A model of influence with an ordered set of possible actions

In the article, a yes–no model of influence is generalized to a multi-choice framework. We introduce and study the weighted influence indices of a coalition on a player in a social network where the players have an ordered set of possible actions. Each player has an inclination to choose one of the actions. Due to the mutual influence among players, the final decision of each player may be different from his original inclination. In a particular case, the decision of the player is closer to the inclination of the influencing coalition than his inclination was, i.e., the distance between the inclinations of the player and of the coalition is greater than the distance between the decision of the player and the inclination of the coalition in question. The weighted influence index which captures such a case is called the weighted positive influence index. We also consider the weighted negative influence index where the final decision of the player goes farther away from the inclination of the coalition. We consider several influence functions defined in the generalized model of influence and study their properties. The concept of a follower of a given coalition and its particular case, a perfect follower, are defined. The properties of the set of followers are analyzed.     

部落游牧性

与建立在独立个人契约联合基础上的、在近现代期间占有统治地位的社会组织相反,在当前,我们看到了原始型的(即古老的)形式的返回,它与原始社会的游牧生活和部落制重新连结。应当注意的是,这种返回并非是以一种循环的方式进行,而是螺旋形;这是因为它同时结合了传统的形式(部落)和技术的发展(互联网)。在这样的意义上,与马克斯.韦伯告诉我们的"世界的除魅"相反,我们看到一个真实的"世界的复魅"的诞生。     

Influence of testosterone substitution on glycemic control and endothelial markers in men with newly diagnosed functional hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Effects of testosterone (T) on the cardiovascular system of men remain controversial. The impact of T-replacement therapy (TRT) in men with functional hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has to be elucidated. This study included 80 men (mean age 51.5?±?6.3 years) with newly diagnosed T2DM (according to ADA criteria) and functional hypogonadism (according to EAU criteria). Randomization: Group1 (n?=?40): TRT using 1%-transdermal T-gel (50?mg/day), Group2 (n?=?40) no TRT (controls). Dietary treatment applied to both. Parameters at baseline/after 9?months: anthropometric parameters, lipids and indicators of carbohydrate metabolism (fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR), markers of adipose tissue and EnD (leptin, resistin, p- and e-selectin, ICAM- 1, VCAM- 1 and CRP). ANCOVA for repeated measurements revealed TRT to cause a significant decrease in waist circumference (WC), HOMA-IR and HbA1c vs controls (p?<?.001, p?=?.002, p?=?.004, respectively). Leptin declined in subjects receiving TRT vs controls (p?=?.04). Concentrations of resistin, ICAM-1, p-selectin and CRP decreased significantly vs controls (all p?<?.001); no effects for e-selectin and VCAM-1. Advanced age attenuated effects, higher delta testosterone levels augmented effects. Decrement of WC was related to decreasing markers of adipose tissue secretion/EnD. TRT in men with functional hypogonadism and T2DM improved carbohydrate metabolism and markers of endothelial dysfunction.     

Polygyny and Fertility Among the Sereer of Senegal

The population laboratory of Ngayokhème, in Senegal, has been observed longitudinally since 1962. Information on marital status at the time of birth (rather than at the time of a survey) is used to examine the effect of polygyny on fertility. Although plural marriages are less fertile and the rank order of the wife has an effect, the mechanism appears to operate through the age difference of the spouses and the greater likelihood of temporary separate residence in the case of polygynous marriages. An examination of birth intervals suggests that the lower fecundity of older men, rather than a reduction of the frequency of intercourse, is the main factor. However, there is little relation between the fertility of different wives of the same polygynists.     

Eine neue Methode zur Untersuchung von Mikroprozessen in Lerndyaden: Eine Videostudie unter Berücksichtigung von kognitiven Grundfähigkeiten und Zielorientierungen

The study at present uses a new video method with individual audio tracks to investigate micro processes within learning in a simulation based learning setting. Visible and listenable behaviour was coded with regard to peer tutoring and problem solving. The frequencies and durations of these categories were summarized and used as dependent variables in regression models with cognitive abilities and goal orientations as predictors. Results showed that variation in the dyadic interactional behaviour was systematically related to these properties of the partners. For example, while overt problem solving behaviour is related to goal orientations there was no such effect for the cognitive abilities. Implications for the composition of dyadic learning groups and for further video study arrangements applying the new method will be discussed.     

Linear programming and financial cost models for industrial enterprises

Linear programming models of complex interrelated manufacturing enterprises have improved production planning decisions. With a linear programming formulation, the planning engineer concerned with specifying levels of production activity need not be concerned with cost accounting formulations of product costs to make his production decisions. He is only concerned with examining alternative production activities in terms of the added production costs the activity incurs, and the amount of product that is fed or consumed. The financial analyst, however, is concerned with development of budgetted average product costs. He must roll the costs of feed and intermediate products down to the final stage products. This paper bridges these two interests by demonstrating a methodology for the direct translation of the solution of the linear programming model to the development of rolled product standard costs.