Pricing Decision under Dual-Channel Structure considering Fairness and Free-Riding Behavior

Under dual-channel structure, the free-riding behavior based on different service levels between online channel and offline channel cannot be avoided, which would lead to channel unfairness. This study implies that the dual-channel supply chain is built up by online channel controlled by manufacturer and traditional channel controlled by retailer, respectively. Under this channel structure, we rebuild the linear demand function considering free-riding behavior and modify the pricing model based on channel fairness. Then the influences of fair factor and free-riding behavior on manufacturer and retailer pricing and performance are discussed. Finally, we propose some numerical analysis to provide some valuable recommendations for manufacturer and retailer improving channel management performance

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Qingre-Qushi Recipe (QRQS) against Atopic Dermatitis: Potential Mechanism of Inhibition of IL-33/ST2 Signal Transduction

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of QRQS against AD and the inhibitory molecular mechanisms of IL-33/ST2 signal transduction, BALB/c mice were divided into six groups (normal control, OVA control, low-dose of QRQS, middle-dose of QRQS, high-dose of QRQS, and cetirizine) and epicutaneously exposed to ovalbumin or PBS for 3 weeks and treated with QRQS for 2 weeks. Skin biopsies and blood samples were obtained for histological study, antibody analysis, and RNA isolation. HaCaT cells, stimulated by TNF-α and IFN-γ, were treated with QRQS to evaluate mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and ELISA. QRQS decreased both epidermal and dermal thickness, alleviated dermatitis, and reduced IL-33 and ST2 positive cell numbers. The concentration of specific IgE, IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies in serum and the expression of IL-33, ST2, IL-1RAcP, IL-4, and IL-13 mRNA in the skin were suppressed. No significant difference exists in TNF-α or IFN-γ. QRQS decreased IL-33 mRNA and protein secretion in HaCaT cells exposed to TNF-α and IFN-γ in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. QRQS regulates related molecule expression of ovalbumin-induced dermatitis involved in the IL-33/ST2 signaling axis in the treatment of acute AD

Repeatability Analysis of an Overconstrained Kinematic Coupling Using a Parallel- Mechanism-Equivalent Model

A parallel-mechanism-equivalent model for repeatability analysis of an overconstrained kinematic coupling is proposed. An overconstrained Kelvin-type coupling with one additional support is introduced and used for method illustration. Contact forces of the an overconstrained coupling under a preload are computed with the Moore-Penrose inverse, and the deformations are obtained using the Hertz theory. The coupling is equivalently modeled as a 7-SPS parallel mechanism, the spherical joints of which represent centers of supporting balls and contact points, and prismatic joints are used to simulate the deformations. Therefore, the pose error of the coupling due to a preload is analyzed using the well-appraised incremental method for forward kinematics analysis of parallel mechanisms. The uncertainties of the preload are discussed and a boundary-sampling method is proposed for repeatability analysis. The main contribution of this study lies in the greatly simplified repeatability analysis of overconstrained kinematic couplings by the proposed parallel-mechanism-equivalent model and the boundary-sampling method. Finally, the proposed methods are validated by a case study

Design Framework for Motion Generation of Planar Four-Bar Linkage Considering Clearance Joints and Dynamics Performance

In this paper, we present a novel design framework to connect linkage synthesis with dynamics performance of the linkage. The aim of the design framework is to improve the dynamics performance of the mechanism through linkage design, instead of improving manufacturing accuracy or changing driving strategy. Specifically, the design framework is to complete motion generation of four-bar linkage, considering clearance joints and dynamics performance. The constraint model of motion generation and the dynamics model of four-bar linkage are established, respectively. The coordinates of four joints of four-bar linkage are divided into two parts, one of parts is the parameters to improve the dynamics performance of the linkage and is selected as the optimization variables. The other parts of joint coordinates is to satisfy the kinematics requirements and is obtained by solving constraint equations of motion generation. Through optimization calculation, we can obtain the optimal configuration of the four-bar linkage that achieves specified task positions with high motion accuracy and low wear extent of clearance joint. Finally, a numerical example is proposed to demonstrate the novel design framework

Design Framework for Motion Generation of Planar Four-Bar Linkage Considering Clearance Joints and Dynamics Performance

In this paper, we present a novel design framework to connect linkage synthesis with dynamics performance of the linkage. The aim of the design framework is to improve the dynamics performance of the mechanism through linkage design, instead of improving manufacturing accuracy or changing driving strategy. Specifically, the design framework is to complete motion generation of four-bar linkage, considering clearance joints and dynamics performance. The constraint model of motion generation and the dynamics model of four-bar linkage are established, respectively. The coordinates of four joints of four-bar linkage are divided into two parts, one of parts is the parameters to improve the dynamics performance of the linkage and is selected as the optimization variables. The other parts of joint coordinates is to satisfy the kinematics requirements and is obtained by solving constraint equations of motion generation. Through optimization calculation, we can obtain the optimal configuration of the four-bar linkage that achieves specified task positions with high motion accuracy and low wear extent of clearance joint. Finally, a numerical example is proposed to demonstrate the novel design framework

Dynamic Top-K Interesting Subgraph Query on Large-Scale Labeled Graphs

A labeled graph is a special structure with node identification capability, which is often used in information networks, biological networks, and other fields. The subgraph query is widely used as an important means of graph data analysis. As the size of the labeled graph increases and changes dynamically, users tend to focus on the high-match results that are of interest to them, and they want to take advantage of the relationship and number of results to get the results of the query quickly. For this reason, we consider the individual needs of users and propose a dynamic Top-K interesting subgraph query. This method establishes a novel graph topology feature index (GTSF index) including a node topology feature index (NTF index) and an edge feature index (EF index), which can effectively prune and filter the invalid nodes and edges that do not meet the restricted condition. The multi-factor candidate set filtering strategy is proposed based on the GTSF index, which can be further pruned to obtain fewer candidate sets. Then, we propose a dynamic Top-K interesting subgraph query method based on the idea of the sliding window to realize the dynamic modification of the matching results of the subgraph in the dynamic evolution of the label graph, to ensure real-time and accurate results of the query. In addition, considering the factors, such as frequent Input/Output (I/O) and network communication overheads, the optimization mechanism of the graph changes and an incremental maintenance strategy for the index are proposed to reduce the huge cost of redundant operation and global updates. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively deal with a dynamic Top-K interesting subgraph query on a large-scale labeled graph, at the same time the optimization mechanism of graph changes and the incremental maintenance strategy of the index can effectively reduce the maintenance overheads

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Spatial Convergence Analysis of Total Factor Productivity of Citrus in China

In this study, the DEA–Malmquist index method was used to measure the total factor productivity of citrus in seven major mandarin-producing provinces and seven major tangerine-producing provinces in China from 2006 to 2020. Moran’s I index was used to test the spatial correlation of total factor productivity of mandarin and tangerine, and its σ convergence and β convergence characteristics were explored using coefficient of variation and spatial panel models. The results show that from the perspective of time series evolution, the growth rate of total factor productivity of mandarin and tangerine in China slowed down year by year after reaching the maximum value in 2008. Technological progress was the main factor affecting the total factor productivity of citrus. The total factor productivity growth of tangerine was more stable than that of mandarin, and the pure technical efficiency index and scale efficiency change index of mandarin and tangerine were not stable. From the perspective of regional differences, the total factor productivity of China’s main citrus-producing provinces all indicated positive growth, showing an increasing trend from east to west. The drivers of growth were mainly technological progress and scale efficiency. The regional differences in total factor productivity growth for mandarin were more obvious than for tangerine. The total factor productivity of mandarin and tangerine showed obvious spatial correlation characteristics; the positive spatial spillover effect was significant; and there were σ convergence, absolute β convergence, and conditional β convergence. Regional disparities in citrus industry development can be more objectively reflected by convergence analysis that takes spatial factors, economic and social factors, and other factors into account