Optimal Precursors Triggering the Kuroshio Extension State Transition Obtained by the Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation Approach

In this study, the initial perturbations that are the easiest to trigger the Kuroshio Extension （KE） transition connecting a basic weak jet state and a strong, fairly stable meandering state, are investigated using a reduced-gravity shallow water ocean model and the CNOP （Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation） approach. This kind of initial perturbation is called an optimal precursor （OPR）. The spatial structures and evolutionary processes of the OPRs are analyzed in detail. The results show that most of the OPRs are in the form of negative sea surface height （SSH） anomalies mainly located in a narrow band region south of the KE jet, in basic agreement with altimetric observations. These negative SSH anomalies reduce the merid- ional SSH gradient within the KE, thus weakening the strength of the jet. The KE jet then becomes more convoluted, with a high-frequency and large-amplitude variability corresponding to a high eddy kinetic energy level; this gradually strengthens the KE jet through an inverse energy cascade. Eventually, the KE reaches a high-energy state characterized by two well defined and fairly stable anticyclonic meanders. Moreover, sensitivity experiments indicate that the spatial structures of the OPRs are not sensitive to the model parameters and to the optimization times used in the analysis.

Forecasting directional movement of Forex data using LSTM with technical and macroeconomic indicators

Forex(foreign exchange)is a special financial market that entails both high risks and high profit opportunities for traders.It is also a very simple market since traders can profit by just predicting the direction of the exchange rate between two currencies.However,incorrect predictions in Forex may cause much higher losses than in other typical financial markets.The direction prediction requirement makes the problem quite different from other typical time-series forecasting problems.In this work,we used a popular deep learning tool called“long short-term memory”(LSTM),which has been shown to be very effective in many time-series forecasting problems,to make direction predictions in Forex.We utilized two different data sets—namely,macroeconomic data and technical indicator data—since in the financial world,fundamental and technical analysis are two main techniques,and they use those two data sets,respectively.Our proposed hybrid model,which combines two separate LSTMs corresponding to these two data sets,was found to be quite successful in experiments using real data.

Environmental Data Acquisition, Elaboration and Integration： Preliminary Application to a Vulnerable Mountain Landscape and Village （Novalesa, NW Italy）

气候条件影响了山地社区的社会经济发展,特别是易发生高山斜坡破坏和泥石流等自然灾害的山区,气候因素将发挥重要的影响作用,因此在制定适当的可持续发展方案时应考虑到气候因素。同时,气候变化改变了生态系统服务(ES)功能,使得土壤肥力下降、水资源供应减少、草地面积减少、监管服务(如防止自然灾害)和文化服务发生潜在转变。本研究以意大利阿尔卑斯山区为研究区域进行初步讨论,该地区经历过极端降水和侵蚀,社区的发展十分依赖于对自然资源的直接利用。初步研究结果表明,经济因素影响了诺瓦莱萨社区(位于意大利西北部的皮埃蒙特地区)过去的人口变化趋势。然而,由气象气候因素引发的岩崩和泥石流事件的数量不断增加,可能会进一步影响社区人们的生计。因此,环境监测和数据分析对于辨识景观和气候变化的趋势并选择适当的规划方案是很重要的,这有助于将山地社区人口维持在全球人口的10%左右,这也是贫困地区未来经济发展的一个重要机遇。

The Moderating Role of Ownership Structure on the Relation between Board Independence and Voluntary Financial Disclosure: An Analysis of Italian Listed Company

Voluntary disclosure and corporate governance variables, such as board independence and ownership structure are considered mechanisms useful to reduce information asymmetries between competing parties of the firms. This paper aims at investigating both the relationship between board independence and the quality of voluntary financial disclosure and how previous relationship is moderated by the level of ownership concentration. The analysis has been conducted on a sample of Italian non-financial listed companies. The results show that there is a positive and significant relationship between board independence and the quality of voluntary financial disclosure provided by companies. In addition, the findings reveal that ownership concentration plays a relevant moderating role in previous relationship. The results highlight the necessity to consider the interaction effects of different governance mechanisms, when studying corporate governance effectiveness.

Greening the Belt and Road Initiative: Evidence from emergy evaluation of China’s provincial trade with ASEAN countries

The Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)is a central policy within China’s regional development and foreign trade strategy.Traditional trade has typically depended on economic valuation of resources,while the embedded environmental value is rarely considered.This situation exists in most BRI trade evaluations.To address BRI environmental sustainability issues,we consider the role of pivotal Chinese provinces and their key trade partners(ASEAN countries)as an illustration for the environmental value of resource exchanges.Emergy accounting is used as the valuation tool for a sample period of seventeen years.Key results include:(1)Emergy valuations show sustainability of sample provinces decreased over time;(2)ASEAN countries such as Indonesia,Malaysia,Singapore,Thailand,and Vietnam play significant resource roles for provincial economic systems;(3)Diverse trends in trade between pivotal provinces and ASEAN countries resulted in an unbalanced trade structure from trade.Policy implications are proposed to promote a more globally sustainable and fair trade using BRI as an established trade policy.

Comparison of Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Responses Between Kettlebell Half Marathon and Treadmill Running at the Same Average Oxygen Consumption: A Case Study

Purposes In kettlebell sport(KS)half marathon,the lift of the kettlebell is required for the highest number of repetitions in 30 min.No data are available on cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during this exercise routine.The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to KS half marathon compared to 30 min treadmill running,chosen as a reference paradigm of aerobic exercise,at the same average oxygen consumption(VO_(2)).Methods A male elite KS athlete was enrolled in two trials separated by 7 days of rest.In the first trial,one-hand long-cycle KS exercise with a 1/3 body weight kettlebell was performed for 30 min(kettlebell half marathon,KT);in the second trial,30 min treadmill running(TR)was performed at the same average VO2 measured in the first trial(speed 9-10 km/h at 1°uphill inclination).Metabolic and cardiopulmonary assessments[respiratory exchange ratio(RER),tidal volume(TV),breathing frequency(f),minute ventilation(VE)],blood lactate(BL)kinetics,heart rate(HR),and blood pressure(BP)were measured in both experimental sessions.Results The average VO_(2) was 33.3 mL/min/kg in KT and 30.6 mL/min/kg in TR.The subject achieved RER_(peak) 1.17,RER_(mean) 0.98,HR_(peak) 172 bpm(94% HR_(max)),HR_(mean) 86% of HR_(max),BP_(peak) 220/100 mmHg in KT,BL_(peak) 7.2 mmol/L(during trial)in KT and RER_(peak) 1.13,RER_(mean) 0.89,HR_(peak) 142 bpm(78%HR_(max)),HR_(mean) 70% of HR_(max),BP_(peak) 160/80 mmHg,BL_(peak) 3.5 mmol/L(4 min after trial)mmol/L in TR.Conclusion Data indicate that a KS half marathon determines much higher cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to treadmill running performed at similar VO_(2).

Preface:Special Issue on Modeling,Simulation,and Optimization in Operational Research

“Operational Research”(OR)is“the discipline of applying advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions”.By using techniques such as problem structuring methods and mathematical modeling to analyze nontrivial situations,OR gives executives the power to make more effective decisions and build more productive systems.