The inter-cell layout problem is discussed and a mathematical formulation for material flow between the cells is presented. The problem is modeled as a quadratic assignment problem (QAP). An ant algorithm is developed to solve the formulated problem. The performance of the proposed ant algorithm is compared to the facility layout algorithms such as H63, HC63-66, CRAFT and Bubble Search as well ...

This paper contributes to the literature by empirically examining whether the influence of public debt on economic growth differs between the short and the long run and presents different patterns across euro-area countries. To this end, we use annual data from both central and peripheral countries of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) for the 1960-2012 period and estimate a growth ...

We study the effect of sovereign credit rating downgrades on firm investment and financial policy. We identify causal effects by exploiting the effect of sovereign downgrades on corporate ratings that is due to sovereign ceiling policies followed by rating agencies. We find that sovereign downgrades lead to greater decreases in investment and leverage of firms that are at the sovereign rating b...

This paper investigates the impact of sovereign defaults on the ability of the corporate sector in emerging nations to finance itself abroad. The hypothesis here is that defaults have a negative spillover effect on the private sector through credit rationing. We explore a novel dataset covering the vast majority of corporates and municipals in emerging nations that received foreign capital betw...

We study the sustainability of public debt in a closed production economy where a benevolent government chooses fiscal policies, including haircuts on its outstanding debt, in a discretionary manner. Government bonds are held by domestic agents to smooth consumption over time and because they provide collateral and liquidity services. We characterize a recursive equilibrium where public debt am...

In this paper, I develop a theoretical model to analyze the optimal choice between bank loans and bond finance for a sovereign debtor. The model describes a market that is subject to moral hazard and adverse selection. I model the choice between the two debt instruments allowing for debt renegotiation in the event of financial distress, with the possibility of default. The model incorporates pr...

We study the determinants of sovereign bond yield spreads across 10 EMU countries between Q1/1999 and Q1/2010. We apply a semiparametric time-varying coefficient model to identify, to what extent an observed change in the yield spread is due to a shift in macroeconomic fundamentals or due to altering risk pricing. We find that at the beginning of EMU, the government debt level and the general i...

Phytases are used for feeding monogastric animals, because they hydrolyze phytic acid generating inorganic phosphate. Aspergillus niger 3-phytase A (PDB: 3K4Q) and 3-phytase B (PDB: 1QFX) were characterized using bioinformatic tools. Results showed that both enzymes have highly conserved catalytic pockets, supporting their classification as histidine acid phosphatases. 2D structures consist of ...

Article history: Received 8 December 2011 Received in revised form 29 August 2013 Accepted 31 August 2013 Available online 17 September 2013 The paper aims to shed light on the role of communication in the European debt crisis. It examines the effects of public statements by ECB Governing Council members, EU officials and national representatives on the PIIGS' CDS and bond yield spreads. The fo...

This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF. The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate. This paper examines the relationship between government debt ...