Auctions with Signaling Concerns

We study a symmetric private value auction with signaling, in which the auction outcome is used by an outside observer to infer the bidders' types. We elicit conditions under which an essentially unique D1 equilibrium bidding function exists in four auction formats: first-price, second-price, all-pay and the English auction. We obtain a strict ranking in terms of expected revenues: the first-price and all-pay auctions dominate the English auction but are dominated by the second-price auction

Auctions with Signaling Concerns

We study a symmetric private value auction with signaling, in which the auction outcome is used by an outside observer to infer the bidders' types. We elicit conditions under which an essentially unique D1 equilibrium bidding function exists in four auction formats: first-price, second-price, all-pay and the English auction. We obtain a strict ranking in terms of expected revenues: the first-price and all-pay auctions dominate the English auction but are dominated by the second-price auction

Entry in first-price auctions with signaling

We study the optimal entry fee in a symmetric private value first-price auction with signaling, in which the participation decisions and the auction outcome are used by an outside observer to infer the bidders’ types. We show that this auction has a unique fully separating equilibrium bidding function. When the bidders’ sensibility for the signaling concern is sufficiently strong, the expected revenue maximizing entry fee is the maximal fee that guarantees full participation. The larger is the bidder’s sensibility, the higher is the optimal participation

The impact of vibrations on fragile historical mixed-media objects

The Enclosed Gardens of Mechelen are beautiful examples of historical mixed-media objects. Since they are extremely fragile, vibrations are considered a major agent of deterioration. To prepare and evaluate their permanent exhibition and to support decision making for future loans, three experiments were performed to estimate the vibrational impact. First, resonant frequencies were defined in a shaker table experiment. Second, the impact of transport was considered. A truck transport of three Gardens to a temporary exhibition was monitored and the condition of the Gardens was documented before and after transport. Finally, a vibrational assessment was performed on the permanent display

Calibration of a semi-distributed hydrological model using discharge and remote sensing data

The objective of this study is to present an approach to calibrate a semi-distributed hydrological model using observed streamflow data and actual evapotranspiration time series estimates based on remote sensing data. First, daily actual evapotranspiration is estimated using available MODIS satellite data, routinely collected meteorological data, and applying the SEBS algorithm. Second, the semi-distributed hydrological model HBV is calibrated and validated using the estimated evapotranspiration and observed discharge. This is done for multiple sub-basins of the Karkheh River basin in Iran. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NS) is calculated for each sub-basin. Maximum and minimum NS values for the calibration using observed discharge are 0.81 and 0.23, respectively, and using estimated evapotranspiration 0.61 and 0.46, respectively. The comparison of model simulations with multiple observed variables increases the probability of selecting a parameter set that represents the actual hydrological situation of the basin. The new calibration approach can be useful for further applications, especially in data-sparse river basin

Signalling in auctions: experimental evidence

We study the relative performance of the first-price sealed-bid auction, the second-price sealed-bid auction, and the all-pay sealed-bid auction in a laboratory experiment where bidders can signal information through their bidding behaviour to an outside observer. We consider two different information settings: the auctioneer reveals either the identity of the winning bidder only, or she also reveals the bidders’ payments to an outside observer. We find that the all-pay sealed-bid auction in which the bidders’ payments are revealed outperforms the other mechanisms in terms of revenue, while this mechanism underperforms in terms of efficiency relative to the winner-pay auctions

Fostering oral presentation competence through a virtual reality-based task for delivering feedback

While previous studies have stressed the importance of feedback delivered by experts, it is unclear whether students’ oral presentation competence can be fostered through innovative technology for delivering feedback. This experimental study examined the effectiveness of a virtual reality-based task, in which first-year undergraduate students practiced their presentation in a virtual environment and received feedback produced by the system, on their presentation competence components (i.e. cognition, behaviour and attitudes towards presenting). The effects were compared with a control condition, which was a face-to-face presentation task with expert feedback. The students’ performance was measured using pre- and post-test multiple-choice tests, validated rubrics, and self-evaluation instruments. Results revealed significant improvements from pre-test to post-test in all three presentation competence components, without a difference between the conditions. Furthermore, the self-evaluation tests showed that students who presented in virtual reality were appreciative of the detailed and analytical feedback they received. Because of sample size limitations, the effects found could not be generalised. Therefore, future research on a larger sample is needed to examine population effects. Follow-up studies should focus on the extent to which virtual reality-based tasks can encourage self-regulation skills for the effective and efficient integration of these tasks in presentation courses.</p

A Web-Based Application for Personalized Ecological Momentary Assessment in Psychiatric Care:User-Centered Development of the PETRA Application

BACKGROUND: Smartphone self-monitoring of mood, symptoms, and contextual factors through ecological momentary assessment (EMA) provides insights into the daily lives of people undergoing psychiatric treatment. Therefore, EMA has the potential to improve their care. To integrate EMA into treatment, a clinical tool that helps clients and clinicians create personalized EMA diaries and interpret the gathered data is needed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a web-based application for personalized EMA in specialized psychiatric care in close collaboration with all stakeholders (ie, clients, clinicians, researchers, and software developers). METHODS: The participants were 52 clients with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders and 45 clinicians (psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses). We engaged them in interviews, focus groups, and usability sessions to determine the requirements for an EMA web application and repeatedly obtained feedback on iteratively improved high-fidelity EMA web application prototypes. We used human-centered design principles to determine important requirements for the web application and designed high-fidelity prototypes that were continuously re-evaluated and adapted. RESULTS: The iterative development process resulted in Personalized Treatment by Real-time Assessment (PETRA), which is a scientifically grounded web application for the integration of personalized EMA in Dutch clinical care. PETRA includes a decision aid to support clients and clinicians with constructing personalized EMA diaries, an EMA diary item repository, an SMS text message-based diary delivery system, and a feedback module for visualizing the gathered EMA data. PETRA is integrated into electronic health record systems to ensure ease of use and sustainable integration in clinical care and adheres to privacy regulations. CONCLUSIONS: PETRA was built to fulfill the needs of clients and clinicians for a user-friendly and personalized EMA tool embedded in routine psychiatric care. PETRA is unique in this codevelopment process, its extensive but user-friendly personalization options, its integration into electronic health record systems, its transdiagnostic focus, and its strong scientific foundation in the design of EMA diaries and feedback. The clinical effectiveness of integrating personalized diaries via PETRA into care requires further research. As such, PETRA paves the way for a systematic investigation of the utility of personalized EMA for routine mental health care

FUSIONS Definitional Framework for Food Waste

none21To develop reliable food waste estimates, which can be accurately repeated over time, it is necessary to produce data within a robust methodological framework. This must comprise a consistent definition of food waste and its components, and consistent system boundaries for the food supply chain. The absence of a framework for defining food waste to date has led to the production of datasets that are not always comparable or transparent as to which fractions are included. A common definitional framework will support policy-makers at both EU and Member State level, and stakeholders across the food supply chain, by enabling them to accurately track the rate of food waste reduction, and the effectiveness of their waste prevention strategies. The development of this framework for defining food waste signals a key step towards improving our understanding of the food waste challenge in Europe and its consistent use will help measure progress towards both resource efficiency and food security goals.openKarin Östergren; Jenny Gustavsson; Hilke Bos-Brouwers; Toine Timmermans; Ole-Jørgen Hansen; Hanne Møller; Gina Anderson; Clementine O’Connor; Han Soethoudt; Tom Quested; Sophie Easteal; Alessandro Politano; Cecilia Bellettato; Massimo Canali; Luca Falasconi; Silvia Gaiani; Matteo Vittuari; Felicitas Schneider; Graham Moates; Keith Waldron; Barbara RedlingshöferKarin Östergren; Jenny Gustavsson; Hilke Bos-Brouwers; Toine Timmermans; Ole-Jørgen Hansen; Hanne Møller; Gina Anderson; Clementine O’Connor; Han Soethoudt; Tom Quested; Sophie Easteal; Alessandro Politano; Cecilia Bellettato; Massimo Canali; Luca Falasconi; Silvia Gaiani; Matteo Vittuari; Felicitas Schneider; Graham Moates; Keith Waldron; Barbara Redlingshöfe

Characterization of Endothelial Cells Associated with Hematopoietic Niche Formation in Humans Identifies IL-33 As an Anabolic Factor

Bone marrow formation requires an orchestrated interplay between osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and hematopoiesis that is thought to be mediated by endothelial cells. The nature of the endothelial cells and the molecular mechanisms underlying these events remain unclear in humans. Here, we identify a subset of endoglin-expressing endothelial cells enriched in human bone marrow during fetal ontogeny and upon regeneration after chemotherapeutic injury. Comprehensive transcriptional characterization by massive parallel RNA sequencing of these cells reveals a phenotypic and molecular similarity to murine type H endothelium and activation of angiocrine factors implicated in hematopoiesis, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) was significantly overexpressed in these endothelial cells and promoted the expansion of distinct subsets of h