Stress concentration and fatigue of profiled reinforcing steels

Stress concentrations arise from profiles of ribbed reinforcing steel bars and in this study the results of calculated stress concentration factors (SCF), by using finite element method, are related to the fatigue test results. It is apparent that the degree of confinement of a ribbed bar embedded in concrete not only affects the magnitude of the ultimate bond stress but also the bond stress-slip relation. Thus the rib geometry or profile pattern is designed for optimum bond characteristics and not for fatigue considerations. However the rib geometry influences the fatigue performance through the SCFs arising from the root radius, width and flank angles of the profiles. It is shown that these latter factors have a significant influence on the fatigue behaviour of reinforcing steel bars.     

Interpreting the negative mood-helping literature via "mega"-analysis: A contrary view.

"Mega"-analysis was developed by M. Carlson and N. Miller (see record 1987-31249-001) as an extension of traditional meta-analytic procedures for conducting integrative reviews of existing research literatures. One such mega-analysis was conducted by Carlson and Miller to synthesize the literature on the relation between negative mood states and helping. That analysis found no support for a theoretical account (negative state relief) that had been confirmed previously by using various experimental approaches. In an attempt to reconcile the discrepancy, the logic and methods used in Carlson and Miller's mega-analysis of the negative mood-helping literature were examined, and several serious problems were found. These problems are discussed, and data are presented to show that the results of that mega-analysis, and perhaps all mega-analyses, should not be viewed with confidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparing ANN and GMM in a voice conversion framework

In this paper, we present a comparative analysis of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) for design of voice conversion system using line spectral frequencies (LSFs) as feature vectors. Both the ANN and GMM based models are explored to capture nonlinear mapping functions for modifying the vocal tract characteristics of a source speaker according to a desired target speaker. The LSFs are used to represent the vocal tract transfer function of a particular speaker. Mapping of the intonation patterns (pitch contour) is carried out using a codebook based model at segmental level. The energy profile of the signal is modified using a fixed scaling factor defined between the source and target speakers at the segmental level. Two different methods for residual modification such as residual copying and residual selection methods are used to generate the target residual signal. The performance of ANN and GMM based voice conversion (VC) system are conducted using subjective and objective measures. The results indicate that the proposed ANN-based model using LSFs feature set may be used as an alternative to state-of-the-art GMM-based models used to design a voice conversion system.     

Model-guided evaluation of consumer products

An evaluation of a consumer product is presented as an example of how ergonomics models can guide data collection and interpretation by non-ergonomists. The product, a new cooking pan, was compared with its earlier counterpart on performance and safety tests for specific features. Model-guided evaluations produced data which could be well-fitted by linear relationships, and measures derived from the data could be interpreted in physical terms by engineers. This is now the standard methodology for pan evaluation in the client company.     

The quantifier structure of sentences that characterize nondeterministic time complexity

For every nondeterministic Turing machineM of time complexityT(n), there is a second-order sentence of a very restricted form, whose set of finite models encodes the set of strings recognized byM. Specifically, has a relational symbol which is interpreted as addition restricted to finite segments of the natural numbers, and a prefix consisting of existentially quantified unary second-order variables followed by a universal-existential first-order part. Here, every input stringx is encoded by a model of sizeT(|x|). Using a closely related encoding of strings as models where the size of the model is the length of the string, a consequence is that ifT(n)=n ^d, then there is a sentence with a similar prefix but whose second-order variables ared-ary and whose finite models encode the strings accepted byM. Potential applications to low-level complexity are discussed.     

金品纯度的比重法测定

介绍了金品纯度的测定方法,推导出了比较实用的纯度计算、杂质估算和温度影响等几个表达式。     

A comparison of the performance of N simulation models in the prediction of Nmin on farmers' fields in the spring

The performance of three different models, which simulate changes in the inorganic N content of the soil, was evaluated in respect of their ability to predict N_min content in the spring under cereal crops. The models of British, Dutch and German origin, were tested using data from farmers' fields supplied by 70 farmers over two growing seasons in FRG. The models were run between harvest of the previous crop and spring of the following year, and predictions of N_min in the spring compared to soil measurements. The performance of the models was assessed by counting the number of cases in which predictions agreed within 10 or 20 kg (N) ha^–1 of the measurements. Predictions were less than ± 10 kg (N) ha^–1 of measured values in only 30–44% and 28–55% of cases in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Predictions were less than ± 20 kg (N) ha^–1 of measured values in 62–70% and 68–82% of cases in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Predictions in 1989 were better because the initial N_min content in the autumn was included in the model input. None of the models tested had been designed to use input data of the type available to farmers. It is concluded that, at present, the results are too variable for any of the models to be used with confidence as tools to aid in N fertilizer recommendations.     

Mathematical models of the thermal decomposition of coal: 6. Effect of blend composition on coke strength

A mathematical model to predict the strength of a coke manufactured from a blend of coals is proposed. The model operates in terms of ‘bond strengths’ between the constituents. The magnitudes of these bond strengths may be determined from the strengths of cokes manufactured from the individual constituents and from a limited number of binary blends. The model has been applied to predictions of the M₁₀ index of coke strength for binary and ternary blends, and the predictions are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. In particular, the model is able to account for the behaviour of incompatible coals and bridging coals in blends.     

广义线性模型与非线性模型参数的统计推断

概述了广义线性模型(含半参数广义线性模型)与非线性模型研究的新进展,着重讨论了它们参数估计的统计推断。近年来,广义线性模型与非线性模型的研究发展迅速,有着广泛的应用前景。     

Streamflow alteration and habitat ramifications for a threatened fish species in the Central United States

In the Central United States, the Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) is listed as a threatened fish species by the State of Kansas. Survival of the darter is threatened by loss of habitat caused by changing streamflow conditions, in particular flow depletion. Future management of darter populations and habitats requires an understanding of streamflow conditions and how those conditions may have changed over time in response to natural and anthropogenic factors. In Kansas, streamflow alteration was assessed at 9 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in 6 priority basins with no pronounced long‐term trends in precipitation. The assessment was based on a comparison of observed (O) and predicted expected (E) reference conditions for 29 flow metrics. The O/E results indicated a likely or possible diminished flow condition in 2 basins; the primary cause of which is groundwater‐level declines resulting from groundwater pumping for irrigated agriculture. In these 2 basins, habitat characteristics adversely affected by flow depletion may include stream connectivity, pools, and water temperature. The other 4 basins were minimally affected, or unaffected, by flow depletion and therefore may provide the best opportunity for preservation of darter habitat. Through the O/E analysis, anthropogenic streamflow alteration was quantified and the results will enable better‐informed decisions pertaining to the future management of darters in Kansas.