Development of algorithm for fuzzy art appraisal model

This paper presents an algorithm for a fuzzy art appraisal model, which is a hierarchical model based on a base price and the following adjustment. In the first step of the model, we determine the list of linguistic variables, their number, types of terms and types of membership functions for each term. Then, we analyze the subject area, process expert information and build a knowledge base containing 50 predicate rules of inference. The analysis shows that the model reflects a 4.37% error in a porcelain figurine appraisal. The paper also outlines recommendations on the implementation of the developed algorithm for fuzzy art appraisal model using Fuzzy Logic Toolbox for Matlab package and explains package limitations such as the need for strong authentication of art pieces, identification of mass artworks and a limited range of artwork that can be appraised.

Bundling Decisions for Selling Multiple Items in Online Auctions

Fueled by the widespread use of the internet, more and more ordinary people have now become merchandise sellers who sell their own possessions, such as antique collections and limited souvenirs, to buyers who are interested in such goods via online auctions. This study examines the decision making related to the bidding strategies used in online auctions by both sellers and buyers. When selling goods for which there is a limited supply, sellers consider whether to sell the single homogenous items in multiple, simultaneous auctions or all the items in a single auction. Moreover, when selling heterogeneous but associated goods, sellers may decide to bundle the items for sale or not with an aim of increasing the potential buyers’ willingness to make a purchase. We investigate the effects that various factors related to the bidding strategies used in online auctions, such as the base price and duration of the auction determined by the seller and the bidding price decided by the buyer, have on the seller’s profit, and the utilities of both parties are considered to derive the equilibrium solutions. This study contributes to the literature by proposing an online auction framework that focuses more on individual sellers selling a limited quantity of items with an aim to establish a favorable online auction for both sellers and buyers and earn more profits for sellers. The results show that the base prices and direct purchase prices should be unestablished to achieve the most attractive characteristics of online auctions, which would encourage more buyers to freely place bids. As a result, the bidding items would have more chances to be eventually obtained by the buyer who places the highest bid, which, thus, maximizes the seller’s profit.

Price Decomposition of Laser Treatment for Port-Wine Stain Using the Hedonic Pricing Model

Background: Port-wine stain (PWS) is a congenital capillary malformation associated with negative effects on the quality of life and psychological health of the patients. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the current treatment of choice for PWS, however there is little information on the factors determining the treatment price of PWS. We aim to explore the factors determining the treatment price of PWS.Methods: Data were collected through telephone surveys and self-reported questionnaires from hospitals, chain clinics, and doctor’s offices that offered PWS treatment from February 1 to March 30, 2021. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis using a log-linear regression model.Results: A total of 104 observations were gathered. The estimated base price of the treatment without any additional features is 98.34 USD. Treatment by dermatologists has an additional charge of 28.41 USD or 28.9%. Some private clinics offer a lower price of 28.7% (or 28.27 USD) by illegally having non-medical doctors perform the treatment. Treatment with 595-nm PDL and 585-nm PDL and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers have an additional charge of 34% (or 33.45 USD) and 38% (or 37.41 USD), respectively. The location and type of medical facility can also affect the price of the treatment. Conclusion: Many factors determine the base price and shadow price of PWS treatment. By using Factors determining a higher cost of laser fee are non-government facilities, location within the capital city, and higher location cost like clinics in the shopping complexes. Lastly, the type of laser and medical personnel provider can also affect the price of the treatment.

A Detector and Evaluation Framework of Abnormal Bidding Behavior Based on Supplier Portrait

In a large number of bidding supplier groups, it is difficult to accurately find suppliers with unreasonable bidding behavior. In order to solve the problem of precise positioning of massive abnormal bidding behavior groups of diverse and widely distributed suppliers, the authors design a detector framework of abnormal bidding behavior based on supplier portrait. This paper mainly focuses on three abnormal bidding behaviors which harmful to the tenderers—“affiliated operation,” “subcontracting behavior,” and “colluding behavior.” Based on the bidding behavior records of suppliers, this paper establishes supplier portraits in four dimensions. In order to solve the problem that the detection algorithm under the unlabeled data is difficult to verify, this research establishes a new evaluation framework based on the bid base price formula and benefit map database of the supplier. The experiment verifies that the framework can effectively detect most suppliers with abnormal bidding behavior and can significantly change the benchmark price after eliminating abnormal suppliers.

Models of improved multilink reverse charging network by utilizing the bit error rate QoS attribute

<span>In this paper, a modification model for single-link reverse charging of internet is formed on a multi-link wireless network. The pricing scheme also takes into account the base costs and quality of services provided by the service provider. Bit error rate (BER) was utilized as one of the well-known quality of service (QoS) attribute that can guarantee best performance for internet service provider (ISP) and users. The base price is determined as a decision variable to help ISP to maximize profit. This optimization model can be solved using the LINGO 13.0 program to gain optimal values. The computational results show that by setting costs as constants and service quality as variables, optimal results are obtained for ISPs. This can make ISP considerations in determining the base price that can benefit the ISP and according to the services provided</span>.

Analysis of added value in bovines sold for the angus meat program in the south of Brazil

The objective of this work was to analyze price aggregation and disaggregation in commercialized animals searching for "Programa Carne Angus" benefits in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data from 40,698 carcasses with Angus cattle racial pattern, slaughtered in a meat industry that performs the "Programa Carne Angus "certification, during the 2014 year were analyzed. The aggregated value was calculated by the difference between the negotiated base price for the lot and the final price obtained by animal after the certification process. The disaggregation was calculated based on the factors preventing the animals from being included in the certification program. The results show that the major disqualifying factor in males with the racial pattern was carcass fatness, and for females was the dentition, which disqualified 34.3 and 12.7% respectively. Value breakdown from 7,177 disqualified animals due to lack of finishing, or advanced dentition, reached R$ 1,213,528.00, or US$ 369,077.86 (US$ 51.43 per head), an amount that is no paid on from the industry to rural producers.Keywords: Aberdeen Angus, beef cattle dentition, beef cattle meat chain, fatness carcass, quality meat.

261 Sorting strategy and effect of variation on profitability of a pen of feedlot steers

Variation in feedlot cattle has a negative effect on feedlot profitability and beef products. Alternative sorting strategies may help reduce variation within a pen of feedlot cattle and improve beef product uniformity. A dynamic, deterministic model was built to predict growth, body composition, and carcass value for individual steers. Individual steer measurements for initial body weight (BW), frame size, and body fat percent were obtained from a set of Angus-based steers (n = 62; BW = 293kg) and used as initial values in the model. The model predicted individual steer BW, Yield and Quality Grades, and carcass values for each day in the feeding period. Total steer profit was calculated as carcass value minus feed costs and steer purchase price. Profitability was evaluated using four sorting strategies: 1) steers purchased, fed, and marketed as a lot without sorting; 2) steers purchased, sorted by BW at initial processing, and fed and marketed as two independent pens; 3) steers purchased and fed as a lot until midway through the feeding period, and then were sorted by BW into two pens that were marketed independently; and 4) steers purchased and fed as a lot and each individual steer was sold at the optimal time. Optimal marketing time was defined as the day profit reached a maximum value. Sensitivity analyses were conducted, changing all prices ± 10% while all other variables were held constant. Scenario 4 was most profitable, with a mean profit of $161.78 ± 144.79 per steer, representing the greatest possible profit. Scenario 1, the practice commonly used by commercial feedlots, was the least profitable ($122.45 ± 139.65). Scenario 2 ranked third ($125.10 ± 137.42), and Scenario 3 ranked second ($127.85 ± 137.73), but mean profit per head only differed by $2.75, indicating steers grew at a relatively constant rate, and there was no additional benefit in sorting mid-way through the finishing period versus at initial processing. Body weight at harvest and carcass weight varied across scenarios, but mean quality grade was similar for all four scenarios. Mean profit per was most sensitive to grid base price. In scenario 1, a ± 10% change in grid base price resulted in a 145 and –136% profit change, respectively. Sorting feedlot steers into similar feeding and marketing groups reduces pen variation, increasing carcass value, decreasing feed costs, and improving overall profitability.

The Act Protection for Islamic Banks in Financing Land and Rubber Plantation Ownership

Islamic banks in channeling funds to the public with two types, namely financing with the profit sharing system and financing with the sale and purchase system with deferred payment. Revenue sharing system is a system that includes procedures for the distribution of results of operations between the fund provider and the fund manager. The system of buying and selling with deferred payment is a system with profit margins, namely by implementing a system of buying and selling at a bank as a seller or by appointing a customer to be used as a bank agent to make purchases of goods and then selling the goods to customers at the agreed base price and profit. In practice, financing through Islamic banks does not rule out the possibility of problems, such as defaults such as the case in the Muara Enim Religious Court.