Trade Policy and Industrial Sector Responses: Using Evolutionary Models to Interpret the Evidence

Firm- and plant-level empirical studies typically find that trade liberalization squeezes price-cost margins among import-competing firms, that this heightened competitive pressure induces productivity gains among these same firms, and that further efficiency gains come from market share reallocations. Using a computable industrial evolution model to simulate the dynamic effects of import competition, we demonstrate what types of managerial behavior, long-term transition paths and welfare effects are consistent with this set of stylized facts.

Creation of public use files: lessons learned from the comparative effectiveness research public use files data pilot project

In this paper we describe lessons learned from the creation of Basic Stand Alone (BSA) Public Use Files (PUFs) for the Comparative Effectiveness Research Public Use Files Data Pilot Project (CER-PUF). CER-PUF is aimed at increasing access to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare claims datasets through PUFs that: do not require user fees and data use agreements, have been de-identified to assure the confidentiality of the beneficiaries and providers, and still provide substantial analytic utility to researchers. For this paper we define PUFs as datasets characterized by free and unrestricted access to any user. We derive lessons learned from five major project activities: (i) a review of the statistical and computer science literature on best practices in PUF creation, (ii) interviews with comparative effectiveness researchers to assess their data needs, (iii) case studies of PUF initiatives in the United States, (iv) interviews with stakeholders to identify the most salient issues regarding making microdata publicly available, and (v) the actual process of creating the Medicare claims data BSA PUFs

A deep learning approach for motion segment estimation for pipe leak detection robot

The trajectory motion of a robot can be a valuable information to estimate the localization of an autonomous robotic system, especially in a very dynamic but structurally-known environments like water pipes where the sensor readings are not reliable. The main focus of this research is to estimate the location of meso-scale robots using a deep-learning-based motion trajectory segment detection system from recorded sensory measurements while the robot travels through a pipe system. The idea is based on the classification of the motion measurements, acquired by inertial measurement unit (IMU), by exploiting the deep learning approach. Proposed idea and utilized methodology are explained in the related sections and it is observed that convolutional neural network approach is quite powerful to overcome the unreliability of IMU data

Creation of public use files: lessons learned from the comparative effectiveness research public use files data pilot project

In this paper we describe lessons learned from the creation of Basic Stand Alone (BSA) Public Use Files (PUFs) for the Comparative Effectiveness Research Public Use Files Data Pilot Project (CER-PUF). CER-PUF is aimed at increasing access to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare claims datasets through PUFs that: do not require user fees and data use agreements, have been de-identified to assure the confidentiality of the beneficiaries and providers, and still provide substantial analytic utility to researchers. For this paper we define PUFs as datasets characterized by free and unrestricted access to any user. We derive lessons learned from five major project activities: (i) a review of the statistical and computer science literature on best practices in PUF creation, (ii) interviews with comparative effectiveness researchers to assess their data needs, (iii) case studies of PUF initiatives in the United States, (iv) interviews with stakeholders to identify the most salient issues regarding making microdata publicly available, and (v) the actual process of creating the Medicare claims data BSA PUFs

Dynamic crack propagation and its interaction with micro-cracks in an impact problem

The dynamic fracture behavior of brittle materials that contain micro-level cracks should be examined when material subjected to impact loading. We investigated the effect of micro-cracks on the propagation of macro-cracks that initiate from notch tips in the Kalthoff-Winkler experiment, a classical impact problem. To define predefined micro-cracks in three-dimensional space, we proposed a two-dimensional micro-crack plane definition in the bond-based peridynamics (PD) that is a non-local form of classical continuum theory. Randomly distributed micro-cracks with different number densities in a constant area and number in expending area models were examined to monitor the toughening of the material. The velocities of macro-crack propagation and the time required for completing fractures were considered in several predefined micro-cracks cases. It has been observed that toughening mechanism is only initiated by exceeding a certain number of micro-cracks; therefore, there is a positive correlation between the density of predefined micro-cracks and macro-crack propagation rate and, also, toughening mechanism

Benzalkonyum Klorür Katkili Pva/Gelatin Nanolif Yapilarinin Antibakteriyel Özellikleri

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a hydrophilous and semi-crystallized. It has attracted much relevancy due to its pretty chemical endurance, fine thermal determination, decent physical specialities, wonderful bio-compatibility and cheapness. Gelatin (G) is a natural polymer and that are interesting materials for biomedical applications. Electrospinning is a simple method that provides very porous nanofiber production with high surface area. It is possible to produce biomedical, filtration, energy storage and protective materials by using electrospinning method. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a kind of anti-microbial cationic surface-active agent, which has been pretty used in merchant wound dressings and has a powerful status toward Gr+ bacteria. In this study, nanofibers were produced from electrospinning of BAC, PVA and G containing solutions at various concentrations. The fibers of obtained nanofiber structure were uniform, continuous and intensive. The optimum parameters in terms of good mechanical and antibacterial properties were determined. S2 sample, electrospun from 11.63% PVA + 1.0% G +1.0% BAC containing solution, had the best morphological and mechanical properties due to having the thinnest fiber diameter (51±13nm) and the highest vertical strength (4.299MPa) and horizontal strength (4.058MPa). It also had antibacterial activity against all the bacteria tested (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and S. aureus). Due to owning good mechanical and antibacterial properties, S2 sample can have many uses in medical sector.Poli (vinil alkol) (PVA), iyi kimyasal dayanımı, iyi termal kararlılığı, iyi fiziksel özellikleri, mükemmel biyouyumluluğu ve ucuzluğu nedeniyle çok dikkat çeken hidrofilik, yarı kristalli bir polimerdir. Jelatin (G) biyomedikal uygulamalar için ilginç ve doğal bir polimerdir. Elektroeğirme, yüksek yüzey alanına sahip çok gözenekli nano elyaf üretimi sağlayan basit bir yöntemdir. Elektrospinning yöntemi kullanılarak biyomedikal, filtrasyon, enerji depolama ve koruyucu malzemeler üretmek mümkündür. Benzalkonyum klorür (BAC), ticari yara sargısında yaygın olarak kullanılan ve Gram-pozitif bakterilere karşı güçlü bir role sahip olan bir tür antimikrobiyal katyonik yüzey aktif malzemedir. Bu çalışmada, çeşitli konsantrasyonlarda BAC, PVA ve G içeren çözeltilerin nano lifler üretilmiştir. Elde edilen nano lif yapısının lifleri homojen, sürekli ve yoğundur. İyi mekanik ve antibakteriyel özellikler açısından optimum parametreler belirlenmiştir. 11.63% PVA + 1.0% G +1.0% BAC içeren S2 örneği en iyi morfolojik ve mekanik özellikler göstermesinin yanında en ince elyaf çapına (51 ± 13nm) ve en yüksek dikey dayanıma (4.299MPa) ve yatay dayanıma (4.058MPa) sahiptir. Ayrıca test edilen tüm bakterilere (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis ve S. aureus) karşı antibakteriyel aktiviteye sahiptir. İyi mekanik ve antibakteriyel özelliklere sahip olması nedeniyle, S2 örneğinin tıbbi sektörde birçok kullanımı olabileceği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır

Osteogenesis imperfecta Type IV: a newly identified variant at position c.560 (G > T; p.Gly187Val) in the COL1A2 gene

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a clinically heterogenous disease caused by defective collagen syntesis associated with a mutation in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes. In this report, we present a case of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type IV, seen in a female fetus with incurved femurs at 18 weeks of gestation. Molecular analysis of the newborn revealed a novel mutation at position c.560 (c.560 G > T) of the exon 12 in the COL1A2 gene; which lead to the glycine modification with valine (p.Gly187Val) at codon 187. The pregnancy follow-up was uneventful. After delivery, the newborn underwent biphosponat therapy and no fracture was detected until 1 year old.Keywords: Osteogenesis ιmprefecta, skeletal dysplasia, malecular analysis, COL1A2 gen

Impact behaviour of concrete beams

Određivanje ponašanja konstrukcijskih elemenata pod opterećenjem postaje sve značajnije zbog današnjih tehnoloških dostignuća. Utjecaj udara na kruta tijela ne smije se zanemarivati. U radu je prikazano istraživanje reakcija nearmiranih betonskih elemenata na udarno opterećenje i to kako eksperimentalnim putem tako i primjenom analize konačnih elemenata. Elementi su ispitani u laboratoriju, a za potrebe proračuna primjenjen je računalni program ABAQUS. U okviru provedenih analiza dobivene su vrijednosti ubrzanja, brzina, pomaka, udarnih sila i apsorpcije energije.The determination of behaviour of structural members under load has become increasingly prominent with current advances in technology. The effect of impact on solids should not be ignored. The impact behaviour of non-reinforced concrete beams is investigated in this study both experimentally and using the finite element analysis. Members are tested in laboratory, and the ABAQUS software is used in the analysis. Accelerations, velocities, displacements, impact forces, and energy absorption capacities, have been obtained in the scope of these analyses

The effect of breast-feeding duration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women: a population-based study

Alcelik, Aytekin/0000-0002-3156-1076WOS: 000292798400018PubMed: 22295033Introduction: In the present study, we investigated the effects of breast-feeding time on bone mineral density (BMD) later in life. Material and methods: The current study was based on a retrospective analysis of 586 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 60.8 years, who were screened for osteoporosis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). They were classified into 4 groups with respect to the duration of their breast-feeding as never (group 1), 1-24 months (group 2), 25-60 months (group 3), or > 60 months (group 4). Bone mineral density results for the femur neck and lumbar spine were classified into 3 groups according to WHO criteria as normal (T score > -1.0 SD), osteopenia (T score -1.0 to -2.5 SD), and osteoporosis (T score < -2.5 SD). Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score < -1.0 SD) were considered as having low bone mass (LBM). Results: We found a correlation between duration of lactation and femur BMD or spine BMD in the study population (r = 0.116, p < 0.005; r = -0.151, p = 0.001, respectively). Significant differences were found between femur BMD and spine BMD of groups in one-way ANOVA analysis (p = 0.025, p = 0.005, respectively). Additionally, when compared with the other three groups, group 4 was older and had longer duration of menopause (p < 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, age and body mass index were found as independent risk factors of LBM [odds ratio: 1.084 (95% CI 1.031-1.141); odds ratio: 0.896 (95% CI 0.859-0.935)], while duration of lactation was not found as an independent predictor of LBM. Conclusions: In this study, we have found that changes of bone metabolism during lactation had no effect on postmenopausal BMD measured by DXA. Consequently, it can be suggested that long breast-feeding duration is not a risk factor for low bone mass later in life

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Steel Sections under Impact Effect

U radu se analizira eksperimentalno i numeričko ponašanje čeličnih ispitnih uzoraka s različitim vrstama priključaka. U tu svrhu korišten je uređaj s padajućim utegom. Kako bi se primijenila ista količina udarne energije na ispitne uzorke, masa i visina udarnog utega uzete su kao konstante. Eksperimentalnim istraživanjem dobivene su vrijednosti ubrzanja, pomaka, udarnog opterećenja, broja ispusta i trajanja pada. Tijekom ispitivanja pratilo se i širenje oštećenja na ispitnim uzorcima. Provedena je i numerička analiza ponašanja uzoraka uslijed udarnog opterećenja pomoću računalnog programa Abaqus te je napravljena usporedba rezultata.Experimental and numerical behaviour of steel test specimens with various types of joints is investigated in this study. A drop weight test setup with necessary test equipment is used for this purpose. The mass and drop height of the hammer is taken to be constant so that the same impact energy can be applied on test specimens. The acceleration, displacement, impact load, drop numbers and drop durations, are obtained through experimental study. In addition, development of damage to test specimens is observed during tests. Numerical analyses of behaviour of test specimens under impact load are also conducted to verify test results using the Abaqus software, and a comparison of results is made