The safety and integrity requirements of aerospace composite structures necessitate real-time health monitoring throughout their service life.To this end,distributed optical fiber sensors utilizing back Rayleigh scatt...The safety and integrity requirements of aerospace composite structures necessitate real-time health monitoring throughout their service life.To this end,distributed optical fiber sensors utilizing back Rayleigh scattering have been extensively deployed in structural health monitoring due to their advantages,such as lightweight and ease of embedding.However,identifying the precise location of damage from the optical fiber signals remains a critical challenge.In this paper,a novel approach which namely Modified Sliding Window Principal Component Analysis(MSWPCA)was proposed to facilitate automatic damage identification and localization via distributed optical fiber sensors.The proposed method is able to extract signal characteristics interfered by measurement noise to improve the accuracy of damage detection.Specifically,we applied the MSWPCA method to monitor and analyze the debonding propagation process in honeycomb sandwich panel structures.Our findings demonstrate that the training model exhibits high precision in detecting the location and size of honeycomb debonding,thereby facilitating reliable and efficient online assessment of the structural health state.展开更多
Though prior research has identified that gratitude is associated with benign/malicious envy(BeMaS).The pur-pose of this study was to explore the causal relationship between gratitude and BeMaS among Chinese adoles-cen...Though prior research has identified that gratitude is associated with benign/malicious envy(BeMaS).The pur-pose of this study was to explore the causal relationship between gratitude and BeMaS among Chinese adoles-cents.The two-wave study,in which 906 adolescents participated,includes measurements of gratitude and BeMaS.We employed the structural equation models to test the cross-lagged effect between trait gratitude and BeMaS.The results showed that gratitude could positively predict benign envy and could negatively predict mal-icious envy.Besides,there was no evidence for the reverse or reciprocal relationships between gratitude and BeMaS.Thefindings provide further evidence about the causal relationship between gratitude and BeMaS among adolescents.Moreover,these results have implications for gratitude interventions that promote the constructive meaning of envy and reduce the negative influence of envy.展开更多
The static dent resistance performance of the aluminum alloy double-curved panel formed using viscous pressure forming (VPF)was studied by finite element analysis,which mainly considers the forming process conditions....The static dent resistance performance of the aluminum alloy double-curved panel formed using viscous pressure forming (VPF)was studied by finite element analysis,which mainly considers the forming process conditions.The whole simulation consisting of three stages,i.e.,forming,spring-back and static dent resistance,was carried out continuously using the finite element code ANSYS.The influence of blank holder pressure(BHP)and the drawbead on the stiffness and the static dent resistance of the panels formed using VPF was analyzed.The results show that the adequate setting of the drawbead can increase the plastic deformation of the double-curved panel,which is beneficial to the initial stiffness and the static dent resistance.There is an optimum BHP range for the stiffness and the static dent resistance.展开更多
Background:Most of previous studies aimed to estimate the effect of nurse staffing on quality of acute hospital care have used stochastic methods and their results are mixed.Objective:To measure the magnitude of effec...Background:Most of previous studies aimed to estimate the effect of nurse staffing on quality of acute hospital care have used stochastic methods and their results are mixed.Objective:To measure the magnitude of effect of nurse-staffing level on increasing quality of acute care services in long-run.Data:The number of practicing nurses'density per 1000 population as the proxy of nurse-staffing level and three Health Care Quality Indicators(HCQI)included 30-day mortality per 100 patients based on acute myocardial infarction(MORTAMIO),hemorrhagic stroke(MORTHSTO)and ischemic stroke(MORTISTO)were collected as a part of ongoing project by OECD.org in panels of 26 OECD countries over 2005-2015 period.Method:Panel data analysis.Results:There were committed relationships from nurse-staffing level to the enhancement of HCQI i.e.1%increase in nurse-staffing level would reduce the rates of patient mortality based on MORTAMIO,MORTHSTO and MORTISTO by 0.65%,0.60%and 0.80%,respectively.Furthermore,the role of nursestaffing level in increasing overall HCQI were simulated at the highest level in Sweden(-3.53),Denmark(-3.31),Canada(-2.59),Netherlands(-2.33),Finland(-2.09),Switzerland(-1.72),Australia(-1.64)and United States(-1.53).Conclusion:A higher proportion of nurses-staffing level is associated with higher quality of acute care services in OECD countries.Also,the nursing characteristics of Sweden,Denmark,Canada,Netherlands,Finland,Switzerland,Australia and United States would be good patterns for other countries to maximize nursing outcomes in the care of patients with acute and life-threatening conditions by reducing the risk of complication,mortality and adverse clinical outcomes.展开更多
Sustainable income growth and poverty reduction remain critical challenges at the forefront of research in Pakistan,particularly in rural areas.To overcome these challenges,the role of rural transformation(RT)has emer...Sustainable income growth and poverty reduction remain critical challenges at the forefront of research in Pakistan,particularly in rural areas.To overcome these challenges,the role of rural transformation(RT)has emerged and gained importance in recent years.The present study is based on district-level data and covers the period from 1981 to 2019.The study attempts to quantify the role of rural transformation in boosting rural per capita income and alleviating rural poverty in the country.The study also aims to explore the impact of stages of rural transformation on rural per capita income and rural poverty alleviation.The empirical findings reveal that rural transformation(RT_(1)and RT_(2))is essential in enhancing rural per capita income and alleviating rural poverty.The role of the share of high-value crops(RT_(1))is more pronounced than the share of non-farm employment(RT_(2))in boosting rural per capita income and poverty alleviation.The trend of larger contribution of RT_(1)to enhance rural per capita income also continued at 2nd stage of rural transformation.In the case of poverty reduction,at 3rd stage of rural transformation,the role of RT_(2)is dominant.Our results indicate that districts at higher stages of rural transformation(both RT_(1)and RT_(2))tend to correlate positively with increased rural per capita income and reduced poverty rates,suggesting that progress in rural transformation is associated with improved economic conditions.However,it is important to note that this correlation does not necessarily imply a direct causal relationship between rural transformation and these economic outcomes;other factors may have influenced this relationship.In addition,the welfare impacts are more noticeable among the districts where a simultaneous shift from grain crops to cash crops and from farm employment to non-farm employment is observed.The study provides baseline information to learn experiences from fast-growing districts and to replicate the strategies in other districts,which boosts the RT process that may increase rural per capita income and enhance poverty reduction efforts.展开更多
Objective:To analyze economic feasibility for investing in nursing care.Method:The number of practicing nurses'density per 1000 population as a proxy for nursing staff and Gross Domestic Product(GDP)per capita(cur...Objective:To analyze economic feasibility for investing in nursing care.Method:The number of practicing nurses'density per 1000 population as a proxy for nursing staff and Gross Domestic Product(GDP)per capita(current US$)were collected in 35 member countries of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)over 2000-2016 period.The statistical technique of panel data analysis including unit root test,cointegration analysis,Granger causality test,dynamic long-run model analysis and error correction model were applied to measure economic impact of nursing-related services.Results:There was a committed bilateral relationship between nurse-staffing level and GDP with longrun magnitudes of 1.39 and 0A1 for GDP-lead-nurse and nurse-lead-GDP directions in OECD countries,respectively.Moreover,the highest long-run magnitudes of the effect nursing staff has on increasing GDP per capita were calculated in Finland(2.07),Sweden(1.92),Estonia(1.68),Poland(1.52),Czech Republic(1.48),Norway(1.47)and Canada(1.24).Conclusion:Our findings verify that although the dependency of nursing characteristics to GDP per capita is higher than the reliance of GDP to number of nurses'density per 1000 population,investing in nursing care is economically feasible in OECD countries i.e.nursing is not only a financial burden(or cost)on health care systems,but also an economic stimulus in OECD countries.Hence,we alert governments and policy makers about the risk of underestimating the economic impacts of nurses on economic systems of OECD countries.展开更多
This paper presents the significance analysis of a new type of hybrid composite sandwich wall panel which can be manufactured as modular panelised system. Two different types of natural fibers reinforced plastics (NFR...This paper presents the significance analysis of a new type of hybrid composite sandwich wall panel which can be manufactured as modular panelised system. Two different types of natural fibers reinforced plastics (NFRP) laminate were incorporated into the new sandwich panel as an intermediate layer. The significance analysis in this research has been carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA). As the aim of the analysis is to select the most appropriate natural fiber composites for the intermediate layer, the experiments were arranged as a single factor experiment in which 3 levels of a factor have been examined. The factor refers to the type of intermediate layer used in the sandwich panel. The result of this study shows that the incorporation of intermediate layer has significantly enhanced the load carrying capacity of the sandwich panels.展开更多
In this paper,the stresses and buckling behaviors of a thick-walled mi-cro sandwich panel with a flexible foam core and carbon nanotube reinforced composite(CNTRC)face sheets are considered based on the high-order she...In this paper,the stresses and buckling behaviors of a thick-walled mi-cro sandwich panel with a flexible foam core and carbon nanotube reinforced composite(CNTRC)face sheets are considered based on the high-order shear deformation theory(HSDT)and the modified couple stress theory(MCST).The governing equations of equi-librium are obtained based on the total potential energy principle.The effects of various parameters such as the aspect ratio,elastic foundation,temperature changes,and volume fraction of the canbon nanotubes(CNTs)on the critical buckling loads,normal stress,shear stress,and deflection of the thick-walled micro cylindrical sandwich panel consider-ing different distributions of CNTs are examined.The results are compared and validated with other studies,and showing an excellent compatibility.CNTs have become very use-ful and common candidates in sandwich structures,and they have been extensively used in many applications including nanotechnology,aerospace,and micro-structures.This paper also extends further applications of reinforced sandwich panels by providing the modified equations and formulae.展开更多
An approximate analysis for free vibration of a laminated curved panel(shell)with four edges simply supported(SS2),is presented in this paper.The transverse shear deformation is considered by using a higher-order shea...An approximate analysis for free vibration of a laminated curved panel(shell)with four edges simply supported(SS2),is presented in this paper.The transverse shear deformation is considered by using a higher-order shear deformation theory.For solving the highly coupled partial differential governing equations and associated boundary conditions,a set of solution functions in the form of double trigonometric Fourier series,which are required to satisfy the geometry part of the considered boundary conditions,is assumed in advance.By applying the Galerkin procedure both to the governing equations and to the natural boundary conditions not satisfied by the assumed solution functions,an approximate solution,capable of providing a reliable prediction for the global response of the panel,is obtained.Numerical results of antisymmetric angle-ply as well as symmetric cross-ply and angle-ply laminated curved panels are presented and discussed.展开更多
Ocean thermal energy conversion(OTEC)is a process of generating electricity by exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater.Due to the high static and dynamic pressures th...Ocean thermal energy conversion(OTEC)is a process of generating electricity by exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater.Due to the high static and dynamic pressures that are caused by seawater circulation,the stiffened panel that constitutes a seawater tank may undergo a reduction in ultimate strength.The current paper investigates the design of stiffening systems for OTEC seawater tanks by examining the effects of stiffening parameters such as stiffener sizes and span-over-bay ratio for the applied combined loadings of lateral and transverse pressure by fluid motion and axial compression due to global bending moment.The ultimate strength calculation was conducted by using the non-linear finite element method via the commercial software known as ABAQUS.The stress and deformation distribution due to pressure loads was computed in the first step and then brought to the second step,in which the axial compression was applied.The effects of pressure on the ultimate strength of the stiffener were investigated for representative stiffened panels,and the significance of the stiffener parameters was assessed by using the sensitivity analysis method.As a result,the ultimate strength was reduced by approximately 1.5%for the span-over-bay ratio of 3 and by 7%for the span-over-bay ratio of 6.展开更多
In this paper, the large deflection theory is adopted to analyse the geometrical nonlinear stability of a sandwich shallow cylindrical panel with orthoiropic surfaces. The critical point is determined and the postbitc...In this paper, the large deflection theory is adopted to analyse the geometrical nonlinear stability of a sandwich shallow cylindrical panel with orthoiropic surfaces. The critical point is determined and the postbitckling behaviour of the panel is studied.展开更多
This study assessed critical factors for road traffic accidents and associated mitigation to reduce the accidents by the year 2030. The study was guided by research questions, what are the major causatives of road acc...This study assessed critical factors for road traffic accidents and associated mitigation to reduce the accidents by the year 2030. The study was guided by research questions, what are the major causatives of road accidents and how to mitigate the problem. The study used secondary data collected from the repository database of traffic police at the division of Tanzania Road Safety Squad. Data were collected at the events of accident occur</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">re</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nces and reported annually by regions. Panel data analysis was used to allow for controlling variables which cannot be observed over time and across areas such as regions. Pooled Poisson model, fixed effect and random effect Poisson model was applied to assess factors for road traffic accidents. Fixed effect model was the best model with a reasonably good fit. Results indicated that all predictors are significant under fixed effect Poisson model with </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">a </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">p-value less than 0.05 but Passengers and Railway crossing road was found insignificant and dropped in the final model. Laws and regulatory frameworks should be formulated and enforced promptly for Tanzania may reach the target of 2</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> decade of action for roads safety 2021-2030.展开更多
Institutional theory has proved the influence of institutional pressures on organization practices and structures. Meanwhile, with the soaring use of corporate social performance (CSP), more researchers are focusing...Institutional theory has proved the influence of institutional pressures on organization practices and structures. Meanwhile, with the soaring use of corporate social performance (CSP), more researchers are focusing on exploring the relationship between institution pressures and CSP which is still not completely understood yet. Against this background, the paper aims to fill the gap through generally hypothesizing that different types of institutional pressures individually and collectively affect CSP via the mediating effect of corporate environmental strategy. First, based on the previous and extensive literature review, the theoretical framework and research hypotheses are constructed. Next, canonical correlation analysis about the panel data of 51 Chinese large-scale power generation enterprises from 2004 to 2009 is made to test the relevant hypotheses. Finally, based on the data analysis results, the study draws some conclusions and policy implications for promoting the CSP of Chinese enterprises, including enhancing the steering function of government policies and industry regulations and emphasizing the intermediary role of media.展开更多
This work investigates the relationship between intellectual capital and value creation in the sector of production and assembly of vehicles and auto-parts in Brazil. Through the access of the database from the annual...This work investigates the relationship between intellectual capital and value creation in the sector of production and assembly of vehicles and auto-parts in Brazil. Through the access of the database from the annual industrial research conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, we gathered 865 observations, from 2000 to 2006, of public and private Brazilian companies with more than 100 employees. The database allows the estimate of relevant aggregated variables such as national accounts, gross domestic product, intermediate consumption, as well as propitiates a sectorial study of business strategies and performance, including value added by individual companies. In particular, in this study we use data on variables associated to intellectual capital. To achieve the goal of the study, we consider intellectual capital as defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), including human capital and structural capital. For the analysis of business performance, we used Pulic's VAIC (Value Added Intellectual Cofficient) index as a measure of efficiency of the employed financial and intellectual capital. Regression models were run to verify the relationship among the efficiency in the use of intellectual capital and the profitability of Brazilian companies. The gross income, calculated as before selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expenses, amortization and interest expenses, was used as measure of the flows of value creation and the profitability was measured by the gross income to the total assets of the companies. Considering the constructs defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), we tested, for the Brazilian sector of Production and Assembly of Vehicles and Auto-parts, the following hypotheses: (l) there is a positive relationship between value creation and intellectual capital, (2) there is a positive relationship between value creation and stock of intellectual capital, (3) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the employed capital, (4) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the human capital, (5) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the structural capital. The results of the study, obtained through panel data analysis and through the use static and dynamic models, support the hypotheses that the intellectual capital of the companies, in its flow and stock dimensions, is positively and significantly related to value creation.展开更多
Six reinforced concrete frames with or without masonry infills were constructed and tested under horizontal cyclic loads. All six frames had identical details in which the transverse reinforcement in columns was provi...Six reinforced concrete frames with or without masonry infills were constructed and tested under horizontal cyclic loads. All six frames had identical details in which the transverse reinforcement in columns was provided by rectangular hoops that did not meet current ACI specifications for ductile frames. For comparison purposes, the columns in three of these frames were jacketed by carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) sheets to avoid possible shear failure. A nonlinear pushover analysis, in which the force-deformation relationships of individual elements were developed based on ACI 318, FEMA 356, and Chen's model, was carried out for these frames and compared to test results. Both the failure mechanisms and impact of infills on the behaviors of these frames were examined in the study. Conclusions from the present analysis provide structural engineers with valuable information for evaluation and design of infilled concrete frame building structures.展开更多
Spot weld models are widely used in finite element analysis(FEA) of automotive body in white(BIW) to predict static,dynamic,durability and other characteristics of automotive BIW.However,few researches are done on...Spot weld models are widely used in finite element analysis(FEA) of automotive body in white(BIW) to predict static,dynamic,durability and other characteristics of automotive BIW.However,few researches are done on evaluation of the validity of these spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW.To evaluate the validity and accuracy of spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW,two object functions,error function and deviation function,are introduced innovatively.Modal analysis of Two-panel and Double-hat structures,which are the dominated structures in BIW,is conducted,and the values of these two object functions are obtained.Based on the values of object functions,the validity of these spot weld models are evaluated.It is found that the area contact method(ACM2) and weld element connection(CWELD) can give more precise prediction in modal analysis of these two classical structures,thus are more applicable to structural dynamic analysis of automotive BIW.Modal analysis of a classical BIW is performed,which further confirms this evaluation.The error function and deviation function proposed in this research can give guidance on the adaptability of spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW.And this evaluation method can also be adopted in evaluation of other finite element models in static,dynamic and other kinds of analysis for automotive structures.展开更多
This study systematically examines the energy dissipation mechanisms and ballistic characteristics of foam sandwich panels(FSP)under high-velocity impact using the explicit non-linear finite element method.Based on th...This study systematically examines the energy dissipation mechanisms and ballistic characteristics of foam sandwich panels(FSP)under high-velocity impact using the explicit non-linear finite element method.Based on the geometric topology of the FSP system,three FSP configurations with the same areal density are derived,namely multi-layer,gradient core and asymmetric face sheet,and three key structural parameters are identified:core thickness(t_(c)),face sheet thickness(t_(f))and overlap face/core number(n_(o)).The ballistic performance of the FSP system is comprehensively evaluated in terms of the ballistic limit velocity(BLV),deformation modes,energy dissipation mechanism,and specific penetration energy(SPE).The results show that the FSP system exhibits a significant configuration dependence,whose ballistic performance ranking is:asymmetric face sheet>gradient core>multi-layer.The mass distribution of the top and bottom face sheets plays a critical role in the ballistic resistance of the FSP system.Both BLV and SPE increase with tf,while the raising tcor noleads to an increase in BLV but a decrease in SPE.Further,a face-core synchronous enhancement mechanism is discovered by the energy dissipation analysis,based on which the ballistic optimization procedure is also conducted and a design chart is established.This study shed light on the anti-penetration mechanism of the FSP system and might provide a theoretical basis for its engineering application.展开更多
In the 21st century, the deployment of ground-based Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules has seen exponential growth, driven by increasing demands for green, clean, and renewable energy sources. However, their usage is con...In the 21st century, the deployment of ground-based Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules has seen exponential growth, driven by increasing demands for green, clean, and renewable energy sources. However, their usage is constrained by certain limitations. Notably, the efficiency of solar PV modules on the ground peaks at a maximum of 25%, and there are concerns regarding their long-term reliability, with an expected lifespan of approximately 25 years without failures. This study focuses on analyzing the thermal efficiency of PV Modules. We have investigated the temperature profile of PV Modules under varying environmental conditions, such as air velocity and ambient temperature, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This analysis is crucial as the efficiency of PV Modules is significantly impacted by changes in the temperature differential relative to the environment. Furthermore, the study highlights the effect of airflow over solar panels on their temperature. It is found that a decrease in the temperature of the PV Module increases Open Circuit Voltage, underlining the importance of thermal management in optimizing solar panel performance.展开更多
The paper starts with a brief overview to the necessity of sheet metal forming simulation and the complexity of automobile panel forming, then leads to finite element analysis (FEA) which is a powerful simulation too...The paper starts with a brief overview to the necessity of sheet metal forming simulation and the complexity of automobile panel forming, then leads to finite element analysis (FEA) which is a powerful simulation tool for analyzing complex three-dimensional sheet metal forming problems. The theory and features of the dynamic explicit finite element methods are introduced and the available various commercial finite element method codes used for sheet metal forming simulation in the world are discussed,and the civil and international status quo of automobile panel simulation as well. The front door outer panel of one certain new automobile is regarded as one example that the dynamic explicit FEM code Dynaform is used for the simulation of the front door outer panel forming process. Process defects such as ruptures are predicted. The improving methods can be given according to the simulation results. Foreground of sheet metal forming simulation is outlined.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2018YFA0702800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12072056)supported by National Defense Fundamental Scientific Research Project(XXXX2018204BXXX).
文摘The safety and integrity requirements of aerospace composite structures necessitate real-time health monitoring throughout their service life.To this end,distributed optical fiber sensors utilizing back Rayleigh scattering have been extensively deployed in structural health monitoring due to their advantages,such as lightweight and ease of embedding.However,identifying the precise location of damage from the optical fiber signals remains a critical challenge.In this paper,a novel approach which namely Modified Sliding Window Principal Component Analysis(MSWPCA)was proposed to facilitate automatic damage identification and localization via distributed optical fiber sensors.The proposed method is able to extract signal characteristics interfered by measurement noise to improve the accuracy of damage detection.Specifically,we applied the MSWPCA method to monitor and analyze the debonding propagation process in honeycomb sandwich panel structures.Our findings demonstrate that the training model exhibits high precision in detecting the location and size of honeycomb debonding,thereby facilitating reliable and efficient online assessment of the structural health state.
基金supported by Department of Education Project of Hunan Province of China(Grant No.2019291174).
文摘Though prior research has identified that gratitude is associated with benign/malicious envy(BeMaS).The pur-pose of this study was to explore the causal relationship between gratitude and BeMaS among Chinese adoles-cents.The two-wave study,in which 906 adolescents participated,includes measurements of gratitude and BeMaS.We employed the structural equation models to test the cross-lagged effect between trait gratitude and BeMaS.The results showed that gratitude could positively predict benign envy and could negatively predict mal-icious envy.Besides,there was no evidence for the reverse or reciprocal relationships between gratitude and BeMaS.Thefindings provide further evidence about the causal relationship between gratitude and BeMaS among adolescents.Moreover,these results have implications for gratitude interventions that promote the constructive meaning of envy and reduce the negative influence of envy.
文摘The static dent resistance performance of the aluminum alloy double-curved panel formed using viscous pressure forming (VPF)was studied by finite element analysis,which mainly considers the forming process conditions.The whole simulation consisting of three stages,i.e.,forming,spring-back and static dent resistance,was carried out continuously using the finite element code ANSYS.The influence of blank holder pressure(BHP)and the drawbead on the stiffness and the static dent resistance of the panels formed using VPF was analyzed.The results show that the adequate setting of the drawbead can increase the plastic deformation of the double-curved panel,which is beneficial to the initial stiffness and the static dent resistance.There is an optimum BHP range for the stiffness and the static dent resistance.
文摘Background:Most of previous studies aimed to estimate the effect of nurse staffing on quality of acute hospital care have used stochastic methods and their results are mixed.Objective:To measure the magnitude of effect of nurse-staffing level on increasing quality of acute care services in long-run.Data:The number of practicing nurses'density per 1000 population as the proxy of nurse-staffing level and three Health Care Quality Indicators(HCQI)included 30-day mortality per 100 patients based on acute myocardial infarction(MORTAMIO),hemorrhagic stroke(MORTHSTO)and ischemic stroke(MORTISTO)were collected as a part of ongoing project by OECD.org in panels of 26 OECD countries over 2005-2015 period.Method:Panel data analysis.Results:There were committed relationships from nurse-staffing level to the enhancement of HCQI i.e.1%increase in nurse-staffing level would reduce the rates of patient mortality based on MORTAMIO,MORTHSTO and MORTISTO by 0.65%,0.60%and 0.80%,respectively.Furthermore,the role of nursestaffing level in increasing overall HCQI were simulated at the highest level in Sweden(-3.53),Denmark(-3.31),Canada(-2.59),Netherlands(-2.33),Finland(-2.09),Switzerland(-1.72),Australia(-1.64)and United States(-1.53).Conclusion:A higher proportion of nurses-staffing level is associated with higher quality of acute care services in OECD countries.Also,the nursing characteristics of Sweden,Denmark,Canada,Netherlands,Finland,Switzerland,Australia and United States would be good patterns for other countries to maximize nursing outcomes in the care of patients with acute and life-threatening conditions by reducing the risk of complication,mortality and adverse clinical outcomes.
基金We highly acknowledge the financial support of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research(ACIAR),Australia(ADP/2017/024)。
文摘Sustainable income growth and poverty reduction remain critical challenges at the forefront of research in Pakistan,particularly in rural areas.To overcome these challenges,the role of rural transformation(RT)has emerged and gained importance in recent years.The present study is based on district-level data and covers the period from 1981 to 2019.The study attempts to quantify the role of rural transformation in boosting rural per capita income and alleviating rural poverty in the country.The study also aims to explore the impact of stages of rural transformation on rural per capita income and rural poverty alleviation.The empirical findings reveal that rural transformation(RT_(1)and RT_(2))is essential in enhancing rural per capita income and alleviating rural poverty.The role of the share of high-value crops(RT_(1))is more pronounced than the share of non-farm employment(RT_(2))in boosting rural per capita income and poverty alleviation.The trend of larger contribution of RT_(1)to enhance rural per capita income also continued at 2nd stage of rural transformation.In the case of poverty reduction,at 3rd stage of rural transformation,the role of RT_(2)is dominant.Our results indicate that districts at higher stages of rural transformation(both RT_(1)and RT_(2))tend to correlate positively with increased rural per capita income and reduced poverty rates,suggesting that progress in rural transformation is associated with improved economic conditions.However,it is important to note that this correlation does not necessarily imply a direct causal relationship between rural transformation and these economic outcomes;other factors may have influenced this relationship.In addition,the welfare impacts are more noticeable among the districts where a simultaneous shift from grain crops to cash crops and from farm employment to non-farm employment is observed.The study provides baseline information to learn experiences from fast-growing districts and to replicate the strategies in other districts,which boosts the RT process that may increase rural per capita income and enhance poverty reduction efforts.
文摘Objective:To analyze economic feasibility for investing in nursing care.Method:The number of practicing nurses'density per 1000 population as a proxy for nursing staff and Gross Domestic Product(GDP)per capita(current US$)were collected in 35 member countries of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)over 2000-2016 period.The statistical technique of panel data analysis including unit root test,cointegration analysis,Granger causality test,dynamic long-run model analysis and error correction model were applied to measure economic impact of nursing-related services.Results:There was a committed bilateral relationship between nurse-staffing level and GDP with longrun magnitudes of 1.39 and 0A1 for GDP-lead-nurse and nurse-lead-GDP directions in OECD countries,respectively.Moreover,the highest long-run magnitudes of the effect nursing staff has on increasing GDP per capita were calculated in Finland(2.07),Sweden(1.92),Estonia(1.68),Poland(1.52),Czech Republic(1.48),Norway(1.47)and Canada(1.24).Conclusion:Our findings verify that although the dependency of nursing characteristics to GDP per capita is higher than the reliance of GDP to number of nurses'density per 1000 population,investing in nursing care is economically feasible in OECD countries i.e.nursing is not only a financial burden(or cost)on health care systems,but also an economic stimulus in OECD countries.Hence,we alert governments and policy makers about the risk of underestimating the economic impacts of nurses on economic systems of OECD countries.
文摘This paper presents the significance analysis of a new type of hybrid composite sandwich wall panel which can be manufactured as modular panelised system. Two different types of natural fibers reinforced plastics (NFRP) laminate were incorporated into the new sandwich panel as an intermediate layer. The significance analysis in this research has been carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA). As the aim of the analysis is to select the most appropriate natural fiber composites for the intermediate layer, the experiments were arranged as a single factor experiment in which 3 levels of a factor have been examined. The factor refers to the type of intermediate layer used in the sandwich panel. The result of this study shows that the incorporation of intermediate layer has significantly enhanced the load carrying capacity of the sandwich panels.
基金the Iranian Nanotechnology Development Committee for their financial supportthe University of Kashan for supporting this work (No. 891238/11)。
文摘In this paper,the stresses and buckling behaviors of a thick-walled mi-cro sandwich panel with a flexible foam core and carbon nanotube reinforced composite(CNTRC)face sheets are considered based on the high-order shear deformation theory(HSDT)and the modified couple stress theory(MCST).The governing equations of equi-librium are obtained based on the total potential energy principle.The effects of various parameters such as the aspect ratio,elastic foundation,temperature changes,and volume fraction of the canbon nanotubes(CNTs)on the critical buckling loads,normal stress,shear stress,and deflection of the thick-walled micro cylindrical sandwich panel consider-ing different distributions of CNTs are examined.The results are compared and validated with other studies,and showing an excellent compatibility.CNTs have become very use-ful and common candidates in sandwich structures,and they have been extensively used in many applications including nanotechnology,aerospace,and micro-structures.This paper also extends further applications of reinforced sandwich panels by providing the modified equations and formulae.
文摘An approximate analysis for free vibration of a laminated curved panel(shell)with four edges simply supported(SS2),is presented in this paper.The transverse shear deformation is considered by using a higher-order shear deformation theory.For solving the highly coupled partial differential governing equations and associated boundary conditions,a set of solution functions in the form of double trigonometric Fourier series,which are required to satisfy the geometry part of the considered boundary conditions,is assumed in advance.By applying the Galerkin procedure both to the governing equations and to the natural boundary conditions not satisfied by the assumed solution functions,an approximate solution,capable of providing a reliable prediction for the global response of the panel,is obtained.Numerical results of antisymmetric angle-ply as well as symmetric cross-ply and angle-ply laminated curved panels are presented and discussed.
基金part of the OTEC research activity"Preliminary Design of a 5 MW OTEC plant:Study case in the North Bali"research grand DIPA-124.01.1.690505/2023 conducted by the Marine Renewable Energy Conversion Technology research group,Research Center for Hydrodynamics Technology,National Research and Innovation Agency(BRIN)。
文摘Ocean thermal energy conversion(OTEC)is a process of generating electricity by exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater.Due to the high static and dynamic pressures that are caused by seawater circulation,the stiffened panel that constitutes a seawater tank may undergo a reduction in ultimate strength.The current paper investigates the design of stiffening systems for OTEC seawater tanks by examining the effects of stiffening parameters such as stiffener sizes and span-over-bay ratio for the applied combined loadings of lateral and transverse pressure by fluid motion and axial compression due to global bending moment.The ultimate strength calculation was conducted by using the non-linear finite element method via the commercial software known as ABAQUS.The stress and deformation distribution due to pressure loads was computed in the first step and then brought to the second step,in which the axial compression was applied.The effects of pressure on the ultimate strength of the stiffener were investigated for representative stiffened panels,and the significance of the stiffener parameters was assessed by using the sensitivity analysis method.As a result,the ultimate strength was reduced by approximately 1.5%for the span-over-bay ratio of 3 and by 7%for the span-over-bay ratio of 6.
文摘In this paper, the large deflection theory is adopted to analyse the geometrical nonlinear stability of a sandwich shallow cylindrical panel with orthoiropic surfaces. The critical point is determined and the postbitckling behaviour of the panel is studied.
文摘This study assessed critical factors for road traffic accidents and associated mitigation to reduce the accidents by the year 2030. The study was guided by research questions, what are the major causatives of road accidents and how to mitigate the problem. The study used secondary data collected from the repository database of traffic police at the division of Tanzania Road Safety Squad. Data were collected at the events of accident occur</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">re</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nces and reported annually by regions. Panel data analysis was used to allow for controlling variables which cannot be observed over time and across areas such as regions. Pooled Poisson model, fixed effect and random effect Poisson model was applied to assess factors for road traffic accidents. Fixed effect model was the best model with a reasonably good fit. Results indicated that all predictors are significant under fixed effect Poisson model with </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">a </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">p-value less than 0.05 but Passengers and Railway crossing road was found insignificant and dropped in the final model. Laws and regulatory frameworks should be formulated and enforced promptly for Tanzania may reach the target of 2</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> decade of action for roads safety 2021-2030.
文摘Institutional theory has proved the influence of institutional pressures on organization practices and structures. Meanwhile, with the soaring use of corporate social performance (CSP), more researchers are focusing on exploring the relationship between institution pressures and CSP which is still not completely understood yet. Against this background, the paper aims to fill the gap through generally hypothesizing that different types of institutional pressures individually and collectively affect CSP via the mediating effect of corporate environmental strategy. First, based on the previous and extensive literature review, the theoretical framework and research hypotheses are constructed. Next, canonical correlation analysis about the panel data of 51 Chinese large-scale power generation enterprises from 2004 to 2009 is made to test the relevant hypotheses. Finally, based on the data analysis results, the study draws some conclusions and policy implications for promoting the CSP of Chinese enterprises, including enhancing the steering function of government policies and industry regulations and emphasizing the intermediary role of media.
文摘This work investigates the relationship between intellectual capital and value creation in the sector of production and assembly of vehicles and auto-parts in Brazil. Through the access of the database from the annual industrial research conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, we gathered 865 observations, from 2000 to 2006, of public and private Brazilian companies with more than 100 employees. The database allows the estimate of relevant aggregated variables such as national accounts, gross domestic product, intermediate consumption, as well as propitiates a sectorial study of business strategies and performance, including value added by individual companies. In particular, in this study we use data on variables associated to intellectual capital. To achieve the goal of the study, we consider intellectual capital as defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), including human capital and structural capital. For the analysis of business performance, we used Pulic's VAIC (Value Added Intellectual Cofficient) index as a measure of efficiency of the employed financial and intellectual capital. Regression models were run to verify the relationship among the efficiency in the use of intellectual capital and the profitability of Brazilian companies. The gross income, calculated as before selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expenses, amortization and interest expenses, was used as measure of the flows of value creation and the profitability was measured by the gross income to the total assets of the companies. Considering the constructs defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), we tested, for the Brazilian sector of Production and Assembly of Vehicles and Auto-parts, the following hypotheses: (l) there is a positive relationship between value creation and intellectual capital, (2) there is a positive relationship between value creation and stock of intellectual capital, (3) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the employed capital, (4) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the human capital, (5) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the structural capital. The results of the study, obtained through panel data analysis and through the use static and dynamic models, support the hypotheses that the intellectual capital of the companies, in its flow and stock dimensions, is positively and significantly related to value creation.
基金Science Council of Chinese Taipei Under Grant No. SC-92-2625-Z-027-003
文摘Six reinforced concrete frames with or without masonry infills were constructed and tested under horizontal cyclic loads. All six frames had identical details in which the transverse reinforcement in columns was provided by rectangular hoops that did not meet current ACI specifications for ductile frames. For comparison purposes, the columns in three of these frames were jacketed by carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) sheets to avoid possible shear failure. A nonlinear pushover analysis, in which the force-deformation relationships of individual elements were developed based on ACI 318, FEMA 356, and Chen's model, was carried out for these frames and compared to test results. Both the failure mechanisms and impact of infills on the behaviors of these frames were examined in the study. Conclusions from the present analysis provide structural engineers with valuable information for evaluation and design of infilled concrete frame building structures.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.10772060)Heilongjiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation with Excellent Young Investigators of China(GrantNo.JC2006-13)
文摘Spot weld models are widely used in finite element analysis(FEA) of automotive body in white(BIW) to predict static,dynamic,durability and other characteristics of automotive BIW.However,few researches are done on evaluation of the validity of these spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW.To evaluate the validity and accuracy of spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW,two object functions,error function and deviation function,are introduced innovatively.Modal analysis of Two-panel and Double-hat structures,which are the dominated structures in BIW,is conducted,and the values of these two object functions are obtained.Based on the values of object functions,the validity of these spot weld models are evaluated.It is found that the area contact method(ACM2) and weld element connection(CWELD) can give more precise prediction in modal analysis of these two classical structures,thus are more applicable to structural dynamic analysis of automotive BIW.Modal analysis of a classical BIW is performed,which further confirms this evaluation.The error function and deviation function proposed in this research can give guidance on the adaptability of spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW.And this evaluation method can also be adopted in evaluation of other finite element models in static,dynamic and other kinds of analysis for automotive structures.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11972096,12372127 and 12202085)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2022CDJQY004)+4 种基金Chongqing Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.cstc2021ycjh-bgzxm0117)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2022M720562)Chongqing Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2021XM3022)supported by the opening project of State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology(Beijing Institute of Technology)The opening project number is KFJJ23-18 M。
文摘This study systematically examines the energy dissipation mechanisms and ballistic characteristics of foam sandwich panels(FSP)under high-velocity impact using the explicit non-linear finite element method.Based on the geometric topology of the FSP system,three FSP configurations with the same areal density are derived,namely multi-layer,gradient core and asymmetric face sheet,and three key structural parameters are identified:core thickness(t_(c)),face sheet thickness(t_(f))and overlap face/core number(n_(o)).The ballistic performance of the FSP system is comprehensively evaluated in terms of the ballistic limit velocity(BLV),deformation modes,energy dissipation mechanism,and specific penetration energy(SPE).The results show that the FSP system exhibits a significant configuration dependence,whose ballistic performance ranking is:asymmetric face sheet>gradient core>multi-layer.The mass distribution of the top and bottom face sheets plays a critical role in the ballistic resistance of the FSP system.Both BLV and SPE increase with tf,while the raising tcor noleads to an increase in BLV but a decrease in SPE.Further,a face-core synchronous enhancement mechanism is discovered by the energy dissipation analysis,based on which the ballistic optimization procedure is also conducted and a design chart is established.This study shed light on the anti-penetration mechanism of the FSP system and might provide a theoretical basis for its engineering application.
文摘In the 21st century, the deployment of ground-based Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules has seen exponential growth, driven by increasing demands for green, clean, and renewable energy sources. However, their usage is constrained by certain limitations. Notably, the efficiency of solar PV modules on the ground peaks at a maximum of 25%, and there are concerns regarding their long-term reliability, with an expected lifespan of approximately 25 years without failures. This study focuses on analyzing the thermal efficiency of PV Modules. We have investigated the temperature profile of PV Modules under varying environmental conditions, such as air velocity and ambient temperature, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This analysis is crucial as the efficiency of PV Modules is significantly impacted by changes in the temperature differential relative to the environment. Furthermore, the study highlights the effect of airflow over solar panels on their temperature. It is found that a decrease in the temperature of the PV Module increases Open Circuit Voltage, underlining the importance of thermal management in optimizing solar panel performance.
文摘The paper starts with a brief overview to the necessity of sheet metal forming simulation and the complexity of automobile panel forming, then leads to finite element analysis (FEA) which is a powerful simulation tool for analyzing complex three-dimensional sheet metal forming problems. The theory and features of the dynamic explicit finite element methods are introduced and the available various commercial finite element method codes used for sheet metal forming simulation in the world are discussed,and the civil and international status quo of automobile panel simulation as well. The front door outer panel of one certain new automobile is regarded as one example that the dynamic explicit FEM code Dynaform is used for the simulation of the front door outer panel forming process. Process defects such as ruptures are predicted. The improving methods can be given according to the simulation results. Foreground of sheet metal forming simulation is outlined.