Robust minimum cost consensus models with aggregation operators under individual opinion uncertainty

Individual opinion is one of the vital factors influencing the consensus in group decision-making, and is often uncertain. The previous studies mostly used probability distribution, interval distribution or uncertainty distribution function to describe the uncertainty of individual opinions. However, this requires an accurate understanding of the individual opinions distribution, which is often difficult to satisfy in real life. In order to overcome this shortcoming, this paper uses a robust optimization method to construct three uncertain sets to better characterize the uncertainty of individual initial opinions. In addition, we used three different aggregation operators to obtain collective opinions instead of using fixed values. Furthermore, we applied the numerical simulations on flood disaster assessment in south China so as to evaluate the robustness of the solutions obtained by the robust consensus models that we proposed. The results showed that the proposed models are more robust than the previous models. Finally, the sensitivity analysis of uncertain parameters was discussed and compared, and the characteristics of the proposed models were revealed.

A MODEL FOR DEVELOPING THE CREATIVE ABILITIES OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN BASED ON A PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH

In this article, the development of creative abilities of children of preschool age person-oriented individual opinion about the role of technology in education. Here are some important principles for developing a person-centered approach.

The Narrative Policy Framework and Sticky Beliefs: An Experiment Studying Islamophobia

Our study focuses on Islamophobia and the power of facts versus the power of a narrative in shaping individual opinion toward Muslims. We utilise an experimental design to explore three research questions: (1) Is Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment lowered in narrative or factual treatments?; (2) What are the differential effects of the treatments by ideological orientation?; and (3) Is Islamophobia a predictor of policy stances? We find that neither the narrative or factual treatments lowered Islamophobia or anti-Muslim sentiment. However, moderates were significantly influenced by the Facts Treatment, expressing lower levels of anti-Muslim sentiment. Finally, the treatments significantly influenced policy positions for individuals in the Facts Treatment group, who were less likely to support funding increases for border security than subjects in the narrative treatment. Our findings have implications for understanding persuasion, identity protection cognition, and the persistence of Islamophobia within the context of the power of narrative.

Western

Previously known as Western Province before the country was reorganized under the 2010 Constitution, Western Kenya now consists of Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Vihiga counties. Though the majority of inhabitants are Luhya, their diverse political persuasions have always culminated in different political affiliations and voting patterns during elections. The persistence of the resultant political heterogeneity has not been adequately explained. This chapter attempts to explain this political phenomenon, and assesses devolution’s contribution towards negotiating electoral harmony in the politics of Western Kenya. It is argued that Luhya traditionally cherished decentralized governance centered on clan authority, which saw every sub-group jealously guard its autonomy. The presence of the Teso and Sabaot in the region, with their varying historical grievances, coupled with respect for individual opinion, has further amplified political heterogeneity among the Luhya. Though devolution has triggered negotiations for power-sharing through “negotiated democracy,” it has not harmonized the politics of the region.

A Note on Teaching and Learning Linear Algebra in Tribhuvan University

The teaching of linear algebra has always been a challenge for teachers of mathematics, because it is extremely important that students become introduced into complex and abstract mathematical system of linear algebra and learn concepts which can be successfully applied later in other mathematical topics. It is necessary that teachers better understand how students learn, and recognize and allow that the appropriate content, methods and context could be different in different environments. As mathematicians, we are aware of the significant interconnections of different ideas and concepts, which is difficult to recognize and understand. We should not forget that understanding of these kinds of interconnections develops through active and hard exploration of mathematical topics through permanent discovering of new interconnections and relations. Thus, primary role of a teacher is to try to move students to take an active part during the class concerning important and difficult concepts, either through the form of individual opinion or through the form of group discussions. It is not easy to suggest teaching methods, especially in comparison to traditional lectures, which would be effective and would actively, engage students and generate stimulating learning.

Word of Mouth, Viral Marketing and Open Data: A Large-Scale Simulation for Predicting Opinion Diffusion on Ethical Food Consumption

This paper presents the first results of a large-scale-Agent-Based Simulation devoted to simulate individual behaviour inside a medium sized city (600,000 inhabitants). Humans are simulated as Intelligent Individual entities characterized by several attributes created from the Open Data available by means of a multi-layer approach. The work presented is divided into two main parts: the first part aims to describe the multi-layer approach adopted with the inclusion of the social network layer devoted to capture how social networks can be correlated with human activities and how an “Individual Opinion” can changes based on social interactions. The second part is devoted to present a preliminary case study for simulating the propagation dynamics of the individual opinion in the form of an ethical value function. The basic idea is to capture the changes in the individual opinion based on the social interactions predicted by the simulation. Finally, a food choice model for predicting individual choices based on the individual opinion function is presented; the model is based on three parameters: accessibility of ethical shops, price difference with standard products, and ethical value propagation.

The Degradation of Citizenship

This chapter examines how liberalism's relentless emphasis upon private over public things, self-interest over civic spirit, and aggregation of individual opinion over common good gives rise to a degraded form of citizenship. It argues that the term “liberalism” as an adjective not only modifies “democracy” but proposes a redefinition of the ancient regime into its effective opposite, to one in which the people do not rule but are instead satisfied with the material and martial benefits of living in a liberal res idiotica. It also explains how the word “democracy” affords legitimation to the liberal regime from a populace whose purported consent stands in for a more robust form of citizenship. Finally, it contends that liberalism abandons the pervasive challenge of democracy as a regime requiring the cultivation of disciplined self-rule in favor of viewing the government as a separate if beneficent institution.

Employee Retention

Attrition is a major problem in many Indian IT firms. On an average, attrition stands at around 14.5% in many major IT firms, making it a major problem. Attrition is not only a result of poor HR policies; it is also because of the many aspirations and need for career development for many young professionals. This gap between fulfilling the aspirations of the new entrants and the scope of development at any organization is the result of attrition. From the study, it has also been concluded that recognition, valuing one's individual opinion, and also the aspect of broadening and the scope of an organization to provide enough career development prospects in terms of training, executive education, and salary, etc. are also factors because of which many young professionals leave their respective organizations. Therefore, there is a need to amend the existing employee practices in order to meet the ever-changing momentum across the organizations and reduce the cost that happens due to attrition.