Small Opening Research Articles

Editorial for the Special Issue of Comparative Economic Studies: 50 Years After the End of Bretton Woods—The Experiences of Small Open Economies

AbstractThis special issue of Comparative Economic Studies, commemorating fifty years since the end of the Bretton Woods system, examines the adjustment of small open economies to floating exchange rates and new monetary policy frameworks. Based on a workshop held at the KOF Swiss Economic Institute in June 2023, six papers analyse dimensions such as the evolution of monetary policy regimes, the impact of economic crises and the use of unconventional monetary policies in Canada, Israel, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The findings highlight the benefits and limitations of inflation targeting, the challenges of global financial integration and the strategic responses of central banks to maintain stability and independence, providing policymakers with valuable insights into the complex dynamics of monetary policy in the post-Bretton Woods era.

Large-deformation finite-element modelling of face instability during tunnelling in clayey soils: Incorporating dynamic excavation process

Earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunnelling plays a crucial role in urban infrastructure development but faces challenges due to potential face instability. Previous studies often overlook the impact of dynamic excavation processes on face stability, particularly in clayey soils. This study proposes a three-dimensional coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) large-deformation approach to explore the failure process of tunnel face in clayey soils during both EPB shutdown and excavation conditions by incorporating the influence of dynamic excavation process. The findings reveal that the face stability during dynamic excavation conditions is consistently lower than that during EPB shutdown, indicating that neglecting dynamic excavation effects could overestimate face stability, potentially compromising construction safety. Moreover, when considering the dynamic excavation process, the opening ratio ξ (the ratio between the cross-section area of cutterhead opening to the total area of tunnel face) is a critical factor affecting face stability. As expected, the face is more stable for a small opening ratio (e.g., ξ = 15 %) while face stability is reduced for a large opening ratio (e.g., ξ = 30 % and 50 %). This is because for large opening ratio, the soil disturbance caused by the cutterhead excavation process exceeds the supportive effect that the cutterhead panels can provide to the face. Finally, the obtained numerical results were used to calculate support pressure in a real tunnel project considering the dynamic excavation process, which matches well with the measured data in the project, validating the effectiveness and superiority of the current CEL approach in modelling face instability and estimating face support pressure. This study offers a significant advancement over the traditional methods for the design of support pressure in clayey soils, providing new insight into the dynamic cutterhead-soil interaction and valuable guidance for reducing the risk of face collapse.

How Much Price Stickiness in Hong Kong? —Evidence from Small Open Economy DSGE and Indirect Inference

How Much Price Stickiness in Hong Kong? —Evidence from Small Open Economy DSGE and Indirect Inference

Seepage monitoring and leaks detection along an earth dam with a multi-sensor thermal-active system

Thermal investigation using linear sensors installed in the ground is currently one of the most effective methods for analyzing seepage processes in the bodies of earth dams or dikes and their subsoil, including leaks detection. However, linear, fiber-optic temperature sensors present several limitations when applied to existing structures, including installation difficulties and substantial costs. To enhance the applicability of the thermal method for studying subsurface water flow, a novel Multi-Point Thermal-Active Monitoring method has been devised. The approach consists of installing, through hammering, thermal-active sensors side-by-side in the ground, at the same depth in a single line thereby achieving quasi-continuous measurements along the structure. Small openings from sensor installation are secured with bentonite and do not pose a threat to the structure. Each sensor is equipped with a micro-heater, which enables the use of the thermo-active method to determine in-situ seepage velocity. This article describes this method and its initial application in 2014 on one of the Polish earth dams. This application enabled the detection of two leakage zones and the monitoring of their flow velocities, leading to the successful validation of the described technology.

A small opening in the storm clouds: overview of the registry-based study on the management of thyroid storm.

Due to the high mortality rate of TS, effective guidance for its diagnosis and treatment is essential. The diagnostic criteria introduced by the JTA in 2012, along with the Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale, constitute valuable tools for the diagnosis of TS. In 2016, Guidelines on the management of TS were produced by the JTA and the JES. Recently, a prospective multicenter register-based study compared the prognosis and outcome of 110 new-onset TS patients with the results of previous comparable studies and evaluated the efficacy of the Guidelines. The study revealed higher APACHE II scores and significant correlations between lower BMI, post-resuscitation shock, and fever with outcomes and, overall, improved TS prognosis. Most patients in the study received methimazole and potassium iodide, the timely administration of which was linked to lower fatality rates. Adherence to treatment guidelines correlates with lower mortality rates, emphasizing the importance of experienced multidisciplinary teams in ICU settings and the necessity for periodic review of the guidelines to enhance therapeutic approaches and reduce mortality.

Rp3: Ribosome profiling-assisted proteogenomics improves coverage and confidence during microprotein discovery

There has been a dramatic increase in the identification of non-canonical translation and a significant expansion of the protein-coding genome. Among the strategies used to identify unannotated small Open Reading Frames (smORFs) that encode microproteins, Ribosome profiling (Ribo-Seq) is the gold standard for the annotation of novel coding sequences by reporting on smORF translation. In Ribo-Seq, ribosome-protected footprints (RPFs) that map to multiple genomic sites are removed since they cannot be unambiguously assigned to a specific genomic location. Furthermore, RPFs necessarily result in short (25-34 nucleotides) reads, increasing the chance of multi-mapping alignments, such that smORFs residing in these regions cannot be identified by Ribo-Seq. Moreover, it has been challenging to identify protein evidence for Ribo-Seq. To solve this, we developed Rp3, a pipeline that integrates proteogenomics and Ribosome profiling to provide unambiguous evidence for a subset of microproteins missed by current Ribo-Seq pipelines. Here, we show that Rp3 maximizes proteomics detection and confidence of microprotein-encoding smORFs.

Femora nutrient foramina and aerobic capacity in giant extinct xenarthrans.

Nutrient foramina are small openings in the periosteal surface of the mid-shaft region of long bones that traverse the cortical layer and reach the medullary cavity. They are important for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to bone tissue and are crucial for the repair and remodeling of bones over time. The nutrient foramina in the femur's diaphysis are related to the energetic needs of the femur and have been shown to be related to the maximum metabolic rate (MMR) of taxa. Here, we investigate the relationship between nutrient foramen size and body mass as a proxy to the aerobic capacity of taxa in living and extinct xenarthrans, including living sloths, anteaters, and armadillos, as well as extinct xenarthrans such as glyptodonts, pampatheres, and ground sloths. Seventy femora were sampled, including 20 from extant taxa and 50 from extinct taxa. We obtained the blood flow rate (Q̇) based on foramina area and performed PGLS and phylogenetic ANCOVA in order to explore differences among mammalian groups. Our results show that, among mammals, taxa commonly associated with lower metabolism like living xenarthrans showed relatively smaller foramina, while the foramina of giant extinct xenarthrans like ground sloths and glyptodonts overlapped with non-xenarthran placentals. Consequently, Q̇ estimations indicated aerobic capacities comparable to other placental giant taxa like elephants or some ungulates. Furthermore, the estimation of the MMR for fossil giant taxa showed similar results, with almost all taxa showing high values except for those for which strong semi-arboreal or fossorial habits have been proposed. Moreover, the results are compatible with the diets predicted for extinct taxa, which indicate a strong consumption of grass similar to ungulates and in contrast to the folivorous or insectivorous diets of extant xenarthrans. The ancestral reconstruction of the MMR values indicated a lack of a common pattern for all xenarthrans, strongly supporting the occurrence of low metabolic rates in extant forms due to their particular dietary preferences and arboreal or fossorial habits. Our results highlight the importance of considering different evidence beyond the phylogenetic position of extinct taxa, especially when extinct forms are exceptionally different from their extant relatives. Future studies evaluating the energetic needs of giant extinct xenarthrans should not assume lower metabolic rates for these extinct animals based solely on their phylogenetic position and the observations on their extant relatives.

Effects of current intensities on material removal rate, electrode wear rate, and surface roughness of machining high carbon high chromium steel

AbstractThe electrical discharge machining is very successful and generally recognized for producing complicated shapes and small openings with exceptional precision. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of different electrical discharge machining parameters on the attributes of the machining process. The evaluation of the machining process was conducted based on the workpiece‘s material removal rate, the rate at which the electrodes wear, and the level of surface roughness. Simultaneously achieving a high material removal rate, low electrode wear rate, and high surface roughness is not possible with a specific combination of approaches due to their contradicting nature. Frequently, it is necessary to independently apply many measures instantaneously in order to assess their impact on various responses. This research investigates the machining of high carbon high chromium steel making use of electrical discharge machining with aluminum, copper, and graphite electrodes. The study focuses on the impact of different current intensities on the rate of material removal, electrode wear, and surface roughness. The experimental results demonstrate that the highest material removal rate (mmcubicmin−1) is achieved at a current density of 12 A when using a copper electrode (54.67), as opposed to aluminum electrode (22.91) and graphite electrode (29.43).

The effects of brick wall and RC tie variables on the seismic performance of low-rise confined masonry buildings

An extensive parametric investigation is carried out to determine the effects of different RC tie system and brick wall variables on the performance of confined masonry walls and buildings. The variables considered include: the number of storeys and adjacent walls, the walls aspect ratio, thickness and compressive strength of masonry walls, presence of openings, the RC tie system dimensions, compressive strength and detailing of the longitudinal and transverse reinforcements. The main aim of the investigation is to verify the efficiency of some of the prescriptive code recommendations and to provide a basis for further descriptive guidelines for low-rise confined masonry buildings. Among the major conclusions, it is found that the main affecting parameters are those of the masonry walls themselves. When the walls have sufficient shear capacities, due to lower aspect ratio, higher compressive strength and wall thickness and lack of, or small openings, the flexural demand on the tie system is small and its elements act mainly as axially-loaded tie elements. Therefore, the least affecting parameters are those of the tie system's reinforcement detailing. However, when the masonry walls are weak in shear (low masonry strength and large openings), the demand on the tie system increases, to the point that instead of acting as an integral part of the wall, it acts similar to a weak, moment-resisting frame having infill masonry walls, for which it has not been designed. The scenarios that this will happen include: the wall aspect ratios AR > 2, the masonry compressive strength, f′m < 5.0 MPa and the ratio of length of opening to the length of the wall, Ol/Wl > 0.5. To avoid such behaviour, it is also suggested that the tensile stresses in the longitudinal bars of the RC tie elements be limited to 0.6fy.

D-sORF: Accurate Ab Initio Classification of Experimentally Detected Small Open Reading Frames (sORFs) Associated with Translational Machinery.

Small open reading frames (sORFs; <300 nucleotides or <100 amino acids) are widespread across all genomes, and an increasing variety of them appear to be translating from non-genic regions. Over the past few decades, peptides produced from sORFs have been identified as functional in various organisms, from bacteria to humans. Despite recent advances in next-generation sequencing and proteomics, accurate annotation and classification of sORFs remain a rate-limiting step toward reliable and high-throughput detection of small proteins from non-genic regions. Additionally, the cost of computational methods utilizing machine learning is lower than that of biological experiments, and they can be employed to detect sORFs, laying the groundwork for biological experiments. We present D-sORF, a machine-learning framework that integrates the statistical nucleotide context and motif information around the start codon to predict coding sORFs. D-sORF scores directly for coding identity and requires only the underlying genomic sequence, without incorporating parameters such as the conservation, which, in the case of sORFs, may increase the dispersion of scores within the significantly less conserved non-genic regions. D-sORF achieves 94.74% precision and 92.37% accuracy for small ORFs (using the 99 nt medium length window). When D-sORF is applied to sORFs associated with ribosomes, the identification of transcripts producing peptides (annotated by the Ensembl IDs) is similar to or superior to experimental methodologies based on ribosome-sequencing (Ribo-Seq) profiling. In parallel, the recognition of putative negative data, such as the intron-containing transcripts that associate with ribosomes, remains remarkably low, indicating that D-sORF could be efficiently applied to filter out false-positive sORFs from Ribo-Seq data because of the non-productive ribosomal binding or noise inherent in these protocols.

A Study on Three-Dimensional Multi-Cluster Fracturing Simulation under the Influence of Natural Fractures

Multi-cluster fracturing has emerged as an effective technique for enhancing the productivity of deep shale reservoirs. The presence of natural bedding planes in these reservoirs plays a significant role in shaping the evolution and development of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures. Therefore, conducting detailed research on the propagation mechanisms of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures in deep shale formations is crucial for optimizing reservoir transformation efficiency and achieving effective development outcomes. This study employs the finite discrete element method (FDEM) to construct a comprehensive three-dimensional simulation model of multi-cluster fracturing, considering the number of natural fractures present and the geo-mechanical characteristics of a target block. The propagation of hydraulic fractures is investigated in response to the number of natural fractures and the design of the multi-cluster fracturing operations. The simulation results show that, consistent with previous research on fracturing in shale oil and gas reservoirs, an increase in the number of fracturing clusters and natural fractures leads to a larger total area covered by artificial fractures and the development of more intricate fracture patterns. Furthermore, the present study highlights that an escalation in the number of fracturing clusters results in a notable reduction in the balanced expansion of the double wings of the main fracture within the reservoir. Instead, the effects of natural fractures, geo-stress, and other factors contribute to enhanced phenomena such as single-wing expansion, bifurcation, and the bending of different main fractures, facilitating the creation of complex artificial fracture networks. It is important to note that the presence of natural fractures can also significantly alter the failure mode of artificial fractures, potentially resulting in the formation of small opening shear fractures that necessitate careful evaluation of the overall renovation impact. Moreover, this study demonstrates that even in comparison to single-cluster fracturing, the presence of 40 natural main fractures in the region can lead to the development of multiple branching main fractures. This finding underscores the importance of considering natural fractures in deep reservoir fracturing operations. In conclusion, the findings of this study offer valuable insights for optimizing deep reservoir fracturing processes in scenarios where natural fractures play a vital role in shaping fracture development.

A SWOT Analysis of Small Private Online Courses

While some research has been conducted to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Small Private Open Courses (SPOCs), a significant research gap exists in comprehensively examining the opportunities and threats they face. To determine if SPOCs are beneficial to learners, the authors adopted the PRISMA protocol to filter literature for SWOT analysis in SPOCs. The authors identified and analyzed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by SPOCs using a SWOT analysis method. The strengths of SPOCs include high-quality content and course delivery, accessibility, and personalization. Weaknesses involve lack of social interaction, limited resources, credentialing issues. Their opportunities consist of market growth, collaboration with other institutions, and access to new student markets. Their threats include competition from traditional courses, technology updates, and student privacy concerns.

Rationale and tips and tricks for transgastric robotic pancreaticogastrostomy by the double purse-string technique.

Pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) is a viable option for selected patients needing a pancreatic anastomosis. The double purse-string technique can facilitate the construction of transgastric PG but in a minimally invasive approach can lead to complications due to lack of tactile feedback. We present an adaptation of double purse-string PG for the robotic surgery, with several modifications. Firstly, the inner purse-string suture is tied through the anterior gastrotomy to improve the approximation of gastric and pancreatic serosae. Secondly, all-around-the-clock intragastric interrupted mattress sutures of e-PTFE are used to secure the pancreatic remnant to the stomach, enhancing improve hemostasis. Thirdly, e-PTFE sutures precise tension calibration due to their elastic properties and resistance to robotic manipulation. Fourthly, retroperitoneal vessels are preemptively covered by passing the pancreatic remnant through a small opening in the omentum, which is rotated upward in the omental bursa. This technique was employed in 20 PGs with no grade C postoperative pancreatic fistula. It offers a viable option robotic pancreatic anastomosis.

Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Rectangular Opening in Flexural and Shear Zone

Transverse openings in reinforced concrete beams use to house the utility services like electricity cable, Internet cable, air-conditioning pipe, fire safety pipe line and water-drainage system. These beams opening pipe line system are usually placed underneath the soffit of the beam in term of dead space. This height of dead space that increase the overall building height. Beam opening in the reinforced concrete beams significantly decreases the ultimate load carrying capacity of beam. Transverse beam opening in the web portion of beam produces discontinuities in the usual flow of stresses and that leading stress concentration around the opening region. The importance of this study is to evaluate the performance of reinforced concrete beam with varying size rectangular opening at flexure and shear location ware investigated. A nonlinear finite element analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of different size openings, in terms of ultimate load carrying capacity, Elemental Stresses, load-deflection plot, crack pattern. The work involves investigating performance of different size of small and large rectangular opening. This paper gives new challenges for engineering practice which is in the field of strengthening of concrete structures especially in transverse RC beams with rectangular openings.

Clonal response of a recalcitrant understory shrub, Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum Oeder.) to forest gaps

After canopy removing disturbance, recalcitrant understory shrubs can rapidly occupy the forest understory to the detriment of tree regeneration and growth. The expansion of recalcitrant species has been documented following stand replacing disturbances, such as fire and timber harvest. However, there is little information on how these species respond to much smaller canopy gaps created by the senescence and (or) death of single or groups of canopy trees. In this study, we determined the response of Labrador tea ( Rhododendron groenlandicum Oeder.), a recalcitrant ericaceous shrub, to canopy gaps in a late-successional boreal forest in northwestern Ontario, Canada. We evaluated functional traits related to the morphology and regeneration strategy of this plant to elucidate the mechanism of gap filling. We found that R. groenlandicum abundance and vigor were greater at the center of treefall gaps than in gap edges or the forest understory due to aggressive sprouting from buried clonal bud banks. Layering was higher in canopy gaps than in the understory. The composition of ground cover and rooting substrate was more influential on the adventitious rooting of the layered stems than increased light availability in gaps. We found a strong response of R. groenlandicum to small canopy openings, suggesting that the species can form recalcitrant understory layers even in the absence of stand replacing disturbance.

Fire behavior of high‐contents recycled aggregate concrete composite slabs with small openings

AbstractRecycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is increasingly being used in the construction of structural elements. However, the performance of RAC elements under fire is usually considered to be inferior to that of normal concrete (NC) elements. This study investigates the fire behavior of RAC composite steel slabs with and without openings. Ten slabs of size of 1.0 m × 2.2 m were cast either with no opening, one or two circular openings, and one or two square openings. Five of the slabs were manufactured with 100% RAC, while the other five slabs were made with NC. The concrete slabs were loaded and subjected to fire tests at a temperature of about 900°C for 120 min. Test results show that RAC composite slabs have lower stiffness (thus larger mid‐span deflections) under fire exposure compared to their counterpart NC slabs. In terms of the recorded temperature–time curves, RAC slabs showed similar performance to that of NC slabs. The ratio of soffit temperature to the temperature at the top of slab was considerably smaller for RAC slabs compared to NC slabs. RAC slabs also showed more spalling than NC slabs. Experimental test results were numerically verified using PyroSim® software with the two showing good agreement. A series of new design charts for composite RAC slabs with desired fire endurance are proposed. This study is expected to promote the wider use of RAC in construction of structural elements, particularly of composite slabs exposed to extreme temperatures.

Analysis of Pressure Fluctuation of a Pump-Turbine with Splitter Blades on Small Opening in Turbine Mode

Unstable flow in a pump-turbine can cause pressure pulsation, and the resulting vibration deteriorates the stability and operating safety of the unit. This study conducted three-dimensional numerical calculations of the overall flow passage of a pump-turbine with splitter blades under the small guide vane opening, and the unsteady flow characteristics of the turbine were investigated. The results showed that the pressure fluctuation was more severe at lower head operating conditions with lower efficiency, especially in the vaneless area (the runner blade passages). Under the lower head condition, the proportion of 12 times the rotational frequency (12 f/fn) increased in the vaneless area, and the amplitude of 1 f/fn as well as 2 f/fn became larger in the runner blade channel, with more space occupied by vortices and reflux areas. A spiral vortex rope formed in the draft tube, increasing the proportion of 0.4 f/fn and 0.7 f/fn pressure pulses.

Reversal Surgery for Split Stoma with Peristomal Incision is Associated with Improved Postoperative Outcome in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Background Temporary stoma formation is common in Crohn’s disease (CD), while stoma reversal is associated with postoperative morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of split stoma reversal, SSR (i.e., exteriorization of proximal and distal ends of the stoma through a small common opening) and end stoma closure, ESC (i.e., the proximal stump externalized, and distal end localized abdominally. Methods Patients with CD who underwent stoma reversal surgeries between January 2017 and December 2021 were included. Demographic, clinical, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed to evaluate outcomes of reversal surgery. Results A total of 255 patients who underwent stoma reversal surgeries met the inclusion criteria. SSR was superior to ESC in terms of operative time (80.0 vs. 120.0, p = 0.0004), intraoperative blood loss volume (20.0 vs. 100.0, p = 0.0002), incision length (3.0 vs. 15.0, p < 0.0001), surgical wound classification (0 vs. 8.3%, p = 0.04), postoperative hospital stay (7.0 vs. 9.0, p = 0.0007), hospital expense (45.6 vs. 54.2, p = 0.0003), and postoperative complications (23.8% vs. 44.3%, p = 0.0040). Although patients in the ESC group experienced more surgical recurrence than those in the SSR group (8.3% vs. 3.2%) during the follow-up, the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed no statistical difference (p = 0.29). Conclusions The split stoma can be recommended when stoma construction is indicated in patients with Crohn’s disease.

Trade Specialization Dynamics in a Small Open Resource-Based Developing Economy: Empirical Evidence from Botswana

ABSTRACT We analyze trade specialization dynamics in Botswana, applying the Galtonian regression and Markov matrix on the Lafay index for the period of 1998 to 2019. Galtonian regressions reveal de-specialization – Botswana gained a comparative advantage in industries for which it was initially not specialized and became less competitive in industries for which it was initially specialized. The industry hierarchy was altered only slightly due to persistence in trade specialization patterns. The Markov matrix reveals stronger upward industry mobility than downward industry mobility. De-specialization suggests slow-paced economic diversification, induced by import substitution in de-specialized industries, rather than by an expanding export base.

Floral thermal biology in relation to pollen thermal performance in an early spring flowering plant.

The floral microenvironment impacts gametophyte viability and plant-pollinator interactions. Plants employ mechanisms to modify floral temperature, including thermogenesis, absorption of solar radiation, and evaporative cooling. Whether floral thermoregulation impacts reproductive fitness, and how floral morphological variation mediates thermoregulatory capacity are poorly understood. We measured temperature of the floral microenvironment in the field and tested for thermogenesis in the lab in early spring flowering Hexastylis arifolia (Aristolochiaceae). We evaluated whether thermoregulatory capacity was associated with floral morphological variation. Finally, we experimentally determined the thermal optimum and tolerance of pollen to assess whether thermoregulation may ameliorate thermal stress to pollen. Pollen germination was optimal near 21 °C, with a 50% tolerance breadth of ~18 °C. In laboratory conditions, flowers exhibited thermogenesis of 1.5-4.8 °C for short intervals within a conserved timeframe (08:00-09:00 h). In the field, temperature inside the floral tube often deviated from ambient - floral interiors were up to 4 °C above ambient when it was cold, but some fell nearly 10 °C below ambient during peak heat. Flowers with smaller openings were cooler and more thermally stable than those with larger openings during peak heat. Thermoregulation maintained a floral microenvironment within the thermal tolerance breadth of pollen. Results suggest that H. arifolia flowers have a stronger capacity to cool than to warm, and that narrower floral openings create a distinct floral microenvironment, enhancing floral cooling effects. While deviation of floral temperature from ambient conditions maintains a suitable environment for pollen and suggests an adaptive role of thermoregulation, we discuss adaptive and nonadaptive mechanisms underlying floral warming and cooling.