Strategic Contracting for Software Upgrade Outsourcing in Industry 4.0

The advent of Industry 4.0 has compelled businesses to adopt digital approaches that combine software toenhance production efficiency. In this rapidly evolving market, software development is an ongoing process thatmust be tailored to meet the dynamic needs of enterprises. However, internal research and development can beprohibitively expensive, driving many enterprises to outsource software development and upgrades to externalservice providers. This paper presents a software upgrade outsourcing model for enterprises and service providersthat accounts for the impact of market fluctuations on software adaptability. To mitigate the risk of adverseselection due to asymmetric information about the service provider’s cost and asymmetric information aboutthe enterprise’s revenues, we propose pay-per-time and revenue-sharing contracts in two distinct informationasymmetry scenarios. These two contracts specify the time and transfer payments for software upgrades. Througha comparative analysis of the optimal solutions under the two contracts and centralized decision-making withfull-information, we examine the characteristics of the solutions under two information asymmetry scenarios andanalyze the incentive effects of the two contracts on the various stakeholders. Overall, our study offers valuableinsights for firms seeking to optimize their outsourcing strategies and maximize their returns on investment insoftware upgrades.

Homotopy analysis solutions for the asymmetric laminar flow in a porous channel with expanding or contracting walls

In this paper, the asymmetric laminar flow in a porous channel with expanding or contracting walls is investigated. The governing equations are reduced to ordinary ones by using suitable similar transformations. Homotopy analysis method （HAM） is employed to obtain the expres- sions for velocity fields. Graphs are sketched for values of parameters and associated dynamic characteristics, especially the expansion ratio, are analyzed in detail.

Energy Performance Contracting—Business opportunities would be infinite if the “two obstacles” were cracked

Energy Performance Contracting was introduced into China in the mid 1990s. Since western energy service companies came to China, their management pattern has undergone major changes. Why did such changes occur? Mainly because these companies encountered two difficulties in China: tax and financing.

Improving Right Ventricle Cardiac Function for Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Patient with Contracting Bands: A Modelling Study

Objective Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot(rTOF)account for the majority of cases with late onset right ventricle(RV)failure.The current surgical approach,including pulmonary valve replacement/insertion(PVR),has yielded mixed results with some patients recover RV function and some do not.An innovative surgical approach was proposed to help ventricle to contract and improve RV function qualified by ejection fraction with one or more active contracting bands.Computational biomechanical modelling is a widely used method in cardiovascular study for investigation of mechanisms governing disease development,quantitative diagnostic and treatment strategies and improving surgical designs for better outcome.Muscle active contraction caused by zero-load sarcomere shortening leads to change of zero-load configurations.In lieu of experimenting using real surgery on animal or human,computational simulations(virtual surgery)were performed to test different band combination and insertion options to identify optimal surgery design and band insertion plan.Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)data were obtained from one rTOF patient(sex:male,age:22.5 y)before pulmonary valve replacement surgery.The patient was suffering from RV dilation and dysfunction with RV end-systole volume 254.49ml and end-diastole volume 406.91 mL.A total of 15 computational RV/LV/Patch/Band combination models based on(CMR)imaging were constructed to investigate the influence of different band insertion surgery plans.These models included 5 different band insertion models combined and 3 different band contraction ratio(10%,15%and 20%band zero-stress length reduction).These models included 5 different band insertion models:Model 1 with one band at anterior to the middle of papillary muscle;Model 2 with one band at posterior to the middle of papillary muscle;Model 3 with 2 bands which are the ones from Models 1&2 combined;Model 4 with a band at the base of the papillary muscle;Model 5 with 3 bands which is a combination of Models 3&4.A pre-shrink process was performed on in-vivo begin-filling and end-systole MRI data to obtain diastole and systole zero4oad ventricle geometries.An extra 5%-8%shrinkage was applied to obtain corresponding systole zero-load geometry reflecting myocardium sarcomere shortening.The zero-load band length in systole was 10%,15%and 20%shorter than that in diastole according to their corresponding contraction ratio.The nonlinear Mooney-Rivlin model was used to describe the ventricle material properties with their material parameter values adjusted to match measured data with CMR.The band material properties were in the same scale with healthy right ventricle.The RV/LV/Band model construction and solution procedures were the same as described.Results Model 5 with band contraction ratio of 20%has the ability to improve RV ejection fraction to 41.07%,which represented a 3.61%absolute improvement,or 9.6%relative improvement using pre-PVR ejection fraction as the baseline number.The ejection fractions for Models 1-4 with band contraction ratio of 20%were 39.28%,39.47%,38.87%and 40.34%respectively.Compared to models with band contraction ratio15%and 20%,models with band contraction ratio 10%has the least ability on RV ejection fraction improvement with ejection fraction 38.28%,38.00%,38.81%,38.50%and 39.36%corresponding to Models 1-5.Conclusions This pilot work demonstrated that the band insertion surgery may have great potential to improve post-PVR RV cardiac function for patients with repaired TOF.More band contraction ratio and inserted band number may lead to better post-surgery outcome.Further investigations using in-vitro animal experiments and final patient studies are warranted.

Perturbation solution to unsteady flow in a porous channel with expanding or contracting walls in the presence of a transverse magnetic field

An incompressible flow in a porous channel with expanding or contacting walls in the presence of a transverse magnetic field is considered. Using similarity transformations, the governing equations are reduced to the nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The exact similar solutions for the different cases of the expansion ratio and the Hartmann number are obtained with a singular perturbation method, and the associated behavior is discussed in detail.

Analytic solution to the micropolar-fluid flow through a semi-porous channel with an expanding or contracting wall

The flow of a micropolar fluid in a semi-porous channel with an expanding or contracting wall is investigated. The governing equations are reduced to ordinary ones by using similar transformations. To get the analytic solution to the problem, the homotopy analysis method （HAM） is employed to obtain the expressions for velocity fields. Graphs are sketched and discussed for various parameters, especially the effect of the expansion ratio on velocity and micro-rotation fields.

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE BUILDING ENERGY EFFICENCY RETROFIT USING THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING(EPC)IN CHINA

Sustainable building has become a future development trend in the building sector.Building Energy Efficiency Retrofit(BEER)provides excellent opportunities to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings,and to promote environmental protection,the rational use of resources,occupants’health,all of which helps to improve the sustainability of existing buildings.Energy Performance Contracting(EPC)provided by Energy Service Companies(ESCOs)is a market mechanism to provide financial and technological support for energy efficiency projects.This paper aims to develop a sustainability promotion framework for BEER projects under the EPC mechanism to link the sustainable performance of BEER with the success factors of this EPC mechanism.Different types of building have different energy consumption characteristics.This research focuses on hotel buildings in China.The paper develops a framework for sustainable BEER through an EPC mechanism in hotel buildings based on the EFQM Excellence Model for business quality management.Interviews were conducted with experts from the hotel industry,from energy service companies and with academics.Based on the developed framework,the study has identified 11 performance indicators for sustainable BEER and 28 success factors of an EPC mechanism.This provides significant groundwork for future study in developing an assessment model to evaluate the sustainability of BEER projects.

Condition-based Maintenance Optimization for Gamma Deteriorating Systems under Performance-based Contracting

With the further development of service-oriented,performance-based contracting(PBC)has been widely adopted in industry and manufacturing.However,maintenance optimization problems under PBC have not received enough attention.To further extend the scope of PBC’s application in the field of maintenance optimization,we investigate the condition-based maintenance(CBM)optimization for gamma deteriorating systems under PBC.Considering the repairable single-component system subject to the gamma degradation process,this paper proposes a CBM optimization model to maximize the profit and improve system performance at a relatively low cost under PBC.In the proposed CBM model,the first inspection interval has been considered in order to reduce the inspection frequency and the cost rate.Then,a particle swarm algorithm(PSO)and related solution procedure are presented to solve the multiple decision variables in our proposed model.In the end,a numerical example is provided so as to demonstrate the superiority of the presented model.By comparing the proposed policy with the conventional ones,the superiority of our proposed policy is proved,which can bring more profits to providers and improve performance.Sensitivity analysis is conducted in order to research the effect of corrective maintenance cost and time required for corrective maintenance on optimization policy.A comparative study is given to illustrate the necessity of distinguishing the first inspection interval or not.

Characteristics and advantages of energy performance contracting mode for energy saving transformation of existing large public building

Existing large-scale public building energy saving renovation is the inherent requirement of sustainable development, it has been proved that implementing the energy performance contracting mode in the Existing large public buildings energy-saving is an effective way both at home and abroad. EPC mode has obvious characteristics for the ESCO and the customers, it can meet the basic requirements of large public buildings energy-saving, such as the width of funding sources, program specifi cation, advanced technology, information fl ow and management level higher, etc. Under the condition of market economy, it also provides a broad platform for the ESCO implements building energy saving transformation, which is conducive to the realization of the win-win cooperation between the parties, and to promote the healthy development of the existing large public building energy saving reconstruction.

Traffic Impact on Incentive Contracting Project Time Performance during Highway Construction

The volume of highway traffic in the United States continues to increase. In the face of this there is a concomitant need to improve and repair transportation infrastructure. Construction frequently requires a reduction in capacity during construction activity; consequently road users as well as adjacent businesses must endure the delays and inconveniences associated with transportation construction. Recognizing the problems that construction can produce, state highway agencies （SHAs） have continually sought ways to minimize the negative impact from their construction operations. Incentive contracting has played an important role in this effort to improve project performance. The Florida Department of Transportation （FDOT） is one of the leading SHAs using such innovative contracting methods as Incentive/Disincentive （I/D）, A＋B （cost plus time bidding） combined with I/D, No Excuse Bonus, and Liquidated Savings. This paper analyzes the traffic impact on incentive project time performance using highway construction projects recently completed in Florida. Project data obtained from FDOT were evaluated using time performance indices. A survey of traffic impact on project work types was performed in Florida in order to evaluate the relationship between construction project types and road traffic influence during construction. Based on the survey results, the 38 most frequently used work types in Florida during the study period were categorized into three traffic impact levels： （1） high traffic impact, （2） medium traffic impact, and （3） low traffic impact. Statistical analysis was performed. The results show that there are significant differences on project time performance between low and high impact levels as well as low and medium impact levels.

Use of Innovative Contracting Methods by Dots - Project Managers Speak

Alternative contracting techniques have been frequently used in highway construction in the United State and have played an important role in the effort to improve construction project performance. However, it is still unknown whether which project factors have significant influence on project performance. It is essential to learn from the experiences and opinions of construction project managers who had executed innovative or alternative contracts in order to improve and refine the usage of alternative contracting methods. Innovative contracting methods have been used by state Departments of Transportation for many years, so there is now sufficient data to measure the effectiveness of these innovations. Working under a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation （FDOT）, the research team used the experiences and opinions of construction field engineers who had executed innovative contracts on FDOT projects to measure the effectiveness of these systems. To that end, interviews were conducted with FDOT and consultant personnel from across Florida. All interviewed were project managers who had overseen at least one project using an innovative contracting method. Discussions brought enthusiastic responses from those interviewed, both for and against certain innovations. This paper will focus on the experiences and opinions of those experienced construction field engineers dealing with well-known innovations, as well as newer innovations such as ＂Detour Rental＂ and ＂Damage Recovery＂.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Contracting &Engineering Companies in Gaza Strip

Construction projects are among the riskiest projects, which require the application of the right rules and to abide by the proper safety standards. Thus, this study aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on the construction and engineering companies due to the Corona pandemic in the Gaza Strip, and introducing the means used in dealing with this pandemic and how to avoid, limit and deal with it. And to shed light on the most important obstacles and challenges facing the construction sector in the light of the outbreak of the epidemic. To achieve this, a cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire was conducted by Google Forms. Then, the data collected was analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. The results show that best procedures to mitigate the impact of this epidemic and to prioritize the safety and health of employees in contracting and engineering companies, to provide a safe work environment and developing plans to confront the spread of injury in the work-environment. The study recommends that government may provide financial support to companies and reduce taxes imposed on them in order to be able to confront this pandemic.

THE BOUNDARY EXPANDING-CONTRACTING PRINCIPLE

In paper [5], we proposed the boundary expanding-contracting principle and the boundary expanding-contracting method (BECM). In this paper we make some complemental statements and detailed proofs about the principle.

Contract Mechanism of Water Environment Regulation for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Based on Optimal Control Theory

The small and scattered enterprise pattern in the county economy has formed numerous sporadic pollution sources, hindering the centralized treatment of the water environment, increasing the cost and difficulty of treatment. How enterprises can make reasonable decisions on their water environment behavior based on the external environment and their own factors is of great significance for scientifically and effectively designing water environment regulation mechanisms. Based on optimal control theory, this study investigates the design of contractual mechanisms for water environmental regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises. The enterprise is regarded as an independent economic entity that can adopt optimal control strategies to maximize its own interests. Based on the participation of multiple subjects including the government, enterprises, and the public, an optimal control strategy model for enterprises under contractual water environmental regulation is constructed using optimal control theory, and a method for calculating the amount of unit pollutant penalties is derived. The water pollutant treatment cost data of a paper company is selected to conduct empirical numerical analysis on the model. The results show that the increase in the probability of government regulation and public participation, as well as the decrease in local government protection for enterprises, can achieve the same regulatory effect while reducing the number of administrative penalties per unit. Finally, the implementation process of contractual water environmental regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises is designed.

Bipartite consensus problems of Lurie multi-agent systems over signed graphs: A contraction approach

This paper examines the bipartite consensus problems for the nonlinear multi-agent systems in Lurie dynamics form with cooperative and competitive communication between different agents. Based on the contraction theory, some new conditions for the nonlinear Lurie multi-agent systems reaching bipartite leaderless consensus and bipartite tracking consensus are presented. Compared with the traditional methods, this approach degrades the dimensions of the conditions, eliminates some restrictions of the system matrix, and extends the range of the nonlinear function. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the efficiency of our results.

Smart Contract Vulnerability Detection Method Based on Feature Graph and Multiple Attention Mechanisms

The fast-paced development of blockchain technology is evident.Yet,the security concerns of smart contracts represent a significant challenge to the stability and dependability of the entire blockchain ecosystem.Conventional smart contract vulnerability detection primarily relies on static analysis tools,which are less efficient and accurate.Although deep learning methods have improved detection efficiency,they are unable to fully utilize the static relationships within contracts.Therefore,we have adopted the advantages of the above two methods,combining feature extraction mode of tools with deep learning techniques.Firstly,we have constructed corresponding feature extraction mode for different vulnerabilities,which are used to extract feature graphs from the source code of smart contracts.Then,the node features in feature graphs are fed into a graph convolutional neural network for training,and the edge features are processed using a method that combines attentionmechanismwith gated units.Ultimately,the revised node features and edge features are concatenated through amulti-head attentionmechanism.The result of the splicing is a global representation of the entire feature graph.Our method was tested on three types of data:Timestamp vulnerabilities,reentrancy vulnerabilities,and access control vulnerabilities,where the F1 score of our method reaches 84.63%,92.55%,and 61.36%.The results indicate that our method surpasses most others in detecting smart contract vulnerabilities.

A Review of Deep Learning-Based Vulnerability Detection Tools for Ethernet Smart Contracts

In recent years,the number of smart contracts deployed on blockchain has exploded.However,the issue of vulnerability has caused incalculable losses.Due to the irreversible and immutability of smart contracts,vulnerability detection has become particularly important.With the popular use of neural network model,there has been a growing utilization of deep learning-based methods and tools for the identification of vulnerabilities within smart contracts.This paper commences by providing a succinct overview of prevalent categories of vulnerabilities found in smart contracts.Subsequently,it categorizes and presents an overview of contemporary deep learning-based tools developed for smart contract detection.These tools are categorized based on their open-source status,the data format and the type of feature extraction they employ.Then we conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of these tools,selecting representative tools for experimental validation and comparing them with traditional tools in terms of detection coverage and accuracy.Finally,Based on the insights gained from the experimental results and the current state of research in the field of smart contract vulnerability detection tools,we suppose to provide a reference standard for developers of contract vulnerability detection tools.Meanwhile,forward-looking research directions are also proposed for deep learning-based smart contract vulnerability detection.