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Purpose: In this present study, electrophotographic printing is made on papers which are subjected to different recycling numbers, and this paper aims to examine the colour changes of this printing type. Design/methodology/approach: Four-colour electrophotographic printing is carried out on adhering to the INGEDE 11p standard recycled papers four times under the same conditions. Colour measurements are made by means of electrophotographic printed colour scales printed on these recycled papers. Colour measurements are made with the X-Rite eXact spectrophotometer according to the ISO 13655:2017 standard. As a result of colour measurements, colour differences (ΔL′, ΔH′, ΔC′, ΔE00) of recycled papers are determined using some formulas. Findings: According to the values obtained after four recycling, the highest ΔL′ value is found to be 4.80 yellow and the lowest 1.92 black. Again, according to the measurement results, it is determined that the highest ΔE00 is yellow colour with a value of 5.66, and lowest ΔE00 is black colour with a value of 1.98. In ΔH′, black colour is the highest value of 12.61, the lowest value with −2.05 is obtained in magenta colour. It was observed that the highest ΔC′ value is 2.98 in yellow, and the lowest value is −0.28 in black. Originality/value: In the printing industry, sometimes customers want to monitor the colour differences in the printing by taking the L′a′b′ obtained values as a result of printing from the printing houses. If the colour differences exceed the tolerance values, then they can interfere with the printing. As a result of the calculations, colour changes in electrophotographic printing are observed with many parameters. This study can be a pioneer for the studies that can be done on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines how using a paper versus mobile calendar influences everyday planning and plan fulfillment behavior. Consumers are rapidly moving from paper to mobile calendars for convenience, but this research shows that doing so may lead individuals to be less successful in effectively developing and implementing their plans. In three studies, we demonstrate that compared with mobile calendar users, paper calendar users develop higher-quality plans and are more successful in plan fulfillment. We provide evidence that this happens because paper calendar users take a broader, big-picture perspective during planning, which also leads to higher-quality plan development and a greater likelihood of plan fulfillment. When mobile calendar users use a mode that also provides a broader perspective, their plan quality increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand consumers' perceptual cognition of Zhangpu paper-cut patterns and grasp the innovative application direction. The four design elements of paper-cut patterns were extracted by morphological analysis, and representative perceptual vocabulary were selected using Kansei engineering theory and factor analysis, then the design elements and perceptual evaluation scores of representative words are used as the input and output data of the GWO-BP neural network, respectively, to establish an intelligent model that can predict consumers' perceptual cognition of paper-cut patterns. To verify the superiority of the model, the predicted result of BP and FA-BP are compared with GWO-BP neural network. The results show that although the convergence speed of the GWO-BP model is slightly lower than that of the FA-BP model, its prediction accuracy is significantly better than other algorithms. Designers can use the model to quickly redesign the paper-cut pattern to better meet the aesthetic needs of modern consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological progress has caused companies to automate processes as customers seek a product and/or service that is exclusive to their needs. Therefore, the study carries out a historical-logical analysis of academic documents on the metaverse in the business field. In this sense, it describes from the evolution to the digital transformation of the metaverse that optimises resources, provides unique buying and selling experiences, promotes brands, among others. In this way, documents in English and Spanish were reviewed and indexed in the databases Google Scholar, Scopus, Springer, and others. In conclusion, the research reflects the relevance of the metaverse as a virtual, immersive, convergent and three-dimensional world for the company-user, brands and sectors that seek added value to satisfy the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Howard Rachlin's widely influential behavioral economic approach to self‐control and related issues provides the model for this submission. The topic is overconsumption. Current human consumption levels are unsustainable. Explanations typically focus on societal factors, such as the seductive power of advertising and/or misguided tax policies. However, the effectiveness of these factors depends on the degree to which individuals are susceptible to the message: "consume more." Humans are not blank slates. This paper argues that how individuals frame their choices establishes the susceptibility to overconsume. According to economic theory, consumers frame their options as bundles, composed of different combinations of the available items and activities. This leads to maximizing. In experiments, participants tend to frame their options as "either‐or" choices. This leads to the matching law. Mathematical models of concurrent schedule choice procedures show that (1) the matching law implies overconsumption of the most preferred option and (2) that individuals will persist in preferring their favorite option even when doing so reduces overall reward rates. Given that the matching law better describes how individuals choose than does maximizing, the mathematical models of widely used choice procedures help explain why efforts to increase consumption have been more influential than efforts to control consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to gauge to what extent companies in the production chain focus on the relationship between contextual factors and the definition of eco-innovation strategies. The methodology is based on a quantitative approach using a survey in 117 companies. The results show that, in general, the companies in the sample the correlation with proactive innovation strategies was especially strengthened for those at the beginning of the production chain, with an increase in the mean for this group. This result is not in keeping with the literature when it comes to the sample data. In the literature, companies that operate in the latter stages of the production chain ought to have a greater impact at the environmental actions, as they have more direct contact with consumers of the end product. This improved performance for companies at the beginning of the production chain could be explained by the fact that these are the most polluting companies and have become the focus of environmental legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Consumers perceive paper packaging as healthier than plastic packaging. • Paper packaging decreases consumption amounts, as compared to plastic packaging. • Paper packaging activates a health goal, which prompts consumers to limit their consumption of food from paper packaging. • The findings are relevant for food manufacturers, public policy makers, and consumers to enhance healthy consumer behavior. This research investigates how packaging materials bias perceived packaging healthiness and real food consumption. Across five studies and two different food product categories (healthy vs. unhealthy), the authors demonstrate that paper packaging, compared with plastic packaging, decreases consumption amounts of food products. We demonstrate that health goal activations explains this effect as paper packaging can be considered a health-related cue. The notion that packaging materials affect consumption of (un)healthy products is substantially relevant to food manufacturers, public policy makers, and consumers, especially in their efforts to enhance healthy consumer behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusions Consumer and community involvement PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Consumer contribution to occupational therapy student learning is mandated for Australian educational programs. However, there is limited research about how consumers contribute to student learning during practice placements. A scoping review was completed to explore the concepts of existing feedback systems for consumers to authentically contribute to student learning during practice placements.Five databases were searched for all articles up to and including July 2023. All publications were included if they described and investigated authentic contribution to student learning during a practice placement experience. Data from the results and discussion sections of the papers were transformed into qualitative data and thematically analysed to develop a conceptual understanding of consumer feedback systems.Forty‐six papers met the eligibility criteria. Most articles originated from Medicine (30%) and Nursing (45%) education. Feedback systems were primarily designed to critique student communication and professional behaviours using a variety of standardised and non‐standardised methods. Five interconnected themes were created that addressed the concepts of consumer feedback systems. The themes were (1) creating value specific for each stakeholder is essential, (2) preparation is required and nuanced; (3) consumers do engage and provide critical feedback when the system is supportive of all stakeholders; (4) gathering approaches need to be responsive to the diversity of practice and learning; (5) processing feedback with a trusted mentor is critical for learning.Consumers, academics, practice educators, and students recognised that consumers have an important role in contributing to student learning during practice placements. Future consumer feedback systems need to be co‐produced to create an optimal mode for consumers to authentically contribute to student learning constructively and safely.A consumer consultant was a member of the advisory panel for the larger research project that this review is part of and provided advice to the research team at all stages of the project.In Australia, occupational therapy training programs require input from consumers to help students learn. However, there is not much research on how consumers help occupational therapy students during their practical training. We did a review to see how existing feedback systems let consumers genuinely help students during their training. We searched five databases for research up to July 2023. We included research that talked about how consumers help all health students learn during practical training. We found 46 articles, mostly from Medicine and Nursing education. We analysed them to understand how consumer feedback systems work and found five main themes: (1) making sure everyone involved gets value out of it, (2) being prepared is important, (3) consumers give useful feedback when the system supports everyone involved, (4) different approaches are needed because practices and learning vary, and (5) discussing feedback with other people helps students learn. Current feedback systems mostly focused on how students communicate and behave professionally. Consumers, educators, and students all agree that consumers play a vital role in helping students learn during practical training. In the future, we need to work together to make feedback systems that let consumers help students in the best way possible, making sure it is constructive and safe for everyone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the transformative potential of place-based community organizing as a theory and practice of progressive social change and as a critical approach to the social purpose of community engagement in Higher Education Institutions. The aim is to expose power asymmetries and civic renewal "from below" through a focus on community engaged learning, specifically community organizing on the curriculum for geography undergraduates. The empirical focus is an English university, but the issues and observations are widespread. Around the world, students are coping with disruptions following a global pandemic, austerity, and loss of trust in local democracy – participating in climate emergency and racial justice movements. This paper advances community organising and community engaged learning as a mutually co-constitutive challenge to conventional notions of the student as a passive consumer of recruitment, learning, and individualised notions of civic responsibility. Methods of community organising are based on the theory that if you want change, you need power: change ultimately traces a motivational journey from anger to agitation and action. Empirical vignettes explore the transformative role of emotionally stirring "political theatre" and direct action, while exposing tensions that arise due to the transitory status of students in place and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a special issue of Brontë Studies that focuses on the Brontës and material culture, inspired by the exhibition "Defying Expectations: Inside Charlotte Brontë's Wardrobe." It invites articles that explore various aspects of material culture related to the Brontës, including women as consumers, the Victorian home, archiving, representation of objects in literature, and items owned by the Brontës.

In this paper, we investigate a GI X /M/1 queue with the two-stage vacation policy. The system will first enter a working vacation once the system becomes empty in the normal busy period, during which the service rate will be switched to a lower rate. After this working vacation, if the system is nonempty, the service rate will be switched to the normal rate immediately; otherwise, the system will enter multiple vacations during which the service rate reduces to zero until the system is nonempty after one vacation and a new normal busy period starts. The distinguishing feature of this paper is the use of a general algorithm for solving the difference equation based on the right shift operator method to obtain the queue length distribution at pre-arrival time and arbitrary time. Moreover, the sojourn time of arbitrary customer is analyzed. Finally, several typical numerical examples are provided to validate our computational algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the Nordic paper industry the years 2001–2007 were a culmination point as to paper production and deliveries. The study uses plant level empirical time series data from these years from one large integrated Finnish paper mill. The research data covers complete customer data and cost components, and a major supplier for European paper markets. The case company worked actively with a customer base and concentrated on the most profitable markets. However, some unprofitable deliveries, which still covered the variable and fixed costs, also supported the operation of the mill and the continuing of the 24/7 shift. The results indicate that even with matured and bulky products like paper, it is still possible to operate on the basis of separated pricing, some bargaining power, and customized focus. In this respect, the markets do not seem to follow the economic theory expectation entirely, that is, for such a mature and bulky product market price differentiation should not be possible. However, to utilize this, it requires up-to-date information system concerning internal cost accounting, together with an emphasis on the management to have an active role with the customer base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the optimal scheduling problem in a multiserver queue with impatient customers belonging to multiple classes. We assume that each customer has a random abandonment time, after which the customer leaves the system if its service has not been completed before that. In addition, we assume that the scheduler is not able to anticipate the expiration of the abandonment times but only knows their distributions and how long each customer has been in the system. Many papers consider this scheduling problem under Poisson arrivals and linear holding costs assuming further that both the service times and the abandonment times have exponential distributions. Even with these additional assumptions, the exact solution is known only in very few special cases. To tackle this tricky problem, we apply the Whittle index approach. Unlike the earlier papers, which were restricted to exponential service times, we allow the service time distributions for which the hazard rate is decreasing. The Whittle index approach is applied to the discrete-time multiserver queueing problem with discounted costs. As our main theoretical result, we prove that the related relaxed optimization problem is indexable and derive the corresponding Whittle index explicitly. Based on this discrete-time result, we develop a reasonable heuristic for the original continuous-time multiserver scheduling problem. The performance of the resulting policy is evaluated in the M/G/M setup by numerical simulations, which demonstrate that it, indeed, gives better performance than the other policies included in the comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively promote the efficient dissemination of sci-tech journals and improve the influence of sci-tech journals, a precise push method of sci-tech journals based on knowledge graph reasoning is proposed, using knowledge graph to build network to realize push reasoning of scientific and Technological Journals. Based on the one-way author relationship network diagram and the two-way keyword network diagram, the PageRank algorithm is used to calculate the weight of network vertices, quantitatively and accurately identify the research direction of push customers and predict customers, and realize the accurate push management of content, so as to obtain the basis for the construction of network diagram. Based on the previous article in the Journal of the information society of science and technology of China, this paper constructs a knowledge reasoning diagram, mines 52 co-author cases and 60 related papers as experimental data, and verifies the progressiveness method through customer value. According to the network diagram, the progressiveness of this method is verified. The experimental results show that the knowledge map network reasoning method proposed in this paper has high accuracy in identifying the push objects of scientific and technological journals and accurately predicting the research direction. The matching degree between the number of customers and the pushed content. Using knowledge map network can ensure the timeliness and accuracy of pushing scientific and technological journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Due to e-commerce growth, technological advancements and environmental concerns, developing a more nuanced service portfolio has become a critical issue for last-mile logistics service providers. Concurrently, consumers are adopting new modes of consumption. This paper aims to investigate the potential for last-mile logistics service providers to act as intermediaries in access-based consumption and to revitalise their service offerings through product-service systems – a pioneering strategy not executed in the market yet. Design/methodology/approach: This strategic customer foresight study uses a quantitative survey of 1,000 respondents and an online focus group comprising 10 early adopter consumers to investigate emerging last-mile service models. Potential service concepts were identified through the survey, and two distinct concepts were subsequently selected for evaluation and co-development within the focus group. The research was conducted in partnership with an SME logistics company in Finland. Findings: The consumers expressed selective interest in access-based consumption related to the proposed offering of essential household goods. Young adults and consumers in early middle age living in the city centre emerged as the most potential user groups. Economic reasons and short-term needs were the primary motivations for adopting access-based consumption. Practical implications: The study showed that engaging consumers in a customer foresight process is viable for SMEs innovating their offerings and demonstrates how the process works in practice. Originality/value: Documented cases of customer integration into foresight processes are rare in earlier research, and this paper extends the knowledge base through a multidisciplinary examination of future consumer behaviour in the last-mile logistics domain. The paper also expands the limited literature on the role of logistics in access-based consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of global clean energy and the implementation of carbon emission reduction policies, the direct purchase of electricity by large consumers has been increasingly promoted as a special form of electricity trading. Therefore, on the basis of the completion of low-carbon emission reduction targets in each country, how to rationalize the electricity purchase by large consumers in the electricity market so as to reduce their electricity purchase costs has become the main target of attention in each country. Currently, there are fewer studies in existing research on the direct electricity purchase strategy of large consumers under the consideration of the weight of consumption responsibility and risk. Based on this, this paper constructs a dual-game model for direct electricity purchase by large consumers based on the Stackelberg game and non-cooperative game theory. The concept of value at risk is further introduced, and the optimal strategy of direct electricity purchase by large consumers is proposed. The results of this study show that when market players make decisions on the purchase and sale of electricity, power suppliers will increase their biddings to obtain the highest returns, and large consumers can reduce the transaction costs by combining the medium- and long-term market with the spot market to purchase electricity. In the choice of electricity purchase market, with the increasing risk factor, large consumers shift from the risky spot market to the less risky medium- and long-term market and option market. This paper provides a reference for the issues of power suppliers' contract bidding and large consumers' electricity purchase strategy in the medium- and long-term contract transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of big data and continuous optimization of online shopping platforms, personalized recommendation has become a standard feature of recommendation methods. In order to effectively provide personalized recommendations to customers, improve recommendation accuracy, and customer satisfaction, it is necessary to consider customers' preferences for multiple product attributes when making product recommendations. However, existing recommendation methods require precise calculation of product attribute weights, which is computationally expensive, complex, and often results in unstable weight values. This paper proposes a multi-attribute recommendation method based on consumer decision preference information that overcomes the need for weights and reflects personalized customer preferences. Based on the acquisition of customer product attribute preference sequences, a partial order relation for recommended products is constructed using partial order set theory. Finally, the recommended products are determined through the partial order Hasse diagram, where the top layer elements of the Hasse diagram represent the recommended product set. This method addresses challenges that traditional content-based recommendations cannot overcome. The experiment in this paper uses a dataset of 30,000 records from Beeradvocate beer reviews. The experimental results show that, compared to traditional multi-attribute recommendation methods, this method only requires decision-maker preference information to complete product recommendations, requiring less information and having lower computational costs, resulting in more robust results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional factors play a crucial role in streaming live marketing of agricultural products. Some literature explored several emotional factors' impact on consumers' purchase intention. Nonetheless, the interaction and integration effects of these factors have received less attention. Based on Consumer Engagement Theory, SOR model and TAM model, the paper constructs a moderated mediation model of the interactivity/presence, trust/resonance and purchase intention under rural sentiment. A quantitative study based on 365 valid samples is conducted to validate this model. The results indicate that interactivity and presence positively impact on consumers' purchase intention, trust and resonance play a mediating role between interactivity/presence and purchase intention separately. Contrary to our expectations, rural sentiment negatively moderates the relationship between interactivity and resonance. Differences of regression results between urban and rural group indicate that the cultural backgrounds of consumers have an impact on their emotional responses in live streaming of agricultural products. The results illustrate the mechanism of emotional factors in consumers' purchase decisions. Overall, this paper reveals the potential of emotional factors and the development of effective marketing strategies to improve agricultural products sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyse Romanian consumers' perception towards a traditional product from Kurdistan. For this purpose a research was conducted among consumers of traditional products from Cluj-Napoca City. To achieve the purpose of the study a face to face survey was conducted. The research instrument was divided into 3 main parts: (i) expectation regarding the attributes of traditional product; (ii) perception of "Gezo" a traditional sweet product from Kurdistan; (iii) socio-demographic profile of the respondents. To determine if there are any differences between the perception and expectations regarding the traditional analysed product, a set of 13 items related to product attribute were evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. The results indicated that the analysed product did not meet the Romanian consumers expectations especially in terms of taste (-1.1) and flavour (-0.22), but were positively appreciated the low content of fats (0.45) and sugars (+0.28). This study represents a first step in analysing the possibility of exporting traditional products outside of Kurdistan, and offers valuable information to adapt future development product strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stakeholder frameworks document the nature of sport franchise owners' interactions with local residents, but there has been little attention on understanding why interactions develop a contentious or collaborative tenor. There has also been little emphasis on understanding whether and how interactions affect revenue-side outcomes. This paper uses the team identification literature to buttress the idea that owners are meaningful points of attachment for fans. It also uses consumer political ideology scholarship to explain that owners' ideologies—never more visible than today—are important predictors of consumption. The paper proposes and tests a series of hypotheses about the effect of owners' and residents' ideological divergence on attendance and spending. Similar ideologies between residents and long-tenured owners were associated with about $8–$10 more spending per fan per game, as well as 2,400–3,950 more fans per game. Implications for academics and practitioners are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are debates about cluster heterogeneity, network structures, and innovations. The difference in the degree to which firms joined in the internal and external networks of heterogeneous clusters can affect innovation performance. There is still a lack of empirical evidence on how networks or spatial factors can differentially affect innovation efficiency due to cluster heterogeneity. China has endogenous clusters formed by small and medium‐sized firms and numerous clusters mainly based on government planning instrument, such as industrial zones and high‐tech parks. There are controversies over these planned cluster, such as insufficient firm connections and weak innovation effectiveness.Cluster innovation is a complex socio‐economic process that combines endogenous context, exogenous factors and interacts with multi‐spatial relationships. This perspective may explain the differences in which heterogeneous clusters improve efficiency. This paper draws on first‐hand data obtained from 188 questionnaires. The Lingang Equipment Manufacturing Cluster in Shanghai and the Taizhou Machine Tool Manufacturing Cluster in Zhejiang serve as examples of heterogeneous clusters. We combine the cluster's endogenous and exogenous characteristics, network size and strength of network ties, and local and non‐local innovation spaces to discuss the impact on innovation efficiency. Expecting to provide a reference for improving the innovation efficiency of heterogeneous clusters in developing economies. The results suggest that regardless of local or non‐local scales, exogenous clusters have a more pronounced effect of local network size and non‐local tie strength on innovation performance based on demand for proximity to customers and suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Availability contracting is a prominent procurement strategy among many defense and other capital equipment suppliers and their customers. Under availability contracting, the revenue generated for a service provider is a function of equipment/system availability over the predetermined contract period. A major challenge in implementing availability contracting is predicting the availability of equipment, defining the target availability, and determining the best contract duration based on the target availability. In this paper, we extend the classical operational availability model for estimating equipment availability under hierarchical maintenance, which is frequently used for complex equipment such as aircraft. Under an availability contract, bounds have been proposed on system-level operational availability. The current study also develops optimization models for finding the optimal availability contract duration under different scenarios: stochastic and non-stochastic contract durations; contract written at parts level, system level; minimizing total maintenance costs with minimum level of target operational availability as a constraint etc. The study also shows that the optimal contract duration is a non-decreasing function of spares on hand, and the inherent availability of system part. The results from the study have been validated using numerical study with both simulated and real data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the use of digital footprints data to improve on the limited information available on the size and distribution of the residential housing stock in the United Kingdom over the past two decades. We use a subset of a large dataset consisting of the names and addresses of more than one billion individuals dating back to 1997 (LCRs: Linked Consumer Registers) to calibrate property lifecycle information within an authoritative geolocated address and property dataset. We validate the results of our novel calibration method against official estimates by the UK government covering the same period. We further show that our calibration method, based on individual level data, captures a much larger share of the residential housing stock since 1997 than would have been possible with other available data sources. We argue that these housing stock estimates are fundamental to the development of a comprehensive digital footprints data infrastructure that has the potential to significantly enhance population, migration, and other social statistics in the UK. More generally, this study highlights the benefits of using digital footprints data in refining, calibrating, and extending existing datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing popularity of self-service in retail stores and increasing associated shrinkage presents an urgent need for computer-vision-based product recognition in the area of self-checkouts. The article focuses on individual product recognition using automated workflow in images collected from retail store self-checkouts. The interest of this research lies exclusively in the recognition of barcodeless products—ones that present a challenge of being identified quickly and qualitatively at self-checkouts. Image sets representative of retail store product distribution do not exist as of the time of writing to the authors' knowledge. Images collected by exploiting self-checkout events often contain products partially covered by customer body parts, inside semi-transparent plastic bags, or not present in the area of interest. Due to the huge assortment of products that varies between stores and changes frequently, manual image labeling, filtering and long training time are unpractical. The proposed method investigates the need for automated steps to eliminate empty images and eliminate images where product visibility is unsatisfactory. Authors achieved 80.5±1.2% classification accuracy on a real-world dataset of 194 products using automatic workflow. The ablation studies proved the need for image filtering in both training and inference workflows. The neural network architecture tuned to the self-checkout dataset proved to outperform well-known networks: the suggested architecture's training time is a fraction of ImageNet's best EfficientNet and accuracy is slightly better. The suggested method generalization is proved on comparable products dataset Fruits 360, where 99.6% accuracy was achieved—comparable or better than other authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 12 March 2024, the European Parliament adopted in first reading the Product Liability Directive, adding substantial amendments to the European Commission's proposal of 2022. The aim of the reform is to adapt the famous 1985 Product Liability Directive to the digital age and make it easier for consumers to enforce their rights in court. It notably introduces a duty of disclosure and various alleviations of the burden of proof. The present paper describes the proposed rules on disclosure of evidence and presumptions, charts the changes between the Commission's proposal in 2022 and the Parliament's adoption in 2024, and attempts to assess whether the new product liability regime will meet the challenges of its time and be a game changer in helping consumers enforce their rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhancement of energy networks and cost reduction can be achieved through the implementation of solutions like optimal energy scheduling for residential consumers. This paper proposes day-ahead electrical and thermal energy scheduling for residential sections in energy networks as a bi-criteria optimization approach. The bi-criteria optimization approach is modeled to minimize the operation cost and maximize the reliability of the energy system. Demand management strategies such as demand reduction and demand shifting are considered for residential consumers. The participation of residential consumers in demand management is presented considering electricity prices in the energy markets. The solving bi-criteria optimization approach is done via the weight sum method and LINMAP procedure-based-fuzzy approach. The proposed modeling is implemented in GAMS optimization software for verifying the demand management strategies in optimal energy scheduling in two case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tunable active-noise-control (ANC) circuit topology for headsets used in different applications is presented in this article. In the current consumer headset market, ANC is a mature technology that is commonly applied to wireless headsets connected to smartphones for listening to music and making phone calls. The development of ANC headsets has resulted in low-cost and simple devices due to the built-in ANC registers in the digital circuit. Digital circuit implementation is important to provide ultra-low latency processing for different algorithms compared with using digital signal processors (DSPs). However, a limitation associated with these built-in ANC filters is that the ANC digital circuit has been designed only for the wireless headset consumer market. Consequently, ANC headsets can only be used for designated features. ANC tuned for planes by eliminating low-frequency engine noise has been commonly used in the past twenty years. Pass-through (PT) amplification is also commonly tuned to allow users to hear external sounds and have conversations without having to remove their headset. In addition, ANC and PT amplification are also not allowed to operate simultaneously on the existing chipsets. In this paper, an ANC circuit topology with ultra-low latency processing is presented, where the ANC response of the headset can be tuned without any restriction imposed by the built-in ANC filters. The proposed ANC circuit topology consists of a commercial ANC chipset with an external audio codec to provide tunable characteristics. It is achieved by fixed maximum noise cancellation of ANC chipset being modified by summing with the signal from audio-codec path via an audio mixer. Acoustic performance for several headset applications implemented using the proposed circuit is validated. This simple circuit topology can be easily developed and adapted to the current headset consumer market for consumer-selective ANC in different environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative products entering the market will cause dynamic changes in market demand, and consumers' purchase regret and their return behavior make the market environment more and more complex, which in turn affects the dynamic decision-making in the supply chain. In this paper, under the situation of discrete decision time, combining with the objective reality, we make discrete modification to the classical Bass diffusion model (Bass model), construct a manufacturer-led, retailer-followed supply chain differential game model, analyze the optimal decision-making of the manufacturer and the retailer by combining with the theory of discrete optimal control, and then verify the conclusions by numerical simulation. The results show that: when retailers purchase directly from the manufacturer and sell in the market, the optimal pricing of the innovative product can make the supply chain as a whole, realizing Pareto optimality; consumer's purchase regret will increase the amount of returns, which will lead to the decrease of product sales and the profits of the manufacturer and the retailer; when the innovative product accounts for a different share of the market, the impact of purchase regret on the wholesale price and the retail price are also different. Therefore, manufacturers need to have an extensive comprehension of the market to minimize the negative effects of consumer regret and returns, and to formulate a reasonable pricing strategy for their products to gain as much profit as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the M/M/c queueing system with server working breakdown and impatient customers under the classical truncated retry strategy. The steady-state equilibrium conditions of the system are obtained using the matrixgeometric solution method. Then the steady-state probabilities and the performance indicators of the system in the steadystate case are obtained using the Markov process theory and Gauss-Seidel iterative algorithm. Numerical experiments are conducted to assess the system’s steady-state performance indicators. Finally, we developed an optimization model for the system and derived the optimal parameters from the analysis of the optimization function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customers are looking for suppliers to deliver complex systems at faster rates, targeting three year cycle. This timeframe is challenging for low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) developments, increasing requirements engineering effort, leaving engineers little time and scope for innovation. Test and Evaluation (T&E) activities are often performed in Australia near the end of the process diminishing their value , compensating for a lack of modelling and simulation in early stages. Waterfall Project Management dominates where capability is hardware focused, leading to overruns and deliver capability that falls short of customer expectations in some areas. The Agile approach has been successfully used in software-focused developments. Project managers have been slow to adopt Agile for developments in areas like Defence where the safety is hardware dominant claiming the Agile process lacks necessary governance , increasing risk in the development. This paper examines the extant developmental process in a Defence context and proposes a Minimal Viable Product (MVP)-based framework using Agile to accelerate the development and mitigate risk escalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand for use of indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras to prevent crime, analyze customer behavior in commercial facilities and other purposes has been increasing. For these types of applications, it is important to be able to estimate information that cannot be observed directly from the images, using the image data. One such type of information is the height of people appearing in the video. People's heights can be used, for example, to help identify a suspect in a crime investigation or as an attribute to understand customers better for marketing. However, many conventional technologies for estimating height from images have required special calibration, or the acquisition of other information in addition to the video. This paper proposes a method for estimating a person's height using only an image, without the need for any special calibration. The key points of the proposed method involve the following two processes. In the first process, a reference object of known size and the person are recognized and the person's height is estimated based on the relative sizes of the person and reference object in the image. The second process involves selecting frames from the video that are appropriate for use in the estimation process. In practical experiments using real video, the method was able to estimate people's heights with an average estimation error of 1.9%. © 2024 The Authors. IEEJ Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Engineering published by Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a system of two coupled parallel queues with infinite waiting rooms. The time setting is discrete. In either queue, the service of a customer requires exactly one discrete time slot. Arrivals of new customers occur independently from slot to slot, but the numbers of arrivals into both queues within a slot may be mutually dependent. Their joint probability generating function (pgf) is indicated as A (z 1 , z 2) and characterizes the whole model. In general, determining the steady-state joint probability mass function (pmf) u (m , n) , m , n ≥ 0 or the corresponding joint pgf U (z 1 , z 2) of the numbers of customers present in both queues is a formidable task. Only for very specific choices of the arrival pgf A (z 1 , z 2) are explicit results known. In this paper, we identify a multi-parameter, generic class of arrival pgfs A (z 1 , z 2) , for which we can explicitly determine the system-content pgf U (z 1 , z 2) . We find that, for arrival pgfs of this class, U (z 1 , z 2) has a denominator that is a product, say r 1 (z 1) r 2 (z 2) , of two univariate functions. This property allows a straightforward inversion of U (z 1 , z 2) , resulting in a pmf u (m , n) which can be expressed as a finite linear combination of bivariate geometric terms. We observe that our generic model encompasses most of the previously known results as special cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a review of the literature, published in the last 5 years, reporting antimicrobial compounds and factors affecting the release, absorption, and concentration in food packaging. This overview shows that concentration of natural antimicrobials plays an important role in bacterial inhibition to prolong food shelf life in antimicrobial packaging. The extension of bacterial inhibition depends on antimicrobial stability inside the packaging system, where the antimicrobial concentration should be maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration. However, too high concentration of natural compounds affects food sensory and leads to undesired odour, consequently food consumers refuse to consume the packaged foods. Controlled release of the antimicrobials potentially maintains the concentration not going under and over the concentration limit in a longer period. This review gives an overview of the controlled-release mechanisms of various natural compounds in an antimicrobial food packaging. Factors influencing release, absorption and concentration of natural antimicrobial in microbial inhibition are defined in three categories: (1) physical characteristics of antimicrobial-releasing carrier, (2) food structure and properties, (3) external factors. Considering these factors in regulating antimicrobial packaging is discussed comprehensively, so the effectiveness of the packaging in prolonging the food shelf life can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability agreements are at the centre of the debate on the relationship between sustainability and competition law. The European Commission has intervened on the issue by inserting in the new Horizontal Guidelines a specific chapter devoted to them. This paper aims at analyzing the approach adopted by the Commission, with a particular focus on the controversial competitive assessment of sustainability agreements under Article 101(3) TFEU and the “fair share” criterion. The analysis is conducted in consideration of the main relevant insights deriving from a comparison with the initiatives taken at national level by some competition authorities and also provides a quick look at the global scenario, in particular with reference to the US, in order to show some of the divergence among jurisdictions with regard to the antitrust treatment of sustainability agreements between competitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a new method for estimating the contribution of distortion sources based on the application of passive harmonic filters. The method does not require the measurement of harmonic network impedance and is based on the measurement of harmonic currents of the grid, consumers and passive harmonic filters. Evaluation of the consumer contribution using a passive harmonic filter is necessary to select the parameters and connection points for harmonic reduction devices. A feature of the method is the correct determination of share contributions, regardless of background harmonic distortions. Based on this method, a single consumer can evaluate both the harmonic contributions of its own loads, even in the presence of background distortions, and the harmonic voltage distortions in the case of installing harmonic reduction devices. The research results are confirmed in laboratory conditions with various combinations of electrical loads connected both at the grid side and at the consumer side. For such conditions, the proposed method was compared with existing methods, among which are methods based on the measurement of harmonic voltage vectors, harmonic current vectors and active harmonic power. The application of the developed method was demonstrated using the example of a gas production field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of mathematical modeling and analysis of queueing systems is to understand the dynamic behavior of the underlying processes, enabling informed and intelligent management decisions. While the queueing systems with random factors have received extensive scrutiny, this paper introduces an uncertain queueing model that considers the belief degree of customer behavior. In this model, customers arrive in groups and the interarrival times and service times are treated as uncertain variables. To evaluate the performance of this proposed uncertain queueing model, the busy index and busy period are also discussed, and the analytical formulas and uncertainty distribution are derived respectively. Additionally, two numerical examples are also given to illustrate the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to estimate the structural load applied to the attachment and frame of a wheel loader by using pressure and acceleration, which have a load correlation, instead of strain. First, we propose a data-driven modeling methodology for load estimation. Load features as model input are derived based on cylinder pressure and frame acceleration. The relationship between features and the load is expressed through correlation coefficients and generalized by using the supervised machine learning technique. Next, to experimentally collect the large data set for learning, two wheel loaders of different classes are selected to build sensor cars. Then, the measurements on both wheel loaders are performed repeatedly with four experienced operators according to the test cases. Using conventional learning algorithms, model selection is performed for five parts that make up the attachment and frame. Then, the model learning and evaluation are performed. As a result of an out-of-sample test, the average estimation error for each part is approximately 5 % and the proposed methodology is experimentally verified that it is effective in estimating load for CUP monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses assume special significance in the cropping systems and daily diets in India. Traditionally pulses are used for human consumption as dehusked seed splits after minimal processing. They are also the important ingredient of popular Indian snacks. The present paper reviews the research studies done on various components of value chain of pulses and draws upon the learnings. The value chains of pulses in India are long and complexed with a number of actors performing specific roles. The input providers, farmers, aggregators, wholesaler, commission agents, retailers, processors, millers, consumers, financial institutions, ware houses, researchers and policy makers together work to build the pulses value chains in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Would highlighting that a customer review can be completed in 3 min influence a customer's decision to either promptly submit their review or delay it, with the potential risk of forgetting it altogether? Despite the popular approach of using task duration to mitigate task delay, the empirical support for this method is scant. This study investigates the effect of considering task duration (i.e., how long a task may take) on task delay (i.e., postponing the task until later). Across four studies, we demonstrate that making task duration salient decreases the likelihood of postponing a short task that can be achieved in one sitting. This effect occurs because considering task duration strengthens the implemental mindset, but only when task duration information is more evaluable. The findings of this paper suggest an easily implementable method that could customer engagement. Finally, we propose a set of promising avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that mystery products can be appealing to consumers and can motivate interest and purchase. In this paper, we examine a different benefit of these offerings—their effect on driving conversation. We propose that such products can prompt a conversation due to their ability to motivate joint speculation, or the process of thinking about possible resolutions of the uncertainty with others. We define this novel driver of conversation, delineate it from related constructs, and situate it in the literature. We then provide initial evidence for the proposed theory in seven studies (n = 2835), demonstrating that mystery products increase the desire for conversation (Studies 1, 3–4, Supplemental Studies A–C) and generate joint speculation (Studies 2–4, Supplemental Study B–C). We also rule out alternative explanations (such as information acquisition and savouring, Study 3; novelty, Supplemental Study B). These effects, however, are attenuated for closed‐minded consumers (Study 4), who are less open to considering multiple perspectives and thereby less interested in joint speculation. We conclude with directions for future research and implications for marketers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication is an integral part of everyday life. Consumers chat with friends, search for information, and complain to customer service. Salespeople pitch products, employees answer questions, and market researchers ask them. But communication does not occur in a vacuum. Modalities (e.g., speaking or writing), channels (e.g., text, phone call, or email), and devices (e.g., smartphone or computer) are the mediums through which communicators communicate. While these mediums often seem incidental, might they impact what gets communicated? And if so, how? This paper offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how mediums shape the message. Specifically, we argue that modality, devices, and channels all shape communication through the same two key drivers: deliberation and audience salience. As a result, the mediums communicators use to communicate impact everything from the thoughtfulness and concreteness of communicated content to the degree to which it is self‐enhancing or honest. This work sheds light on the psychology of content production, provides insight into the drivers and consequences of communication, and highlights how emerging technologies may shape communication in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chains comprise various interconnected components like suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and customers, each with unique variables and interactions. Managing dynamic supply chains is highly challenging, particularly when considering various sources of risk factors. This paper extensively explores dynamical analysis and multistability analysis to understand nonlinear behaviors and pinpoint potential risks within supply chains. Different phase portraits are used to demonstrate the impact of various factors such as transportation risk, quality risk, distortion, contingency reserves, and safety stock on both customers and retailers. We introduced a sliding mode control method that computes the sliding surface and its derivative by considering the error and its derivative. The equivalent control law based on the sliding surface and its derivative is derived and validated for control purposes. Our results show that the controller SMC can significantly enhance supply chain stability and efficiency. This research provides a robust framework for understanding complex supply chain dynamics and offers practical solutions to enhance supply chain resilience and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]