Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Network Approach for Opinion Dynamics and Price Formation Submitted

If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences. W.I. Thomas and D.S. Thomas In this work, we investigate the intertwined role of network interaction, opinion dynamics and price formation in a financial system. We propose a dynamical multi agent framework where the interaction network and its topology, opinions and prices depend on one another, co evolving in time. At first, we introduce some useful concepts in network theory and opinion dynamics. A method for classifying agents according to their topological role in the network is proposed. Second, we build on the existing literature on hetereogenous beliefs and evolutionary systems and provide a model with a specific update rule that leads to an evolving topology. The model is apt at describing social and behavioural phenomena that have recently received particular attention in the financial literature, such as hetereogeneous beliefs on market scenarios and the effects of the topology of interactions. We illustrate such dynamics via simulations, discussing the stylized facts that the model might be able to capture and we will discuss the use of social network data in order to calibrate the model. Third, we propose a model for formation of relative prices in a closed economy when agents have limited attention about a certain asset/sector.
Engaging Online Learners to Consider Virtual Business Entrepreneurship Through the Lens of e-Business

Traditionally, business and management subjects have been linked to what is known by one’s culture and business traditions in terms of how business dealings are operated and managed according to given and proven business and managerial theories, concepts, ideas, and overall best practices. However, as more and more technology has been introduced into today’s modern workplace, changes to the overall business landscape have gone from domestic to global to now virtual opportunities. As a result, what our predecessors may have considered as only a dream for the future, these are becoming reality. It was not that long along with the idea of a computer smaller than a large room might be created. Today, we are now offering not only business, but also educational opportunities on mobile technology, such as mobile phones and PDAs. Therefore, this paper will look through the lens of e-business to see how one can help encourage today’s learner to consider virtual business entrepreneurship, in particular, how each of the new and progressive (virtual) learners can learn a new way of conducting business virtually and manage it accordingly
Light environments occupied by conifer and angiosperm seedlings in a New Zealand podocarp-broadleaved forest

Interaction between conifers and angiosperms in New Zealand's podocarp-broadleaved forests is a topic of enduring interest. We aimed to determine if the often discontinuous regeneration of the podocarps Dacrydium cupressinum and Prumnopitys ferruginea can be attributed to their seedlings' tolerating less shade than those of angiosperm canopy trees and/or to occupying a narrower range of light environments. We quantified the light environments (% diffuse light availability) naturally occupied by large seedlings (50-200 cm tall) of these two conifers and five co-occurring angiosperms, in an old-growth podocarp-broadleaved forest in the central North Island of New Zealand. Randomisation was used to compare the mean and variance of the light environments occupied by each species with those of the distribution of light environments in the forest understorey. The 10th percentiles of distributions were also calculated as an indicator of the deepest shade tolerated by each species. These parameters showed D. cupressinum to be essentially randomly distributed in relation to light availability, like the angiosperm Beilschmiedia tawa. Although this was also true of the mean light environment of the other conifer, P. ferruginea, there was marginally significant evidence that this species was underrepresented at the shadiest microsites. In contrast, the angiosperms Elaeocarpus dentatus and Weinmannia racemosa showed strongly non-random patterns, occupying significantly brighter minimum and mean light environments than would be expected by chance. It therefore seems unlikely that the discontinuous population structures of podocarps in many forests result from an intolerance of shade at the large seedling stage. Furthermore, the similarity of the ranges of light environments occupied by D. cupressinum and P. ferruginea suggests that reported differences in population structure and successional position of these species are not attributable to differences in seedling shade tolerance.
Schedule generation schemes for flexible manufacturing systems with additional resources

The paper presents the problem of scheduling in flexible manufacturing systems with additional resources consideration. In the developed model, the basic resources e.g. and additional resources - staff, tools, etc. - are assigned to resource groups. The allocation of operations to particular resources is carried out through these groups - by indicating the number of resources needed from a given group. At the scheduling stage, depending on the expected values of beginning and ending of the operation, the most advantageous resource for allocation is selected. Forward and backward scheduling strategies and serial and parallel schedule generation schemes are discussed in this context.
Activation of ERK by Ca 2 1 store depletion in rat liver epithelial cells

Maloney, Judith A. , Oxana M. Tsygankova, Lijun Yang, Qiuyang Li, Agnieszka Szot, Kemal Baysal, and John R. Williamson. Activation of ERK by Ca21 store depletion in rat liver epithelial cells. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Cell Physiol. 45): C221–C230, 1999. —In rat liver epithelial (WB) cells, Ca21 pool depletion induced by two independent methods resulted in activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). In the first method, Ca21 pool depletion by thapsigargin increased the activity of ERK, even when rise in cytosolic Ca21 was blocked with the Ca21 chelator BAPTAAM. For the second method, addition of extracellular EGTA at a concentration shown to deplete intracellular Ca21 pools also increased ERK activity. In each instance, ERK activation, as measured by an immunocomplex kinase assay, was greatly reduced by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, suggesting that Ca21 store depletion increased ERK activity through a tyrosine kinase pathway. The intracellular Ca21-releasing agent thapsigargin increased Fyn activity, which was unaffected by BAPTA-AM pretreatment, suggesting that Fyn activity was unaffected by increased cytosolic free Ca21. Furthermore, depletion of intracellular Ca21 with EGTA caused inactivation of protein phosphatase 2A and protein tyrosine phosphatases. ANG II-induced activations of Fyn, Raf-1, and ERK were augmented in cells pretreated with BAPTA-AM, but ANG II-induced expression of the dualspecificity phosphatase mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 was blocked by BAPTA-AM pretreatment. Together these results indicate that ERK activity is regulated by the balance of phosphorylation vs. dephosphorylation reactions in intact cells and that the amount of Ca21 stored in intracellular pools plays an important role in this regulation.
In Vitro Maturation Rate of Oocytes Collected from Indigenous Cows of Assam after Slaughter

Sixty healthy ovaries were collected from local slaughter house. Oocytes from small and medium sized follicles (2-8 mm in diameter) were selected for oocyte collection using aspiration followed by slicing . A and B category ( cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) with more than 5 layers and 3-5 layers respectively of compact cumulus cells surrounding the zona pellucida) were selected for in vitro maturation. A total of 361 oocytes were found to be matured with overall mean maturation rate of 82.59 ± 0.02%. The mean number of grade A, B and C oocytes recovered per ovary was 4.26 ± 0.53, 3.05 ± 0.31 and 1.25 ± 0.19, respectively. The overall recovery of grade A, B and C oocytes were 256, 183 and 74 . Out of 439 oocytes 58.86 ± 0.05%, 33.23 ±0.04 % and 9.90 ± 0.04 % showed +++, ++ and + degrees of cumulus expansion, respectively. It was concluded that aspiration followed by slicing is an ideal method for maximum yield of oocytes and in vitro maturation in indigenous cow of Assam.
Application of Manganese and Silica through Leaves and Their Effect on Growth and Yield of Rice in Rice Field in Village of Sinar Agung, Sub-district of Pulau Panggung, District of Tanggamus, Lampung Province, Indonesia

The rice production had declined and been stagnant in the last two decades . One way to increase rice productivity was the application of micro elements such as manganese (Mn) and silicon (Si). On appropriate dose, Mn and Si worked sinergically in increasing rice productivity, but would decrease the productivity when applied excessively. In order to be effective, Mn should be applied through leaf before Si because the ability of Si to inhibit Mn absorption. This research was to investigate the effect of Mn and Si application and their response on growth and yield of rice. The research was conducted on irrigated rice field in Village of Sinar Agung , Sub-district of Pulau Pa ng gung , and District of Tanggamus , Lampung Province, Indonesia from November 2014 to April 2015. The treatment were arranged in 2x5 factorial consisting of two concentrations of Mn (0 and 5 ppm) and five concentrations of Si (0, 50, 100, 150 , and 200 ppm). The research was designed in R andomized Complete Block Design with three replications. H omoge ne i ty of variance was tested by Barlett’s test and nonadditivity using Tukey’s test. The results showed that applications of 5 ppm Mn increased plant growth and yield in all variables, except for plant height. While the application of Si to 200 ppm increased plant height, dry weight, number of productive tillers, filled grain weight, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield . The application of 50 ppm of Si with addition of 5 ppm of Mn showed the best response of rice on the filled grain weight and grain yield .
The long-term hydrological performance of Permeable Pavement Systems in Northern Spain: An approach to the "end-of-life" concept

The authors would like to thank the City Council of Santander for allowing us to perform the research study and the GITECO Research Group for the development of the experimental car park. Luis A. Sanudo-Fontaneda, Fernando Cadenas-Fernandez and Carlos Costales-Campa thank the University of Oviedo for funding the UOStormwater research team, part of the GICONSIME Research Group, through the research project PAPI-17-PEMERG-22, and the IUTA for their support. Valerio C. Andres-Valeri and Inigo Cabezon-Jimenez also acknowledge the funding from the Spanish ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the projects SUPRIS-SUReS (BIA2015-65240-C2-1-R) and SUPRIS-SUPel (BIA2015-65240-C2-2-R)
The Effect of Perceived Parenting Styles on Self-Regulated Learning Strategies and Motivational Beliefs

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of perceived parenting styles on self-regulated learning strategies and motivational beliefs. The participants were 350 eighth grade students in a primary school. Perceived parenting styles were determined by utilizing the Parenting Styles Scale developed by Lamborn, Mounts, Steinberg and Dornbusch (1991). The students’ self-regulated learning strategies and motivational beliefs were measured using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire developed by Pintrich and De Groot (1990). The results revealed that those dimensions of self-regulated learning related to the intrinsic value of study, self efficacy, cognitive and metacognitive self-regulated learning strategies were influenced by parenting styles. Students with authoritative parents were found to use more self-regulated learning strategies than those with authoritarian, indulgent and neglectful parents. However, the students with indulgent parents were found to use more cognitive and metacognitive strategies than those with authoritarian and neglectful parents. This study also indicated that the self-efficacy of students with authoritative parents is higher than that found among the students with indulgent, authoritarian and neglectful parents; and they experience less test anxiety than do the students with authoritarian parents.
Eddy-forced coherent structures as a prototype of atmospheric blocking

SUMMARY The relevance of nonlinear free solutions of the equivalent barotropic vorticity equation known as ‘modons’ or ‘vortex pairs’ is reconsidered as a prototype of atmospheric blocking. It is argued that modons are highly appropriate reference solutions from which to consider the dynamics of blocks accounting for their local nature, their stability and longevity. Nonlinear resonance studies with an equivalent barotropic numerical model on a P-plane channel demonstrate the ease and vigour with which vortex pairs can be excited by a vorticity-forcing function of the appropriate form. Localized nonlinear structures which can be identified with modons exist on blocking timescales even in parameter ranges which allow stationary Rossby waves. The circumstances in which synoptic systems can provide an appropriate forcing function are investigated by studying the interaction between a modon and a train of travelling vortices. It is shown that the anomalous transfer of potential vorticity induced by the straining of synoptic systems propagating in a diffluent jet is in a sense to maintain the modon against dissipation. Time sequences of the potential vorticity field from the equivalent barotropic model bear a remarkable resemblance to isentropic potential vorticity maps observed during a blocking episode and suggest that much of the detail can be understood in terms of the passive deformation of baroclinically inactive weather systems.
RISK AS A MOTIVATION FOR ADVENTURE TOURIST

Adventure activities are commonly associated with risky activities. The affiliation between adventure tourism and risk has made adventure tourism experience distinct from other tourism subset. Therefore risk plays a role as motivation factor for adventure tourists’ to participate in adventure activities. However, different study mentioned that adventure tourist’s unwillingness to be the subject of actual risk also provide a different view on risk role in adventure tourism. This research aims to investigate the role of risk for adventure tourists’ motivation to engage with adventure tourism. This study uses quantitative research methods to achieve its aim. The data was gathered using a self-completion questionnaire, which targeted adventure tourists through the internet. This questionnaire was posted to several adventure-affiliated groups found in social network for foreseeable time and able to get reasonable amount of responds from intended target. The findings confirm that risk affiliation with adventure tourism activities exists through tourism perspective. The findings also confirm that risk is part of tourists’ motivation to take part in adventure, hence describe role of risk in adventure activities
Breaking the ‘Bamboo Curtain’ and the ‘Glass Ceiling’: The Experience of Women Entrepreneurs in High-Tech Industries in an Emerging Market

Despite the role women play in job creation, economic growth and society revitalization, especially in economies undergoing fundamental transformations, issues emerging from women in entrepreneurship have not received adequate attention in academic research. As a result, our understanding of women entrepreneurship in emerging markets as well as in nontraditional industries is even more limited. In this study, I attempt to partially fill the gap by comparing entrepreneurial orientations and venture performance between men and women entrepreneurs in electronics industry in Chinese transition economy. I offer insights gained from statistical analyses based on a survey as well as case study. Results reveal that while women are influenced by the same factors that affect decision making among men and exhibit some similarities, they differ from men in their willingness to take more risks and make bolder moves in pursuit of greater returns and future competitive advantage. In addition, women entrepreneurs outperform their male counterparts. I compare these findings with existing literature and offer suggestions for future research.
Minimizing Waiting Time in ATM Services by Applying Queuing Model: Hands on and Hands off Perspectives

: Bank ATMs would avoid losing their customers due to a long wait on the line. The bank initially provides one ATM. And, one ATM would not serve a purpose when customers withdraw to use ATM and try to use other bank’s ATM. Thus, to retain the customers, the service time needs to be improved. This paper shows that the queuing theory may be used to resolve this problem. We obtained the data from a bank’s ATM in Sylhet city in Bangladesh whilst applying little’s Theorem and M/M/1 queuing model in the process. This paper applied queuing theory to determine optimal service level for a case ATM base on a customer-defined criterion of wait time not exceeding eight (8) minutes. Direct non-participatory observation and questionnaire were engaged to record time measurements and primary data. The research revealed that although queuing theory is applicable in finding optimal service levels, waiting time might still be lengthy because of external factors. Service unavailability was observed to be a contributory factor to queue formation in the case of ATM.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Recent Work Title Drift Scale Modeling : Study of Unsaturated Flow into a Drift Using a Stochastic Continuum Model Permalink

J. T. Birkholzer, C. F. Tsang, Y. W. Tsang, and J.S. W. Wang LBNUESD Unsaturated flow in heterogeneous fractured porous rock was simulated using a stochastic continuum model (SCM). In this model, both the more conductive fractures and the less permeable matrix are generated within the framework of a single continuum stochastic approach, based on non-parametric indicator statistics. High-permeable fracture. zones are distinguished from lowpermeable matrix zones in that they have assigned a long range correlation structure in prescribed directions. The SCM was applied to study small-scale flow in the vicinity of an access tunnel, which is currently being drilled in the unsaturated fractured tuff formations at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Extensive underground testing is underway in this tunnel to investigate the suitability of Yucca Mountain as an underground nuclear waste repository. Different flow scenarios were studied in the present paper, considering the flow conditions before and after the tunnel emplacement, and assuming steady-state net infiltration as well as episodic pulse infiltration. Although the capability of the stochastic continuum model has not yet been fully explored, it has been demonstrated that the SCM is a good alternative model feasible of describing heterogeneous flow processes in unsaturated fractured tuff at Yucca Mountain.
JOINT MOMENTS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES OF CHIRUNNING TECHNIQUE IN CHIRUNNERS: A PILOT STUDY

The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the joint moments of the lower extremities in the sagittal plane between the ChiRunning and the common heel-toe running techniques. Two male experienced ChiRunners participated in the study. The joint moments of the lower extremities were analyzed from the kinetic data collected during their ChiRunning and common heel-toe running. When compared to the heel-toe strike technique, ChiRunning technique showed that peak hip flexion moment and ankle dorsiflexion moment appeared earlier in the gait cycle. Ankle dorsiflexion moment was greater in magnitude while knee flexion moment was lower in magnitude.
Threat evaluation based on automatic sensor signal characterisation and anomaly detection

Autonomous cyber physical systems are increasingly common in a wide variety of application domains, with a correspondingly wide range of functionalities and types of sensing and actuation. At the same time, the variety and frequency of cyber attacks is increasing in correspondence with the increasing popularity and functionality of these systems, from in-vehicle driver assistance to smart city infrastructure and robotics. These technologies rely on a variety of sensors, actuating nodes and control communications. Each sensor adds context by which the autonomous system can better understand its environment, but each sensor also provides opportunities for attack, as has been observed in a variety of attacks on different systems. In this paper, we introduce a model to observe signal characteristics, including noise level patterns, on sensor data streams and incorporate this information to differentiate between normal or abnormal behaviour of a robotic vehicle. This model forms the basis of an automated threat detection scheme, which we test using a purpose-built testbed. Experiments are conducted in a controlled environment using stochastic elements to introduce certain levels of randomness during the experiment. The results indicate that the system is able to distinguish the behaviour of a robotic vehicle under different levels of environmental volatility and is able to identify a sensory channel attack against it.
Optimal Pricing of a Heterogeneous Portfolio for a Given Risk Level

Consider a portfolio containing heterogeneous risks, where the policyholders’ premiums to the insurance company might not cover the claim payments. This risk has to be taken into consideration in the premium pricing. On the other hand, the premium that the insureds pay has to be fair. This fairness is measured by the distance between the risk and the premium paid. We apply a non-linear programming formulation to find the optimal premium for each class so that the risk is below a given level and the weighted distance between the risk and the premium is minimized. We consider also the dual problem: minimizing the risk level for a given weighted distance between risks and premium.
FUZZY VECTOR EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEM

In the present paper, we introduce and study a fuzzy vector equi- librium problem and prove some existence results with and without convexity assumptions by using some particular forms of results of Kim and Lee (W.K. Kim and K.H. Lee, Generalized fuzzy games and fuzzy equilibria, Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 122 (2001), 293-301) and Tarafdar (E. Tarafdar, Fixed point theorems in H-spaces and equilibrium points of abstract economies, J. Aust. Math. Soc.(Series A), 53(1992), 252-260). An example is also constructed in support of fuzzy vector equilibrium problem.
Nonparametric Estimation of Random Effect Variance with Partial Information from the Clusters

This work is a new proposal for estimating the variance of the random effects in case the knowledge of the internal variability of the clusters is (or might be) assumed to be known. Here by clusters we mean, for instance, second-level units in multi-level models (schools, hospitals etc.), or subjects in repeated measure experiments. The proposed approach is useful whenever the variability of the response in a linear model can be viewed as the sum of two independent sources of variability, one that is common to all clusters and it is unknown, and another which is assumed to be available and it is clusterspecific. The responses here have to be thought as functions of the first-level observations, whose variability is known to depend only on the cluster's specificities. These settings include linear mixed models (LMM) when the estimators of the effects of interest are obtained conditionally on each cluster. The model may account for additional informations on the clusters, such as covariates, or contrast vectors. An estimator of the common source of variability is obtained from the residual deviance of the model, opportunely re-scaled, through the moment method. An iterative procedure is then suggested (whose initial step depends on the available information), that turns out to be a special case of the EM-algorithm.