands the European Insolvency Regulation ("EIR") which was adopted in 2015 and is effective within the member states as of June 2017. Since this regulation was put together as a recast of its predecessor, i.e. the original insolvency regulation adopted in 2000 and effective as of 2002, naturally this research is oriented at comparing the two legislative acts and mainly assessing whether or not the recast EIR managed to overcome some of the inconsistencies in the wording of the original EIR, often resulting in conflicting interpretations and a great deal of preliminary rulings filed with the Court of Justice of the EU. Apart from looking into good old instruments of private international law such as the scope, the jurisdiction, the choice of law and the recognition and enforcement rules governed by the EIR, this thesis also focuses on topics that are very bankruptcy-specific and dissimilar to anything we know from other fields of law....

Thesis (Master of Strategic Studies) -- Army War College, 2006. / Title from title screen (viewed Aug. 20, 2008). "8 March 2006"--P. [iii]. "ADA449254"--URL. Includes bibliographical references (p. 15-22). Also issued in paper format.

L'adoption du règlement n° 1/2003 a décentralisé la mise en oeuvre des articles 101 et 102 TFUE et a entraîné la création du Réseau européen de la concurrence. Désormais, les autorités nationales et la Commission partagent la responsabilité de l'application des règles de concurrence de l'Union européenne au sein du Réseau. Le fonctionnement de celui-ci obéit à la logique de la méthode du conflit d'autorités. Ainsi, la question de la compétence des autorités pour traiter une affaire a une importance primordiale dans le contexte du Réseau. Elle détermine la loi applicable à l'inégralité de l'affaire et exerce une influence sur les effets extraterritoriaux des décisions. Les autorités de concurrence emploient une grande variété de méthodes de coopération et de coordination afin d'éviter des conflits de compétence et les solutions contradictoires au sein du Réseau. Malgré la coopération étroite des autorités, les divergences des règles de procédure sont susceptibles de miner l'efficacité de la mise en oeuvre des articles 101 et 102 TFUE ainsi qu'éroder la protection des droits fondamentaux. / The entry into force of Regulation 1/2003 resulted in the decentralisation of the application of articles 101 et 102 TFEU. The national authorities and the Commission share the responsibility for the enforcement of the EU competition rules and form together the European Competition Network. According to the theory of conflict of authorities, the designation of the competent authority to deal with a case is crucial for the functioning of the Network, since it determines the applicable law to the case and the extraterritorial effect of the decision. Despite the cooperation and coordination mechanisms at the authorities's disposal, the divergences in national procedural rules can undermine not only the goal of efficient enforcement of competition rules in the EU, but also the protection of fundemantal rights.