Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Influence of Inter-Agent Variation on Multi-Agent Algorithms Solving a Dynamic Task Allocation Problem under Uncertainty

Multi-agent systems often consist of heterogeneous agents with different capabilities and objectives. While some agents might try to maximize their system's utility, others might be self-interested and thus only act for their own good. However, because of their limited capabilities and resources, it is often necessary that agents cooperate to be able to satisfy given tasks. To work together on such a task, the agents have to solve a task allocation problem, e.g., by teaming up in groups like coalitions or distributing the task among themselves on electronic markets. In this paper, we introduce two algorithms that allow agents to cooperatively solve a dynamic task allocation problem in uncertain environments. Based on these algorithms, we investigate the influence of inter-agent variation on the system's behavior. One of these algorithms explicitly exploits inter-agent variation to solve the task without communication between the agents, while the other builds upon a fixed overlay network in which agents exchange information. Throughout the paper, the frequency stabilization problem from the domain of decentralized power management serves as a running example to illustrate our algorithms and results.
MINIMIZING FLOORING STRIP WEIGHT: A SHAPE OPTIMIZATION APPROACH

In North America, flooring strips are manufactured with grooves at the back. There are various reasons for these grooves but, historically, they were considered a strategy to reduce weight and transportation costs as well as improving dimensional stability. As no data are available to assess best practices in terms of performance, we have investigated methods to reduce flooring strip weight. One way to achieve this is to adjust the number and shape of grooves. Using warp as a comparison tool, we were able to analyze the merits of a finite number of designs. With this approach, however, we could not guarantee that the result was the most favourable. The search for a solution led to design optimization, i.e.: minimizing weight by acting upon a part of the strip’s shape, taking into account its warp resistance or stiffness. This paper describes an optimization strategy adapted to the calculation of the optimal design subjected to arbitrary mechanical and geometrical conditions (including the thickness of the wear layer). This approach is not limited to flooring strips, and it can be used in any situation where a linear hygromechanical model is relevant. This strategy involves two steps: global optimization with respect to admissible variations of the shape (or design) followed by a post-processing phase that takes into account various other mechanical and possibly geometrical conditions imposed on the strip. This paper describes an optimization strategy adapted to the calculation of the optimal design subjected to arbitrary mechanical and geometrical conditions (including the thickness of the wear layer). This approach is not limited to flooring strips, and it can be used in any situation where a linear hygromechanical model is relevant. This strategy involves two steps: global optimization with respect to admissible variations of the shape (or design) followed by a post-processing phase that takes into account various other mechanical and possibly geometrical conditions imposed on the strip.
Physical conditions in the neutral interstellar medium at z = 2.43 toward Q 2348-011

Aims. We aim at deriving the physical conditions in the neutral gas associated with damped Lyman-α systems using observation and analysis of H2 and C i absorptions. Methods. We obtained a high-resolution VLT-UVES spectrum of the quasar Q 2348−011 over a wavelength range that covers most of the prominent metal and molecular absorption lines from the logN(H i) = 20.50 ± 0.10 damped Lyman-α system at zabs = 2.4263. We detected H2 in this system and measured column densities of H2 ,C i ,C i ∗ ,C i ∗∗ , Si ii ,P ii ,S ii ,F eii ,a nd Niii. From the column density ratios and, in particular, the relative populations of H2 rotational and C i fine-structure levels, we derived the physical conditions in the gas (relative abundances, dust-depletion, particle density, kinetic temperature, and ionising flux) and discuss physical conditions in the neutral phase. Results. Molecular hydrogen was detected in seven components in the first four rotational levels (J = 0–3) of the vibrational ground state. Absorption lines of H2 J = 4 (resp. J = 5) rotational levels are detected in six (resp. two) of these components. This leads to a total molecular fraction of log f �− 1.69 +0.37 −0.58 . Fourteen components are needed to reproduce the metal-line profiles. The overall metallicity is found to be −0.80, −0.62, −1.17 ± 0.10 for, respectively, [Si/H], [S/H] and [Fe/H]. We confirm the earlier findings that there is a correlation between logN(Fe ii)/N(S ii )a nd logN(Si ii)/N(S ii) from different components indicative of a dust-depletion pattern. Surprisingly, however, the depletion of metals onto dust in the H2 components is not large in this system: [Fe/S] = −0.8 to −0.1. The gas in H2-bearing components is found to be cold but still hotter than similar gas in our Galaxy (T > 130 K, instead of typically 80 K) and dense (n ∼ 100−200 cm −3 ). There is an anti-correlation (R = −0.97) between the logarithm of the photo-absorption rate, log β0 ,a nd logN(H2)/N(C i) derived for each H2 component. We show that this is mostly due to shielding effects and imply that the photo-absorption rate β0 is a good indicator of the physical conditions in the gas. We find that the gas is immersed in an intense UV field, about one order of magnitude higher than in the solar vicinity. These results suggest that the gas in H2-bearing DLAs is clumpy, and star-formation occurs in the associated object.
Likelihood-Based Modulation Classification for Multiple-Antenna Receiver

Likelihood-based algorithms for the classification of linear digital modulations are systematically investigated for a multiple receive antennas configuration. Existing modulation classification (MC) algorithms are first extended to the case of multiple receive antennas and then a critical problem is identified that the overall performance of the multiple antenna systems is dominated by the worst channel estimate of a particular antenna. To address the performance degradation issue, we propose a new MC algorithm by optimally combining the log likelihood functions (LLFs). Furthermore, to analyze the upper-bound performance of the existing and the proposed MC algorithms, the exact Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) expressions of non-data-aided joint estimates of amplitude, phase, and noise variance are derived for general rectangular quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). Numerical results demonstrate the accuracy of the CRLB expressions and verify that the results reported in the literature for quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and 16-QAM are special cases of our derived expressions. Also, it is demonstrated that the probability of correct classification of the new algorithm approaches the theoretical bounds and a substantial performance improvement is achieved compared to the existing MC algorithm.
Loss Attitudes in the U.S. Population: Evidence from Dynamically Optimized Sequential Experimentation (Dose)

We introduce DOSE - Dynamically Optimized Sequential Experimentation - and use it to estimate individual-level loss aversion in a representative sample of the U.S. population (N = 2,000). DOSE elicitations are more accurate, more stable across time, and faster to administer than standard methods. We find that around 50% of the U.S. population is loss tolerant. This is counter to earlier findings, which mostly come from lab/student samples, that a strong majority of participants are loss averse. Loss attitudes are correlated with cognitive ability: loss aversion is more prevalent in people with high cognitive ability, and loss tolerance is more common in those with low cognitive ability. We also use DOSE to document facts about risk and time preferences, indicating a high potential for DOSE in future research.
Bias‐free Measurement of Giant Molecular Cloud Properties

We review methods for measuring the sizes, line widths, and luminosities of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in molecular‐line data cubes with low resolution and sensitivity. We find that moment methods are robust and sensitive, making full use of both position and intensity information, and we recommend a standard method to measure the position angle, major and minor axis sizes, line width, and luminosity using moment methods. Without corrections for the effects of beam convolution and sensitivity to GMC properties, the resulting properties may be severely biased. This is particularly true for extragalactic observations, where resolution and sensitivity effects often bias measured values by 40% or more. We correct for finite spatial and spectral resolutions with a simple deconvolution, and we correct for sensitivity biases by extrapolating properties of a GMC to those we would expect to measure with perfect sensitivity (i.e., the 0 K isosurface). The resulting method recovers the properties of a GMC to within 10% over a large range of resolutions and sensitivities, provided the clouds are marginally resolved with a peak signal‐to‐noise ratio greater than 10. We note that interferometers systematically underestimate cloud properties, particularly the flux from a cloud. The degree of bias depends on the sensitivity of the observations and the (u,v) coverage of the observations. In an Appendix to the paper we present a conservative, new decomposition algorithm for identifying GMCs in molecular‐line observations. This algorithm treats the data in physical rather than observational units (i.e., parsecs rather than beams or arcseconds), does not produce spurious clouds in the presence of noise, and is sensitive to a range of morphologies. As a result, the output of this decomposition should be directly comparable among disparate data sets.
The Mediating Effects of Aspiration, Self-Confidence, Interest in Schooling, and Peer Influence on the Relationship Between Teen Girls’ Behavior and Academic Performance

Indulgence in risky behavior is a reason for low academic performance. We hypothesized that four constructs including academic aspiration, self-confidence, interest in schooling, and peer influence mediate the relationship between risky behavior and academic performance. Data are from 1256 school-going girls in urban slums who came from the lowest 40% of poor households. Results show that indulgence in risky behavior leads to low aspiration, low self-confidence, and low interest in schooling. The constructs mediate between risky behavior and academic performance even after accounting for covariates. The results imply that education practitioners can focus on soft-skills to enhance academic achievement.
Distributed quasi-orthogonal type space-time block coding with maximal distance property for wireless relay networks

In this paper we exploit a quasi-orthogonal space time type block code with maximal distance property within a four relay network. This modified code is built from set partitioning a larger codebook formed from two quasi-orthogonal space time block codes with different signal rotations. In simulation studies the new code is shown to outperform previous open loop and closed loop schemes in terms of end-to-end error rate, and thereby has potential application in wireless relays networks.
Management Accounting Practices in ERP Environments: A Research Agenda

Today’s rapidly changing and highly competitive business environment, in conjunction with the technology expansion, put pressure on enterprises to search for new ways to survive and succeed. In order to ensure both their position in the market and a competitive advantage, a large number of companies -perhaps the majority- all around the world, has adopted or are in the process of implementing Enterprise resource planning (ERP hereafter) systems. ERPs have fundamentally re-shaped the operating practices of companies. The significant changes ERPs brought in enterprises have important implications for Management accounting (MA hereafter) and Management accountants as well, who may need to adjust their methods and procedures when working in such an environment. This study is motivated by the mixed results of recent academic works examining the effects of ERP systems on MA and by the desire to shed light on this subject matter. The principal objectives of the paper are firstly, identify major factors affecting the effectiveness of an ERP system based on an extensive search of the literature and secondly, provide a comprehensive framework for researching management accounting change in an ERP environment. Research questions are postulated and an appropriate research model is developed in order to test the hypothesized relationships. A number of radical changes on MA derived from ERPs, are focused on the following dimensions: accounting information quality, reports, innovative practices, methods, and advanced techniques, decision making process and accountants’ role and working tasks. User satisfaction with the ERP system, successful implementation of the ERP system, the extent of Business Process Re-engineering as well as of the Post Implementation Review have been identified as important dimensions of ERP systems’ impact on management accounting practices.
Passive Sorting in Maturing Granules of AtT-20 Cells: The Entry and Exit of Salivary Amylase and Proline-rich Protein

Previous studies have suggested that salivary amylase and proline-rich protein are sorted differently when expressed in AtT-20 cells (Castle, A.M., L.E. Stahl, and J.D. Castle. 1992. J. Biol. Chem. 267:13093– 13100; Colomer, V., K. Lal, T.C. Hoops, and M.J. Rindler. 1994.EMBO (Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 13:3711– 3719). We now show that both exocrine proteins behave similarly and enter the regulated secretory pathway as judged by immunolocalization and secretagogue- dependent stimulation of secretion. Analysis of stimulated secretion of newly synthesized proline-rich protein, amylase, and endogenous hormones indicates that the exogenous proteins enter the granule pool with about the same efficiency as the endogenous hormones. However, in contrast to the endogenous hormones, proline-rich protein and amylase are progressively removed from the granule pool during the process of granule maturation such that only small portions remain in mature granules where they colocalize with the stored hormones. The exogenous proteins that are not stored are recovered from the incubation medium and are presumed to have undergone constitutive-like secretion. These results point to a level of sorting for regulated secretion after entry of proteins into forming granules and indicate that retention is essential for efficient storage. Consequently, the critical role of putative sorting receptors for regulated secretion may be in retention rather than in granule entry.
Personality Traits and Types in Relation to Career Success: An Empirical Comparison Using the Big Five

The purpose of this study is twofold: First, it discusses and derives personality types based on Big Five traits. Second, it compares their associations with career success. After deriving both a statistical and content-wise meaningful two-type solution referring to a resilient and a distressed profile, the explanatory value for both objective (i.e., promotions and income) and subjective career success (i.e., self-reported career success and career satisfaction) is tested for both traits and types. For objective career success, only traits appeared to be relevant predictors. For subjective career success, types appeared to have explanatory value as well, next to traits. This study concludes with a short discussion of its implications and possible further research avenues.
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1 Abstract—This paper is the second of a two-part paper and describes the application of a multiperiod generalized network flow model that is used to analyze the economic efficiencies of the energy movements from the coal and natural gas suppliers to the electric load centers. The modeling approach, mathematical formulation, and modeling assumptions are presented in part I. This sequel presents and discusses numerical results to illustrate the application of the methodology. In summary, the model developed is a simulation tool that helps build a better understanding of the complex dynamics and interdependencies of the coal, natural gas, and electricity networks. It enables public and private decision makers to carry out comprehensive analyses of a wide range of issues related to the energy sector, such as strategic planning, economic impact assessment, and different regulatory regimes.
Running heads : ACTIVATION OF TRUE AND FALSE MEMORY 1 1 2 Assessing activation of true and false memory traces : 3 a study using the DRM Paradigm

1 This paper compares the activation of false memory traces with true memory traces and control 2 items. An incidental learning version of the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm (DRM) is used 3 in conjunction with a Lexical Decision Task (LDT). One hundred participants read 5 DRM lists 4 intermixed with 4 non-word lists. After a delay manipulated into 3 experimental conditions 5 (immediate, 3-minute and 10-minute), they were asked to classify actually studied items, CIs, new 6 words and non words in an LDT. Results showed that, independent of the delay, the classification 7 latency of the CIs was the same as that for actually studied words and that both were more active 8 than matched control items. Moreover, results showed that the delay affects the activation of true 9 and false memories at the same rate. Overall the results seem to support the hypothesis that false 10 memories trace becomes additive traces that are integrated into the episodic memory, with the same 11 features of the true memories. 12
A Social Exchange Perspective on Student Retention and University Support Intentions

Abstract:Students' perceptions of their social exchange relationships (perceived institutional support, psychological contract fulfillment, and perceived institutional obstruction) with the university will have implications for student retention and their intention to donate resources (time and money) to the university following graduation. These relationships are hypothesized to be mediated through students' affective commitment to the university. A sample of 468 students from undergraduate schools of business at universities located in the eastern United States was used to test hypotheses using structural equation modeling. In general, social exchange variables predicted exit intentions and university support intentions. These relationships were mediated by affective commitment. Alternative models were also analyzed. Implications, limitations, and future research are also discussed in the paper.
Uncovering the unarchived web

Many national and international heritage institutes realize the importance of archiving the web for future culture heritage. Web archiving is currently performed either by harvesting a national domain, or by crawling a pre-defined list of websites selected by the archiving institution. In either method, crawling results in more information being harvested than just the websites intended for preservation; which could be used to reconstruct impressions of pages that existed on the live web of the crawl date, but would have been lost forever. We present a method to create representations of what we will refer to as a web collection's (aura): the web documents that were not included in the archived collection, but are known to have existed --- due to their mentions on pages that were included in the archived web collection. To create representations of these unarchived pages, we exploit the information about the unarchived URLs that can be derived from the crawls by combining crawl date distribution, anchor text and link structure. We illustrate empirically that the size of the aura can be substantial: in 2012, the Dutch Web archive contained 12.3M unique pages, while we uncover references to 11.9M additional (unarchived) pages.
Wall Tissue Remodeling Regulates Longitudinal Tension in Arteries

Changes in blood pressure or flow induce arterial remodeling that normalizes mechanical loads that are imposed on arterial tissue. Arteries are also under substantial longitudinal stretch (axial strain) that may be altered by growth or atrophy of tissues to which they are attached. We therefore tested whether axial strain is also regulated in a negative feedback manner through arterial remodeling. Axial strain in rabbit carotid arteries was increased from 62±2% to 97±2% without altering other mechanical loads on wall tissues. Strain was reduced within 3 days and completely normalized by 7 days. Remodeling involved tissue elaboration, endothelial cell replication rates were increased by >50-fold and smooth muscle cell replication rates were increased by >15-fold, and substantially elevated DNA, elastin, and collagen contents were recorded. Also, increased rates of apoptosis were indicated by degradation of DNA into oligonucleosomes, and matrix remodeling was reflected in enlarged fenestrae in the internal elastic lamina and increased expression and activation of gelatinases, especially matrix metalloproteinase-2. Intriguingly, reduced axial strain was not normalized, presumably because remodeling processes, apart from cell contraction, are ineffective in decreasing strain, and arterial smooth muscle orientation precludes large effects of contraction on axial strain.
Core and Peripheral Voters: Predictors of Turnout Across Three Types of Elections

Citizens who abstain from voting in consecutive elections and inequality in turnout in democratic elections constitute a challenge to the legitimacy of democracy. Applying the law of dispersion, which stipulates higher levels of turnout and higher levels of equality in turnout are positively related, we study turnout patterns across different types of elections in Denmark, a high-turnout European context. Across three different elections with turnout rates from 56.3% to 85.9%, we use a rich, nationwide panel dataset of 2.1 million citizens with validated turnout and high-quality sociodemographic variables. A total of 9% of the citizens are abstainers in the three consecutive elections, and these are disproportionately male, of non-Western ethnic background, with little education, and with low income. The law of dispersion finds support as inequalities in turnout increase when turnout decreases and vice versa. Furthermore, municipalities with lower turnout have higher inequalities in participation than high-turnout municipalities in local elections.
Enhancing lifetime of wireless sensor networks using multiple data sinks

In this paper, we address the fundamental question concerning the limits on the network lifetime in sensor networks when multiple base stations (BSs) are deployed as data sinks. Specifically, we derive upper bounds on the network lifetime when multiple BSs are employed, and obtain optimum locations of the base stations that maximise these lifetime bounds. For the case of two BSs, we jointly optimise the BS locations by maximising the lifetime bound using genetic algorithm. Joint optimisation for more number of BSs becomes prohibitively complex. Further, we propose a suboptimal approach for higher number of BSs, Individually Optimum method, where we optimise the next BS location using optimum location of previous BSs. Individually Optimum method has advantage of being attractive for solving the problem with more number of BSs at the cost of little compromised accuracy. We show that accuracy degradation is quite small for the case of three BSs.