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1
Egginton, Robert. "Predicting and Learning the Behaviour of Intelligent Agents." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.521100.
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2
Walker, Tom. "Moral agents : our inbuilt capacity for unselfish behaviour." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.422644.
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3
Shearer, John. "Persuasive interactive non-verbal behaviour in embodied conversational agents." Thesis, Newcastle upon Tyne : University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/791.
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4
Kamyab, Tehrani Kaveh Richard. "Effective delivery of believable behaviour for embodied conversational agents." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/8286.
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5
Jaafar, Jafreezal. "Reactive behaviour for autonomous virtual agents using fuzzy logic." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/8317.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
One of the fundamental aspects of a virtual environment is the virtual agents that inhabit them. In many applications, virtual agents are required to perceive input information from their environment and make decisions appropriate to their task based on their programmed reaction to those inputs. The research presented in this thesis focuses on the reactive behaviour of the agents. We propose a new control architecture to allow agents to behave autonomously in navigation tasks in unknown environments. Our behaviour-based architecture uses fuzzy logic to solve problems of agent control and action selection and which can coordinate conflicts among different operations of reactive behaviours. A Fuzzy Associative Memory (FAM) is used as the process of encoding and mapping the input fuzzy sets to the output fuzzy set and to optimise the fuzzy rules. Our action selection algorithm is based on the fuzzy α-level method with the Hurwicz criterion. The main objective of the thesis was to implement agent navigation from point to point by a coordination of planning, sensing and control. However, we believe that the reactive architecture emerging from this research is sufficiently general that it could be applied to many applications in widely differing domains where real-time decision making under uncertainty is required. To illustrate this generality, we show how the architecture is applied to a different domain. We chose the example of a computer game since it clearly demonstrates the attributes of our architecture: real-time action selection and handling uncertainty. Experimental results are presented for both implementations which show how the fuzzy method is applied, its generality and that it is robust enough to handle different uncertainties in different environments. In summary, the proposed reactive architecture is shown to solve aspects of behaviour control for autonomous virtual agents in virtual environments and can be applied to various application domains.
6
Allam, Hossam. "Modelling learning behaviour of intelligent agents using UML 2.0." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/338.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
This thesis aims to explore and demonstrate the ability of the new standard of structural and behavioural components in Unified Modelling Language (UML 2.0 / 2004) to model the learning behaviour of Intelligent Agents. The thesis adopts the research direction that views agent-oriented systems as an extension to object-oriented systems. In view of the fact that UML has been the de facto standard for modelling object-oriented systems, this thesis concentrates on exploring such modelling potential with Intelligent Agent-oriented systems. Intelligent Agents are Agents that have the capability to learn and reach agreement with other Agents or users. The research focuses on modelling the learning behaviour of a single Intelligent Agent, as it is the core of multi-agent systems. During the writing of the thesis, the only work done to use UML 2.0 to model structural components of Agents was from the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agent (FIPA). The research builds upon, explores, and utilises this work and provides further development to model the structural components of learning behaviour of Intelligent Agents. The research also shows the ability of UML version 2.0 behaviour diagrams, namely activity diagrams and sequence diagrams, to model the learning behaviour of Intelligent Agents that use learning from observation and discovery as well as learning from examples of strategies. The research also evaluates if UML 2.0 state machine diagrams can model specific reinforcement learning algorithms, namely dynamic programming, Monte Carlo, and temporal difference algorithms. The thesis includes user guides of UML 2.0 activity, sequence, and state machine diagrams to allow researchers in agent-oriented systems to use the UML 2.0 diagrams in modelling the learning components of Intelligent Agents. The capacity for learning is a crucial feature of Intelligent Agents. The research identifies different learning components required to model the learning behaviour of Intelligent Agents such as learning goals, learning strategies, and learning feedback methods. In recent years, the Agent-oriented research has been geared towards the agency dimension of Intelligent Agents. Thus, there is a need to conduct more research on the intelligence dimension of Intelligent Agents, such as negotiation and argumentation skills. The research shows that behavioural components of UML 2.0 are capable of modelling the learning behaviour of Intelligent Agents while structural components of UML 2.0 need extension to cover structural requirements of Agents and Intelligent Agents. UML 2.0 has an extension mechanism to fulfil Agents and Intelligent Agents for such requirements. This thesis will lead to increasing interest in the intelligence dimension rather than the agency dimension of Intelligent Agents, and pave the way for objectoriented methodologies to shift more easily to paradigms of Intelligent Agent-oriented systems.
7
Gilani, Syed Zafar ul Hussan. "Understanding the behaviour and influence of automated social agents." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2018. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/279022.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Online social networks (OSNs) have seen a remarkable rise in the presence of automated social agents, or social bots. Social bots are the new computing viral, that are surreptitious and clever. What facilitates the creation of social agents is the massive human user-base and business-supportive operating model of social networks. These automated agents are injected by agencies, brands, individuals, and corporations to serve their work and purpose; utilising them for news and emergency communication, marketing, social activism, political campaigning, and even spam and spreading malicious content. Their influence was recently substantiated by coordinated social hacking and computational political propaganda. The thesis of my dissertation argues that automated agents exercise a profound impact on OSNs that transforms into an array of influence on our society and systems. However, latent or veiled, these agents can be successfully detected through measurement, feature extraction and finely tuned supervised learning models. The various types of automated agents can be further unravelled through unsupervised machine learning and natural language processing, to formally inform the populace of their existence and impact.
8
LoÌpez, y. LoÌpez Fabiola. "Social power and norms : impact on agent behaviour." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.273756.
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9
Chin, Chien Ting. "Modelling the behaviour of microbubble contrast agents for diagnostic ultrasound." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/NQ59006.pdf.
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10
Wates, Julia M. "Solution behaviour of cationic surfactants relevant to industrial applications." Thesis, University of Salford, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.258424.
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11
Ford, Christopher Colin. "Blinking in human communicative behaviour and its reproduction in artificial agents." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/3197.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
A significant year-on-year rise in the creation and sales of personal and domestic robotic systems and the development of online embodied communicative agents (ECAs) has in parallel seen an increase in end-users from the public domain interacting with these systems. A number of these robotic/ECA systems are defined as social, whereby they are physically designed to resemble the bodily structure of a human and behaviorally designed to exist within human social surroundings. Their behavioural design is especially important with respect to communication as it is commonly stated that for any social robotic/ECA system to be truly useful within its role, it will need to be able to effectively communicate with its human users. Currently however, the act of a human user instructing a social robotic/ECA system to perform a task highlights many areas of contention in human communication understanding. Commonly, social robotic/ECA systems are embedded with either non-human-like communication interfaces or deficient imitative human communication interfaces, neither of which reach the levels of communicative interaction expected by human users, leading to communication difficulties which in turn create negative association with the social robotic/ECA system in its users. These communication issues lead to a strong requirement for the development of more effective imitative human communication behaviours within these systems. This thesis presents findings from our research into human non-verbal facial behaviour in communication. The objective of the work was to improve communication grounding between social robotic/ECA systems and their human users through the conceptual design of a computational system of human non-verbal facial behaviour (which in human-human communicative behaviour is shown to carry in the range of 55% of the intended semantic meaning of a transferred message) and the development of a highly accurate computational model of human blink behaviour and a computational model of physiological saccadic eye movement in human-human communication, enriching the human-like properties of the facial non-verbal communicative feedback expressed by the social robotic/ECA system. An enhanced level of interaction would likely be achieved, leading to increased empathic response from the user and an improved chance of a satisfactory communicative conclusion to a user’s task requirement instructions. The initial focus of the work was in the capture, transcription and analysis of common human non-verbal facial behavioural traits within human-human communication, linked to the expression of mental communicative states of understanding, uncertainty, misunderstanding and thought. Facial Non-Verbal behaviour data was collected and transcribed from twelve participants (six female) through a dialogue-based communicative interaction. A further focus was the analysis of blink co-occurrence with other traits of human-human communicative non-verbal facial behaviour and the capture of saccadic eye movement at common proxemic distances. From these data analysis tasks, the computational models of human blink behaviour and saccadic eye movement behaviour whilst listening / speaking within human-human communication were designed and then implemented within the LightHead social robotic system. Human-based studies on the perception of naïve users of the imitative probabilistic computational blink model performance on the LightHead robotic system are presented and the results discussed. The thesis concludes on the impact of the work along with suggestions for further studies towards the improvement of the important task of achieving seamless interactive communication between social robotic/ECA systems and their human users.
12
Chibaya, Colin. "An investigation into XSets of primitive behaviours for emergent behaviour in stigmergic and message passing antlike agents." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012965.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Ants are fascinating creatures - not so much because they are intelligent on their own, but because as a group they display compelling emergent behaviour (the extent to which one observes features in a swarm which cannot be traced back to the actions of swarm members). What does each swarm member do which allows deliberate engineering of emergent behaviour? We investigate the development of a language for programming swarms of ant agents towards desired emergent behaviour. Five aspects of stigmergic (pheromone sensitive computational devices in which a non-symbolic form of communication that is indirectly mediated via the environment arises) and message passing ant agents (computational devices which rely on implicit communication spaces in which direction vectors are shared one-on-one) are studied. First, we investigate the primitive behaviours which characterize ant agents' discrete actions at individual levels. Ten such primitive behaviours are identified as candidate building blocks of the ant agent language sought. We then study mechanisms in which primitive behaviours are put together into XSets (collection of primitive behaviours, parameter values, and meta information which spells out how and when primitive behaviours are used). Various permutations of XSets are possible which define the search space for best performer XSets for particular tasks. Genetic programming principles are proposed as a search strategy for best performer XSets that would allow particular emergent behaviour to occur. XSets in the search space are evolved over various genetic generations and tested for abilities to allow path finding (as proof of concept). XSets are ranked according to the indices of merit (fitness measures which indicate how well XSets allow particular emergent behaviour to occur) they achieve. Best performer XSets for the path finding task are identifed and reported. We validate the results yield when best performer XSets are used with regard to normality, correlation, similarities in variation, and similarities between mean performances over time. Commonly, the simulation results yield pass most statistical tests. The last aspect we study is the application of best performer XSets to different problem tasks. Five experiments are administered in this regard. The first experiment assesses XSets' abilities to allow multiple targets location (ant agents' abilities to locate continuous regions of targets), and found out that best performer XSets are problem independent. However both categories of XSets are sensitive to changes in agent density. We test the influences of individual primitive behaviours and the effects of the sequences of primitive behaviours to the indices of merit of XSets and found out that most primitive behaviours are indispensable, especially when specific sequences are prescribed. The effects of pheromone dissipation to the indices of merit of stigmergic XSets are also scrutinized. Precisely, dissipation is not causal. Rather, it enhances convergence. Overall, this work successfully identify the discrete primitive behaviours of stigmergic and message passing ant-like devices. It successfully put these primitive behaviours together into XSets which characterize a language for programming ant-like devices towards desired emergent behaviour. This XSets approach is a new ant language representation with which a wider domain of emergent tasks can be resolved.
13
Khan, Rabia Fatima. "The effect of embodied agents within the user interface." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2011. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/the-effect-of-embodied-agents-within-the-user-interface(a4194210-be07-45a0-92db-3a60f8b15a6a).html.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The thesis explores the trend in recent years by HCI designers to create an interface which is increasingly more anthropomorphic in nature, due to advances in computer graphics and interface technologies. The thesis has researched the effects of one such manifestation of this anthropomorphic trend on the human user, which embodies the human persona, in the form of embodied agents. The thesis is anchored in the growing area of human-agent interaction studies; and how the agent's appearance in terms of their visual cues (i.e. gender, ethnicity, realism, and attractiveness levels), affects the human user interacting with these artificial entities. The aim of this thesis is to explore how the agents' visual appearance can elicit change in the user's perception and behaviour, in order to improve human-agent design, and the interaction experience for the user. The thesis extends HCI studies investigating the effect of embodied agents, by highlighting the effect of the attractiveness stereotype which can elicit various impressions, stereotypes and behavioural changes within the human user. The thesis results demonstrate that attractive agents were perceived and evaluated more positively, as well being more persuasive than the unattractive agents. Hence, the agents' attractiveness was the main visual cue which played a major role in affecting the participants' opinion and behaviour towards the agents. The thesis advances the current understanding of CASA, by providing evidence to suggest that although users may respond socially to agents; this human-agent experience is not always equal to human-human experience. The thesis concludes by stating that the CASA methodology and Media Equation require some modification and needs to be adapted when applied to human-agent interaction, and especially within the interaction-based context.
14
Fitzgerald, Paul A. "Solution behaviour of polyethylene oxide, nonionic gemini surfactants." Connect to full text, 2002. http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/adt/public_html/adt-NU/public/adt-NU20031219.162500/index.html.
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15
Johansson, Anja. "Modelling Expectations and Trust in Virtual Agents." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Science and Technology, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-9704.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Computer graphics has long been the foremost area of advancement in both the gaming and the motion picture industry. Nowadays, as computer graphics is getting difficult to advance any further, other areas begin to interest the developers. One of these areas is artificial intelligence. The gaming industry has begun to create far more intelligent virtual characters that no longer are as predictable as they used to be. Mixing character animation with intelligent agents techniques results in a vastly more interesting experience for the gamer as well as for the developer.
This project focuses on introducing expectational behaviour and trust in intelligent virtual characters. The area is highly interesting as it enables a vastly more complex emotional structure for virtual agents than that of reactive, rational behaviour. Although expectations can indeed be rational, often they are not when it comes to humans. This project studies the effects of expectations on the emotional state of agents and the effect that the emotions have on the reasoning abilities and the action selection mechanism. It also examines how trust influences emotions and vice versa and how trust influences the action selection mechanism.
One of the requirements of this work is that the computations concerning the triggering of emotions have to be done in real-time. While it is possible to do off-line computations for simulations (such as is often done for the movie industry), it is not what we desire here. It is our goal to create interesting virtual characters that can be interacted with in real-time. Therefore, also expectations and trust must be calculated and managed in real-time.
16
Pagla, Maria. "The impact of brand attitudes and social agents on young consumer behaviour." Thesis, Middlesex University, 2011. http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/8326/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Brand promotion among young children continues to be a marketing area which raises key concerns amongst marketers and in the wider society. Key prior literature has focused extensively on the relation between age and children‟s brand recognition and recall. A number of studies have mainly investigated the influence of the media and the association between advertising messages and young consumers' behaviour. Far fewer studies have studied brand attitudes and social agents, such as peers and family members, as possible influencers of consumer behaviour. A review of literature about children's consumer abilities reveals that brand attitude is considered important when investigating behaviour. Furthermore, literature on child consumer socialisation reveals, that more factors exist which are believed to influence children's attitudes and behaviour to brands. Personal attributes such as age, gender and cultural background as well as influences within the family (particularly parents and siblings) and influences outside the family (mainly peers and media) should be investigated. The thesis aims to identify factors influencing children‟s behaviour and attitudes towards brands. Important questions are: the way personal attributes and social agents influence young consumers' attitudes and behaviour; and the degree to which attitudes influence children's behaviour for branded items. Children aged between 6 and 12 from a number of schools in Cyprus participated in the study. Different methods were incorporated to answer the research questions. An exploratory questionnaire, a large scale questionnaire and semi structured interviews were the main tools used. Ethical considerations were given high priority in the research design and a number of authorities were consulted for ethical permission. The findings of the thesis indicate that family, peer pressure, and media influence young consumers' brand attitudes. In addition, children's consumer behaviour for branded products is influenced by peer pressure and is an outcome of their own brand attitudes. Nevertheless, personal attributes did not appear to be significantly related with brand attitudes and behaviour; while TV advertisements were negatively related with children's brand requests and purchases.
17
Barnes, J. M. "Neurochemical assessments of the actions of novel agents having nootropic and anxiolytic potential." Thesis, University of Bradford, 1989. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.234701.
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18
Myburgh, Jolanda. "Synthesis and characterization of novel platinum complexes : their anticancer behaviour." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018621.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In this dissertation novel non-leaving groups were employed to synthesize platinum complexes which can contribute to the understanding or improvement of anticancer action. These complexes basically consist of (NS)-chelate and amineplatinum complexes. Bidentate (NS)-donor ligands were used as non-leaving ligands in the syntheses of platinum(II) complexes with iodide, chloride, bromide and oxalate anions as leaving groups. These complexes were synthesized and studied since many questions regarding the interaction of sulfur donors and platinum still exists. These relate to thermodynamic and kinetic factors and their influence on anticancer action. In this dissertation the properties of novel platinum(II) complexes of a bidentate ligand having an aromatic nitrogen-donor atom in combination with a thioethereal sulfur atom capable of forming a five membered ring with platinum(II) were studied. The general structure of the (NS) -ligands used were N-alkyl-2-methylthioalkyl imidazole. Alkyl groups used were methyl, ethyl and propyl. Although amine complexes of platinum have been extensively studied there are some new aspects of these that are worthwhile investigating. In this dissertation amines having planar attachments which will be at an angle with the coordination plane viz. benzylamine and amines having cyclic aliphatic groups namely cyclopropyl and cyclohexyl were investigated. Some of the (NS) - and amineplatinum(II) complexes were oxidised to their mononitroplatinum(IV) analogues . The motivation for the synthesis of these complexes was the greater kinetic stability of platinum(IV) and recent research has shown that a specific type of platinum(IV) compound shows suitable properties as an anticancer agent. These complexes were characterised by a variety of spectral means (IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy) as well as elemental analysis, solubility determinations, thermal analysis (TGA), ionization studies and finally their anticancer behaviour towards three different cell lines(Hela, MCF 7, Ht29) and in this process they were compared to the behaviour of cisplatin as a reference. A few have shown promising anticancer behaviour.
19
Chan, Chris Chi-Yet. "Behaviour of metals in MSW incinerator fly ash during roasting with chlorinating agents." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/NQ27620.pdf.
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20
Pittola, Patrick. "Division of labour in a group of agents inspired by ants' foraging behaviour." Bachelor's thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2012. http://amslaurea.unibo.it/3059/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Questa tesi prende spunto da altri studi realizzati nel campo delle esattamente nel campo delle “Swam Intelligence”, una branca delle intelligenze artificiali prende spunto dal comportamento di animali sociali, sopratutto insetti come termini, formiche ed api, per trarne interessanti metafore per la creazione di algoritmi e tecniche di programmazione.
Questo tipo di algoritmi, come per gli esempi tratti dalla biologia, risultano dotati di interessanti proprietà adatte alla risoluzione di certi problemi nell'ambito dell'ingegneria.
Lo scopo della tesi è quello di mostrare tramite un esempio pratico le proprietà dei sistemi sviluppati tramite i principi delle Swarm Intelligence, evidenziando la flessibilità di questi sistemi.
Nello specifico, la mia tesi analizzerà il problema della suddivisione del lavoro in una colonia di formiche, fornendo un esempio pratico quale il compito di cattura di prede in un determinato ambiente.
Ho sviluppato un'applicazione software in Java che simula tale comportamento, i dati utilizzati durante le diverse simulazioni possono essere modificati tramite file di testo, in modo da ottenere risultati validi per diversi contesti.
21
Jide-Akinwale, Efe. "Influence of socialisation agents on generation y students' apparel purchasing intentions / Efe Jide-Akinwale." Thesis, North-West University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/10614.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The global apparel market is an increasingly desirable industry sector for many marketers. The apparel retail industry in South Africa has experienced significant growth since the year 2000. In 2009, South Africans spent approximately R57 million on apparel items (Statistics South Africa, 2009). On average, South Africans spend R600 or more per month on apparel, making the apparel industry a very lucrative market. Consumer socialisation is the process by which the youth gain the necessary skills and knowledge that enable them to function as consumers in the marketplace. Consumer socialisation highlights the sources of consumer influences or ‘socialisation agents’ that transfer norms, develop attitudes, motivations and behaviour to the learner. Consumer attitudes, behaviour and skills are acquired through socialisation agents such as parents (father, mother and guardian), peers (brothers, sisters and friends) and the mass media (newspaper, television, radio, magazines) The Generation Y cohort (defined as individuals born between 1986 and 2005) is described as the largest and most profitable consumer group for marketers. Generation Y is a lucrative and growing market segment, particularly for apparel retailers. Apparel includes clothing, shoes, jewellery and cosmetics. Those Generation Y members engaged in tertiary education represent an especially important segment given that tertiary education often translates into higher future earning potential and a higher social status within a community and among peers. The primary objective of this research study was to investigate Generation Y students’ attitudes towards the influence of socialisation agents’ on apparel purchasing intentions in South Africa. The target population used in this research study was defined as full-time Generation Y undergraduate students, aged between 18-24 years, who were enrolled at public higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa in 2013. The sampling frame comprised the 23 registered South African public HEIs. A non-probability judgement sample method was used to narrow this sampling frame down to two HEI campuses situated in the Gauteng Province. For this study, a convenience sample of 500 full-time Generation Y students who were registered at these two South African HEI campuses during 2013 was drawn. A self-administered questionnaire was used for the collection of primary data for this research study. Academic staff at each of the two HEIs were contacted and asked if they would assist with the distribution of the survey questionnaire to students during class. The attitude towards the influence of socialisation agents on apparel purchasing intentions was measured based on peers, parents and the media. The outcomes from this research study suggest that Generation Y students do not perceive the influence of socialisation agents (peers/parents/media) as being particularly positive. While there was a significant positive relationship between their perceptions concerning the influence of peers, parents and media on apparel purchasing, none of these socialisation agents were perceived as having a significant influence on the Generation Y students’ monthly apparel spending. In terms of gender differences, males perceived the peer influence to be more important while females perceived the parent influence to be more important. There was no significant difference between males and females concerning the importance of the media influence on apparel purchasing. The analysis of statistical information gathered from this study will be relevant to both marketing practitioners and academia in understanding Generation Y consumers’ attitudes towards the influence of socialisation agents (peers/parents/media) in apparel purchasing intentions.MCom (Marketing Management), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014
22
Lindqvist, Ann-Sophie. "Nandrolone decanoate, behaviour and brain : animal experimental studies /." Göteborg : Dep. of Psychology, Univ., 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2077/68.
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Hamid, Suhaila Abdul. "Tax compliance behaviour of tax agents: a comparative study of Malaysia and New Zealand." Thesis, University of Canterbury. ACIS, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/9426.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Tax agents have important roles in tax systems as both advocates for their clients and intermediaries for the tax authorities. The roles of tax agents are becoming more challenging with the changes in the tax landscape, such as with the implementation of the self-assessment systems (SAS) which transfers more responsibility to taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations and who in turn, rely on tax agents to comply with the tax laws. This study examined some selected factors in understanding the tax agents’ tax compliance behaviour by extending the Theory of Planned Behaviour, by including two additional factors namely, ethical sensitivity and culture.
Conducted in the tax jurisdictions of Malaysia and New Zealand, this study is comparative in nature. To understand the tax compliance behaviour of tax agents in this study, a mixed-method approach, combining surveys and semi-structured telephone interviews, was used. In Malaysia, the survey data were collected using a mail survey from a sample of tax agents in public practice whose names were listed on the website of the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board. Online surveys were used to collect responses from a sample of members of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) whose names were listed as public practitioners on NZICA’s website. Descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares (PLS), a structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, were used to describe and analyze the quantitative data. Transcribing, coding, finding the relevant themes and member checking were used to analyze the qualitative data of the study.
Basically, the results indicate some similarities and some differences between tax agents’ compliance behaviour in Malaysia and New Zealand. Consistent with findings from prior studies, the results suggest that attitude towards intention to comply with the tax law was the most influential factor in explaining tax agents’ compliance behaviour to tax law in Malaysia and New Zealand in both scenarios of overstating tax expenses and understating income examined in the study. This was followed by ethical sensitivity, which was measured using Rest’s (1986) Multidimensional Ethics Scale (MES), as the second influential factor in tax agents’ compliance behaviour to tax law. Mixed findings were recorded for culture which was measured using Hofstede’s (1980) National Cultural Dimensions and perceived behavioural control. No support, however, was found for subjective norms in the study.
The findings from the survey were elaborated further in the interviews. The interviews with seventeen tax agents in Malaysia and fourteen tax agents from New Zealand provide some interesting findings. While the results of the survey indicate that attitude was found to be the most important factor in tax agents’ tax compliance behaviour, the interview findings clarified how tax agents understand attitude. For instance, attitude was interpreted as not only complying with the professional code of ethics, but also, fear towards being penalized, audited and interestingly, fear towards obtaining a bad reputation among the public and peers.
Overall, the findings suggest that noneconomic factors, such as attitudes and ethical sensitivity, can explain the tax compliance behaviour of tax agents in the study. Some economic factors identified for example, amount of risk involved, the trade-off between costs and benefits, and the probability of being penalized, from the interviews could also potentially explain the tax compliance behaviour of the tax agents in Malaysia and New Zealand who participated in the study.
The findings contribute to the theoretical and practical aspects of understanding the tax compliance behaviour of tax agents in two different countries. In a response to the calls for more cross-cultural research, this study reveals some similarities and differences in the tax compliance behaviour of tax agents in Malaysia and New Zealand which may be helpful in improving our understanding of the ethical decision making of tax agents. The findings from the study also provide some insights into the ethical behaviour of tax agents in Malaysia and New Zealand which may be useful for professional bodies and regulators.
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Lee, Penagos Luis Alejandro. "Understanding behaviour through the lens of bounded rationality : experiments with human and artificial agents." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2017. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42418/.
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25
Venter, Wessel Johannes. "An embodied conversational agent with autistic behaviour." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20115.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis we describe the creation of an embodied conversational agent which exhibits the behavioural traits of a child who has Asperger Syndrome. The agent is rule-based, rather than arti cially intelligent, for which we give justi cation. We then describe the design and implementation of the agent, and pay particular attention to the interaction between emotion, personality and social context. A 3D demonstration program shows the typical output to conform to Asperger-like answers, with corresponding emotional responses.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis beskryf ons die ontwerp en implementasie van 'n gestaltegespreksagent wat die gedrag van 'n kind met Asperger se sindroom uitbeeld. Ons regverdig die besluit dat die agent reël-gebaseerd is, eerder as 'n ware skynintelligensie implementasie. Volgende beskryf ons die wisselwerking tussen emosies, persoonlikheid en sosiale konteks en hoe dit inskakel by die ontwerp en implementasie van die agent. 'n 3D demonstrasieprogram toon tipiese ooreenstemmende Asperger-agtige antwoorde op vrae, met gepaardgaande emosionele reaksies.
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Wilson, Deborah Jane. "Information, incentives and insurer behaviour : an analysis of selection in the health insurance market." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.340320.
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Phianmongkhol, Aphirak. "Characterisation of protein foams using a method based on conductivity measurement and measurement of physical properties of protein solutions relevant to foaming behaviour." Thesis, University of Reading, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.326975.
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Bangalore, Kantharaju Reshmashree. "Modelling Cohesive Behaviours for Virtual Agents in Multiparty Interactions." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Sorbonne université, 2021. http://www.theses.fr/2021SORUS230.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Les interactions de groupe sont une forme de communication couramment utilisée entre humains. Souvent, les membres d'un groupe sont impliqués dans la discussion, la prise de décisions et l'échange d'idées, dans différents contextes (par exemple, réunion, conférence, fête, etc.). La cohésion de groupe décrit le lien partagé qui pousse les membres à rester ensemble et à vouloir travailler ensemble pour atteindre les objectifs du groupe. Dans les interactions de groupe, les humains communiquent et se coordonnent via un certain nombre de comportements verbaux et non verbaux. Dans ce travail de recherche, dans un premier temps, nous reconnaissons la relation entre la cohésion de groupe et certains signaux sociaux d'intérêt non verbaux. Ensuite, nous présentons les résultats sur l'estimation automatique des niveaux de cohésion dans les groupes en utilisant différentes caractéristiques et techniques de représentation des caractéristiques pour les groupes. Les agents virtuels, un personnage animé généré par ordinateur avec des comportements non verbaux de type humain, ont été largement utilisés pour les interactions homme-machine dans diverses applications, par exemple des agents éducatifs, des entraîneurs de santé, des assistants de formation, etc. La plupart des applications jusqu'à présent se sont concentrées sur le développement d'agents pour des interactions dyadiques, c'est-à-dire un seul agent et utilisateur. Un groupe d'agents (multipartite) peut être potentiellement efficace pour persuader, motiver et éduquer les utilisateurs à travers des discussions interactives. Dans l'étape suivante, nous développons un modèle multipartite impliquant plusieurs agents autonomes capables d'afficher un comportement de groupe cohérent, c'est-à-dire un engagement partagé envers les tâches de groupe et une relation positive entre les agents. Compte tenu de l'augmentation du nombre d'applications utilisant des agents virtuels, il est important d'étudier les interactions entre plusieurs agents et l'utilisateur et de comprendre les effets de l'utilisation d'un tel système. Nous émettons l'hypothèse que l'utilisation d'un système multi-agents permettrait à l'utilisateur d'être plus engagé dans la discussion et fournirait différentes perspectives sur le même problème et faciliterait aux utilisateurs de prendre des décisions éclairées. Par conséquent, dans la dernière étape, nous menons plusieurs études d'évaluation des utilisateurs pour comprendre les effets des interactions multipartites sur l'utilisateur et ses perceptions, par exemple le niveau de confiance, la persuasion. Nous présentons des informations sur la forme d'interactions la plus efficace pour promouvoir un changement de comportement ou persuader l'utilisateur à l'aide de différents sujets de conversation de groupe. En résumé, dans cette thèse, nous reconnaissons l'association entre certains signaux sociaux non verbaux et la cohésion de groupe, présentons la précision de l'estimation à l'aide de caractéristiques extraites de ces signaux, développons un modèle multipartite pour simuler un groupe cohésif d'agents affichant des signaux sociaux importants et enfin évaluons l'efficacité d'un tel modèle dans un contexte de changement de comportement et ses effets sur les perceptions des utilisateursGroup interactions are a commonly used form of communication among humans. Often the members of a group are involved in discussing, making decisions and exchanging ideas, under different settings (e.g., meeting, conference, party etc.). Group Cohesion describes the shared bond that drives the members to stay together and to want to work together to achieve group goals. In group interactions, humans communicate and coordinate with each other via a number of verbal and nonverbal behaviours. In this research work, as a first step we recognise the relation between group cohesion and certain non-verbal social signals of interest. Next, we present the results on automatic estimation of cohesion levels in groups using different features and feature representation techniques for groups. Virtual agents, a computer-generated animated character with human-like non-verbal behaviours, have been widely used for human-computer interactions in various applications e.g., educational agents, health coaches, training assistants etc. Most of the applications so far have focused on developing agents for dyadic interactions i.e., a single agent and user. A group of agents (multiparty) can be potentially effective in persuading, motivating and educating the users through interactive discussions. In the next step, we develop a multiparty model involving multiple autonomous agents that are capable of displaying cohesive group behaviour i.e., shared commitment to group tasks and positive relationship among the agents. Considering the surge in the range of applications using virtual agents, it is important to study the interactions between multiple agents and the user and understand the effects of using such a system. We hypothesise that the use of a multi-agent system would allow the user to be more engaged in the discussion and provide different perspectives on the same issue and facilitate the users to make informed decisions. Therefore, in the final step we conduct multiple user evaluation studies to understand the effects of multiparty interactions on the user and their perceptions e.g., the level of trust, persuasion. We present insights into the most effective form of interactions for promoting behaviour change or persuading the user using different group conversational topics. To summarise, in this thesis we recognise the association between certain non-verbal social signals and group cohesion, present the estimation accuracy using features extracted from these signals, develop a multiparty model to simulate a cohesive group of agents displaying prominent social signals and finally evaluate the effectiveness of such a model in the context of behaviour change and its effects on user’s perceptions
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Kujawinski, Sarah. "The effect of buffering agents on the behaviour of HPMC controlled release matrix dosage forms." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.275069.
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Tolar, Martin, of Western Sydney Macarthur University, and Faculty of Business and Technology. "Satisficing versus optimising behaviour in the non-durable consumption expenditure decision making process." THESIS_FBT_XXX_Tolar_M.xml, 1995. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/108.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The new classical school's dominance of mainstream economic thought in recent years has brought with it the associated adoption of rational economic agents ( in the Muthian sense) by mainstream economists. This thesis challenges this underlying assumption of human behaviour in the context of the non-durable consumption expenditure decision making process. In doing so, our attention will be placed upon the weak or more general form of the hypothesis, which has come to be known as optimisation. We employ a behavioural methodology in an attempt to ascertain if individuals adhere to the optimising or satisficing model of human behaviour. In doing so time will be spent examining the bounded rationality hypothesis. We also employ a behavioural methodology in producing a non-durable consumption function that is econometrically comparable with an optimising model of non-durable consumption expenditure (namely the permanent income rational expectations hypothesis). The micro results produced in this thesis suggest that the respondents surveyed from non-durable consumption expenditure decisions that are sub-optimal in nature. The formation of these sub-tropical expenditure decisions appear to be a consequence of the cognitive constraints faced by our respondents, which in turn provides empirical support for the bounded rationality hypothesis. On a macro level, our behavioural consumption function generates results that are comparable with those produced by the optimising model employed in this thesis. Our results also question the rational expectations permanent income hypothesis (as it is usually applied), despite making adjustments to the model which remove the underlying assumption of known, constant real interest useMaster of Commerce (Hons)
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Kochenderfer, Mykel J. "Adaptive modelling and planning for learning intelligent behaviour." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/1408.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
An intelligent agent must be capable of using its past experience to develop an understanding of how its actions affect the world in which it is situated. Given some objective, the agent must be able to effectively use its understanding of the world to produce a plan that is robust to the uncertainty present in the world. This thesis presents a novel computational framework called the Adaptive Modelling and Planning System (AMPS) that aims to meet these requirements for intelligence. The challenge of the agent is to use its experience in the world to generate a model. In problems with large state and action spaces, the agent can generalise from limited experience by grouping together similar states and actions, effectively partitioning the state and action spaces into finite sets of regions. This process is called abstraction. Several different abstraction approaches have been proposed in the literature, but the existing algorithms have many limitations. They generally only increase resolution, require a large amount of data before changing the abstraction, do not generalise over actions, and are computationally expensive. AMPS aims to solve these problems using a new kind of approach. AMPS splits and merges existing regions in its abstraction according to a set of heuristics. The system introduces splits using a mechanism related to supervised learning and is defined in a general way, allowing AMPS to leverage a wide variety of representations. The system merges existing regions when an analysis of the current plan indicates that doing so could be useful. Because several different regions may require revision at any given time, AMPS prioritises revision to best utilise whatever computational resources are available. Changes in the abstraction lead to changes in the model, requiring changes to the plan. AMPS prioritises the planning process, and when the agent has time, it replans in high-priority regions. This thesis demonstrates the flexibility and strength of this approach in learning intelligent behaviour from limited experience.
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Esbjörnsson, Jimmy. "EMO - A Computational Emotional State Module : Emotions and their influence on the behaviour of autonomous agents." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Science and Technology, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-9090.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already a fundamental component of computer games. In this context is emotions a growing part in simulating real life. The proposed emotional state module, provides a way for the game agents to select an action in real-time virtual environments. The modules function has been tested with the open-source strategy game ORTS. This thesis proposes a new approach for the design of an interacting network, similar to a spreading activation system, of emotional states that keeps track of emotion intensities changing and interacting over time. The network of emotions can represent any number of persisting states, such as moods, emotions and drives. Any emotional signal can affect every state positively or negatively. The states' response to emotional signals are influenced by the other states represented in the network. The network is contained within an emotional state module. This interactions between emotions are not the focus of much research, neither is the representation model. The focus tend to be on the mechanisms eliciting emotions and on how to express the emotions.
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Mohamed, Mirza Bin. "Import tax compliance : a study of customs agents in Malaysia utilising the theory of planned behaviour." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2016. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/33450/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Unlike tax accountants and advisors within direct tax, Customs law in many countries requires importers to employ licensed Customs agents. This study extends the tax literature by examining the role of Customs agents in import tax compliance. In Malaysia, as an example of a country where Customs are responsible for about one-third (MYR30 billion on average between 2005 to 2014) of total government revenue collections, the function of Customs agents is to: assist importers in meeting their import tax liabilities; prepare and submit all necessary import documentation to Customs; as well as collect and pay all revenue to the Customs administration. Customs agents are bound by the Customs Act 1967 and are required to pass a public exam before becoming formally qualified and licensed Customs agents. Exploratory interviews with senior Customs officers at The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) suggest that a significant amount of tax revenue is lost because Customs agents do not pay the full amount of import duty and tax due. Most interviewed officers felt that tougher penalties and sanctions are required to improve compliance and root-out fraud; though some indicated that other measures may need to be developed in order to improve compliance practice. Drawing on the tax compliance literature within the direct tax domain, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been identified as one of the most robust social cognitive theories to explain compliance decision making. A key output from this research is a compliance behaviour model (based on the theory of planned behaviour) that depicts various economic and non-economic variables to predict compliance behaviour. Building on the model, a large scale survey of Customs agents across Malaysia was conducted. Overall, the response rate was 42% (n=650), representing 12.8% of the total Customs agents population located at Malaysia’s primary ports of entry. The results indicate that psychological, sociological, structural / institutional factors, which consist of attitude, ethical beliefs, social norms, law, enforcement, complexity of procedure and quality of tax assessment service, are significant in explaining Customs agents’ behavioural intention to comply with import tax law. However, they also suggest inconsistencies in the relationship between behavioural intention and behaviour, and the need to incorporate other factors and moderating variables. In particular, the findings identified the influence of two referent groups (subjective norms): (i) the importers who influenced Customs agents’ import tax compliance directly through instructions, as well as indirectly by sharing their ethical beliefs; and (ii) other Customs agents (their peers) who influence Customs agents’ ethical beliefs. Overall this study highlights the importance of incorporating behavioural elements and facilitating elements (such as better quality of tax assessment service and less complex procedures) together with economic variables to achieve an optimum compliance level. The findings indicate that simply applying sanctions to improve Customs agents’ compliance, as is Royal Malaysian Customs current enforcement strategy does not optimise revenue yield. Appropriate reforms that go beyond sanctions and enforcement are recommended. It also identifies another essential but largely neglected strategy for improving compliance which is to work on improving the ethics of Customs agents, possibly by offering access to trade facilitation measures, or through coercion (e.g. public naming and shaming) and sanctions (e.g. withholding access to trade facilitation measures). Finally, this study also demonstrates the wide applicability of the TPB, including its application in tax compliance research and specifically in the context of import tax. The method (exploratory sequential mixed method) used in this study could also be used to replicate further studies to generate a more holistic compliance behaviour model.
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Jiang, Lai. "Building energy management and occupants' behaviour-intelligent agents, modelling methods and multi-objective decision making algorithms." Thesis, University of Reading, 2017. http://centaur.reading.ac.uk/68391/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In the UK, buildings contribute around one third of the energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Space heating and cooling systems are among the biggest power consumers in buildings. Thus, improvement of energy efficient of HVAC systems will play a significant role in achieving the UK carbon reduction target. This research aims to develop a novel Building Energy Management System (BEMS) to reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system while fulfilling occupants’ thermal comfort requirements. The proposed system not only considers the occupants’ adaptations when making decisions on the set temperature, but also influences occupants’ behaviours by providing them with suggestions that help eliminate unnecessary heating and cooling. Multi-agent technologies are applied to design the BEMS’s architecture. The Epistemic-Deontic-Axiologic (EDA) agent model is applied to develop the structure of the agents inside the system. The EDA-based agents select their optimal action plan by considering the occupants’ thermal sensations, their behavioural adaptations and the energy consumption of the HVAC system. Each aspect is represented by its relevant objective function. Newly-developed personal thermal sensation models and group-of-people-based thermal sensation models generated by support vector machine based algorithms are applied as objective functions to evaluate the occupants’ thermal sensations. Equations calculating heating and cooling loads are used to represent energy consumption objectives. Complexities of adaptive behaviours and confidence of association rules between behaviours and thermal sensations are used to build objective functions of behavioural adaptations. In order to make decisions by considering the above objectives, novel multi-objective decision-making algorithms are developed to help the BEMS system make optimal decisions on HVAC set temperature and suggestions to the occupants. Simulation results prove that the newly-developed BEMS can help the HVAC system reduce energy consumption by up to 10% while fulfilling the occupants’ thermal comfort requirements.
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Magg, Sven. "Self-organised task differentiation in homogeneous and heterogeneous groups of autonomous agents." Thesis, University of Hertfordshire, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2299/9038.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The field of swarm robotics has been growing fast over the last few years. Using a swarm of simple and cheap robots has advantages in various tasks. Apart from performance gains on tasks that allow for parallel execution, simple robots can also be smaller, enabling them to reach areas that can not be accessed by a larger, more complex robot. Their ability to cooperate means they can execute complex tasks while offering self-organised adaptation to changing environments and robustness due to redundancy. In order to keep individual robots simple, a control algorithm has to keep expensive communication to a minimum and has to be able to act on little information to keep the amount of sensors down. The number of sensors and actuators can be reduced even more when necessary capabilities are spread out over different agents that then combine them by cooperating. Self-organised differentiation within these heterogeneous groups has to take the individual abilities of agents into account to improve group performance. In this thesis it is shown that a homogeneous group of versatile agents can not be easily replaced by a heterogeneous group, by separating the abilities of the versatile agents into several specialists. It is shown that no composition of those specialists produces the same outcome as a homogeneous group on a clustering task. In the second part of this work, an adaptation mechanism for a group of foragers introduced by Labella et al. (2004) is analysed in more detail. It does not require communication and needs only the information on individual success or failure. The algorithm leads to self-organised regulation of group activity depending on object availability in the environment by adjusting resting times in a base. A possible variation of this algorithm is introduced which replaces the probabilistic mechanism with which agents determine to leave the base. It is demonstrated that a direct calculation of the resting times does not lead to differences in terms of differentiation and speed of adaptation. After investigating effects of different parameters on the system, it is shown that there is no efficiency increase in static environments with constant object density when using a homogeneous group of agents. Efficiency gains can nevertheless be achieved in dynamic environments. The algorithm was also reported to lead to higher activity of agents which have higher performance. It is shown that this leads to efficiency gains in heterogeneous groups in static and dynamic environments.
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Salek, Mohammed. "Statistical analysis and modeling of the opening and closing auctions of financial markets." Electronic Thesis or Diss., université Paris-Saclay, 2024. http://www.theses.fr/2024UPAST045.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Cette thèse est dédiée à l'étude des enchères d'ouverture et de clôture sur les marchés européens d'actions, plus particulièrement celles de la bourse de Paris. Les enchères sont un mécanisme essentiel permettant d'ouvrir et clôturer les journées de négociation de manière ordonnée. En particulier, les prix de clôture sont d'une importance cruciale pour les investisseurs et les régulateurs. Contrairement à la littérature abondante sur la phase de négociation continue, les travaux sur les enchères sont rares, en partie à cause de la difficulté d'acquérir des données de haute qualité. Cette thèse est basée sur un ensemble de données de haute qualité qui nous permet de fournir un aperçu nouveau sur les phases d'enchères, de reconstruire leur dynamique évènement par évènement et de proposer des modèles précis des phénomènes observés.Premièrement, nous examinons l'impact des ordres sur les prix dans les enchères. Nous fournissons un cadre mathématique pour les enchères, calculons la forme moyenne du carnet d'ordres au moment de l'enchère et sa répartition en fonction de la latence des agents et du compte utilisé. Nous étudions l'impact au moment de l'enchère ainsi que l'effet d'un temps de compensation aléatoire.Deuxièmement, nous adaptons un modèle continu en prix et en temps aux spécificités des enchères d'actions. Nous montrons que des solutions générales peuvent être obtenues en formules fermées. Nous résolvons numériquement les équations du modèle et nous le calibrons à la dynamique complète du carnet d'ordres moyen à la clôture. Nous concluons en étudiant les causes de la sous-diffusivité des prix indicatifsThis thesis is devoted to the study of opening and closing auctions in European markets with a specific emphasis on the Paris stock exchange. Auctions serve as an essential mechanism to open and close trading days in an orderly way. In particular, closing prices are of crucial importance for both investors and regulators. In contrast to the abundant literature on the continuous trading phase, work on auctions is scarce, partly due to the difficulty in acquiring high-quality data. This thesis is based on a high-quality dataset allowing us to provide novel insights into auction phases, reconstruct their tick-by-tick dynamics, and propose accurate models of the observed phenomena.First, we examine price impact in auctions. We provide a mathematical framework for auctions, compute the average shape of the limit order book at auction time, and its breakdown by agents' latency and account type. We investigate price impact at auction time and address the effect of random clearing times. Second, we adapt a continuous price-time model to the specifics of equity auctions. We show that time-dependent solutions can be obtained in closed-form formulas. We numerically solve the full equations and fit the average dynamics of the limit order book in closing auctions. We conclude by investigating the causes behind the indicative price sub-diffusivity
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Goodwin, Nicholas Jeffery. "Effects of participation and sense of community on change agents in an Indonesian sanitation behaviour change communications program." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/14561.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Social and behaviour change programs often require “change agents” to effectively disseminate messages to target populations on issues ranging from sanitation to alcohol. How these programs select and utilise change agents – e.g. peer educators, community health workers, sales agents and counsellors – helps determine how effective they are. The setting for this quasi-experimental PhD study was the High 5 Kelurahan project designed to address five key sanitation behaviours, managed by the Cipta Cara Padu Foundation in Indonesia. This study utilised a mixed method approach to produce evidence for the effects of previous participation and sense of community (SOC) on 69 change agents engaged in the High Five program. A simple one-way between groups ANOVA test revealed that the Sense of Community Index (SCI) scores were statistically different across the three project locations. Following this, stepwise multiple regression analysis showed a small effect of previous participation by change agents on their subsequent participation in High Five community outreach activities, however SOC had no significant effect. A non-statistical comparison of SCI scores with changes in individual behaviour and health impact revealed that project locations where change agents with higher SCI scores were active also had higher rates of behaviour change and health impact. From the nine interviews of change agents, all responded that previous participation in similar programs was a factor in their High Five participation. 30 per cent of responses also identified the perceived ability to change the community as a factor. The quantitative and qualitative results were triangulated to produce a richer understanding of the role of change agents. This research will help governments, non-profits and businesses to better understand how change agents influence social and behaviour change programs in communities and improve interventions aiming to address a range of public policy issues.
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Rizzuto, Matteo <1987>. "The effect of different compatibilizers agents on the nucleation and crystallization behaviour of poly(lactide)/poly(ɛ-caprolactone) blends". Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2018. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/8571/7/tesi%20matteo%20rizzuto.pdf.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In this work the effect of adding different kind of compatibilizers to poly(lactide)(PLA)/poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) 80/20 blends has been investigated, evaluating the results by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), PLOM (Polarized Light Optical Microscopy), DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) and tensile tests.
The addition of poly(lactide-ran-caprolactone), P(LA-ran-CL) to PLA/PCL blends does not improve the compatibility between PLA and PCL, however a plasticization effect, that increases the crystallization ability of the PLA phase, is induced. Such plasticization effect can increase the spherulitic growth rate of PLA up to two or three fold as compared to neat PLA, depending on the Tg of the random copolymer employed. At the same time copolymer incorporation in the blends leads to an anti-plasticization effect of the PCL droplets, reducing their crystallization rate.
Poly(L-lactide-block-carbonate) diblock copolymers P(LA-b-C) are effective in improving the miscibility between PLA and PCL. However, the acceleration of the cold crystallization kinetics of PLA upon blending with PCL, often reported in the literature, is not connected with the miscibility between PLA and PCL phases, as it is also present in the uncompatibilizated PLA/PCL blend, but is due to a nucleation effect induced by PCL crystals on glassy PLA. Such nuclei only become effective upon heating to PLA cold crystallization temperatures, at which PCL is already molten.
The addition of poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(carbonate) (PCL-co-PC) based copolymers does not cause an increase in miscibility in PLA-PCL phases, however copolymers addition causes a reduction of molecular weight in melt mixed blends. As result, PLA phase within the blends containing PCL-PC based copolymers shows a higher tendency to crystallize during both isothermal and non-isothermal DSC experiments. The increased crystallization of PLA phase is attributed to an increase in spherulitic growth kinetics determined by PLOM analysis.
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Rubil, Dijana, and Caroline Schöld. "The influence of and interaction between socialization agents in the child-consumers purchasing process." Thesis, Jönköping University, JIBS, EMM (Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Management), 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-13096.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In several years researchers have focused on identifying different socialization agents that influence the child consumer in the purchasing process. These studies have identified parents, friends and peers, television, role models, and different virtual communities as socialization agents. However, there is still no understanding of how the socialization agents are integrated in the decision-making process.
The purpose is therefore to identify how the child-consumers are influenced by different sources in their decision-making process, and recognise the socialization agents’ interaction as influencers.
The authors have found that there is a continuous interaction between the socialization agents in the decision-making process. The socialization agents, such as parents, siblings, friends and peers, television, role models and virtual communities, separately influence the adolescents in the purchasing process, however, the adolescents do not only take into consideration the opinion of one socialization agent but rather they use all of them. The authors have also found that the socialization agents act as support systems to other socialization agents, this in both influence and credibility.
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Saal, Wylene Leandri. "The applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in predicting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among a South African sample." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6821.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of the study was to determine the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting adherence to ART among South African patients attending public health clinics. The second aim was to determine the relationship between self-reported adherence and viral load. The results from the hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the linear combination of the variables of the TPB significantly explained 12% of the variance in intentions to adhere to ART. Perceived behavioural control was the only variable that significantly predicted intentions to adhere to ART. The inclusion of perceived stigma was not a useful addition to the model. The results also reflect the relationship between intentions to adhere to treatment and self-reported adherence, which was not significant. The TPB was unable to significantly account for variance in self-reported treatment adherence. When perceived stigma was added to the TPB, the model was still unable to significantly explain variance in self-reported adherence. Nonetheless, attitudes towards treatment were the only variable that significantly accounted for variance in self-reported treatment. It was concluded that interventions aimed at improving adherence among South African patients attending public health clinics, should aim to encourage positive attitudes towards treatment, should aim to increase perceived subjective norms, should increase the patients’ perceptibility that they are able to be adherent and should aim to decrease perceived stigma. Improving adherence to ART can result in increasing the quality of life of patients living with HIV/AIDS.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die studie was om vas te stel of die teorie van beplande gedrag (TPB soos voorgestel in die studie) antiretrovirale terapie (ART) nakoming onder Suid-Afrikaanse pasiёnte by publieke gesondheidsklinieke kan voorspel. Die sekondêre doel was om die verhouding tussen self-gerapporteerde volgehoue behandeling en virale lading te bereken. Die uitslae van die hiёrargiese veelvuldige regressie analise het getoon dat die linêere kombinasie van die veranderlikes van TPB 12% van die verandering in ART voornemens akkuraat kon voorspel. Waargenome gedragsbeheer was die enigste veranderlike wat ART voornemens akkuraat kon verklaar het. Die insluiting van waargenome stigma was nie beduidend ten opsigte van die model nie. Geen beduidende verband tussen voorneme om met behandeling vol te hou en self-gerapporteerde volgehoue-behandelingsgedrag word uitgebeeld. Waargenome gedragsbeheer kon wel ‘n bydrae lewer om verandering in die voorneme om met behandeling vol te hou verklaar. Die TPB kon egter nie ‘n verduideliking bied vir die verandering in self-gerapporteerde volgehouebehandelingsgedrag nie. Toe waargenome stigma by die TPB gevoeg is, was die model steeds nie daartoe instaat om die verandering in self-gerapporteerde volgehouebehandelingsgedrag te verklaar nie. Nietemin, houdings teenoor behandeling was die enigste veranderlike wat verandering in self-gerapporteerde gedrag verklaar. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat intervensies gerig op die verbetering van volhoubare gedrag onder Suid-Afrikaanse pasiёnte wat openbare gesondheidsklinieke bywoon,positiewe houding teenoor behandeling moet aanmoedig, subjektiewe norme verhoog, die pasiёnte se persepsie dat hulle instaat is om volhoubare gedrag kan toon moet verhoog en ook waargenome stigma moet verminder. Beter ART nakoming kan lei tot ‘n toename in die MIV/VIGS pasiёnt se kwaliteit van lewe.
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Biancardi, Béatrice. "Les premières secondes comptent : gérer les premières impressions pour un agent virtuel plus engageant." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Sorbonne université, 2019. https://accesdistant.sorbonne-universite.fr/login?url=https://theses-intra.sorbonne-universite.fr/2019SORUS037.pdf.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Les premiers instants d'une interaction avec un personnage virtuel sont critiques, car les impressions que les utilisateurs se forgent à leur sujet peuvent affecter le reste de l'interaction, en termes d'engagement et de volonté de poursuivre l’interaction. Dans cette thèse, nous présentons un modèle computationnel pour un agent virtuel pour gérer les impressions de chaleur et de compétence (C&C), les deux dimensions fondamentales de la cognition sociale, que se forge l’utilisateur. Le but de l'agent est d'adapter son comportement non verbal en temps réel pendant une interaction, en fonction des réactions non verbales de l'utilisateur. Notre approche part de l'analyse d'un corpus d'interactions humaines afin d'identifier un ensemble de comportements non verbaux suscitant la perception de différents degrés de C&C. Une étude perceptive a examiné comment ces comportements sont perçus lorsqu'ils sont réalisés par un agent virtuel. Un algorithme d'apprentissage par renforcement a été développé pour permettre à l'agent d'apprendre en temps réel les comportements qui donnent la meilleure impression à l'utilisateur, en fonction de son objectif. Les réactions non verbales de l'utilisateur (calculées à partir de signaux de bas niveau telles que les unités d'action du visage) sont utilisées comme récompense pour l'algorithme. Nous avons personnalisé le modèle afin d'adapter les comportements de l'agent dans le but de maximiser l'engagement de l'utilisateur ou ses impressions sur la C&C de l'agent. 2 cas d'utilisation ont été menés afin d'évaluer l'impact d'un agent adaptatif sur les impressions de l’utilisateur et sa perception de l'interaction, par rapport à un agent non adaptatifThe first moments of an interaction with a virtual character are critical since users form impressions about them, which can affect the rest of the interaction, in terms of engagement and willingness to continue it. In this Thesis we present a computational model for managing user’s impression of agent’s warmth and competence (W&C), the 2 fundamentals dimensions of social cognition. The goal of the agent is to adapt its non-verbal behaviour in real-time during an interaction, according to user’s non-verbal reactions. Our approach starts from the analysis of a corpus of human-human interactions in order to identify a set of non-verbal behaviours eliciting different degrees of W&C. A perceptual study then investigated how these behaviours are perceived when performed by a virtual agent. A reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm has been developed to allow the agent to learn in real-time the behaviours which give the best impression to the user, according to its goal. User’s non-verbal reactions (computed from low-level signals such as facial action units) are used as a reward for the RL. We have personalized the computational model in order to adapt the agent’s behaviours with the goal of maximizing user’s engagement or impressions of agent’s W&C. Two use cases have been run in order to evaluate the impact of an adapting agent on user’s impressions and perception of the interaction, compared to a non-adapting agent. In the first experiment the agent adapted its self-presentational strategies in order to maximise user’s engagement. In the second one the agent learned the best combinations of non-verbal behaviours to display in order to maximise user’s impressions of its W&C
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Tezcan, Okan. "Metastatic Behaviour Of Doxorubicin Resistant Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cells After Vimentin Silencing." Master's thesis, METU, 2013. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12615553/index.pdf.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Chemotherapy is one of the common treatments in cancer therapy. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is limited by several factors one of which is the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). MDR is caused by the activity of diverse ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters that pump drugs out of the cells. There are several drugs which have been used in treatment of cancer. One of them is doxorubicin that intercalates and inhibits DNA replication. However, doxorubicin has been found to cause development of MDR in tumors. It has been reported that there is a correlation between multidrug resistance and invasiveness of cancer cells. Vimentin is a type III intermediate filament protein that is expressed frequently in epithelial carcinomas correlating with invasiveness and also poor prognosis of cancer. There are several studies that have shown the connection between expression level of vimentin and invasiveness. In this study, MCF-7 cell line (MCF-7/S), which is a model cell line for human mammary carcinoma, and doxorubicin resistant MCF-7 cell line (MCF-7/Dox) were used. The resistant cell line was previously obtained by stepwise selection in our laboratory. The main purpose of this study was to investigate changes of metastatic behaviour in MCF-7/Dox cell line, after transient silencing of vimentin gene by siRNA. In conclusion, down-regulation of vimentin gene expression in MCF-7/Dox cell lines was expected to change the characteristics in migration and invasiveness shown by migration and invasion assays.
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Tolar, Martin. "Satisficing versus optimising behaviour in the non-durable consumption expenditure decision making process." Thesis, [Campbelltown, N.S.W. : The Author], 1995. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/108.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The new classical school's dominance of mainstream economic thought in recent years has brought with it the associated adoption of rational economic agents ( in the Muthian sense) by mainstream economists. This thesis challenges this underlying assumption of human behaviour in the context of the non-durable consumption expenditure decision making process. In doing so, our attention will be placed upon the weak or more general form of the hypothesis, which has come to be known as optimisation. We employ a behavioural methodology in an attempt to ascertain if individuals adhere to the optimising or satisficing model of human behaviour. In doing so time will be spent examining the bounded rationality hypothesis. We also employ a behavioural methodology in producing a non-durable consumption function that is econometrically comparable with an optimising model of non-durable consumption expenditure (namely the permanent income rational expectations hypothesis). The micro results produced in this thesis suggest that the respondents surveyed from non-durable consumption expenditure decisions that are sub-optimal in nature. The formation of these sub-tropical expenditure decisions appear to be a consequence of the cognitive constraints faced by our respondents, which in turn provides empirical support for the bounded rationality hypothesis. On a macro level, our behavioural consumption function generates results that are comparable with those produced by the optimising model employed in this thesis. Our results also question the rational expectations permanent income hypothesis (as it is usually applied), despite making adjustments to the model which remove the underlying assumption of known, constant real interest use
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Hunt, Janey. "Conversations : the socially engaged artist as environmental change agent." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/817.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
I use my art practice in conjunction with environmental behaviour research and Michel de Certeau’s practice of the everyday, to enable a re-examination of socially engaged art and through art to activate environmental behaviour change. Questions Clarify contemporary debate about demonstrable and desirable aspects and issues of socially engaged art practice and through my own practice identify its key characteristics. Examine the claim for change offered by many socially engaged practitioners. Context The socially engaged artist operates outside of the gallery, in everyday lives and real situations, often engaging in issues of meaning to society at large, where participation and facilitation of dialogue are the common characteristics. I identify participation, the ambition of social change, aesthetic representation and a failure to communicate beyond the participative event as key considerations. (Bishop 2004; Bourriaud 2002; Kester 2004; Kwon 2004) I propose an aesthetic of presence, to recognise community as a creative vernacular and as pooled knowledge. Drawn from Michel de Certeau’s research into everyday life (Michel de Certeau 1985; Michel de Certeau et al. 1998a) this also provides a refocusing on participation through conversation and describes rupture events, which signify change occurring. Method This thesis compares research in an alternative field, environmental behaviour, which investigates the impediments to change (the value-action gap), how change happens and identifies the change agent, as essential to encourage change at a personal level. (Ballard and Associates 2005b; Darnton et al. 2006) I use the value-action gap, the tension point between knowing about climate change and failing to make changes in our own behaviour, (Blake 1999; Darnton 2004b; Kollmus and Agyeman 2002) as a direct impetus to make participative artwork that examines the idea of a sustainable lifestyle. My art practice recognises a three-stage process: an admission of my own environmental behaviour; encouraging reciprocal participation and conversation and enabling personal reflection; representing conversation offering shared vernacular knowledge and enabling others’ engagement with the artwork and behaviour change. Equating the socially engaged artist with the environmental change agent, I synthesised the Model for Change Agents (S. Ballard and Ballard 2005a; Ballard and Associates 2005b) with research on participation in the arts (Matarasso 1997), as a basis for understanding how participation occurs and how change could happen in socially engaged artworks. An analysis of pilot artworks extends this model to identify the conditions for change, which also equate to the aesthetic aspects of the artwork, in a new model for Practice, Participation and Progression. Outcomes I propose key characteristics for socially engaged practice based on analysis of contemporary commentators and the model for practice, participation and progression. The role of the socially engaged artist is identified as comparable to the change agent. Representing conversation, addresses an issue of socially engaged practice to communicate beyond documentation of the event’s provocation and participation. I develop discussion of the discursive site beyond participation itself to a community of common sensibility and pooled knowledge as a demonstration of personal agency that is able to redefine the public ideal and challenge dominant culture. Re-presenting conversation is a means of sharing knowledge, stimulating change and expanding community. Contributing to environmental behaviour research my art practice reveals our ability to abstract behaviour, identifies our main areas of concern within lifestyle, our motivations for making change and the importance of the preservation of personal agency. I also comment on de Certeau, identifying the problems with individual resistance through the everyday, exploring mini-rupture events signaling change and proposing a reversal of the aesthetic of absence to an aesthetic of presence creating a new narrative that utilises personal agency.
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Bimpli, Iva. "Investigating Ethical Decision Making in Marketing Research: An Exploratory Study Towards the Interaction of Different Moral Agents in Marketing Research." Thesis, University of Bradford, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/14401.
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Bordignon, Massimo. "An investigation in the theory of voluntary provision of public goods and income tax evasion under the hypothesis of ethical behaviour on the part of economic agents." Thesis, University of Warwick, 1989. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/3951/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In this work we discuss a number of issues in the theory of voluntary provision of public goods and income tax evasion under the assumption that individuals are ruled by a notion of Kantian morality. Our justification for imposing such an assumption is that models incorporating the traditional assumption of rational egoism are unable to explain the many real world examples of successful private provision of public goods, of which compliance to tax rules can be taken as an example. In the first part of this work, after having reviewed the literature on private provision of public goods and justified our alternative approach, we introduce and formalize the notion of Kantian behaviour. We investigate efficiency of private provision of public goods under Kantian behaviour and we also compare Kantian provision with alternative models of public goods supply. Precise conditions on the structure of individual preferences which would ensure efficiency of private provision of a public good under Kantian, behaviour are derived. It is also shown that while Kantian supply of a public good is in general, still characterized by, underprovision it tends to be more efficient than public good provision under a democratic system as represented by the Median voter. theorem. Finally, using the notion of Lindahl equilibrium, a different way of assessing under/over provision of a public good under Kantian behaviour is derived. In the second part of this work, building upon the analysis on Kantian behaviour developed in the previous sections, we address the phenomenon of income tax evasion as an example of voluntary (non) provision of a public good. We present a model where the amount of tax that a taxpayer wishes to evade is determined on the basis of his perception of the fairness of his fiscal treatment, with respect to both governmental supply of public goods and the perceived behaviour of the other taxpayers. The coercive powers of the state, as well as the taxpayer's attitude toward risk, determine only the extent, to which this desired level of tax evasion is reached in practice. It is shown that this approach is able to produce implications for the relationship between the characteristics of public expenditure, the tax rates and tax evasion which are more consistent with both intuition, and empirical evidence than the results of the conventional model of income tax evasion. Furthermore, it also allows one to address other important questions such as the effect of government X-inefficiency on tax evasion.
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Cevoli, Alessandro. "Engineering behavioural differentiation in robots controlled by Boolean networks." Master's thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2019. http://amslaurea.unibo.it/19106/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The design of control software for robots that are required to face different and unpredictable environmental conditions is of paramount importance in current robotic research. A viable solution to attain such a control software consists in exploiting the rich dynamics of biological cell models; indeed, cells are capable of differentiating into specific types, each characterized by peculiar behavioural traits suited to the particular environmental condition in which the cell acts. Moreover, if properly triggered, cells can also undergo type changes. Inspired by this phenomenon, in this work we have devised a method to support the automatic design of robots controlled by Boolean networks (BNs), which are a notable model of genetic regulatory networks. The initial behaviour of the robot is not specific, i.e. its BN is in an undifferentiated state. When specific environmental conditions appear, the BN changes its dynamics that in turn induces a specific behaviour in the robot. If, subsequently, the environmental signals change, the robot is able to return to the initial, undifferentiated behaviour and then differentiate again into a different behaviour, according to the external signals. This method is shown in detail, along with a thorough experimental analysis, in a case study involving taxis behaviours.
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Darakdjian, Quentin. "Prédiction des performances énergétiques des bâtiments avec prise en compte du comportement des usagers." Thesis, La Rochelle, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017LAROS015/document.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
L’amélioration continue de la performance énergétique des bâtiments a été accompagnée par un développement d’outils numériques de plus en plus performants et précis. Alors que la prise en compte des phénomènes liés aux bâtiments, aux systèmes et à la météorologie est bien maîtrisée, le comportement des occupants est modélisé de manière très simplifiée par des scénarii répétitifs et des lois déterministes. L’impact des occupants sur les consommations énergétiques dans les bâtiments performants est pourtant majeur, comme en témoigne les écarts récurrents entre les résultats prédits et mesurés. Le travail de thèse propose, par l’intermédiaire d’une plateforme multi-agents et de modèles stochastiques, une mise à jour de la prise en compte de la présence des occupants et de leurs comportements sur la gestion des ouvrants, des dispositifs d’occultation, de l’éclairage et de la température de consigne de chauffage. Le champ d’application de la plateforme concerne les bâtiments de bureaux et de logements, pour des opérations neuves et de rénovation. Les modèles de comportement des occupants sont idéalement issus de campagnes de mesures in situ, d’études de laboratoire ou d’enquêtes sociologiques. La plateforme proposée est alors co-simulée avec le logiciel EnergyPlus, afin d’étudier l’influence des modèles sur les performances énergétiques. Dans la perspective de garantie de performance énergétique, ce travail contribue à la mise à jour et à la fiabilisation des outils de prédictionContinuous improvement of the building energy performance is associated with the development of increasingly efficient and accurate numerical tools. While the consideration of phenomena related to buildings, systems and weather is well mastered, occupants’ behaviours are modelled in a very simplified way by repetitive scenarios and deterministic laws. The impact of occupants on energy consumption in high-performance buildings is dominant, as evidenced by the recurring gaps between predicted and measured results. The thesis demonstrates, via a multi-agent platform and stochastic models, an update on the ability to model occupants’ presence, their behaviours on windows, occultation devices, artificial lighting and heating setpoint temperatures. The application of the platform applies to office and residential buildings, for new builds and refurbishments. Occupants’ behaviour models are ideally obtained from in situ surveys, laboratory studies or sociological works. The suggested platform is then co-simulated with the EnergyPlus software, to study the influence of the models on a buildings energy performance. In the perspective of energy performance guarantees, this work contributes to the updating and reliability of prediction tools
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Váňová, Jana. "Systém symbolů a jeho vztah k sociálním normám a standardům jednání ve vybrané organizaci." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2008. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-76970.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
This thesis is focused on survey of important symbolic agents, with that the organizational culture is presented in the chosen organization. Part of this thesis deals with the identification of social norms and standards of behaviour, that are thought to be important in this organization. Purpose of this thesis is verify, the relation of symbolic agents to strong embedded and sharable social norms and standards of behaviour in organization in randomly chosen research sample of employees. At the end of the thesis are the results and recommendations for lead of organization.
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Chilufya, Patrick Mukuka. "Impact of antiretroviral therapy on risky sexual behaviour in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Lusaka District of Zambia." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97951.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to investigate to what extent the availability of antiretroviral treatment has influenced sexual risk behavior practices in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in order to provide suggestions to improve HIV prevention messages. The study was conducted among adult HIV patients on ART aged 18 and above and affiliated to the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) in Lusaka District. A purposive sampling method was used to select study units and a sample of 40 was selected. Data was collected from participants using a self-administered questionnaire. SPSS version 20 software computer package was used to analyze data. Chi- square was used to measure associations between dependent variables (risky sexual behavior and initiation of ART) and the independent variable (duration of time on ART). With the confidence interval set at 95%, the P value was used to ascertain the degree of significance by using the decision rule which rejects the null hypothesis if P value is equal or less than 0.05. The findings revealed that the participant's mean age was 2.8 ± 1.3 SD. More than half (68%, n=27) of the participants had adequate knowledge on HIV prevention while 90% (n=36) of participants had a good (positive) attitude towards ART. 82.5% (n=33) of the participants on ART had sexual intercourse in the last 6 month, and 21.2% (n=7) of these did not use a condom for secondary prevention. There was no significant correlation between being on ART and having sexual intercourse, condom usage or number of sexual partners OR (P value of 0.45 and 0.85), (P values 0.37 and 0.5) and (P value 0.34 and 0.57) respectively. In multivariable analysis, the majority of the respondents (35.5%, n=11) indicated that continued sensitization would improve HIV prevention messages to support communities affected. Few (29%, n=9) stated that: "promoting abstinence among the youths or use of a condom for those that are sexually active and intensifying VCT campaign would reduce HIV transmission" and 7% (n=2) of the respondents suggested that; "involving the families and communities affected, civic, religious, and traditional leaders to educate both the young and adult citizens in schools, colleges and churches to support PLWH and fight against HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za iii A significant association was not found between an increase in risky sexual behavior or an upsurge in the occurrence of unprotected sex, initiation of ART and duration of being on ART. The majority (83%, n=15) of the respondents on ART for less than sixty months had protected sexual intercourse and 73% (n=11) on ART for sixty months and above also used protection. This association was statistically not significant (Chi-square value 2.95. P value > 0.05). However; other studies need to explore these subjective interpretations further.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie beskikbaar