Effect of Ceramic Properties and Depth-of-penetration Test Parameters on the Ballistic Performance of Armour Ceramics

Through an analysis on the relationship among ceramic properties, the depth of penetration (DOP) test parameters and the ballistic performance of armour ceramics based on literatures, the effects of ceramic type, tile thickness and projectile velocity on the ballistic performance of different kinds of ceramics were investigated systematically. The results show that the ballistic performance of different armour ceramics mainly depends on its density, and by using thin ceramic tiles or under high velocity impact, the ceramic composite armour could not provide effective ballistic protection. Furthermore, the differences in the ballistic performance of armour ceramic are found due to the different ballistic performance criteria and DOP test conditions. Additionally, the slope of the depth of penetration (not include tile thickness) (Pa) versus tile thickness has negative correlation with flexural strength of ceramics, indicating the flexural strength can be one of the criteria to evaluate the performance of armour ceramics

Port throughput influence factors based on neighborhood rough sets: an exploratory study

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to devise a efficient method for the importance analysis on Port Throughput Influence Factors. Design/methodology/approach: Neighborhood rough sets is applied to solve the problem of selection factors. First the throughput index system is established. Then, we build the attribute reduction model using the updated numerical attribute to reduction algorithm based on neighborhood rough sets. We optimized the algorithm in order to achieve high efficiency performance. Finally, the article do empirical validation using Guangzhou Port throughput and influencing factors’ historical data of year 2000 to 2013. Findings: Through the model and algorithm, port enterprises can identify the importance of port throughput factors. It can provide support for their decisions. Research limitations: The empirical data are historical data of year 2000 to 2013. The amount of data is small. Practical implications: The results provide support for port business investment, decisions and risk control, and also provide assistance for port enterprises’ or other researchers’ throughput forecasting. Originality/value: In this paper, we establish a throughput index system, and optimize the algorithm for efficiency performance.Peer Reviewe

Fraud Detection of Bulk Cargo Theft in Port Using Bayesian Network Models

Publisher's version (útgefin grein)The fraud detection of cargo theft has been a serious issue in ports for a long time. Traditional research in detecting theft risk is expert- and survey-based, which is not optimal for proactive prediction. As we move into a pervasive and ubiquitous paradigm, the implications of external environment and system behavior are continuously captured as multi-source data. Therefore, we propose a novel data-driven approach for formulating predictive models for detecting bulk cargo theft in ports. More specifically, we apply various feature-ranking methods and classification algorithms for selecting an effective feature set of relevant risk elements. Then, implicit Bayesian networks are derived with the features to graphically present the relationship with the risk elements of fraud. Thus, various binary classifiers are compared to derive a suitable predictive model, and Bayesian network performs best overall. The resulting Bayesian networks are then comparatively analyzed based on the outcomes of model validation and testing, as well as essential domain knowledge. The experimental results show that predictive models are effective, with both accuracy and recall values greater than 0.8. These predictive models are not only useful for understanding the dependency between relevant risk elements, but also for supporting the strategy optimization of risk management."Peer Reviewed

Design, Fabrication and Levitation Experiments of a Micromachined Electrostatically Suspended Six-Axis Accelerometer

A micromachined electrostatically suspended six-axis accelerometer, with a square plate as proof mass housed by a top stator and bottom stator, is presented. The device structure and related techniques concerning its operating principles, such as calculation of capacitances and electrostatic forces/moments, detection and levitation control of the proof mass, acceleration measurement, and structural parameters design, are described. Hybrid MEMS manufacturing techniques, including surface micromachining fabrication of thin film electrodes and interconnections, integration fabrication of thick nickel structures about 500 μm using UV-LIGA by successful removal of SU-8 photoresist mold, DRIE of silicon proof mass in thickness of 450 μm, microassembly and solder bonding, were employed to fabricate this prototype microdevice. A levitation experiment system for the fabricated microaccelerometer chip is introduced, and levitation results show that fast initial levitation within 10 ms and stable full suspension of the proof mass have been successfully demonstrated

IL-34 Expression Is Reduced in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Associated With Thyrocyte Apoptosis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune disease accompanied by lymphocyte infiltration and thyroid tissue destruction. IL-34 was first described in 2008, and its involvement in the development of many autoimmune diseases has been recently identified. However, whether IL-34 is a regulatory factor in HT is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that IL-34 is expressed on thyroid follicular epithelial cells and that IL-34 expression is significantly reduced in thyroid tissue in patients with HT and spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis (SAT) models. Serum IL-34 levels in patients with HT are also significantly reduced. In addition, IL-34 is associated with thyroid autoantibodies in both thyroid tissue and serum. Furthermore, our data show that IL-34 participates in the apoptosis resistance of thyrocytes in HT induced by CSF-1R and may be a potential indicator for evaluating thyrocyte damage

Interferon-alpha responsible EPN3 regulates hepatitis B virus replication

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health problem worldwide, and the current antiviral therapy, including nucleoside analogs, cannot achieve life-long cure, and clarification of antiviral host immunity is necessary for eradication. Here, we found that a clathrin-binding membrane protein epsin3 (EPN3) negatively regulates the expression of HBV RNA. EPN3 expression was induced by transfection of an HBV replicon plasmid, and reduced HBV-RNA level in hepatic cell lines and murine livers hydrodynamically injected with the HBV replicon plasmid. Viral RNA reduction by EPN3 was dependent on transcription, and independent from epsilon structure of viral RNA. Viral RNA reduction by overexpression of p53 or IFN-α treatment, was attenuated by knockdown of EPN3, suggesting its role downstream of IFN-α and p53. Taken together, this study demonstrates the anti-HBV role of EPN3. The mechanism how it decreases HBV transcription is discussed

Reduced Body Weight and Increased Energy Expenditure in Transgenic Mice Over-Expressing Soluble Leptin Receptor

studies have shown that OBRe expression is inversely correlated to body weight and leptin levels. However, it is not clear whether OBRe plays an active role, either in collaboration with leptin or independently, in the maintenance of body weight.To investigate the function of OBRe in the regulation of energy homeostasis, we generated transgenic mice that express OBRe under the control of human serum amyloid P (hSAP) component gene promoter. The transgene led to approximately doubling of OBRe in circulation in the transgenic mice than in wild type control mice. Transgenic mice exhibited lower body weight at 4 weeks of age, and slower rate of weight gain when compared with control mice. Furthermore, transgenic mice had lower body fat content. Indirect calorimetry revealed that transgenic mice had reduced food intake, increased basal metabolic rate, and increased lipid oxidation, which could account for the differences in body weight and body fat content. Transgenic mice also showed higher total circulating leptin, with the majority of it being in the bound form, while the amount of free leptin is comparable between transgenic and control mice.These results are consistent with the role of OBRe as a leptin binding protein in regulating leptin's bioavailability and activity