Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-agent learning dynamics

Within the field of artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems are used to model and solve complex problems in today's society. The complexity of such systems requires that individual agents have the ability to learn to optimise their own behaviour. An important challenge is to gain qualitative and theoretical insight into the dynamics of these learning multi-agent systems, as their results are often hard to predict in advance. This dissertation describes how methods from the field of evolutionary game theory can be used for this. These methods are then applied to systems such as social networks and the stock market.
SUCCESS IN DECISION MAKING: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, DIFFERING REASONS FOR SUCCESS

In an attempt to elucidate some possible conditions for success in managerial decision making, data were analysed from 53 cases of decisions in eight British organizations, five business firms and three non-business organizations (two universities and a District of the National Health Service). No clear relationships between features of the processes of making the decisions, and their successfulness were found until the business firms and the non-business organizations were separated. Clear differences then showed up, relatively speaking, in the conditions conductive to success. In the business firms, a successful decision was more likely to result from a decision-making process in which resources were available. In other words, in business a successful decision is most likely when sufficient information and sufficient means of implementation are to hand. By contrast, in the universities and the Health District, a successful decision was associated more with the social qualities of the decision-making process itself. In other words, in non-business organizations a successful decision is most likely when the right people participate and the people at the very top do not interfere too much.
Where to Play: Retrieval of Video Segments using Natural-Language Queries

In this paper, we propose a new approach for retrieval of video segments using natural language queries. Unlike most previous approaches such as concept-based methods or rule-based structured models, the proposed method uses image captioning model to construct sentential queries for visual information. In detail, our approach exploits multiple captions generated by visual features in each image with `Densecap'. Then, the similarities between captions of adjacent images are calculated, which is used to track semantically similar captions over multiple frames. Besides introducing this novel idea of 'tracking by captioning', the proposed method is one of the first approaches that uses a language generation model learned by neural networks to construct semantic query describing the relations and properties of visual information. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we have created a new evaluation dataset, which contains about 348 segments of scenes in 20 movie-trailers. Through quantitative and qualitative evaluation, we show that our method is effective for retrieval of video segments using natural language queries.
In Vitro Activities of Free and Lipid Formulations of Amphotericin B and Nystatin against Clinical Isolates of Coccidioides immitis at Various Saprobic Stages

ABSTRACT We investigated the susceptibilities of hyphal, mixed hyphal, ungerminated arthroconidial, and germinated arthroconidial populations of Coccidioides immitis to lipid formulations of amphotericin B and nystatin and their conventional preparations, utilizing the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M38-P broth macrodilution method. The differences in effects of the three different growth stages of the saprobic phase of C. immitis on the MIC/minimum lethal concentration (MLC) ratio were not statistically significant for any of the antifungal agents tested. These results suggest that either inocula could be used for in vitro susceptibility studies with C. immitis.
Adenosine A1 and A2A receptor‐mediated modulation of acetylcholine release in the mice neuromuscular junction

Immunocytochemistry shows that purinergic receptors (P1Rs) type A1 and A2A (A1R and A2AR, respectively) are present in the nerve endings at the P6 and P30 Levator auris longus (LAL) mouse neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). As described elsewhere, 25 μm adenosine reduces (50%) acetylcholine release in high Mg2+ or d‐tubocurarine paralysed muscle. We hypothesize that in more preserved neurotransmission machinery conditions (blocking the voltage‐dependent sodium channel of the muscle cells with μ‐conotoxin GIIIB) the physiological role of the P1Rs in the NMJ must be better observed. We found that the presence of a non‐selective P1R agonist (adenosine) or antagonist (8‐SPT) or selective modulators of A1R or A2AR subtypes (CCPA and DPCPX, or CGS‐21680 and SCH‐58261, respectively) does not result in any changes in the evoked release. However, P1Rs seem to be involved in spontaneous release (miniature endplate potentials MEPPs) because MEPP frequency is increased by non‐selective block but decreased by non‐selective stimulation, with A1Rs playing the main role. We assayed the role of P1Rs in presynaptic short‐term plasticity during imposed synaptic activity (40 Hz for 2 min of supramaximal stimuli). Depression is reduced by micromolar adenosine but increased by blocking P1Rs with 8‐SPT. Synaptic depression is not affected by the presence of selective A1R and A2AR modulators, which suggests that both receptors need to collaborate. Thus, A1R and A2AR might have no real effect on neuromuscular transmission in resting conditions. However, these receptors can conserve resources by limiting spontaneous quantal leak of acetylcholine and may protect synaptic function by reducing the magnitude of depression during repetitive activity.
Comparable graft and patient survival in lean and obese liver transplant recipients

Obesity is among the great health problems facing Americans today. More than 32% of the US population is considered obese on the basis of a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 kg/m2. Obesity increases the risk for numerous perioperative complications, but how obesity affects the outcome of liver transplantation remains unclear. We compared graft/patient survival after orthotopic liver transplantation performed at the Cleveland Clinic between April 2005 and June 2011 in 2 groups: obese patients with a BMI ≥ 38 kg/m2 and lean patients with a BMI between 20 and 26 kg/m2. We included 47 obese patients and 183 lean patients, whose demographics and baseline characteristics were well balanced after weighting with the inverse propensity score. After we controlled for observed confounding, no significant differences were observed in graft/patient survival between obese and lean patients (P = 0.30). The estimated hazard ratio for obese patients to experience graft failure or death was 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85‐1.67]. There were 134 patients who had follow‐up for more than 3 years, and they included 27 obese patients and 107 lean patients. Within this subset, the odds of having metabolic syndrome were significantly greater for obese patients (46%) versus lean patients (21%; odds ratio = 4.76, 99.5% CI = 1.66‐13.7, P < 0.001). However, no significant association between obesity and any other long‐term adverse outcomes was found. In conclusion, this study shows that transplant outcomes were comparable for lean and obese recipients. We thus recommend that even morbid obesity per se should not exclude patients from consideration for transplantation. Liver Transpl 19:907‐915, 2013. © 2013 AASLD.
Coalitional Politics and Logrolling in Legislative Institutions

We examine how a foresighted legislative chamber will design its institutions in response to ex ante incentives for universalism and ex post incentives for minimum winning coalitions and what coalitions will form as a result. To do so, we develop a model of vote trading with an endogenous voting rule and coalition formation process. We find that in equilibrium, legislative chambers will almost never choose institutions that guarantee either simple majorities or universalistic outcomes. Rather, coalition sizes from minimal winning to universalistic will be possible under certain conditions given the choice of voting rule. Further, these coalitions will be "minimal necessary," just large enough to sustain cooperation. olitical scientists have long been aware that politicians have an incentive to construct minimum winning coalitions (MWC) for distributive policies (Riker 1962; Koehler 1972; Shepsle 1974; Uslaner 1975; Koford 1982; Denzau and Munger 1986; Baron and Ferejohn 1989, but see Baron 1989; Groseclose and Snyder 1996). Including additional members tends to raise costs without adding benefits to the coalition. However, starting in the late 1970s, and at least partly in response to empirical evidence (Ferejohn 1974; Arnold 1979; Wilson 1986; and Collie 1988, among others'), political scientists also started to generate theories that predicted universal or oversized coalitions. For example, Weingast (1979) finds that, although games of distributive politics resulted in minimum winning coalitions, the electoral need to bring benefits back to the district and fear of being left out of the minimal coalition could cause politicians ex ante to prefer universalistic coalitions. As such, politicians would have an incentive to set up "norms of universalism" enforced, perhaps, by punishment for not going along with the all-inclusive logroll. Later work found that such universalism would be preferred even for inefficient pork barrel legislation (Shepsle and Weingast 1981; Weingast, Shepsle, and Johnsen 1981), as well as in political systems with committee structures (Fiorina 1981). 2
An approach for the design of chemical reactors under microwave irradiation

This paper deals with the problem of designing a Microwave biological reactor operating in resonance conditions at 915 MHz. Though resonant cavities are well-known electromagnetic devices, when the irradiation phenomena occur in presence of chemical or biochemical systems, e.g. aqueous solutions, most of the design equations lose their meaning and, hence, should be modified. Thus, a general approach for the design of a resonant cavity as a chemical reactor is herein proposed.
Multi-market contacts as a challenge to open innovation theory

In this article, I examine the implications that competition and contacts on behalf of firms in multiple markets have upon assumptions underlying the principles of open innovation. Ultimately, I propose to integrate conceptual viewpoints from the multimarket contact paradigm into the open innovation model in order to raise the explanatory power of the latter. The study investigates how inter-firm competition and contacts on multiple markets can act as a trigger for R&D contractual agreements. The accompanying hypotheses are tested through an intra-industry analysis, finding that multi-market contact is curvilinear (taking an inverted U-shape) related to the development of R&D agreements among competing firms. I also explore the role of firm’s patents stock as a key intervening variable in the relationship between MMC and R&D contractual agreements.
The Life Cycle of Temporary Cultural Exhibitions: An Empirical Exploration

Abstract This paper investigates the product life‐cycle of temporary cultural exhibitions. Using data drawn from 27 exhibitions that took place in Italy in the period 2000–01, we identify two different life‐cycles patterns. For the group of short life exhibitions, except in a few cases of a positive ‘première effect,’ the number of admissions is roughly constant over time and the cycle is linear. For the group of long life exhibitions, the mean number of admissions is subject to a decrease over time and a non‐linear life‐cycle emerges.
Determinants of FDI into China and Vietnam: A Comparative Study

Since the inception of economic reforms, China in 1978 and Vietnam in 1986, both countries have become successful examples of transition to a market economy. Over their courses of reform, attracting substantial and rising amounts of inward FDI has been a key focus of their market-oriented policy reforms. Yet, the last two decades have experienced a widening gap in inward FDI between these two countries even though the context and characteristics of their economic reform are relatively similar. Therefore, this paper aims to address the question "What has caused the substantial gap in FDI inflows between China and Vietnam? " through a comparative study of the FDI determinants. In other words, this paper revisits the determinants of FDI into China and Vietnam by employing an augmented gravity model and using a panel dataset containing information on bilateral FDI and a large set of acroeconomic variables over the period 1994-2008. The main finding is that the widening gap in inward FDI flows between China and Vietnam can be explained by two broad sets of main factors: one related to institutions and another to domestic macroeconomic stability.
Multipath characteristics of MIMO channel at the UHF band for wireless system in the urban area

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems at the UHF bands is interest for wireless communication applications. When designing and evaluating such systems, knowledge of realistic propagation conditions is required. In this paper, the development of wideband MIMO channel sounder and a pilot measurement result is described for research on the multi antenna radio propagation characteristics considering urban environment at UHF band. We developed 4 by 4 MIMO (BW: 50 MHz) channel sounder using the high speed switching mechanism and periodic pseudo random binary signals method considering next generation mobile communication system. A pilot measurement campaign at the urban area of Jeju Island is presented for confirmation of system performance. From the analysis of measurement data, RMS delay spread is 1700 ns and 200 ns respectively. From the experiment results, operation of this measurement system is confirmed considering research for wideband path loss exponent factor at 781 MHz.
Relative Performance Evaluation And Project Selection

Relative performance evaluation (RPE) occurs when one person's compensation depends on the relation of his output to that of others. Agency theory (e.g., Lazear and Rosen [1981] and Holmstrom [1979; 1982]) predicts that managerial compensation will use relative performance when other firms' outputs reveal information about the manager's actions which is not knowable from the manager's output alone. Tests of the theory measure other firms' outputs using the performance of other firms in the same industry or some macroeconomic measures of performance. These two approaches are designed to separate industry and economy effects from the effects of the manager's actions. Empirical tests by Antle and Smith [1986] and Janakiraman, Lambert, and Larcker [1992] found limited evidence that managerial compensation is adjusted for industry effects; Gibbons and Murphy [1990] found some adjustment in CEO compensation for industry performance, and much more adjustment for changes in market-wide rates of return. This paper provides an explanation for these empirical results by illustrating how the benefits of RPE-based schemes depend on the absence of project choice decisions in the canonical agency model.1
Model-based insulin and nutrition administration for tight glycaemic control in critical care.

OBJECTIVE Present a new model-based tight glycaemic control approach using variable insulin and nutrition administration. BACKGROUND Hyperglycaemia is prevalent in critical care. Current published protocols use insulin alone to reduce blood glucose levels, require significant added clinical effort, and provide highly variable results. None directly address both the practical clinical difficulties and significant patient variation seen in general critical care, while also providing tight control. METHODS The approach presented manages both nutritional inputs and exogenous insulin infusions using tables simplified from a model-based, computerised protocol. Unique delivery aspects include bolus insulin delivery for safety and variable enteral nutrition rates. Unique development aspects include the use of simulated virtual patient trials created from retrospective data. The model, protocol development, and first 50 clinical case results are presented. RESULTS High qualitative correlation to within +/-10% between simulated virtual trials and published clinical results validates the overall approach. Pilot tests covering 7358 patient hours produced an average glucose of 5.9 +/- 1.1 mmol/L. Time in the 4-6.1 mmol/L band was 59%, with 84% in 4.0-7.0 mmol/L, and 92% in 4.0-7.75 mmol/L. The average feed rate was 63% of patient specific goal feed and the average insulin dose was 2.6U/hour. There was one hypoglycaemic measurement of 2.1 mmol/L. No departures from protocol or clinical interventions were required at any time. SUMMARY Modulating both low dose insulin boluses and nutrition input rates challenges the current practice of using only insulin in larger doses to reduce hyperglycaemic levels. Clinical results show very tight control in safe glycaemic bands. The approach could be readily adopted in any typical ICU.
The relationship between the real estate and stock markets of China: evidence from a nonlinear model

The use of asymmetrical threshold cointegration tests is adopted in this study to investigate whether any significant relationship or asymmetric adjustment exists between the real estate and stock markets of China. Our results indicate the existence of a long run nonlinear relationship between the Shenzhen Composite Index and the Real Estate Price Index. In the short run, the Granger causality test favours the ‘wealth effect’ hypothesis; conversely, in the long run, the existence of the ‘credit price’ effect is discernible above a certain threshold value, whilst the ‘wealth effect’ is apparent below this threshold value, which implies a bidirectional feedback causal relationship. Our empirical results demonstrate that in the long run, the price transmissions between these two markets are nonlinear and asymmetric.
Increasing Consumer Involvement in Medicaid Nursing Facility Reimbursement: Lessons from New York and Minnesota

iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY v INTRODUCTION 1 BACKGROUND & SIGNIFICANCE 2 METHODS 5 CONSUMER PARTICIPATION & INFLUENCE 7 WHY DO CONSUMER GROUPS NOT BECOME INVOLVED? 9 THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING “AT THE TABLE” 11 PREREQUISITES FOR SUCCESSFUL CONSUMER PARTICIPATION 13 MAJOR STRATEGIES FOR INFLUENCING REIMBURSEMENT 18 STATE LEGISLATORS & LEGISLATIVE STAFF 19 STATE AGENCIES & AGENCY PERSONNEL 22 TASKFORCES & WORKGROUPS 26 SUPPLEMENTS TO HIGHER LEVEL PARTICIPATION 30 GRASSROOTS STRATEGIES 31 DEVELOPING COALITIONS WITH OTHER GROUPS 34 TOWARD INCREASED CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT 40 REFERENCES 43
Emotion Identification from Spontaneous Communication

This study aimed to design a model for automatic identification of emotion from spontaneous communication using the acoustic characteristics of human speech. An experimental setup to collect and annotate call center Amharic telephone dialogs containing natural emotions is presented. These dialogs, involve 35 subjects (18 male and 17 female), are first manually decomposed into speaker turns and then segmented into intermediate chunks to be used as the analysis unit for feature calculation. Open class annotation is carried out by 3 professional psychologists and the various emotional states are mapped onto 4 cover classes, and a Majority Voting (MV) technique is applied to decide perceived emotion in each chunk. A total of 170 acoustic features consisting of prosodic, spectral and voice quality features are extracted from each chunk. An optimal feature set representing emotion (i.e. 33 all together) are selected through the use of generic algorithm and used to train Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLPNN) classifier. A prototype application has been developed and the classification performance has been evaluated based on extracted features. Our preliminary speech emotion recognition model exhibits an average accuracy of 72.4% in identifying Anger, Fear, Positive and Sadness emotions.
Short-Run Equilibrium and Market Power in the Spanish Food, Drink and Tobacco Industries

This paper studies the cost structure and market power of 18 Spanish food industries, at roughly the three-digit level, for the period 1978-1992. Tests of capital equilibrium and approaches to estimation of the Lerner index are developed. Long-run equilibrium is rejected for almost all industries. It is argued that, in general, economies of scale and market power are not jointly identifiable in the structural analysis, with similar problems as in non-structural approaches. Moreover, when long-run equilibrium and constant returns to scale are assumed, the econometric estimates of the Lerner index are similar to those obtained with the traditional profit-to-sales ratio, irrespective of whether capital is a quasi-fixed or a variable input. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.
Stock Market Development, Capital Accumulation and Growth in India since 1950

This study examines whether there exists a long-term relationship between Indian share price movements and growth through capital accumulation over more than half a century period since 1951. Using the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration developed by Pesaran and Shin, our study shows that no long-term relationship exists between the gross-fixed capital formation (total as well as private) as percentage of GDP and nominal or real share price. There is also no relationship between the growth rate and share prices (both nominal and real). There is also no relationship if we consider the growth rates in share price.
A CB (Corporate Bond) Pricing Probabilities and Recovery Rates Model for Deriving Default Probabilities and Recovery Rates

In this paper we formulate a corporate bond (CB) pricing model for deriving the term structure of default probabilities (TSDP) and the recovery rate (RR) for each pair of industry factor and credit rating grade, and these derived TSDP and RR are regarded as what investors imply in forming CB prices in the market at each time. A unique feature of this formulation is that the model allows each firm to run several business lines corresponding to some industry categories, which is typical in reality. In fact, treating all the cross-sectional CB prices simultaneously under a credit correlation structure at each time makes it possible to sort out the overlapping business lines of the firms which issued CBs and to extract the TSDPs for each pair of individual industry factor and rating grade together with the RRs. The result is applied to a valuation of CDS (credit default swap) and a loan portfolio management in banking business.
Compensation as a signal of organizational culture: the effects of advertising individual or collective incentives

Beyond their impact on current employees, compensation systems are thought to convey important messages about an organization's values and practices to potential hires, but explicit empirical support for this belief is scant. In two experiments, US participants evaluated recruiting advertisements containing simple statements about bonuses, with performance basis manipulated between-subjects in the first experiment and within-subjects in the second. Advertising bonuses based on individual performance caused an organization to be perceived as likely to have a more individualist culture, whereas bonuses based on team or organizational performance led to perceptions of a more collectivist culture. When participants in the second study were asked to choose between hypothetical jobs at organizations with different advertised compensation systems, the relation between individual differences and job preference was contingent on their organizational culture perceptions. In contrast to previous research, no modal preference for individual over collective rewards was observed.