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Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a remarkably strong oxidant, and its vapour ([H2O2]g) has further advantages, such as a low cost and good light transmission. However, there has been very little research on its removal through gas-phase advanced oxidation (GPAO). In the present study, the photochemical oxidation of a gas that contains a series of benzene derivatives using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and [H2O2]g was investigated in a transparent bag made of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). UV and [H2O2]g barely reduced the pollutant within 5 h when used alone, and the reactant was also stable. When the pollutant concentration was high (248 to 756 mg/m3) and the residence time was short (3 s) compared with related studies on the removal of benzene, toluene and xylene, the apparent removal rate by UV/[H2O2]g/(powder active carbon, PAC) was higher than when other methods (UV/[H2O2]g, UV/[H2O2]g/TiO2 and UV/[H2O2]g/ZnO), were used. However, it was found that the mineralization by UV/[H2O2]g significantly decreased, which in turn decreased the conductivity after the reaction. Increasing the pollutant concentration and the pH of the H2O2 had a negative effect on the treatment, but the UV radiation had a positive effect at powers of up to 40 W. In addition, the characteristic absorbance of three benzene derivatives showed that the key structure of the pollutant molecules was damaged during GPAO. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-021-16920-w.

Detecting defects from weld radiography images is an important topic in the field of nondestructive testing. Many intelligent detection systems are constructed based on computer. Feature extraction is critical for constructing such system to recognize and classify the weld defects. Deep neural networks have powerful ability to learn representative features that are more sensitive to classification. However, a large number of samples are usually required. In this paper, a stacked autoencoder network is used to pretrain a deep neural network with a small dataset. We can learn the hierarchical feature from the network. In addition, two kinds of traditional manual features are extracted from the same set. These features are combined into new fusion feature vectors for classifying different weld defects. Two evaluation methods are used to test the classification performance of these features through several experiments. The results show that deep feature based on stacked autoencoder network performs better than the other features. The classification performance of fusion features is better than single feature.

The phase-based motion magnification technique can exaggerate specific structural vibrations and obtain potential applications in visualizing and understanding modal shapes. However, the quality of motion magnification is affected by noise and clipping artifacts, especially in large amplifications. We propose a hybrid-driven motion magnification framework that combines Eulerian and Lagrangian motion processing. Since the structural global spatial vibration corresponding to different modal shapes usually accumulates energy differences in the timeline, from a Eulerian perspective, temporal intensity variations are denoised and separated according to the energy distribution to control spatial motions. Meanwhile, from a Lagrangian perspective, the motion magnification is realized by compensating spatial motion according to the magnified inter-frame motion vector field. By utilizing both Eulerian and Lagrangian motion processing, the proposed framework supports a larger amplification factor and achieves better performance in perceiving subtle vibrations in controlled modal tests.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has the remarkable characteristics of strong oxidation, in which its vapour ([H2O2]g)has further advantages, such as economize and good light transmission. But there is very rare research about its degradation effect in Gas-Phase Advanced Oxidation (GPAO). In the present study, the photochemical oxidation for gas containing benzene series, using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and [H2O2]g, was investigated in a transparent bag made of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). Only UV or [H2O2]g hardly reduced the pollutant in 5 hours in which the reactor was also stable. With the high pollutant concentration (248 to 756 mg/m3) and short residence time (3S) compared with the related studies, studying the degradation of benzene, toluene and xylene, the apparent rate by UV/[H2O2]g/(powder active carbon, PAC) was higher compared with the different way (UV/[H2O2]g, UV/[H2O2]g/TiO2 and UV/[H2O2]g/ZnO), but it was found that the terminal degradation by UV/[H2O2]g significantly decreased, in which the conductivity decreased after reaction. The effects of increasing pollutant concentration and H2O2 pH were negative for the treament, but the UV radiated power positive till 40W. In addition, the characteristic absorbance for three benzene series showed that the key structure of pollutant molecule were damaged in GPAO.

To investigate the cooling characteristics of the trailing-edge slot fed by the coolant channel with the straight ribs arranged at small pitch, the effects of the straight rib height and blowing ratio on the adiabatic cooling effectiveness and convective heat transfer coefficient of expanded cutback surface were studied by using the steady pressure sensitive paint technology and transient thermochromic liquid crystal technology, respectively. The cutback discharge coefficient and cooling performance under the multi-ribbed channel were analyzed and discussed, then the heat flux ratio was introduced to evaluate the optimal cooling structure. The experimental results showed that the discharge coefficient of trailing-edge slot increases slightly with the increase of blowing ratio, which is opposite to the increase of rib-height. At low blowing ratio (M≤0.50), the increase of the rib-height significantly strengthens the degree of jet disarray. As the coolant core region upstream of the slot-exit changes, a region with low adiabatic cooling effectiveness appears in the downstream. At the excessive blowing ratio(M=0.75), the adiabatic cooling effectiveness of the ribbed case with low height shows an abnormal trend opposite to the increase of blowing ratio. As the flow loss (based on the discharge coefficient) of the large height case is intensified, the instability of the cold vortex is strengthened, which cancels out the dominance of the flow field. The case with multi-ribbed channel can significantly improve the heat transfer performance of the region near the slot-exit. At large blowing ratio(M≥1.00), the high heat transfer coefficient area near the slot-exit develops into a core region with the high heat transfer coefficient, which can be extended to the downstream of the flow direction for the low height case. The optimal case with rib height of h/H=0.3 can improve the overall cooling effectiveness of the cutback surface by 20∼50%.

Total laparoscopic Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy may be a first choice for patients with biliary disease that requires biliary-jejunal anastomosis., Background and Objectives: Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy (RCJS) has been widely used in biliary bypass surgeries, but in most reported literature, an assisted mini-incision was needed, and studies reporting total laparoscopic Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy (TLRCJS) are rare. The goal of this study was to investigate how to treat hepatic portal bile duct diseases and perform jejunojejunostomy and cholangiojejunostomy totally laparoscopically. We evaluated the feasibility of TLRCJS in treating biliary tract diseases. Methods: TLRCJS were performed in 103 patients from January 2000 to August 2011. There were 28 cases of recurrent choledocholithiasis combined with stricture of the common bile duct (CBD) after several stone extractions, 3 patients with iatrogenic bile duct injury, 24 patients with choledochal cyst, 36 patients with hepatic portal cholangiocarcinoma, and 12 patients with cancer of the pancreatic head and periampullary cancer. All surgeries were performed through 5 trocars. First, laparoscopic surgery on the CBD was performed according to the original disease. The CBD was opened and stones were extracted in choledocholithiasis patients. In iatrogenic injury patients, strictured CBD was resected and repaired. Dilated CBD or choledochal cyst with tumor was transected. In patients with malignant jaundice, the CBD was opened longitudinally. At the same time, the bile duct was prepared for cholangiojejunostomy. Second, the positions of the laparoscope and surgeons were altered. The jejunal mesentery and jejunum were transected, and side-to-side jejunojejunostomy (JJS) was performed. The laparoscope and surgeon positions were exchanged again; the Roux-en-Y biliary limb was lifted close to the residual bile duct; and side-to-side or end-to-side choledochojejunostomy (CJS) was performed. Finally, an abdominal drainage tube was placed. Results: All the surgeries were performed successfully. The diameter of the residual bile duct ranged from 0.4 to 3.2 cm (average, 0.9 cm). Three patients had postoperative bile leakage and were treated from 1 week to approximately 1 month with abdominal drainage. Postoperative intraperitoneal hemorrhage and stress ulcer of the stomach occurred in 2 patients with biliary tract injury combined with obstructive jaundice. One with intraperitoneal hemorrhage was cured by another laparoscopic surgery. The other patient was cured after 2 days of abdominal drainage, antacids, and hemostatic drug therapy. The follow-up duration of 95 patients was 4 to 93 months (average, 48.3 months). The follow-up rate was 92.2% (95/103). Patients with cancer died of metastasis or cachexia during 14-month follow-up with no postoperative complication. Reflux cholangitis occurred in 3 patients 2, 3, and 5 years after the operation, respectively. No anastomotic stricture or other complication was found in other patients during the follow-up. Conclusions: TLRCJS is the best and first choice for patients with biliary tract diseases that need biliary-jejunal anastomosis. But it is essential that the surgeon has proficiency in laparoscopic surgeries.

In this paper we study the long-term movement of the profit rate and related variables in the UK, the US, Japan, and the Euro-zone. Since the mid-19th century there have been four long waves in the movement of the average profit rate and rate of accumulation. The average profit rate tended to fall between the late 19th century and the late 20th / early 21st century. The average profit share fell substantially in the transition from the UK hegemony to the US hegemony. The fall of the profit rateand profit share reflected rising wage and taxation costs. Our findings raise important questions regarding the future development of the capitalist world economy.

Background and objectives To investigate the possibility of extracting common bile duct (CBD) stones by laparoscopically inserting choledochoscope through the natural orifice of the cystic duct and a mini-incision on the CBD, and the safety of laparoscopic primary double-layer suture of the cystic duct and CBD. Methods Laparoscopic transcystic choledochotomy and extraction of stones with primary suture was performed on 194 patients with gallbladder and CBD stones from October 1, 2009, through April 30, 2012. The cystic duct was left at a diameter of 1 to 1.5 cm after removal of the gallbladder. The duct was longitudinally cut at its ventral side to the confluence with the CBD, and the anterior wall of the CBD was also cut longitudinally. A choledochoscope was then inserted via the enlarged opening, and the stones were extracted from the CBD. Finally, the CBD and cystic duct were closed by continuous mucous layer suture and seromuscular Lembert suture, respectively. The cystic duct was ligated close to the CBD and an abdominal drainage tube was placed. Results All surgical procedures were successfully performed. The caliber at the confluence between the cystic duct and the CBD was 0.3 to 0.8 cm (SD 0.4 ± 0.1 cm), and the mini-incision of the CBD was 0.1 to 1.1 cm (SD 0.3 ± 0.2 cm). Abdominal drainage lasted 3 to 5 days. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in 55 patients showed no abnormal change in the CBD diameter. Two patients had bile leakage. Another patient had intermittent abdominal pain and jaundice 5 to 7 days postoperatively, and the retained stones spontaneously passed. The postoperative hospital stay was 6 to 13 days (SD 8 ± 2.1 days). Observation of 176 patients (90%) lasting 1 to 30 months (SD 11 ± 8 months) showed no recurrent stones or stricture of the CBD. Conclusion The surgical procedure of laparoscopic transcystic choledochotomy and extraction of stones with primary suture is feasible and safe.

This paper presents new nonlinear regression estimates of the relationship between inflation and economic growth for 80 countries over the 1961- 2000 period, using middle-income and low-income countries. We also consider the four separate decades between 1961 and 2000. The paper consistently finds that higher inflation is associated with moderate gains in gross domestic product growth up to a roughly 15-18 percent inflation threshold. However, the findings diverge when we divide our full data set according to income levels. With the groupings by decade, the results indicate that inflation and growth will be more highly correlated to the degree that macroeconomic policy is focused on demand management as a stimulus to growth. We consider the implications of these findings for the conduct of monetary policy. One conclusion is that there is no justification for inflation-targeting policies as they are currently being practiced throughout the middle- and low-income countries, that is, to maintain inflation wi...

This paper presents new non-linear regression estimates of the relationship between inflation and economic growth for 80 countries over the period 1961 – 2000. We perform tests using the full sample of countries as well as sub-samples consisting of OECD countries, middle-income countries, and low-income countries. We also consider the full sample of countries within the four separate decades between 1961 – 2000. Considering our full data set we consistently find that higher inflation is associated with moderate gains in GDP growth up to a roughly 15 – 18 percent inflation threshold. However, the findings diverge when we divide our full data set according to income levels. With the OECD countries, no clear pattern emerges at all with either the inflation coefficient or our estimated turning point. With the middle income countries, we return to a consistently positive pattern of inflation coefficients, though none are statistically significant. The turning points range within a narrow band in this sample, between 14 – 16 percent. With the low income countries, we obtain positive and higher coefficient values on the inflation coefficient than with the middle-income countries. With the groupings by decade, the results indicate that inflation and growth will be more highly correlated to the degree that macroeconomic policy is focused on demand management as a stimulus to growth. We consider the implications of these findings for the conduct of monetary policy. One is that there is no justification for inflation-targeting policies as they are currently being practiced throughout the middle- and low-income countries, that is, to maintain inflation with a 3 – 5 percent band.

This paper examines certain structural macroeconomic relations in the neoliberal global economy. The current global economy rests upon three unsustainable trends: the debt-driven U.S. consumption expansion; China’s excessive investment expansion; and the large and rising U.S. current account deficits. When these trends are eventually reversed or corrected, there could be major upheavals in the world economy. The decline of neoliberalism may pave the way for a new set of economic, political, and social institutions.

This paper presents new non-linear regression estimates of the relationship between inflation and economic growth for 80 countries over the period 1961 – 2000. We perform tests using the full sample of countries as well as sub-samples consisting of OECD countries, middle-income countries, and low-income countries. We also consider the full sample of countries within the four separate decades between 1961 – 2000. Considering our full data set we consistently find that higher inflation is associated with moderate gains in GDP growth up to a roughly 15 – 18 percent inflation threshold. However, the findings diverge when we divide our full data set according to income levels. With the OECD countries, no clear pattern emerges at all with either the inflation coefficient or our estimated turning point. With the middle income countries, we return to a consistently positive pattern of inflation coefficients, though none are statistically significant. The turning points range within a narrow band in this sample, between 14 – 16 percent. With the low income countries, we obtain positive and higher coefficient values on the inflation coefficient than with the middle-income countries. With the groupings by decade, the results indicate that inflation and growth will be more highly correlated to the degree that macroeconomic policy is focused on demand management as a stimulus to growth. We consider the implications of these findings for the conduct of monetary policy. One is that there is no justification for inflation-targeting policies as they are currently being practiced throughout the middle- and low-income countries, that is, to maintain inflation with a 3 – 5 percent band.

Levine & Zervos ( 1998 ) presented cross-country econometric evidence showing that, in a sample of 47 countries, stock market liquidity contributed a significant positive influence on GDP growth between 1976–93. We show that the Levine–Zervos results are not robust to alternative specifications because of the incomplete manner in which they control for outliers in their data. We show that when one properly controls for outliers, stock market liquidity no longer exerts any statistically observable influence on GDP growth.

This book, written by an international team of economists, develops concrete, country specific alternatives to inflation targeting, the dominant policy framework of central bank policy that focuses on keeping inflation in the low single digits to the virtual exclusion of other key goals such as employment creation, poverty reduction and sustainable development.