The Exclusion Theorem in the Weberian Space

In this paper we employ a unifying approach to examine the exclusion theorem in a Weberian space under various types of uncertainty: input price or output price uncertainty, transport rate uncertainty, and technology uncertainty. The novelty of our approach is the usage of second-order conditions and comparative static analysis in the derivation of conditions for thevalidity of the exclusion theorem. Our main results are new and some are generalizations of those obtained in prior studies.     

Scattering problems of the SH Wave by Using the Null-Field Boundary Integral Equation Method

The scattering problem of seismic waves is an important issue for studying earthquake engineering. In this paper, the null-field boundary integral equation approach was used in conjunction with degenerate kernels and eigenfunction expansion to solve the SH-wave scattering problem of a circular or an elliptical-arc hill. The original problem is divided into subdomains by taking a free-body diagram. One region is an interior boundary value problem. The other is a canyon scattering problem. For the boundary value problem, not only a simply connected domain (elliptical-arc hill problem) but also a doubly connected domain (a circular-arc hill problem containing a circular tunnel or a circular inclusion) is considered. The canyon scattering problem may be addressed in an infinite domain with an artificial boundary of a full plane such that the degenerate kernel can be fully utilized. The null-field integral equation method is used to match boundary conditions. Numerical results are compared favorably with the available data.     

Application of Kernel Density Estimates to Lead Isotope Compositions of Bronzes from Ningxia,North‐West China

The aim of this paper is to apply kernel density estimates (KDEs) to the visualization and interpretation of lead isotope data from bronze assemblages found along the northern border of central China, here designated as the Arc. New lead isotope analyses of 30 leaded tin–bronze artefacts from the Wangdahu cemetery (c.500–300 bc ) in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, north‐west China, provide the basis for the discussion. By using multivariate KDEs and the calculated likelihood of the overlap, the present work shows that the Wangdahu objects feature a unique linear array of isotope ratios, representing an important element of overall bronzes from the Arc in the first millennium bc . This characteristic isotope signature is fundamentally different from that of Dajing ores in north‐east China, as well from that of early Qin bronzes in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. This suggests that a variety of metal resources were utilized by peoples living in the Arc. The KDE approach thus proves effective at presenting and comparing lead isotope data.     

The Agroindustry: A Neglected Aspect of the Location Theory of Manufacturing

The agroindustry, that is, the industry of processing of agricultural products, plays an important role in the economy of a developing country. However, the location theory of manufacturing, as developed to date, is not applicable to this type of manufacturing. This paper attempts to examine this neglected aspect of the location theory of manufacturing. The model is built on a framework that is adopted by most previous studies on production location, except that one of the inputs is of the von Thunen type, that is, produced over space and initially sold to consumers in the town. The location behavior of an agroindustrial firm is systematically analyzed. Moreover, and more importantly, a comparison of an agroindustrial firm with its non-agroindustrial counterpart is presented, demonstrating clearly that in many respects, the location behaviors of these two categories of manufacturing are significant different.     

The spatial encounter between neoliberalism and populism in Taiwan: Regional restructuring under the DPP regime in the new millennium

This paper aims to explore the unevenness of spatial development under the rule of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan, after the collapse of the one-party dominance of the Kuomintang (KMT) in the 2000 presidential election. In the late 1980s the KMT engineered the rise of big business groups and consortia with the introduction of its neoliberalization project. To remain in power, the DPP regime continued to implement this neoliberalization project to win the political loyalties and donations from emerging business groups and show a dedication to economic development, while resorting to the populist practice of transferring resources to the local society, particularly winning precincts, to consolidate its advantage and further crumble the KMT bastions. Consequently, Taiwan was a “vacillated state”, pulled and dragged between the pro-growth neoliberalization project and calls for a populist redistribution of resources. This resulted in a new political dynamic in which the urban regions were tied closely with the global economic growth while the rural regions were closely tied to domestic resource allocation. As the developmental model of state would predict, this contradictory co-existence of neoliberalism and populism led to a decline in state policy effectiveness.     

External Leveraging and Technological Upgrading Among East Asian Firms in the US

This paper examines the innovation strategies driving Asian firms' investment in the US based on the resource-based model of knowledge. Specifically, it is shown that Asian firms' competitive advantage revolves around their ability to capture rents through a series of technological and marketing capabilities that collectively constitute the firms' knowledge resource base. The process of learning is documented by shedding light on the major sources of knowledge acquisition that enhance technological capabilities internally and externally. Specifically, this empirical research, based on a large-scale quantitative survey of Taiwanese, South Korean, and Singaporean firms in the US that was conducted between 2003 and 2004, shows that the firms in industrializing Asian economies (henceforth the IAFs) are directly investing in the US and setting up R&D operations there to acquire knowledge that enables them to become more innovative. A variety of technology sourcing strategies practiced among these IAFs was found, depending on their firm-specific variables (e.g. size and sector) and their prior technological capabilities. The types of technology and knowledge sources also go beyond conventional technological know-how to embrace the entire production chain from manufacturing technologies to expertise in marketing and distribution.     

明代福建社会风气的变迁

Under the stimulus of developing commercial economy and overseas trade, the social customs characterized by prevailing luxury and extravagance was gradually formed in Fujian Province from the mid-Ming Dynasty on. The transformation started from the material culture and later spread to people—s mental attitudes including the public ethics and human relations. Compared with what happened in the Jiangnan area (the Yangtze River Delta), the change in Fujian Province was less profound and thorough, but it highly surpassed the North China society, where many sub-prefectures and counties remained unchanged till the end of the Ming Dynasty. However, there were also some coastal or interior regions in Fujian which continuously maintained a simple and unspoiled social atmosphere for the unbalanced economic development. Translated by Zhou Weiwei and Chen Cheng from Zhejiang Xuekan 浙江学刊 (Zhejiang Academic Journal), 2007, (5): 34–44     

The Use of Optical Coherence Tomography for Monitoring the Subsurface Morphologies of Archaic Jades

We demonstrate the use of the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technique for non‐invasive scanning of the subsurface morphologies of jade objects. The two‐dimensional tomography images show the refractive index or dielectric constant variations in the samples, reflecting their structures. Three samples of archaic jade objects from the Qijia and Liangzhu cultures in China are scanned in order to understand the subsurface morphologies of the naturally whitened jades. Also, two jade objects with artificial treatments (burning) are scanned and compared with the original materials in subsurface structures. In the original objects, the jade materials can generally be quite transparent, such that the backscattering intensity is weak, although the large‐scale (tens of microns or larger) subsurface morphology can be clearly observed. After burning, small‐scale (smaller than a few microns) structures are formed and the backscattering intensity is enhanced. In this situation, the large‐scale structures may be preserved or even newly generated. On the other hand, in an archaic object with natural whitening, small‐scale structures are also formed. Hence, the deeper distributions of significant backscattering intensity are observed, when compared with the unwhitened objects. Nevertheless, the large‐scale features diminish during the whitening process. With OCT scanning, such differences in subsurface morphology can provide us a valuable reference for authenticating archaic jade objects.     

Shaking Table Test of the Taiwanese Traditional Dieh-Dou Timber Frame

This article attempts to explore the dynamic behavior of traditional Dieh-Dou timber structure under different combinations of structural forms and vertical loads. Using time-history record (TCU 084) from the Chi-Chi earthquake, two semi full-scale specimens (Symmetric and Asymmetric) were tested. Results showed that the Symmetric specimen tends to be damaged more easily and faster than the Asymmetric one. Damage pattern generally begins from the bottom Dou members and subsequently spreading upwards to the upper Dou, horizontal Gong members, and adjoining Shu members. Friction force between the contact surfaces is crucial towards the maintenance of overall structure. Increase vertical loadings have significant effect on the natural frequencies and global stiffness of the structure. Using the Single-Degree-Of-Freedom (SDOF) system, the derived stiffness is generally in good agreement with the dynamic results of both forms. This study suggests that the effects of increasing vertical loadings should be taken into consideration for future evaluation.