Global Sensitivity Analysis Applied to a Contamination Assessment Model of Listeria monocytogenes in Cold Smoked Salmon at Consumption

In this study, a variance‐based global sensitivity analysis method was first applied to a contamination assessment model of Listeria monocytogenes in cold smoked vacuum packed salmon at consumption. The impact of the choice of the modeling approach (populational or cellular) of the primary and secondary models as well as the effect of their associated input factors on the final contamination level was investigated. Results provided a subset of important factors, including the food water activity, its storage temperature, and duration in the domestic refrigerator. A refined sensitivity analysis was then performed to rank the important factors, tested over narrower ranges of variation corresponding to their current distributions, using three techniques: ANOVA, Spearman correlation coefficient, and partial least squares regression. Finally, the refined sensitivity analysis was used to rank the important factors.     

Wilks’ factorization of the matrix-variate Dirichlet–Riesz distributions

The Riesz distributions on positive definite symmetric matrices are used to introduce a class of Dirichlet–Riesz distributions. In addition, several distributional properties are stated. Essentially, we show the relationship between the Dirichlet–Riesz distributions of the first kind and the second kind, respectively. We derive Wilks’ factorization of the matrix-variate Dirichlet–Riesz. Further, several results on the product of Riesz and beta–Riesz matrices with a set of Dirichlet–Riesz matrices of the first kind have been derived.     

The effect of computer intervention and task structure on bargaining outcome

This paper reports on a study that examined the impact of computer presentation of suggested solutions during negotiation, in bargaining situations that can be characterized as integrative or distributive. It was found that in the integrative task, the bargainers achieved higher joint outcomes when presented with suggestions. They had a more negative perception of the negotiation atmosphere, however. In the distributive task, the suggestions did not help achieve joint gains, but it lessened negative attitudes of the bargainers. Bargainers who received suggestions felt both they and their partner had been somewhat more flexible, cooperative, considerate, and less suspicious. Thus, regardless of negotiation situation, the suggestions resulted in some benefit to the negotiators.     

Assigning Students to Groups: A Multi-Criteria Decision Support System Approach*

MCADSS is a multi-criteria allocation decision support system for assisting in the task of allocating students to groups. Based on multiple criteria, MCADSS's goal is to maximize the diversity of members within groups, while minimizing the average differences between groups. The project may be viewed from several perspectives: as a multi-criteria decision-making problem, as a “reverse'’clustering problem, or as a personnel assignment problem. The system is currently being used to allocate M.B.A. students into sections and study teams at The European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD). This paper describes the rationale for MCADSS, design criteria, system methodology, and application results. It also suggests how this approach could be used for further applications.     

From susceptibility to frailty in social networks: The case of obesity

The obesity pandemic is represented by a discrete-time Hopfield Boolean network embedded in continuous-time population dynamics. The influence of the social environment passes through a system of differential equations, whereby obesity spreads by imitation of the most influential neighbors, those who have the highest centrality indices in the network. This property is called “homophily.” Susceptibility and frailty are redefined using network properties. Projections of the spread of obesity are validated on data collected in a French high school.