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Fault-tolerant synchronization of drive-response memristive competitive neural networks with multiple actuator failures
Get PDFIn this article, the synchronization of drive-response memristive competitive neural networks (MCNNs) under multiple actuator failures is studied through implementing fault-tolerant control scheme. Unlike previous studies,the actuator failures considered in this paper include both bias and
effectiveness failures. To address these challenges, a proper mathematical model is firstly established to capture the impact of actuator failures on control inputs. Subsequently, several sufficient conditions are deduced by designing an appropriate bilayer fault-tolerant controller and constructing a Lyapunov functional to achieve the global exponential synchronization, finite-time synchronization, fixed-time synchronization and predefined-time synchronization respectively. Additionally, the settling time upper bounds for the proposed synchronization methods are determined. In the end, numerical simulations with analysis and comparison are performed to confirm the validity of the proposed results
Analyzing market entry strategies for autonomous vehicle startups: challenges and opportunities
No full textThis study analyzes the market challenges and opportunities in the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry, with a focus on firms operating at automation levels 3 to 5. The research conducts qualitative content analysis of market reports alongside case studies and industry publications, and regulatory frameworks to evaluate regional market dynamics across North America, Europe and Asia for early-stage and growth-stage and IPO-ready firms (Initial Public Offering). The research evaluates successful companies (Waymo, Zoox, Aurora, Nuro) and failed ventures (Argo AI, Embark Trucks) through Porter’s Five Forces model to determine successful practices and typical mistakes. The AV market is divided into two segments based on use case, between passenger and logistics services and deployment context between urban and rural areas. The research examines stakeholder perspectives from entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and consumers to understand their views on technology adoption and public trust. The research will explore external market factors (demand, infrastructure, policy, incentives) and internal company influences (business models, innovation, capital, leadership, partnerships) to provide practical guidance for market entry into this developing sector
Dual public and private governance of companies in China: a multifaceted appraisal
No full textThis Chapter explores the state's role in governing Chinese companies, aiming to develop an analytical framework based on empirical evidence. It examines how formal law integrates into Chinese society, shaped by ideological shifts from Marxism-Leninism-Maoism to Xi Jinping Thought. Communist Party organizations are mandated within companies, increasingly in private ones, yet their governance impact is poorly understood. This dual public-private governance model raises concerns, particularly for overseas investors unfamiliar with Chinese politics. Using corporate disclosures on ownership structure and material changes, the study analyses the interplay of law and politics in China, focusing on ownership structures, policy changes, and party organization mandates. It combines normative analysis and empirical data to unravel the complex dynamics of corporate governance in both state-owned and private Chinese companies
Roma young people’s perception of intelligence and their experience of education
Get PDFRoma young people are often subjected to oppression within formal educational spaces often linked to the idea that Roma young people are less intelligent than other young people. Intelligence is understood in the positionality of individual ideologies and could become a tool of powerful individuals and groups to create an ‘ideology of normal’ that grants permission to exclude Roma young people. This ‘normal’ view of intelligence can impact educational experiences. This study takes a phenomenological approach, using focus groups and diaries to explore what Roma young people perceive to be intelligence and how this perception could affect their education experiences including their motivation to engage in learning. The data exposes the oppressive culture Roma young people exist in and how racist ideologies of intelligence impact learning and wider opportunities. Roma young people from this study express a desire to achieve academically but value qualities, such as kindness and respect, which are perceived as intelligent behaviour. The study concludes that a recognition of the impact of professional relationships, such as youth work, is significant to challenge oppressive intelligence ideologies
Immersive virtual reality rehabilitation after lower limb surgery in paediatric patients
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Patients who have undergone lower limb surgery require rehabilitation to regain movement and function in the affected leg. Unfortunately, physical rehabilitation can be painful, reducing compliance and recovery. This feasibility study aimed to demonstrate that immersive virtual reality (IVR) applications can provide potential benefits of anxiety reduction and pain distraction for children during gait rehabilitation, increased engagement and enjoyment, and improved perceived walking quality.
Methods
This study included 15 children aged 11–16 who required weight-bearing rehabilitation following lower limb surgery. A mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) approach and a multidirectional perspective (patients, parents and physiotherapists) were adopted to measure. Changes in anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7) and pain (visual analogue scale) before and after the intervention were assessed. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with children, their parents, and physiotherapists, focusing on their experiences, satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, and acceptability of the IVR intervention.
Results
Results demonstrated that IVR for rehabilitation after lower limb surgery in children (1) reduced anticipatory anxiety; (2) reduced the level of pain experienced during gait rehabilitation; (3) improved rehabilitation, such that children were walking more than expected and with better quality; (4) increased confidence; (5) made rehabilitation more enjoyable; and (6) was delivered via a system that was easy to learn and accept.
Conclusion
This rehabilitation IVR is the first product of its class for paediatric lower limb postoperative rehabilitation. These preliminary results will inform improvements to the system in a future multi-site study with a large calculated sample size to demonstrate its clinical effectiveness and safety in acquiring medical device markings and adoption
Location Privacy Schemes in Vehicular Networks: Taxonomy, Comparative Analysis, Design Challenges, and Future Opportunities
Get PDFVehicular networks (VANETs) revolutionized the world with smart traffic management, utilizing a road environment, and providing safety and convenience to the vehicle driver. Despite the useful features of vehicular networks, there are some privacy issues, which hinder their way toward achieving a smart world. Location privacy is one of the critical research challenges for the efficient deployment of VANETs. This challenge can be solved using a pseudonym instead of an actual vehicle identity in the beacon messages. For this purpose, many location privacy schemes are introduced in the literature. In this paper, we thoroughly review the existing location privacy schemes and present their comprehensive taxonomy. We discuss the design challenges for the development of an efficient location privacy scheme. Moreover, the existing location privacy techniques are critically analyzed based on diverse road network environments and parameters. Various issues and challenges regarding the pseudonym-changing process are elaborated in detail. Finally, we discuss the future trends for the implementation of location privacy in a vehicular network
Data-driven optimization of turbulent kinetic energy and tumble-y in combustion engines: A comparative study of machine learning models
Get PDFThis paper presents an innovative approach to optimising the cold flow dynamics in combustion engines by integrating machine learning (ML) techniques with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The research focuses on predicting and optimising critical pre-combustion parameters, such as turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) and tumble-y, which are pivotal for enhancing the air–fuel mixing during the intake and compression phases. Three ML models, Random Forest Regression (RFR), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), and Neural Networks (NN), are evaluated for their predictive capabilities. The GPR model outperforms the others, demonstrating superior accuracy and reduced uncertainty, as highlighted by metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), Pearson Coefficient (PC), and R-squared (R2). Additionally, the ML-based approach achieves a remarkable 21.6x speedup compared with traditional CFD solvers, significantly reducing the computational costs while maintaining high fidelity in capturing momentum and thermal characteristics. The optimization results underscore the critical role of TKE and tumble-y in creating favourable conditions for efficient combustion. For instance, as demonstrated in Design #1 (TKE = 396.56 J/kg, Tumble-y = -0.1535, Temp. = 846.42 K, Pres. = 1.52 bar) and Design #2 (TKE = 366.77 J/kg, Tumble-y = -0.1535, Temp. = 549.59 K, Pres. = 2.81 bar), higher TKE and optimized tumble-y values enhance air motion dynamics, promoting better fuel–air mixing and thermal performance. The rigorous assessment of optimization results using the Euclidean distance as a fitness function validates the reliability of the predictions and highlights the potential of ML models for efficient, scalable and cost-effective design exploration. Therefore, the present work provides a beneficial relationship between CFD simulation and experimental findings on cold flow dynamics and how these might play a leading role in pre-combustion process. Results provide a frame-shifting pathway toward optimization of engine design for the improvement of thermal efficiency, and meeting sustainability targets
Career guidance and digital induction
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to explore the process through which higher education students in the U.K. are inducted into using digital platforms for their careers. This paper will present data from a longitudinal study looking at how students use digital social media platforms as part of their career transitions after graduating. A key finding from this study is that the university plays a central role in why and how students start using digital platforms for their career. Qualitative data was gathered from students both before and after graduating about their experiences of using digital platforms for their careers. This data was analysed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The themes developed from this pointed to four main themes: induction, hybridity, imaginations and exposure to e-safety. This is contextualised through exploring this process as an example of the platformisation of career in a higher education context
Insights into the use of GRESB as an ESG benchmarking tool
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Sustainability practices and reporting have consistently evolved over the years with trends towards more holistic approaches with respect to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). In the real estate sector over the last decade, GRESB (formerly known as Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) has become the leading global ESG benchmarking tool for real asset investments. However, it has attracted limited research, and this underpins this works’ motivation for the exploration of the perspectives of real estate stakeholders relating to the uptake and use of GRESB.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach used in this study is qualitative in nature, adopting a phenomenological research design to capture the essence of the lived experiences of purposely sampled participants. This is done through an interpretative phenomenological analysis of semi-structured interviews.
Findings
Legislation, regulation and risk management are the main motivations for engaging with ESG-related issues. The main benefit of GRESB is benchmarking, while the main weaknesses lie in the data collection and the undeveloped social component. Within data, the major challenges are observed for the transparency of performance data and overreliance on policies instead of performance. GRESB would benefit from the inclusion of (1) more detailed sustainability benchmarks relating to social and governance components, and (2) social value metrics in their overall assessment.
Practical implications
Policymakers need to develop or support globally recognised reporting standards to increase the quality, accuracy and comparability of ESG information.
Originality/value
This is the first study on ESG reporting using a phenomenological research design
Designing and delivering effective simulation-based education for global nursing emergency disaster preparedness and humanitarian practice
Get PDFIn 2024, the University of Derby in the United Kingdom hosted an international simulation challenge aimed at preparing students for the complexities of global public health emergencies. This interprofessional event involved students from nursing, allied health, social care, and public health disciplines across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Featuring six simulated carousel scenarios, the design and delivery of the event highlighted the need for standardised frameworks to optimise simulation-based education (SBE) in nursing emergency disaster preparedness and humanitarian practice pedagogy.
A conceptual framework was developed to guide future simulations, ensuring consistency, safety, and measurable outcomes. While SBE is invaluable for skill development in this field, it also presents challenges, such as psychological stress, potentially inadequate real-world preparation, and the risk of fostering negative attitudes toward patients. To mitigate these, SBE must integrate technical skills with realism, empathy, communication, and relational care.
The proposed conceptual framework, based on UK practice, is potentially adaptable globally, promoting experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the appropriate use of technology. Its implementation can enhance preparedness and global healthcare response capabilities, providing a practical user-friendly guide for SBE facilitators, adaptable to various contexts and to be aligned with international competence standards