<p>Using the wisdom of crowds---combining many individual forecasts to obtain an aggregate estimate---can be an effective technique for improving forecast accuracy. When individual forecasts are drawn from independent and identical information sources, a simple average provides the optimal crowd forecast. However, correlated forecast errors greatly limit the ability of the wisdom of crowds to recover the truth. In practice, this dependence often emerges because information is shared: forecasters may to a large extent draw on the same data when formulating their responses. </p><p>To address this problem, I propose an elicitation procedure in which each respondent is asked to provide both their own best forecast and a guess of the average forecast that will be given by all other respondents. I study optimal responses in a stylized information setting and develop an aggregation method, called pivoting, which separates individual forecasts into shared and private information and then recombines these results in the optimal manner. I develop a tailored pivoting procedure for each of three information models, and introduce a simple and robust variant that outperforms the simple average across a variety of settings.</p><p>In three experiments, I investigate the method and the accuracy of the crowd forecasts. In the first study, I vary the shared and private information in a controlled environment, while the latter two studies examine forecasts in real-world contexts. Overall, the data suggest that a simple minimal pivoting procedure provides an effective aggregation technique that can significantly outperform the crowd average.</p> / Dissertation

Denna uppsats behandlar IT-arbete med fokus på IT-styrning, med offentlig sektor som utgångspunkt. Arbetet baseras på en två månaders praktik som utförts vid ett av Sveriges landsting, där arbetet vid huvudkontorets IT-avdelning har observerats och intervjuer utförts. Arbetet presenterar den struktur för IT-styrande som landstinget använde då praktiken utfördes. Det presenterar dessutom svårigheter som upplevs av de som styr landstingets IT i brist på dels detaljerade styrdokument för IT, och dels ett bristande stöd ifrån ledningen. Detta leder vidare till en teoretisk diskussion kring IT-governance, Shared services samt Strategizing. Det hela fångas upp i en diskussion som redogör för de olika styrande aspekternas påverkan på IT-strategi och IT-arbete. Arbetet bidrar därmed till kunskapsbasen kring IT-styrning genom analys av IT-arbete offentlig sektor.

Sverige står liksom många andra länder inför stora samhällsutmaningar. I Sverige utgör tjänster mer än 70 procent av BNP och behovet av tjänsteinnovationer som möter dessa utmaningar ökar. Creating Shared Value (CSV) är ett relativt nytt koncept som handlar om att skapa en gemensam värdegrund där ägarnas och samhällets intressen möts och ses som ett sätt att driva innovation och tillväxt på ett hållbart sätt. Ett fåtal tjänsteföretag har under de senaste åren börjat erbjuda CSV-tjänster och det är intressant att undersöka framväxten av dessa tjänster samt vilka faktorer som bidragit till utvecklingen. Studien undersöker därför tjänsteinnovationen hos två av Sveriges ledande kommunikationsbyråer som erbjuder CSV-tjänster och fokuserar främst på kundens roll i innovationsprocessen. Undersökningsmaterialet samlades in genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer med anställda från byråernas hållbarhetsteam. Resultatet visar att vissa kunder, så kallade ledanvändare, har haft stor betydelse för tjänsteutvecklingen. Slutsatsen är att innovationen kring dessa tjänster skett i samskapande med kund.

Ce travail de thèse utilise le cadre de la Coopération Homme-Machine afin d’étudier l’articulation entre le traitement symbolique (interprétatif) du contexte et le traitement subsymbolique de l’intervention d’assistances à la conduite directement sur le volant. Quatre études expérimentales menées sur simulateur de conduite sont présentées.Les deux premières études s’intéressent à la capacité des conducteurs à conserver la totale maîtrise du véhicule lorsque l’assistance intervient ponctuellement sur le volant, en cas de risque imminent de sortie de voie (amorçage haptique). Les résultats montrent que seuls les temps de réaction des conducteurs sont entièrement déterminés au niveau sensori-moteur, les processus symboliques intervenant très tôt pour inhiber ou moduler la réponse motrice. Les deux dernières études s’intéressent à la Coopération Homme-Machine lorsque l’intervention de l’automate sur le volant est continue (contrôle partagé). Le degré de partage entre les deux agents et l’adaptation à l’assistance sur le moyen terme ont été étudiés. Les résultats permettent de conclure qu’il est possible d’intégrer efficacement l’intervention des automatesdans les boucles de contrôle sensori-motrices à condition que cette intégration respecte certaines précautions. Il s’agira notamment de calibrer finement le degré d’intervention ou la temporalité d’intervention dans ces boucles / The work in this thesis employs the Human-Machine Cooperation framework to study the relationship between symbolic (interpretive) processing of the context and subsymbolic processing of the intervention of driving assistance devices that act directly on the steering wheel. Four experimental studies on a driving simulator are presented.The first two focus on the ability of drivers to remain in full control of the vehicle when the assistance occasionally intervenes on the steering wheel, in case of imminent risk of lane departure (haptic priming). The results show that the driver’s reaction times are fully determined at the sensorimotor level. However, symbolic processes are involved as well at a very early stage to inhibit or modulate the motor response. Two other studies focus on Human-Machine Cooperation when the intervention of the device is continuous (shared control). The optimal level of shared control and the medium-term adaptation of the driver to the automation are studied. The results show that it is possible to effectively integrate the intervention of automation into the drivers sensorimotor control loops. However, successful integration requires respecting certain constraints, such as the fine calibration of the level of automation and the timing of the intervention

Cannabis social clubs (CSCs) in Spain are non-profit organizations that associate cannabis users. According to the Spanish criminal law drug consumption itself, as well as possession of a drug, is not considered a crime but rather an administrative offence. Yet, social club activities could possibly lower the health risk of cannabis among its users, mainly because they are avoiding the black market and they can control the drug quality as well as the amount of drug intake relating to the fixed consumption limit (Barriuso, 2005; Barriuso, 2011). The aim of the research conducted for this thesis was to reveal how Spanish CSCs function on daily basis from their members'perspective and how the cannabis cultivation and distribution is carried out. Although this is an explorative research, in addition it could indicate the possible weaknesses and strengths of this model as well as possible risks and benefits for its members. The open explorative qualitative study design was used. For data gathering qualitative data was chosen in a semi-structured focus group method (Miovský, 2006; Morgan 2001). One of the important joint activities of the social club members is cultivation of cannabis plants and sparing of the harvest just for their own consumption. As such, it's members can avoid the black market and...

In this thesis, we present research on synthesizing autonomous driving with shared autonomy using Unity Engine. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is considered as level 1 autonomous vehicle, which has been studied by academia and commercialized by industry. Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) system is an expansion of ACC, in which communication is set up between members to share driving information. Shared autonomy is a subject about human-computer interactivities. In our research, we developed a highly customizable 3D environment. We can simulate various driving scenarios and analyze the performance of different driving methods from human driving to CACC. The result of simulation proves the safety and efficiency of CACC, and the project also provides a potential of assisting the improvement of autonomous vehicles.

A partir dos princípios da Produção Partilhada do Conhecimento, estimulou-se a captação de material audiovisual para um vídeo documentário sobre a transmissão do conhecimento no candomblé e a divulgação de imagens consideradas proibidas pela tradição, com o propósito de se observar o impacto das novas mídias nesse processo em parceria com o Ilê Axé Omi Otá Lowa, em Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, São Paulo (SP). A finalização e divulgação do vídeo ocorrerá de acordo com os interesses do grupo. O trabalho etnográfico pretendeu salientar questões pertinentes à transmissão da tradição e de suas transformações, analisando a comunidade, as relações de poder estabelecidas e como as escolhas para a produção fílmica expõem as negociações identitárias frente às outras casas de candomblé e ao público em geral. Iniciado na religião por Pai Vagner Bandeira de Oxum, principal interlocutor na comunidade, a posição de pesquisador-adepto configura especificidade no jogo da produção do conhecimento partilhado e traz à experiência um caráter sui generis. / The principles of Shared Production of Knowledge triggered the capture of audiovisual material for a documentary video about the transmission of knowledge in Candomblé and the disclosure of images regarded prohibited by tradition, aiming at observing the impact of new media in such process, in association with the temple Ilê Axé Omi Otá Lowa, located in Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, São Paulo (SP). The video will be closed and disclosed according to the interests of the group. The ethnographic work sought to stress out issues that are inherent to the transmission of tradition and changes thereof, by analyzing the community, the relations of power established and how the choices for the production of the feature expose identity negotiations as compared to other Candomblé temples and the public in general. Initiated in the religion by Father Vagner Bandeira of Oxum, main interlocutor in the community, the position of researcher/member configures specificity in the game of production of shared knowledge and provides the experience with a one-of-a-kind character.

Esta pesquisa trata da relação entre educação e trabalho com o olhar voltado para além do horizonte do mercado e das oligarquias, onde pode ser possível materializar experiências, que mesmo no interior de uma sociedade capitalista pode reverberar novas construções de alternativas para o desenvolvimento orgânico das pessoas e de seus lugares de vida. A experiência na qual me detive teve uma articulação de secretários e ex-secretários de educação conhecida como Portal da Educação da Baixada Maranhense. A análise desse objeto teve como objetivo desvelar as possibilidades e impasses existentes na implantação de projetos educativos com arranjos intermunicipais e intersetoriais que têm como uma das razões fomentar a dinamização sociocultural e econômico-social de áreas e territórios pobres. Inicio o trabalho voltando meu olhar para a Baixada Maranhense do passado e do presente e nela faço um recorte para verticalizar meus estudos apenas em parte dos municípios dessa região que compõem atualmente a área delimitada pelo Ministério do Desenvolvimento Agrário (MDA) como Território Campos e Lagos. Após estudos, análise de documentos, de projetos e pesquisa de campo inicio uma reflexão cuidadosa sobre os arranjos e as redes de educação que ao serem implantados podem fomentar o desenvolvimento territorial. / This research treats of the relationship of education and work, with the view of beyond the horizon of the Market in of the oligarchies, where is possible to materialize experiences, even in the middle of a capitalist society may reverberate new alternative constructions to the organic development of people and yours life places. The experience that I have focused had an articulation of secretaries and vice secretaries of education known for Portal da Educação from the Baixada Maranhense. The analysis of this object had like objective show the possibilities and existing impasses in the implementation of educational projects with agreements intercities and intersectoral that have like reason promote the sociocultural dynamics and socio-economic of areas and poor territories. I started this work looking to Baixada Maranhense from the past and the present and to deepen my studies I focused just in part of the areas that currently are the area delimited for the Ministery of Agrarian Development (MDA) like Território Campos e Lagos (territories fields and lakes). After studies, analysis of documents, of projects and field research I started a careful reflection about the arrangements and education networks that if implanted could promote the territorial development.

Foam fighting is a form of Live Action Role Playing (LARP) that focuses on mock combat and recreational battle, with role-playing aspects taking a less prominent role. It is sometimes referred to as a “poor man’s martial art”.While there does not appear to be any clear documentation concerning the origins, research on foam fighting suggests the sport began in Maryland in the 1970’s and slowly spread throughout the United States. This research will illustrate how the sport of foam fighting demands a level of critical thinking that takes both the participant and audience beyond the sight of a swinging stick. I plan to show how this sport provides an outlet for high levels of creativity, social interaction and strategic planning skills. It is a hobby that has had a great impact on the daily lives of many of its participants and continues to grow and evolve. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This thesis consists of four chapters, introduction and conclusion. In the introduction to this thesis, the author clarifies the reasons for choice of the subject of the thesis, defines the aims of the thesis and its systematic as well as describes the methodology of the thesis and the default sources. In the first chapter, the author deals with definition of the concept of shared economy and connected critical reflections. The second subchapter of the first chapter deals with description of selected shared economy representatives, with whom the application part of the thesis shall deal with. The second chapter generally defines the relevant institutes of tax law such as tax evasion and tax optimization, whereas the author deals with the difference between them. Further, attention is paid to circumvention of law, obscured legal action, abuse of law and the fight against tax evasion. The centerpiece of this thesis is included in the third chapter, which is focused on application of tax legal regulations to selection of representatives of shared economy. The relevant chapter is divided into four subchapters, each dealing with individual taxes. Each of the subchapters includes brief description of examined tax as well it deals with the application of tax law rules to shared economics cases in the...