The impact of Internet access on household dietary quality:Evidence from rural China

Over the past few decades,the Internet has rapidly diffused across China.The spread of the Internet has had a profound economic and social impact on Chinese rural areas.Existing research shows that Internet access significantly impacts agricultural production and improves smallholder farmers’income.Beyond these,the Internet can affect other dimensions of social welfare.However,research about the impact of Internet access on dietary quality in rural China remains scarce.This study utilizes multi-period panel data from Fixed Observation Point in rural China from 2009 to 2015 to estimate the impact of Internet access on dietary quality and food consumption of rural households and conducts a causal analysis.Regression models with time and household fixed effects allow robust estimation while reducing potential issues of unobserved heterogeneity.The estimates show that Internet access has significantly increased rural household dietary quality(measured by the Chinese Diet Balance Index).Further research finds that Internet access has increased the consumption of animal products,such as aquatic and dairy products.We also examine the underlying mechanisms.Internet access improves dietary quality and food consumption mainly through increasing household income and food expenditure.These results encourage the promotion of Internet access as a valuable tool for nutritional improvements,especially in rural areas.

Fixed-Time Consensus-Based Nash Equilibrium Seeking

Dear Editor,This letter examines the fixed-time stability of the Nash equilibrium(NE)in non-cooperative games.We propose a consensus-based NE seeking algorithm for situations where players do not have perfect information and communicate via a topology graph.The proposed algorithm can achieve NE in a fixed time that does not depend on initial conditions and can be adjusted in advance.

Existence and numerical approximation of a solution to frictional contact problem for electro-elastic materials

In this paper,a frictional contact problem between an electro-elastic body and an electrically conductive foundation is studied.The contact is modeled by normal compliance with finite penetration and a version of Coulomb’s law of dry friction in which the coefficient of friction depends on the slip.In addition,the effects of the electrical conductivity of the foundation are taken into account.This model leads to a coupled system of the quasi-variational inequality of the elliptic type for the displacement and the nonlinear variational equation for the electric potential.The existence of a weak solution is proved by using an abstract result for elliptic variational inequalities and a fixed point argument.Then,a finite element approximation of the problem is presented.Under some regularity conditions,an optimal order error estimate of the approximate solution is derived.Finally,a successive iteration technique is used to solve the problem numerically and a convergence result is established.

Effect of the Particle Packing Configuration on Fixed Bed Performance

Fixed-bed reactors are generally considered the optimal choice for numerous multi-phase catalytic reactions due to their excellent performance and stability.However,conventional fixed beds often encounter challenges related to inadequate mass transfer and a high pressure drop caused by the non-uniform void fraction distribution.To enhance the overall performance of fixed beds,the impact of different packing configurations on performance was investigated.Experimental and simulation methods were used to investigate the fluid flow and mass transfer performances of various packed beds under different flow rates.It was found that structured beds exhibited a significantly lower pressure drop per unit length than conventional packed beds.Furthermore,the packing configurations had a critical role in improving the overall performance of fixed beds.Specifically,structured packed beds,particularly the H-2 packing configuration,effectively reduced the pressure drop per unit length and improved the mass transfer efficiency.The H-2 packing configuration consisted of two parallel strips of particles in each layer,with strips arranged perpendicularly between adjacent layers,and the spacing between the strips varied from layer to layer.

AGGREGATE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS TO APPROXIMATE PERMUTING TRI-HOMOMORPHISMS AND PERMUTING TRI-DERIVATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH A TRI-ADDITIVEψ-FUNCTIONAL INEQUALITY IN BANACH ALGEBRAS

In this paper,we define a new class of control functions through aggregate special functions.These class of control functions help us to stabilize and approximate a tri-additiveψ-functional inequality to get a better estimation for permuting tri-homomorphisms and permuting tri-derivations in unital C*-algebras and Banach algebras by the vector-valued alternative fixed point theorem.

Flexible Load Participation in Peaking Shaving and Valley Filling Based on Dynamic Price Incentives

Considering the widening of the peak-valley difference in the power grid and the difficulty of the existing fixed time-of-use electricity price mechanism in meeting the energy demand of heterogeneous users at various moments or motivating users,the design of a reasonable dynamic pricing mechanism to actively engage users in demand response becomes imperative for power grid companies.For this purpose,a power grid-flexible load bilevel model is constructed based on dynamic pricing,where the leader is the dispatching center and the lower-level flexible load acts as the follower.Initially,an upper-level day-ahead dispatching model for the power grid is established,considering the lowest power grid dispatching cost as the objective function and incorporating the power grid-side constraints.Then,the lower level comprehensively considers the load characteristics of industrial load,energy storage,and data centers,and then establishes a lower-level flexible load operation model with the lowest user power-consuming cost as the objective function.Finally,the proposed method is validated using the IEEE-118 system,and the findings indicate that the dynamic pricing mechanism for peaking shaving and valley filling can effectively guide users to respond actively,thereby reducing the peak-valley difference and decreasing users’purchasing costs.

Oral Hygiene in the Presence of Orthodontic Therapy

Orthodontic treatment offers great advantages in improving facial and smile aesthetics, self-confidence and the function of the stomatognathic apparatus. The pursuit of these advantages makes use of orthodontic appliances that could be fixed or removable. However, it’s worth stating that these appliances interfere with tooth brushing, making it more difficult to brush teeth effectively. Orthodontics appliances therefore promote the accumulation of dental plaque, which results in both quantitative and qualitative changes in the oral microbiota, hence, exposing patients to several adverse effects such as White spot lesions, dental caries, periodontal pathologies and halitosis. For this reason, oral assessment of patients before, during and after treatment is necessary as well as oral hygiene instructions and motivation. Orthodontists therefore, should educate patients on oral and periodontal hygiene in order to control dental and periodontal complications. Prescriptions of plaque control materials adapted to each patient are done in order to optimize the final result and minimize unwanted complications.

Existence of Solutions of a Convolution Integral Equation

In this study, we prove the of existence of solutions of a convolution Volterra integral equation in the space of the Lebesgue integrable function on the set of positive real numbers and with the standard norm defined on it. An operator P was assigned to the convolution integral operator which was later expressed in terms of the superposition operator and the nonlinear operator. Given a ball Br belonging to the space L it was established that the operator P maps the ball into itself. The Hausdorff measure of noncompactness was then applied by first proving that given a set M∈ B r the set is bounded, closed, convex and nondecreasing. Finally, the Darbo fixed point theorem was applied on the measure obtained from the set E belonging to M. From this application, it was observed that the conditions for the Darbo fixed point theorem was satisfied. This indicated the presence of at least a fixed point for the integral equation which thereby implying the existence of solutions for the integral equation.

Tilt Angle Optimality Criteria for Stand Alone PV Systems

The conventional approach to optimizing tilt angles for fixed solar panels aims to maximize energy generation over the entire year. However, in the context of a supply controlled electric grid, where solar energy availability varies, this criterion may not be optimal. This study explores two alternative optimization criteria focused on maximizing baseload supply potential and minimizing required storage capacity to address seasonality in energy generation. The optimal tilt angles determined for these criteria differed significantly from the standard approach. This research highlights additional factors crucial for designing solar power systems beyond gross energy generation, essential for the global transition towards a fully renewable energy-based electric grid in the future.

Existence of Monotone Positive Solution for a Fourth-Order Three-Point BVP with Sign-Changing Green’s Function

This paper is concerned with the following fourth-order three-point boundary value problem , where , we discuss the existence of positive solutions to the above problem by applying to the fixed point theory in cones and iterative technique.

Some results on derivations of MV-algebras

In this paper, we review some of their related properties of derivations on MValgebras and give some characterizations of additive derivations. Then we prove that the fixed point set of Boolean additive derivations and that of their adjoint derivations are isomorphic.In particular, we prove that every MV-algebra is isomorphic to the direct product of the fixed point set of Boolean additive derivations and that of their adjoint derivations. Finally we show that every Boolean algebra is isomorphic to the algebra of all Boolean additive(implicative)derivations. These results also give the negative answers to two open problems, which were proposed in [Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 303(2016), 97-113] and [Information Sciences, 178(2008),307-316].

Vision-Based Fixed-Time Uncooperative Aerial Target Tracking for UAV

Dear Editor,In this letter,a vision-based fixed-time control is proposed for an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)with actuator saturation to track an uncooperative target.The fixed-time control is designed in backstepping framework.The relative states between UAV and the target are not directly measured,and are estimated by an onboard monocular camera.

Liquid-phase esterification of methacrylic acid with methanol catalyzed by cation-exchange resin in a fixed bed reactor:Experimental and kinetic studies

The kinetic behavior of esterification between methacrylic acid and methanol catalyzed by NKC-9 resin was studied in a fixed bed reactor.The reaction was conducted in the temperature range of 323.15 to 368.15 K with the molar ratio of reactants from 0.8 to 1.4 under certain pressure.The measurement data were regression with the pseudo-homogeneous(P-H),Eley-Rideal(E-R),and Langmuir-Hinshelwood(L-H)heterogeneous kinetic models.Independent adsorption experiments were implemented to gain the adsorption equilibrium constants of four components.Among the above three models,the L-H model exhibited the best fitting results.The stability of NKC-9 was evaluated by long-term running with the yield of methyl methacrylate no decrease during 3000 h operation.The structure and physicochemical properties of the new and used catalyst were performed by several characterizations including thermogravimetric analysis(TG),scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR)and so on.

5G Wideband Bandpass Filtering Power Amplifiers Based on a Bandwidth-Extended Bandpass Matching Network

In this paper,a 5G wideband power amplifier(PA)with bandpass filtering response is synthesized using a bandwidth-extended bandpass filter as the matching network(MN).In this structure,the bandwidth(θ_(C))is defined as a variable in the closedform equations provided by the microstrip bandpass filter.It can be extended over a wide range only by changing the characteristic impedances of the structure.Different from the other wideband MNs,the extension of bandwidth does not increase the complexity of the structure(order n is fixed).In addition,based on the bandwidth-extended structure,the wideband design of bandpass filtering PA is not limited to the fixed bandwidth of the specific filter structure.The theoretical analysis of the MN and the design flow of the PA are provided in this design.The fabricated bandpass filtering PA can support almost one-octave bandwidth(2-3.8 GHz),covering the two 5G bands(n41 and n78).The drain efficiency of 47%-60%and output power higher than 40 dBm are measured.Good frequency selectivity in S-parameter measurements can be observed.

Relay-Switching-Based Fixed-Time Tracking Controller for Nonholonomic State-Constrained Systems:Design and Experiment

Dear Editor,This letter investigates the fixed-time trajectory tracking controller design for nonholonomic chained systems with static state constraints.Firstly,a fixed-time tracking control law is given to carry out relay switching,which divides the controller development process into two stages.

Existence of Approximate Solutions to Nonlinear Lorenz System under Caputo-Fabrizio Derivative

In this article,we developed sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of an approximate solution to a nonlinear system of Lorenz equations under Caputo-Fabrizio fractional order derivative(CFFD).The required results about the existence and uniqueness of a solution are derived via the fixed point approach due to Banach and Krassnoselskii.Also,we enriched our work by establishing a stable result based on the Ulam-Hyers(U-H)concept.Also,the approximate solution is computed by using a hybrid method due to the Laplace transform and the Adomian decomposition method.We computed a few terms of the required solution through the mentioned method and presented some graphical presentation of the considered problem corresponding to various fractional orders.The results of the existence and uniqueness tests for the Lorenz system under CFFD have not been studied earlier.Also,the suggested method results for the proposed system under the mentioned derivative are new.Furthermore,the adopted technique has some useful features,such as the lack of prior discrimination required by wavelet methods.our proposed method does not depend on auxiliary parameters like the homotopy method,which controls the method.Our proposed method is rapidly convergent and,in most cases,it has been used as a powerful technique to compute approximate solutions for various nonlinear problems.

Isolating the female agency‑driven development factor in external sovereign emerging market debt

The underlying literature hypothesises and provides randomised evidence for the positive impact of promoting the broad-based inclusion,empowerment,and representation of women on regional ecosystems.This study seeks to isolate a female agencydriven development factor in external sovereign emerging market debt and finds evidence for superior risk-adjusted returns from tilting towards female agency leaders.We propose the female agency factor as an additional scope in the modern investor’s toolbox of holistic credit assessment,allowing investors to isolate the issuers which are the most effective sovereign transmission mechanisms of sustainable development capital.This contribution to the corpus supports the notion of integrating sustainability factors into portfolio construction and reinforces the argument for supporting femaleled development from a financial markets’perspective.

Adsorption dynamics of ethane from air in structured fixed beds with different microfibrous composites

Adsorption dynamics of ethane in two granular fixed beds and structured fixed beds with microfibrous composites was studied.5A zeolite membrane 5A/PSSF(paper-like sintered stainless steel fiber)and microfibrous entrapped activated carbon(MEAC)composites were prepared by wet layup papermaking/sintering technique and in-situ hydrothermal method.Microfibrous composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption/desorption.Structured fixed beds were designed by filling granular adsorbents(5A zeolite or activated carbon)and microfibrous composites at the inlet and outlet of the beds,respectively.Effects of flow rate,bed height and structure on the breakthrough curves were investigated.The length of unused bed(LUB)was determined,and Yoon–Nelson model was used to fit the breakthrough curves.The experimental results showed ethane was effectively adsorbed on the granular adsorbents and microfibrous composites.Both composites could decrease the LUB values and enhance bed utilization.All breakthrough curves fitted well to Yoon–Nelson model,with correlation coefficient exceeding 0.89.The adsorption rate of ethane could be improved in the structured fixed beds,which showed an enhanced mass transfer efficiency for ethane adsorption.LUB values of structured fixed beds with 5A/PSSF composites were larger,the bed utilization values were lower,and the adsorption rate constants were higher than those with MEAC composites under the same conditions.

Efficacy and safety of latanoprost/timolol fixed combination dosed twice daily compared to once daily in patients with primary open angle glaucoma

AIM:To evaluate whether latanoprost/timolol fixed combination(LTFC)dosed twice daily may provide further intraocular pressure(IOP)reduction and evaluate the safety profile at this dose.METHODS:This is an open-labeled,randomized,prospective crossover study on fourty primary open angle glaucoma patients.Two weeks of washout period were followed by randomization to either once daily(OD,group A)or twice daily dosing(BD,group B)of LTFC for 4wk.After another 2-week washout period,the patients’treatment dose was crossed-over for another 4wk.IOP reduction alongside ocular and systemic side effects were evaluated.RESULTS:Mean baseline IOP was 18.57±2.93 and 17.8±3.01 mm Hg before OD and BD dose respectively,(P=0.27).Mean IOP after BD dose was statistically lower(12.49±1.59 mm Hg)compared to OD(13.48±1.81 mm Hg,P=0.017).Although IOP reduction after BD dose was more(5.32±3.24 mm Hg,29.89%)than after OD dosing(5.04 mm Hg,27.14%),it did not reach statistical significance(P=0.68).Patients switched from OD to BD(group A)showed mean IOP reduction by 0.69 mm Hg[95%confidence interval(CI):-0.09 to 1.48 mm Hg,P=0.078];but patients switched from BD to OD(group B)had significantly higher mean IOP by 1.25 mm Hg(95%CI:-2.04 to-0.46 mm Hg,P=0.006).BD dose had more ocular side effects albeit mild.CONCLUSION:Mean IOP after LTFC dosed twice daily is statistically lower,with additional mild side effects.

Chemically activated carbon nanofibers for adsorptive removal of bisphenol-A:Batch adsorption and breakthrough curve study

Activated carbon nanofibers(ACNFs)with small diameter can significantly increase the accessibility of intra pores and accelerate adsorption of molecules from water.In this study,ACNFs were made by blending K_(2)CO_(3)or ZnCl_(2)as the activating agent into the polyacrylonitrile(PAN)in dimethylformamide solution for electrospinning prior to pyrolysis.Bisphenol-A(BPA),an endocrine disruption pollutant,is widely applied in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.Accordingly,BPA is often used as a model contaminant commonly removed via adsorption.Batch adsorption studies were used to evaluate the kinetics and adsorption capacity of the ACNFs.Redlich-Peterson(R-P)and Langmuir models were found to fit the isotherm of BPA adsorption better than Freundlich model,showing the homogeneous nature of the PAN originated ACNFs.The adsorption kinetics was better described by the pseudo second-order model than that by the pseudo first-order model.The fitting by intraparticle diffusion model indicates the adsorption of BPA onto ACNFs is mainly controlled by pore diffusion.High pH value and ionic strength reduced BPA adsorption from aqueous solution.The breakthrough curves studied in two different fixed bed systems(cross flow bed system and packed flow bed system)confirmed the scalability of BPA removal by ACNFs in dynamic adsorption processes.The modified dose-response model predicted well the fixed-bed outlet concentration profiles.