Statistical-grey consistent grey differential equation modelling

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-156)

Glimpses of the Octonions and Quaternions History and Todays Applications in Quantum Physics

Before we dive into the accessibility stream of nowadays indicatory applications of octonions to computer and other sciences and to quantum physics let us focus for a while on the crucially relevant events for todays revival on interest to nonassociativity. Our reflections keep wandering back to the $Brahmagupta$ $Fibonacc$ two square identity and then via the $Euler$ four square identity up to the $Degen$ $Ggraves$ $Cayley$ eight square identity. These glimpses of history incline and invite us to retell the story on how about one month after quaternions have been carved on the $Broughamian$ bridge octonions were discovered by $John$ $Thomas$ $Ggraves$, jurist and mathematician, a friend of $William$ $Rowan$ $Hamilton$. As for today we just mention en passant quaternionic and octonionic quantum mechanics, generalization of $Cauchy$ $Riemann$ equations for octonions and triality principle and $G_2$ group in spinor language in a descriptive way in order not to daunt non specialists. Relation to finite geometries is recalled and the links to the 7stones of seven sphere, seven imaginary octonions units in out of the $Plato$ cave reality applications are appointed . This way we are welcomed back to primary ideas of $Heisenberg$, $Wheeler$ and other distinguished fathers of quantum mechanics and quantum gravity foundations.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figure

Exploring the effects of tomato extract supplementation on cognitive function during exercise and at rest

It has been reported that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit extracts may have beneficial effects on cognition. To assess if those effects are reproducible, cognitive function was assessed using a double-blind, randomised control trial design; 17 healthy test participants were given encapsulated tomato fruit (n=8) extract (290 mg) or a placebo control (n=9). Cognition was assessed at rest and, as exercise is known to negatively impact on cognitive function, equivalent tests were also undertaken after controlled physical exertion using the Bath University Rugby Shuttle Test (45 minutes and 90 minutes exercise). After normalisation of raw data to remove performance related error, the tomato fruit extract improved (P [less than] 0.05) normalised detection scores and detection times after 90 minutes exercise. These positive effects were specific to psychomotor function, relating to both ability and speed of response; compared to placebo controls, the supplemented group recorded scores 6.5% (P=0.02) and speeds ~17% (P=0.03) better when compared to the placebo group. A repeated measures linear mixed model (LMM) was undertaken and again significance reported (P [less than] 0.05) for overall effects of treatment (detection speeds and scores) and additionally for the identification speed. A suggestion (P [less than] 0.1) of treatment effects was observed for identification scores. LMM analysis therefore also identifies positive benefits for reaction times and visual attention after supplementation. No effect on one-card-learning (visual learning) scores or speeds was detected; also there is no evidence of any learning effect on the data. Collectively this data shows certain tomato fruit extracts have a trait specific beneficial effect on cognition

Short Index of Job Satisfaction: Validity evidence from Portugal and Brazil

Job satisfaction is an important construct that is known to be associated with workers' performance and wellbeing. As such, to properly measure it, one must use adapted measures that show adequate validity evidence for the desired context. Such measures should preferably be short to allow the parsimonious use of various measures/constructs in the same data collection. The aim of this paper is to adapt the Portuguese version for Brazil and Portugal of the Short Index of Job Satisfaction (SIJS). The SIJS is a psychometric instrument that measures job satisfaction through five items. A cross-sectional study was conducted with two multi-occupational workers samples, one from Brazil (n = 599) and one other from Portugal (n = 572). The SIJS presented good validity evidence based on its internal structure, namely dimensionality, reliability, and measurement invariance across countries and sexes. It also revealed to be positively correlated with work engagement, and quality of work life (convergent evidence). It also has shown to be negatively associated with burnout (discriminant evidence). The SIJS showed promising validity evidence. The SIJS can be useful to be used together with other instruments, due to its small number of items, producing data with good psychometric properties.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Approximation Theory and Related Applications

In recent years, we have seen a growing interest in various aspects of approximation theory. This happened due to the increasing complexity of mathematical models that require computer calculations and the development of the theoretical foundations of the approximation theory. Approximation theory has broad and important applications in many areas of mathematics, including functional analysis, differential equations, dynamical systems theory, mathematical physics, control theory, probability theory and mathematical statistics, and others. Approximation theory is also of great practical importance, as approximate methods and estimation of approximation errors are used in physics, economics, chemistry, signal theory, neural networks and many other areas. This book presents the works published in the Special Issue "Approximation Theory and Related Applications". The research of the world’s leading scientists presented in this book reflect new trends in approximation theory and related topics

Learning and protection of proprietary assets in strategic alliances: building relational capital

One of the main reasons that firms participate in alliances is to learn know-how and capabilities from their alliance partners. At the same time firms want to protect themselves from the opportunistic behavior of their partner to retain their own core proprietary assets. Most research has generally viewed the achievement of these objectives as mutually exclusive. In contrast, we provide empirical evidence using large-sample survey data to show that when firms build relational capital in conjunction with an integrative approach to managing conflict, they are able to achieve both objectives simultaneously. Relational capital based on mutual trust and interaction at the individual level between alliance partners creates a basis for learning and know-how transfer across the exchange interface. At the same time, it curbs opportunistic behavior of alliance partners, thus preventing the leakage of critical know-how between them. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34612/1/95_ftp.pd

Structural equation models and small sample bias reduction with application to fishery data

An overview of structural equation models is presented along with an application to fishery data involving estimation and significance testing of the density dependent component of recruitment in 6 cod populations. Estimates and standard errors are based on normal theory and large sample properties of maximum likelihood estimates. The data sets analyzed involve small sample sizes so a sensitivity analysis of the effect (in terms of bias) of small sample sizes and other deviations in model assumptions is conducted. The analysis indicates that sample size is the most influential factor considered on the bias of parameter estimates. The reliability of indicator variables is also important. – Two methods of reducing the bias in estimates are considered, they are the jackknife and a method based on a Taylor’s series expansion of the log likelihood function. The bias reduced estimators are investigated by simulating several confirmatory factor models. Neither the Jackknife nor the Taylor’s series biased reduced estimator works sufficiently well to warrant their application in practice. Both estimators consistently reduce bias in the maximum likelihood estimates only when little bias exists. A difficulty realized in the investigation is that the expectations of some estimators are unbounded and this makes bias reduction difficult