Does FinTech adoption improve bank performance?

In this paper, we estimate the effect of FinTech activities on bank performance by using data on 355 American banks from 2010 to 2020. Our results show that FinTech plays a significant role in promoting bank performance. Bank performance can be improved by 0.30% when FinTech level is improved by one unit. We also find that the impact of FinTech on bank performance is heterogeneous in terms of bank size and chartered membership. In particular, the influence of FinTech on the leading banks and the State-chartered non-member banks are more significant than on small and medium banks. Thirdly, the development of bank financial technology in every region of the United States is uneven. In addition, we put forward policy suggestions on how FinTech can promote bank performance through four aspects

Symbolic Integration of Multibody System Dynamics with Finite Element Method

A general procedure integrating the finite element method with multibody system dynamics using symbolic computation is presented. It takes advantage of both the nodal formulation and the graph-theoretical approach, so it avoids the tedious modal analysis and can automatically reduce the number of system equations. The validity and expected performance are demonstrated mathematically and philosophically, which are tested by several general examples. A flexible beam is created with a finite element formulation, which is derived according to the classical Bernoulli-Euler beam theory. A comprehensive procedure of deriving kinetic and kinematic equations for the flexible beam is provided, which starts from inspecting the diversity of shape functions to the generalization of inertia and elastic terms. The geometrical nonlinear formulation is revisited and specifically developed for the symbolic integration, and explicit expressions that are rare in existing publications for geometrical nonlinearity are derived for three-dimensional applications. A detailed process is described for the transformation of the equations of motion of the finite-element flexible beam to a form required by the graph-theoretical approach. The beam model is implemented in MapleSim (a multi-physics simulation environment based on symbolic computation and graph theory) and made compatible with other multibody components in its library. Example problems are shown to validate the functionality of the implemented model. The dynamic stiffening effect due to geometrical nonlinearity is explicitly explained with its significance especially in fast and large overall-motion problems. Comparison results also show that the nodal approach shows great potential using the symbolic computation, which runs 70% faster and is more convenient to manipulate than the modal approach. The general procedure of the finite element formulation for the flexible beam can be followed to derive proper formulations of plate and solid elements if using appropriate displacement field assumptions, and the transformation to graph-theoretical equations is also similar

Tribological Properties of Ti6Al4V Alloy Composite Texture Fabricated by Ultrasonic Strengthening Grinding and Laser Processing

The Ti6Al4V alloy has been widely used in aerospace equipment and medical devices. However, the poor wear resistance of the Ti6Al4V alloy hinders its further engineering application. In this study, the ultrasonic strengthening grinding process (USGP) and laser texturing process were employed to enhance the wear resistance of Ti6Al4V alloy. The frictional behavior of all samples was determined via a ball-on-disc friction and wear tester under dry conditions. The worn surface morphology, cross-sectional hardness, surface roughness, and microstructure were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the USGP induced high hardness, high dislocation density, and grain refinement, as well as improvements in the wear resistance of Ti6Al4V. Moreover, laser texture could enhance the capacity to capture wear debris and reduce wear probability. When combining the USGP and laser texturing process for the surface treatment of Ti6Al4V alloy, the lowest and most stable friction coefficients were obtained, as well as the best wear resistance. Compared to the polished sample, the steady stage friction coefficient of the sample treated by USGP and laser texturing process was remarkably decreased by 58%. This work demonstrates that combining the USGP and laser texturing process could be a promising solution for improving the wear resistance properties of Ti6Al4V alloy, which makes it more suitable for various engineering applications

Mechanical property improvement of wire-arc additive manufactured 06Cr19Ni9 steel based on ultrasonic strengthening grinding process

Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology offers an effective approach to fabricating complex metallic components. However, the existing WAAM process is limited in producing a metallic component with high mechanical strength. In this study, the ultrasonic strengthening grinding process (USGP) was proposed to enhance the mechanical properties of WAAM-processed 06Cr19Ni9 steel. A multiphase abrasive, comprising zirconia ceramic balls, brown corundum powder, and strengthening liquid, was propelled by an ultrasonic vibration and randomly impacted on the surface of the WAAM-processed sample. Subsequently, a uniaxial tensile test was conducted to evaluate its mechanical properties. The evolutions of microhardness, microstructure, and phase transformation were comprehensively analyzed. The results revealed that UGSP treatment promotes the generation of dendritic grains and dislocations, facilitates phase transitions, and augments stacking fault and twin band sizes. These cumulative effects enhanced the tensile properties of 06Cr19Ni9 steel. The resulted yield strength and tensile strength achieves a value of ∼970 MPa and ∼1032 MPa, respectively, which increased by ∼43.73% and ∼95.96% compared to the untreated sample. The finding suggested that the proposed method has great application prospects in improving mechanical properties of WAAM-processed components and has the advantages of high efficiency, low cost, and small equipment size

PTPRO suppresses lymph node metastasis of esophageal carcinoma by dephosphorylating MET.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O (PTPRO) is a membrane-bound tyrosine phosphatase. Notably, epigenetically silenced PTPRO due to promoter hypermethylation is frequently linked to malignancies. In this study, we used cellular and animal models, and patient samples to demonstrate that PTPRO can suppress the metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Mechanistically, PTPRO can inhibit MET-mediated metastasis by dephosphorylating Y1234/1235 in the kinase activation loop of MET. Patients with PTPROlow/p-METhigh had significantly poor prognosis, suggesting that PTPROlow/p-METhigh can serve as an independent prognostic factor for patients with ESCC