In this paper, we consider the dynamics of a certain class of host-parasitoid models, where some hosts are completely free from parasitism either with or without a spatial refuge and the host population is governed by the Beverton–Holt equation. We assume that, in each generation, a constant portion of the host population may find a refuge and be safe from the attack by parasitoids. We derive some criteria for the Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. Then, we apply the developed theory to the three well-known cases: [Formula: see text] model, Hassel and Varley model, and parasitoid–parasitoid model. Intensive numerical calculations suggest that the last two models undergo a supercritical Neimark–Sacker bifurcation.

This paper presents a novel algorithm for simultaneous position and interaction force control. In the classical algorithms, position and force control are executed concurrently by switching between two separate controllers: the position and force controller. Thus, one can consider the control system working in two modes, namely the position control and force control modes. Switching between these two modes often leads to oscillations in the controlled position and force. Therefore, the safe interaction between a controlled mechanical system and its environment is jeopardized. The above issues are tackled in this study by introducing a new control strategy. The proposed algorithm combines position and force control into a single controller, in which the transition between position and force control is smooth, removing the oscillations of classical methods. Therefore, the safe interaction between a mechanical system and its environment is enabled. In addition, using this method one can equip actuators with a control system capable of performing both position and force control. Thus, a step towards “smart actuators” is possible.

Recent development in wireless technology enabling communication between vehicles led to introduction of the concept of Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC), which uses wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication and aims at string stable behavior in a platoon of vehicles. Degradation cascades have been proposed as a way to maintain a certain level of the system functionality in presence of failures. Such degradation behaviour is usually controlled by a runtime/state manager that performs fault detection and transitions the system into states where it will remain acceptably safe. In this paper, we propose a dynamic controller manager that focuses on both safety and performance of the system. In particular, it monitors the channel quality within the platoon and reacts by degrading platoon performance in presence of communication failures, or upgrading the performance when the communication quality is high enough. The reaction can include, e.g., adjusting the inter-vehicle distance or switching to another suitable platoon controller to prevent collisions. We focus on the functional and operational safety and evaluate the performance of the dynamic controller manager under different scenarios and settings in simulation experiments to demonstrate that it can avoid rear-end collisions in a platoon, continue platooning operation even in dense traffic scenarios where the state-of-the-art controllers fail to do so.

Abstract Building on the limited literature on consumer xenocentrism, this study investigates the route through which the construct impacts consumers' purchase intentions for (a) domestic, (b) foreign genuine, and (c) foreign counterfeit brands, while controlling for product category effects and the impact of consumer ethnocentrism and cosmopolitanism. Drawing on system justification theory and based on a sample of Russian consumers (N = 262), it is shown that a serial mediation model, with product-country image and brand attitudes as intervening variables, effectively describes the route through which consumer xenocentrism (a) positively influences intentions to buy genuine foreign brands, and (b) negatively influences purchase intentions for domestic brands. These effects of consumer xenocentrism are observed over and above the influences of ethnocentrism and cosmopolitanism and after controlling for brand familiarity, price sensitivity and product category involvement. The results also show that xenocentrism is not able to explain consumers' willingness to buy (foreign) counterfeit brands.

Abstract Contributing to the research on sustainable consumption, we propose a conceptual framework for examining the antecedents of two forms of sustainable consumption behavior of young adults—namely, pro-environmental and pro-social consumption behavior. The theory-driven conceptual framework presented and tested in this study is focused on consumer engagement. Determined by self-identity and consumer values, the pro-environmental and pro-social consumer engagement of young adults was expected to enhance their pro-environmental and pro-social consumption behavior. In addition, we investigated how young adults' emotional intelligence moderates the strength of the effect of engagement on behavior. Based on data obtained from two countries, analyzed through structural equation modeling, our results show that pro-environmental engagement and pro-social engagement are significant predictors of young adults' pro-environmental and pro-social consumption behavior. Emotional intelligence boosts the effect of engagement on pro-environmental and pro-social consumption behavior, and it has a significant direct effect on pro-environmental behavior.

Abstract Drawing on international branding literature and stereotyping research, the current study seeks to answer the following research questions: (1) do consumers' perceptions of brand globalness/localness influence their stereotypical assessments of brands in terms of their warmth and competence, and (2) do these stereotypical dimensions impact consumer-brand identification and, through it, purchase intentions and brand ownership? The proposed conceptual model is tested using data from two countries (Austria: N = 243; Bosnia & Herzegovina: N = 95) and seven global brands from different product categories. The findings reveal that perceived brand globalness and localness indeed influence the content of brand stereotypes by impacting consumers' assessments of warmth and competence. Brand warmth is revealed to be the key driver of consumer-brand identification which, in turn, stimulates purchase intentions and brand ownership. Brand competence is not significantly related to consumer-brand identification (across both studies), indicating that not all dimensions of stereotype content are relevant for the consumer-brand relationship.

The multipath radio channel is considered to have a non-bandlimited channel impulse response. Therefore, it is challenging to achieve high resolution time-delay (TD) estimation of multipath components (MPCs) from bandlimited observations of communication signals. It this paper, we consider the problem of multiband channel sampling and TD estimation of MPCs. We assume that the nonideal multi-branch receiver is used for multiband sampling, where the noise is nonuniform across the receiver branches. The resulting data model of Hankel matrices formed from acquired samples has multiple shift-invariance structures, and we propose an algorithm for TD estimation using weighted subspace fitting. The subspace fitting is formulated as a separable nonlinear least squares (NLS) problem, and it is solved using a variable projection method. The proposed algorithm supports high resolution TD estimation from an arbitrary number of bands, and it allows for nonuniform noise across the bands. Numerical simulations show that the algorithm almost attains the Cramér Rao Lower Bound, and it outperforms previously proposed methods such as multiresolution TOA, MI-MUSIC, and ESPRIT.

The objective of this paper is to develop the tool which aids the implementation of test specifications for web page layout testing. The tool combines the process of user interface mockup design and implementation of tests. Generated test specifications are verified using two mutation testing operators. Mutation testing was also performed on referent test specifications generated by Galen Framework from goal web page dump files. Tests should detect mutations with a visual change on a web page. Additional image comparison of web page screenshots was performed to determine if there was a visual change. Verification showed that mockup test specifications are less precise than referent test specifications. Nonetheless, they also show fewer false-positive results. It was concluded that generated tests have some limitations, but they can be used as a starting point for writing more precise layout tests.

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Lifting table has been designed and developed through the concept of Learning Factory (LF) at the University of Mostar. The idea for lifting table design has come from the local industry needs for a lifting platform that should lift a man and/or load at a certain height. For safety reasons, design is checked under the loading using a method of finite element analysis. The paper predicts and explains methodology for structural analysis used in presented case study. Results of FEM analysis are basis for making ways and guidelines to optimize current design in order to get optimal parameters for weight, stability, capacity, mobility and layout of the lifting table.