Pricing and Service Strategies for Two-sided Platforms

Nowadays,more and more transactions or interactions like online dating and shopping are completed on two-sided platforms involving two groups of agents.On these two-sided platforms,there often exist cross-network effects,i.e., the benefits that agents at one side receive are positively related to the number of agents at the other side,and vice versa.This paper considers such two-sided platforms,where the platforms offer a certain service to attract agents of both sides to join the platforms,and then charge agents who join the platforms a lump-sum fee to gain the profit.We present service and pricing strategies for both monopolistic and duopolistic platforms,respectively.We also investigate the impact of platforms'life cycle on their service and pricing strategies.Some managerial implications are shown.

VALUE-ADDED SERVICE INVESTING AND PRICING STRATEGIES FOR A TWO-SIDED PLATFORM UNDER INVESTING RESOURCE CONSTRAINT

Investing on value-added service （VAS） amplifies users＇ participation and platform profit. However, the investing resource is usually limited in practice. This paper investigates VAS investing and pricing strategies for a two-sided platform under investing resource constraint. We reveal that with VAS investment, Subsidizing can still be done to enlarge users＇ demand, even when the investing cost becomes higher. For optimal pricing strategies, the network effect will be the dominating determinant if the gap between two marginal cross-side benefits （i.e. the benefit that users obtain when each new user join the other side of the platform） is large. Interestingly, we show that with the increase of the marginal investing cost, users might either be priced higher or lower. If the marginal investing cost increases to a high level, and the gap between the two marginal cross-side benefits is large, lowering the access fee for users possessing the higher eross-side network effect does not necessarily compensate more profit loss caused by higher cost. Moreover, after VAS is developed, raising the access fee for those whose marginal investing benefit is large does not necessarily generate more profit as well. The opposite strategy further enlarges users＇ utility, and promotes the investment to benefit more users.

Novel high torque bearingless two-sided rotary ultrasonic motor

Applications are limited at present because the currently available ultrasonic motors (USMs) do not provide suffi-ciently high torque and power. The conventional travelling-wave USM needs the bearing to support, which required lubricant. To solve the above problem, a bearingless travelling-wave USM is designed. First, a novel structure of the two-sided USM consisting of a two-sided teeth stator and two disk-type rotors is designed. And the excitation principle of the two-sided travelling-wave USM is analyzed. Then, using ANSYS software, we set up the model of the stator to predict the excitation frequency and modal response of the stator. The shape of the vibration mode was obtained. Last, the load characteristics of the USM are measured using ex-perimental method. The maximum stall torque and the no-load speed were obtained. The results showed that the characteristics of the two-sided USM are better than those of the conventional one-sided USM.

Nonlinear vibration analysis of a circular micro-plate in two-sided NEMS/MEMS capacitive system by using harmonic balance method

In this study, forced nonlinear vibration of a circular micro-plate under two-sided electrostatic, two-sided Casimir and external harmonic forces is investigated analytically. For this purpose, at first, von Karman plate theory including geometrical nonlinearity is used to obtain the deflection of the micro-plate. Galerkin decomposition method is then employed, and nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of motion are determined. A harmonic balance method (HBM) is applied to equations and analytical relation for nonlineaT frequency response (F-R) curves are derived for two categories (including and neglecting Casimir force) separately. The analytical results for three cases:(1) semi-linear vibration;(2) weakly nonlinear vibration;(3) highly non linear vibration, are validated by comparing with the numerical solutio ns. After validation, the effects of the voltage and Casimir force on the natural frequency of two-sided capacitor system are investigated. It is shown that by assuming Casimir force in small gap distances, reduction of the natural frequency is considerable. The influences of the applied voltage, damping, micro-plate thickness and Casimir force on the frequency response curves have been presented too. The results of this study can be useful for modeling circular parallel-plates in nano /microelectromechanical transducers such as microphones and pressure sensors.

Effective Hybrid Teaching-learning-based Optimization Algorithm for Balancing Two-sided Assembly Lines with Multiple Constraints

Due to the NP-hardness of the two-sided assembly line balancing （TALB） problem, multiple constraints existing in real applications are less studied, especially when one task is involved with several constraints. In this paper, an effective hybrid algorithm is proposed to address the TALB problem with multiple constraints （TALB-MC）. Considering the discrete attribute of TALB-MC and the continuous attribute of the standard teaching-learning-based optimization （TLBO） algorithm, the random-keys method is hired in task permutation representation, for the purpose of bridging the gap between them. Subsequently, a special mechanism for handling multiple constraints is developed. In the mechanism, the directions constraint of each task is ensured by the direction check and adjustment. The zoning constraints and the synchronism constraints are satisfied by teasing out the hidden correlations among constraints. The positional constraint is allowed to be violated to some extent in decoding and punished in cost fimction. Finally, with the TLBO seeking for the global optimum, the variable neighborhood search （VNS） is further hybridized to extend the local search space. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid algorithm outperforms the late acceptance hill-climbing algorithm （LAHC） for TALB-MC in most cases, especially for large-size problems with multiple constraints, and demonstrates well balance between the exploration and the exploitation. This research proposes an effective and efficient algorithm for solving TALB-MC problem by hybridizing the TLBO and VNS.

A Heuristic Method for Two-sided Assembly Line Balancing Problem

A two-sided assembly line is typically found in plants producing large-sized products. Its advantages over a one-sided line and the difficulties faced in two-sided line balancing problems were discussed. A mathematical model for two-ALB problem was suggested. A modification of the “ranked positional weight” method, namely two-ALB RPW for two-ALB problems was developed. Experiments were carried out to verify the performance of the proposed method and the results show that it is effective in solving two-sided assembly line balancing problems.

Laboratory Research on Effective Test Area of Short-Crested Waves Generated by Two-Sided Segmented Wavemakers

The size and shape of the effective test area are crucial to consider when short-crested waves are created by segmented wavemakers. The range of the effective test area of short-crested waves simulated by two-sided segmented wavemakers is analyzed in this paper. The experimental investigation on the wave field distribution of short-crested waves generated by two-sided segmented wavemakers is conducted by using an array of wave gauges. Wave spectra and directional spreading function are analyzed and the results show that when the main direction is at a certain angle with the normal line of wave generators, the wave field of 3D short-crested waves generated by two-sided segmented wavemakers has good spatial uniformity within the model test area. The effective test area can provide good wave environments for seakeeping model tests of various ocean engineering structures in the deep ocean engineering basin.

Two-Sided First Exit Problem for Jump Diffusion Distribution Processes Having Jumps with a Mixture of Erlang

In this paper, we consider the two-sided first exit problem for jump diffusion processes having jumps with rational Laplace transforms. We investigate the probabilistic property of conditional memorylessness, and drive the joint distribution of the first exit time from an interval and the overshoot over the boundary at the exit time.

Existence and Uniqueness of Solution to Two-Point Boundary Value for Two-Sided Fractional Differential Equations

In this paper, existence and uniqueness of solution to two-point boundary value for two-sided fractional differential equations involving Caputo fractional derivative is discussed, by means of the Min-Max Theorem.

Two-Sided Stable Matching Decision-Making Method Considering Matching Intention under a Hesitant Fuzzy Environment

In this paper,a stable two-sided matching(TSM)method considering the matching intention of agents under a hesitant fuzzy environment is proposed.The method uses a hesitant fuzzy element(HFE)as its basis.First,the HFE preference matrix is transformed into the normalized HFE preference matrix.On this basis,the distance and the projection of the normalized HFEs on positive and negative ideal solutions are calculated.Then,the normalized HFEs are transformed into agent satisfactions.Considering the stable matching constraints,a multiobjective programming model with the objective of maximizing the satisfactions of two-sided agents is constructed.Based on the agent satisfaction matrix,the matching intention matrix of two-sided agents is built.According to the agent satisfaction matrix and matching intention matrix,the comprehensive satisfaction matrix is set up.Furthermore,the multiobjective programming model based on satisfactions is transformed into a multiobjective programming model based on comprehensive satisfactions.Using the G-S algorithm,the multiobjective programming model based on comprehensive satisfactions is solved,and then the best TSM scheme is obtained.Finally,a terminal distribution example is used to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Application of GNSS-PPP on Dynamic Deformation Monitoring of Offshore Platforms

The real-time dynamic deformation monitoring of offshore platforms under environmental excitation is crucial to their safe operation.Although Global Navigation Satellite System-Precise Point Positioning(GNSS-PPP)has been considered for this purpose,its monitoring accuracy is relatively low.Moreover,the influence of background noise on the dynamic monitoring accuracy of GNSS-PPP remains unclear.Hence,it is imperative to further validate the feasibility of GNSS-PPP for deformation monitoring of offshore platforms.To address these concerns,vibration table tests with different amplitudes and frequencies are conducted.The results demonstrate that GNSS-PPP can effectively monitor horizontal vibration displacement as low as±30 mm,which is consistent with GNSS-RTK.Furthermore,the spectral characteristic of background noise in GNSS-PPP is similar to that of GNSS-RTK(Real Time Kinematic).Building on this observation,an improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise(CEEMDAN)has been proposed to de-noise the data and enhance the dynamic monitoring accuracy of GNSS-PPP.Field monitoring application research is also undertaken,successfully extracting and analyzing the dynamic deformation of an offshore platform structure under environmental excitation using GNSS-PPP monitoring in conjunction with improved CEEMDAN de-noising.By comparing the de-noised dynamic deformation trajectories of the offshore platform during different periods,it is observed that the platform exhibits reversible alternating vibration responses under environmental excitation,with more pronounced displacement deformation in the direction of load action.The research results confirm the feasibility and potential of GNSS-PPP for dynamic deformation monitoring of offshore platforms.

Logarithmic Sobolev Inequalities for Two-Sided Birth-Death Processes

In this paper, we study the logarithmic Sobolev inequalities for two-sided birth-death processes. An estimate of the logarithmic Sobolev constant α for a two-sided birth-death process is obtained by the Hardy-type inequality and a criteria for a is also presented.

Microstructure and properties of Ti-bearing hot-rolled high-strength steel plates for two-sided enameling

The composition and production technology of the type of hot-rolled steel plate used in two-sided enameling were briefly described. The microstructure and mechanical properties before and after enameling were contrastively investigated,and the precipitates in the samples were analyzed using transmission electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer. The results show the ferrite grain size of the steel plate after high-temperature enamel firing to be fine,with a large number of TiC and Ti;C;S;precipitates dispersed throughout the ferrite matrix. After two rounds of enamel firing at a temperature range of 800-890 ℃,its yield strength can still reach342 MPa. The results of a hydrogen permeation test show that the hydrogen storage properties of the steel plate are much better than those of ordinary structural carbon steel. A better bubble structure in the enamel layer can be obtained by this steel plate,with no fish-scale defects on the enameled steel-plate surface.

Some Mathematical Properties of the Dynamically Inconsistent Bellman Equation： A Note on the Two-Sided Altruism Dynamics

This article describes some dynamic aspects on dynastic utility incorporating two-sided altruism with an OLG setting. The special case is analyzed where the weights of two-sided altruism are dynamically inconsistent. The Bellman equation for two-sided altruism proves to be reduced to one-sided dynamic problem, but the effective discount factor is different only in the current generation. It is shown that a contraction mapping result of value function cannot be achieved in general, and that there can locally exist an infinite number of self-consistent policy functions of the class C＂ with distinct steady states （indeterminacy of self-consistent, differentiable policy functions）.

Two-Sided Matching Decision Making with Multi-Attribute Probabilistic Hesitant Fuzzy Sets

In previous research on two-sided matching(TSM)decision,agents’preferences were often given in the form of exact values of ordinal numbers and linguistic phrase term sets.Nowdays,the matching agent cannot perform the exact evaluation in the TSM situations due to the great fuzziness of human thought and the complexity of reality.Probability hesitant fuzzy sets,however,have grown in popularity due to their advantages in communicating complex information.Therefore,this paper develops a TSM decision-making approach with multi-attribute probability hesitant fuzzy sets and unknown attribute weight information.The agent attribute weight vector should be obtained by using the maximum deviation method and Hamming distance.The probabilistic hesitancy fuzzy information matrix of each agent is then arranged to determine the comprehensive evaluation of two matching agent sets.The agent satisfaction degree is calculated using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS).Additionally,the multi-object programming technique is used to establish a TSM method with the objective of maximizing the agent satisfaction of two-sided agents,and the matching schemes are then established by solving the built model.The study concludes by providing a real-world supply-demand scenario to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.The proposed method is more flexible than prior research since it expresses evaluation information using probability hesitating fuzzy sets and can be used in scenarios when attribute weight information is unclear.

Dynamic Analysis of a 10 MW Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Considering the Tower and Platform Flexibility

Recently,semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbine technologies have received considerable attention.For the coupled simulation of semisubmersible floating offshore wind energy,the platform is usually considered a rigid model,which could affect the calculation accuracy of the dynamic responses.The dynamic responses of a TripleSpar floating offshore wind turbine equipped with a 10 MW offshore wind turbine are discussed herein.The simulation of a floating offshore wind turbine under regular waves,white noise waves,and combined wind-wave conditions is conducted.The effects of the tower and platform flexibility on the motion and force responses of the TripleSpar semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbine are investigated.The results show that the flexibility of the tower and platform can influence the dynamic responses of a TripleSpar semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbine.Considering the flexibility of the tower and platform,the tower and platform pitch motions markedly increased compared with the fully rigid model.Moreover,the force responses,particularly for tower base loads,are considerably influenced by the flexibility of the tower and platform.Thus,the flexibility of the tower and platform for the coupled simulation of floating offshore wind turbines must be appropriately examined.

Sedimentary build-ups of pre-salt isolated carbonate platforms and formation of deep-water giant oil fields in Santos Basin,Brazil

In response to the problems of unclear distribution of deep-water pre-salt carbonate reservoirs and formation conditions of large oil fields in the Santos passive continental margin basin,based on comprehensive utilization of geological,seismic,and core data,and reconstruction of Early Cretaceous prototype basin and lithofacies paleogeography,it is proposed for the first time that the construction of pre-salt carbonate build-ups was controlled by two types of isolated platforms:inter-depression fault-uplift and intra-depression fault-high.The inter-depression fault-uplift isolated platforms are distributed on the present-day pre-salt uplifted zones between depressions,and are built on half-and fault-horst blocks that were inherited and developed in the early intra-continental and inter-continental rift stages.The late intra-continental rift coquinas of the ITP Formation and the early inter-continental rift microbial limestones of the BVE Formation are continuously constructed;intra-depression fault-high isolated platforms are distributed in the current pre-salt depression zones,built on the uplifted zones formed by volcanic rock build-ups in the early prototype stage of intra-continental rifts,and only the BVE microbial limestones are developed.Both types of limestones formed into mound-shoal bodies,that have the characteristics of large reservoir thickness and good physical properties.Based on the dissection of large pre-salt oil fields discovered in the Santos Basin,it has been found that both types of platforms could form large-scale combined structural-stratigraphic traps,surrounded by high-quality lacustrine and lagoon source rocks at the periphery,and efficiently sealed by thick high-quality evaporite rocks above,forming the optimal combination of source,reservoir and cap in the form of“lower generation,middle storage,and upper cap”,with a high degree of oil and gas enrichment.It has been found that the large oil fields are all bottom water massive oil fields with a unified pressure system,and they are all filled to the spill-point.The future exploration is recommended to focus on the inter-depression fault-uplift isolated platforms in the western uplift zone and the southern section of eastern uplift zones,as well as intra-depression fault-high isolated platforms in the central depression zone.The result not only provides an important basis for the advanced selection of potential play fairways,bidding of new blocks,and deployment of awarded exploration blocks in the Santos Basin,but also provides a reference for the global selection of deep-water exploration blocks in passive continental margin basins.

Renewable Biomass as a Platform for Preparing Green Chemistry

1 About the Special Issue Editor Qiaoguang Li is an associate professor and master’s supervisor in the Department of College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering.He received his PhD from Institute of Chemical Industry of Forestry Products,Chinese Academy of Forestry in 2018.He has been focusing his research on the chemical basis and application of natural resources.He has published nearly 30 international peer reviewed papers and applied for 10 patents.

Dynamic Coupling Analysis of Semisubmersible Platform Float-over Method for Docking Case

In this paper,the multi-body coupled dynamic characteristics of a semisubmersible platform and an HYSY 229 barge were investigated.First,coupled hydrodynamic analysis of the HYSY 229 barge and the semisubmersible platform was performed.Relevant hydrodynamic parameters were obtained using the retardation function method of three-dimensional frequency-domain potential flow theory.The results of the hydrodynamic analysis were highly consistent with the test findings,verifying the accuracy of the multifloating hydrodynamic coupling analysis,and key hydrodynamic parameters were solved for different water depths and the coupling effect.According to the obtained results,the hydrodynamic influence was the largest in shallow waters when the coupling effect was considered.Furthermore,the coupled motion equation combined with viscous damping,fender system,and mooring system was established,and the hydrodynamics,floating body motion,and dynamic response of the fender system were analyzed.Motion analysis revealed good agreement among the surge,sway,and yaw motions of the two floating bodies.However,when the wave period reached 10 s,the motion of the two floating bodies showed severe shock,and a relative motion was also observed.Therefore,excessive constraints should be added between the two floating bodies during construction to ensure construction safety.The numerical analysis and model test results of the semisubmersible platform and HYSY 229 barge at a water depth of 42 m and sea conditions of 0°,45°,and 90° were in good agreement,and the error was less than 5%.The maximum movement of the HYSY 229 barge reached 2.61 m in the sway direction,whereas that of the semisubmersible platform was 2.11 m.During construction,excessive constraints should be added between the two floating bodies to limit their relative movement and ensure construction safety.

A Coordinate-Free Approach to the Design of Generalized Griffis-Duffy Platforms

Architectural singularity belongs to the Type II singularity,in which a parallel manipulator(PM)gains one or more degrees of freedom and becomes uncontrollable.PMs remaining permanently in a singularity are beneficial for linearto-rotary motion conversion.Griffis-Duffy(GD)platform is a mobile structure admitting a Bricard motion.In this paper,we present a coordinate-free approach to the design of generalized GD platforms,which consists in determining the shape and attachment of both the moving platform and the fixed base.The generalized GD platform is treated as a combination of six coaxial single-loop mechanisms under the same constraints.Owing to the inversion,hidden in the geometric structure of these single-loop mechanisms,the mapping from a line to a circle establishes the geometric transformation between the fixed base and the moving platform based on the center of inversion,and describes the shape and attachment of the generalized GD platform.Moreover,the center of inversion not only identifies the location of rotation axis,but also affects the shape of the platform mechanism.A graphical construction of generalized GD platforms using inversion,proposed in the paper,provides geometrically feasible solutions of the manipulator design for the requirement of the location of rotation axis.