Defining Dry Eye from a Clinical Perspective

Over the past decades, the number of patients with dry eye disease (DED) has increased dramatically. The incidence of DED is higher in Asia than in Europe and North America, suggesting the involvement of cultural or racial factors in DED etiology. Although many definitions of DED have been used, discrepancies exist between the various definitions of dry eye disease (DED) used across the globe. This article presents a clinical consensus on the definition of DED, as formulated in four meetings with global DED experts. The proposed new definition is as follows: “Dry eye is a multifactorial disease characterized by a persistently unstable and/or deficient tear film (TF) causing discomfort and/or visual impairment, accompanied by variable degrees of ocular surface epitheliopathy, inflammation and neurosensory abnormalities.” The key criteria for the diagnosis of DED are unstable TF, inflammation, ocular discomfort and visual impairment. This definition also recommends the assessment of ocular surface epitheliopathy and neurosensory abnormalities in each patient with suspected DED. It is easily applicable in clinical practice and should help practitioners diagnose DED consistently. This consensus definition of DED should also help to guide research and clinical trials that, to date, have been hampered by the lack of an established surrogate endpoint.     

Geopolymer concrete-filled pultruded composite beams – Concrete mix design and application

The limited research on the geopolymer concrete mix design for targeting a specific strength is identified an obstacle for their effective design and wide use. In this paper, a mix design procedure has been proposed for fly-ash based geopolymer concrete and its use as infill hybrid composite beam is investigated. Then, the structural performance of geopolymer concrete filled hybrid composite beam is investigated to determine their possible application in civil infrastructure. Firstly, a detailed procedure of mix design for fly-ash based geopolymer concrete is presented. Secondly, three hybrid beams filled with geopolymer concrete were prepared and tested in a four-point bending setup to evaluate their flexural modulus and modulus of rupture. Numerical and analytical evaluation of the behaviour of hybrid beam were performed and results showed a good agreement with the experimental investigation. Thirdly, the suitability of the beam for a composite railway sleeper is evaluated and compared with existing timber and composite sleepers. Finally, the beams’ performance in a ballast railway track is analysed using Strand7 finite element simulation software and the results showed that the new concept of using geopolymer concrete as infill to pultruded composite section satisfied the stiffness and strength requirements for a railway sleeper.     

Driver detection and recognition of lineside signals and signs at different approach speeds

A study was carried out using simulation to investigate driver responses to lineside signals and signs at various approach speeds. The objectives of the study were: (1) to find out whether train speed would significantly affect signal/sign reading; (2) to examine at which point certain types of signs or signals could be detected or recognised, and (3) to determine a speed cut-off level above which certain types of signs or signals are no longer recognisable or detectable. Fifty-seven train drivers from 12 Train Operating Companies in the UK participated in the trials. Twenty different types of lineside signs and ten types of signals were tested under six different approach speeds ranging from 100 to 350 km/h (62–218 mph). Driver performance measures were ‘time remaining to the signal/sign’ at the point of detection or recognition, and reading error rate. The results showed a significant influence of train speed on driver responses to lineside signals/signs and demonstrated a non-linear relationship between driver responses to signals/signs and approach speed. This has been used to estimate a maximum approach speed limit within which a specific signal or sign can be correctly detected or recognised. The findings and implications of the study are discussed in the paper.     

Scheduling railway traffic at a construction site

We consider the problem of rescheduling trains in the case where one track of a railway section consisting of two tracks in opposing directions is closed due to construction activities. After presenting an appropriate model for this situation we derive a polynomial algorithm for the subproblem of finding an optimal schedule with minimal latenesss if the subsequences of trains for both directions outside the construction site are fixed. Based on this algorithm we propose a local search procedure for the general problem of finding good schedules and report test results for some real world instances. Received: December 8, 1999 / Accepted: May 2, 2001     

青藏铁路西格二线混凝土冻融试验研究

由于工期的要求,青藏铁路西格增建二线必须进行冬期施工。根据工程状况,分析了混凝土受冻的破坏机理,针对施工环境及对混凝土设计强度和要求,进行了大量冻融试验分析,对引气剂、水胶比、砂率、粉煤灰掺量等原材料与混凝土含气量的关系及其混凝土搅拌温度与静停时间等对混凝土性能的影响进行了分析与技术论证,确保了该线冬期混凝土施工顺利进行。     

Simulating Experiment for Temperature Field of Frozen Subgrade Using Regulation Tubes

The main factors that influence the temperature field of frozen subgrade were analyzed.The experimental equipment for simulating frozen subgrade was built up,and the declining regulating tubes were placed at the foot of the embankment. By means of this equipment two simulating experiments of controlling temperature filed of frozen subgrade were carried out in the laboratory. One method is to collect natural cold energy, and the other one is to collect natural cold energy ccompanied by artificial refrigeration simultaneously. The result indicates that the latter is an effective method for maintaining the stability of the frozen subgrade.     

澳大利亚铁矿业的先进技术介绍

介绍了澳大利亚RioTinto矿业集团的HIsmelt Plant、帕拉布杜和恰那铁矿、汤姆普莱斯铁矿、扬地库吉那铁矿、皮尔巴拉铁路公司和Dampier港的先进技术、质量控制体系、生产体系，及其作业的主要步骤、不同矿体的矿石特性、铁路系统运作和丹皮尔港的基本情况。     

The application of the methodology for secure cyber–physical systems design to improve the semi-natural model of the railway infrastructure

The paper suggests a new methodology for secure cyber–physical systems design. The proposed methodology consists of two main cycles. The main goal of the first cycle is in design of the system model, while the second one is about development of the system prototype. The key idea of the methodology is in providing of the most rational solutions that are improving the security of cyber–physical systems. Such solutions are called alternatives and built according to functional requirements and non-functional limitations to the system. Each cycle of the methodology consists of the verification process and seven stages that are associated with the used cyber–physical system model. The objective of the verification process is in checking of constructed models and prototypes in terms of their correctness and compatibility. The model represents cyber–physical systems as sets of building blocks with network between them, takes elements internal structure into account and allows direct and reverse transformations. The novelty of the suggested methodology is in the combination of design, development and verification techniques within a single approach. To provide an example of the design methodology application, in this paper it is used to improve the semi-natural model of the railway infrastructure.     

城际铁路GSM-R技术向LTE-R技术演进

LTE-R是国际铁路联盟（UIC）确定的铁路下一代宽带移动通信系统。本文从系统应用、系统架构、系统性能等方面对GSM-R和LTE-R进行对比分析,以珠三角某城际铁路为例,结合城际铁路特点,阐述了城际铁路GSM-R向LTE-R演进策略。     

化工类高职学生"生产实习"考核模式探讨

生产实习教学环节是化工类高职学生实践教学内容的重要组成部分,传统的考核形式简单、方法单一,学生的实际水平从分数上得不到很好的反映.采用"挂牌仿真生产操作"方式可以对每一个学生的实习结果做出科学的评价,有利于学生主观能动性的发挥.