Distributed optimization with information-constrained population dynamics     

A. Pantoja  G. Obando  N. Quijano 《Journal of The Franklin Institute》2019,356(1):209-236

In a multi-agent framework, distributed optimization problems are generally described as the minimization of a global objective function, where each agent can get information only from a neighborhood defined by a network topology. To solve the problem, this work presents an information-constrained strategy based on population dynamics, where payoff functions and tasks are assigned to each node in a connected graph. We prove that the so-called distributed replicator equation (DRE) converges to an optimal global outcome by means of the local-information exchange subject to the topological constraints of the graph. To show the application of the proposed strategy, we implement the DRE to solve an economic dispatch problem with distributed generation. We also present some simulation results to illustrate the theoretic optimality and stability of the equilibrium points and the effects of typical network topologies on the convergence rate of the algorithm.  相似文献   

Destination buffer analysis for packets rejection obliteration in multi-channel networks     

P. Baziana  G. Fragkouli  E. Sykas 《Journal of The Franklin Institute》2019,356(15):8803-8828

In this paper we study a multi-channel network, each station of which is equipped with a network interface that has a receiver buffer of multiple packets. In this way, each station is able to receive multiple packets per time instant. We adopt a synchronous access protocol which is affected by the collisions over the multiple channels and the destination conflicts. The proposed protocol performance crucially depends on the size of the receiver buffer since it determines the packet rejection probability at destination. An analytical probabilistic model based on a Markovian process is adopted for the performance measures derivation by means of closed mathematical formulas. The proposed protocol is compared to relative ones that either totally ignore the receiver collisions or assume a receiver buffer of a single packet capacity. The numerical results show that the increase of the receiver buffer size improves the performance decisively, resulting in higher throughput and lower delay and rejection probability. Also, it is shown that the appropriate receiver buffer size per station in order for the rejections at destination to be effectively eliminated is not unlimited but is limited to three packets for 0.1% accepted maximum level of rejection probability.  相似文献   

Nonlinear optimal control for wind power generators comprising a multi-mass drivetrain and a DFIG     

G. Rigatos  P. Siano  M. Abbaszadeh  P. Wira 《Journal of The Franklin Institute》2019,356(5):2582-2605

  相似文献   

Measuring business performance: A conceptual framework with focus on improvement     

G. D. Sardana 《Performance Improvement》2008,47(7):31-40

Managers look for measures that represent an integrated performance. These should lead to an analysis of unsatisfactory performance. Performance measurement and its evaluation is the first step toward formulating any plan for improvement. This article examines the imperatives of a good measurement system and presents a framework to measure business performance.  相似文献   

Profile and Motivations of Registered Whole-Body Donors in Turkey: Istanbul University Experience     

İlke Ali Gürses  Ahmet Ertaş  Başak Gürtekin  Osman Coşkun  Mehmet Üzel  Özcan Gayretli  Mehmet Selman Demirci 《Anatomical sciences education》2019,12(4):370-385

Little is known regarding the profiles of whole body donors in Muslim majority countries where donation is scarce. Therefore, this study aims to profile registered donors in Turkey by means of a survey. The explored data could be used to improve ongoing campaign efforts and ethical practices such as commemoration services. Registered donors of the donation programs at the two faculties of medicine of Istanbul University were compared with the national population and a cluster analysis was performed to reveal any concealed sub-groups. Data from 188 respondents were analyzed. The majority of registered donors were married (42%), male (65.4%), aged over 50 years (76%), held a tertiary education degree (49.7%), and were irreligious (58.5%). Cluster analysis revealed two groups with significantly different educational levels, marital statuses, and religious choices. Regarding whether their bodies could be used for education or research, the majority (64.5%) of the respondents left the decision to the anatomy department. Similarly, 73.8% approved indefinite use of their organs, body parts and/or skeletons. The respondents were also willing to share their medical history (94.2%) and personal information (81.6%) if needed. Motivational themes for body donation including usefulness, impermanence, religion, awareness, and kinship were devised after a thematic analysis. Among the respondents, 56.5% were registered organ donors and 63.3% were frequent blood donors. The results of this study provide data that may help revising informed consent forms, developing and implementing thanksgiving ceremonies, and selecting additional targets for supporting body donation campaign activities such as organ and blood donation units.  相似文献   

Adaptation and evaluation of a learning analytics dashboard to improve academic support at three Latin American universities     

Julio Guerra  Margarita Ortiz-Rojas  Miguel Angel Zúñiga-Prieto  Eliana Scheihing  Alberto Jiménez  Tom Broos  Tinne De Laet  Katrien Verbert 《British journal of educational technology : journal of the Council for Educational Technology》2020,51(4):973-1001

Despite the success of academic advising dashboards in several higher educational institutions (HEI), these dashboards are still under-explored in Latin American HEI's. To close this gap, three different Latin American universities adapted an existing advising dashboard, originally deployed at the KU Leuven to their own context. In all three cases, the context was the main ruling factor to these adaptations. In this paper, we describe these adaptions using a framework that focuses on four different elements of the context: Objectives, Stakeholders, Key moment and Interactions. Evaluation of the adapted dashboards in the three different Latin American universities is conducted through pilots. This evaluation shows the value of the dashboard approach in different contexts in terms of satisfaction, usefulness and impact in academic decision-making and advising tasks. The main contribution of this paper is the systematic reporting of the adaptations to an academic advising dashboard and showing the value of an academic advising dashboard on academic decision-making and advising tasks.  相似文献   

Limitations on the human capital transferability of adult migrants in Spain: Incentive or barrier for a new investment in education?     

Jacobo Muñoz-Comet  María Miyar-Busto 《European Journal of Education》2018,53(4):586-599

Many empirical studies on immigrant integration document the benefits of an education acquired in the country of destination. In this article; we study how the degree of human capital transferability affects an immigrant's chances of studying in Spain. We used data from the Spanish Labour Force Survey (2008–2015) for a sample of adults aged 18–55 who had left the educational system. The main findings show that natives are the ethnic group with the highest likelihood of re-enrolling in education. Amongst immigrants, those with fewer limitations on human capital transferability also invest more. These results question the predictions of the Immigrant Human Capital Investment model which expect that immigrants whose human capital depreciates upon arrival and those who can obtain a higher return on a new investment in education are therefore more likely to study. Moreover, the effect of skill transferability differs depending on the type of obstacle and the kind of education. Immigrants with less linguistic and cultural familiarity with the host country are less likely to undertake non-formal education than formal education. However, when the transferability obstacles are related to administrative requirements and legal restrictions, the probability of investing in non-formal education is higher. We conclude that immigrants with low skill transferability are not only less well integrated in the labour market upon arrival, but are also less able to redress that disadvantage through a new investment in education.  相似文献   

Developing participation opportunities for young people with disabilities? Policy enactment and social inclusion in Australian junior sport     

Ruth Jeanes  Ramón Spaaij  Jonathan Magee  Karen Farquharson  Sean Gorman  Dean Lusher 《Sport in Society》2019,22(6):986-1004

Abstract

Interventions aimed at increasing the participation of young people with disabilities in recreational sport have had mixed success. The authors draw on in-depth interviews with representatives from State Sporting Associations, local government officers and volunteers within community sports clubs in Victoria, Australia, to examine why some sports clubs are unable or unwilling to translate policy ambitions into practice. The findings indicate how by framing disability provision as ‘too difficult’, ‘not core business’ and antithetical to competitive success, community sports clubs are able to resist policy ambitions to modify existing structures and develop more inclusive practice. Greater priority needs to be given to transformational inclusion objectives and challenging ableism if clubs are to structurally progress the development of participation opportunities for young people with disabilities.  相似文献   

The Impact of More,Better, Faster,Cheaper: How the PCC Influenced Everything That Followed     

Carol G. Hixson 《Cataloging & classification quarterly》2020,58(3-4):294-302

Abstract

The beginnings and the early years of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) had a profound impact on the approach taken to cataloging in North America and around the world. The commitment to standards, cooperation, and expanded access also had an impact that went far beyond cataloging operations. One library dean traces the evolution of her vision and contemplates how the PCC’s principles have shaped her entire career and have affected the libraries in which she has worked.  相似文献   

Related Multiscreening as a Strategy to Retain Audiences and Increase Persuasion During a Commercial Break     

Claire M. Segijn  Theo Araujo  Hilde A. M. Voorveld  Edith G. Smit 《广播与电子媒介杂志》2020,64(1):41-61

The aim of the study was to deepen our understanding of how related multiscreening affects audience memory and persuasion. A survey was administered after a live television show. The results showed that the higher the perceived relatedness of the multi-screen activity, the more persuasive the message. This effect was mediated by subsequent attention to television content, program involvement, and attention to the commercial break. The model was replicated for three different multiscreen activities: social media use, chatting, and information search. Furthermore, it was found that related multiscreening increased the likelihood of respondents staying tuned to the television after the show.  相似文献