This article analyses the legal methods used by various States to promote the linguistic diversity of national minorities and linguistic groups. The paper examines the experiences of some States (Russia, India, Switzerland, Spain, Canada, etc.) on the impact of language policies on the unity and integrity of States or the neglect of those policies, leading to secessionist and centrifugal tendencies. The aim of the study is to show that it is appropriate for the political authorities to establish a policy of respect for the linguistic diversity of the peoples of the countries concerned. On the basis of the study, the author concludes that respect for and protection of linguistic diversity is a key element in the issue of self-determination of peoples.

AbstractFlexible pavement sections constructed over expansive soil deposits often undergo significant damage due to volume changes in the underlying soil strata. When expansive soil deposits are co...

This study presents an effort to quantify the effects of geogrid reinforcement in the unbound granular base through laboratory testing. Two laboratory tests, the large-scale cyclic shear test and the repeated load triaxial test, were employed. The test protocol of the cyclic shear test was developed by modifying that for the triaxial test. The cyclic shear test was performed by applying a series of cyclic shear stresses to the geogrid-aggregate interface under different normal stresses. Two different types of geogrids were used as reinforcement in unbound granular material. Resilient modulus (MR) from the repeated load triaxial test and a term named resilient interface shear modulus (Gi) from the cyclic shear test was used to characterize the effects of geogrid reinforcement in unbound granular base, respectively. The results of triaxial tests showed that the inclusion of geogrid had a negligible effect on the resilient modulus, indicating that the triaxial resilient modulus test may not be effective in evaluating the geogrid reinforcement in unbound granular materials. Compared to the triaxial resilient modulus test, the cyclic shear test showed great potential in identifying the effects of geogrid reinforcement, with an obvious improvement in the degree of interlocking between geogrids and aggregates.

AbstractThe resilient modulus of unstabilized granular base or subbase material is the fundamental and primary mechanical property adopted by empirical-mechanistic pavement design, and has been the focus of much research. However, the mechanical properties of unstabilized open-graded drainage layers, which also work structurally as a base or subbase, are not always considered in pavement design. Moreover, the specific gradations and high porosities even increase the difficulties in characterizing the unstabilized drainage layer materials. In this study, the typically used open-graded aggregates for Wisconsin’s drainage layer were tested in a laboratory for mechanical properties including resilient modulus and shear strength at 15 and 20% air void content. The resilient modulus parameters are modified from the literature and the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) model and were also obtained through nonlinear regression for level 1 inputs in MEPDG. The resilient modulus laboratory data, to...

Objective A treatment option for uveal melanoma has been investigated using the Cyberknife system, due to its advantage of real-time image guidance during therapy. However, unpredictable eyeball movement imposes challenges to the state-of-art technology. As a solution, we derived a 2D/3D transformation algorithm that is based on the pupil’s 2D coordinates captured by an optical tracking system to predict the tumor’s 3D positions in real-time. In order to validate our developed algorithm and other methods, a mechanical phantom that can simulate the eyeball’s movement is highly desirable.

The replacement of the 36-inch diameter sewage force main for the Dundalk wastewater pumping station for the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works poses several design challenges associated with large diameter pressure mains in congested urban areas. These design challenges include combination pressure and gravity hydraulics, isolation valves, horizontal and vertical alignment deflections, air release, thrust restraint, utility relocations, by-pass pumping, poor soil conditions, and possible localized soil contamination. The Dundalk pumping station located on Broening Highway at Keith Avenue in southeast Baltimore was constructed in 1946 and is of conventional wet well - dry pit configuration. The pump arrangement includes three parallel pumps with control valves connected to a manifold and a 36-inch cast iron force main. The existing 4,300foot force main pumps to a 54-inch gravity sewer. Maximum pumping capacity with all pumps running is 23,000 gpm (33 MGD) at 110 feet total dynamic head. The Department of Public Works has determined that a replacement main is required due to deterioration of the existing cast iron pipe. It is intended that the old main remain functional as a backup to the new replacement main. The initial design challenge is to find a suitable alignment for the new main since the original main is located in a narrow public utility easement through private industrial property. The choice of using the public road right of way for the new alignment results in a longer route and a highpoint about 800 feet from the discharge point and subsequent downhill run. This generates a potential hydraulic problem in the transition from pressure flow to gravity flow. The interconnection of the old and new mains require an isolation valve arrangement near the pumping station so that either main can be operated by a control switch inside the station. Due to limited space between major drainage structures and the existence of a concrete thrust restraint system for the old force main in the area where the dual control valves are to be placed a compact configuration is necessary. The 3,800 foot alignment in the industrial arterial road poses the usual complexity of congested. Selecting a horizontal and vertical alignment requires intense coordination between field topographic surveys, interpretation of often schematic record drawings, surface marking, and field reviews. Part of the main alignment falls within an area of land reclamation from the early part of the last century. The unconsolidated nature of the fill soil and high water table makes the thrust restraining joint systems a critical element of design.

More than thirty years ago, the industrial gas cleaning industry began to explore low-pressure-pulse cleaning filtration as a means to improve baghouse installations in various process industries from the standpoint of simplicity, maintenance, and safety. “Low-Pressure High-Volume” cleaning pulse has come to be referred to as LPHV pulse-jet baghouse technology. Early introductions were in the metallurgical and power industries beginning in the late-seventies and early-eighties. By the second-half of the nineties, LPHV baghouses were being installed on cement kilns and clinker coolers. And by 2005 cement kiln ESPs were being converted to LPHV pulse-jet baghouses. Lower maintenance and operating costs have been significant factors in selection of this technology approach. Details of operation and maintenance with LPHV pulse cleaning are presented in this paper.