Network Game Theory Models of Services and Quality Competition with Applications to Future Internet Architectures and Supply Chains

The Internet has transformed the way in which we conduct business and perform economic and financial transactions. One key challenge of the Internet is the inefficiency of the mechanisms by which technology is deployed and the business and economic models surrounding these processes (Wolf et al. (2014)). Equilibrium models for the Internet generally assume basic economic relationships. However, in new paradigms for the Internet and in supply chain networks, price is not the only factor; quality of service (QoS) is also of increasing importance. Supply chains networks, which give us the means to manufacture products and deliver them to points of demand across the globe, are also under many pressures to offer differentiated products and services (Nagurney (2014)). It is well-known today that success is determined by how well the entire supply chain performs, rather than the performance of its individual entities. This dissertation contributes to the analysis, design, and management of the future Internet and supply chain networks with a focus on price and quality competition in service-oriented networks. Specifically, I focus on economic models for the Internet of the future by developing both a basic and a general network economic game theory model of a quality-based service-oriented Internet to study competition among service providers. To study and analyze the underlying dynamics of the various economic decision-makers, subsequently, I develop a dynamic network economic model of a service-oriented Internet with price and quality competition using projected dynamical systems theory. Then, to assess the prices for various contract durations at the demand markets, I consider a game theory model of a service-oriented Internet in which the network providers compete in usage service rates, quality levels, and duration-based contracts. Finally, I construct a model that captures the competition among manufacturers and freight service providers in a supply chain network. This model is the first one in the literature that handles both price and quality competition with multiple modes of shipment from both equilibrium and dynamic perspectives. For each model, I derive the governing equilibrium conditions and provide the equivalent variational inequality formulations. In order to illustrate the modeling framework and the algorithm, I present computed solutions to several numerical examples for each model as well as sensitivity analysis results. This dissertation is heavily based on the following papers: Saberi, Nagurney, and Wolf (2014), Nagurney et al. (2014a), Nagurney et al. (2015b), and Nagurney et al. (2015a) as well as additional results and conclusions

Analysis of challenges of digital service enabled by big data analytics technologies using a new integrated multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method

[EN] The digitalization of services and products is an approach adopted by modern companies to produce value. The key to success is knowing what your customers are saying about your company by compiling data in many aspects and reviewing the digital content collected from digitally enabled services. On the other hand, text review is a highly subjective task. The raw data has complex features, making analyzing the data on digital services a very complex and intriguing problem. This study collects the main challenges of digitally enabled services to offer an inclusive framework and describes the framework's potential in dealing with application-specific challenges. This study aims to suggest a data-driven decision-making model using the “intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs)”, “method based on the removal effects of criteria (MEREC)”, “rank sum (RS), and the “multi-attribute multi-objective optimization with ratio analysis (MULTIMOORA)” approaches. The IFMEREC-RS tool computes the weights of the digital service challenges that big data analytics technologies enable and the IF-MULTIMOORA method prioritizes the technologies to assess the challenges. Then, an integrated decision-making framework is developed to investigate these challenges' subjective and objective weights using expert opinion. Using big data analytics, the proposed model can assess the preferences of technologies over different challenges.This study was supported by the research projects “FMNet: A network for rapid execution for scaling production of needed designs” funded by NSF grant : 2036917 and “MA Manufacturing Emergency Response Team (MERT) 2.0” project funded by EDA grant: 01-79Saberi, S.; Mardani, A. (2023). Analysis of challenges of digital service enabled by big data analytics technologies using a new integrated multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 9-16. https://doi.org/10.4995/CARMA2023.2023.1644591

A comparison on the capabilities of Malaysian SMEs with different equity structure in implementing advanced manufacturing technologies

The principal ownership of firms by equity structure or country reflects the differences in management styles and practices. Based on a “culture” of origin, many researchers have argued that national culture and different equity structure have an impact on management strategies and practices. In Malaysia, different equity structure based on the Bumiputra (the people of the land) and non-Bumiputra may have an influence in the implementation process of advanced manufacturing technology. Since the SMEs in Malaysia play a vital role in developing the economy, the use of technologies has been one of the main focuses by the government. Using data collected from 136 manufacturing companies in Malaysia, this paper presents the results of a study on the differences between the Bumiputra and Non-Bumiputra SMEs implementing Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT). The survey results showed that although the Bumiputra scored better in its organizational structure planning, provisions and training, it has less number of AMTs, mostly stand alone compared to the non-Bumiputra companies. However, both group of companies focused on short term solutions, rather than planning for the future with the AMTs they implemented. Also, the results indicated that the changes in nonBumiputra can be significantly correlated with AMT, but not so in the case of Bumiputra companies. Based on indices developed for organizational (O) requirements (culture, structure, workers skill) and technology (T) (integration of functions using computer, levels of computer usage), the fit between organization and technology was determined by regression analysis and compared between the two groups. The O-T map showed that most of the Bumiputra companies were in the stage 1 of technology implementation (stand-alone technology), while non-Bumiputra companies lie in stage 2 (having ‘Islands’ of automation). The R-squared value for the non-Bumiputra companies (0.4584) is much higher than the Bumiputra companies (0.2516) indicating that the non-Bumiputra companies has a higher fit between organization and technology. A fit between technology and organization has been shown by many researches as having positive contributions from AMT implementation. The results of the study have provided a better understanding of the underlying factors in these companies in the implementation of technologies, and thus, would enable the government to structure appropriate policies and programs for each group

Analysis of methylation and mRNA expression status of FADD and FAS genes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Apoptosis is an important mechanism that is responsible for the physiological deletion of harmful, damaged, or unwanted cells. Changed expression of apoptosis-related genes may lead to abnormal cell proliferation and finally to tumorigenesis. Our aims were to analyze the promoter methylation and gene expression profiles of FADD and FAS genes in risk of OSCC. Material and Methods: we analyze the promoter methylation status of FADD and FAS genes using Methylation - Specific PCR (MSP) in 86 OSCC tissues were kept in paraffin and 68 normal oral tissues applied as control. Also, FADD and FAS genes expression were analyzed in 19 cases and 20 normal specimens by Real-Time Reverse- Transcripts PCR. Results: Aberrant promoter methylation of FADD and FAS genes were detected in 12.79 % (11 of 86) and 60.46 % (52 of 86) of the OSCC cases, respectively, with a significant difference between cases and healthy controls for both FADD and FAS genes ( P <0.001). The gene expression analysis showed statistically significant difference between cases and healthy controls for both FADD ( p <0.02) and FAS ( p <0.007) genes. Conclusions: To the best our knowledge, the data of this study are the first report regarding, the effect of promoter hypermethylation of the FADD and FAS genes in development of OSCC. To confirm the data, it is recommended doing further study in large sample sizes in various genetic populations

Experimental conditions for observation of electron-hole superfluidity in GaAs heterostructures

The experimental parameter ranges needed to generate superfluidity in optical and drag experiments in GaAs double quantum wells are determined, using a formalism that includes self-consistent screening of the Coulomb pairing interaction in the presence of the superfluid. The very different electron and hole masses in GaAs make this a particularly interesting system for superfluidity, with exotic superfluid phases predicted in the BCS-BEC crossover regime. We find that the density and temperature ranges for superfluidity cover the range for which optical experiments have observed indications of superfluidity, but that existing drag experiments lie outside the superfluid range. However we also show that for samples with low mobility with no macroscopically connected superfluidity, if the superfluidity survived in randomly distributed localized pockets, standard quantum capacitance measurements could detect these pockets.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Variation in practice patterns among specialties in the acute management of atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly managed by a variety of specialists. Current guidelines differ in their recommendations leading to uncertainty regarding important clinical decisions. We sought to document practice pattern variation among cardiologists, emergency physicians (EP) and hospitalists at a single academic, tertiary-care center. Methods A survey was created containing seven clinical scenarios of patients presenting with AF. We analyzed respondent choices regarding rate vs rhythm control, thromboembolic treatment and hospitalization strategies. Finally, we contrasted our findings with a comparable Australasian survey to provide an international reference. Results There was a 78% response rate (124 of 158), 37% hospitalists, 31.5% cardiologists, and 31.5% EP. Most respondents chose rate over rhythm control (92.2%; 95% CI, 89.1% - 94.5%) and thromboembolic treatment (67.8%; 95% CI, 63.8% - 71.7%). Compared to both hospitalists and EPs, cardiologists were more likely to choose thromboembolic treatment for new and paroxysmal AF (adjusted OR 2.38; 95% CI, 1.05 - 5.41). They were less likely to favor hospital admission across all types of AF (adjusted OR 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17 - 0.79) but thought cardiology consultation was more important (adjusted OR 1.88, 95% CI, 0.97 - 3.64). Australasian physicians were more aggressive with rhythm control for paroxysmal AF with low CHADS2 score compared to US physicians. Conclusions Significant variation exists among specialties in the management of acute AF, likely reflecting a lack of high quality research to direct the provider. Future studies may help to standardize practice leading to decreased rates of hospitalization and overall cost.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110777/1/12872_2015_Article_9.pd

Effective factors on advanced manufacturing technology implementation performance: a review

This study reviews an extensive body of literature to investigate the factors effective on performance of companies implementing Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT). The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive viewpoint of issues related to successful AMT implementation and offer some directions to managers and investigators to make a company well-prepared to accept technology. The factors are grouped into three categories: technological, organizational and internal/external. The literature showed that in order to have a fruitful result from AMT investment, the organizational structure and culture, operational strategy and human resource should be organized and integrated appropriately with each other to avoid probable barriers and problems. Proposed framework can be used as a guideline for managers and investors in improving their AMT implementation process