bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tolerance, collaboration, and economic growth
Authors: Polterovich V.
Published: October 2018

Institutional (in particular, political) pluralism is a fundamental feature of modern developed societies. Its cultural basis is the tolerance of citizens. The paper proposes to distinguish between legal, evaluative and interactive tolerance. This distinction makes it possible to explain the contradictory results obtained in econometric studies of tolerance and its links with the economic growth. Legal tolerance is the basis of competitive pluralism, and interactive one is the prerequisite for the formation of consensus pluralism, based on the collaboration of various social forces. Struggle for resources, intra- and intercountry inequality, “history wars” and prejudices prevent the strengthening of tolerance. Attention is drawn to the “paradox of political correctness”: dogmatic tolerance generates intolerant behavior. It is noted that interactive tolerance in developing countries is significantly correlated with technological progress and the level of well-being. The existence of this relationship, which is realized through collaboration mechanisms, gives the ground for supposition that, despite the contradictory dynamics of the tolerance level in the past 25 years, tolerance will be strengthening in the long run.
1688 and all that: Property rights, the Glorious Revolution and the rise of British capitalism
Authors: Hodgson G. M.
Published: October 2018

In a seminal 1989 article, Douglass North and Barry Weingast argued that by making the monarch more answerable to Parliament, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 helped to secure property rights in England and stimulate the rise of capitalism. Similarly, Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson later wrote that in the English Middle Ages there was a “lack of property rights for landowners, merchants and proto-industrialists” and the “strengthening” of property rights in the late 17th century “spurred a process of financial and commercial expansion”. There are several problems with these arguments. Property rights in England were relatively secure from the 13th century. A major developmental problem was not the security of rights but their feudal nature, including widespread “entails” and “strict settlements”. 1688 had no obvious direct effect on property rights. Given these criticisms, what changes promoted the rise of capitalism? A more plausible answer is found by addressing the post-1688 Financial and Administrative Revolutions, which were pressured by the enhanced needs of war and Britain’s expanding global role. Guided by a more powerful Parliament, this new financial system stimulated reforms to landed property rights, the growth of collateralizable property and saleable debt, and thus enabled the Industrial Revolution.
Characteristics, Features of Development, Regional and Sectoral Determinants of High-tech Business in Russia
Authors: Yusupova A. , Khalimova S.
Published: October 2018

The paper deals with the research devoted to characteristics of high tech business development in Russia. Companies’ performance indicators have been analyzed with the help of regression analysis and author’s scheme of leadership stability and sustainability assessment. Data provided by Russia’s Fast Growing High-Tech Companies’ National Rating (TechUp) during 2012-2016 were used. The results have revealed that the high tech sector is characterized by high level of uncertainty. Limited number of regions and sectors which form the basis for high tech business have been defined. Relationship between innovation activity’s indicators and export potential is determined.
Labor migration and migrant earnings in Russia
Authors: Denisenko M. , Chernina E.
Published: October 2018

This paper describes recent trends in labor migration in Russia. It reviews available data resources for labor migration analysis in Russia as well as using them to estimate migrants’ flows by category and describe their socio-economic and demographic composition. It also employs micro-level data from household surveys in Tajikistan to analyze migrants-natives earnings gap. Results show the trend for declining unexplained part of wage differential in 2007-2011.
Inequality: How not to primitivize the problem
Authors: Kapeliushnikov R.
Published: October 2018

The paper provides an overview of the key issues discussed in the recent economic literature on inequality. It highlights such topics as measurement subtle- ties; dynamics in inequality levels; possible drivers behind inequality growth; relationship between inter- and intra-countries’ inequality; shape of long-term trends (the Kuznets hypothesis); effects of inequality on economic growth; sup- posed earnings stagnation in developed countries; increased remuneration gap between top-managers and other workers; growing share of capital incomes in GDP; relationship between market competition and inequality; various norma- tive aspects. A general conclusion is that in normative terms inequality per se represents a pseudo-problem though it might be a manifestation of different fundamental economic and social problems.
On one event in the history of reforms in China
Authors: Yakovlev A.
Published: October 2018

The paper analyzes confrontation concerning continuation of market reforms between main groups in Chinese elite after Tiananmen in 1989 and collapse of USSR in 1991. It considers in details the ‘southern tour’ of Deng Xiaoping in early 1992 and its impact on the balance of interests in Chinese elites before the 14th party congress. The paper shows also the specifics of Chinese reforms which combine market development with creation of rents for main elite groups.
Russia’s foreign trade crisis and its aftereffects
Authors: Faltsman V.
Published: October 2018

The author, using his own statistical estimates of key indicators that reflect the state of the Russian economy, considers the possible scenario of its development, describing how the new stage of the foreign trade crisis would evolve, as well as the prospects of Russia’s economic growth, investment and innovative processes, the standards and quality of living of the population. The concept is proposed suggesting local incremental recovery growth in separate industries of the Russian economy with minimal risks, borrowings and budget deficit.
Stimulative monetary policy: Myths and reality
Authors: Kudrin A. , Goryunov E. , Trunin P.
Published: October 2018

In the paper we critically assess the stimulative monetary policy, proposed by the Stolypin Club and other experts. We discuss its inflationary consequences, the ability to accelerate economic growth along with created distortions in credit markets. We argue that the long-term macroeconomic stability cannot be sustained under managed exchange rate. We provide counterarguments to views, according to which inflation in Russia has nonmonetary roots and it is possible to increase money supply without causing inflation due to undermonetization of Russian economy and low utilization of production capacities. Negative consequences of monetary easing are illustrated with recent Belorussian experience.
Game theory in economics and beyond
Authors: Samuelson L.
Published: October 2018

This essay examines game theory’s transformation to becoming the major tool in economics, arguing that the initial excitement surrounding game theory has dissipated not because game theory has retreated from its initial bridgehead, but because it has extended its reach throughout economics. Next, it discusses some key challenges for game theory, including the continuing problem of dealing with multiple equilibria, the need to make game theory useful in applications, and the need to better integrate noncooperative and cooperative game theory. Finally it considers the current status and future prospects of game theory.
The economic estimation of the potential forusing the ocean resources
Authors: Kunashko A. , Sosnilo A.
Published: October 2018

The study reveals the role of the ocean resources in the modern world economy, as well as calculates the economic value of ocean assets for Russia. The paper gives some proposals for the strategy of utilizing ocean resources in accordance with the policy of sustainable development of the Russian economy.
Hidden “holes” in the capital of not yet failed banks in Russia: An estimate of the scope of potential losses
Authors: Mamonov M.
Published: October 2018

Recently, the Bank of Russia has begun to actively fight against the balance sheet falsification in banking and withdrew every third bank’s license during the last four years. In the majority of cases, the regulator revealed hidden “holes” in the capital of bankrupted financial institutions; the total sum of already revealed negative capital amounts to -2,1% of Russian GDP in 2015. However, until now the process of clearing the banking system has affected only small and medium-sized banks (with few exceptions). What happens if this process touches on larger banks? How many new episodes of “holes” in the capital can we face in the near future and what is their potential size in case of detection? Our estimations, based on Heckman selection models, show that from 300 to400 out of 641 Russian banks that were active in the mid-2016 might already hide “holes” in the capital from -3,6% to -6,8% of GDP. The analysis at the level of different groups of banks - among the top 30 in terms of assets, other banks from the first hundred and banks outside the top 100 - shows that the greatest loss is localized in the last group.
Antitrust in bilateral monopoly
Authors: Shastitko A. , Pavlova N.
Published: October 2018

The existing practice of implementing antitrust law to bilateral monopolies in Russia shows signs of inconsistency. Traditional theoretical approaches differ in their estimations of the characteristics and attainability of equilibrium on such markets, but overall more or less converge on the idea of antitrust regulation of such markets to be unjustified. But approaching the problem in the context of transaction cost economics, taking into account the externalities appearing both upstream and downstream from the bilateral monopoly market in case of a suboptimal result, leads to viewing the antitrust authority as a discrete institutional alternative of internalizing such externalities by creating the incentives to develop a hybrid governance mechanism for transactions between the sides of contractual relationship characterized by sufficiently high switching costs. Taking into account the wide occurrence of bilateral monopolies in the Russian economy, the choice of a uniform approach to regulation is critical in terms of creating transparent legal environment and adjusting companies’ incentives.
Boards of directors in Russian publicly traded companies: the gender aspect
Authors: Garanina T. A. , Muravyev A. A.
Published: October 2018

This article studies the gender composition of corporate boards of Russian companies, including its relation to company performance. The analysis is based on a unique longitudinal dataset of virtually all Russian companies whose shares were traded on the stock market in 1998-2014. It shows a relatively small representation of women, just 12% of all the seats, while about 40% of the companies did not have any female director. At the same time, both the share of companies that appoint female directors and the share of female directors on boards show a clear upward trend. The econometric analysis suggests a positive link between the presence of female directors on boards and company performance, especially when firms appoint several, rather than one, female directors.
Institutions and production material-intensity: A new look at the old problem
Authors: Shastitko A. E. , Shabalov I. P. , Filippova I. N.
Published: October 2018

The article proposes an approach to investigation of opportunities, conditions and restrictions of changes in production resource intensity as a correlate of institutional changes in the industry linked with technological innovations. Analysis of the large-diameter pipes industry demonstrates tight institutional restrictions (comparing with technological ones) during the transition to a less resource-intensive production with lower material reliability factor. In addition, the question of the possibility of implementing institutional changes supporting the introduction of technological innovations in the industry, due to the interest groups’ costs and benefits analysis, is being explored.
Defining the boundaries of an economic discipline: A content-related approach (The case of accounting)
Authors: Volkova O. N.
Published: October 2018

The paper is devoted to modeling the subject field of academic discipline basing on the case of accounting. It is shown that interdisciplinary approach, interpretative and critical studies, constructivist paradigm are now popular in accounting studies. In addition to traditional financial and organizational aspects, accounting, in the new interdisciplinary framework, is also studied as a socio-economic institution.
Political economy of distributed capitalism (On the book by D. Tapscott and A. Tapscott “Blockchain revolution. Howthe technology behind bitcoin is changing money, business, and the world”)
Authors: Korneychuk B. V.
Published: October 2018

The review discusses the ideas presented in the book by D. Tapscott and A. Tapscott - specifically, the concept of distributed capitalism allowed for by blockchain technology. The blockchain era is characterized by development of a new institution of trust; disruption of financial intermediation; economic inclusion of hundreds of millions of citizens in developing countries; an increase in competition and a decrease in inequality. The authors see the blockchain revolution as a solution to the problem of discrimination against intellectual property creators, who have to hand over a large part of the value created to intermediaries. They consider the main opposition to distributed capitalism to stem from the feudal financial system which loses ground under new conditions, where economic agents may use alternative currencies and interact directly with each other without risk and high transaction costs.
Economic presence of China in countries along the route of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road
Authors: Afonasieva A. V.
Published: October 2018

The paper analyzes the initial economic positions of the PRC and its specific measures for increasing economic influence in the countries participating in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR-21). It demonstrates that 13 years before the initiative was announced China had already done a lot of work to increase its economic presence in the countries along the route of MSR-21. In fact, the main goals of MSR-21 are the further strengthening of China’s position and consolidation of its role as the driver of economic development in the countries along the route.
Marx — XXI
Authors: Belykh A. A. , Mau V. A.
Published: October 2018

The article discusses the current relevance of Marx’s economic theory. It demonstrates the difficulties of the Marxian theory of value and the ambiguity of Marx’s own attitude towards this theory. The role of Marx and Marxism in the history of Russia is examined. Marx’s ideas about the connection between technology and social relations and his conception of historical development are critically analyzed in the context of modern economy and economic science.
Influential individuals: Approach to modeling
Authors: Bondarenko O. Yu.
Published: October 2018

his article explores theoretical and experimental approach to modeling social interactions. Communication and exchange of information with other people affect individual’s behavior in numerous areas. Generally, such influence is exerted by leaders, outstanding individuals who have a higher social status or expert knowledge. Social interactions are analyzed in the models of social learning, game theoretic models, conformity models, etc. However, there is a lack of formal models of asymmetric interactions. Such models could help elicit certain qualities characterizing higher social status and perception of status by other individuals, find the presence of leader influence and analyze its mechanism.
Surgical Resection of Odontogenic Inflammatory Maxillary Cyst: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Cosma Sorina , Cimpean Sorin
Published: October 2018

Background Odontogenic inflammatory maxillary cysts constitute pathology for which clinical, radiological and evolutionary aspects are considerably polymorphic. For small cystic lesions non-surgical endodontic treatment is used. Larger lesions, however, have a natural tendency to grow and weaken the bone (as well as an inflammatory risk) may be treated by surgery. Case presentation We present a case report of surgical resection of a large maxillary cyst on a patient who previously had multiple dental extractions until complete edentation. Conclusion Great cystic maxillary lesions are relatively rare. A definitive diagnosis cannot be determined based on the history, clinical and radiographic evaluation. A correct pre-operative diagnosis is very difficult and can only be possible after histological examination. Keywords: Dental-radicular cyst, Radiolucency, Maxilla, Enucleation
PARTISIPASI WANITA DALAM REHABILITASI HUTAN MANGROVE DI DESA INALATAN KECAMATAN BONUBOGU KABUPATEN BUOL
Authors: Djabar Murni
Published: October 2018

Coastal women, especially housewives generally in Indonesia, including in the district of Buol has a very big role in the activities of earning a living for his family. The participation of coastal women in mangrove forest rehabilitation activities is an effort to empower coastal women to become one of the driving forces of successful mangrove forest rehabilitation. This research aims to examine the participation of Coastal Women in supporting Mangrove forest rehabilitation in Inalatan Village Bunobogu District Buol Regency viewed from the aspect of community understanding about rehabilitation mangrove forest and the form of participation or community participation in mangrove forest rehabilitation activities. The community participation studied in this research is related to individual community participation in mangrove forest rehabilitation activities, the target of the community taken in this research is from 30 female respondents through questionnaire interview technique. This research was conducted in coastal area of Inaktif Village Bunobogu District Buol Regency for 2 months tehitung from January until February 2018. The method of analysis used in this research is using qualitative descriptive analysis method.The results of this study can be seen based on the daily activities of the community in the household for 24 hours, the understanding of the women community on the rehabilitation activities, the participation of women in planning activities, implementation activities and evaluation activities of reforestation of mangrove forests, the fifth form of community participation in this research is including in the category of high forms of community participation because all forms of partipasi exceeds the average percentage above 50%
PRODUKTIVITAS KARET PADA LAHAN HKM JAYA LESTARI KABUPATEN WAY KANAN PROVINSI LAMPUNG
Authors: - Supriadi , Riniarti Melya , Bahri Samsul
Published: October 2018

Rubber was one of favorite multipurpose tree species which planted by community forest, since its produced latex with high value.  Jaya Lestari community forest was located on Mananga Jaya Village, Way Kanan District, Lampung Province.  This research aimed to collect data’s of rubber productivity based on plant age in Jaya Lestari community forest areas.  Research conducted by interview 230 household.  The result showed that rubber harvested since 6 years old.  The productivity rate increased until 25 years old than decreased gradually.  The highest  productivity was 2,5 tone/ha/years on ten years old rubber.  In average farmer had 0,1—2 ha rubber plantation, with plant distance were 4 x 6 m.
Pengaruh Atribut Produk Dan Pengetahuan Konsumen Terhadap Niat Pembelian Pada PT Hasjrat Abadi Cabang Limboto.
Authors: Ayuba Iyan
Published: October 2018

Iyan Ayuba, 2018 the effect of knowledge and attributes of products to customer friendly shopping at pt. hasjrat abadi cabang limboto.            The purpose of this study was to determine how attributes influence consumer knowledge of the product and purchase intentions in PT Hasjrat Abadi cabang Limboto and the population in this study are all consumers who never make purchases at PT Hasjrat Abadi cabang Limboto. Samples were taken using purposive sampling sample size of 50 people . Data analysis technique used is multiple regression . The results showed that : 1 ) . Product attributes significantly influence purchase intention on PT Hasjrat Abadi cabang Limboto. 2 ) . Consumer knowledge significantly influence purchase intention on PT Hasjrat Abadi cabang Limboto.
From the history of boiler construction: the contribution of V.G. Shukhov in engineering development
Authors: Aleksandrov O.
Published: October 2018

The article delivers the personal contribution of the outstanding engineer and scientist in the field of heat engineering, honorary academician V.G. Shukhov in development of boiler construction. The features of rational designs of V.G. Shukhov's boilers are shown in comparison with the boilers of other foreign systems. We also considered the main solutions to the design and construction of boilers used by V.G. Shukhov in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The influence of Shukhov's ideas on the formation and development of home boiler construction has been shown.
The first Rector of Odessa Polytechnic Institute A. Nilus – famous scientist in the field of artillery
Authors: Suhoterina L.
Published: October 2018

This article is devoted to organizational, teaching and scientific activity of professor and general-lieutenant Andrii Nilus. A. Nilus was the first head of Serhiiv Artillery School opened in 1913 (Military academy in Odessa nowadays). In 1918 – 1919 he was the Rector of newly created Odessa Polytechnic Institute. Professor A. Nilus was a specialist in the field of artillery, specifically in history of artillery. Even now his scientific works in history of artillery haven`t lost their significance.
A blueprint for the primary prevention of cancer: Targeting established, modifiable risk factors
Authors: Gapstur Susan M. , Drope Jeffrey M. , Jacobs Eric J. , Teras Lauren R. , McCullough Marjorie L. , Douglas Clifford E. , Patel Alpa V. , Wender Richard C. , Brawley Otis W.
Published: October 2018

In the United States, it is estimated that more than 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with cancer, and more than 600,000 will die of the disease in 2018. The financial costs associated with cancer risk factors and cancer care are enormous. To substantially reduce both the number of individuals diagnosed with and dying from cancer and the costs associated with cancer each year in the United States, government and industry and the public health, medical, and scientific communities must work together to develop, invest in, and implement comprehensive cancer control goals and strategies at the national level and expand ongoing initiatives at the state and local levels. This report is the second in a series of articles in this journal that, together, describe trends in cancer rates and the scientific evidence on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship to inform the identification of priorities for a comprehensive cancer control plan. Herein, we focus on existing evidence about established, modifiable risk factors for cancer, including prevalence estimates and the cancer burden due to each risk factor in the United States, and established primary prevention recommendations and interventions to reduce exposure to each risk factor.
Passive Reflectance Sensing and Digital Image Analysis Allows for Assessing the Biomass and Nitrogen Status of Wheat in Early and Late Tillering Stages
Authors: Elsayed Salah , Barmeier Gero , Schmidhalter Urs
Published: October 2018

Proximal remote sensing systems depending on spectral reflectance measurements and image analysis can acquire timely information to make real-time management decisions compared to laborious destructive measurements. There is a need to make nitrogen management decisions at early development stages of cereals when the first top-dressing is made. However, there is insufficient information available about the possibility of detecting differences in the biomass or the nitrogen status of cereals at early development stages and even less comparing its relationship to destructively obtained information. The performance of hyperspectral passive reflectance sensing and digital image analysis was tested in a 2-year study to assess the nitrogen uptake and nitrogen concentration, as well as the biomass fresh and dry weight at early and late tillering stages of wheat from BBCH 19 to 30. Wheat plants were subjected to different levels of nitrogen fertilizer applications and differences in biomass, and the nitrogen status was further created by varying the seeding rate. To analyze the spectral and digital imaging data simple linear regression and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were used. The green pixel digital analysis, spectral reflectance indices and PLSR of spectral reflectance from 400 to 1000 nm were strongly related to the nitrogen uptake and the biomass fresh and dry weights at individual measurements and for the combined dataset at the early crop development stages. Relationships between green pixels, spectral reflectance indices and PLSR with the biomass and nitrogen status parameters reached coefficients of determination up to 0.95∗∗ through the individual measurements and the combined data set. Reflectance-based spectral sensing compared to digital image analysis allows detecting differences in the biomass and nitrogen status already at early growth stages in the tillering phase. Spectral reflectance indices are probably more robust and can more easily be applied compared to PLSR models. This might pave the way for more informed management decisions and potentially lead to improved nitrogen fertilizer management at early development stages.
Accelerated Iterative Learning Control of Speed Ripple Suppression for a Seeker Servo Motor
Authors: Ma Dongqi , Lin Hui
Published: October 2018

To suppress the speed ripple of a permanent magnet synchronous motor in a seeker servo system, we propose an accelerated iterative learning control with an adjustable learning interval. First, according to the error of current iterative learning for the system, we determine the next iterative learning interval and conduct real-time correction on the learning gain. For the learning interval, as the number of iterations increases, the actual interval that needs correction constantly shortens, accelerating the convergence speed. Second, we analyze the specific structure of the controller while applying reasonable assumptions pertaining to its condition. Using the λ-norm, we analyze and apply our mathematical knowledge to obtain a strict mathematical proof on the P-type iterative learning control and obtain the condition of convergence for the controller. Finally, we apply the proposed method for periodic ripple inhibition of the torque rotation speed of the permanent magnet synchronous motor and establish the system model; we use the periodic load torque to simulate the ripple torque of the synchronous motor. The simulation and experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the method.
Fault Diagnosis of Rolling Bearings Based on Improved Fast Spectral Correlation and Optimized Random Forest
Authors: Tang Guiji , Pang Bin , Tian Tian , Zhou Chong
Published: October 2018

Fault diagnosis of rolling bearings is important for ensuring the safe operation of industrial machinery. How to effectively extract the fault features and select a classifier with high precision is the key to realizing the fault recognition of bearings. Accordingly, a new fault diagnosis method of rolling bearings based on improved fast spectral correlation and optimized random forest (i.e., particle swarm optimization-random forest (PSO-RF)) is proposed in this paper. The main contributions of this study are made from two aspects. One is that an improved fast spectral correlation approach was developed to extract the fault features of bearings and form the feature vector more effectively. The other is that an optimized random forest classifier was developed to achieve highly accurate identification by exploiting particle swarm optimization to select the best parameters of random forest (RF). In the presented method, improved fast spectral correlation was first utilized to analyze the raw vibration signal caused by a faulty bearing to obtain the enhanced envelope spectrum. Then, the amplitudes of the four characteristic cyclic frequencies (i.e., the rotating frequency, the characteristic frequency of outer-race fault, the characteristic frequency of inner-race fault, and the characteristic frequency of rolling element fault) exhibited in the enhanced envelope spectrum were selected to form the feature vector. Finally, the PSO-RF method was introduced for identifying and classifying bearing faults. The experimental investigations demonstrate the proposed method can accurately identify bearing faults and outperform other state-of-art techniques considered.
A Novel Lightweight Approach for Video Retrieval on Mobile Augmented Reality Environment
Authors: Joolee Joolekha , Uddin Md , Khan Jawad , Kim Taeyeon , Lee Young-Koo
Published: October 2018

Mobile Augmented Reality merges the virtual objects with real world on mobile devices, while video retrieval brings out the similar looking videos from the large-scale video dataset. Since mobile augmented reality application demands the real-time interaction and operation, we need to process and interact in real-time. Furthermore, augmented reality based virtual objects can be poorly textured. In order to resolve the above mentioned issues, in this research, we propose a novel, fast and robust approach for retrieving videos on the mobile augmented reality environment using an image and video queries. In the beginning, Top-K key-frames are extracted from the videos which significantly increases the efficiency. Secondly, we introduce a novel frame based feature extraction method, namely Pyramid Ternary Histogram of Oriented Gradient (PTHOG) to extract the shape feature from the virtual objects in an effective and efficient manner. Thirdly, we utilize the Double-Bit Quantization (DBQ) based hashing to accomplish the nearest neighbor search efficiently, which produce the candidate list of videos. Lastly, the similarity measure is performed to re-rank the videos which are obtained from the candidate list. An extensive experimental analysis is performed in order to verify our claims.
Fingerprinting Acoustic Localization Indoor Based on Cluster Analysis and Iterative Interpolation
Authors: Wang Shuopeng , Yang Peng , Sun Hao
Published: October 2018

Fingerprinting acoustic localization usually requires tremendous time and effort for database construction in sampling phase and reference points (RPs) matching in positioning phase. To improve the efficiency of this acoustic localization process, an iterative interpolation method is proposed to reduce the initial RPs needed for the required positioning accuracy by generating virtual RPs in positioning phase. Meanwhile, a two-stage matching method based on cluster analysis is proposed for computation reduction of RPs matching. Results reported show that, on the premise of ensuring positioning accuracy, two-stage matching method based on feature clustering partition can reduce the average RPs matching amount to 30.14% of the global linear matching method taken. Meanwhile, the iterative interpolation method can guarantee the positioning accuracy with only 27.77% initial RPs of the traditional method needed.
Design of a Novel Linear Shaped Charge and Factors Influencing its Penetration Performance
Authors: Cheng Xi , Huang Guangyan , Liu Chunmei , Feng Shunshan
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a novel linear shaped charge (LSC), called a bi-apex-angle linear shaped charge (BLSC), has been designed to investigate the improvement of penetration performance. Compared with a traditional single-apex-angle LSC, a BLSC, which consists of a small-apex-angle liner and a large-apex-angle liner, has been investigated by depth-of-penetration (DOP) test. The results show that the penetration depth of BLSC is 29.72% better than that of an ordinary LSC. An Eulerian method is applied to simulate the entire process of jet formation, as well as penetration on a #45 steel target. The effectiveness of the Eulerian model is demonstrated by the good agreement of the computational results with experimental observations. Furthermore, the numerical simulation is developed to investigate the influence of liner thickness, explosive type, combination of small and large apex angle, ratio of small to all apex angle liner, and standoff distance on the penetration performance of BLSCs. The suggested work and results can provide a guide and reference for the structural design of BLSC.
Mesh Twisting Technique for Swirl Induced Laminar Flow Used to Determine a Desired Blade Shape
Authors: Helgadóttir Ásdís , Lalot Sylvain , Beaubert Francois , Pálsson Halldór
Published: October 2018

Swirling flow has been shown to increase heat transfer in heat exchangers. However, producing swirl while not presenting a severe pressure drop can be a challenge. In this paper, a desired shape of guidance blades for laminar swirl flow is determined by numerical simulation in OpenFOAM. Emphasis is on the mesh technique, where a predefined blade shape is formed by mesh twisting, or morphing. The validity of numerical simulations on a twisted mesh is shown by comparing it to the theoretical solution of laminar flow in a pipe without swirl and guidance blades. A sensitivity study shows that a cell size ratio of 0.025 of diameter is sufficient and affects the solution minimally. To determine the desired shape of guidance blades previously found optimal swirl decay and velocity profile for laminar swirling flow are utilized. Three blade shapes are explored: (I) with a twist angle that varies with axial location only; (II) having a deviation angle matching the theoretical deviation angle for laminar swirling flow; (III) same as II but with a hollow center. Simulations are performed for Re = 100 and swirl number S = 0.2 . Case II is able to sustain swirl longest while maintaining a low pressure drop and is therefore a desired swirler shape profile as predicted theoretically.
Fuzzy Rough C-Mean Based Unsupervised CNN Clustering for Large-Scale Image Data
Authors: Riaz Saman , Arshad Ali , Jiao Licheng
Published: October 2018

Deep learning has been well-known for a couple of years, and it indicates incredible possibilities for unsupervised learning of representations with the clustering algorithm. The forms of Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) are now state-of-the-art for many recognition and clustering tasks. However, with the perpetual incrementation of digital images, there exist more and more redundant, irrelevant, and noisy samples which cause CNN running to gradually decrease, and its clustering accuracy decreases concurrently. To conquer these issues, we proposed an effective clustering method for a large-scale image dataset which combines CNN and a Fuzzy-Rough C-Mean (FRCM) clustering algorithm. The main idea is that first a high-level representation, learned by multi-layers of CNN with one clustering layer, produce the initial cluster center, then during training image clusters, and representations, are updating jointly. FRCM is utilized to update the cluster centers in the forward pass, while the parameters of proposed CNN are updated by the backward pass based on Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD). The concept of the rough set of lower and boundary approximations deal with uncertainty, vagueness, and incompleteness in cluster definition, and fuzzy sets enable efficient handling of overlapping partitions in the noisy environment. The experiment results show that the proposed FRCM based unsupervised CNN clustering method is better than the standard K-Mean, Fuzzy C-Mean, FRCM and also other deep-learning-based clustering algorithms on large-scale image data.
Microwave Plasma Torch Generated in Argon for Small Berries Surface Treatment
Authors: Bogdanov Todor , Tsonev Ivan , Marinova Plamena , Benova Evgenia , Rusanov Krasimir , Rusanova Mila , Atanassov Ivan , Kozáková Zdenka , Krčma František
Published: October 2018

Demand for food quality and extended freshness without the use of harmful chemicals has become a major topic over the last decade. New technologies are using UV light, strong electric field, ozone and other reactive agents to decontaminate food surfaces. The low-power non-equilibrium (cold) atmospheric pressure operating plasmas effectively combines all the qualities mentioned above and thus, due to their synergetic influence, promising results in fruit surface decontamination can be obtained. The present paper focuses on the applicability of the recently developed microwave surface wave sustained plasma torch for the treatment of selected small fruit. Optical emission spectroscopy is used for the determination of plasma active particles (radicals, UV light) and plasma parameters during the fruit treatment. The infrared camera images confirm low and fully applicable heating of the treated surface that ensures no fruit quality changes. The detailed study shows that the efficiency of the microbial decontamination of selected fruits naturally contaminated by microorganisms is strongly dependent on the fruit surface shape. The decontamination of the rough strawberry surface seems inefficient using the current configuration, but for smooth berries promising results were obtained. Finally, antioxidant activity measurements demonstrate no changes due to plasma treatment. The results confirm that the MW surface wave sustained discharge is applicable to fruit surface decontamination.
Generalized Singularity Analysis of Snake-Like Robot
Authors: Nansai Shunsuke , Iwase Masami , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate a generalized singularity analysis of a snake-like robot. The generalized analysis is denoted as analysis of singularity of a model which defines all designable parameters such as the link length and/or the position of the passive wheel as arbitrary variables. The denotation is a key point for a novelty of this study. This paper addresses the above new model denotation, while previous studies have defined the designable parameters as unique one. This difference makes the singularity analysis difficult substantively. To overcome this issue, an analysis method using redundancy of the snake-like robot is proposed. The proposed method contributes to simplify singularity analysis concerned with the designable parameters. The singular configurations of both the model including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping are analyzed. As the results of the analysis, we show two contributions. The first contribution is that a singular configuration depends on designable parameters such as link length as well as state values such as relative angles. The second contribution is that the singular configuration is characterized by the axials of the passive wheels of all non side-slipping link. This paper proves that the singular configuration is identified as following two conditions even if the designable parameters are chosen as different variables and the model includes side-slipping link. One is that the axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point. Another one is that axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links are parallel.
The Function of Luxury: Visual and Material Abundance in Minoru Yamasaki’s U.S. Consulate in Kobe and Federal Science Pavilion in Seattle (1954–62)
Authors: Kiely Joss
Published: October 2018

This article explores the visual abundance found in a number of early projects by Leinweber, Yamasaki and Hellmuth (LYH) and Minoru Yamasaki and Associates (MYA), which stands in stark contrast to the austere character of architectural form during the interwar period. Although Yamasaki received his architectural training in the 1930s, he was neither a true modernist, nor a fully postmodern architect. His aesthetic, and his firm’s work, lies in the interstices between these two distinct architectural moments, in company with contemporaries Edward Durell Stone and Paul Rudolph, among others. The work of these architects embraced a kind of visual and formal excess but stopped short of approaching the playful linguistic games of postmodern architecture. With themes of visual and material excess in mind, I examine two early commissions from the U.S. federal government that put into play ideas of global exchange, power, and extravagance in architecture as the United States emerged as a major world power in the aftermath of World War II, including the U.S. Consulate in Kobe, Japan (1954–1955) and the Federal Science Pavilion at the Seattle World’s Fair (1962).
Molecular Markers of Anticancer Drug Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review
Authors: López-Verdín Sandra , Lavalle-Carrasco Jesús , Carreón-Burciaga Ramón G. , Serafín-Higuera Nicolás , Molina-Frechero Nelly , González-González Rogelio , Bologna-Molina Ronell
Published: October 2018

This manuscript provides an update to the literature on molecules with roles in tumor resistance therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Although significant improvements have been made in the treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, physicians face yet another challenge—that of preserving oral functions, which involves the use of multidisciplinary therapies, such as multiple chemotherapies (CT) and radiotherapy (RT). Designing personalized therapeutic options requires the study of genes involved in drug resistance. This review provides an overview of the molecules that have been linked to resistance to chemotherapy in HNSCC, including the family of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), nucleotide excision repair/base excision repair (NER/BER) enzymatic complexes (which act on nonspecific DNA lesions generated by gamma and ultraviolet radiation by cross-linking and forming intra/interchain chemical adducts), cisplatin (a chemotherapeutic agent that causes DNA damage and induces apoptosis, which is a paradox because its effectiveness is based on the integrity of the genes involved in apoptotic signaling pathways), and cetuximab, including a discussion of the genes involved in the cell cycle and the proliferation of possible markers that confer resistance to cetuximab.
Tumor Location Influences Oncologic Outcomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: Chen Jinbin , Peng Kangqiang , Hu Dandan , Shen Jingxian , Zhou Zhongguo , Xu Li , Chen Jiancong , Pan Yangxun , Wang Juncheng , Zhang Yaojun , Chen Minshan
Published: October 2018

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is recommended as a first-line therapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumor location is a potential factor influencing the procedure of RFA. To compare oncologic outcomes of RFA for different tumor locations, this retrospective study enrolled 194 patients with small HCC who had undertaken RFA. The HCC nodules were classified as peri-hepatic-vein (pHV) or non-pHV, peri-portal-vein (pPV) or non-pPV, and subcapsular or non-subcapsular HCC. The regional recurrence-free survival (rRFS), overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (recurrence in any location, RFS) and distant recurrence-free survival (dRFS) were compared. Operation failures were recorded in five pPV HCC patients, which was more frequent than in non-pPV HCC patients (p = 0.041). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year rRFS was 68.7%, 53.7%, and 53.7% for pHV patients and 85.1%, 76.1%, and 71.9% for non-pHV patients, respectively (p = 0.012). After propensity score matching, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year rRFS was still worse than that of non-pHV patients (p = 0.013). The OS, RFS, and dRFS were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: A pHV location was a risk factor for the regional recurrence after RFA in small HCC patients. The tumor location may not influence OS, RFS, and dRFS. Additionally, a pPV location was a potential high-risk factor for incomplete ablation.
Hydrodynamic Parameters of Strelitzia Gum
Authors: Masuelli Martin A.
Published: October 2018

The flower of Strelitzia reginae generates abundant and viscous mucilage as exudate, which is purified in periods of heating–cooling, and finally precipitated with ethanol, obtaining strelitzia gum (StrG). By means of intrinsic viscosity measurement, the viscometric molecular weight (MWv) is determined, with a value of 200,000 g/mol, as well as a hydrodynamic radius of 20 ± 1 nm and a hydration value of 445 ± 34 g/g. The size of StrG was compared against dynamic light scattering data with a value of 16 ± 2 nm and a MWDLS of 230,000 g/mol. StrG is a biopolyelectrolyte with an “a” value of 0.85, which corresponds to a flexible behavior with a great effect of volume exclusion. This statement is based on the difficulty of gum dissolution, that should be performed at 80 °C. This macromolecule is very promising and can potentially be used in several industrial applications, such as in film forming, and as a gel, thickener, and coemulsifier.
Electrochemical Hydrogenation of Acetone to Produce Isopropanol Using a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Reactor
Authors: Li Chen , Sallee Ashanti M. , Zhang Xiaoyu , Kumar Sandeep
Published: October 2018

Electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH) of acetone is a relatively new method to produce isopropanol. It provides an alternative way of upgrading bio-fuels with less energy consumption and chemical waste as compared to conventional methods. In this paper, Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) hardware was used as an electrochemical reactor to hydrogenate acetone to produce isopropanol and diisopropyl ether as a byproduct. High current efficiency (59.7%) and selectivity (>90%) were achieved, while ECH was carried out in mild conditions (65 °C and atmospheric pressure). Various operating parameters were evaluated to determine their effects on the yield of acetone and the overall efficiency of ECH. The results show that an increase in humidity increased the yield of propanol and the efficiency of ECH. The operating temperature and power supply, however, have less effect. The degradation of membranes due to contamination of PEMFC and the mitigation methods were also investigated.