Reversible data hiding based on RSBEMD coding and adaptive multi-segment left and right histogram shifting

By leveraging the secret data coding using the remainder storage based exploiting modification direction (RSBEMD), and the pixel change operation recording based on multi-segment left and right histogram shifting, a novel reversible data hiding (RHD) scheme is proposed in this paper. The secret data are first encoded by some specific pixel change operations to the pixels in groups. After that, multi-segment left and right histogram shifting based on threshold manipulation is implemented for recording the pixel change operations. Furthermore, a multiple embedding policy based on chess board prediction (CBP) and threshold manipulation is put forward, and the threshold can be adjusted to achieve adaptive data hiding. Experimental results and analysis show that it is reversible and can achieve good performance in capacity and imperceptibility compared with the existing methods.     

Investigation on phase shifting for a 4 K Stirling pulse tube cryocooler with He-3 as working fluid

He-3 is generally recognized for its ability to provide more excellent thermophysical performance than He-4, especially in the 4 K temperature range. However, this was not always the case in our preliminary experiments on a three-stage Stirling-type pulse tube cryocooler (SPTC). Our ongoing studies, as reported in this paper, demonstrate that the different working fluids also affect the performance through their phase shifting capability. This feature has been passed over in large part by researchers considering refrigerant substitution. Unlike previous theoretical analyses that focus primarily on regenerator losses, this report investigates the effects of the working fluid on the phase angle at the cold end in order to quantitatively reveal the relationship between the lowest attainable temperature and the cooling capacity. The analysis agrees well with our experimental results on a three-stage SPTC. While running with the operating parameters optimized for He-3, the lowest temperature of the SPTC decreased from 5.4 K down to 4.03 K. This is the lowest refrigeration temperature ever achieved with a three-stage SPTC.     

Medical savings accounts: opportunities for cost savings?

Interest in medical savings accounts (MSAs) as a potential tool to reduce healthcare costs has been widespread. A small number of countries have either implemented or run pilot programs of MSAs, and vigorous policy debates have taken place in several other countries about the potential merits of introducing MSAs as a method of paying for health care. In this paper we develop a model to assess the cost saving potential of MSAs in a publicly funded healthcare system. We assume that the public healthcare payer may choose between reimbursing healthcare expenditures through an MSA or through a form of third‐party payer insurance. We use the model to identify the conditions under which MSAs may reduce costs. We illustrate using data on healthcare expenditures from Canada.     

CRC计算方法的研究

本文丛面地介绍了ＣＲＣ的基本原理和计算方法，并给出了编程实例。     

100吨转炉设备安装

针对100吨转炉设备安装过程中设备重量超载，超高，无法直接采用行车安装的情况，采用了设备分体移位吊装，现场整体组合焊接的施工工艺方案，设计专用安装工装，确保了设备安装精度并一次安装到位。     

Long-term energy scenarios for Mexico: Policy options for carbon savings and main barriers

This paper shows that possibilities exist for maintaining current energy-related carbon emissions per capita in Mexico at almost constant levels in the long term. It is argued, however, that the identified carbon emissions reductions will not be achieved easily or rapidly, as they require a restructuring of Mexico's current technological base and an unusual degree of coordination among the government, lending institutions, equipment manufacturers, and final users. Such changes also will entail surmounting major institutional and financial barriers and creating a better international environment for technology transfer and capital lending.     

An Arctangent Unwrapping Technique of Photoelasticity Using Linearly Polarized Light at Three Wavelengths

Abstract:  In the automatic measurements of the principal stress directions ψ and the total relative phase retardation ρ _tol, ψ and ρ _tol can be easily obtained by the phase unwrapping method using the arctangent function. However, only some published works exist on the measurements of ψ and ρ _tol by photoelastic techniques using a linearly polarised incident light source. This paper presents the technique of applying an unwrapping by means of the arctangent function to photoelasticity. The technique overcomes the error associated with the quarter-wave plate by using an incident light of different wavelength and does not need an interpolation for the determination of ψ . The technique is validated by determining ψ and ρ _tol for the well-known circular disk subjected to a diametral compressive load model.     

Pole shifting for matrices over real algebras

Pole shifting of multivariable control system over finite dimensional real algebras is studied. The main results are expressed in terms of the minimal polynomial of A + BF, where F is a feedback.     

Energy and resources as production factors in process industries

It is shown that, when the mean productivity of some factors, such as energy or materials, is upperly bounded (a condition usually arising in energy production or in the process industries where energy takes part in physico-chemical processes), the production function may not be convex and, under some further conditions, is concave. Consequences of this model on the economics of energy savings are examined, and it is shown that energy savings may be considered at three levels: in the short run, by action on labour factors: in the medium run, by investment and action on labour factors; in the long run, by technological innovation, investment in new technologies and action on labour factors. Empirical findings along these lines are thus confirmed.     

基于适宜性的西安市水源热泵开发潜力评估

依据适宜性评价,综合考虑水质、回灌率、已运行情况以及环境条件对水源热泵开发的影响,对西安市水源热泵开发利用潜力进行评估。结果表明:西安市适宜性面积占研究区总面积31.52%;将西安市水源热泵开发潜力划分为5类潜力类型区:Ⅰ、Ⅱ类潜力区主要分布于西安市北部,以平原为主,为开发潜力优、良区;Ⅲ类潜力区主要分布于临潼中部、阎良东部、长安南部、户县和周至南部等地,为适度开发潜力区;Ⅳ类潜力区主要分布于蓝田西南、临潼南部以及长安丘陵区,为不宜开发潜力区;Ⅴ类地区为秦岭山地和禁采区,应限制水源热泵的开发利用。研究可确定西安市不同地域的水源热泵开发利用潜力,研究结果可为编制西安市水源热泵开发规划提供参考。