Showing papers by "Paris West University Nanterre La Défense published in 2007"
TL;DR: This paper reviews five approaches to informing ABMs, provides a corresponding case study describing the model usage of these approaches, the types of data each approach produces, thetypes of questions those data can answer, and an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of those data for use in an ABM.
Abstract: The use of agent-based models (ABMs) for investigating land-use science questions has been increasing dramatically over the last decade. Modelers have moved from ‘proofs of existence’ toy models to case-specific, multi-scaled, multi-actor, and data-intensive models of land-use and land-cover change. An international workshop, titled ‘Multi-Agent Modeling and Collaborative Planning—Method2Method Workshop’, was held in Bonn in 2005 in order to bring together researchers using different data collection approaches to informing agent-based models. Participants identified a typology of five approaches to empirically inform ABMs for land use science: sample surveys, participant observation, field and laboratory experiments, companion modeling, and GIS and remotely sensed data. This paper reviews these five approaches to informing ABMs, provides a corresponding case study describing the model usage of these approaches, the types of data each approach produces, the types of questions those data can answer, and an ...
324 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a particle system is used to prove both a convergence result with convergence rate and a deviation inequality for solutions of granular media equation when the confinement potential and the interaction potential are no more uniformly convex.
Abstract: We use here a particle system to prove both a convergence result (with convergence rate) and a deviation inequality for solutions of granular media equation when the confinement potential and the interaction potential are no more uniformly convex. The proof of convergence is simpler than the one in Carrillo–McCann–Villani (Rev. Mat. Iberoamericana 19:971–1018, 2003; Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal. 179:217–263, 2006). All the results complete former results of Malrieu (Ann. Appl. Probab. 13:540–560, 2003) in the uniformly convex case. The main tool is an uniform propagation of chaos property and a direct control in Wasserstein distance of solutions starting with different initial measures. The deviation inequality is obtained via a T
1 transportation cost inequality replacing the logarithmic Sobolev inequality which is no more clearly dimension free.
139 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the conditions for the sustainability of a production-consumption system based on the use of an exhaustible natural resource are examined, defined by a set of constraints combining guaranteed consumption and a stock of resources to be preserved at all times.
126 citations
TL;DR: Despite the potential of remote-sensed images and processing techniques for a better knowledge of disease dynamics, an exhaustive analysis of the bibliography shows a generalized use of pre-processed spatial data and low-cost images, resulting in a limited adaptability when addressing biological questions.
102 citations
TL;DR: The causal attribution and psychological balance theories as discussed by the authors were developed out of the ideas and analysis of Heider's The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations (1958c) and the handful of articles preceding it (e.g., Heider, 1944, Heider and Simmel, 1944) provide the cornerstone of research and theory in social perception.
Abstract: Fritz Heider's (1958c) book The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations and the handful of articles preceding it (e.g., Heider, 1944, Heider, 1946; Heider & Simmel, 1944) provide the cornerstone—and a major part of the foundation—of research and theory in social perception. Two very influential theories in social psychology, the causal attribution and psychological balance theories, grew out of the ideas and analysis of this seminal work. Heider himself viewed these developments as one may view a mildly wayward child, with a mixture of pleasure and a sense of regret (Heider, 1983). Heider had considered his ideas to be all of a piece, a relatively unified and coherent theory of social perception. Subsequent researchers had taken smaller bites and developed midrange theories, slightly out of the context of Heider's other ideas. Part of this result may be laid at the feet of Heider himself. None of the articles, and not even the 1958 book, fully developed the ideas, their connections, or his larger vision. Before the publication of his influential book, Heider's best-known papers were two—one on causal attribution (Heider, 1944) and one on balance (Heider, 1954/1958b)—both of which were available in the widely read Tagiuri and Petrullo (1958) volume on person perception.
70 citations
TL;DR: To reduce the HIV epidemic in Cuba, the epidemic among MSM should be addressed and the Cuban policy, based on intensive HIV testing and tracing of partners, may be considered as a possible policy to control HIV/AIDS epidemics in other countries.
Abstract: Background
The Cuban HIV/AIDS epidemic has the lowest prevalence rate of the Caribbean region. The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cuba and to explore the reasons for this low prevalence.
64 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a companion modeling (ComMod) experiment combining role-playing games and multiagent systems was conducted in a community in northern Thailand to support collective learning for adaptive land management.
Abstract: The decentralization of natural resource management provides an opportunity for communities to increase their participation in related decision making. Research should propose adapted methodologies enabling the numerous stakeholders of these complex socioecological settings to define their problems and identify agreed-on solutions. This article presents a companion modeling (ComMod) experiment combining role-playing games and multiagent systems conducted in a community in northern Thailand to support collective learning for adaptive land management. Researchers and local stakeholders collectively built a representation of the situation and used it as a platform to explore scenarios. This ComMod process initially addressed a soil erosion problem. The participants identified the expansion of perennial crops as a promising solution but also raised the problem of the unequal ability among villagers to invest in such crops. The researchers flexibly adapted the simulation tools to the emerging matter. The authors assess the learning effects of this experiment and identify two favoring factors: the increasing participation of local stakeholders and a flexible and adaptive modeling process suited to learning, which by nature is an evolving process. But to ensure sustainable impacts for the communities, stronger links with higher institutional levels are needed.
57 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the cost of trading large capitalization equities on the hybrid order-driven segment of the London Stock Exchange and the centralised electronic order book of Euronext.
Abstract: This article compares the cost of trading large capitalisation equities on the hybrid order-driven segment of the London Stock Exchange and the centralised electronic order book of Euronext. Using samples of stocks matched according to economic sector, free float capitalisation, and trading volume, our study shows that transaction costs are lower on the centralised order book than on the hybrid order book. The presence of dealers outside the electronic order book favours the frequency of large trades, but is associated with higher execution costs for all other trades and higher adverse selection and inventory costs inside the order book.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a thermodynamic analysis of a low temperature Stirling engine at steady state operation; energy, entropy and exergy balances were presented at each main element of the engine.
Abstract: In the current energy economy context, the use of renewable energies and the valuation of lost energies are the subject of many studies. From this point of view, the Stirling engine draws attention of the researchers for its many advantages. This paper presents a thermodynamic analysis of a low temperature Stirling engine at steady state operation; energy, entropy and exergy balances being presented at each main element of the engine. A zero dimensional numerical model describing the variables evolution (pressure, volumes, masses, exchanged energies, irreversibilities...) as function of the crankshaft angle is also presented. The calculated irreversibilities are due to imperfect regeneration and temperature differences between gas and wall in the hot and cold exchangers. A favourable comparison was made with experimental results obtained on an small size engine.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an original modifiability, not reducible to the single operation of writing, is initiated from the beginning as well and called this modifability "plasticity".
Abstract: The word “grammatology” literally signifies the “science of writing.” One must acknowledge, however, that this science has never existed. Derrida's book Of Grammatology proposes to elaborate and to implement just such a project. Why has this grammatological project never been accomplished? For Derrida, “writing”1 can no longer simply designate a technique for the notation of speech. A distinction should be made, then, between “narrow” and “enlarged” meanings of writing. Indeed, is the extension of the concept of writing the work of writing itself or must one suppose that the “modifiability” of the concept is not of the order of writing? This essay will propose that an original modifiability, not reducible to the single operation of writing, is initiated from the beginning as well. I call this modifiability “plasticity.” “Plasticity of writing” would then be the paradox inherent in the redefinition of writing itself that may explain the “failure” of any “grammatology.”
38 citations
TL;DR: Ane et al. as discussed by the authors presented new Poisson-type deviation inequalities for continuous-time Markov chains whose Wasserstein curvature or Γ-curvature is bounded below.
Abstract: In this paper, we present new Poisson-type deviation inequalities for continuous-time Markov chains whose Wasserstein curvature or Γ-curvature is bounded below. Although these two curvatures are equivalent for Brownian motion on Riemannian manifolds, they are not comparable in discrete settings and yield different deviation bounds. In the case of birth–death processes, we provide some conditions on the transition rates of the associated generator for such curvatures to be bounded below and we extend the deviation inequalities established [Ane, C. and Ledoux, M. On logarithmic Sobolev inequalities for continuous time random walks on graphs. Probab. Theory Related Fields 116 (2000) 573–602] for continuous-time random walks, seen as models in null curvature. Some applications of these tail estimates are given for Brownian-driven Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes and M/M/1 queues.
TL;DR: In this article, a weak form of logarithmic Sobolev inequalities is introduced and studied in connection with various other functional inequalities (weak Poincare inequalities, general Beckner inequalities, etc.).
Abstract: In this paper we introduce and study a weakened form of logarithmic Sobolev inequalities in connection with various others functional inequalities (weak Poincare inequalities, general Beckner inequalities...). We also discuss the quantitative behaviour of relative entropy along a symmetric diffusion semi-group. In particular, we exhibit an example where Poincare inequality can not be used for deriving entropic convergence whence weak logarithmic Sobolev inequality ensures the result.
TL;DR: In this article, the daily price fundamentals of European Union Allowances (EUAs) traded since 2005 as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are analyzed. And the results extend previous literature by showing that spot prices react not only to other energy markets and temperatures, but also to economic activity within the main sectors covered by the EU ETS such as proxied by sectoral production indices.
Abstract: This article aims at characterizing the daily price fundamentals of
European Union Allowances (EUAs) traded since 2005 as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). First, the presence of two structural
changes on April, 2006 following the disclosure of 2005 veri?ed emissions
and on October, 2006 following the European Commission announcement
of stricter Phase II allocation allow to isolate distinct fundamentals evolv-
ing overtime. The results extend previous literature by showing that spot prices react not only to other energy markets and temperatures, but also
to economic activity within the main sectors covered by the EU ETS such as proxied by sectoral production indices. Besides, the sub-period decomposition of the pilot phase gives a better grasp of institutional and market
events that drive allowance price changes.
TL;DR: The conceptual reasoning behind the construction of the survey sample is described and it is shown that it can be advantageous to choose clusters using reasoned hypotheses, based on both probability and geographical approaches, in contrast to a conventional, random cluster selection strategy.
Abstract: Geographical objectives and probabilistic methods are difficult to reconcile in a unique health survey. Probabilistic methods focus on individuals to provide estimates of a variable's prevalence with a certain precision, while geographical approaches emphasise the selection of specific areas to study interactions between spatial characteristics and health outcomes. A sample selected from a small number of specific areas creates statistical challenges: the observations are not independent at the local level, and this results in poor statistical validity at the global level. Therefore, it is difficult to construct a sample that is appropriate for both geographical and probability methods. We used a two-stage selection procedure with a first non-random stage of selection of clusters. Instead of randomly selecting clusters, we deliberately chose a group of clusters, which as a whole would contain all the variation in health measures in the population. As there was no health information available before the survey, we selected a priori determinants that can influence the spatial homogeneity of the health characteristics. This method yields a distribution of variables in the sample that closely resembles that in the overall population, something that cannot be guaranteed with randomly-selected clusters, especially if the number of selected clusters is small. In this way, we were able to survey specific areas while minimising design effects and maximising statistical precision. We applied this strategy in a health survey carried out in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic. We selected well-known health determinants with unequal spatial distribution within the city: nationality and literacy. We deliberately selected a combination of clusters whose distribution of nationality and literacy is similar to the distribution in the general population. This paper describes the conceptual reasoning behind the construction of the survey sample and shows that it can be advantageous to choose clusters using reasoned hypotheses, based on both probability and geographical approaches, in contrast to a conventional, random cluster selection strategy.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the result of validation of the questionnaire Emotionnalite positive and negative (EPN-31) dans a population francaise de patients psychiatriques.
Abstract: Resume Cet article presente les resultats d’une premiere etude de validation du questionnaire Emotionnalite positive et negative (EPN-31) dans une population francaise de patients psychiatriques. Il s’agit d’une echelle d’analyse emotionnelle adaptee par Rolland sur la base des travaux de Diener et du modele « tripartite » des emotions de Watson et Clark. Trois scores principaux sont fournis par ce questionnaire : les emotions positives, les emotions negatives et les emotions de surprise. Six sous-scores peuvent egalement etre calcules. Un groupe de 400 patients psychiatriques a rempli l’EPN-31 et a ete evalue par ailleurs a l’aide de l’echelle HAD (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale). Une analyse en composantes principales (ACP) a ete effectuee, de meme que des analyses de consistance interne et de validation concourante. L’ACP identifie une structure a trois facteurs correspondant, apres rotation orthogonale Varimax, aux emotions negatives (F1), aux emotions positives (F2) et aux emotions de surprise (F3). Les coefficients de consistance interne varient entre 0,80 et 0,95 pour les trois scores principaux, et entre 0,72 et 0,90 pour les six sous-scores. Le score d’emotions positives est correle negativement a la severite des symptomes depressifs, et le score d’emotions negatives est correle positivement a la severite des symptomes anxieux et depressifs. Le score de surprise parait moins robuste. En conclusion, cette premiere etude de l’EPN-31 confirme la validite et l’interet de cet instrument de mesure des emotions en psychiatrie.
TL;DR: The proposed algorithm for the detection of small objects in a noisy background is proposed and the theoretical expressions of the HOS estimators in the case of a Weibull distribution are derived, which enables the application of the proposed technique to the processing of synthetic aperture sonar data containing underwater mines whose echoes have to be detected and located.
Abstract: An original algorithm for the detection of small objects in a noisy background is proposed. Its application to underwater objects detection by sonar imaging is addressed. This new method is based on the use of higher-order statistics (HOS) that are locally estimated on the images. The proposed algorithm is divided into two steps. In a first step, HOS (skewness and kurtosis) are estimated locally using a square sliding computation window. Small deterministic objects have different statistical properties from the background they are thus highlighted. The influence of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the results is studied in the case of Gaussian noise. Mathematical expressions of the estimators and of the expected performances are derived and are experimentally confirmed. In a second step, the results are focused by a matched filter using a theoretical model. This enables the precise localization of the regions of interest. The proposed method generalizes to other statistical distributions and we derive the theoretical expressions of the HOS estimators in the case of a Weibull distribution (both when only noise is present or when a small deterministic object is present within the filtering window). This enables the application of the proposed technique to the processing of synthetic aperture sonar data containing underwater mines whose echoes have to be detected and located. Results on real data sets are presented and quantitatively evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a set of quatre-vingts localites paleolithiques in the bassin de Bose (ou Baise), dans l’ouest de la region autonome du Guangxi, en Chine du Sud.
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of a comparative techno-economic study of four rich and well-preserved Early Oldowan, oldowan, early Acheulean, and Acheulesan lithic assemblages from a recently investigated region of East Africa, the Nachukui Formation west of Lake Turkana, Kenya.
Abstract: In the past few years, an increasing number of discoveries of Early Stone Age sites in East Africa revealed a more complex picture of early hominins behaviors than had been documented before. However, evidence of technological elaboration and abilities among our early ancestors remains limited, and the nature of the technical change during African Lower Paleolithic is still poorly documented. This paper presents the results of a comparative techno-economic study of four rich and well-preserved Early Oldowan, Oldowan, Early Acheulean, and Acheulean lithic assemblages from a recently investigated region of East Africa, the Nachukui Formation west of Lake Turkana, Kenya. This study, spanning a wide chronological period ranging from 2.34 to 0.70 Ma, documents the antiquity of raw material provisioning strategies in very early chronological contexts in highlighting the existence for raw material selectivity and technological planning as early as 2.34 Ma. The comparative analysis demonstrates diachronic differences in patterns of resource use between the sites from the Late Pliocene, the Early Pleistocene, and the very beginning of the Middle Pleistocene. These differences are related to an improvement in technical skills throughout the Plio-Pleistocene rather than to variations in resource availability.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report an unusual presentation and complication of caustic ingestion in a patient, who accidentally ingested sodium hydroxide and developed necrotizing esophagitis with progression to esophageal stenosis, which required surgical treatment.
Abstract: Caustic substances cause tissue destruction through liquefaction or coagulation reactions and the intensity of destruction depends on the type, concentration, time of contact and amount of the substance ingested. We report an unusual presentation and complication of caustic ingestion in a patient, who accidentally ingested sodium hydroxide. Our patient presented respiratory failure soon after admission and developed necrotizing esophagitis with progression to esophageal stenosis, which required surgical treatment. The complications were related to the amount of caustic soda ingested.
TL;DR: The behaviour of male domestic canaries, Serinus canaria, is observed during competition for food with rivals they had or had not previously observed in dyadic contests, where males responded differentially to winners and losers of agonistic interactions they had witnessed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used copulation solicitation displays as a preference index to evaluate whether modifying the frequency range of male song enhances female canary preferences, and they used the most well-known type of song emitted by male canaries called "sexy" phrases.
Abstract: In many species, females show preferences for male vocalizations emitted at low-pitched frequencies. This acoustic parameter seems to be a reliable indicator of male quality. This study aims to evaluate whether modifying the frequency range of male song enhances female canary preferences. To do so, we used the most well-known type of song emitted by male canaries called 'sexy' phrases. These phrases are composed of two-note syllables emitted at a high-speed rhythm with a large frequency bandwidth. Two experiments were carried out, both using copulation solicitation displays as a preference index. In the first experiment, the frequency levels of sexy phrases were modified and female preferences for high, normal or low-pitched frequencies were tested. In the second experiment, only frequency levels of notes that immediately precede and follow the sexy phrases were changed in order to verify if the contrast between the frequency of sexy phrases and of surrounding notes influences female response. Moreover, to evaluate female predispositions and the influence of learning on these predispositions, we tested and compared females reared in acoustic isolation and females reared with singing males. Our study reveals that both groups of females prefer sexy phrases emitted at normal and low frequencies. These results let us suppose that learning helps to maintain present predispositions. The second experiment shows that there is no influence of the frequency contrast between sexy phrases and surrounding notes on these preferences in either group.
TL;DR: The authors investigated whether comparative optimism or CO (i.e. general tendency to believe that negative events are less likely to others than for self) is a compatible clue or not with adoption of preventive behaviours.
Abstract: The aim was to investigate whether comparative optimism or CO (i.e. general tendency to believe that negative events are less likely to others than for self) is a compatible clue or not with adoption of preventive behaviours. Sixty-three smokers have read one and five prevention messages followed by recommendations. Presence or non-appearance of pictures (vividness) and positive or negative framing were manipulated. Five illustrated (high vividness) messages and positively framed messages showed CP (health risks were more likely for self than for others), whereas the same messages without pictures (low vividness) generated CO. Presenting five messages strengthened the relationship between CO (or CP), and behavioural intention. Presenting a single message triggered negative affects whereas five messages elicited coping response highly correlated to CO (or CP). It is valuable to present positively framed messages five times to enhance their efficacy. The role of CO within tobacco prevention is discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify a long silence in the social sciences: mass murder has become a legitimate field of social scientific study only recently; it also has the advantage of exposing the shortcomings of many concepts.
Abstract: How do we think about mass murder? While the principle of responsibility provides an effective mechanism for the repression of mass murder (notably through Article 25 ICCSt.), analysis of the acting out of mass murder by perpetrators requires a criminological perspective. Analysis of criminogenic processes, and of genocidal logic, helps us go some way in understanding how perpetrators act out mass murder. Such an approach also leads us to identify a long silence in the social sciences: mass murder has become a legitimate field of social scientific study only recently; it also has the advantage of exposing the shortcomings of many concepts. This article deals with works focusing on mass murder and suggests new research paths in the social sciences.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the effect of expertise in haptic exploration and perception of the raised line materials on blind people's spatial imagery and found that the early blind experts performed even better than the late blind non-experts.
Abstract: In their specialized schooling, blind children are now frequently presented with raised line figures and maps. However, there is still much to do in evaluating the cognitive effects of training using these displays. The purpose of this research is to determine if the level of expertise in the haptic exploration, and the perception of the raised line materials, may enhance blind people’s spatial imagery. We have observed that in all the tasks in this study (mental rotation, mental spatial displacement and estimation of length tasks) the congenitally blind experts performed better than the early and late blind non‐experts, and that the early blind experts performed even better than the late blind non‐experts. These observations suggest that a high level of expertise in congenitally and early blind people may compensate for the impairment in spatial representation often resulting from lack of visual experience.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the pattern and systematic tendencies of clustering in CAC 40 index option transaction prices during the period 1997 to 1999 and found that option prices are 90% more likely to end with the digit 0 (multiples of 10) than with digit 5.
Abstract: We examine in details the pattern and systematic tendencies of clustering in CAC 40 index option transaction prices during the period 1997 to 1999. Similar to extant studies in many financial markets, there is evidence of strong clustering at full index points and option prices are 90% more likely to end with the digit 0 (multiples of 10) than with the digit 5. While the 1999 contract downsizing led to some reduction in clustering at full index point, the basic pattern of clustering remains intact. The pattern of clustering rejects the attraction theory, but is consistent with the notion of cost recovery by market makers. We find important drivers for CAC 40 index option price clustering, namely, the level of option premium, option volume and underlying asset volatility. Higher premium level, higher asset volatility and lower volume are seen to increase option price clustering. We also observe a U-shaped pattern of clustering on an intra-day and intra-year basis. The option premium and volatility effects ...
TL;DR: A central feature of imperialism in the neoliberal era is U.S. hegemony, a country which is draining huge flows of income from the rest of the world as mentioned in this paper, however, this domination is, however, undermined by increasing external disequilibria, the expression of an extraordinary wave of consumption from households.
Abstract: Neoliberalism is a new phase of capitalism which was asserted at the beginning of the 1980s. Considering its more general features as in the United States and Europe, it can be characterized by: a more favorable dynamic of technical change and profitability, the creation of income flows to the benefit of the most accommodated classes of the population, and diminished rates of accumulation. A central feature of imperialism in the neoliberal era is U.S. hegemony, a country which is draining huge flows of income from the rest of the world. This domination is, however, undermined by increasing external disequilibria, the expression of an extraordinary wave of consumption from households.
TL;DR: The concept de dependance a l'exercice physique (EDS-R) as mentioned in this paper was proposed by an ensemble of auteurs, who envisaged les aspects negatifs of this pratique and denomme ce phenomene.
Abstract: Resume La pratique reguliere d'une activite physique est ordinairement envisagee dans la perspective des consequences favorables qui peuvent en resulter. Cette perspective tend a ignorer les aspects negatifs de l'exercice physique intense. Un ensemble d'auteurs envisage les aspects negatifs de cette pratique et denomme ce phenomene : dependance a l'exercice physique. Il existe des divergences dans la definition ainsi que dans l'operationnalisation du concept de dependance a l'exercice physique. L'utilisation d'outils de mesure non valides a contribue a la confusion dans ce champ. Parmi la dizaine d'instruments de mesure disponibles, une echelle a retenu notre attention, il s'agit de l'echelle de dependance a l'exercice physique (EDS-R) qui possede des qualites psychometriques satisfaisantes.
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this article, the negative aspects of the regular practice of physical exercises are considered from the point of view of the favorable consequences which can result from it, leaving aside negative aspects when it is very intense in particular.
Abstract: The regular practice of physical exercises is generally considered from the point of view of the favorable consequences which can result from it. This prospect tends to leave aside negative aspects of this practice when it is very intense in particular. Some authors consider the negatives aspects of this practice and name this phenomenon: exercise dependence. There are divergences in the definition as well as in the operationnalisation of the concept of exercise dependence. The use of non-valid measuring instru
TL;DR: In this article, a path decomposition at the infimum for positive self-similar Markov processes (pssMp) is obtained, and several aspects of the conditioning to hit 0 of a pssMp are studied.