Advantageous Position Research Articles

Structural and Behaviour Optimization of Tubular Structures Made of Tailor Welded Blanks by Applying Taguchi and Genetic Algorithms Methods

Even though they initially appeared as a method of using waste from other production processes, tailored welded blanks (TWB) presented several advantages by combining materials with different characteristics. On the one hand, this study focuses on minimizing the adverse effects caused by the springback of TWB parts. The proposed method is based on the Taguchi technique using orthogonal type 23 networks. On the other hand, genetic algorithms were applied to obtain maximum performance parameters within the dynamic loadings of tubular structures made of TWB by advantageous positioning of the weld line. The obtained data were compared and evaluated through software platforms such as MATLAB, Design Expert, and Dynaform, and experimental validation. By generating an objective function, the construction of thin-walled tubular structures can be controlled for a predetermined deformation and maximum energy absorption. The data obtained has an error rate of less than 3%, thus considering that this method can be used successfully in the qualitative and quantitative estimation of dynamically loaded TWB tubular structures.

Mobile Health With Head-Worn Devices: Challenges and Opportunities

Monitoring human behavior and health status using mobile devices, a.k.a. Mobile Health, has gained increasing attention from both academia and industry in recent years. It allows imperceptible health tracking from the users and remote health management from the healthcare service providers. Head-worn devices, such as earbuds, glasses, and brain–computer interfaces, exhibit great potential for mobile health due to their advantageous wearing position, the human head, which is motion-resilient and full of human biosignals. Although initial attempts have been conducted for different healthcare applications with head-worn devices, this fast-growing area is still underexplored and retains great promises. With this work, we investigate the most pressing challenges to fully exploit the potential of head-worn devices for mobile health, from the perspective of sensing, computing, and system design. Our exploration reveals key guidelines and lessons to inform future efforts in this space.

FLEA MARKET ECONOMY INFLUENCING LOCAL INDUSTRY: SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF LANDA BAZAAR IN PAKISTAN

The data presented in this research paper entitled “Flea Market Economy Influencing Local Industry: System Analysis of Landa Bazaar in Pakistan” was researched using qualitative anthropological techniques. In this research 25 respondents 10 shopkeepers from the local market, 10 shopkeepers from Landa Bazar, and 5 customers were selected through purposive sampling. The locale for the study was based on multiple markets in Rawalpindi. The time scale of this research was 4 months. The main objective of this research was to study the economic impacts of the Landa bazaar (flea market) on the local economy. In the last decade, the use of second-hand clothing has been increased in Pakistan. The research shows that on temporary basis periphery countries are in an advantageous position as they are receiving high-quality products at cheaper rates and it is also creating a number of employment opportunities. But no one can deny the fact that over time the trade of second-hand clothing will put a negative impact on the local production of Pakistan as the local industries lack in providing compatible products at cheaper rates. Thus it can be said that the donation from the core will participate in the demolishing of the local industry of Pakistan. It is suggested that the government must quantify the number of job opportunities created by this trade and also predict the number of job losses in the domestic clothing industry due to an upsurge in demand for imported secondhand clothes, to facilitate the policymakers to develop their policies effectively. Keywords: Landa Bazaar, flea market, local economy, second-hand clothing, employment opportunities, system analysis

Verifying the Theory of Climate Affecting Lethality of COVID-19 by an Analysis in Two Climatic Zones of Chile

Introduction: The study of seasonal influences on the COVID-19 pandemic can take advantage of the unique position of Chile and its different climatic profiles in the north-south extension. The purpose is to verify the influence of seasonal climate changes on the COVID-19 in the temperate and sub-arctic areas of Chile. Methods: We monitored the evolution of CFR in temperate versus sub-boreal regions, reporting from the John Hopkins University COVID-19 Center on the CFR in each province in midwinter, spring, and early summer. Results: CFR worsened from mid-winter to mid-spring in the temperate zone of Chile, while in the sub-boreal area the CFR improves in the same period, (Kruskal Wallis Test, p=0.004). In the temperate zone after the increase in late winter-early spring, CRF tends to stabilize; on the contrary in the sub-boreal zone, there is a more marked tendency to worsen the CFR at the same time (Kruskal Wallis Test, p=0.010). The temperate zone of Chile shows a CFR increasing until spring-like temperate Europe, unlike Europe CFR does not decrease in summer, but the mean minimum temperature in temperate Chile is lower in summer than in temperate Europe. In Patagonian, CFR remains stable or drops from winter to spring but increases in early summer. Conclusion: The temperate and sub-boreal zones of Chile have a markedly different CFR variation profile during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 2011-es választási reform kihatása az országgyűlési választásokra II.

A radical electoral reform took place in Hungray in 2011, as a consequence of the sweepingvictory of the Fidesz-KDNP coalition in 2010. The government initiated and implimenteda reform which was not based on a consensus of all political parties. Taking advantage of itspolitical position (qualified majority government), Fidesz introduced among other changes thewiner compensation, and gave voting right to non-resident Hungarians. The present paper triesto present some of the value-based and interest-oreinted arguments related to the reform of2011, showing that the real (power) interests were hushed up, while the government tried tolegitimize the electoral reform based on several value-oriented arguments.

물류창고 부지의 사업성 분석에 관한 연구

This study tries to analyze the business feasibility of the logistics warehouse land in the southern area of Gyeonggi-do, where there is the highest density of logistics warehouses, and to suggest the directions for securing a stable quantity of goods and providing an optimal distribution service. Firstly, the logistics centers in the metropolitan areas account for about 60% of domestics ones, and have been on the sharp rise since 2018. In the case of the south eastern area where traditional logistics warehouses are concentrated, the supply of logistics facilities has been on the constant rise. Recently, supply in the western area is also on the increase. Anseong, the city that meets good conditions of traffic to the metropolitan areas, faces high demands of logistics and distribution. Given that, the city is expected to have an advantageous position for logistics facilities. Secondly, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in non-contact online sales and the rapid growth of the market of fresh food products. Unfortunately, it is predicted that it is hard to secure lessees of freezing and chilling warehouses in 2023. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to new supply. Thirdly, logistics warehouses are expected to become favorable investment assets of institutional investors continuously. However, as more restrictions on supply are made by difficulties in securing land and permission and enhanced SG, it is necessary to achieve regular supply.

Design of a novel fiber grating acoustic emission sensor based on coupling cone structure

A novel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) acoustic emission (AE) sensor based on coupling cone structure is proposed in this paper, which is flexible and reusable. The sensor is fabricated by additive manufacturing technology. The numerical modeling of the coupling cone structure was performed using finite element analysis. The influence of the coupling cone angle and material on the AE detection performance was studied. The main parameters of the coupling cone structure are determined. The AE detection of material tensile tests was studied by edge-filter-demodulation of spectrum technology. The experimental results demonstrated that the coupling cone FBG AE (Cone-FBG-AE) sensor has advantages of high sensitivity, flexibility and adjustable positioning, and can be reused. It realizes real-time monitoring of AE signals in the tensile process of the specimen, which is consistent with the effect of the resonant AE sensor. The Cone-FBG-AE sensor has great application value in the fields of health monitoring, such as aero-engines, microcracks of structural defects.

Factors Affecting Banking Fraud Prevention and Their Impact On The Quality of Financial Statements

This research begins with a phenomenon where several banking sector companies experience increased corruption cases in financial management. The low internal control system and the lack of good corporate governance are opportunities to commit fraud by taking advantage of positions and positions. If these two things are done well, the company can undoubtedly minimize fraud, which will affect the quality of its financial statements. This study aims to analyze the role of banks in practicing reasonable internal control and governance systems. This research uses a quantitative approach with a causal type of research. This research uses a quantitative approach with a causal type of research. The population in this study is a national private commercial bank listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The sample was determined based on the accidental method, with a total sample of 34 established bank companies. The process of collecting primary data using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed and processed using Smart PLS. The results showed that the internal control system had a positive and significant effect on fraud prevention but no effect on financial reports' quality. At the same time, the principles of good corporate governance have a positive and significant effect on fraud prevention and the quality of financial reports. Fraud prevention has a positive and significant effect on the quality of financial reports.

Bunalımdan Dostluğa: Yugoslavya Kralı I. Alexander’in Atatürk İle Görüşmesi (4 Ekim 1933)

The rapprochement of Turkey and Yugoslavia shows parallelism with important developments in the course of history. As a matter of fact, the common historical past of both countries was the Balkan policy, the legacy left behind by the withdrawal of Muslim Turks from the Balkans, and most importantly, their establishment as two new states after the First World War. Therefore, the possibility of a new war due to unresolved issues after the World War II and the aggressive policies of Italy and Germany brought along new searches. İn this context, Atatürk felt the inevitability of an alliance in the Balkans, taking into account the possibility of a war. The foreign policy of Atatürk's period was shaped with a peace-oriented tendency, which helped him to get closer to the states that were in favor of peace. This rapprochement took place with Yugoslavia, which was worried about the Balkan geography. The dominant factor that brought Yugoslavia and Turkey together on the same plane was regional approaches. Atatürk's pro-peace stance greatly influenced King Alexander and therefore caused him to pay a visit to Turkey on 3-4 October 1933. This visit was to see closely the stage that Turkey had gone through in a short time and to lay the groundwork for the search for a new alliance between the Balkan states. Acting with this mission, King Alexander assumed the role of a bridge for the security of the Balkan geography. Alexander, who wanted to take advantage of Turkey's active position at this point, had been in close contact with Atatürk. The establishment of the Balkan Pact was the fruit of this effort.

How voter distributions, issue ownership, and position influence party emphasis

AbstractBackgroundResearch regarding party behavior has often be understood through one of two models, (1) the Downsian proximity model, which supposes parties will change positions in order to be most competitive, and (2) the issue salience model, which understands parties to emphasize issues on which it is more competitive.ObjectivesThis study produces a theoretical framework explaining why parties, specifically in a two‐party system, emphasize one issue dimension over others. We argue that voter distributions differ across issue dimensions and take one of four general forms: (1) unimodal symmetrical, (2) bimodal symmetrical, (3) unimodal asymmetrical, and (4) bimodal asymmetrical. These distributions determine the nature of an issue dimension as approximating valence or positional. Combined with a party's issue ownership or positional advantage, this determines whether a party emphasizes an issue. An issue owner is expected to emphasize unimodal symmetrical issues, parties with positional advantage are expected to emphasize bimodal asymmetrical issues, and no party should emphasize a bimodal symmetrical issue. The decision to emphasize a unimodal asymmetrical issue is dependent upon whether the issue owner and the party with positional advantage are the same and the long‐versus short‐term electoral strategy of a party.MethodsData to test this theoretical approach do not yet exist. This theoretical framework is designed to apply to a two‐party system. In order to properly test the above expectations, we would need data regarding the distribution of voters along different issue dimensions, as well as the emphases placed on issues by parties. These data must be specific to a two‐party system.ConclusionThis theory attempted to build a synthesized theory of party behavior based on the Downsian proximity model and the issue salience model. This theory helps explain what issues parties will seek to contest, and which issues become politicized. However, this framework can be extended to explain many questions regarding polarization, party behavior, electoral strategy and political contestation.

Carceral Experiences of White-Collar Offenders: Qualitative Research Design Utilising the Offender-Based Definition and Pierre Bourdieu’s Capital Theory

As the awareness and extent of white-collar crime increases, the number of prison inmates from the middle and upper classes can be expected to grow. However, existing scholarship on the imprisoned white-collar offenders has geographical and methodological limits, is of a predominantly explorative nature and often employs definitions focused on the offence rather than the perpetrator. This study attempts to advance the current state of research by utilising Bourdieu’s capital theory in the description and explanation of the prison experience of a sample of 13 politicians, businesspersons, and lawyers serving prison terms for corruption and embezzlement in Poland. Deductive analysis of semi-structured interviews reveals how participants used social, cultural, and symbolic capital to secure an advantageous position whilst in prison. Due to varied assets such as their non-criminal identity, interpersonal skills and legal knowledge, the incarcerated elites studied were able to curry favour with guards, win recognition from fellow inmates and, unlike most prisoners, maintain supportive connections with the outside world. When considered within Bourdieu’s framework, these results provide an insight into the workings of capital in carceral settings, support the special resiliency hypothesis and explain it through differences in the social situation of inmates.

Adverse childhood experiences and adolescent drug use in the UK: The moderating role of socioeconomic position and ethnicity

RationaleThere is a paucity of prospective UK studies exploring the role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on adolescent teenage drug use and even less is known about the complex interplay between ACEs and adolescent social, demographic, and economic characteristics. To address these gaps, we use rich longitudinal data from the nationally representative Millennium Cohort Study. MethodsSex-stratified survey logistic regression modelling was applied using data from 9,476 adolescents and their parents to examine associations between ACEs between ages 3 and 14 years and drug use at ages 14 and 17 years. We a) explore the extent to which associations are robust to adjustment for ethnicity, family income, parental social class, and parental education, b) examine whether associations differ by these factors, and c) estimate the proportion of drug use at ages 14 and 17 years attributable to ACEs after controlling for these factors. ResultsHalf of MCS cohort members had been exposed to at least one ACE and approximately 1 in 11 were exposed to 3+ ACEs. Multivariable analyses suggest that ACEs were associated with a higher likelihood of drug use at age 14 than age 17, especially for girls. No evidence was found that either advantaged socio-economic position or ethnicity acted as a buffer against the negative effects of ACEs in relation to adolescent drug use. Finally, we found that prevention of exposure to sexual violence, bullying and violence within the household (if causal) is more important for girls’ drug use at age 14 than age 17. ConclusionsACEs are associated with adolescent drug use with potential consequences on wider aspects of young people's lives, regardless of their social, ethnic, or economic background, adding further urgency to the need to reduce the incidence of these negative experiences.

Advantages of side-lying position. A comparative study of positioning during bottle-feeding in preterm infants (≤34 weeks GA).

BackgroundThe quality and safety of bottle-feeding in premature infants can be improved by optimal positioning. This study analysed the advantages of side-lying position (SLP) and semielevated position (SEP) during bottle-feeding in premature infants.Material and methodsA total of 42 neonates (n=42) born ≤34 weeks of gestational age were included in the study. Four feeding sessions—two in SLP and two in SEP— were analysed for each newborn. The level of saturation (SpO2) and heart rate, which are the parameters assessing the physiological stability, were measured in the studied newborns. The other factors that were examined to determine the quality of feeding included the total time of decline of SpO2 to ≤85%, level of the newborn’s alertness measured using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, and the frequency of choking episodes. The proportion of milk consumed (volume of milk consumed relative to the volume expected) and the feeding duration as well as the total time of feeding session were recorded.ResultsSLP was safer in terms of the frequency of choking episodes. Choking episodes were more frequently observed with feeding in SEP (p<0.001). Moreover, the proportion of milk consumed by infants was statistically significantly higher in SLP (p<0.046) compared to SEP. No significant differences in the other tested parameters were noted in infants fed in SLP and infants fed in SEP.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that SLP is effective in reducing the number of choking episodes during feeding. The proportion of milk consumed was better when the neonates were fed in SLP.

Inequalities in Psychiatric Morbidity in Hong Kong and Strategies for Mitigation.

This study explores the social gradient of psychiatric morbidity. The Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey (HKMMS), consisting of 5719 Chinese adults aged 16 to 75 years, was used. The Chinese version of the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) was employed for psychiatric assessment of common mental disorders (CMD). People with a less advantaged socioeconomic position (lower education, lower household income, unemployment, small living area and public rental housing) had a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder. People with lower incomes had worse physical health (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.05–3.82) and greater odds of having CMD in the presence of a family history of psychiatric illnesses (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.18–2.36). Unemployment also had a greater impact for those in lower-income groups (OR 2.67; 95% CI 1.85–3.85), whereas no significant association was observed in high-income groups (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.14–2.17). Mitigating strategies in terms of services and social support should target socially disadvantaged groups with a high risk of psychiatric morbidity. Such strategies include collaboration among government, civil society and business sectors in harnessing community resources.

Socioeconomic determinants of respiratory health in patients with cystic fibrosis: implications for treatment strategies

Introduction : Great variation exists in the progression and outcomes of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, due to both genetic and environmental influences. Social determinants mediate environmental exposures and treatment success; people with CF from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds have worse health and die younger than those in more advantaged positions. Areas covered : This paper reviews the literature on the mechanisms that are responsible for generating and sustaining disparities in CF health, and the ways by which social determinants translate into health advantages or disadvantages in people with CF. The authors make recommendations for addressing social risk factors in CF clinical practice. Expert opinion : Socioeconomic factors are not dichotomous and their impact is felt at every step of the social ladder. CF care programs need to adopt a systematic protocol to screen for health-related social risk factors, and then connect patients to available resources to meet individual needs. Considerations such as daycare, schooling options, living and working conditions, and opportunities for physical exercise and recreation as well as promotion of self-efficacy are often overlooked. In addition, advocacy for changes in public policies on health insurance, environmental regulations, social welfare, and education would all help address the root causes of CF health inequities.

EFFECT OF FIBER-LAYER POSITIONS ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED MATERIALS MANUFACTURED BY FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING

In recent years, with the increasing needs from industry, various manufacturing methods have begun to be widely used. Additive manufacturing is one of these methods. These recent manufacturing methods, which allow the production of designed essential parts without any limitations, have also gained an advantageous position in industrial fields due to a variety of raw materials used. Additive manufacturing makes production possible using metal and polymer materials. In this research, continuous carbon fiber was used to strengthen the structure of a polymer material and printing was conducted with fused deposition modeling, which is one of the additive manufacturing methods. Tensile tests were performed on printed specimens and then the results were evaluated. Onyx was used as the polymer material and carbon fiber was used as the continuous fiber material. Comparisons were then made between the fiber specimens and onyx specimen that was printed without any fiber. It was found that the specimen made of onyx reached a tensile strength of 16 MPa, while by adding continuous carbon fiber reinforcement to the structure, a value of 58 MPa was obtained for the printed specimen. On the other hand, the highest tensile strength of 80.2 MPa was obtained by changing the layer location of the samples. This value is 38 % higher than the tensile strength of 58 MPa recorded for the sample that included also carbon fiber and was printed as a regular and symmetrical structure. In line with these results, it was observed that the addition of carbon fiber to the structure had a positive effect on the tensile strength. The carbon-fiber density also affected the tensile strength. Moreover, it was also observed that the tensile strength values improved with the change in the locations of the polymer and carbon-fiber layer.

The U.S. Bioeconomy: Charting a Course for a Resilient and Competitive Future

The U.S. Bioeconomy: Charting a Course for a Resilient and Competitive Future

Patterns of specialisation by country and sector in olive applications

Natural resource endowments can determine a country's specialisation and provide it with an advantaged position in international networks, but they can also lock it into low value-added activities in global value chains. Favourable weather and soil conditions have made olive trees one of the most recognisable characteristics of the Mediterranean landscape for thousands of years. Olive oil and foods using olive related products are traditionally associated with the Mediterranean lifestyle and healthy nutrition habits, but are Mediterranean countries using their natural advantage for upgrading in global value chains? Are there other uses of olives outside the agrofood sector offering new opportunities in other sectors for countries with olive hectares? The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of country specialisation patterns across different sectors using olive applications. We compare the number of planted hectares of olive crops across countries with their revealed comparative advantages in terms of olive products exports and with their revealed technological advantages in terms of olive related patent applications. Our analysis shows that there is great heterogeneity across olive producing countries. We observe that the top countries, Spain and Italy, have both commercial and technological advantages for all the olive uses considered (food, health, cosmetic and waste applications), but only find a statistical association between natural, commercial, and technological advantages across for agrofood uses. We also observe that, regardless of the existence or not of natural advantages, demand opportunities associated to healthier lifestyles are leading some countries to specialise in health, nutrition, and cosmetic uses of olives. Moreover, circular economy and climate change policies are also fostering new uses of by-products of waste applications from olive oil production.

The impact of green organizational identity on green innovation at Jordanian food and beverage companies

Integrating environmental objectives into an organization’s mission and strategies improves the organization’s image as a socially responsible organization and helps it take a leading position of advantage. Due to the increasing pressures towards sustainability and environmental policies, organizations are making efforts in this direction. This study is aimed at identifying the impact of green organizational identity (GOI) on green innovation (GI). Data were collected from 168 employees working in food and beverage industry companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. SPSS was employed to analyze the data and test the hypothesis. The study finds a significant positive effect of GOI on GI product and GI process. The study recommends that companies show interest in GOI for their role in raising GI levels. Due to cultural differences between countries that limit the generalizability of the study results, it is recommended to conduct another study in Western culture to determine their applicability.

Investigation of Nigeria’s Comparative Advantage for the African Continental Free Trade Area

Nigeria’s comparative advantage for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), has been investigated by this work. The specific objectives of this study are calculating the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and the Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) of Nigeria, and computing and comparing the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and the Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) of Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Time series data of Nigeria’s, Ghana’s and South Africa’s export products namely raw materials, intermediate goods, consumer goods and capital goods were obtained from the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). The RCA and RSCA of raw materials, intermediate goods, consumer goods and capital goods were computed using the Balassa index, and it was found that Nigeria has comparative advantage in the export of raw materials but has comparative disadvantage in the export of intermediate goods, consumer goods and capital goods. Compared to Ghana and South Africa, Nigeria can profitably export raw materials to AfCFTA trade partners because, though Ghana and South Africa also have comparative advantage in the export of raw materials, theirs is lesser than Nigeria’s. Unlike Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa have relative advantage in intermediate goods export trade. In the export of consumer goods, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa all have comparative disadvantage, but the position of South Africa is better than that of Nigeria and Ghana. Similarly, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa have comparative disadvantage in the export of capital goods, however, the position of South Africa is better than those of Nigeria and Ghana. Based on the findings, this study recommends that Nigeria should continue to strengthen its raw materials exports and at the same time, pursue policies and programmes that would improve the comparative advantage positions of its intermediate goods, consumer goods and capital goods export trade. In the area of trade negotiations, the findings of this study has been recommended to the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) for adoption in its preparations of guidelines on the rules of origin for stakeholders’ negotiations under AfCFTA Key words: Revealed Comparative Advantage, Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage, Goods, Free Trade Area, Nigeria. JEL Classification Codes: F10, F11, F12, F14.