We build an empirical model under the stochastic frontier framework to assess production efficiencies of container operators from the world's major container ports in the years between 1997 and 2004. The empirical model measures efficiencies, efficiency changes, and time-persistence of...

To estimate the leaf area index (LAI) in large areas, this paper analyzes the relationships between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the grassland LAI based on MODIS data in the southern grassy mountains and slopes of China. By using nonlinear fitting equation we constructed the...

In recent years, an innovative mode of public transport (PT) service, known as customized bus (CB), has been springing up across China. This service, providing advanced, personalized and flexible demand-responsive PT, is offered to specific clientele, especially commuters. The present work...

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for monitoring the effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment in resource-limited settings are mostly based on clinical and immunological markers (e.g., CD4 cell counts). Recent research indicates that the guidelines are...

The preserved greengage is a favorite dried fruit in China. In processing preserved greengages, the drying of salted greengages is a key and energy-consuming process. Traditionally, the drying of salted greengages mainly relies on natural sun drying and requires about 48 days. In this study, an...

From the perspective of supply chain of agricultural products, by establishing Stackelberg game model based on triple supply chain, this paper researches the price formation and profit distribution mechanism of agricultural products under circumstance of non-cooperation and cooperation. The...

The global exponential synchronization of complex delayed dynamical networks possessing general topology is investigated in this contribution. The network model considered can represent both the directed and undirected weighted networks. Novel delay-dependent linear controllers are designed via...

The cross-corrugated heaters consist of a wavelike absorbing plate and a wavelike bottom plate, which are crosswise positioned to form the air flow channel. Two types of these heaters are considered. For the type 1 heater, the wavelike shape of the absorbing plate is along the flow direction and...