An interpretation of probability in the law of evidence based on pro-et-contra argumentation

The purpose of this paper is to improve on the logical and measure-theoretic foundations for the notion of probability in the law of evidence, which were given in my contributions Åqvist [ (1990) Logical analysis of epistemic modality: an explication of the Bolding–Ekelöf degrees of evidential strength. In: Klami HT (ed) Rätt och Sanning (Law and Truth. A symposium on legal proof-theory in Uppsala May 1989). Iustus Förlag, Uppsala, pp 43–54; (1992) Towards a logical theory of legal evidence: semantic analysis of the Bolding–Ekelöf degrees of evidential strength. In: Martino AA (ed) Expert systems in law. Elsevier Science Publishers BV, Amsterdam, North-Holland, pp 67–86]. The present approach agrees with the one adopted in those contributions in taking its main task to be that of providing a semantic analysis, or explication, of the so called Bolding–Ekelöf degrees of evidential strength (“proof-strength”) as applied to the establishment of matters of fact in law-courts. However, it differs from the one advocated in our earlier work on the subject in explicitly appealing to what is known as “Pro-et-Contra Argumentation”, after the famous Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. It tries to bring out the logical form of that interesting kind of reasoning, at least in the context of the law of evidence. The formal techniques used here will be seen to be largely inspired by the important work done by Patrick Suppes, notably Suppes [(1957) Introduction to logic. van Nostrand, Princeton and (1972) Finite equal-interval measurement structures. Theoria 38:45–63].     

满足FCC辐射掩模的UWB信号设计算法及性能分析

脉冲波形设计是超宽带无线通信技术研究中的重要内容。以满足联邦通信委员会(FCC)辐射掩模为前提,采用两次迭代的算法逐步对脉冲波形参数进行优化,设计了一种低复杂度、能够最大限度提高UWB系统的辐射功率的UWB信号。同时,研究了经过加性高斯白噪声(AWGN)信道,在跳时扩频脉位调制(TH-PPM)UWB系统中使用该窄脉冲的系统性能。仿真结果表明,该UWB通信系统比通常使用Manchester窄脉冲或Scholtz窄脉冲的UWB系统误码性能更优。这对于UWB系统的实际运用有很好的指导意义。     

Properties of polyethylene films with incorporated benzoic anhydride and/or ethyl and propyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and their suitability for food packaging

Benzoic anhydride and ethyl and propyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (ETP and PRP, respectively, also termed parabens) incorporated into low density polyethylene (LDPE) film were studied with regard to migration into food and food simulants at 6°C and 25°C, and changes in selected properties of the film were investigated. Antimicrobials were incorporated into polymer film in concentrations of 5g/kg and 10g/kg. The addition of parabens into the polymer was more difficult than benzoic anhydride due to their volatility. For benzoic anhydride, 30-40% and 10-20% of the added amount was found to leach from the film into aqueous and olive oil food simulants, respectively. The migration into both water and olive oil followed a very similar course in the case of parabens. Migration levels over 90% and in the range of 70% to 80%, relative to the amount of agent in the film, were determined for ETP and PRP respectively. The incorporation of antimicrobials into the film significantly changed the functional characteristics of the packaging material, i.e. permeability of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour, tensile strength, coefficient of friction, sealing strength and transparency. Shelf life tests with packaged cheese and toasted bread demonstrated the efficiency of the film containing 10g/kg of BA against mould growth on the food surface during storage at 6°C.     

破解铸造企业用工荒的一些思考与措施

面对现阶段愈演愈烈的用工荒,从宏观与微观两方面分析了用工荒产生的成因、特点、分布,利用人力资源管理理论,阐述了一些企业用工方面存在的典型问题以及用工误区,提出了一些建设性的意见与措施。     

Environmental Messages in Multiple-family Housing: territory and personalization

The home and its private outdoor space may be characterized as primary territory. As such, it allows the occupants the opportunity to exert control over the activities and behaviours taking place. This paper examines how certain mechanisms are used to enhance or reflect residential territory and, thereby, promote one's sense of privacy, in the design of the adjoining outdoor spaces of homes in multiple-family housing in Abu-Nuseir, Jordan. Two surveys were conducted in Abu-Nuseir, comprising (1) a questionnaire and (2) a field inspection of the territorial marking and personalization of the immediate outdoor environment adjoining residential buildings. Occupants' use of actual and symbolic barriers as a means of manipulation and personalization is reviewed. Results suggest that the presence of actual and symbolic barriers is interpreted as a deterrent to intrusion and an indication of stronger occupant territorial attitudes. Territorial personalization in the environmental setting of multiple-family housing provides an ecological mechanism indicative of one's membership in a group and domain. Territorial features depend upon their inherent physical qualities, general symbolic meanings and the cultural milieu in which they exist.     

Anti‐corrosion additive for concrete

The Building Research Institute in Warsaw has developed an organic concrete additive, known as Dikszopt, which is derived from tanning oak extract. Tests, mostly in the laboratory but some in application trials, show that it has a remarkable ability to protect reinforcing steel against corrosion, notably in carbonized concrete. It also appears to improve the consistency of the concrete mix and retard the setting time, as discussed in this article from the Institute.     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF EXTREME WAVE GENERATION USING VOF METHOD

Numerical simulations of extreme wave generation are carried out by using the Volume Of Fluid (VOF) method. Extreme waves are generated based on wave focusing in a 2-D numerical model. To validate the capability of the VOF-based model described in this article, the propagation of regular waves is computed and compared with the theoretical results. By adjusting the phases of wave components, extreme waves are formed at given time and given position in the computation. The numerical results are compared with theoretical solutions and experimental data. It is concluded that the present model based on the VOF technique can provide acceptably accurate numerical results to serve practical purposes.     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF SLOSHING IN RECTANGULAR TANK WITH VOF BASED ON UNSTRUCTURED GRIDS

A new method for sloshing simulation in a sway tank is present, in which the two phase interface is treated as a physical discontinuity, which can be captured by a well-designed high order scheme. Based on Normalized Variable Diagram (NVD), a high order discretization scheme with unstructured grids is realized, together with a numerical method for free surface flow with a fixed grid. This method is implemented in an in-house code General Transport Equation Analyzer (GTEA) which is an unstructured grids finite volume solver. The present method is first validated by available analytical solutions. A simulation for a 2-D rectangular tank at different excitation frequencies of the sway is carried out. A comparison with experimental data in literature and results obtained by commercial software CFX shows that the sloshing load on the monitor points agrees well with the experimental data, with the same grids, and the present method gives better results on the secondary peak. It is shown that the present method can simulate the free surface overturning and breakup phenomena.     

Research scene

This opinion survey about the future of international construction concerns several time horizons, but only the five-year horizon is discussed in this paper. The analysis focuses on construction market attractiveness - a measure obtained by combining opinions about the rate of growth, profitability and openness to foreign competition - and construction industry competitiveness with respect to both services and materials. The results of the survey rank attractiveness of construction markets by country and city. The analysis of competitiveness of construction services and materials largely points to the same countries and indicates some important medium-term trends in the international construction market.

Cette étude d'opinions sur l'avenir de la construction internationale s'intéresse à plusieurs horizons mais seul l'horizon à 5 ans est examiné dans ce document. Cette analyse se concentre sur l'attractivité du marché de la construction - que l'on mesure en combinant les opinions sur le taux de croissance, la rentabilité et l'ouverture à la concurrence internationale et sur la compétitivité de cette industrie en termes de services et de matériaux. Les résultats de l'étude classent l'attractivité des marchés de la construction par pays et par ville. L'analyse de la compétitivité des services et des matériaux de construction met nettement en eéidence les mêmes pays et indique certaines tendances à moyen terme qui se dessinent sur le marché de la construction internationale.     

Le monde de la pratique

The Green Building Materials '96 (GBM '96) conference brought manufacturers of building materials and products into the process of defining what may be called ‘green building materials’. Forty-seven manufacturers and associations presented information on environmental and associated quality criteria of their products. In addition, materials analysis and certification, building design, implementation, information sources and marketing were discussed. Charles J. Kibert and Gisela Bosch report.