The encoding of spoken texts

There is a great deal of variation in the encoding of spoken texts in electronic form, both with respect to the types of features represented and the way particular features are rendered. This paper surveys problems in the electronic representation of speech and presents the solutions proposed by the Text Encoding Initiative. The special tags needed for the encoding of spoken texts are discussed, including a mechanism for temporal alignment. Further work is needed on phonological aspects, parallel representation, and on the development of software which connects the systematic underlying representation with a workable format for input and display.Stig Johansson is Professor of English Language at the Department of British and American Studies, University of Oslo. He is co-ordinating secretary of the International Computer Archive of Modern English (ICAME) and editor of theICAME Journal. Recent publications includeFrequency Analysis of English Vocabulary and Grammar (with Knut Hofland, Clarendon Press, 1989) andEnglish Computer Corpora (with Anna-Brita Stenström, Mouton de Gruyter, 1991).     

Asymptotic stability of a catalyst particle

The catalyst asymptotic stability problem is studied by means of several new methods that allow accurate solutions to be calculated where other methods have given qualitatively erroneous results.The underlying eigenvalue problem is considered in three limiting situations Le = ∞, 1 and 0. These are solved first to give expansion functions for the full eigenproblem at an arbitrary value of Le. A modified Galerkin method based on the two sets of eigenfunctions for the Le = 1 problem even in the lowest order approximation able to solve the full problem for all Le. Perturbation methods developed from the solutions at the limiting Le-values may if properly handled be extremely useful, e.g. for calculating the stability limit.Finally approximate values of the higher eigenvalues are found by simple formulas based on the steady state solution.Thus the whole eigenvalue spectrum can be studied in detail and certain properties of the spectrum that should appear also with other rate expressions are described.     

Development of a correlation between the non-polar solubility parameter,refractive index and molecular structure. I. Aliphatic hydrocarbons

For non-polar liquids (e.g. the alkanes) the cohesion energy density (λ²) can be shown to be a function of the refractive index (nD ), molal volume (V) and molecular structure according to: where Δ is the non-polar solubility parameter and the increments g_ij are determined from molecular structure. The difference between values of Δ calculated by this formula and experimental data is <0.1% for the C₅–C₁₆ n-alkanes and <0.8% for the C₅–C₈ branched isomers. The main object of this correlation was to provide a method for estimating the London dispersion force contribution to the cohesive energy of branched polar liquids.     

Introduction of methyl groups to acetate substituted chain of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate,a pheromone component of turnip moth,agrotis segetum: synthesis,single-sensillum recordings,and structure-activity relationships

Methyl-substituted analogs of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate, a pheromone component of the turnip moth,Agrotis segetum, have been synthesized and studied by electrophysiological single-sensillum recordings and molecular mechanics calculations [MM2(85)]. The analogs are monomethyl substituted in the 2, 3, 4, and 5 positions and geminally dimethyl substituted in the 2, 3, and 4 positions. The methyl groups have been employed as space probes to study the degree of steric complementarity between the acetate-substituted alkyl chain of the pheromone component and its receptor. The electrophysiological activities, interpreted in terms of a receptor interaction model, indicate significant steric repulsive interactions between the introduced methyl groups and the receptor. This implies a high degree of complementarity between the acetate-substituted alkyl chain of the natural pheromone component and its receptor.Schiff., Lepidoptera: Noctuidae.     

A RATIONAL APPROXIMATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS FACTOR

A fast, approximate method of calculating the effectiveness factor for arbitrary rate expressions is presented. The method does not require any iterative or interpolative calculations. It utilizes the well known asymptotic behavior for small and large Thiele moduli to derive a rational function which gives an approximation valid for all Thiele moduli. The approximation converges to the proper asymptotic values for small and large Thiele moduli and gives only small errors for intermediate values of φ. The method fails in the range in which either steep slopes or multiplicity exist in the η(φ) graph.     

Risk assessment and resilience of critical communication infrastructure in railways

This paper discusses the significant findings of an extended risk assessment of the key communication infrastructure used in emergency communication in railways in Norway. The initial risk assessment was performed in 2008. Resilience was explored as a strategy in the risk assessment to improve safety, security, and quality of service. We have reviewed the results in 2010, documenting mitigating actions and the effect of the actions. In addition, the development of safety and security culture has been evaluated. The risk assessment was based on a socio-technical approach, which considers technical, organizational, and human factors. Action research was used as a method to improve the scope and commitment of the risk assessment. It is suggested that organizational collaboration supported by the action research approach has aided in prioritizing the key mitigating actions, based on improved understanding and commitment. The high stability of the GSM-R system has supported safety of operations in the period. One of the identified unwanted incidents occurred in 2010 and gave credibility to the risk assessment. The risk assessment process seems to have sustained the safety and security culture and improved the knowledge of emergency response supporting resilience. The resilience of the total system seems to have been improved. The main contributions of this article are the empirical results of a risk assessment extended with resilience and suggested indicators related to resilience. In addition, it is suggested that exploration of resilience and action research improves the quality and effect of the risk assessment. Risk assessments in a complex setting with uncertainty should explore resilience as a strategy and explore action research to improve understanding and learning among the stakeholders.     

Tribological behavior of Al–Si–SiCp composites/automobile brake pad system under dry sliding conditions

Tribological behavior of stir-cast Al–Si/SiC_p composites against automobile brake pad material was studied using Pin-on-Disc tribo-tester. The Al-metal matrix composite (Al-MMC) material was used as disc, whereas the brake pad material forms the pin. It has been found that both wear rate and friction coefficient vary with both applied normal load and sliding speed. With increase in the applied normal load, the wear rate was observed to increase whereas the friction coefficient decreases. However, both the wear rate and friction coefficients were observed to vary proportionally with the sliding speed. During the wear tests, formation of a tribo-layer was observed, presence of which can affect the wear behavior, apart from acting as a source of wear debris. Tribo-layer formed over the worn disc surfaces was found to be heterogeneous in nature. Morphology and topography of worn surfaces and debris were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Chemical composition of different wear products was obtained using electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Possible wear mechanisms operative in Al-MMC—brake pad tribo-couple have been discussed.     

Progress report from Sweden

A huge investment in energy conservation is a feature of Swedish political life. The generous system of grants and loans to householders, the tightening of building regulations and the innovatory development projects, notably with solar energy, are reviewed in this article. It continues our series of progress reports from countries represented on CIB working commission W67 — energy conservation.