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Consider a finite directed graph without cycles in which the arrows are weighted by positive weights. We present an algorithm for the computation of a new distance, called path-length-weighted distance, which has proven useful for graph analysis in the context of fraud detection. The idea is that the new distance explicitly takes into account the size of the paths in the calculations. It has the distinct characteristic that, when calculated along the same path, it may result in a shorter distance between far-apart vertices than between adjacent ones. This property can be particularly useful for modeling scenarios where the connections between vertices are obscured by numerous intermediate vertices, such as in cases of financial fraud. For example, to hide dirty money from financial authorities, fraudsters often use multiple institutions, banks, and intermediaries between the source of the money and its final recipient. Our distance would serve to make such situations explicit. Thus, although our algorithm is based on arguments similar to those at work for the Bellman–Ford and Dijkstra methods, it is in fact essentially different, since the calculation formula contains a weight that explicitly depends on the number of intermediate vertices. This fact totally conditions the algorithm, because longer paths could provide shorter distances—contrary to the classical algorithms mentioned above. We lay out the appropriate framework for its computation, showing the constraints and requirements for its use, along with some illustrative examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'objectiu de la investigació és presentar un procediment que permeti conèixer el desenvolupament econòmic i social d'una entitat local a partir d'iniciatives de govern obert i obertura de la informació. Es proposa una metodologia que faciliti aquesta acció mitjançant la incorporació de plataformes analítiques a disposició del ciutadà. Per mostrar l'aplicació d'aquesta metodologia, s'explica la creació de la plataforma COMUNDA, que utilitza dades disponibles de l'Ajuntament de la Pobla de Vallbona (València) sobre les despeses municipals per analitzar aspectes de la contractació pública. Aquests instruments de segon nivell, creats a partir de dades publicades pels ajuntaments, poden constituir eines analítiques per detectar irregularitats i per publicitar el teixit empresarial del municipi que poden permetre als ajuntaments articular polítiques adequades, i a les empreses i als particulars conèixer millor les característiques socioeconòmiques de la població. S'ha comprovat la utilitat del protocol d'actuació i anàlisi proposat, extrapolable a altres casos, sobre el cas concret de la plataforma citada. En aquest cas, la mètrica MELODA dona una qualificació de 48,3% de qualitat en la reutilització i s'ha pogut comprovar que la utilització del nostre procediment constata un increment de la contractació pública al municipi l'any 2011, un dels pitjors anys de la crisi econòmica, i que la contractació a empreses externes al municipi és de dos a tres milions d'euros superior a la contractació local. This study describes a procedure that can trackthe economic and social development of a local government body, based on open government initiatives and openness of information. A methodology is proposed that incorporates analytical platforms available to the general public. To illustrateits application, the creation of the COMUNDA platform is described. The COMUNDA platform uses data provided from the Town Council of La Pobla de Vallbona (Valencia) on municipal spending in order to analyse aspects of public procurement. These second-level instruments, created from data published by the councils, can be useful analytical tools for detecting irregularities and for focusing attention on the business fabric of the municipality. The information obtained can help councils to design appropriate policies and help companies and individuals to understand the socioeconomic characteristics of the population. The article confirms the usefulness of the action and analysis protocolproposed for the platform mentioned, and the results suggest that it can be extrapolated to other scenarios. In this case, the MELODA metric gives a data reusabilityrating of 48.3%. Our procedure shows an increase in public procurement in the municipality in 2011, one of the worst years of the economic crisis, and also finds that outsourcing to external companies in the municipality accounts for 2 to 3 million € more than local contracting.

El objetivo de la investigación es presentar un procedimiento que permita conocer el desarrollo económico y social de una entidad local a partir de iniciativas de gobierno abierto y apertura de la información. Se propone una metodología que facilite esta acción mediante la incorporación de plataformas analíticas a disposición del ciudadano. Para mostrar la aplicación de esta metodología, se explica la creación de la plataforma COMUNDA, que utiliza datos disponibles del Ayuntamiento de la Pobla de Vallbona (Valencia) sobre los gastos municipales para analizar aspectos de la contratación pública. Estos instrumentos de segundo nivel, creados a partir de datos publicados por los ayuntamientos, pueden constituir herramientas analíticas para detectar irregularidades y para publicitar el tejido empresarial del municipio que pueden permitir a los ayuntamientos articular políticas adecuadas, ya las empresas y los particulares conocer mejor las características socioeconómicas de la población. Se ha comprobado la utilidad del protocolo de actuación y análisis propuesto, extrapolable a otros casos, sobre el caso concreto de la plataforma citada. En este caso, la métrica MELODA da una calificación de 48,3% de calidad en la reutilización y se ha podido comprobar que la utilización de nuestro procedimiento constata un incremento de la contratación pública en el municipio en el año 2011, uno de los peores años de la crisis económica, y que la contratación a empresas externas al municipio es de dos a tres millones de euros superior a la contratación local. This study describes a procedure that can trackthe economic and social development of a local government body, based on open government initiatives and openness of information. A methodology is proposed that incorporates analytical platforms available to the general public. To illustrateits application, the creation of the COMUNDA platform is described. The COMUNDA platform uses data provided from the Town Council of La Pobla de Vallbona (Valencia) on municipal spending in order to analyse aspects of public procurement. These second-level instruments, created from data published by the councils, can be useful analytical tools for detecting irregularities and for focusing attention on the business fabric of the municipality. The information obtained can help councils to design appropriate policies and help companies and individuals to understand the socioeconomic characteristics of the population. The article confirms the usefulness of the action and analysis protocolproposed for the platform mentioned, and the results suggest that it can be extrapolated to other scenarios. In this case, the MELODA metric gives a data reusabilityrating of 48.3%. Our procedure shows an increase in public procurement in the municipality in 2011, one of the worst years of the economic crisis, and also finds that outsourcing to external companies in the municipality accounts for 2 to 3 million € more than local contracting.