A Note on Bayesian Modeling Specification of Censored Data in JAGS

Just Another Gibbs Sampling (JAGS) is a convenient tool to draw posterior samples using Markov Chain Monte Carlo for Bayesian modeling. However, the built-in function dinterval() to model censored data misspecifies the computation of deviance function, which may limit its usage to perform likelihood based model comparison. To establish an automatic approach to specify the correct deviance function in JAGS, we propose a simple alternative modeling strategy to implement Bayesian model selection for analysis of censored outcomes. The proposed approach is applicable to a broad spectrum of data types, which include survival data and many other right-, left- and interval-censored Bayesian model structures

Microbial communities and arsenic biogeochemistry at the outflow of an alkaline sulfide-rich hot spring.

Alkaline sulfide-rich hot springs provide a unique environment for microbial community and arsenic (As) biogeochemistry. In this study, a representative alkaline sulfide-rich hot spring, Zimeiquan in the Tengchong geothermal area, was chosen to study arsenic geochemistry and microbial community using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Over 0.26 million 16S rRNA sequence reads were obtained from 5-paired parallel water and sediment samples along the hot spring's outflow channel. High ratios of As(V)/AsSum (total combined arsenate and arsenite concentrations) (0.59-0.78), coupled with high sulfide (up to 5.87 mg/L), were present in the hot spring's pools, which suggested As(III) oxidation occurred. Along the outflow channel, AsSum increased from 5.45 to 13.86 μmol/L, and the combined sulfide and sulfate concentrations increased from 292.02 to 364.28 μmol/L. These increases were primarily attributed to thioarsenic transformation. Temperature, sulfide, As and dissolved oxygen significantly shaped the microbial communities between not only the pools and downstream samples, but also water and sediment samples. Results implied that the upstream Thermocrinis was responsible for the transformation of thioarsenic to As(III) and the downstream Thermus contributed to derived As(III) oxidation. This study improves our understanding of microbially-mediated As transformation in alkaline sulfide-rich hot springs

Sequencing-enabled Hierarchical Cooperative CAV On-ramp Merging Control with Enhanced Stability and Feasibility

This paper develops a sequencing-enabled hierarchical connected automated vehicle (CAV) cooperative on-ramp merging control framework. The proposed framework consists of a two-layer design: the upper level control sequences the vehicles to harmonize the traffic density across mainline and on-ramp segments while enhancing lower-level control efficiency through a mixed-integer linear programming formulation. Subsequently, the lower-level control employs a longitudinal distributed model predictive control (MPC) supplemented by a virtual car-following (CF) concept to ensure asymptotic local stability, l_2 norm string stability, and safety. Proofs of asymptotic local stability and l_2 norm string stability are mathematically derived. Compared to other prevalent asymptotic local-stable MPC controllers, the proposed distributed MPC controller greatly expands the initial feasible set. Additionally, an auxiliary lateral control is developed to maintain lane-keeping and merging smoothness while accommodating ramp geometric curvature. To validate the proposed framework, multiple numerical experiments are conducted. Results indicate a notable outperformance of our upper-level controller against a distance-based sequencing method. Furthermore, the lower-level control effectively ensures smooth acceleration, safe merging with adequate spacing, adherence to proven longitudinal local and string stability, and rapid regulation of lateral deviations

Study on the Problems of Specialty Adjustment in Local Universities Under China’s New Normal

In China, the specialty adjustment of the local universities is short of dynamic mechanism and scientificity, which, at present, is one of the most ubiquitous problems among the universities. Particularly, as China’s economy enters into the new normal, what Chinese universities shall jointly deal with at the moment is how to adjust specialty scientifically and effectively according to the current economic changes and exposed problems. Against the background of China’s new normal, combined with the present economic situations and market demands, the local universities shall start from their own problems and find out ways of adjusting specialties scientifically and then put forward some countermeasures and suggestions to promote a higher and more sustainable development