ALBERT

Description: Recently, non-standard Lagrangians have gained a growing importance in theoretical physics and in the theory of non-linear differential equations. However, their formulations and implications in general relativity are still in their infancies despite some advances in contemporary cosmology. The main aim of this paper is to fill the gap. Though non-standard Lagrangians may be defined by a multitude form, in this paper, we considered the exponential type. One basic feature of exponential non-standard Lagrangians concerns the modified Euler-Lagrange equation obtained from the standard variational analysis. Accordingly, when applied to spacetime geometries, one unsurprisingly expects modified geodesic equations. However, when taking into account the time-like paths parameterization constraint, remarkably, it was observed that mutually discrete gravity and discrete spacetime emerge in the theory. Two different independent cases were obtained: A geometrical manifold with new spacetime coordinates augmented by a metric signature change and a geometrical manifold characterized by a discretized spacetime metric. Both cases give raise to Einstein’s field equations yet the gravity is discretized and originated from “spacetime discreteness”. A number of mathematical and physical implications of these results were discussed though this paper and perspectives are given accordingly.

Description: To design an efficient and economical timetable for a heavily congested urban rail corridor, a scheduling model is proposed in this paper. The objective of the proposed model is to find the departure time of trains at the start terminal to minimize the system cost, which includes passenger waiting cost and operating cost. To evaluate the performance of the timetable, a simulation model is developed to simulate the detailed movements of passengers and trains with strict constraints of station and train capacities. It assumes that passengers who arrive early will have more chances to access a station and board a train. The accessing and boarding processes of passengers are all based on a first-come-first-serve basis. When a station is full, passengers unable to access must wait outside until the number of waiting passengers at platform falls below a given value. When a train is full, passengers unable to board must wait at the platform for the next train to arrive. Then, based on the simulation results, a two-stage genetic algorithm is introduced to find the best timetable. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and solution method.

Description: With the rapid development of urban informatization, the era of big data is coming. To satisfy the demand of traffic congestion early warning, this paper studies the method of real-time traffic flow state identification and prediction based on big data-driven theory. Traffic big data holds several characteristics, such as temporal correlation, spatial correlation, historical correlation, and multistate. Traffic flow state quantification, the basis of traffic flow state identification, is achieved by a SAGA-FCM (simulated annealing genetic algorithm based fuzzy c-means) based traffic clustering model. Considering simple calculation and predictive accuracy, a bilevel optimization model for regional traffic flow correlation analysis is established to predict traffic flow parameters based on temporal-spatial-historical correlation. A two-stage model for correction coefficients optimization is put forward to simplify the bilevel optimization model. The first stage model is built to calculate the number of temporal-spatial-historical correlation variables. The second stage model is present to calculate basic model formulation of regional traffic flow correlation. A case study based on a real-world road network in Beijing, China, is implemented to test the efficiency and applicability of the proposed modeling and computing methods.

Description: A pest management model with stage structure and impulsive state feedback control is investigated. We get the sufficient condition for the existence of the order-1 periodic solution by differential equation geometry theory and successor function. Further, we obtain a new judgement method for the stability of the order-1 periodic solution of the semicontinuous systems by referencing the stability analysis for limit cycles of continuous systems, which is different from the previous method of analog of Poincarè criterion. Finally, we analyze numerically the theoretical results obtained.

Description: By recourse to tempered ultradistributions, we show here that the effect of a q-Fourier transform (qFT) is to map equivalence classes of functions into other classes in a one-to-one fashion. This suggests that Tsallis’ q-statistics may revolve around equivalence classes of distributions and not individual ones, as orthodox statistics does. We solve here the qFT’s non-invertibility issue, but discover a problem that remains open.

Description: The problem of stochastic synchronization of neutral-type neural networks with multidelays based on -matrix is researched. Firstly, we designed a control law of stochastic synchronization of the neural-type and multiple time-delays neural network. Secondly, by making use of Lyapunov functional and -matrix method, we obtained a criterion under which the drive and response neutral-type multiple time-delays neural networks with stochastic disturbance and Markovian switching are stochastic synchronization. The synchronization condition is expressed as linear matrix inequality which can be easily solved by MATLAB. Finally, we introduced a numerical example to illustrate the effectiveness of the method and result obtained in this paper.

Description: The level of service is an important aspect of the operation and management at a railway passenger station. Particularly, the level of service in waiting room (LOSWR) is one of the most important influential factors in deciding passengers’ satisfaction. This paper proposes a model for finding the LOSWR based on the maximum number of passengers, and an Arena simulation model that simulates passengers’ aggregation behaviors in the waiting room is presented for analyzing the LOSWR. Through the simulation, we demonstrate how the passenger advanced arrival time and the accompany rate influence the maximum number of passengers and the LOSWR. In addition, the simulation also illustrates the effect utilities and the priority of different measures that can be used to improve the LOSWR. In detail, the simulation results demonstrate that the passenger advanced arrival time and advanced check-out time have much stronger effect utilities on the maximum number of passengers and the LOSWR than other discussed factors. The simulation suggests that the Arena is an effective simulation platform for analyzing complex passengers-related behaviors at railway passenger station.

Description: To evaluate traffic conditions in an urban region, the average travel speed in the street network and the average traffic flow per lane are selected as indexes. The results for identifying traffic conditions are obtained using macroscopic fundamental diagram. Because of the difficulty of collecting the traffic parameter of travel speed from widely distributed fixed detectors directly, in this paper, the relationship between average travel speed and queue lengths at signalized intersections within the urban area is established based on an equivalent assumption. Finally, the average travel speed estimation model proposed in this paper is tested with microscopic simulation platform, and the results showed that the average travel speed estimation model performed well with satisfactory accuracy. In addition, the best performance of the network efficiency can be identified based on the reflections of macroscopic fundamental diagram, and the evaluation system is simple enough for application in engineering. Therefore, the result is instructive both for generating traffic control strategies and for making route choices.

Description: An consensus problem of multiagent systems is studied by introducing disturbances into the systems. Based on control theory and consensus theory, a condition is derived to guarantee the systems both reach consensus and have a certain property. Finally, an example is worked out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Description: We develop isometry and inversion formulas for the Segal–Bargmann transform on odd-dimensional hyperbolic spaces that are as parallel as possible to the dual case of odd-dimensional spheres.

Description: We will discuss discrete dynamics generated by single-valued and multivalued operators in spaces endowed with a generalized metric structure. More precisely, the behavior of the sequence of successive approximations in complete generalized gauge spaces is discussed. In the same setting, the case of multivalued operators is also considered. The coupled fixed points for mappings and are discussed and an application to a system of nonlinear integral equations is given.

Description: We present a time discontinuous Galerkin finite element scheme for quasi-linear Sobolev equations. The approximate solution is sought as a piecewise polynomial of degree in time variable at most with coefficients in finite element space. This piecewise polynomial is not necessarily continuous at the nodes of the partition for the time interval. The existence and uniqueness of the approximate solution are proved by use of Brouwer’s fixed point theorem. An optimal -norm error estimate is derived. Just because of a damping term included in quasi-linear Sobolev equations, which is the distinct character different from parabolic equation, more attentions are paid to this term in the study. This is the significance of this paper.

Description: Using torus gauge fixing, Hahn in 2008 wrote down an expression for a Chern-Simons path integral to compute the Wilson Loop observable, using the Chern-Simons action \(S_{CS}^\kappa\), \(\kappa\) is some parameter. Instead of making sense of the path integral over the space of \(\mathfrak{g}\)-valued smooth 1-forms on \(S^2 \times S^1\), we use the Segal Bargmann transform to define the path integral over \(B_i\), the space of \(\mathfrak{g}\)-valued holomorphic functions over \(\mathbb{C}^2 \times \mathbb{C}^{i-1}\). This approach was first used by us in 2011. The main tool used is Abstract Wiener measure and applying analytic continuation to the Wiener integral. Using the above approach, we will show that the Chern-Simons path integral can be written as a linear functional defined on \(C(B_1^{\times^4} \times B_2^{\times^2}, \mathbb{C})\) and this linear functional is similar to the Chern-Simons linear functional defined by us in 2011, for the Chern-Simons path integral in the case of \(\mathbb{R}^3\). We will define the Wilson Loop observable using this linear functional and explicitly compute it, and the expression is dependent on the parameter \(\kappa\). The second half of the article concentrates on taking \(\kappa\) goes to infinity for the Wilson Loop observable, to obtain link invariants. As an application, we will compute the Wilson Loop observable in the case of \(SU(N)\) and \(SO(N)\). In these cases, the Wilson Loop observable reduces to a state model. We will show that the state models satisfy a Jones type skein relation in the case of \(SU(N)\) and a Conway type skein relation in the case of \(SO(N)\). By imposing quantization condition on the charge of the link \(L\), we will show that the state models are invariant under the Reidemeister Moves and hence the Wilson Loop observables indeed define a framed link invariant. This approach follows that used in an article written by us in 2012, for the case of \(\mathbb{R}^3\).

Description: With system dynamics, we establish three-closed-loop supply chain distribution network system model which consists of supplier, manufacturer, two retailers, and products (parts) recycler. We proposed that recycler make reflect for the government policy by adjusting the recycling ratio and recycling delay. We use vensim software to simulate this model and investigate how the products (parts) recyclers behavior influences the loop supply chain distribution system. The result shows that (1) when recyclers respond positively to government policies, recycling will increase the proportion of recyclers. When recyclers respond negatively to government policy making, recycling will reduce the proportion of recyclers. (2) When the recovery percentage of recyclers improves, manufacturers, Retailer 1, and Retailer 2 quantity fluctuations will reduce and the bullwhip effect will diminish. (3) When the proportion of recycled parts recyclers is lowered, manufacturers, Retailer 1, and Retailer 2 inventory fluctuation will increase and the bullwhip effect will be enhanced. (4) When recyclers recycling product delays increased, volatility manufacturers order quantity will rise, but there is little change in the amount of fluctuation of orders of the two retailers. (5) When recycling parts recyclers delay increases, fluctuations in the supplier order quantity will rise, but there is little change in the amount of fluctuation of orders of the two retailers.

Description: We investigate the existence of solutions for a Caputo fractional difference equation boundary value problem. We use Schauder fixed point theorem to deduce the existence of solutions. The proofs are based upon the theory of discrete fractional calculus. We also provide some examples to illustrate our main results.

Description: Conventional DEA models make no hypothesis concerning the internal operations in a static situation. To open the “black box” and work with dynamic assessment issues synchronously, we put forward a hybrid model for evaluating the relative efficiencies of a set of DMUs over an observed time period with a composite of network DEA and dynamic DEA. We vertically deal with intermediate products between divisions with assignable inputs in the network structure and, horizontally, we extend network structure by means of a dynamic pattern with unrelated activities between two succeeding periods. The hybrid dynamic network DEA model proposed in this paper enables us to (i) pry into the internal operations of DEA by another network structure, (ii) obtain dynamic change of period efficiency, and (iii) gain the overall dynamic efficiency of DMUs over the entire observed periods. We finally illustrate the calculation procedure of the proposed approach by a numerical example.

Description: We consider a class of system of nonlinear difference equations arising from mathematical models describing a discrete epidemic model. Sufficient conditions are established that guarantee the existence of positive solutions, the existence of a unique nonnegative equilibrium, and the convergence of the positive solutions to the nonnegative equilibrium of the system of difference equations. The obtained results are new and they complement previously known results.

Description: We discuss a new approach to represent fractional operators by Sinc approximation using convolution integrals. A spin off of the convolution representation is an effective inverse Laplace transform. Several examples demonstrate the application of the method to different practical problems.

Description: Given a hyperbolic quadric of PG(5, 2), there are 28 points off this quadric and 56 lines skew to it. It is shown that the (286; 563)-configuration formed by these points and lines is isomorphic to the combinatorial Grassmannian of type G2(8). It is also pointed out that a set of seven points of G2(8) whose labels share a mark corresponds to a Conwell heptad of PG(5, 2). Gradual removal of Conwell heptads from the (286; 563)-configuration yields a nested sequence of binomial configurations identical with part of that found to be associated with Cayley-Dickson algebras (arXiv:1405.6888).

Description: This paper presents a model for solving a multiobjective vehicle routing problem with soft time-window constraints that specify the earliest and latest arrival times of customers. If a customer is serviced before the earliest specified arrival time, extra inventory costs are incurred. If the customer is serviced after the latest arrival time, penalty costs must be paid. Both the total transportation cost and the required fleet size are minimized in this model, which also accounts for the given capacity limitations of each vehicle. The total transportation cost consists of direct transportation costs, extra inventory costs, and penalty costs. This multiobjective optimization is solved by using a modified genetic algorithm approach. The output of the algorithm is a set of optimal solutions that represent the trade-off between total transportation cost and the fleet size required to service customers. The influential impact of these two factors is analyzed through the use of a case study.

Description: Intuitionistic fuzzy information aggregation plays an important role in intuitionistic fuzzy set theory and is widely used in group decision making. In this paper, an induced intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein hybrid aggregation operator (I-IFEHA) is investigated for supplier selection group decision making in logistics service value cocreation based on fuzzy measures. We first introduce some aggregation operators and Einstein operations on intuitionistic fuzzy sets and develop a new induced intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein hybrid aggregation operator to accommodate the environment in which the given arguments are intuitionistic fuzzy values. Then, we study the supplier selection group decision model in logistics service value cocreation based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets with the I-IFEHA operator. Finally, an example of 3PL supplier selection in logistics service value cocreation environment is given to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed approach.

Description: Simulation, as a powerful tool for evaluating transportation systems, has been widely used in transportation planning, management, and operations. Most of the simulation models are focused on motorized vehicles, and the modeling of nonmotorized vehicles is ignored. The cellular automata (CA) model is a very important simulation approach and is widely used for motorized vehicle traffic. The Nagel-Schreckenberg (NS) CA model and the multivalue CA (M-CA) model are two categories of CA model that have been used in previous studies on bicycle traffic flow. This paper improves on these two CA models and also compares their characteristics. It introduces a two-lane NS CA model and M-CA model for both regular bicycles (RBs) and electric bicycles (EBs). In the research for this paper, many cases, featuring different values for the slowing down probability, lane-changing probability, and proportion of EBs, were simulated, while the fundamental diagrams and capacities of the proposed models were analyzed and compared between the two models. Field data were collected for the evaluation of the two models. The results show that the M-CA model exhibits more stable performance than the two-lane NS model and provides results that are closer to real bicycle traffic.

Description: This paper is on the purpose of developing a segmented signal progression model for modern streetcar system. The new method is presented with the following features: (1) the control concept is based on the assumption of only one streetcar line operating along an arterial under a constant headway and no bandwidth demand for streetcar system signal progression; (2) the control unit is defined as a coordinated intersection group associated with several streetcar stations, and the control joints must be streetcar stations; (3) the objective function is built to ensure the two-way streetcar arrival times distributing within the available time of streetcar phase; (4) the available time of streetcar phase is determined by timing schemes, intersection structures, track locations, streetcar speeds, and vehicular accelerations; (5) the streetcar running speed is constant separately whether it is in upstream or downstream route; (6) the streetcar dwell time is preset according to historical data distribution or charging demand. The proposed method is experimentally examined in Hexi New City Streetcar Project in Nanjing, China. In the experimental results, the streetcar system operation and the progression impacts are shown to affect transit and vehicular traffic. The proposed model presents promising outcomes through the design of streetcar system segmented signal progression, in terms of ensuring high streetcar system efficiency and minimizing negative impacts on transit and vehicular traffic.

Description: Traffic sensors serve as an important way to a number of intelligent transportation system applications which rely heavily on real-time data. However, traffic sensors are costly. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize sensor placement to maximize various benefits. Arterial street traffic is highly dynamic and the movement of vehicles is disturbed by signals and irregular vehicle maneuver. It is challenging to estimate the arterial street travel time with limited sensors. In order to solve the problem, the paper presents travel time estimation models that rely on speed data collected by sensor. The relationship between sensor position and vehicle trajectory in single link is investigated. A sensor location model in signalized arterial is proposed to find the optimal sensor placement with the minimum estimation error of arterial travel time. Numerical experiments are conducted in 3 conditions: synchronized traffic signals, green wave traffic signals, and vehicle-actuated signals. The results indicate that the sensors should not be placed in vehicle queuing area. Intersection stop line is an ideal sensor position. There is not any fixed sensor position that can cope with all traffic conditions.

Description: Applications of fractional time derivatives in physics and engineering require the existence of nontranslational time automorphisms on the appropriate algebra of observables. The existence of time automorphisms on commutative and noncommutative C*-algebras for interacting many-body systems is investigated in this article. A mathematical framework is given to discuss local stationarity in time and the global existence of fractional and nonfractional time automorphisms. The results challenge the concept of time flow as a translation along the orbits and support a more general concept of time flow as a convolution along orbits. Implications for the distinction of reversible and irreversible dynamics are discussed. The generalized concept of time as a convolution reduces to the traditional concept of time translation in a special limit.

Description: We find a Selberg zeta function expression of certain one-loop spin partition functions on three-dimensional thermal anti-de Sitter space. Of particular interest is the partition function of higher spin fermionic particles. We also set up, in the presence of spin, a Patterson-type formula involving the logarithmic derivative of zeta.

Description: This article is devoted to the study of the ASARCO demolition seismic data. Two different classes of modeling techniques are explored: First, mathematical interpolation methods and second statistical smoothing approaches for curve fitting. We estimate the characteristic parameters of the propagation medium for seismic waves with multiple mathematical and statistical techniques, and provide the relative advantages of each approach to address fitting of such data. We conclude that mathematical interpolation techniques and statistical curve fitting techniques complement each other and can add value to the study of one dimensional time series seismographic data: they can be use to add more data to the system in case the data set is not large enough to perform standard statistical tests.

Description: Hot events on Internet always attract many people who usually form one or several opinion camps through discussion. For the problem of polarization in Internet group opinions, we propose a new model based on Cellular Automata by considering neighbors, opinion leaders, and external influences. Simulation results show the following: (1) It is easy to form the polarization for both continuous opinions and discrete opinions when we only consider neighbors influence, and continuous opinions are more effective in speeding the polarization of group. (2) Coevolution mechanism takes more time to make the system stable, and the global coupling mechanism leads the system to consensus. (3) Opinion leaders play an important role in the development of consensus in Internet group opinions. However, both taking the opinion leaders as zealots and taking some randomly selected individuals as zealots are not conductive to the consensus. (4) Double opinion leaders with consistent opinions will accelerate the formation of group consensus, but the opposite opinions will lead to group polarization. (5) Only small external influences can change the evolutionary direction of Internet group opinions.

Description: This study aimed to calibrate saturation flow rate (SFR) and start-up lost time (SLT) when developing signal timing. In current commonly used methods, SFR for one given lane is usually calibrated from many subjective adjustment factors and a fixed result. SLT is calculated based on the fixed SFR, which prevents local applications in China. Considering the importance of traffic behavior (headway) in determining SFR and SLT, this study started from headway distribution and attempted to specify the relationships between headway and vehicle position directly. A common intersection in Nanjing, China, was selected to implement field study and data from 920 queues was collected. Headway distribution was explored and the 78th percentile of headway at each position was selected to build model. Based on the developed relationships, SFR and SLT were calibrated. The results showed that SFR and SLT were correlated with queue length. Moreover, the results showed that it was difficult to reach saturated state even with a long queue length. This paper provides a new perspective on calibrating important parameters in signal timing, which will be useful for traffic agencies to complete signal timing by making the process simpler.

Description: The paper describes an evolution game model of travel mode choice to determine whether transportation policies would have the desired effect. The model is first expressed as a two-stage sequential game in the extensive form based on the similarity between evolution game theory and the travel mode choice process. Second, backward induction is used to solve for Nash equilibrium of the game based on the Folk Theorem. Third, the sensitivity analysis suggests that a payoff reduction of travel by any mode will result in a rising proportion of inhabitants travelling by that mode and falling proportions of inhabitants travelling by other modes. Finally, the model is applied to Beijing inhabitants’ travel mode choices during morning peak hours and draws the conclusion that the proportion of inhabitants travelling by rail would increase when traffic congestion is more severe. This confirms that fast construction of the urban rail transit would be an effective means of alleviating traffic congestion. The model may be a useful tool for policy makers for analyzing the complex influence of travel mode choice processes on transport policies and transport construction projects.

Description: Adverse weather can reduce visibility and road surface friction, lower vehicle maneuverability, and increase crash frequency and injury severity. The impacts of adverse weather and its interactions with drivers and roadway on the operation and management of expressway or expressway bridges have drawn the researchers’ and managers’ attention to develop traffic management frameworks to mitigate the negative influence. Considering the peculiar geographical location and meteorological conditions, the Guangshen Coast Expressway-Shenzhen Segment (GSCE-SS) was selected as a case in this study to illustrate the proposed traffic management framework on rain days. Conditions categorized by rainfall intensity and traffic flow were the main precondition to make the management decisions. CORSIM simulator was used to develop the alternate routes choice schemes, providing reference for other systems in the proposed traffic management framework. Maps of (a) entrance ramp control (ERC) strategies; (b) mainline control strategies; (c) alternate routes choice; (d) information release schemes, under scenarios of different volume and rainstorm warning grades (BLUE to RED), were drawn to present a reference or demonstration for managers of long-span expressway bridges not only in China, but even in the world.

Description: Fresh fruits and vegetables, perishable by nature, are subject to additional deterioration and bruising in the distribution process due to vibration and shock caused by road irregularities. A nonlinear mathematical model was developed that considered not only the vehicle routing problem with time windows but also the effect of road irregularities on the bruising of fresh fruits and vegetables. The main objective of this work was to obtain the optimal distribution routes for fresh fruits and vegetables considering different road classes with the least amount of logistics costs. An improved genetic algorithm was used to solve the problem. A fruit delivery route among the 13 cities in Jiangsu Province was used as a real analysis case. The simulation results showed that the vehicle routing problem with time windows, considering road irregularities and different classes of toll roads, can significantly influence total delivery costs compared with traditional VRP models. The comparison between four models to predict the total cost and actual total cost in distribution showed that the improved genetic algorithm is superior to the Group-based pattern, CW pattern, and O-X type cross pattern.

Description: Root-operator factorization à la Dirac provides an effective tool to deal with equations, which are not of evolution type, or are ruled by fractional differential operators, thus eventually yielding evolution-like equations although for a multicomponent vector. We will review the method along with its extension to root operators of degree higher than two. Also, we will show the results obtained by the Dirac-method as well as results from other methods, specifically in connection with evolution-like equations ruled by square-root operators, that we will address to as relativistic evolution equations.

Description: Phys and Math are two colleagues at the University of Saçenbon (Crefan Kingdom), dialoguing about the remarkable efficiency of mathematics for physics. They talk about the notches on the Ishango bone and the various uses of psi in maths and physics; they arrive at dessins d’enfants, moonshine concepts, Rademacher sums and their significance in the quantum world. You should not miss their eccentric proposal of relating Bell’s theorem to the Baby Monster group. Their hyperbolic polygons show a considerable singularity/cusp structure that our modern age of computers is able to capture. Henri Poincaré would have been happy to see it.

Description: We study the existence and nonexistence of positive solutions of some systems of nonlinear second-order difference equations subject to multipoint boundary conditions which contain some positive constants.

Description: The isomorphism of Karoubi-Villamayor K-groups with smooth K-groups for monoid algebras over quasi stable locally convex algebras is established. We prove that the Quillen K-groups are isomorphic to smooth K-groups for monoid algebras over quasi-stable Frechet algebras having a properly uniformly bounded approximate unit and not necessarily m-convex. Based on these results the K-regularity property for quasi-stable Frechet algebras having a properly uniformly bounded approximate unit is established.

Description: We study the existence of infinitely many solutions for a class of modified Schrödinger-Kirchhoff-type equations by the dual method and the nonsmooth critical point theory.

Description: A Leslie-Gower ecoepidemic model with disease in the predators is constructed and analyzed. The total population is subdivided into three subclasses, namely, susceptible predator, infected predator, and prey population. The positivity, boundness of solutions, and the existence of the equilibria are studied, and the sufficient conditions of local asymptotic stability of the equilibria are obtained by the Routh-Hurwitz criterion. We analyze the global stability of the interior equilibria by using Lyapunov functions. It is observed that a Hopf bifurcation may occur around the interior equilibrium. At last, numeric simulations are performed in support of the feasibility of the main result.

Description: An impulsive one-predator and two-prey system with stage-structure and generalized functional response is proposed and analyzed. By reasonable assumption and theoretical analysis, we obtain conditions for the existence and global attractivity of the predator-extinction periodic solution. Sufficient conditions for the permanence of this system are established via impulsive differential comparison theorem. Furthermore, abundant results of numerical simulations are given by choosing two different and concrete functional responses, which indicate that impulsive effects, stage-structure, and functional responses are vital to the dynamical properties of this system. Finally, the biological meanings of the main results and some control strategies are given.

Description: The problem of controllability to a given convex target set of linear fractional systems with -difference fractional operator of Caputo type is studied. Necessary and sufficient conditions of controllability with constrained controllers for such systems are given. Problem of approximation of a continuous-time system with Caputo fractional differential by a discrete-time system with -difference fractional operator of Caputo type is discussed.

Description: We investigate various scenarios for ending the San Francisco MSM (men having sex with men) HIV/AIDS epidemic (1978–1984). We use our previously developed model and explore changes due to prevention strategies such as testing, treatment and reduction of the number of contacts. Here we consider a “what-if” scenario, by comparing different treatment strategies, to determine which factor has the greatest impact on reducing the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The factor determining the future of the epidemic is the reproduction number R0; if R0 〈 1, the epidemic is stopped. We show that treatment significantly reduces the total number of infected people. We also investigate the effect a reduction in the number of contacts after seven years, when the HIV/AIDS threat became known, would have had in the population. Both reduction of contacts and treatment alone, however, would not have been enough to bring R0 below one; but when combined, we show that the effective R0 becomes less than one, and therefore the epidemic would have been eradicated.

Description: Recently, the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) released a new set of reanalysis data—ERA-Interim. We make an intercomparison between ERA-Interim precipitation and observed precipitation in Northeast China. The results show that, in general, the ERA-Interim reanalysis precipitation data can describe the spatial and temporal characteristics of seasonal precipitation in Northeast China well. In terms of spatial distribution, ERA-Interim precipitation is generally consistent with the observation data in different seasons in Northeast China. There is a larger difference in the center of Northeast China than in other areas between the two kinds of data. The ERA-Interim precipitation is larger than observed precipitation in most of Northeast China. In spring, autumn, and winter, the ERA-Interim precipitation value is close to the observation one, while in summer there is a large difference in Liaoning Peninsula and Changbai Mountain between the two kinds of precipitation data. In terms of temporal characteristics, the time series of the ERA-Interim precipitation matches well with the observed precipitation in whole. In different seasons, the annual variation of the ERA-Interim precipitation is well correlated with that of the observed precipitation.

Description: This paper proposes an approach for the space-fractional diffusion equation in one dimension. Since fractional differential operators are non-local, two main difficulties arise after discretization and solving using Gaussian elimination: how to handle the memory requirement of O(N2) for storing the dense or even full matrices that arise from application of numerical methods and how to manage the significant computational work count of O(N3) per time step, where N is the number of spatial grid points. In this paper, a fast iterative finite difference method is developed, which has a memory requirement of O(N) and a computational cost of O(N logN) per iteration. Finally, some numerical results are shown to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the new method.

Description: Extending Eilenberg–Mac Lane’s cohomology of abelian groups, a cohomology theory is introduced for commutative monoids. The cohomology groups in this theory agree with the pre-existing ones by Grillet in low dimensions, but they differ beyond dimension two. A natural interpretation is given for the three-cohomology classes in terms of braided monoidal groupoids.

Description: Using numerical investigation, we observe the behavior of complex roots of the Euler polynomials . By means of numerical experiments, we demonstrate a remarkably regular structure of the complex roots of the Euler polynomials . Finally, we show the Julia set of Newton iteration function .

Description: We present an innovative approach to study the interaction between oblique solitons, using nonlinear transmission lines, based on Cellular Neural Network (CNN) paradigm. A single transmission line consists of a 1D array of cells that interact with neighboring cells, through both linear and nonlinear connections. Each cell is controlled by a nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equation, in particular the Korteweg de Vries equation, which defines the cell status and behavior. Two typologies of CNN transmission lines are modelled: crisscross and ring lines. In order to solve KdV equations two different methods are used: 4th-order Runge-Kutta and Forward Euler methods. This is done to evaluate their accuracy and stability with the purpose of implementing CNN transmission lines on embedded systems such as FPGA and microcontrollers. Simulation/analysis Graphic User Interface platforms are designed to conduct numerical simulations and to display elaboration results. From this analysis it is possible both to identify the presence and the propagation of soliton waves on the transmission lines and to highlight the interaction between solitons and rich nonlinear dynamics. With this approach it is possible to simulate and develop the transmission and processing of information within large brain networks and high density sensor systems.

Description: The Aharonov-Vaidman gauge additively transforms the mean energy of a quantum mechanical system into a weak valued system energy. In this paper, the equation of motion of this weak valued energy is used to provide a mathematical statement of an extended 1st Law of Thermodynamics that is applicable to the mean energy of a closed quantum system when the mean energy is expressed in the Aharonov-Vaidman gauge, i.e., when the system’s energy is weak valued. This is achieved by identifying the generalized heat and work exchange terms that appear in the equation of motion for weak valued energy. The complex valued contributions of the additive gauge term to these generalized exchange terms are discussed and this extended 1st Law is shown to subsume the usual 1st Law that is applicable for the mean energy of a closed quantum system. It is found that the gauge transformation introduces an additional energy uncertainty exchange term that—while it is neither a heat nor a work exchange term—is necessary for the conservation of weak valued energy. A spin-1/2 particle in a uniform magnetic field is used to illustrate aspects of the theory. It is demonstrated for this case that the extended 1st Law implies the existence of a gauge potential ω and that it generates a non-vanishing gauge field F. It is also shown for this case that the energy uncertainty exchange accumulated during the evolution of the system along a closed evolutionary cycle C in an associated parameter space is a geometric phase. This phase is equal to both the path integral of ω along C and the integral of the flux of F through the area enclosed by C.

Description: This paper deals with the formal modeling and verification of reconfigurable and energy-efficient manufacturing systems (REMSs) that are considered as reconfigurable discrete event control systems. A REMS not only allows global reconfigurations for switching the system from one configuration to another, but also allows local reconfigurations on components for saving energy when the system is in a particular configuration. In addition, the unreconfigured components of such a system should continue running during any reconfiguration. As a result, during a system reconfiguration, the system may have several possible paths and may fail to meet control requirements if concurrent reconfiguration events and normal events are not controlled. To guarantee the safety and correctness of such complex systems, formal verification is of great importance during a system design stage. This paper extends the formalism reconfigurable timed net condition/event systems (R-TNCESs) in order to model all possible dynamic behavior in such systems. After that, the designed system based on extended R-TNCESs is verified with the help of a software tool SESA for functional, temporal, and energy-efficient properties. This paper is illustrated by an automatic assembly system.

Description: An Euler difference scheme for a three-dimensional predator-prey model is considered and we introduce a new approach to show the global stability of the scheme. For this purpose, we partition the three-dimensional space and calculate the sign of the rate change of population of species in each partitioned region. Our method is independent of dimension and then can be applicable to other dimensional discrete models. Numerical examples are presented to verify the results in this paper.

Description: With the recent development of biotechnologies, cDNA microarray chips are increasingly applied in cancer research. Microarray experiments can lead to a more thorough grasp of the molecular variations among tumors because they can allow the monitoring of expression levels in cells for thousands of genes simultaneously. Accordingly, how to successfully discriminate the classes of tumors using gene expression data is an urgent research issue and plays an important role in carcinogenesis. To refine the large dimension of the genes data and effectively classify tumor classes, this study proposes several hybrid discrimination procedures that combine the statistical-based techniques and computational intelligence approaches to discriminate the tumor classes. A real microarray data set was used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approaches. In addition, the results of cross-validation experiments reveal that the proposed two-stage hybrid models are more efficient in discriminating the acute leukemia classes than the established single stage models.

Description: We introduce boundary value conditions involving antiperiodic and nonlocal three-point boundary conditions. We solve a nonlinear fractional differential equation supplemented with those conditions. We obtain some existence results for the given problem by applying some standard tools of fixed point theory. These results are well illustrated with the aid of examples.

Description: We formulate a ()-dimensional viral infection model with humoral immunity, classes of uninfected target cells and   classes of infected cells. The incidence rate of infection is given by nonlinear incidence rate, Beddington-DeAngelis functional response. The model admits discrete time delays describing the time needed for infection of uninfected target cells and virus replication. By constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals, we establish that the global dynamics are determined by two sharp threshold parameters: and . Namely, a typical two-threshold scenario is shown. If , the infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, and the viruses are cleared. If , the immune-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, and the infection becomes chronic but with no persistent antibody immune response. If , the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, and the infection is chronic with persistent antibody immune response.

Description: We introduce loss aversion into the decision framework of the newsvendor model. By introducing the loss aversion coefficient , we propose a novel utility function for the loss-averse newsvendor. First, we obtain the optimal order quantity to maximize the expected utility for the loss-averse newsvendor who is risk-neutral. It is found that this optimal order quantity is smaller than the expected profit maximization order quantity in the classical newsvendor model, which may help to explain the decision bias in the classical newsvendor model. Then, to reduce the risk which originates from the fluctuation in the market demand, we achieve the optimal order quantity to maximize CVaR about utility for the loss-averse newsvendor who is risk-averse. We find that this optimal order quantity is smaller than the optimal order quantity to maximize the expected utility above and is decreasing in the confidence level . Further, it is proved that the expected utility under this optimal order quantity is decreasing in the confidence level , which verifies that low risk implies low return. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the obtained results and some management insights are suggested for the loss-averse newsvendor model.

Description: This research is based on ranked set sampling. Through the analysis and proof, the empirical Bayes test rule and asymptotical property for the parameter of power distribution are obtained.

Description: The fractional order differential equation \(u'(t)=Au(t)+\gamma D_t^{\alpha} Au(t)+f(t), \ t>0\), \(u(0)=a\in X\) is studied, where \(A\) is an operator generating a strongly continuous one-parameter semigroup on a Banach space \(X\), \(D_t^{\alpha}\) is the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative of order \(\alpha \in (0,1)\), \(\gamma>0\) and \(f\) is an \(X\)-valued function. Equations of this type appear in the modeling of unidirectional viscoelastic flows. Well-posedness is proven, and a subordination identity is obtained relating the solution operator of the considered problem and the \(C_{0}\)-semigroup, generated by the operator \(A\). As an example, the Rayleigh–Stokes problem for a generalized second-grade fluid is considered.

Description: This paper is a follow-up of a previous paper of the author published in Mathematics journal in 2015, which treats the so-called continuous fractional orthogonal derivative. In this paper, we treat the discrete case using the fractional orthogonal difference. The theory is illustrated with an application of a fractional differentiating filter. In particular, graphs are presented of the absolutel value of the modulus of the frequency response. These make clear that for a good insight into the behavior of a fractional differentiating filter, one has to look for the modulus of its frequency response in a log-log plot, rather than for plots in the time domain.

Description: We study the dynamics of a nonlinear discrete-time duopoly game, where the players have homogenous knowledge on the market demand and decide their outputs based on adaptive expectation. The Nash equilibrium and its local stability are investigated. The numerical simulation results show that the model may exhibit chaotic phenomena. Quasiperiodicity is also found by setting the parameters at specific values. The system can be stabilized to a stable state by using delayed feedback control method. The discussion of control strategy shows that the effect of both firms taking control method is better than that of single firm taking control method.

Description: The aim of this paper is to highlight current developments and new trends in the stability theory. Due to the outstanding role played in the study of stable, instable, and, respectively, central manifolds, the properties of exponential dichotomy and trichotomy for evolution equations represent two domains of the stability theory with an impressive development. Hence, we intend to construct a framework for an asymptotic approach of these properties for discrete dynamical systems using the associated skew-evolution semiflows. To this aim, we give definitions and characterizations for the properties of exponential stability and instability, and we extend these techniques to obtain a unified study of the properties of exponential dichotomy and trichotomy. The results are underlined by several examples.

Description: In food industry, bioprocesses like fermentation often are a crucial part of the manufacturing process and decisive for the final product quality. In general, they are characterized by highly nonlinear dynamics and uncertainties that make it difficult to control these processes by the use of traditional control techniques. In this context, fuzzy logic controllers offer quite a straightforward way to control processes that are affected by nonlinear behavior and uncertain process knowledge. However, in order to maintain process safety and product quality it is necessary to specify the controller performance and to tune the controller parameters. In this work, an approach is presented to establish an intelligent control system for oxidoreductive yeast propagation as a representative process biased by the aforementioned uncertainties. The presented approach is based on statistical process control and fuzzy logic feedback control. As the cognitive uncertainty among different experts about the limits that define the control performance as still acceptable may differ a lot, a data-driven design method is performed. Based upon a historic data pool statistical process corridors are derived for the controller inputs control error and change in control error. This approach follows the hypothesis that if the control performance criteria stay within predefined statistical boundaries, the final process state meets the required quality definition. In order to keep the process on its optimal growth trajectory (model based reference trajectory) a fuzzy logic controller is used that alternates the process temperature. Additionally, in order to stay within the process corridors, a genetic algorithm was applied to tune the input and output fuzzy sets of a preliminarily parameterized fuzzy controller. The presented experimental results show that the genetic tuned fuzzy controller is able to keep the process within its allowed limits. The average absolute error to the reference growth trajectory is 5.2 × 106 cells/mL. The controller proves its robustness to keep the process on the desired growth profile.

Description: We address the recently posed question as to whether the nonlocality of a single member of an entangled pair of spin 1 / 2 particles can be shared among multiple observers on the other wing who act sequentially and independently of each other. We first show that the optimality condition for the trade-off between information gain and disturbance in the context of weak or non-ideal measurements emerges naturally when one employs a one-parameter class of positive operator valued measures (POVMs). Using this formalism we then prove analytically that it is impossible to obtain violation of the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality by more than two Bobs in one of the two wings using unbiased input settings with an Alice in the other wing.

Description: We propose a stochastic delayed one-predator and two-mutualistic-prey model perturbed by white noise and telegraph noise. By the -matrix analysis and Lyapunov functions, sufficient conditions of stochastic permanence and extinction are established, respectively. These conditions are all dependent on the subsystems’ parameters and the stationary probability distribution of the Markov chain. We also investigate another asymptotic property and finally give two examples and numerical simulations to illustrate main results.

Description: This paper analyzes two major channels of P2P lending risk contagion in China—direct risk contagion between platforms and indirect risk contagion with other financial organizations as the contagion medium. Based on this analysis, the current study constructs a complex network model of P2P lending risk contagion in China and performs dynamics analogue simulations in order to analyze general characteristics of direct risk contagion among China’s online P2P lending platforms. The assumed conditions are that other financial organizations act as the contagion medium, with variations in the risk contagion characteristics set under the condition of significant information asymmetry in Internet lending. It is indicated that, compared to direct risk contagion among platforms, both financial organizations acting as the contagion medium and information asymmetry magnify the effect of risk contagion. It is also found that the superposition of media effects and information asymmetry is more likely to magnify the risk contagion effect.

Description: Modeling of complex air vehicles is a challenging task due to high nonlinear behavior and significant coupling effect between rotors. Twin rotor multi-input multioutput system (TRMS) is a laboratory setup designed for control experiments, which resembles a helicopter with unstable, nonlinear, and coupled dynamics. This paper focuses on the design and analysis of sliding mode control (SMC) and backstepping controller for pitch and yaw angle control of main and tail rotor of the TRMS under parametric uncertainty. The proposed control strategy with SMC and backstepping achieves all mentioned limitations of TRMS. Result analysis of SMC and backstepping control schemes elucidates that backstepping provides efficient behavior with the parametric uncertainty for twin rotor system. Chattering and oscillating behaviors of SMC are removed with the backstepping control scheme considering the pitch and yaw angle for TRMS.

Description: Dispatchers often set noncrossing block sections (NCBSs) for railway out-of-gauge train (OGT) running on double-track railway line for safety reasons. In this paper, we will investigate the best location, length, and number of noncrossing block sections to reduce railway capacity loss due to the operation of OGTs. Firstly, yielding, overtaking, stopping, starting, and other operation rules for OGTs running on double-track railway line were designed, and a simulation model based on cellular automata was further put forward. Then, an assessment model for double-track railway line capacity loss due to the operation of OGTs was set up. Some simulation experiments and the comparisons of these results were further given to achieve the optimal setting of NCBS for OGTs running on double-track railway line. In the case of NCBSs number minus one, capacity loss caused by the operation of OGTs can be reduced up to 15.2% in the upstream direction and 6.3% in the downstream direction. Also, the NCBSs should lie at the nearest block sections (BSs) to depot stations and the NCBSs lengths should be as less as possible.

Description: We will establish unilateral global bifurcation result for a class of fourth-order problems. Under some natural hypotheses on perturbation function, we show that is a bifurcation point of the above problems and there are two distinct unbounded continua, and , consisting of the bifurcation branch from , where is the th eigenvalue of the linear problem corresponding to the above problems. As the applications of the above result, we study the existence of nodal solutions for the following problems: , , where is a parameter and are given constants; with on any subinterval of ; and is continuous with for We give the intervals for the parameter which ensure the existence of nodal solutions for the above fourth-order Dirichlet problems if or where and We use unilateral global bifurcation techniques and the approximation of connected components to prove our main results.

Description: We study the complete moment convergence for sequences of negatively dependent identically distributed random variables with ,  ,  , and ,  . As a result, we establish the new complete moment convergence theorems.

Description: The Eschenauer-Gligor (EG) key predistribution is regarded as a typical approach to secure communication in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, we establish asymptotic results about the distribution of isolated nodes and the vanishing small impact of the boundary effect on the number of isolated nodes in WSNs with the EG scheme under transmission constraints. In such networks, nodes are distributed either Poissonly or uniformly over a unit square. The results reported here strengthen recent work by Yi et al.

Description: A quasi-Newton trust region method with a new fractional model for linearly constrained optimization problems is proposed. We delete linear equality constraints by using null space technique. The fractional trust region subproblem is solved by a simple dogleg method. The global convergence of the proposed algorithm is established and proved. Numerical results for test problems show the efficiency of the trust region method with new fractional model. These results give the base of further research on nonlinear optimization.

Description: In order to solve the problems that the weight of Gaussian components of Gaussian mixture filter remains constant during the time update stage, an improved Gaussian Mixture Cubature Kalman Filter (IGMCKF) algorithm is designed by combining a Gaussian mixture density model with a CKF for target tracking. The algorithm adopts Gaussian mixture density function to approximately estimate the observation noise. The observation models based on Mini RadaScan for target tracking on offing are introduced, and the observation noise is modelled as glint noise. The Gaussian components are predicted and updated using CKF. A cost function is designed by integral square difference to update the weight of Gaussian components on the time update stage. Based on comparison experiments of constant angular velocity model and maneuver model with different algorithms, the proposed algorithm has the advantages of fast tracking response and high estimation precision, and the computation time should satisfy real-time target tracking requirements.

Description: The event-triggered energy-to-peak filtering for polytopic discrete-time linear systems is studied with the consideration of lossy network and quantization error. Because of the communication imperfections from the packet dropout of lossy link, the event-triggered condition used to determine the data release instant at the event generator (EG) can not be directly applied to update the filter input at the zero order holder (ZOH) when performing filter performance analysis and synthesis. In order to balance such nonuniform time series between the triggered instant of EG and the updated instant of ZOH, two event-triggered conditions are defined, respectively, whereafter a worst-case bound on the number of consecutive packet losses of the transmitted data from EG is given, which marginally guarantees the effectiveness of the filter that will be designed based on the event-triggered updating condition of ZOH. Then, the filter performance analysis conditions are obtained under the assumption that the maximum number of packet losses is allowable for the worst-case bound. In what follows, a two-stage LMI-based alternative optimization approach is proposed to separately design the filter, which reduces the conservatism of the traditional linearization method of filter analysis conditions. Subsequently a codesign algorithm is developed to determine the communication and filter parameters simultaneously. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to verify the validity of the obtained results.

Description: The study of traditional resource leveling problem aims at minimizing the resource usage fluctuations and obtaining sustainable resource supplement, which is accomplished by adjusting noncritical activities within their start and finish time. However, there exist limitations in terms of the traditional resource leveling problem based on the fixed project duration. This paper assumes that the duration can be changed in a certain range and then analyzes the relationship between the scarce resource usage fluctuations and project cost. This paper proposes an optimization model for the multiresource leveling problem. We take into consideration five kinds of cost: the extra hire cost when the resource demand is greater than the resource available amount, the idle cost of resource when the resource available amount is greater than the resource demand, the indirect cost related to the duration, the liquidated damages when the project duration is extended, and the incentive fee when the project duration is reduced. The optimal objective of this model is to minimize the sum of the aforementioned five kinds of cost. Finally, a case study is examined to highlight the characteristic of the proposed model at the end of this paper.

Description: A smooth function of the second moments of N continuous variables gives rise to an uncertainty relation if it is bounded from below. We present a method to systematically derive such bounds by generalizing an approach applied previously to a single continuous variable. New uncertainty relations are obtained for multi-partite systems that allow one to distinguish entangled from separable states. We also investigate the geometry of the “uncertainty region” in the N ( 2 N + 1 ) -dimensional space of moments. It is shown to be a convex set, and the points on its boundary are found to be in one-to-one correspondence with pure Gaussian states of minimal uncertainty. For a single degree of freedom, the boundary can be visualized as one sheet of a “Lorentz-invariant” hyperboloid in the three-dimensional space of second moments.

Description: We introduce a discretization process to discretize a modified fractional-order optically injected semiconductor lasers model and investigate its dynamical behaviors. More precisely, a sufficient condition for the existence and uniqueness of the solution is obtained, and the necessary and sufficient conditions of stability of the discrete system are investigated. The results show that the system’s fractional parameter has an effect on the stability of the discrete system, and the system has rich dynamic characteristics such as Hopf bifurcation, attractor crisis, and chaotic attractors.

Description: This paper investigates the dynamics of a seasonally forced phytoplankton-zooplankton model with impulsive biological control. It shows that the periodic eradicated solution is unstable. Further, the condition for permanence of the system is established by relations between the model parameters and the intensity of the impulses. The numerical analysis is performed to study the effect of seasonality and impulsive perturbations on plankton dynamics. The numerical results imply that the seasonal forcing can trigger more periodic mode and the impulsive period for control of the size of phytoplankton is more practicable to the system than the impulsive release of zooplankton. These conclusions provide a better understanding of controlling harmful algae blooms.

Description: The Wronskian technique is used to investigate a (3+1)-dimensional generalized BKP equation. Based on Hirota’s bilinear form, new exact solutions including rational solutions, soliton solutions, positon solutions, negaton solutions, and their interaction solutions are formally derived. Moreover we analyze the strangely mechanical behavior of the Wronskian determinant solutions. The study of these solutions will enrich the variety of the dynamics of the nonlinear evolution equations.

Description: The positive observer design problem is considered for a class of positive delayed Markovian jump systems (PDMJSs). Firstly, a necessary and sufficient condition is established to check the positivity of delayed Markovian jump systems (DMJSs). Then, necessary and sufficient conditions for PDMJSs being asymptotically mean stable are established to be independent of time delay. Based on the proposed results, sufficient conditions for the existence of the desired positive observer gains including mode-independent case are provided. Additionally, more general cases that transition rate matrix (TRM) is partially unknown or uncertain are considered, respectively. Finally, a numerical example is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

Description: We investigate the existence and nonexistence of positive solutions for a system of nonlinear Riemann-Liouville fractional differential equations with two parameters, subject to coupled integral boundary conditions.

Description: We consider pursuit and evasion differential games of a group of pursuers and one evader on manifolds with Euclidean metric. The motions of all players are simple, and maximal speeds of all players are equal. If the state of a pursuer coincides with that of the evader at some time, we say that pursuit is completed. We establish that each of the differential games (pursuit or evasion) is equivalent to a differential game of groups of countably many pursuers and one group of countably many evaders in Euclidean space. All the players in any of these groups are controlled by one controlled parameter. We find a condition under which pursuit can be completed, and if this condition is not satisfied, then evasion is possible. We construct strategies for the pursuers in pursuit game which ensure completion the game for a finite time and give a formula for this time. In the case of evasion game, we construct a strategy for the evader.

Description: As a new organization mode of production in the 21st century, modular production network is deemed extensively to be a source of competitiveness for lead firms in manufacturing industries. However, despite the abundant studies on the modular production network, there are very few studies from a dynamic perspective to discuss the conditions on which a modular production network develops. Based on the dynamic evolutionary game theory, this paper constructs a model, which incorporates several main factors influencing the development of modular production network. By calculating the replicator dynamics equations and analyzing the evolutionary stable strategies, this paper discusses the evolution process of cooperation strategies of member enterprises in a modular production network. Furthermore, by using NetLogo software to simulate the model, this paper verifies the effectiveness of the model. From the model, we can find that the final stable equilibrium strategy is related to such factors as the initial cost, the extra payoff, the cooperation willingness of both parties, the cooperation efforts, and the proportion each party can get from the extra payoff. To encourage the cooperation of production integrator and modular supplier, some suggestions are also provided.

Description: Considering the actual situation of separating pedestrian flow in T-shaped passage, the guide sign is set to guide the pedestrians and subconscious strength is introduced to show the effect of guide sign. Pedestrian subconscious strength model is established, and the subconscious strength calculation result is added to the pedestrian simulation model which is based on cellular automata. On the platform of MATLAB software, separating pedestrian flow simulation with the effect of guide sign is realized. Simulations indicate that, compared with the separating pedestrian flow without guide sign, the efficiency of pedestrians passing with guide sign is higher. Analyzing the effect of guide sign in different positions, the suitable position of guide sign is obtained.

Description: This paper investigates the channel coordination of a supply chain (SC) consisting of a loss-averse retailer and a risk-neutral supplier under yield and demand uncertainties. Three existing contracts are analyzed. Our results demonstrate that the buyback (BB) and quantity flexibility (QF) contracts can not only coordinate the supply chain but also lead to Pareto improvement for each player, while the wholesale price (WP) contract fails to coordinate the chain due to the effects of double marginalization and risk preference. For comparison, a chain with a risk-neutral retailer is also analyzed. Furthermore, numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the coordination contracts, and the impacts of loss aversion and random yield on the decision-making behaviors and system performance are then discussed.

Description: We investigate the effect of domain perturbation on the behavior of mild solutions for a class of semilinear stochastic partial differential equations subject to the Dirichlet boundary condition. Under some assumptions, we obtain an estimate for the mild solutions under changes of the domain.

Description: The exponential growth in data traffic due to the modernization of smart devices has resulted in the need for a high-capacity wireless network in the future. To successfully deploy 5G network, it must be capable of handling the growth in the data traffic. The increasing amount of traffic volume puts excessive stress on the important factors of the resource allocation methods such as scalability and throughput. In this paper, we define a network planning as an optimization problem with the decision variables such as transmission power and transmitter (BS) location in 5G networks. The decision variables lent themselves to interesting implementation using several heuristic approaches, such as differential evolution (DE) algorithm and Real-coded Genetic Algorithm (RGA). The key contribution of this paper is that we modified RGA-based method to find the optimal configuration of BSs not only by just offering an optimal coverage of underutilized BSs but also by optimizing the amounts of power consumption. A comparison is also carried out to evaluate the performance of the conventional approach of DE and standard RGA with our modified RGA approach. The experimental results showed that our modified RGA can find the optimal configuration of 5G/LTE network planning problems, which is better performed than DE and standard RGA.

Description: We investigate the effects of terms-of-trade shocks on the spending and current account where households with the modified Becker-Mulligan endogenous time preference maximize their utility over an infinite planning period. Our results show that, with the modified Becker-Mulligan preference, the effect of the deterioration in terms of trade on the current account depends on people’s characters. However, with the second preference we have considered, the deterioration in terms of trade will result in a current account deficit, which is the same as Obstfeld (1982), where households with Uzawa endogenous time preference are considered; deterioration in terms of trade leads to a decline in the current account. These theoretical results are consistent with the empirical evidence by numerical simulations.

Description: A dynamic multimarket Cournot model is introduced based on a specific inverse demand function. Puu’s incomplete information approach, as a realistic method, is used to contract the corresponding dynamical model under this function. Therefore, some stability analysis is carried out on the model to detect the stability and instability conditions of the system’s Nash equilibrium. Based on the analysis, some dynamic phenomena such as bifurcation and chaos are found. Numerical simulations are used to provide experimental evidence for the complicated behaviors of the system evolution. It is observed that the equilibrium of the system can lose stability via flip bifurcation or Neimark-Sacker bifurcation and time-delayed feedback control is used to stabilize the chaotic behaviors of the system.

Description: This study deals with the control of chaotic dynamics of tumor cells, healthy host cells, and effector immune cells in a chaotic Three Dimensional Cancer Model (TDCM) by State Space Exact Linearization (SSEL) technique based on Lie algebra. A non-linear feedback control law is designed which induces a coordinate transformation thereby changing the original chaotic TDCM system into a controlled one linear system. Numerical simulation has been carried using Mathematica that witness the robustness of the technique implemented on the chosen chaotic system.

Description: A nonlinear system describing the interaction between toxin-producing phytoplankton and zooplankton was investigated analytically and numerically, where the system was represented by a couple of reaction-diffusion equations. We analyzed the effect of self- and cross-diffusion on the system. Some conditions for the local and global stability of the equilibrium were obtained based on the theoretical analysis. Furthermore, we found that the equilibrium lost its stability via Turing instability and patterns formation then occurred. In particular, the analysis indicated that cross-diffusion can play an important role in pattern formation. Subsequently, we performed a series of numerical simulations to further study the dynamics of the system, which demonstrated the rich dynamics induced by diffusion in the system. In addition, the numerical simulations indicated that the direction of cross-diffusion can influence the spatial distribution of the population and the population density. The numerical results agreed with the theoretical analysis. We hope that these results will prove useful in the study of toxic plankton systems.

Description: In this paper, we consider the time-dependent Schrödinger equation: i ∂ ψ ( x , t ) ∂ t = 1 2 ( − Δ ) α 2 ψ ( x , t ) + V ( x ) ψ ( x , t ) , x ∈ R , t > 0 with the Riesz space-fractional derivative of order 0 〈 α ≤ 2 in the presence of the linear potential V ( x ) = β x . The wave function to the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation in momentum space is given in closed form allowing the determination of other measurable quantities such as the mean square displacement. Analytical solutions are derived for the relevant case of α = 1 , which are useable for studying the propagation of wave packets that undergo spreading and splitting. We furthermore address the two-dimensional space-fractional Schrödinger equation under consideration of the potential V ( ρ ) = F · ρ including the free particle case. The derived equations are illustrated in different ways and verified by comparisons with a recently proposed numerical approach.

Description: The rate of change of any function versus its independent variables was defined as a derivative. The fundamentals of the derivative concept were constructed by Newton and l’Hôpital. The followers of Newton and l’Hôpital defined fractional order derivative concepts. We express the derivative defined by Newton and l’Hôpital as an ordinary derivative, and there are also fractional order derivatives. So, the derivative concept was handled in this paper, and a new definition for derivative based on indefinite limit and l’Hôpital’s rule was expressed. This new approach illustrated that a derivative operator may be non-linear. Based on this idea, the asymptotic behaviors of functions were analyzed and it was observed that the rates of changes of any function attain maximum value at inflection points in the positive direction and minimum value (negative) at inflection points in the negative direction. This case brought out the fact that the derivative operator does not have to be linear; it may be non-linear. Another important result of this paper is the relationships between complex numbers and derivative concepts, since both concepts have directions and magnitudes.

Description: Intersection regions widely exist in road networks as crucial connections, and the congestion effects on traffic in the networks cannot be ignored. In general, a conventional intersection region includes a merging region and more than two ramps, whose congestion brings a serious negative effect on traffic service quality and satisfaction of drivers. Specifically, intersection region congestion is caused by congestion in merging regions. However, current control methods regarding coordination of the variable speed limits and ramp metering in order to solve merging region congestion are insufficient to handle congestion occurring in the intersection region. Therefore, a new method of coordinated control is proposed in this paper based on mainline control using the variable speed limits and coordinated ramp metering. The coordinated control method is formulated considering the degree of crowdedness indexes and implemented based on the queue length, with the goal to relieve congestion in conventional intersection regions caused by merging region congestion. The coordinated control method is further evaluated based on an actual traffic network. The results show that the proposed method is effective in terms of improving traffic service quality and relieving intersection region congestion.

Description: An impulsive two-prey and one-predator model with square root functional responses, mutual interference, and integrated pest management is constructed. By using techniques of impulsive perturbations, comparison theorem, and Floquet theory, the existence and global asymptotic stability of prey-eradication periodic solution are investigated. We use some methods and sufficient conditions to prove the permanence of the system which involve multiple Lyapunov functions and differential comparison theorem. Numerical simulations are given to portray the complex behaviors of this system. Finally, we analyze the biological meanings of these results and give some suggestions for feasible control strategies.

Description: In the paper, the authors find three new identities of the Catalan-Qi numbers and provide alternative proofs of two identities of the Catalan numbers. The three identities of the Catalan-Qi numbers generalize three identities of the Catalan numbers.

Description: We derive the Helmholtz theorem for nondifferentiable Hamiltonian systems in the framework of Cresson’s quantum calculus. Precisely, we give a theorem characterizing nondifferentiable equations, admitting a Hamiltonian formulation. Moreover, in the affirmative case, we give the associated Hamiltonian.

Description: A special parallel production lines scheduling problem is studied in this paper. Considering the time window and technical constraints, a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is formulated for the problem. A few valid inequalities are deduced and a hybrid mixed integer linear programming/constraint programming (MILP/CP) decomposition strategy is introduced. Based on them, a hybrid integer programming/genetic algorithm (IP/GA) approach is proposed to solve the problem. At last, the numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed solution approach is effective and efficient.

Description: In a Big Data environment, in order to study the decision-making problem of Big Data information investment and the effects of using Big Data information to improve industry cost on supply chain coordination, firstly the importance of Data Company in supply chain was analyzed, and the original supply chain model was built. Meanwhile, some changes of consumer behavior were analyzed in a Big Data environment. Based on these, the market demand function and the benefit model of stakeholder were built and analyzed. Findings: The first finding is whether an enterprise was suitable for gaining Big Data to improve its costs, which was determined by the cost improvement coefficient; namely, it was related to the ability of excavating and using the value of Big Data. Whether the supply chain was the decentralized decision-making and the centralized decision-making, the thresholds of acquisition costs on Big Data information were equal. Moreover, the maximum value that they could undertake was same. Meanwhile the fact that the quantity discount contract could achieve a win-win outcome for supply chain members was proved. The discount coefficient was related to consumers’ behavior preference in a Big Data environment.

Description: The role of initial credit distribution scheme (ICDS) in managing network mobility has long been overlooked in previous studies of tradable credit scheme (TCS), which may make their results disputable in the reality, as the travelers possessing leftover credits can get some subsidy from the credit market and offset part of travel cost. In this paper, the disequilibrium phenomenon of previous user equilibrium (UE) solution is shown when traveler’s cognitive illusion (CI) is considered. Then, a new UE condition with TCS is defined with the ICDS and CI explicitly considered. To comprehensively reveal the impacts of ICDS on UE solution, four different types of ICDS are introduced and analyzed in a unified variational inequality (VI) modeling framework. The uniqueness of the UE link flow and market equilibrium (ME) credit price is also investigated. Furthermore, the mathematical program with equilibrium constraint (MPEC) for the optimal ICDS design problem is established, with the optimization objective being maximizing network reserve capacity. A modified relaxation algorithm is adopted to solve the MPEC. The numerical example shows that a properly designed ICDS can not only improve the network reserve capacity, but also decrease the travel cost of all the travelers in the network simultaneously.

Description: The wettability of hydrophobic surfaces and the dynamic behaviors of droplets impacting on hydrophobic surfaces are simulated using a lattice Boltzmann method, and the condition for the rebound phenomenon of droplets impacting on solid surfaces is analyzed. The results show that there is a linear relationship between the intrinsic contact angle and the interaction strength of fluid-wall particles. For hydrophobic surfaces with the same intrinsic contact angle, the micromorphology can increase the surface hydrophobicity, especially the hierarchical micromorphology. The dynamic behaviors of droplets impacting on solid surfaces are affected by the wettability. The surface hydrophobicity is stronger, and the rebound phenomenon occurs easier. If the droplet’s kinetic energy is greater than the sum of the surface energy and the minimum conversion gravitational potential energy when the spreading and shrinking finish, the rebound phenomenon will occur. As the hydrophobic surface’s viscous dissipation is much smaller than the hydrophilic surface’s, the droplet still has high kinetic energy after the spreading and shrinking, which is advantageous to rebound for droplets.