The Government Mortgage Guarantee as an Instrument in Housing Policy: Self-supporting Instrument or Subsidy?

This paper discusses the role of government mortgage guarantee schemes in housing policy. It explores different types of government mortgage guarantee scheme, which play different roles, in eight countries. Mortgage guarantee schemes interfere in the mortgage market in order to improve access to mortgages. Such guarantees can be shaped as self-supporting instruments or as subsidies. If the latter is the case the issue of competition and a level playing field is relevant. This paper explores the US and the Dutch guarantee models in depth in order to answer the question of whether these schemes are unsubsidised mortgage market instruments or subsidised programmes. It concludes by reflecting on the meaning of the outcomes in the context of EU competition policy.     

Angiopoietin-Like Protein 3 (ANGPTL3) Modulates Lipoprotein Metabolism and Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is characterized by increasing plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TGs) and TG-rich lipoproteins (TGRLs) and is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders (ASCVDs). It is important to understand the metabolic mechanisms underlying dyslipidemia to develop effective strategies against ASCVDs. Angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3), a member of the angiopoietin-like protein family exclusively synthesized in the liver, has been demonstrated to be a critical regulator of lipoprotein metabolism to inhibit lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Genetic, biochemical, and clinical studies in animals and humans have shown that loss of function, inactivation, or downregulated expression of ANGPTL3 is associated with an obvious reduction in plasma levels of TGs, LDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), atherosclerotic lesions, and the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, ANGPTL3 is considered an alternative target for lipid-lowering therapy. Emerging studies have focused on ANGPTL3 inhibition via antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and monoclonal antibody-based therapies, which have been carried out in mouse or monkey models and in human clinical studies for the management of dyslipidemia and ASCVDs. This review will summarize the current literature on the important role of ANGPTL3 in controlling lipoprotein metabolism and dyslipidemia, with an emphasis on anti-ANGPTL3 therapies as a potential strategy for the treatment of dyslipidemia and ASCVDs.     

Dynamic positron emission tomography data-driven analysis using sparse Bayesian learning

A method is presented for the analysis of dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) data using sparse Bayesian learning. Parameters are estimated in a compartmental framework using an over-complete exponential basis set and sparse Bayesian learning. The technique is applicable to analyses requiring either a plasma or reference tissue input function and produces estimates of the system's macro-parameters and model order. In addition, the Bayesian approach returns the posterior distribution which allows for some characterisation of the error component. The method is applied to the estimation of parametric images of neuroreceptor radioligand studies.      

On a transistor-type hydrogen gas sensor prepared by an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) approach

A Pd/GaN/AlGaN heterostructure field-effect transistor (HFET)-type hydrogen gas sensor, based on an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) approach, is fabricated and studied. Due to the formation of good Schottky gate contact by an EPD approach, the studied HFET shows improved DC performance including the suppressed gate current and better thermal stabilities on current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. This is mainly attributed to the reduction of interface trap density and improved Pd morphology. The EPD-based Pd morphologies are examined by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. For the used gate-dimension of 1 μm × 100 μm, an EPD-based HFET shows low gate current of 2.9 nA, maximum drain saturation current of 490 mA/mm, and maximum extrinsic transconductance of 78.9 mS/mm at room temperature. Also, solid thermal stabilities on maximum drain saturation current (−0.46 mA/mm K) and maximum extrinsic transconductance (−0.08 mS/mm K) are found as the temperature is increased from 300 to 600 K. For hydrogen gas sensing application, at 370 K, the maximum hydrogen sensitivity of 600.1 μA/mm ppm H₂/air under a 5 ppm H₂/air ambiance and fast response time (30 s) and recovery time (47 s) under a 10,000 ppm H₂/air ambiance are obtained. The EPD approach also demonstrates advantages of low cost, simple apparatus, easy process, little restriction on the shaped substrate, composited deposition, and adjustable alloy grain size. Therefore, the proposed EPD approach gives the promise for fabricating high-performance HFET devices and hydrogen gas sensors.     

Evaporation resistance measurement with visualization for sintered copper-powder evaporator in operating flat-plate heat pipes

The evaporation resistances of loosely-sintered copper-powder evaporators were measured in operating flat-plate heat pipes. The evaporation processes was also visualized through a top glass plate. Irregular or spherical powders of different size distributions were investigated. Uniform heating of 16–170 W/cm² was applied to the base plate near one end with a heated surface of 1.1 × 1.1 cm². At the other end was a cooling water jacket. The evaporation performance was first examined with the effect of liquid flow resistance minimized, i.e., the copper powders covered only the heated area with the remaining region covered with sintered copper wire screens. Similar to multi-layer mesh wicks, quiescent surface evaporation without nucleate boiling was observed for all test conditions, in spite of the abundant nucleation sites. The water film receded and the evaporation resistance reduced with increasing heat flux. Once partial dryout occurred, the evaporation resistance re-rose. The minimum evaporation resistances were about 0.08–0.09 W cm²/K for wicks containing fine powders. These values are similar with those for multi-layer-mesh wicks having a fine bottom screen. In the absence of fine powders, the minimum evaporation resistances were significantly larger. In the second part for homogeneous sintered-powder wicks, the large flow resistance tended to retard the condensed water from returning to the evaporator. However, this can be compensated by a larger charge and/or a thicker wick.     

Overview of the photovoltaic technology status and perspective in Taiwan

This paper investigates Taiwan's strategic promotion of the photovoltaic industry, along with the warm welcome it has extended to developments and competitive trends in global green energy technology. Through gaining a grasp of Taiwan's position as fourth globally in the photovoltaic industry and production potential, the author's main concern was with the role of the government, encouraging policies, installation incentive measures, the newest ‘Renewable Energy Development Act’, Science Park cluster effect strategy, initiating National Energy projects and actively promoting and improving the competitiveness of Taiwan's photovoltaic industry. The promotion of legislation and policy-orientated strategies are all a vital path to Taiwan catching up, learning and developing competitiveness in the area of science and technology related industries. Moreover, from the perspective of technological and industrial development trends, the author carried out a SWOT analysis of Taiwan's photovoltaic industry, pointing out that with the basic niche established through Taiwan's semiconductor and IC manufacturing and design, Taiwan's photovoltaic industry has the potential to take it one step further in the areas of R&D and the possibility of acquiring breakthroughs in international cooperation.     

Heat transfer in a smooth-walled reciprocating anti-gravity open thermosyphon

This paper describes an experimental investigation of heat transfer in a smooth-walled reciprocating anti-gravity open thermosyphon with relevance to the ‘shaker’ cooling system for the pistons of marine propulsive diesel engines. A selection of experimental results illustrates the interactive effects of inertial, reciprocating and buoyancy forces on heat transfer. It is demonstrated that the gravitational and reciprocating buoyancy effects, respectively, improve heat transfer in the static and reciprocating anti-gravity open thermosyphon. The individual pulsating force effect impairs heat transfer in the axial region with 5 hydraulic diameter length measured from the entrance of thermosyphon (region I). In the vicinity of sealed end of reciprocating thermosyphon with one hydraulic diameter from the sealed surface (region II), the individual pulsating force effect improves heat transfer at low pulsating number range, over which range a subsequent heat transfer reduction in this axial region is followed. The synergistic effects of inertial force, reciprocating force and buoyancy interaction in the reciprocating anti-gravity open thermosyphon could, respectively, impede or improve the regional heat transfers in the axial regions I and II from the static references of zero-buoyancy. A set of empirical correlations, which is physically consistent, was developed that permits the individual and interactive effects of inertial, reciprocating and buoyancy forces on heat transfer to be evaluated.     

The study of minor elements and shielding gas on penetration in TIG welding of type 304 stainless steel

The effects of minor elements and shielding gas on the penetration of TIG welding in type 304 stainless steel have been studied. The bead-on-plate test was performed, then the depth and width of the weld were measured using an optical projection machine. The arc voltage was measured with an arc data monitor. In addition, the metallurgical characteristics of weld were examined using OM and SEM. The results show that oxygen and sulfur are beneficial in increasing a depth/width ratio because of the increased surface tension/temperature gradient. Elements, such as aluminum, that have a deleterious effect on the depth/width ratio will combine with oxygen and reduce the soluble oxygen content in the weld pool. On the other hand, silicon and phosphorus have a minor effect on the depth/width ratio. Shielding gas using Ar + 1% O₂ or Ar + 5% H₂ can significantly promote the depth/width ratio. The former contains increased soluble oxygen content in the weld pool, and the latter produces an arc that is hotter than that produced by pure argon.     

Structure–property correlation for thin films of semi-interpenetrating polyimide networks. I. Miscibility,curing, and morphology studies

Three different semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) polyimide systems were prepared through blending in solution by using 2 different polyimides, BPDA–PDA and PMDA–ODA (E), and 2 different oligomers, bismaleimide (MDAB) and phenylthynyl-terminated BPDA–PDA (BPDA–PDA–PEPA) oligomers. The oligomers are used as crosslinkers to modify the morphology of polyimides. The results show that both MDAB and PEPA are miscible with BPDA–PDA, but MDAB is immiscible with PMDA–ODA (E). Fourier transform infrared spectrum, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis data, and calculated crosslinking density indicate that there are crosslinking networks in these semi-IPN polyimide systems. In addition, the density and wide-angle X-ray diffraction results confirm that the molecular ordering and packing order are reduced by the addition of oligomers for these semi-IPN polyimide systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 261–272, 1998     

Automatic detection of depth of cut during end milling operation using acoustic emission sensor

Any shortfall in the required depth during milling machining can affect the dimensional accuracy of the part produced and can cause a catastrophic failure to the machine. Corrective remedies to fix the dimensions inaccuracy will increase the machining time and costs. In this work, a depth-of-cut monitoring system was proposed to detect depth of cut in real time using an acoustic emission sensor and prediction model. The characteristics of the sensor signal obtained in machining processes can be complex in terms of both nonlinearity and nonstationarity. To overcome this complexity, a regression model and an artificial neural network model were used to represent the relationship between the acoustic emission signal and the depth of cut. The model was tested under different machining cases and found to be efficient in predicting the depth of cut.