Compensation Scheme Research Articles

Reinforcement-Learning-Based Fixed-Time Prescribed Performance Consensus Control for Stochastic Nonlinear MASs with Sensor Faults

This paper proposes the fixed-time prescribed performance optimal consensus control method for stochastic nonlinear multi-agent systems with sensor faults. The consensus error converges to the prescribed performance bounds in fixed-time by an improved performance function and coordinate transformation. Due to the unknown faults in sensors, the system states cannot be gained correctly; therefore, an adaptive compensation strategy is constructed based on the approximation capabilities of neural networks to solve the negative impact of sensor failures. The reinforcement-learning-based backstepping method is proposed to realize the optimal control of the system. Utilizing Lyapunov stability theory, it is shown that the designed controller enables the consensus error to converge to the prescribed performance bounds in fixed time and that all signals in the closed-loop system are bounded in probability. Finally, the simulation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Compensatory Strategies in Adolescent Females with a Restrictive Eating Disorder and Later Diagnosed Autism: A Qualitative Study of Patient Records

Compensatory Strategies in Adolescent Females with a Restrictive Eating Disorder and Later Diagnosed Autism: A Qualitative Study of Patient Records

Unveiling the relationships between language learning strategies and academic achievement among Moroccan EFL university students

This paper aims to examine language learning strategies and learning styles among EFL Moroccan undergraduate university students. It also investigates the interrelationships between learning strategies and academic achievement. The sample consisted of (N= 294) EFL undergraduate university students, enrolled in the Department of English Language at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Beni Mellal. The participants were 151 (51.4%) females and 143 (48.6%) males, with 148 (50.3%) studying literature and 146 (49.7%) studying linguistics. The data were collected using Oxford’s (1990) Strategy Inventory to gather information on language learning strategies. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that participants used language learning strategies frequently, with metacognitive strategies being the most commonly used. Memory, compensation, cognitive, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies were the most frequently used strategies in descending order. Additionally, the study found a moderately positive correlation between language learning strategies and academic achievement. Ultimately, the study drew implications for EFL students, teachers, program administrators, and curriculum designers.

Ternary Compensation Enables High-sensitive Efficient Upconversion Device for NIR Visualization.

Beyond the crystalline photodiodes for infrared visualization, with the limitation of opacity and complex lithographic processes, organic upconversion device (UCD) have emerged as a potential alternative. In this research, a ternary compensation strategy is implemented in a non-fullerene-based active layer to reduce the dark current of the detector and enhance its detection performance, which enables high-sensitive efficient upconversion device for near-infrared light (NIR) visualization. The device achieves an infrared-to-visible upconversion efficiency of 16.68% when resolving the 980 nm infrared signal at a power density of 0.4 mW cm-2. In addition, by replacing the semitransparent matrix electrodes, a large-area (12.25 cm2) is further fabricated, lightweight (6.5g containing encapsulation), pixel-less (equivalent resolution 1270 ppi), and semitransparent (AVT ≈40%) UCD with microsecond response time. The fabricated UCD is demonstrated in pixel-less active infrared naked-eye visualization and infrared counter-surveillance, fostering the advancement of infrared visualization technology.

Study on Instability Mechanism and Compensation Strategy for Distributed Energy Storage Systems

Distributed energy storage systems (DESSs), which would become key components in a new power system, can flexibly deliver peak load shaving and demand management. With the popularization of distributed renewable energy generation in a distribution network, the grid impedance varies and DESSs thus have to face stability issues. In order to enhance the system’s stability, a compensation strategy is proposed for the inverter in a DESS. First, a stability analysis model is developed to show the main factors that affect system stability. Then, an improved compensation strategy is proposed for the phase-locked loop (PLL) in a DESS, in which control parameters are adaptively tuned on-line according to real-time conditions to improve the stability of a grid-tied DESS. Simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experimental results are given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed strategy significantly increases the system’s tolerance to grid impedance variations, maintains total harmonic distortion (THD) below 5% during normal operation, and effectively reduces low-order harmonic content caused by impedance fluctuations. Moreover, the strategy is demonstrated to enhance system stability under low state-of-charge (SOC) conditions, showcasing its robustness and adaptability across various operating scenarios.

Markov multi-fault tolerance control of intelligent suspension in blind scenes

This paper focuses on insufficient perception in blind scenes and the failures of the actuator and sensor of vehicle suspension. The safe speed is designed and the fault-tolerant strategy based on the observer is designed when the actuator and sensor fail simultaneously. A speed planning strategy to ensure that vehicles operate at a safe speed is proposed. The Markov suspension fault jump model considering the suspension sensor and actuator faults is established. Based on the fault estimation obtained by the fault observer, a fault tolerance control strategy of sensor signal reconstruction and actuator fault compensation is adopted. The measurement index for evaluating fault tolerance effectiveness has been established, and an exploration of fault tolerance control is conducted across various fault levels, to identify the preferred fault tolerance strategies corresponding to different levels of fault tolerance. The simulation results show that the designed speed control strategy can improve vehicle safety by decelerating in advance, the fault observer is capable of accurately estimating the true values of actuator and sensor faults. The simulation and vehicle test results demonstrate that similar suspension performance has been obtained by fault-tolerant control strategy and preferred fault tolerance under different fault tolerance levels compared with normal fault tolerance.

Single-pixel imaging of a moving target using only Hadamard patterns for simultaneous localization and reconstruction

Relative motion degrades the image quality of single-pixel imaging (SPI) while imaging the moving targets. Motion compensation strategies are effective in improving the imaging quality. However, the existing methods often require the use of additional patterns for target localization, which increases the sampling time. What we believe is a novel motion compensation method for SPI with Hadamard geometric moments is proposed based on the sparsity of geometric moment patterns in the Hadamard domain. Parts of Hadamard patterns are used for localization and reconstruction, simultaneously, thus target localization does not require additional patterns. In addition, our method effectively improves the localization accuracy in large-scale scenes due to the absence of binarization error while enhancing the quality of the reconstructed images. Many simulations and experiments are performed to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method and the results show that the proposed SPI system improves the imaging quality (with lower MSE and higher PSNR) while imaging moving targets in 512 × 512-sized scenes.

Mixed reality alters motor planning and control

Compared to physical unmediated reality (UR), mixed reality technologies, such as Virtual (VR) and Augmented (AR) Reality, entail perturbations across multiple sensory modalities (visual, haptic, etc.) that could alter how actors move within the different environments. Because of the mediated nature, goal-directed movements in VR and AR may rely on planning and control processes that are different from movements in UR, resulting in less efficient motor control. The current study involved participants performing manual pointing movements on Müller-Lyer illusion stimuli to examine the relative contributions of movement planning and online control in UR, VR, and AR. Compared to UR, movements in VR were slower but were equally variable with a comparable level of online control, whereas movements in AR showed comparable speed but exhibited higher variability and less online control. Further, movements in VR and AR demonstrated a greater illusory effect in endpoint accuracy relative to UR. These findings suggested that participants in VR adopted an active compensation strategy to overcome the impact of less efficient online control, whereas participants in AR did not. The findings that movement planning and execution in VR and AR are fundamentally different from those in UR provide valuable insights into the potential neural systems engaged during movements in different realities.

Investigation of Chinese undergraduate EFL learners’ online communication strategies

With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, online learning has gained popularity throughout the world in recent years. How EFL learners communicate with their teachers and classmates online has sparked great interest with a view to enhancing their performance in online learning. This study aimed to explore the online communication strategies of Chinese undergraduate EFL learners and how they vary according to gender and English proficiency. The quantitative method was adopted in this study. The participants were 120 undergraduate EFL learners from a public university in China. The questionnaire on online communication strategies, consisting of 30 items, was developed. Cronbach alpha and factor analysis were conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. The descriptive statistics and independent T-tests were used for data analysis. The study reached the conclusion that the most commonly used online communication strategies are Reduction strategies, followed by Focus on Form, Social-cultural, Paralinguistic, Compensatory, and Interactional strategies. Male and female learners differed significantly in the use of reduction strategies, focus on form strategies, social-cultural strategies, and paralinguistic strategies. Furthermore, there is a significant difference in the use of all types of online communication strategies between good learners and poor learners, with good learners applying more online communication strategies than poor learners. The study indicates that teachers should raise students' awareness of online communication strategies that are conducive to online communication and learning. Training on online communication strategies should be provided with a view to enhancing students' communication competence as well as English proficiency.

Patients with Achilles tendinopathy use compensation strategies to reduce tendon load during rehabilitation exercises

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine differences in the Achilles tendon loading during rehabilitation exercises for Achilles tendinopathy and the ranking of these exercises, based on load, in patients with tendinopathy and controls. MethodsSixteen patients with Achilles Tendinopathy (5F & 11 M, 44.1 ± 12.9 yr) and sixteen controls (4F & 12 M, 39.4 ± 15.6 yr) performed rehabilitation exercises while 3D motion and ground reaction forces were measured. Musculoskeletal modeling was used to compute joint kinematics and estimate Achilles tendon load by summing the forces of individual triceps surae muscles. Subsequently, peak Achilles tendon loading, loading impulse, loading rate, loading indexes (a combination of the previous parameters), and joint angles at the time of peak loading were determined and compared between patients and controls. FindingsPatients with tendinopathy exhibited significantly reduced peak Achilles tendon loading compared to controls during the exercises with the highest peak loading: unilateral heel drop with flexed knee (3.66 ± 0.90BW [AT] vs. 4.65 ± 1.10BW [Control], p = 0.003, d = 0.979) and walking (3.37 ± 0.49BW [AT] vs. 3.68 ± 0.33BW [Control], p = 0.044, d = 0.742). Additionally, during the heel drop exercise, patients with tendinopathy showed reduced ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion. The ranking of exercises by peak loading or loading index was similar for both groups but varied depending on which loading parameter was used to define Achilles tendon loading. InterpretationDuring the highest load-imposing exercises, patients with tendinopathy employ compensatory strategies to reduce the load on their Achilles tendon. Clear instructions and feedback on the patient's performance are crucial as altered exercise execution influences Achilles tendon loading.

Breathing life into equity: How air pollution influences corporate pay gap

Using a dataset encompassing 19,229 Chinese listed firm-year observations from 2014 to 2020, this study investigates the relationship between air quality and the pay gap between executives and employees. Our empirical results indicate that companies tend to reduce the pay gap in response to air pollution. These results exhibit robustness through various methodological approaches: employing thermal inversion as an instrumental variable (IV) for IV regressions, adopting quantile regressions, utilizing alternative metrics for assessing air pollution and corporate pay gap, expanding control variables, excluding firms undergoing reorganization, and applying firm-level clustering. This effect is especially strong in corporations with greater public scrutiny, strong corporate governance, and fewer financial constraints. Moreover, such strategic adjustments in compensation policies not only help firms retain valuable human resources, but also ultimately enhance their green innovation and ESG performance, as diminished pay gap contribute to fostering increased employee engagement and motivation within the work environment. Our research contributes to environmental management by demonstrating how air quality can be a pivotal factor in corporate compensation strategies. The findings provide actionable insights for executives and policymakers, advocating for the integration of environmental considerations into core business frameworks.

Past-to-future resources utilization efficiency and cross-regional compensation strategies in urban agglomerations driven by environmental footprint dynamic assessment

Past-to-future resources utilization efficiency and cross-regional compensation strategies in urban agglomerations driven by environmental footprint dynamic assessment

A systematic review of incentive schemes and their implications for truck driver safety performance

Introduction: This systematic review investigates the effects of monetary and non-monetary incentive schemes on the safety performance of truck drivers, a critical concern within the road freight industry. Method: The review analyzes 18 studies and dissects the impact of compensation levels, compensation methods, and non-monetary benefits on drivers’ safety behaviors. Results: The findings show that, in general, higher levels of compensation, both through selection and incentive effects, enhance safety performance by attracting more skilled drivers and incentivizing adherence to safety protocols. However, the structure of these compensations, particularly piece-rate wages, and payment for non-driving hours, reveals a double-edged sword; while incentivizing productivity, they inadvertently promote unsafe driving behaviors such as excessive speeding and insufficient rest due to economic pressures. Conversely, non-monetary incentives, though under-researched, show potential for improving safety outcomes by enhancing job satisfaction and work environment quality. Practical applications: This review highlights the need for future research on safety incentives to evaluate the full extent of the intersection between incentives, safety culture, and working conditions. It advocates for holistic compensation strategies that foster a safety culture in the trucking industry, marking a new direction for improving driver behavior.

Gender differences in post-competition honesty—An experimental analysis

While competition is an inherent element of most market activities and immanent in many organizations, competitive incentives may bring about negative externalities, such as unethical behavior. This study examines whether competition affects subsequent honesty in an unrelated task, focusing on gender differences. Our experiment, which includes a real effort task under piece rate and competitive compensation schemes, reveals no overall treatment effects on honesty. However, competition affects men and women differently: women become more honest, while men become (insignificantly) more dishonest. This results in a gender gap in post-competition honesty and, therefore, in payoffs, highlighting the importance of carefully designing incentive schemes that consider gender-specific responses.

Ecological Compensation Scheme for Greywater Footprint Transfer in the Yangtze River Economic Belt Under the Perspective of Environmental Equity

Based on China’s multi-region input–output tables from 2012 and 2017, we measured the greywater footprint and the value-added totals implied by trade within the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Additionally, we constructed an environmental inequity index to analyze the environmental inequity resulting from shifts in the greywater footprint. Finally, we designed and compared two sets of eco-compensation schemes based on the direct and opportunity costs of water resources. The results indicate that: (1) economically developed regions with strong consumption capacities, such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, are the primary importers of greywater footprints, whereas the opposite is true for exporters, with most of these regions having a higher GDP (Gross Domestic Product) share from agriculture; (2) a trade phenomenon exists where developed regions leverage their high-value-added industries to exploit underdeveloped regions, exacerbating regional imbalances and hindering the overall coordinated and high-quality development of the region; (3) the direct cost option is less effective than the opportunity cost option in promoting overall regional environmental equity, as the direct cost option fails to account for indirect costs, making the opportunity cost option more advantageous for fostering coordinated regional development.

Research on Feedforward-Feedback Composite Anti-Disturbance Control of Electro-Hydraulic Proportional System Based on Dead Zone Compensation

Considering the complexity and difficulty of obtaining certain parameters in the electro-hydraulic proportional control system, a precise transfer function of the system was derived through parameter identification using experimental data obtained from an Amesim simulation model after establishing a basic mathematical model. This approach reduces the reliance on accurate parameters of individual components. A feedforward-feedback composite controller was designed, and its effectiveness was validated in Simulink using the system’s transfer function. Subsequently, the dead zone range of the proportional valve was determined through experiments, and a dead zone compensation strategy was designed, which reduced the time required for the proportional valve to traverse the dead zone by 89.4%. Based on the dead zone compensation, trajectory tracking experiments were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the feedforward-feedback composite controller. Under fixed disturbances, the trajectory tracking error was reduced by 53.8% compared to feedback control. Under time-varying load disturbances, the trajectory tracking error was reduced by 51.2% compared to feedback control.

Research on optimization of basketball jumping landing techniques and reduction of ankle joint injury risk based on biomechanics analysis

The ankle joint’s functional state is crucial during dynamic basketball movements, especially jumping and landing. A higher risk of ankle injuries is linked to limited ankle dorsiflexion, which can result in biomechanical alterations affecting landing safely and effectively. To improve basketball jumping landing skills and decrease the risk of ankle joint injuries, the objective of this research is to examine the way difficulties of dorsiflexion in the ankle influence the biomechanics of the lower extremities. Seventy-five participants completed basketball-specific stop-jumping actions on a flat surface (Control), a 10°, 20°, and 30° incline, using data from their dominant legs. The musculoskeletal framework was developed to simulate and analyze biomechanical data related to landing techniques. Post-hoc Tukey testing is utilized to estimate the category variations and it utilizes the statistical parametric mapping (SPM). As the angle of ankle restrictions increased, significant alterations in lower extremity biomechanics were detected during basketball jumping landings. Hip extension angles, knee external rotation angles, angular velocities, and knee extension angular velocities all showed appreciable increases. These findings indicate that increased ankle limitation has a significant impact on the mechanics of lower limb movements during athletic performance. The peripatellar muscles’ co-activation gradually increased, and the landing phase showed a substantial increase in the patellofemoral joint contact force (PTF). The impact of ankle dorsiflexion difficulties in joint strain and kinematics during basketball jumping landings is demonstrated by these findings. An enhanced co-activation of the peripatellar muscles and increased PTF in response to increasing ankle restriction indicate compensatory strategies for maintaining balance during basketball landings. This study emphasizes the significance of improving basketball jumping landing techniques to improve ankle stability and decrease the possibility of ankle joint injuries in players.

Destruction, delay and déjà vu: the restoration of Dublin’s O’Connell Street after the Irish civil war, 1922–1933

Abstract During the opening phase of the Irish civil war, Dublin’s O’Connell Street was subjected to large-scale destruction of properties and businesses for the second time since the 1916 Rising. Utilizing newly available compensation claims as well as state and local government records, this article examines four aspects of the post-civil war restoration of O’Connell Street for the first time: the scale of the destruction; the compensation scheme devised by the Irish government which accorded O’Connell Street a unique status in the Damage to Property Compensation Act of 1923; the context of the town-planning regulations introduced, as well as the concerns of property owners, the local authority and central government; and the process of reconstruction – how compensation was paid, what properties were rebuilt, in what manner and when.

Improvement of EME accuracy based on an equivalent voltage acquisition method and corresponding voltage compensation strategy

AbstractIt is a known cost‐effective method to employ a DSP‐based electric machine emulator (EME) for motor control unit testing, this paper introduces a novel approach to enhance the emulator's accuracy. The inaccuracies caused by terminal voltage sampling errors in the motor control unit and voltage distortions in the inverter are addressed in this paper. An advanced equivalent voltage acquisition technique, which samples the duty cycle‐amplitude of the inverter's terminal voltage, is developed. Leveraging the acquired equivalent voltage data, a novel voltage compensation strategy that providing more accuracy in EME performance is proposed. The mathematical foundation of the EME is established using Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws. These findings are independently validated through simulations and experiments. The results provide robust evidence that the proposed equivalent voltage acquisition and compensation strategies can enhance the accuracy of the EME.

Endurance and electromyographic assessment of abdominopelvic motor control in women with primary dysmenorrhea: a cross-sectional study

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD), a prevalent menstrual condition characterized by pelvic pain during the menstrual cycle, significantly impacts the quality of life of women and produces increased pain sensitivity that can persist throughout the menstrual cycle. However, scientific literature has not studied whether there are implications for alterations in muscle function and endurance in the abdominopelvic region during the non-painful phases of the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to compare muscle function and endurance capacity in the abdominopelvic region in women with PD versus women without this condition. An observational, cross-sectional study was designed to analyze muscle activation and endurance capacity using electromyography (EMG) during McGill exercises. Forty-four women were included, 22 with PD and 22 without dysmenorrhea. The results did not indicate significant differences in muscle activation and endurance of the abdominopelvic musculature between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, the analysis suggests that women with primary dysmenorrhea might develop compensatory strategies that allow them to maintain physical function despite their condition. These results suggest that the approach to PD could focus more on pain management rather than physical functionality, and more studies are needed from a comprehensive approach to more accurately evaluate the relationship between PD and muscle function.