Future search algorithm for optimal integration of distributed generation and electric vehicle fleets in radial distribution networks considering techno-environmental aspects

In this paper, a new nature-inspire meta-heuristic algorithm called future search algorithm (FSA) is proposed for the first time to solve the simultaneous optimal allocation of distribution generation (DG) and electric vehicle (EV) fleets considering techno-environmental aspects in the operation and control of radial distribution networks (RDN). By imitating the human behavior in getting fruitful life, the FSA starts arbitrary search, discovers neighborhood best people in different nations and looks at worldwide best individuals to arrive at an ideal solution. A techno-environmental multi-objective function is formulated using real power loss, voltage stability index. The active and reactive power compensation limits and different operational constraints of RDN are considered while minimizing the proposed objective function. Post optimization, the impact of DGs on conventional energy sources is analyzed by evaluating their greenhouse gas emission. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is presented using different case studies on Indian practical 106-bus agriculture feeder for DGs and 36-bus rural residential feeder for simultaneous allocation of DGs and EV fleets. Also, the superiority of FSA in terms of global optima, convergence characteristics is compared with various other recent heuristic algorithms.

Impact of COVID-19 on search in an organisation

COVID-19 has created unprecedented organisational challenges, yet no study has examined the impact on information search. A case study in a knowledge-intensive organisation was undertaken on 2.5 million search queries during the pandemic. A surge of unique users and COVID-19 search queries in March 2020 may equate to ‘peak uncertainty and activity’, demonstrating the importance of corporate search engines in times of crisis. Search volumes dropped 24% after lockdowns; an ‘L-shaped’ recovery may be a surrogate for business activity. COVID-19 search queries transitioned from awareness, to impact, strategy, response and ways of working that may influence future search design. Low click through rates imply some information needs were not met and searches on mental health increased. In extreme situations (i.e. a pandemic), companies may need to move faster, monitoring and exploiting their enterprise search logs in real time as these reflect uncertainty and anxiety that may exist in the enterprise.

The Impact of Income and Education Level to the Perception of Democracy in Vietnam

Democracy is an interesting topic that many scholars pay attention to, since it is the foundation of a civil society. There are many factors that contribute to the country’s democracy. Two of many important factors that have a great impact on democracy are the people’s income and education. This study would investigate the relationship among income, level of education and democracy. The study focuses on the eastern cultured country, which is Vietnam after more than a decade of economic transformation in this case. The data is obtained from World Value Survey (wave 5, 2006). The author found out that there is a positive significant relationship between income and democracy, not level of education and democracy by using the correlation statistical method. The author acknowledges some limitation and suggests recommendations for future search.

A Century of Swine Influenza: Is It Really Just about the Pigs?

Influenza viruses (IV) are one of the major threats to human and animal health worldwide due to the variety of species they affect. Pigs play an important role in IV ecology as the “mixing vessel,” since they can be infected by swine, avian and human IV, allowing the appearance of new subtypes. Human viruses originated in swine are known as IV of swine origin or swine influenza virus (SwIV) variants. In this study, we identified knowledge tendencies of SwIV and assessed potential bias in the literature caused by these variants. We identified the most mentioned SwIV variants and manually reviewed the literature to determine the number of publications applying the whole influenza nomenclature, a partial nomenclature, only the subtype or mixed terminology, along with the proportion of articles in which the GenBank ID number was available. We observed that the 2009 H1N1 human pandemic created an important bias in SwIV research driven by an increase in human publications on the IV of swine origin. H1N1 is the most studied subtype for swine and humans, followed by H3N2. We found differences between the nomenclatures applied, where partial classifications were slightly more common. Finally, from all the publications, only 25% stated the GenBank ID of the sequence studied. This review represents the most complete exploration of trends in SwIV knowledge to date and will serve as a guidance for future search strategies in SwIV research.

Biosynthesis of Isoprene Units in Euphorbia lathyris Laticifers vs. Other Tissues: MVA and MEP Pathways, Compartmentation and Putative Endophytic Fungi Contribution

Euphorbia species are characterized by a net of laticifers producing large amounts of triterpenes. These hydrocarbon-like metabolites can be converted into fuel by the methods of the oil industry. Euphorbia lathyris is easily grown at an industrial scale. In an attempt to increase its triterpene production, the metabolic pathways leading to isoprenoid were investigated by incorporation of 13C labeled glucose and mevalonate and 2H labeled deoxyxylulose as well as by natural abundance isotope ratio GC-MS. Latex triterpenes are exclusively synthesized via the mevalonate (MVA) pathway: this may orient future search for improving the triterpene production in E. lathyris. Phytosterols and their precursors are mainly derived from MVA pathway with a slight contribution of the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, whereas phytol is issued from MEP pathway with a minor contribution of the MVA pathway: this is in accordance with the metabolic cross-talk between cytosolic and plastidial compartments in plants. In addition, hopenol B behaved differently from the other latex triterpenes. Its 13C isotope abundance after incorporation of 13C labeled glucose and its natural abundance δ2H signature clearly differed from those of the other latex triterpenes indicating another metabolic origin and suggesting that it may be synthesized by an endophytic fungus.

Scents of celebrities: Endorsers’ impact on buyers’ online perfume purchase

Literature has highlighted the challenges of selling experience (vs. search) products online. In addition, the role of celebrity endorsers in purchase intention and attitudes towards brands has been emphasized by scholars. This article argues that celebrities provide cues on products’ sensorial characteristics that have been so far disregarded by extant literature. By choosing perfume as a complex experience product, twenty-seven participants from three countries were interviewed in order to find how endorsers could assist e-shoppers to identify fragrant characteristics in the absence of the real scent. The results of the qualitative content analysis reveal that endorsers’ personality traits and lifestyle could act as predictor of the type of scent. Scent categorization based on such traits are presented. This article provides valuable contributions to both researchers and practitioners interested in online sales of experience goods. Limitations and avenues for future search are also provided.

Ethics of blockchain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is fourfold: first, to provide the first systematic study on the ethics of blockchain, mapping its main socio-technical challenges in technology and applications; second, to identify ethical issues of blockchain; third, to propose a conceptual framework of blockchain ethics study; fourth, to discuss ethical issues for stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach The paper employs literature research, research agenda and framework development. Findings Ethics of blockchain and its applications is essential for technology adoption. There is a void of research on blockchain ethics. The authors propose a first theoretical framework of blockchain ethics. Research agenda is proposed for future search. Finally, the authors recommend measures for stakeholders to facilitate the ethical adequacy of blockchain implementations and future Information Systems (IS) research directions. This research raises timely awareness and stimulates further debate on the ethics of blockchain in the IS community. Originality/value First, this work provides timely systematic research on blockchain ethics. Second, the authors propose the first research framework of blockchain ethics. Third, the authors identify key research questions of blockchain ethics. Fourth, this study contributes to the understanding of blockchain technology and its societal impacts.