SYNTHESIS OF HYBRID LANGUAGES

Abstract

A specific hybrid tool, the Vienna Knowledge Engineering Tool, is used, in discussing the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid systems during their development and application. An object-oriented programming approach is introduced to serve as binding agent between the system components and as friendly interface to the user.     

Caractérisation de formations végétales mediterranéennes à partir de données ‘Thematic Mapper’ Une étude de cas en Andalousie (Espagne)

Abstract

The study is focused on the characterization of vegetation formations in a Mediterranean area (943 km²) located in southern Spain: herbaceous canopies (rangelands), shrubby vegetation (‘matorral’) and complex woody/herbaceous formations (‘dehesa’). Vegetation formations (physiognomical units) have been characterized by their spectral responses in the six reflective TM channels and by vegetation indices. From the ratio index TM4/TM3 there has been derived a map displaying seven classes (water, bare soil and five biomass levels reflecting the hierarchy of vegetation formations). Channels TM3, TM4 and TM5 have been considered for a supervised classification into nine land-cover categories (seven vegetation formations, bare soil and water). The proportion of correct classification of vegetation formations is about 78 per cent when considering test areas. Classification made from three principal components gives similar results.     

Effects on the Metals Industries of the Decrease in Oil Prices: A Preliminary Analytical Survey∗

The recent decrease in oil prices should benefit metals producers by reducing costs of production—through lower energy prices—and increasing the demand for metals— through income and substitution effects. It is difficult, however, to predict a substantial return to the earlier relative role of metals: Real energy prices are still well above their levels of 20 years ago; the duration and extent of the oil price decrease is highly uncertain; petroleum generally is not a very important energy input in metal production; other energy prices probably will not decline as much as oil prices; and the effects of the oil price decrease on currency exchange rates and inflation rates are complex and difficult to predict in general and for individual countries.     

Télédétection des formations géomorphologiques et de la végétation dans un territoire du Haut Atlas oriental marocain a partir des donnees du satellite SPOT

Abstract

L' étude vise á déterminr les possibilités d'identifier sur 1'imagerie SPOT certains éléments géomorphologiques et du couvert végétal en milieu aride. Les réponses spectrales des types de végétation steppique étant proches de celles des sols nus, leur caracterisation doit passer par une cartographie géomorphologique complétés par une recherche sur les relations vegetation-geomorphologie. Ces possibilités sont illustrées à partir des données SPOT images en couleurs composees (canaux bruts ou combinaisons de canaux) et de classifications supervisées appliquées à un territoire test d'environ 42000 ha du Haut Atlas oriental marocain.

The aim of the study is the evaluation of SPOT imagery for the identification of some geomorphological features and vegetation cover in arid areas. The spectral responses of steppe-type vegetation being close to the ones obtained for bare soils types, their characterization must be obtained through a geomorphological mapping, in addition to research on vegetation-geomorphology interrelations. These possibilities are illustrated from SPOT data colour composite images (raw channels or spectral indices) and from supervised classifications applied to a lest area of about 42 000 ha in the oriental High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.     

CONTROL OF BACILLUS CEREUS IN HIGH-pH CRUMPETS

Studies were performed to determine the effects of sorbic hydroxamic acid (SHA) and mastic oil–ethanol (ME) or water‐ethanol (WE) emitters on the growth of Bacillus cereus in high‐moisture, high‐pH (～8.9) English‐style crumpets stored at ambient temperature (25C). While SHA (3000 p.p.m.), alone or in combination with ME emitters, was effective in inhibiting the growth of B. cereus for 14 days in high‐pH crumpets, only SHA formulated crumpets packaged in air had acceptable sensory scores at the end of storage. However, ME emitters alone were ineffective in controlling the growth of this pathogen. This lack of inhibition in crumpets was attributed to the poor absorption of mastic volatiles from the package headspace into the food matrix. Whatever the reason, these preliminary studies showed that SHA has the potential to control the growth of B. cereus in high‐moisture, high‐pH crumpets without compromising product quality.     

Principles of swell measurement by SAR with application to ERS-1 observations off the Mauritanian coast

This paper addresses the imaging of swell waves by Synthetic Aperture Radar ( SAR). We give the principles for the determination of swell parameters from image data. Wave height determination is based on a simple method derived from the quasi-linear version of the wave imaging model of Hasselmann and Hasselmann. The influence of wind waves on wave height determination is discussed. Results on coastal swell events observed by ERS-1 off the Banc d' Arguin ( Mauritania) are presented. These results are compared, generally favourably, with estimates from the wave prediction model of Meteo-france and from a model of swell propagation in finite depth water. However, in intermediate to shallow water, SAR wave length estimates were found to be greater than the theoretical values obtained without currents. The results are discussed in terms of swell-current interaction phenomena. A general conclusion of the study is that satellite SAR can be considered as a quasi-operational instrument for swell monitoring at low to moderate wind speeds. Also, we point out that SAR imagery can henceforth be envisaged for physical studies on swell propagation in the coastal zone.     

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS ACCORDING TO BUSINESS STUDENTS AND MANAGERS.

THE ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DEVELOPED TO SEE THE EXTENT GRADUATE BUSINESS STUDENTS AND MIDDLE MANAGERS ACCEPT THE OPINIONS OF THE SOCIAL THEORISTS AND THE POLITICAL THEORISTS ABOUT SUCCESS. 6 FACTORS EMERGED IN A 1ST ANALYSIS BUT FAILED TO REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY INDEPENDENT. CONSEQUENTLY, A SOCIAL APPROACH SCALE WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH A MEAN INTERNAL CONSISTENCY RELIABILITY OF .72 AND A MEAN RETEST RELIABILITY OF .52. A POLITICAL SCALE YIELDED SIMILAR RELIABILITIES. SLIGHT BUT MEANINGFUL RELATIONS WERE FOUND BETWEEN SCALE RESPONSES AND RESPONSES TO OTHER INVENTORIES OF ORIENTATION AND VALUE. BOTH SOCIAL AND POLITICAL APPROACHES ARE NEEDED FOR SUCCESS ACCORDING TO RESPONDENTS. BUT INITIALLY STUDENTS FAVORED LESS ACTIVITY OF EITHER KIND COMPARED TO MIDDLE MANAGERS. FOLLOWING TRAINING THE MANAGERS REMAINED UNCHANGED BUT THE STUDENTS BECAME MORE LIKE THE MANAGERS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)