Utility Maximization Research Articles

Different strategies of crop diversification between poor and non-poor farmers: Concepts and evidence from Tanzania

Crop diversification, or growing multiple crops in farmland, has received attention as a risk-reducing strategy for smallholders. This study attempts to show that poor and non-poor farmers adopt different strategies of crop diversification. We first conceptualize farmers’ heterogeneous motivations for crop diversification by introducing a subsistence constraint into a utility maximization problem under uncertainty. Using the Tanzanian National Panel Survey, we then examine whether past experiences of shocks affect the adoption of crop diversification differently between poor and non-poor farmers. We rely on a threshold model to estimate heterogeneous impacts between poor and non-poor farmers. We find that poor farmers adopt crop diversification for robust food securities in response to drought/flood and large increases in food prices for purchase. In contrast, non-poor farmers adopt crop diversification to stabilize market income in response to large increases in input prices and large declines in crop prices for sale.

Spatiotemporal evolution of land use efficiency in 357 cities across mainland China from 2000 to 2020 based on SDG 11.3.1

High-efficiency land use facilitates the maximization of land utilization, lowers urban construction costs, and optimizes urban functional patterns. The Sustainable Development Goal 11.3.1 (SDG 11.3.1) can be used to assess land use efficiency (LUE), understand the current state of land use, and identify the potential for optimization. This study combines SDG 11.3.1 with other supplementary indicators to establish a land use efficiency evaluation system. This system provides a more precise understanding of internal city changes and enables a scientific assessment of urban LUE in Mainland China. The results showed that: (1) A significant number of cities were growing cities, particularly in the eastern region, with the population of built-up areas increased by 2.92 times from 2000 to 2020; (2) From 2000 to 2020, cities in China underwent rapid urban expansion, with the most significant urban expansion index in 2015–2020; (3) The coordination between population growth rate (PGR) and land consumption rate (LCR) worsened in the western region, while the central and eastern regions showed better coordination. (4) As the urban expansion index increased, the compactness index of the cities in the above three regions decreased and were at lower levels. This study establishes an evaluation system to assess the LUE and reveals the spatial and temporal characteristics of urban and population change. It holds paramount significance in enhancing LUE and encouraging sustainable development in Mainland China and serves as a valuable reference for global urban management.

Insights into transition metal encapsulated inside carbon aerogel for accelerated electro-peroxone oxidation: Activity evaluation and reactive oxygen species generation

Transition metals have critical influences on the generation of reactive oxygen species in activating O3 and H2O2, as the binary oxidant sources in electro-peroxone (EP). To evaluate the catalytic activity of different metals and reveal the reactive oxygen species generation in heterogeneous EP, series of metals encapsulated inside carbon aerogel spheres (M@CS, M=Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) were fabricated for strengthening EP. Atrazine was used as model pollutant due to its low reactivity with O3, and the abatement trends followed Co@CS > Fe@CS > Ni@CS > Zn@CS. Co@CS exhibited the superior catalytic activity with maximum metal active site utilization (1.28 × 103 min-1 mol-1 per mole Co atom sites at pH 7) and minimum electric energy consumption (0.106 kWh/m3-log). The catalytic activity of M@CS was related to the adsorption energies for O3 and H2O2 (Fe@CS > Co@CS > Ni@CS > Zn@CS) and the graphitization degree (Co@CS > Fe@CS > Ni@CS > Zn@CS). Verified by theoretical calculation and in-situ Fourier transformed infrared, the metal effectively promoted the adsorption and decomposition of O3 and H2O2 into the surface oxygen intermediates, finally generating ·OH/·O2-/1O2. The carbon layer was conducive to the reduction of internal metal, ensuring catalyst durability. Electronic paramagnetic resonance and kinetic model revealed the occurrence, ratio and transient concentration of ·OH/·O2-/1O2 in M@CS/EP. M@CS/EP showed good performance for pollutant removal in coexistence of anions, humic acid and real water. This study provides guidance for selecting the metal–carbon catalyst in heterogeneous EP.

A novel encryption protocol for facilitating de-identification of genomics health data

The exponential growth and affordability of genomics sequencing in the clinical landscape in recent years have intensified a challenge facing privacy experts. They grapple with how to evaluate and mitigate the significant risk of genomics data being used to re-identify individuals. The lack of clear genomics guidance in HIPAA has invited a wide spectrum of expert opinion from advocating for conservative limitations to be placed on genomics data sharing to ‘security’-based arguments that carefully calibrated technical, administrative, and legal safeguards may provide adequate protection in many cases. The need to weigh privacy concerns against the extraordinary value that genomics data offers to cancer and rare disease clinical research is compounded by the reality that conventional data modifications, such as redaction, aggregation, and perturbation, often critically undermine these important use cases. We present an innovative solution for de-identifying genomics data according to a conservative interpretation of HIPAA while still preserving maximal utility for clinical purposes. Our solution rejects the notion that privacy can be achieved directly via security. Instead, we introduce a reversible encryption protocol designed to be applied to specific combinations of genetic variants and their locations on the genome. The encrypted genomic data is fully de-identified, allowing researchers to perform analyses on the encrypted data in a secure Clean Room environment. The environment host is then able to decrypt and deliver variant-level summary statistics and aggregated outputs from the analysis to the recipient. As information in this format no longer links to patient-level data the solution remains de-identified end-to-end.

Dynamic environment UAV deployment algorithm based on potential game theory

AbstractTo address the issue of low coverage resulting from the challenge of acquiring the optimal deployment position in commonly used distributed deployment algorithms, this study presents a three‐dimensional deployment algorithm for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) based on potential games. First, a local mutually beneficial game model is designed to demonstrate the existence of exact potential games and Nash equilibrium. The Nash equilibrium solution corresponds to the maximum coverage. Next, drawing inspiration from exploration, a solution method called Exploration Spatial Adaptive Play is proposed. It utilizes the maximum utility function value from multiple step sizes in the exploration direction to update the action selection probability, thereby ensuring the optimal deployment position in each decision cycle. To address the issue of sensor position error, a method for processing sensor position errors is proposed. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed distributed deployment algorithm achieves higher coverage compared to commonly used methods.

Enhancing bargaining power for energy communities in renewable power purchase agreements using Gaussian learning and fixed price bargaining

Power purchase agreements aim to secure long-term contracts between sellers and buyers, particularly in renewable energy transactions. However, successful negotiations for a fixed long-term price and energy volume while ensuring maximum utility for stakeholders remains a significant challenge. This paper introduces a comprehensive model for negotiating 24/7 power purchase agreements, focusing on hourly pricing to address deficits and surpluses throughout each day of the contract timeline. The model incorporates demand flexibility through battery storage, settling on the strike price using Nash Bargaining theory and optimal management of energy consumption relative to market price fluctuations. A soft margin support vector machine classification model determines the buyer’s maximum acceptable price. Moreover, Gaussian process classification is employed to calculate a probabilistic, risk-adjusted strike price, enabling a data-driven approach to power purchase negotiations. The proposed model’s performance is demonstrated through a detailed case study of Norway, illustrating how demand flexibility can significantly lower long-term power purchase agreement contract prices. The analysis of yearly price trends indicates that incorporating flexibility resources in long-term energy contracts may lead to a reduction in strike prices by around 25%. Moreover, such flexibility enhances demand-generation matching, thereby increasing renewable energy transactions within such agreements.

Arbitrage equilibria in active matter systems

The motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) phenomenon in active matter has been of great interest for the past decade or so. A central conceptual puzzle is that this behavior, which is generally characterized as a nonequilibrium phenomenon, can yet be explained using simple equilibrium models of thermodynamics. Here, we address this problem using a new theory, statistical teleodynamics, which is a conceptual synthesis of game theory and statistical mechanics. In this framework, active agents compete in their pursuit of maximum effective utility, and this self-organizing dynamics results in an arbitrage equilibrium in which all agents have the same effective utility. We show that MIPS is an example of arbitrage equilibrium and that it is mathematically equivalent to other phase-separation phenomena in entirely different domains, such as sociology and economics. As examples, we present the behavior of Janus particles in a potential trap and the effect of chemotaxis on MIPS.

Utility Maximization for Multi-UAV-Assisted IoT Sensor Systems With NOMA

Utility Maximization for Multi-UAV-Assisted IoT Sensor Systems With NOMA

Enhancing renewable energy utilization and energy management strategies for new energy yachts

Hydrogen energy, due to its clean and efficient nature, has shown great potential during the current transition period in the shipbuilding industry. However, the application of hydrogen energy in ship energy systems is influenced by variations in operational load and the integration of new energy sources during actual navigation. To address these issues, this paper focuses on optimizing and scheduling the operation of ships under various navigation conditions, considering the distributed nature of hydrogen energy. System simulations were conducted to model the photovoltaic (PV), proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), lithium batteries (LIBs), electrolytic cells (ECs), and energy storage modules of yacht energy systems. Component boundaries and objective functions were set, and two cases (excess photovoltaic state and constant power state) were designed to optimize and regulate the energy balance of hydrogen-powered yachts, enhancing their comprehensive utilization of renewable energy. By comparing the changes in ship energy under the two cases, it was concluded that case 1 ensures the maximum utilization of renewable energy. When photovoltaic power generation is insufficient, the PEMFC and LIB in the system provide the required power to achieve a supply-demand balance. Moreover, when PV power generation is sufficient, hydrogen energy is used to store renewable energy. The optimization method designed in this study can, to some extent, maximize the application of renewable energy in new energy yachts, ensuring the efficiency of the comprehensive energy system of new energy yachts, reducing emissions, and improving the sustainability and economic efficiency of the ships.

Kinetic investigation of discharge performance for Xe, Kr, and Ar in a miniature ion thruster using a fast converging PIC-MCC-DSMC model

Abstract The present work develops a full particle-based model that couples the particle-in-cell plus Monte Carlo collision (PIC-MCC) simulation for plasma dynamics and the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method for neutral dynamics in a synergistic iterative manner. This new model overcomes the slow convergence issue in the conventional direct coupling approach caused by the disparity of the time scales between the plasma and neutral dynamics. This model is applied to simulate the behavior of xenon (Xe) and its potential alternatives, krypton (Kr) and argon (Ar), in the discharge chamber of a miniature direct current (DC) ion thruster. The results show that a stable discharge is difficult to achieve for Kr and Ar under the operating conditions optimal for Xe. While increasing the discharge voltage can effectively improve the stability of discharge for Kr and Ar, other common strategies such as changing the magnetic field strength, propellant flow rate, and cathode current are not successful. The propellant utilization efficiency and discharge efficiency are affected by both discharge voltage and propellant flow rate. A maximum utilization efficiency and an optimal discharge efficiency are observed for all three propellants, with the values decreasing in the order of Xe, Kr, and Ar. Moreover, the discharge voltage corresponding to the optimal efficiency is inversely proportional to the square root of the propellant mass, indicating that the ion diffusional loss to the wall, rather than the ionization energy, is the dominant factor affecting the discharge performance for alternative propellants in a miniature DC thruster.

Optimizing nitrite content in powders from plasma-activated egg whites for meat preservation using response surface methodology

The study optimized the production of powders from two types of egg whites to be used as a nitrite source for meat curing, establishing a maximum utilization limit of 2%. The necessary quantity of nitrite was established through response surface methodology to guarantee its efficacy as a preservative agent and adherence to regulatory standards. High R2 values (0.9946 for hen, 0.9962 for ostrich) validated critical factors: plasma treatment time and distance, with minimal impact from drying temperature. Under specific experimental conditions (155.93 min, 16.84 cm, 41.10 °C), obtained nitrite concentration of 4000 mg kg⁻1 was confirmed through experiments. Stability tests showed that nitrite levels remained stable over four weeks under different conditions including vacuum and air-sealed packaging, as well as different temperatures (−18 °C, 4 °C, and 26 °C). Future research should investigate long-term stability, the formation of additional compounds, and the functional properties of powders to confirm their potential for food applications.

Valor económico objetivo?

This is a heterodox review on the economic relationship between “utility” and “value”. Theoretical and methodological frameworks are based on the subject of Religion & Economics, with special attention given to the discussion between Christian economists and secular economists. Economics as a science is in sore modern need of Christian axiology. This relation was maintained in the West until the fall of the Moral Economy defended by the School of Salamanca. Since the advent of the utilitarian school, economists usually have used prices (and therefore money) as the numeraire for utility maximization, fallen in the capital twist, with a revival in the 1950s during the Cambridge dispute. This paper offers a solution which helps in the dialogue between religious and secular economists.

Optimized Selective Assembly using Hungarian Algorithm

Assembly of discrete parts guided by hardware design specification constitutes the final phase in product manufacturing. In the course of mass production of components, mating parts with geometric or dimensional deviation from their intended design can be made acceptable by the identification of suitable pairs after analysing design fit and tolerance limits. By transforming this application-specific problem into a unified mathematical model, an optimal solution can be achieved that minimizes the rejection of non-conforming fabricated parts. Regardless of the type and range of a design fit, the problem can be mapped into a matrix using a ranking function defined by the user. The ranking function is modifiable as per the user requirements and may vary based on the selection criteria for an assembly. Based on the type of ranking function used, the tabulated matrix is solved using the Hungarian minimization/maximization algorithm, which is a powerful combinatorial optimization algorithm that solves the classical assignment problem in mathematics. This approach ensures maximum number of suiting pairs as well as nominal suiting of parts with each other resulting in high-quality products and maximum utilization of fabricated resources.

Decision as ritual: How power structure affects collective tourism destination decision-making

The optimal destination decision made by a group is the one that perfectly balances group utility maximization with individual satisfaction. The power structure of the group and personal interactions underpinning group decision-making will directly determine individuals’ evaluations of and emotions generated by these decisions. However, research has not sufficiently revealed this pattern, which limits our understanding of how optimal group decisions can be made. By integrating the power perspective with the theory of interactive ritual chains, this study applies the experiential focus group observation method to track the decision-making process. The analysis produces six models of that process, which show how different power structures and leadership influence the joint focus of attention, shared mood and behavioral co-presence in reaching a decision. In summary, leader democracy and effective equality can create a rewarding situation, influencer dominance creates a paradoxical situation, while, multiple leadership, ineffective equality and leader dominance lead to a ritualistic punishment situation.

A Study on the Internal Control and Countermeasures of Fixed Assets in Private Universities: A Case Study of N College

Fixed assets in universities occupy an important position in university management due to their wide coverage and large amount of money. Due to insufficient funding supply, private universities mainly focus on the allocation and utilization of fixed assets, which reflects the overall characteristics of cautious allocation, maximum utilization, and delayed elimination in the actual management of fixed assets. This article aims to conduct research and analysis on the entire lifecycle process of the allocation, use, and disposal of fixed assets in private universities, summarize the problems existing in the internal control of fixed assets in private universities, and propose corresponding countermeasures and suggestions in a targeted manner.

Utility Maximization for the IRS-Assisted Wireless Powered Communication Network with Multiple Service Providers

Utility Maximization for the IRS-Assisted Wireless Powered Communication Network with Multiple Service Providers

Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b drives composition-independent application of biogas in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) synthesis

Biological conversion of biogas into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) via Type II methanotrophs holds great promise. However, a prerequisite for widespread biogas utilization is a comprehensive understanding of the effects of biogas composition on methanotrophic PHB synthesis. Herein, we explore the effects of biogas composition on the microbial growth and PHB accumulation of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b under five different artificial biogas conditions with varying the ratio of methane (CH4) to carbon dioxide (CO2), the two main components of raw biogas. Stoichiometric and kinetic analyses revealed that increased CO2 concentrations correlated with higher maximum specific growth rates (0.021–0.029 h−1) and maximum CH4 utilization rates (0.029–0.042 mg CH4/mg TSS-h). Besides, no significant correlation was found between the CH4-to-CO2 ratio and other growth parameters. Consistent PHB contents (20.2–25.3 wt%) were achieved, irrespective of the CH4-to-CO2 ratio. Furthermore, the ability of M. trichosporium OB3b to grow and synthesize PHB (13.2 wt%) was confirmed using pilot-scale biogas. Our findings highlight the potential of biogas as a feedstock for producing valuable biodegradable polymers, thus contributing to waste-derived fuel (WDF) innovation and environmental sustainability.

Quantifying the dynamic of cereals and broadleaf plants in semi-arid grasslands using a high-spatial-resolution satellite imaging

The vegetation phenology in pasture grasslands temporarily changes during the growing season due to the different physiological properties of broadleaf and cereal species. Determining their dynamics is required for maximal pasture utilization and sustainability. Widely used low-spatial resolution satellites are suitable for plains but are less effective in patchy landscapes. Therefore, the study's objectives are: (i) to determine the dynamic of cereals and broadleaf vegetation in arid grasslands using high-spatial resolution satellite imaging data, and (ii) to determine the influence of different grazing intensities on grassland vegetation phenology. The study site is in Migda LTER farm, the northern Negev, Israel. Fifty-three grassland plots, sized 10x10m, were located. Seventeen plots were grazed: six heavily (90 min. per plot), five moderately (60 min.), and six lightly (30 min.). A sheep and goats' herd of 120–130 animals grazed on these plots once a year between April to May, from 2019 to 2023. As a reference, fenced, ungrazed plots were located, mainly covered by cereals (Conserved). Imaging data from PlanetScope® was acquired (Spatial resolution: 3 m pixel−1, Temporal: Once in three days, Spectral: RGB and NIR). Using a novel timeline analysis, based on normalizing the different treatments' NDVI by the Conserved values, yielded a three-phased result: a parabolic increase in fresh vegetation reflectance (FVR) from the treatment in the first and third phases, and a parabolic increase of FVR of the Conserved in the second phase. In most grazing treatments, phase duration and maximal NDVI were positively correlated to the rainfall amounts. Rehabilitation trends were calculated for the Lightly grazed, which was correlated to increased broadleaf biomass, while a degradation trend was found for the Heavily grazed. The findings indicate that a parabolic change takes place in vegetation composition in arid grasslands. The novel methodology we used can be adapted and utilized in other ecosystems.

Effect of Low-Rank and High-Rank Coal Blend Characteristics on the Gasification Performance in Fixed Bed Reactor.

Coal gasification is the most demanding technology, increasing day by day for synthesis gas and chemical production in a clean environment. Coal is a primary source of energy or fuel. India has a high preservation of high-ash coal. Employment of this coal for gasification is tough due to its abrasive nature. Coal blending is an effective way to utilize such coal and to control the gasification performance. The present study focuses on using high-ash, low-rank Indian coal with high-rank imported coal in a suitable blend. The blending effect on raw gas yield (kg/kg of coal) and heating value (kcal/Nm3) was studied for coal blends-CH1 (20:80), CH2 (30:70), CH3 (40:60), CH4 (50:50), and CH5 (60:40) of RC (raw Indian coal) with RH (raw high-rank imported coal). Also, the gasification characteristics of the WC (washed Indian coal) were studied similarly. It may be seen that the raw gas yield with blends of raw coal and the rank of imported coal is 1.11 to 1.46 (ton/ton of coal), whereas in washed Indian coal, it is 0.95 (ton/ton of coal). A slight change was observed in the heating value of raw gas, and its average value in the blended CH1 to CH5 coal is 2860 kcal/Nm3, whereas in WC, it is 2956 kcal/Nm3. The maximum utilization of raw coal in the blend for gasification can be 60%, which is economical and 0.55 times more effective than WC gasification.

Device optimization of all inorganic CsPbBr3/LNMO based multi-layered perovskite light harvesters for broader capturing of solar spectrum

All inorganic Cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) planar perovskites have garnered enormous significance in photovoltaic applications owing to its outstanding stability against oxygen, heat and moisture. However, the power conversion efficiencies of the CsPbBr3 planar perovskites are quite low primarily due to the inferior range of light absorbance and interfacial charge recombination losses. This issue can be successfully resolved with a novel multi-absorber architecture approach which incorporates dual absorbers consisting of a lower band gap Lanthanum Nickel Manganese Oxide (La2NiMnO6 or LNMO) material along with the wider band gap CsPbBr3 material so that the light absorbance regime could be well extended for maximal utilization of the solar spectrum. Therefore, this article incorporates numerical modeling and guided optimization of all inorganic ITO/ETL/CsPbBr3/La2NiMnO6(LNMO)/HTL dual absorbers-based heterojunction structure to improvise the power conversion efficiency of CsPbBr3 based single absorber PSCs. The critical device’s parameters, such as; absorber layer and carrier transport layer thickness, defect density, temperature, doping concentration, frequency response, capacitance effects, Mott-Schottky effects as well as series and shunt resistances are thoroughly optimized and evaluated using Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS-1D) simulator. The proposed dual absorber layer composition produces a substantial enhancement in performance with a peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.98 %, short circuit current (Jsc) of 39.75 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.85 V, and fill factor (FF) of 77.98 % at a device defect density of 1015 cm−3 outperforming the 11 % of PCE attained with the experimentally reported CsPbBr3 single junction counterpart along with PSCs with various dual absorbers-based composition.