SOLACE: A framework for electronic negotiations

Copyright @ 2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbHMost existing frameworks for electronic negotiations today are tied to specific negotiation systems for which they were developed, preventing them from being applied to other negotiation scenarios. Thus, the evaluation of electronic negotiation systems is difficult as each one is based on a different framework. Additionally, each developer has to design a new framework for any system to be developed, leading to a ‘reinvention of the wheel’. This paper presents SOLACE—a generic framework for multi-issue negotiations, which can be applied to a variety of negotiation scenarios. In contrast with other frameworks for electronic negotiations, SOLACE supports hybrid systems in which the negotiation participants can be humans, agents or a combination of the two. By recognizing the importance of strategies in negotiations and incorporating a time attribute in negotiation proposals, SOLACE enhances existing approaches and provides a foundation for the flexible electronic negotiation systems of the future

Synthetic Sacks as Reinforced Fibers in the Thermosetting Composites

This study was carried out to investigate the preparation of thermosetting polymeric blend consisting of three adhesive types, namely: epoxy, polyvinyl formal (PVF) and unsaturated polyester. Both of epoxy and PVF were used as a matrix-binder at fixed weight. Whilst unsaturated polyester was used at different weights and added to the matrix so as to produce prepared epoxy-PVF-unsaturated polyester blend. Several experiments were performed at different operating conditions, mixing speed and time at room temperature to identify the most favorable operating conditions. The optimum mixing speed and mixing time for the prepared blend were 500rpm and 5 minutes respectively. <br />Solid wastes-synthetic sack fibers from high volume, low cost, renewable fiber sources have been used as environmentally friendly alternatives to reinforcing fibers in composites. Many mechanical and thermal tests were carried out of the prepared blend at different weighted ratios. The optimum weighted ratio of the prepared blend for the untreated samples was characterized by the hardness and bending deflection properties and it was 0.40w/w, while for impact strength and thermal conductivity properties was 0.20w/w respectively. At these optimum weighted ratios of untreated samples with sack fibers, the maximum values of hardness and impact strength properties were 95 shore and 2.25J/cm2 respectively. On the other hand, the minimum bending deflection and thermal conductivity properties values were found to be 4mm and 0.01094W/cm.oC respectively. They showed the best bonding forces and physical interaction between two concentrations of matrix and unsaturated polyester adhesives. <br />Treated samples of sack fibers reinforced composites at their optimum weighted ratio showed better fiber-matrix interaction as observed from the experimental results leading to enhance and improve the mechanical (hardness, impact strength, and bending deflection) and thermal (thermal conductivity) properties when compared to the untreated sample. These improvements in treated samples with two layers of sack fibers were predominant

Post-harvest technology change in cassava processing: a choice paradigm

Open Access Article; Available online: 27 Jan 2020This study employed a choice model to examine the factors influencing the choice of post-harvest technologies in cassava starch processing, using a sample of five hundred and seventy (570) processors in the forest and guinea savanna zones of Nigeria. In addition, the profitability of various post-harvest technologies in the study area was assessed using the budgetary technique while the impact of improved post-harvest technology on processors’ revenue and output was analysed using the average treatment effect model. Sex of the processor, processing experience, income, and cost of post-harvest technology, the capacity of post-harvest technology and access to credit amongst others significantly influence the choice of post-harvest technologies. Although the use of improved post-harvest technology comes with a high cost, the net income from its use was higher than the other types of post-harvest technologies, suggesting that the use of improved techniques was more beneficial and profitable. In addition, using improved post-harvest technology had a positive and significant effect on output and income. These findings shows that investment in improved post-harvest technologies by cassava starch processors and other stakeholders would increase income, thus, improving welfare

SOCCER-SPECIFIC STADIUM AND ITS SOCIAL IMPACT: A PARALLEL LINE BETWEEN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER AND THE NIGERIAN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER LEAGUES

Over the past ten years, Major League Soccer (MLS) has grown substantially by implementing stadium development projects similar to those used by other major leagues in the United States. This study analyzes the critical role of soccer-specific stadiums in MLS\u27s recent success and compares it to the current state of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). Additionally, the study explores this growth\u27s social and economic impacts through liminality and communitas concepts. Despite MLS\u27s achievements in expanding to new markets and adopting stadium development initiatives, the sustainability of this model remains uncertain. The paper then suggests that future research should focus on why the league should prioritize global soccer best practices rather than continuing to adapt to the closed league system used by other major leagues in the United States. Furthermore, given the United States co-hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aligning with the global system is crucial to elevate United States soccer to the next level. The paper utilizes secondary data sources and frequency analysis to examine MLS trends over the last decade and make recommendations to the Nigerian league on how to channel their strategy for growth. Ultimately, the study suggests that the United States and MLS adopt a new approach to compete effectively in international soccer, leveraging the country\u27s infrastructure, socio-economic capacity, and increasingly diverse population. Keywords: Major League Soccer, Nigeria Professional Football League, Soccer, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccer-specific Stadium, Premier Leagu

A Sequential Monte Carlo Approach for Online Stock Market Prediction Using Hidden Markov Models

A sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) algorithm prediction approach is developed based on joint probability distribution in hidden Markov Models (HMM). SMC methods, a general class of Monte Carlo methods, are typically used for sampling from sequences of distributions and simple examples of these algorithms are found extensively throughout the tracking and signal processing literature. Recent developments indicate that these techniques have much more general applicability and can be applied very effectively to statistical inference problems. Due to the problem involved in estimating the parameter of HMM, the HMM is represented in a state space model and the sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) method is used. Predictions are made using the SMC method in HMM and the corresponding on-line algorithm is developed. Daily stock price data from the banking sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) (price index between the years 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008) are analyzed; experimental results reveal that the method proposed is effective

Smallholder agroprocessors' willingness to pay for value-added solid-waste management solutions

Open Access JournalThe paper examined the willingness of smallholder cassava processors to pay for value-added solid wastes management solutions in Nigeria. We employed a multistage sampling procedure to obtain primary data from 403 cassava processors from the forest and Guinea savannah zones of Nigeria. Contingent valuation and logistic regression were used to determine the willingness of the processors to pay for improved waste management options and the factors influencing their decision on the type of waste management system adopted and willingness to pay for a value-added solid-waste management system option. Women constituted the largest population of smallholder cassava processors, and the processors generated a lot of solid waste (605–878 kg/processor/season). Waste was usually dumped (59.6%), given to others (58.1%), or sold in wet (27.8%) or dry (35.5%) forms. The factors influencing the processors’ decision on the type of waste management system to adopt included sex of processors, membership of an association, quantity of cassava processed and ownership structure. Whereas the processors were willing to pay for new training on improved waste management technologies, they were not willing to pay more than US$3. However, US$3 may be paid for training in mushroom production. It is expected that public expenditure on training to empower processors to use solid-waste conversion technologies for generating value-added products will lead to such social benefits as lower exposure to environmental toxins from the air, rivers and underground water, among others, and additional income for the smallholder processors. The output of the study can serve as the basis for developing usable and affordable solid-waste management systems for community cassava processing units in African countries involved in cassava production

Modeling Pancreatic Cancer Tumor Microenvironment using a Microfluidics Culture System

poster abstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with an overall five year survival rate of 7%. This is partly due to the lack of effective models that simulate the complex PDAC tumor microenvironment and allow for high throughput drug screening. Some of the key features of the PDAC tumor microenvironment are the presence of a dense stroma which impedes effective drug delivery to the pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs), as well as the presence of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that have been shown to modulate disease progression. The objective of this project is to develop an in vitro microfluidic cell culture system that allows researchers to recapitulate the PDAC tumor environment. The system, Tumor-Microenvironment-on-Chip (T-MOC) is manufactured using a replica molding technique. The chip consist of two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers separated by a porous membrane for gas exchange. This device forms an enclosed transparent device with input channel for cell entry and inner channels which mimic fluidic transport found in vivo. To analyze the potential of the device to simulate in vivo conditions, PCCs (GFP+) and CAFs (RFP+) were co-cultured with collagen and inserted into the device. Initial data analysis indicates that the device supports the growth of PCCs and allows formation of 3D tumor spheroids. In addition, analysis of GFP and RFP intensity demonstrated the effect of CAFs on PCCs growth, which diminished PCCs growth. This provides evidence that the microfluidic device can be used to replicate tumor environment allowing for future studies to screen potential drug candidates before in vivo studies

Parameter Estimation of a Class of Hidden Markov Model with Diagnostics

A stochastic volatility (SV) problem is formulated as a state space form of a Hidden Markov model (HMM). The SV model assumes that the distribution of asset returns conditional on the latent volatility is normal. This article analyzes the SV model with the student-t distribution and the generalized error distribution (GED) and compares these distributions with a mixture of normal distributions from Kim and Stoffer (2008). A Sequential Monte Carlo with Expectation Maximization (SMCEM) algorithm technique was used to estimate parameters for the extended volatility model; the Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) and forecast statistics were calculated to compare distribution fit. Distribution performance was assessed using simulation study and real data. Results show that, although comparable to the normal mixture SV model, the Student-t and GED were empirically more successful

Disposition of Secondary Students towards Charcoal Production in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State

The study assessed the disposition of secondary school student towards charcoal production. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 225 respondents from six secondary schools in the area. Information was elicited from the respondents with the aid of a questionnaire, information collected was analyzed using descriptive (Frequency, percentages, tables and mean) and inferential (chi-square and T-test) statistical tool. The result of the study shows that there is no gender bias in the involvement in the charcoal activities as 50.7% are males, with mean age of 17 years and household size of 8. The result also revealed that 68% of the students are involved with an average period of 4 years while 35% reported their parents are also involved and make an average of N8, 754 on monthly basis. On the activities they are involved in the findings revealed that they are involved in different activities with transportation being the major one while the need to make more money (49.4%), being common occupation in the community (48%) and the prestige associated with it (41.3%) as the major influencing factors of their involvement. Their disposition was largely indifferent (88%) as revealed by the study as many of them are involved just to get the benefit without considering the effect on them. The result of the T-test (t-value 4.117, p=0.000 at P&lt; 0.005) reveals significant difference in the disposition of those involved and those not involved while the chi-square analysis also showed significant relationship between sex(χ2 = 29.874, p = 0.000), household size(χ2 = 17.472, p = 0.002) and parental involvement (χ2 = 8.855, p = 0.012) at p &lt; 0.05. The study therefore concluded that the students are involved and are indifferent in their disposition to charcoal production and recommend that there is a need for proper orientation of the student in relationship to their involvement while inculcating teaching on environmental sustainability. Keywords: Charcoal, Youth, Disposition, Oyo state, Ibarapa and Involvement