Empirical Method Research Articles

Empirical calibration method for the thermal simulation of Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 single tracks in laser powder bed fusion

Empirical calibration method for the thermal simulation of Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 single tracks in laser powder bed fusion

ДОЦІЛЬНІСТЬ СТВОРЕННЯ ЕЛЕКТРОННОГО ОБЛІКУ ДОРОЖНІХ ЗНАКІВ

Introduction. Road signs form the framework of the driver's decision-making system in the process of driving a vehicle, in places of merging, separation and intersection of traffic and pedestrian flows. One of the most important characteristics of road signs is their brightness and ability to retroreflectivity at night. Signs should have clear feedback. The more fully and clearly the driver is informed about the conditions and the required mode of movement, the more accurate and error-free his actions are. Problem statement. The absence of accounting of all installed signs on the roads, signs that need to be replaced, signs that are at the end of their service life, as well as signs that meet or do not meet the requirements of regulatory documents in terms of retroreflective qualities. Objective. To analyze the software for electronic accounting of road signs, to determine the need and feasibility of developing and installing such software in road facilities. Materials and methods. Theoretical and empirical methods of scientific research are used to analyze the software for electronic accounting of road signs. Results. The analysis of foreign sources on the available software for electronic accounting of road signs was carried out.

An adaptive certified space-time reduced basis method for nonsmooth parabolic partial differential equations

In this paper, a nonsmooth semilinear parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) is considered. For a reduced basis (RB) approach, a space-time formulation is used to develop a certified a-posteriori error estimator. This error estimator is adopted to the presence of the discrete empirical interpolation method (DEIM) as approximation technique for the nonsmoothness. The separability of the estimated error into an RB and a DEIM part then guides the development of an adaptive RB-DEIM algorithm, combining both offline phases into one. Numerical experiments show the capabilities of this novel approach in comparison with classical RB and RB-DEIM approaches.

Machine learning investigation of polylactic acid bead foam extrusion

AbstractThis study employs machine learning algorithms to analyze the bead foam extrusion process and to assess the impact of processing parameters, specifically focusing on their effects on bead foam density and melt pressure in under water granulation (UWG) for polylactic acid (PLA). These interrelated parameters, influenced by processing parameters such as temperature, screw speed, and blowing agent, possess challenges for traditional empirical methods to capture. The key factors that significantly impact the prediction of melt pressure in UWG are blowing agent, injector pressure, temperature in B‐extruder and die size. Likewise, essential parameters for predicting bead foam density comprise blowing agent, injector pressure, temperature in B‐extruder, die plate temperature, melt temperature in B‐extruder, and melt pressure in B‐extruder. Machine learning (ML) models were employed to forecast bead foam density and melt pressure in UWG using various processing parameters in PLA bead foam extrusion. The random forest model achieved a high coefficient of determination score of 0.96 for predicting melt pressure in UWG. Additionally, the decision tree model demonstrated effective predictions for bead density, with the score: 0.81. These ML models can be applied to diverse materials, leading to more sustainable, efficient processes for bead foam extrusion.

A new portmanteau test for predictive regression models with possible embedded endogeneity

In the widely used predictive regression model, any possible serial correlation in innovations leads to estimation bias and statistical inference distortions. Hence, it is important to pretest the existence of such serial correlation. Nevertheless, in the presence of embedded endogeneity, which is a common problem in the predictive regression setting, traditional serial correlation tests such as Box–Pierce (BP) and Ljung–Box (LB) tests are found to perform poorly. Motivated by this, we develop a new portmanteau test in this article as a pretest for serial correlation in predictive regression under possible embedded endogeneity. This test is based on the sample splitting idea and the jackknife empirical likelihood method. The asymptotic distribution of the proposed test has been derived, and the Monte Carlo simulations confirm good finite sample performances. As an illustration, we apply our proposed test in pretesting the serial correlation in predictive regression, where financial variables are used to predict the excess return of S&P 500.

Derivation of Landslide Rainfall Thresholds by Geostatistical Methods in Southwest China

Derivation of Landslide Rainfall Thresholds by Geostatistical Methods in Southwest China

The Role of Value Orientations of High School Students in the Process of Choosing a Professional Activity

This article delves into the intricate details of research that focuses on analyzing specific aspects of value orientation in the process of high school students determining their future professional paths. The study delves into the essence of self-determination in the professional realm, identifies the problem, offers solutions, and pinpoints factors for successful implementation. It underscores the crucial role of a complex value orientation in personality development and individuality formation. An individual's attitude towards themselves, the world, and the future, including their career, is reflected through priorities and values. These value orientations can serve as a dependable guide for high school students when making successful professional choices. The conducted research supports the hypothesis that value orientation is an essential factor in shaping a mature personality. Value orientation plays a pivotal role in making informed decisions about future careers. Labor value orientations are particularly important and can serve as a solid foundation for high school students as they navigate their professional paths.The purpose of this study is to study the influence of Labor value orientation on the process of professional self-determination of modern high school students.To achieve the purpose of the research, various methodological approaches are used, including systemic, socio-psychological and axiological approaches oriented on the humanist principle. Various methods have been used to conduct research, including theoretical analysis of scientific research, organizational approaches, and empirical methods such as observation, questionnaires, and psychodiagnostic methods.This article conducted a bibliometric analysis of the problem, as well as empirical research. Thanks to the experiment carried out, it turned out that most of the high school students surveyed suffer from a certain anxiety that prevents them from choosing professional preferences that correspond to their abilities, desires and needs.

UN General Assembly Resolution 76/262 as a strengthening of the collective response to the use of the veto right in the UN Security Council

The article describes the legal nature of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 76/262 (A/76/L.52) entitled "Standing mandate for a General Assembly debate when a veto is cast in the Security Council", adopted on April 26, 2022. We have analyzed this topic due to its relevance and the emergence of a new procedure of the United Nations General Assembly, aimed at increasing of the transparency and accountability of the United Nations Security Council, as a result of the ineffective activity of the Security Council in crisis in which our world finds itself today, in particular due to armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have led to complex humanitarian consequences. Many states and scientists have been expressing their interest in the issue of Security Council reform for a long time. We deeply researched the Resolution which is the first in a long time and a significant legal instrument that changes the existing mechanism of the functioning of the United Nations and has revived the discussions on the need for a complete reform of the Security Council in accordance with Resolution 62/557 of December 15, 2008. The purpose of the article is an overview of the new Resolution 76/262, namely the reasons and expediency of its adoption, cases of application and its effectiveness in modern conditions. The methodological basis of the study are the following general scientific and special methods of cognition of legal phenomena: the method of the philosophical level – the dialectical method; empirical methods – comparative, observation and description methods; general logical methods – analysis, synthesis; specially-legal method. The article analyzes the main provisions of Resolution 76/262, the reasons for its adoption, examines cases of its application, and draws conclusions about the effectiveness of this resolution. We have differentiated the procedures provided for by Resolution 76/262 "Standing mandate for a General Assembly debate when a veto is cast in the Security Council" and Resolution 377 (V) "Uniting for Peace". We have reviewed the international legal conceptual foundations of the need to apply the resolution. The topic of reforming the United Nations against the backdrop of the current world security crisis is very important and relevant for further research by domestic scientists in order to formulate their own proposals, approaches and scientific justifications in the modern Ukrainian science of international public law, as well as for the scientific enlightenment of society in this of knowledge.

Customs services and ways to improve their quality in the context of digitalisation

This article is devoted to problems of the process of rendering services in the field of customs during digitalisation of the economy. The observed mechanism of rendering state customs services, as well as improving their quality, naturally affect the entire service sector and the development of the country’s economy as a whole. The main purposes of the article are to analyse the mechanism of rendering services in the field of customs and to search for effective methods of assessing their quality. The relevance of the article is determined by the need to improve the operations performed to be able to manage the quality of provided customs services. The main objective of this article is to propose possible ways to reduce time costs without losing the quality of customs control in the process of providing the services. The article used both theoretical (analysis of the current legislation) and empirical research methods (giving practical examples of improving the efficiency of customs operations and the quality of customs services). The results of the study are the following: development of sequential operations performed by customs authorities in the process of rendering services in the field of customs; proposal of possible criteria for assessing their quality; formulation of options for managing this quality.

Unveiling the relationships between visibility, information technologies and innovation management for sustainability performance: an empirical study

PurposeThe paper investigates how visibility, information technology and innovation management impact sustainability performance. It proposes a framework explaining the role of visibility in driving firms' sustainable performance and the relevance of innovation management and information technologies in enhancing organisational visibility. This study intends to add to the discussion within the management literature about the potential of innovation management to drive sustainability. It seeks to provide insight into the practices that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can adopt to improve their sustainable performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing empirical methods, the study investigates SMEs in central Mexico. The demographic information in the dataset includes 15 years as an average length of service from firms. Of the surveyed firms, 70% were from the manufacturing sector and 30% were from the service sector, as these are the most representative sectors of the productive region. A variance-based structural equation model approach was used to test the hypotheses, processed with the partial least squares (PLS) regression method.FindingsThe research results show that visibility significantly impacts sustainability performance. Innovation management has a higher influence on visibility than information technologies, emphasising the need to improve the quality of information in firms, not just the tools. The findings support managers in comprehending the crucial importance of visibility in aiding firms to achieve higher sustainability performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study only examined a sample of Mexican SMEs; therefore, the findings' generalizability must be considered within this context. Secondly, the survey only focused on services and manufacturing firms and a more detailed analysis of the sector could provide further clarity on the relationships between variables. As a result, future research should consider these limitations and explore additional contexts to improve the overall understanding of the topic. Moreover, the scale used to measure the variables was adapted from other researchers with similar context research and reflective variables.Practical implicationsThe results provide helpful information for SME managers about the importance of focusing on innovation management processes and employing information technologies as crucial managerial strategies. This will aid in increasing visibility and supporting the development of sustainability performance in firms.Social implicationsThe world red-code, among others, with climate change and social gaps, has generated the need to contribute to sustainable development, and it has mobilised people on all levels all over the world for the simple purpose of preserving life. Therefore, society, as a crucial group that affects and is affected by this red-code situation, should act in favour of visibility, the use of high-quality information (e.g. transparent, accessible and relevant) and information technologies to promote sustainable practices. This could mean that society should be prepared to incorporate new capabilities and spaces to interchange knowledge as a participatory community that can contribute to better sustainable dynamics that could expand its participation in public decisions. Also, the government should encourage digital democracy (e.g. develop social participation platforms), opening and harmonising rules and mechanisms combining high-quality information with IT to provide flexible and adequate services that support sustainable development, such as efforts towards constructing sustainable and smart cities.Originality/valueThis study explores how innovation management can drive firms' sustainability performance, which is crucial for improving competitiveness. The question of how to enhance sustainability performance through managerial drivers is a critical one. This study empirically investigates the nexus of visibility and sustainability performance, innovation management and information technology with visibility.

Penegakan Hukum Terhadap Pelaku Pengrusakan Objek Wisata Ke’te’ Kesu’ Toraja Utara

This study aims to analyze the enforcement of sanctions against perpetrators of the destruction of tourist objects in Ke'te' Kesu' North Toraja. This research uses empirical legal research methods with a statutory approach. The results of this study indicate that the enforcement of sanctions against the perpetrators of the destruction of tourist objects in Ke'te' Kesu' North Toraja is still less effective and the case has not been followed up, despite having a Regional Regulation of North Toraja Regency Number 7 of 2016. There are several obstacles faced in the application of sanctions in law enforcement against perpetrators of destruction of tourist objects due to, among others: (1) the civil service police unit can’t apply criminal sanctions because it does not have an agreement from the Police, Prosecutor's Office, and the Court; (2) the budget is slow or even non-existent so that the civil service police unit can’t move in guarding every tourist who enters North Toraja, and (3) the lack of personnel of the civil service police unit, so that it does not reach every violation of the destruction of Ke'te Kesu' Toraja Utara tourist objects.

Assessing cardiovascular stress based on heart rate variability in female shift workers: a multiscale-multifractal analysis approach

IntroductionSleep-wake cycle disruption caused by shift work may lead to cardiovascular stress, which is observed as an alteration in the behavior of heart rate variability (HRV). In particular, HRV exhibits complex patterns over different time scales that help to understand the regulatory mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system, and changes in the fractality of HRV may be associated with pathological conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or even psychological stress. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the multifractal-multiscale structure of HRV during sleep in healthy shift and non-shift workers to identify conditions of cardiovascular stress that may be associated with shift work.MethodsThe whole-sleep HRV signal was analyzed from female participants: eleven healthy shift workers and seven non-shift workers. The HRV signal was decomposed into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using the empirical mode decomposition method, and then the IMFs were analyzed using the multiscale-multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MMF-DFA) method. The MMF-DFA was applied to estimate the self-similarity coefficients, α(q, τ), considering moment orders (q) between –5 and +5 and scales (τ) between 8 and 2,048 s. Additionally, to describe the multifractality at each τ in a simple way, a multifractal index, MFI(τ), was computed.ResultsCompared to non-shift workers, shift workers presented an increase in the scaling exponent, α(q, τ), at short scales (τ < 64 s) with q < 0 in the high-frequency component (IMF1, 0.15–0.4 Hz) and low-frequency components (IMF2–IMF3, 0.04–0.15 Hz), and with q> 0 in the very low frequencies (IMF4, < 0.04 Hz). In addition, at large scales (τ> 1,024 s), a decrease in α(q, τ) was observed in IMF3, suggesting an alteration in the multifractal dynamic. MFI(τ) showed an increase at small scales and a decrease at large scales in IMFs of shift workers.ConclusionThis study helps to recognize the multifractality of HRV during sleep, beyond simply looking at indices based on means and variances. This analysis helps to identify that shift workers show alterations in fractal properties, mainly on short scales. These findings suggest a disturbance in the autonomic nervous system induced by the cardiovascular stress of shift work.

Digital carbon neutrality: evidence of carbon emission reduction based on digital inclusive finance.

As a powerful engine for economic reform and curbing carbon emissions, digital inclusive finance provides solid support for achieving the goal of digital carbon neutrality. This study reveals the positive effect of digital inclusive finance on carbon emission reduction and the deeper reasons behind it by digging deeper into the panel data of 213 cities in China. The study adopts advanced empirical analysis methods to rigorously test the association between digital inclusive finance and carbon emissions. The results show that there is a strong positive correlation between the booming development of digital inclusive finance and the significant decline in carbon emissions. This finding remains solid after several rounds of robustness tests, which fully proves the reliability of the research results. Further mechanism analysis reveals the multiple paths of digital financial inclusion on carbon emission reduction. First, it promotes the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure by optimizing the allocation of financial resources, thus reducing the proportion of high-carbon emission industries. Second, digital inclusive finance attracts more foreign capital inflows and introduces advanced low-carbon technologies and management experience, further promoting the development of low-carbon economy. In addition, the study also found that the differences between different cities in terms of geographic location and city size have a significant impact on the carbon emission reduction effect of digital inclusive finance. In particular, the carbon emission reduction effect of digital inclusive finance is particularly significant in western regions, central cities, and first-tier cities. In response to these findings, this paper proposes a series of targeted policy recommendations. First, the financial service system should be further optimized to increase the coverage and penetration of digital inclusive finance, especially in less developed regions and small- and medium-sized cities. Second, regional policy synergies should be strengthened to form a strong synergy to promote the development of a low-carbon economy. In addition, it should guide capital flows to low-carbon industries and encourage enterprises to increase green technology research and development and application, while actively promoting low-carbon consumption concepts and guiding consumers to form green consumption habits. Through the implementation of these measures, it is expected that the potential of digital inclusive finance in the development of a low-carbon economy will be further stimulated, making a greater contribution to the realization of the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

Toward cost-effective quantum circuit simulation with performance tuning techniques

Quantum circuit simulation is a popular approach to evaluating novel quantum algorithms before a physical quantum computer is available. Unfortunately, the simulation is often done with the full-state quantum circuit simulation scheme, and a huge memory space required by a full-state simulator is a limiting factor for the simulation of a larger qubit system. In this work, in order to support the simulation of a broadened qubit system, storage devices are introduced into the full-state quantum circuit simulation. A vertical qubit simulation design is proposed for the storage-based, full-state quantum circuit simulation, including qubit representation, threading model, and parallel state manipulations over storage devices. An empirical method of simulator parameter tuning is developed to achieve higher simulation performance. Our experimental results show that compared with the state-of-the-art memory-only simulator (QuEST), the storage-based simulation can achieve a 61x higher cost-delay ratio and can simulate a 39-qubit system on a commodity computer. The encouraging results indicate that our proposed simulator can help scale the full-state simulation for larger quantum circuits and achieve higher performance via the performance tuning method.

Building a sustainable future: Exploring the nexus between climate awareness and thermal insulation choices in new home construction

Climate change is considered a major threat to the environment and society as a whole. Reducing building energy consumption through the use of thermal insulation is one way of combating climate change. This study examines the impact of climate change awareness on the pre-construction decision of Lebanese homeowners to use thermal insulation in their new homes. A model building consisting of a typical 160 m2 single-family home was used and its thermal loads were calculated in two cases: insulated and uninsulated case, in three different locations in Lebanon: Beirut, Chtaura, and Bcharre-Arz. The thermal loads were calculated using two methods: the degree-days empirical method, and the Hourly Analysis Program software numerical method. The computations showed energy reduction ranging between 23% in the coastal region to 52% in high mountains when thermal insulation of thickness 5 cm was used. The investment payback period ranged from 4.3 years in the coastal region to 1.5 years in the high mountains. A survey addressed to 100 respondents was used to understand how Lebanese homeowners’ decision to use thermal insulation was affected by knowledge of the obtained results. The survey results showed that climate change awareness has a high impact on this decision; however, the cost seems to play an important role in the owners’ final decision on whether or not to use thermal insulation. Spreading awareness about climate change and the payback periods of building thermal insulation will increase its use since the number of respondents refusing to use thermal insulation drastically decreased after being informed about its payback period.

Polish Film Institute: Selected Legal and Financial Aspects

Legal issues concerning cinematography are part of the constitutional regulations concerning national heritage and cultural heritage. Supporting the development of cinematography is the main task of the Polish Film Institute. The aim of this article was to examine the legal and financial issues concerning this state legal entity (in particular, its revenues and expenses). In addition, the authors set out to determine whether the Polish Film Institute is an effective entity and whether its functioning is beneficial to Polish culture and national heritage. The publication uses a dogmatic-legal method and an empirical method (the financial plans of the Polish Film Art Institute from 2017–2022 were analysed).

Adaptive designs in public health: Vaccine and cluster randomized trials go Bayesian.

Clinical trials in public health-particularly those conducted in low- and middle-income countries-often involve communicable and non-communicable diseases with high disease burden and unmet needs. Trials conducted in these regions often are faced with resource limitations, so improving the efficiencies of these trials is critical. Adaptive trial designs have the potential to save trial time and resources and reduce the number of patients receiving ineffective interventions. In this paper, we provide a detailed account of the implementation of vaccine and cluster randomized trials within the framework of Bayesian adaptive trials, with emphasis on computational efficiency and flexibility with regard to stopping rules and allocation ratios. We offer an educated approach to selecting prior distributions and a data-driven empirical Bayes method for plug-in estimates for nuisance parameters.

The situation of bringing to justice of a deliberately innocent person

The aim of the work is the research such a feature of the objective side as the situation of a criminal offense provided for in Article 372 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The topicality is due to the lack of scientific development of the situation of bringing to justice of a deliberately innocent person, which leads to its neglect in practical activities when establishing the objective side of the crime. The methodological basis of the study is the complex of such methods as empirical, general logical and special legal methods, since the research of the problem of the situation requires the use of a wide toolkit of methodology. For example, empirical methods were used to study the practical implementation of normative prescriptions in judicial practice. The comparative legal method was necessary for a qualitative comparison of adjacent and competing criminal offenses in order to distinguish them. In addition, the terminological approach was applied to clarify the definition of the situation, which was not only contained in the science of criminal law for its unambiguous understanding. The article consistently examines the general concept of the circumstances of the commission of a crime in various aspects, first of all, in criminal law and criminalistics, as well as the need to establish the situation during the investigation of all criminal offenses, regardless of its fixation in the disposition of an article of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It was analyzed the circumstances of the commission of the crime provided for in Article 372 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which is not enshrined in the specified article, but directly follows from its content and is the obligatory feature of the objective side, because the commission of this crime outside the pre-trial investigation excludes qualification by this article of the Criminal Code. The practical significance of the research lies in the theoretical provision of pre-trial investigation and trial with the aim of properly establishing all the circumstances relevant to the case and the correct qualification of a person’s actions under Article 372 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. According to the results of the conducted research, the definition of the situation of bringing to justice of a deliberately innocent person is singled out. It was determined that the commission of this crime is possible only during and under the conditions of a pre-trial investigation, which would simultaneously be the stage of criminal proceedings, the period of time of its conduct, and the procedural activity of authorized persons.

Conflict Governance between Protected Areas and Surrounding Communities: Willingness and Behaviors of Communities—Empirical Evidence from Tanzania

Under the dual pressures of climate change and human activities, the restrictions imposed by conservation policies, along with the increasing overlap between wildlife protected areas (PAs) and community living areas, have intensified the contradictions and conflicts between PAs and surrounding communities. Effective governance of such conflicts is particularly crucial to reconciling the contradictions between conservation and development. This study takes the Mikumi–Selous areas in Tanzania, Africa, as a case study. Through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, it explores the current state of conflicts between PAs and communities in the study area and summarizes conflict governance measures. Moreover, this research focuses on identifying various factors that influence the conservation willingness and action of community residents, further validating the relationships between residents’ household characteristics, conservation costs and benefits, conservation cognition, willingness, and behaviors through empirical analysis methods. The results indicate that residents’ conservation cognition significantly positively impacts their conservation willingness and behaviors, while conservation willingness also positively affects their conservation behaviors. Additionally, it was found that conservation costs inhibit residents’ conservation willingness and behaviors. This study primarily explores, from a community governance perspective, the participation willingness and behaviors of core stakeholders in conflict governance, emphasizing the critical role of community involvement in achieving biodiversity conservation and coordinated community development and providing a new perspective for alleviating conservation and development issues.

Participant Observation and Research on Fitness “Daily Attendance” in the Context of Social Media

The "fitness fever" emerging in social media platforms has attracted a large number of users to participate in “daily attendance”. Based on participant observation, questionnaire survey and other empirical research methods, this study observes the users who participate in fitness “daily attendance” and webcast influencers who organize fitness “daily attendance”, so as to analyze their behavior characteristics in the context of social media. This paper finds that during the participation in fitness “daily attendance”, webcast influencers actively interact with users and make efforts in agenda setting, participation motivation and communication content, thus clarifying the logic behind the fitness “daily attendance”.