Is human trafficking the dark side of economic freedom?

Economic freedom has increased living standards worldwide. Concurrent with such gains are rising concerns about potential human costs associated with free markets. This paper uses data on human trafficking and anti-trafficking policies, in conjunction with a measure of economic freedom, to examine whether free markets exacerbate or attenuate the incidence of human trafficking and policies designed to combat it. We do not find evidence suggesting that economic freedom is associated with human trafficking. In addition, our results suggest that economically free countries are more likely to enact and enforce policies to fight human trafficking.     

基于神经网络信息融合技术的卫星定姿算法

姿态确定系统是卫星姿态控制系统中的重要组成部分,卫星姿态确定的精度直接影响卫星控制精度.为得到高姿态精度,针对由惯性测量单元(Inertial Measurement Unit),红外地平仪和太阳敏感器组成的卫星姿态确定系统,分别采用BP网络算法和径向基(RBF)网络算法对不同的姿态敏感器的输出数据进行融合,并用STK(Satellite Tool Kit)数据进行了仿真.仿真分析结果表明这两种学习算法均可以提高卫星定姿精度,相对而言,RBF网络无论是精度上还是收敛速度上均优于BP网络.     

A note on optimal pricing for finite capacity queueing systems with multiple customer classes

This article investigates optimal static prices for a finite capacity queueing system serving customers from different classes. We first show that the original multi‐class formulation in which the price for each class is a decision variable can be reformulated as a single dimensional problem with the total load as the decision variable. Using this alternative formulation, we prove an upper bound for the optimal arrival rates for a fairly large class of queueing systems and provide sufficient conditions that ensure the existence of a unique optimal arrival rate vector. We show that these conditions hold for M/M/1/m and M/G/s/s systems and prove structural results on the relationships between the optimal arrival rates and system capacity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2008     

Stepwise inspection in Bayesian multiattribute acceptance sampling

Bayesian models for multiattribute acceptance sampling have been developed under the assumption that sampling inspection is carried to completion. A Bayesian multiattribute model for stepwise sampling inspection is proposed, whereby sampling inspection is terminated as soon as the disposition of the inspection lot is determined. An iterative solution procedure is developed for obtaining optimal or near-optimal multiattribute acceptance sampling plans under stepwise sampling inspection. The effect of stepwise sampling inspection on the characteristics of an optimal sampling plan is investigated. It is shown that stepwise sampling inspection achieves a sampling plan with lower total expected cost than complete sampling inspection. In addition, it is shown that the sequence of attributes in a stepwise sampling inspection substantially affects the sampling plan and resultant expected cost. The proposed methodology is used to evaluate various heuristics which may be used to determine the sequence of attributes in a stepwise inspection procedure.     

A continuous-review inventory model with constant resupply time and defective items

As a result of imperfect production and inspection by suppliers, pilferage, and/or damage in transit, it is common that procurement orders may contain defective items. This article deals with a continuous-review inventory system with Poisson demand arrivals and constant resupply time. Items in resupply lots may not be of perfect quality. The operating characteristics of such a system are analyzed. For purposes of computational savings, an approximation scheme for the operating characteristics is presented. As a result of the approximation, the determination of the optimal ordering policy becomes much simpler. Extensive numerical tests suggest that the approximation scheme is very effective in giving the optimal or near-optimal ordering policies for such a system.     

Bounds and properties of the expected value of sample information for a project-selection problem

In this article we extend the work of Mehrez and Stulman [5] on the expected value of perfect information (EVPI) to the expected value of sample information (EVSI) for a class of economic problems dealing with the decision to reject or accept an investment project. It is shown that shifting the mean of the underlying a priori distribution of X, the project's monetary value from zero in either direction will decrease the associated EVSI of Y, the random sampled information. A theorem is then presented which gives an upper bound on the EVSI over all distributions of Y, as well as the structure of the posterior mean E[X|Y] for which this upper bound is achieved. Finally, the case where E[X|Y] is linear in Y is discussed and its performance compared with that of the optimal case.     

Dirty war: chemical weapon use and domestic repression

The utilization of chemical weapons to quash domestic rebellion is a drastic action for a regime facing domestic challengers to take, especially given the reputation costs and risk of international intervention. However, recent developments have illustrated that some regimes have contemplated and implemented extraordinary measures (including the use of chemical munitions) to quash rebellion. This study addresses the question of why some states utilize chemical weapons against domestic challengers while others refrain from this level of state repression. I argue that the utilization of chemical weapons has both domestic and international elements. Specifically, that ethnic cleavages that lead to secessionist challenges and factors associated with inter-state rivalry impact the likelihood that a state utilizes the employment of chemical munitions. I test my argument and other explanations regarding repression with a casestudy approach utilizing captured Iraqi Government documents comparing Iraq’s Al-Anfal campaigns with developments during the recent Syrian Civil War.     

高功率电磁环境下C4ISR系统接口电路的阈值实验

采用非接触式电流脉冲注入法,设计了一种通用的接口电路实验模型和测试软件,进行了高功率电磁脉冲对指控系统接口电路的注入损伤实验,测量接口电路耦合电压和耦合电流,并对实验结果进行了分析.实验表明,强电磁能量耦合到电子装备和电气设备内部,可在其接口电路上产生过电压或过电流,从而使设备受到干扰和损伤.     

一种Mini-SAR的极坐标成像算法

Mini-SAR技术是目前SAR领域一个新兴的重要研究方向,但目前投入实用的成像算法很少。针对Mini-SAR的成像原理,给出了一种新的投入实用的极坐标成像算法,通过对该算法优缺点的研究,分析了Mini-SAR成像场景、分辨率及作用距离三者之间的关系,讨论了该算法对成像场景尺寸的限制要求,明确了算法的适用条件;最后利用某型Mini-SAR实际复数图像数据验证了该算法的正确性。研究结论对国内小型SAR的研制具有一定参考价值。