Context-free grammars to detect straight segments and a novel polygonal approximation method

A new method for the polygonal approximation is presented. The method is based on the search for break points through a context-free grammar, that accepts digital straight segments with loss of information, as well as the decrease in the error committed employing the comparison of a tolerable error. We present an application of our method to different sets of objects widely used, as well as a comparison of our results with the best results reported in the literature, proving that our method achieves better values of error criteria. Besides, a new way to find polygonal approximations, with context-free grammars to recognize digital straight segments without loss of pixels, it is also addressed.     

Relatedness between numerically small Dutch Red dairy cattle populations and possibilities for multibreed genomic prediction

Red dairy breeds are a valuable cultural and historical asset, and often a source of unique genetic diversity. However, they have difficulties competing with other, more productive, dairy breeds. Improving competitiveness of Red dairy breeds, by accelerating their genetic improvement using genomic selection, may be a promising strategy to secure their long-term future. For many Red dairy breeds, establishing a sufficiently large breed-specific reference population for genomic prediction is often not possible, but may be overcome by adding individuals from another breed. Relatedness between breeds strongly decides the benefit of adding another breed to the reference population. To prioritize among available breeds, the effective number of chromosome segments (M_e) can be used as an indicator of relatedness between individuals from different breeds. The M_e is also an important parameter in determining the accuracy of genomic prediction. The M_e can be estimated both within a population and between 2 populations or breeds, as the reciprocal of the variance of genomic relationships. We investigated relatedness between 6 Dutch Red cattle breeds, Groningen White Headed (GWH), Dutch Friesian (DF), Meuse-Rhine-Yssel (MRY), Dutch Belted (DB), Deep Red (DR), and Improved Red (IR), focusing primarily on the M_e, to predict which of those breeds may benefit from including reference animals of the other breeds. All of these breeds, except MRY, are under high risk of extinction. Our results indicated high variability of M_e, especially between M_e ranging from ～3,500 to ～17,400, indicating different levels of relatedness between the breeds. Two clusters are especially important, one formed by MRY, DR, and IR, and the other comprising DF and DB. Although relatedness between breeds within each of these 2 clusters is high, across-breed genomic prediction is still limited by the current number of genotyped individuals, which for many breeds is low. However, adding MRY individuals would increase the reference population of DR substantially. We estimated that between 11 and 133 individuals from other breeds are needed to achieve accuracy of genomic prediction equivalent to using one additional individual from the same breed. Given the variation in size of the breeds in this study, the benefit of a multibreed reference population is expected to be lower for larger breeds than for the smaller ones.     

浅谈火力发电厂循环水管沟水压试验方法

本文阐述了火力发电厂循环水压力管水压试验的必要性 ,并对接头水压试验和全长 (分段 )水压试验方法作了较为详细的介绍 ,以供参考     

油墩港大桥连续箱梁施工控制技术

上海市青浦区油墩港大桥是一座主跨80 m的连续梁大桥,采用挂篮对称悬臂浇筑。介绍了对该桥进行施工控制的目的、控制体系、控制的主要监测内容,提出了施工控制中的注意事项。     

盾构隧道施工阶段管片局部开裂原因初探

钢筋混凝土管片作为盾构隧道最基本的结构单元，其破损和开裂必将造成隧道质量问题，并最终影响隧道的使用寿命。在施工过程中，发现部分管片螺栓孔附近出现开裂或破损，为分析出现裂缝或破损的原因，首先，通过3对标准块管片足尺正、负弯曲试验，发现并没有出现上述裂缝，从现象上证明该开裂不是由于管片问相对弯曲位移产生的；然后，通过三维有限元模拟，分别计算1对标准块管片在相对弯曲和相对扭转时的应力分布，通过分析应力云图和截面应力等值线发现，施工过程中出现的开裂和破损是由管片问相对扭转引起的。     

Precast tunnel segments with GFRP reinforcement

The possibility of substituting the traditional steel reinforcement with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars in precast segmental lining tunnels is investigated herein.The use of this kind of reinforcement in tunnel segments allows several advantages mainly related to durability aspects or when provisional lining is forecast. Furthermore, GFRP reinforcement can be used when dielectric joints are necessary.In the presented research, full-scale bending tests have been performed on precast segments in order to compare the structural performance of GFRP reinforced concrete with respect to traditional steel reinforced concrete. Furthermore, peculiar aspects of the design procedure for the proposed solution are remarked and discussed.     

Experiences in Barcelona with the use of fibres in segmental linings

This paper presents the most outstanding experiences regarding the use of fibres as the main reinforcement in precast segmental linings in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. It is known that the addition of structural fibres improves, on the one hand, the mechanical behaviour of the structure during its construction, especially in cases such as the thrust of the jacks, and on the other hand it leads to a reduction of the global costs by reducing the conventional passive reinforcement. The aim of this paper consists in presenting three real experiences that are representative of the application of FRC in urban tunnels and a design methodology to take into account the structural contribution of the fibres. Two particular cases of the application of this design method are presented. In the first case, the use of 25 kg/m³ of fibres has led to a reduction of 70% of the conventional reinforcement initially proposed in the project. In the second one, which was planned to employ fibres but without considering its structural contribution, the parametric study reflected the possibility of reducing up to a 38% of the rebars adding 25 kg/m³ of steel fibres in the concrete mixture. In light of good results, construction companies in Spain have become aware of the advantages of using fibres in these structures and have carried out experimental stretches. This attitude has also been influenced by the approval of the new Spanish Code, which includes the FRC as a construction material with design purposes.     

Analyzing water customer service expectations: A case study of the City of Guelph

The present study applies a business model framework to a water utility using a case study. A survey was developed and conducted with residential water customers in the City of Guelph, ON, Canada, with the objective of assessing their expectations in order to improve the business. Preferences differed by user type, underlining the benefit of distinguishing between customer segments (or user types) and customizing messaging. Users were not aware of all services covered by their water bill, and although expecting high quality services they did not support rate increases. Stakeholder collaborations could be used to improve awareness, offer decentralized solutions, and resolve issues collectively.     

A facile synthesis of mixed soft‐segmented poly(urethane‐imide)–polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxone hybrid nanocomposites and study of their structure–transport properties

The structure–transport properties of mixed soft‐segmented poly(urethane‐imide) (MSPUI) membranes and their microstructures were investigated. Polypropylene glycol, polycaprolactone diol and bis(3‐aminopropyl)‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane were used as the soft segments in the membrane synthesis via a three‐step polymerization reaction. The chemical structures of the MSPUI membranes were characterized using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Morphology and surface properties of the membranes were studied using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy techniques. Surface energy measurements indicated the enrichment of the hydrophobic soft segment in the membranes. The amorphous nature of the polymers was analysed using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The effect of morphology on the permeability and selectivity of the membranes is discussed. Finally, membrane structure–transport property relationships were correlated. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

带式输送机参数化绘图中运输段衔接问题研究

要实现带式输送机的参数化绘图,人们多运用模块化思想,将带式输送机的各组成部件分别成块,选择需要部件进行衔接。作为带式输送机重要部分的运输段、直线段和凸凹弧段的合理衔接成为构成各种工况的关键。通过简单几何原理,将冗繁的衔接简单化,实现带式输送机的参数化绘图。