Universal scaling of strange particle pTp_{\rm T} spectra in pp collisions

As a complementary study to that performed on the transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra of charged pions, kaons and protons in proton-proton (pp) collisions at LHC energies 0.9, 2.76 and 7 TeV, we present a scaling behaviour in the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra of strange particles ($K_{S}^{0}$, $\rm \Lambda$, $\rm \Xi$ and $\phi$) at these three energies. This scaling behaviour is exhibited when the spectra are expressed in a suitable scaling variable $z=p_{\rm T}/K$, where the scaling parameter $K$ is determined by the quality factor method and increases with the center of mass energy ($\sqrt{s}$). The rates at which $K$ increases with $\mathrm{ln}\sqrt{s}$ for these strange particles are found to be identical within errors. In the framework of the colour string percolation model, we argue that these strange particles are produced through the decay of clusters that are formed by the colour strings overlapping. We observe that the strange mesons and baryons are produced from clusters with different size distributions, while the strange mesons (baryons) $K_{S}^{0}$ and $\phi$ ($\rm \Lambda$ and $\rm \Xi$) originate from clusters with the same size distributions. The cluster's size distributions for strange mesons are more dispersed than those for strange baryons. The scaling behaviour of the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra for these strange particles can be explained by the colour string percolation model in a quantitative way.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, accepted by EPJ

Classical-Nonclassical Polarity of Gaussian States

Gaussian states with nonclassical properties such as squeezing and entanglement serve as crucial resources for quantum information processing. Accurately quantifying these properties within multi-mode Gaussian states has posed some challenges. To address this, we introduce a unified quantification: the 'classical-nonclassical polarity', represented by $\mathcal{P}$. For a single mode, a positive value of $\mathcal{P}$ captures the reduced minimum quadrature uncertainty below the vacuum noise, while a negative value represents an enlarged uncertainty due to classical mixtures. For multi-mode systems, a positive $\mathcal{P}$ indicates bipartite quantum entanglement. We show that the sum of the total classical-nonclassical polarity is conserved under arbitrary linear optical transformations for any two-mode and three-mode Gaussian states. For any pure multi-mode Gaussian state, the total classical-nonclassical polarity equals the sum of the mean photon number from single-mode squeezing and two-mode squeezing. Our results provide a new perspective on the quantitative relation between single-mode nonclassicality and entanglement, which may find applications in a unified resource theory of nonclassical features

A Novel Neutral-Point Potential Balance Strategy for Three-Level NPC Back-to-Back Converter Based on the Neutral-Point Current Injection Model

The neutral-point (NP) potential balance control in three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) back-to-back converter is a research nodus. Its current strategies are the same as the strategies of a single three-level NPC converter. But the strategies do not give full play to its advantages that the neutral-point current can only flow through the connected midlines in both sides of the converter but does not flow through the DC-bus capacitors. In this paper, firstly the NP potential model based on the NP current injected is proposed. It overcomes numerous variable constraints and mutual coupling in the conventional model based on the zero-sequence voltage injected. And then on this basis, three NP-potential balance control algorithms, unilateral control, bilateral independent control, and bilateral coordinated control, are proposed according to difference requirements. All of these algorithms use the midlines rather than the DC-bus capacitors to flow the NP current as much as possible. Their control abilities are further quantitatively analyzed and compared. Finally, simulation results verify the validity and effectiveness of these algorithms

Exploring the role of the transactive memory system in virtual team resilience: Evidence from online medical teams

The capacity to resist and recover from challenges and adversities (i.e., resilience capacity) is critical for a virtual team to survive. However, our knowledge of what influence the development of resilient virtual teams have yet to be fully developed. Drawing on the transactive memory system (TMS) theory, we propose that TMS will enhance a virtual team resilience capacity. Applying discontinuous growth modeling, results of an empirical study involving 1974 online medical teams from a popular online healthcare platform in China provide available evidence. We found inconsistent effects of the three dimensions of TMS on online medical team resilience capacity. Specifically, specialization shows no significant impact. Credibility can enhance online medical team resilience capacity for both process and outcome performance. For coordination, voice centralization positively affects online medical team resilience capacity for process performance. These findings advance virtual team resilience literature and inform practitioners about how to build resilient virtual teams

http://edissertations.nottingham.ac.uk/deposit.html

The basic characteristics of omni-channel retailing dictate that the difficulty of logistics is slowly rising. The purpose of this dissertation is to analyse the different channel return logistics barriers in omni-channel retailing scenarios and to discuss how return logistics service quality affects consumers' perceived value as well as their satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, different perspectives are summarised regarding the development of omni-channel retailing, the impact of omni-channel retail logistics, and the service quality of omni-channel return logistics. Based on a literature review that summarises consumer perceived value, consumer expertise, consumer satisfaction, and consumer loyalty, a relationship between service quality and consumer perceived value in return logistics is constructed. From the well-established service quality scale, four aspects were differentiated, which are assurance quality, convenience quality, empathizing quality, order discrepancy handling quality. Furthermore, this dissertation tested the entire model path. The results of the test tell us that all four hypotheses can be successfully supported. While expertise has no moderating effect on previous quality and order variation, we concluded that consumer perceived value can positively influence consumer satisfaction, and at the same time, when positively influenced, consumer satisfaction positively contributes to the formation of consumer loyalty. Finally, relevant suggestions are put forward for omni-channel retail theory and practitioners