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Copyright of Ordnance Industry Automation is the property of Editorial Board for Ordnance Industry Automation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Gestão & Tecnologia is the property of Revista Gestao & Tecnologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Liver fibrosis is a key and reversible stage in the progression of many chronic liver diseases to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Forsythiaside-A (FTA), a main compound isolated from Forsythiae Fructus, has an excellent liver protective activity. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of FTA in improving cholestatic liver fibrosis. Bile-duct-ligation (BDL) was conducted to induce liver fibrosis in mice. Hepatic collagen deposition was evaluated by Masson and Sirus red staining. The bile acid spectrum in the liver and serum was analyzed by mass spectrometry. Liver oxidative stress injury and mitochondria damage were observed by using Mito-Tracker Red fluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy, etc. The level of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and the expression of ferroptosis-associated molecules were detected. The binding between FTA and its target protein was confirmed by Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Our results demonstrated that FTA alleviated BDL-induced liver fibrosis in mice. FTA did not decrease the elevated amount of bile acids in BDL-treated mice, but reduced the bile acid-induced mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and ferroptosis in hepatocytes, and also induced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) activation. In Nrf2 knock-out mice, the FTA-provided protection against BDL-induced liver fibrosis was disappeared, and FTA's inhibition on mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and ferroptosis were lowered. Further results displayed that FTA could directly bind to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), thereby activating Nrf2. Moreover, the BDL-induced liver fibrosis was markedly weakened in liver-specific Keap1 knockout mice. Hence, this study suggests that FTA alleviated the BDL-induced liver fibrosis through attenuating mitochondrial damage and ferroptosis in hepatocytes by activating Nrf2 via directly binding to Keap1. [Display omitted] • FTA improved BDL-induced liver fibrosis in mice. • FTA attenuated ferroptosis induced by TCA and TCDCA in hepatocytes. • Nrf2 was critical for FTA's efficacy in reducing ferroptosis. • Nrf2 was critical for FTA's efficacy in improving liver fibrosis. • FTA induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation by directly binding to Keap1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the principal reasons for the establishment of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between countries is to negotiate the reciprocal reduction and/or elimination of customs tariffs. According to Mongolian law, the Customs General Administration of Mongolia (CGAM) is responsible for determining the optimal rate and amounts of customs duties. As such, it plays a leading role in the negotiation of tariffs and the implementation of FTAs with partner countries. This paper examines the legal text of tariff negotiations and the modality of reducing tariffs, and determines specific goods of interest for tariff negotiations within the framework of the agreement between Mongolia and the Republic of Korea (ROK), based on analysis of the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index. The results of the analysis show that, during the negotiation process, Mongolia should focus on textiles and apparel, as well as agricultural production, while the ROK should concentrate on automobiles, items of machinery and their parts, tobacco, cosmetics and noodles. This study should prove useful to Mongolian Customs experts and tariff negotiation team members, trade policy makers and domestic producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the power generation industry, compliance with environmental regulations regarding wastewater discharge quality is crucial, particularly concerning ammonia parameters. The Ammonia Recovery Plant (ARP) at the Paiton Power Plant serves as an intermediate treatment stage for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to manage wastewater with high ammonia content. Operational failures of the ARP can negatively impact the effluent quality from the WWTP, which is monitored according to the dumping permit from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) of the Republic of Indonesia. From 2020 to 2023, 80 fault work orders were recorded in the MAXIMO CMMS system to fix issues in the ARP system, some of which caused the ARP to be non-operational for more than a month. One of the main issues was the lack of spare parts due to repeated failures of the same operational equipment. This forms the basis for this study, which aims to identify critical risks of ARP operational failures and determine solutions to prevent their recurrence. The research process began with identifying operational failure risks using the Risk Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (RFMEA) method. This method simplifies the process of finding the causes of operational failures based on required assessment criteria, allowing for the selection of past operational failures (risk mapping). This was followed by analysis using the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method to identify the basic events from the selected operational failures. A total of 34 failure modes were identified, and RFMEA analysis revealed 4 critical failure modes: inaccurate pH reading, valve leaks, WWFD pipeline leaks in the Feed Pre-Adjust Systems, and acid injection failure in the Chemical Injection Systems. These critical risks were then analyzed using FTA to determine the basic events and develop risk control options (RCO) to mitigate the risks of operational failures. Better risk mitigation is expected to reduce or even prevent losses from operational failures of the plant in the future, as part of effective risk management implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human is a key element of the safety of life on board ships and a significant contributing factor to most of the accidents and incidents in the maritime industry. At this point, risk analysis plays a critical role in ensuring operational safety and maritime transportation sustainability. This paper aims to systematically evaluate how human errors (HEs) contribute to operational risks. Based on this, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is combined under an Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Logic environment with Success Likelihood Index Method (SLIM). Whilst the FTA evaluates the criticality of the operational activities, the Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets (IT2FS) deals with vagueness and subjectivity in using experts' judgements, and the SLIM estimates the probabilities for the human error-related basic events. Since container losses can lead to severe damage and catastrophic events in a container terminal, loading operation was investigated as a case study. Safety culture, experience, and fatigue were observed as highly effective factors in crew performance. The obtained results also indicate that this hybrid approach can effectively be applied to determine the operational vulnerabilities in high-risk industries. The paper intends to improve safety control levels and lower losses in the future of maritime container transport besides emphasising the potential consequences of failures and crucial human errors in the operational process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, trade protectionism and unilateralism have prevailed, and countries around the world have imposed restrictions on log exports. It has also become more difficult for China to import wood resources and export deep-processed wood forest products. Based on panel data from 2000 to 2019, this study uses social network analysis to measure the level of the Chinese wood forest product trade network, takes the Chinese free trade agreements (FTAs) as the natural experiment, and uses the multi-stage double-difference method to investigate the impact of the signed FTAs on China's wood forest product trade. The study finds that the trade network of Chinese wood forest products is becoming increasingly complex, and the central position of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the network is increasing year by year. The signing of FTAs has had a significant positive impact on the trade of wood forest products in China and a significant trade creation effect. This finding remains true after conducting the placebo test and propensity score-matched regression control. At the same time, the import of wood forest products in China will have a significant trade transfer effect due to the signing of FTAs, and this will not affect exports. Although FTAs show significant trade creation and trade transfer effects in China's wood forest product trade, they also increase, to a certain extent, the mismatch of forest resources worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is lingering uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a United States (US) Trade Act enacted in 2000 and set to expire in 2025. However, the US is a traditional trading partner of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and all SACU members predominantly access the US market through AGOA. Aim: This article assesses the welfare, macroeconomic and trade effects of the potential Southern African Customs Union-United States Free Trade Agreement (SACU-US FTA). Setting: The expiry of AGOA and the uncertainty surrounding its renewal present trade policy challenges for AGOA beneficiary countries, particularly the SACU nations. Method: The article employs the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP)-Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to simulate a scenario where SACU and the US eliminate all import taxes and export subsidies in their bilateral trade. Results: The GTAP-CGE model simulation results reveal welfare gains of US$316.47 million for SACU and US$678.01 million for the US with favourable macroeconomic and trade effects for both parties. Net trade creation is estimated at US$3.06 billion. Conclusion: The US interest in the potential SACU-US FTA rests in enhanced access to a smaller, but highly protected market where the European Union (EU) has already concluded preferential trade arrangements. Correspondingly, SACU aims for enriched access to a much larger, though less protected, market. Contribution: While most studies on FTAs focus on distributional effects using CGE and partial equilibrium models, there is limited research on the welfare, macroeconomic, and trade impacts of the potential SACU-US FTA. This article, therefore, stimulates debate and navigate domestic policies on the welfare, macroeconomic and trade implications of the prospective trade agreement.

Nghiên cứu này khám phá các yếu tố ảnh hưởng đến giá trị xuất khẩu gỗ và sản phẩm gỗ của Việt Nam, dựa trên dữ liệu từ 2010 đến 2021 của Việt Nam và 20 đối tác thương mại. Sử dụng phương pháp định lượng và mô hình trọng lực mở rộng, phân tích tiết lộ, quy mô kinh tế đối tác, giá gỗ thế giới, sản lượng gỗ Việt Nam, khoảng cách địa lý, tỷ giá hối đoái, lạm phát, và tham gia vào các Hiệp định Thương mại Tự do (FTA) có ảnh hưởng đáng kể đến xuất khẩu gỗ và sản phẩm gỗ. Các kết quả ước lượng cho thấy, cách thức các yếu tố này tác động đến ngành xuất khẩu gỗ và sản phẩm gỗ của Việt Nam, đồng thời đề xuất các khuyến nghị chính sách để hỗ trợ sự phát triển của ngành. Nghiên cứu góp phần mở rộng hiểu biết về tác động của các yếu tố kinh tế, thị trường, và chính sách đến ngành xuất khẩu quan trọng này, hướng tới việc củng cố và mở rộng thị trường xuất khẩu gỗ và sản phẩm gỗ của Việt Nam.

Pulsating heat pipes (PHPs) offer significant advantages for the thermal control of electronic components due to their simple manufacturing and high heat transfer rates. The reliability of PHPs has traditionally been assessed through long-life testing, but detailed reliability analyses from an equipment perspective are limited. The study of PHP reliability is essential due to its application and operational conditions. For instance, in aerospace applications these devices operate under severe conditions, and maintenance or replacement is impossible during operation, making them critical components in system functionality. The reliability analysis of PHPs focuses on the manufacturing process, considering future operating conditions. Although preliminary PHP testing will be conducted on Earth, laboratory conditions are less stringent due to the difficulty of replicating launch acceleration and space conditions for long-term testing under microgravity. This study presents an FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) of the pulsating heat pipe manufacturing process, breaking down the production of each component. The results indicate that the most critical point is concentrated in the assembly of these components, leading to a higher incidence of welding failures. It recommends further work to improve welding and analyze mechanical stresses within the heat pipe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliability analysis and evaluation model based on event chain and Bayesian information fusion is proposed for the characteristics of complex space phased‐mission systems (SPMSs), the implementation process of integrated reliability modeling is detailed, and the identification of weak links and reliability evaluation is carried out with the entry, descent, and landing process of Tianwen‐1 Mars Probe as an example. The application results show that the reliability analysis and evaluation model based on event chain and Bayesian information fusion has good engineering applicability, and the method can be extended and applied to the reliability modeling, analysis, and evaluation of complex SPMSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses attitudes around the projection of the EU among Latin American elites, namely the determinants of support for a Free Trade Agreement between the two regions and the trustworthiness of the EU government. We take as data elite surveys conducted in 15 Latin American countries (2014–2019) and consider sociodemographics, ideology, support for democracy, views of foreign powers, exports to the EU, and electoral democracy. Results show that ideology and support for democracy are key determinants of support for an interregional FTA, and that the trustworthiness of governments in the US, China, and Spain covary with attitudes toward the EU. The latter (trust in the government in Spain) proves to be the main driver and, furthermore, its impact is conditional on the economic strength (observed as exports) of the EU: wherever the EU is not a strong economic actor in Latin America, trust in the Spanish government does nothing but improve the image of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product configuration plays a vital role in product customization. Customers require products with reasonable cost and reliability, so manufacturers should exchange between reliability and production cost through product configuration. To investigate this problem, a novel combined FTA-DFMEA method is presented that implements integrated AHPTOPSIS to improve product configuration. In this procedure, customer's needs and market's feedbacks are considered to identify possible product failures, and an integrated AHP-TOPSIS is applied in order to select the most crucial potential failure based on some identified and extracted criteria. Then, minimal paths are obtained through fault tree analysis and an inverse search method is done to identify related functions and defective components. Failure modes and effect analysis is implemented to conclude modes of failure, effects, and causes. Subsequently, a combined AHP-TOPSIS method is utilized for ranking failure modes and selecting the most crucial failure mode. Failure modes are addressed according to their importance and corrective actions are carried out to improve product configuration. Suppliers with various policies, reliability, warranty and purchasing costs are considered. In addition, for the first time all configuration models like series, parallel, and joint series-parallel as well as redundancy allocation are taken into consideration. A minimum improvement index is considered, which is determined by the decision-maker based on risk-averseness. Eventually, a case study of a laptop system is introduced to evaluate the practicality of the developed algorithm. The results indicate that the proposed method creates different efficient alternatives for the decision-maker to enhance reliability, total costs, and product configuration. Also, the proposed framework consisting of the integration of failure analysis and MADM techniques, effectively identifies failure modes and prevents them from occurring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Automobile Technology & Material is the property of Automobile Technology & Material Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (hereinafter “AFS”), a major achievement of the multilateral trading system to foster ocean sustainability was adopted on 17th June 2022. Before the completion of the AFS, however, several World Trade Organization members had already committed themselves to a number of binding commitments relating to fisheries subsidies in their free trade agreements. Vietnam is not an exception to this trend. The country made general and specific commitments on fisheries subsidies, embedded in Chapter 20 on the environment of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (hereinafter “CPTPP”) and Chapter 13 on trade and sustainable development of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (hereinafter “EVFTA”). Since January 2019 when CPTPP entered into force for Vietnam, the implementation of fisheries subsidies related obligations has generated both positive results and challenges. Difficulties remain for Vietnam in areas such as promulgating regulations on the prohibition of fisheries subsidies, finding other supports to replace the harmful subsidies, as well as collecting data and governance, and to comply with transparency requirements on fisheries subsidies. This paper aims to outline the commitments Vietnam has undertaken within the framework of the CPTPP and EVFTA, demonstrating achievements and challenges in the implementation of such commitments, thereby providing some recommendations for Vietnam with regard to commitments in the AFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines a method and scheme for optimizing the allocation of nuclear radiation monitoring resources, based on the analysis of the risk of nuclear security events and the importance of facilities in a spent fuel reprocessing plant. By constructing a nuclear security radiation accident tree for a plant, the importance of different security events was calculated using fuzzy mathematics and expert scoring methods. The importance of each facility was determined by establishing a fuzzy comprehensive decision model, and a resource allocation scheme for nuclear radiation monitoring was proposed based on the importance level of facilities. The research findings demonstrated that the extraction process plant in the main process area, and the centralized control room in the front area of the plant, were of highest importance. Accordingly, three levels of nuclear radiation monitoring programs were established based on the importance of each facility. This study offers theoretical and technical support for the safety management and operation of a spent fuel reprocessing plant. Additionally, the analysis results can serve as a reference for allocating nuclear radiation monitoring resources in various facilities in a reasonable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing the potential for mosquitoes to transmit medically important arboviruses is essential for understanding their threat to human populations. Currently, vector competence studies are typically performed by collecting saliva using a glass capillary tube system which involves sacrificing the mosquito at the time of saliva collection allowing only a single data point. These techniques also require handling infected mosquitoes and glass capillaries, constituting a safety risk. Materials and Methods: To improve the efficiency and safety of assessing vector competence, a novel containment and saliva collection approach for individually housed mosquitoes was developed. The improved housing, allowing longitudinal tracking of individual mosquitoes, consists of a 12-well Corning polystyrene plate sealed with a three-dimensional printed lid that holds organdy netting firmly against the rims of the wells. Results: This method provides excellent mosquito survival for five species of mosquitoes, with at least 79% of each species tested surviving for more than 2 weeks, comparable to the carton survival rates of ≥76%. When the plate housing system was used to assess vector infection, replication of West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquito tissues was similar to traditional containment mosquito housing. Mosquito saliva was collected using either blotting paper pads or traditional glass capillaries to assay viral transmission. The blotting paper collection showed similar or better sensitivity than the capillary method; in addition, longitudinal saliva samples could be collected from individual mosquitoes housed in the 12-well plates. Conclusions: The improved housing and saliva collection technique described herein provides a safer and more informative method for determining vector competence in mosquitoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a framework merging failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) techniques to evaluate loss of coolant accident (LOCA) in the Brazilian Reactor TRIGA IPR-RI. At first, FMEA identified failure modes and prioritized risk management based on the risk priority number (RPN). Subsequently, FTA established logical relationships between these failure modes, revealing minimal cut sets. Results indicated that the path involving “loss of coolant from reactor tank” correlate to an externally caused leak, exhibiting a low probability and, consequently, a low RPN. On the other hand, the path involving “loss of coolant through primary circuit rupture without a pump shutdown” highlighted high RPN due to the lack of shutdown signals from the monitoring indicators. Finally, FTA unveiled that LOCA associates with a primary circuit rupture and the simultaneous failure of safety mechanisms, including ultimately human error.

One of the major risks to the operation of a FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading) is collision of supply vessels. Experiences have shown that collisons of supply vessel take place frequently, although the consequences are limited. The offshore oil&gas industry has established relevant design standards and operational procedures, which are proven to be effective in reducing this risk. As the risk assessment becomes increasingly applied, there is a need to quantify the likelihood of supply vessel collisions especially duing the early design/project stage when historical incident data does not exist. This paper proposees a method for estimating the likelihood of supply vessel collision based on fault tree analysis (FTA), Bayesian network (BN), hybrid theory and fuzzy theory. In liew of using historicval data, this method combines the fuzzy logic with expert heuristics to determine the basic events(BEs). The triangular fuzzy membership functions and a hybrid theory were adopted to define factors that lack data or had no data in the events. To account for the imprecise information of human error, a scheme is devised to use the fuzzy fault probability(FFP) based on the hybrid theory, or a hybrid fuzzy fault tree analysis (HFFT). The algorithm transforms the FT into a BN with a conditional probability table (CPT). This new method was demonstrated in an example of a FPSO, and the results were has been validated through case studies and accident reports. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to illustrate key parameters. • Applying fuzzy fault tree and Bayesian network methods to assess marine platform risks. • Using a hybrid fuzzy fault tree approach to address the limitations of missing or limited data for risk factors in the risk assessment process. • Using Bayesian network fault diagnosis to adjust root node prior probability and calculate posterior probability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Autonomous Underwater Glider (AUG), with its extended operational endurance, encounters various uncertain risks during diverse mission tasks. Therefore, conducting dynamic risk analysis is crucial for implementing subsequent decisions and improving equipment safety. This paper combines Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) to develop a customized dynamic risk assessment method for AUG task failure under multiple risk factors. Firstly, preliminary risk factors are identified by FTA using existing experimental data. Next, transformation rules are constructed to map FTA into a basic DBN model. Then, parameters such as conditional probabilities are determined through logic gates and parameter learning, and the proposed model is validated based on axioms. Finally, key risk factors are identified based on actual failure data. The research results indicate that the key risk factors leading to AUG task failure are progressive abnormalities such as biofouling and ocean current disturbance. The method proposed in this paper can achieve dynamic risk assessment, providing strong references for operators in making decisions for subsequent tasks. • A novel dynamic risk analysis approach for AUGs using FTA and DBN. • Risk factors for AUG missions are identified using experimental data. • The model is validated with actual data, improving early warnings. • Biofouling and ocean currents are revealed as significant influences on mission risks. • Risk indicators are provided to AUG operators for mission adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of free trade agreements (FTAs) has surged in recent years. In order to benefit from lower import duties, firms must apply for preferential customs treatment and comply with rules of origin requirements. This is costly and explains why preference utilization rates are typically far below 100 percent. Analyzing Switzerland's wide FTA network based on a novel data set on all import transactions, our findings shed light on how sourcing requirements affect FTA utilization. Using a revealed preference criterion, we identify a fixed cost component of the utilization which firms avoid especially for urgent shipments. We also find limited evidence of learning effects and provide well-identified estimates of the restrictive effects of rules of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]