Whole Range Of Measures Research Articles

Investigation of a track circuit operation under conditions of saturation of the track’s impedance bonds

The article’s purpose is studying the operation of the code track circuit in the conditions of track’s impedance bonds saturation. Results. The dependences of the track receiver voltage on the asymmetry current magnitude for the insulation resistances in the winter and summer period are obtained, provided the track’s impedance bonds saturation. It is established that, due to an increase in the asymmetry current, there can be a decrease in the voltage across the track receivers below the threshold, which is a failure of the track circuit, the elimination of which requires the use of a whole range of measures. Scientific novelty consists in applying an indirect calculation method based on obtaining the coefficients of the impedance bond’s equivalent circuit for various values of the resistance modules of the magnetization circuit, which change during the magnetization of the impedance bonds magnetic core by DC. The obtained method makes it possible to perform calculations of the code track circuit normal operating mode under the conditions of the impedance bonds’ saturating. Practical significance. The proposed indirect method can be used to adjust the calculation of the track circuits operating modes, with considering the saturation of track impedance bonds.

The Impacts of Interest Rate Fluctuations on the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) In Accra

The establishment and the sustenance of SMEs in Ghana is a perennial problem. The owners and managers of the sector believe that they face difficulty in operating in the period of slow economic growth. Despite a whole range of measures introduced over the years from 1993 to date in order to control the interest rate fluctuations by governments for accelerated growth, the country had rather recorded the opposite. This paper investigates the impacts of interest rate fluctuations on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Accra. Lack of government’s vision for SMEs sector, limited access to finance, trade liberalization, high collateral demand by banks are some of the challenges facing SMEs. The data used was a balanced data of six SMEs randomly selected. The primary and secondary data were analysed using SPSS and Microfit software respectively, and ARDL technique was also employed, with the application of tables in percentage. The study began with a unit root test. The ARDL technique of co-integration and F-Statistic compared to the critical values indicating a co-integration relationship between EBIT and interest rate and other variables. The results indicate that there is interdependence between the SMEs profitability and interest rate, bank loans and the size of business. The paper recommends the re-introduction of minimum credit allocation by banks, clear-cut policy for the sector and many more.

Analysis of research sphere of development of systems to respond traffic accidents

The article necessitates the implementation of intellectual transport system to provide efficient responding systems in case of traffic accident. The author gives grounds to the way of reduction of seriousness of traffic accidents due to the whole range of measures including modern science technologies. ITS is intended for increase in safety of transport processes and is used for full informing of special divisions in case of dangerous situation. The directions of development of RITS - technological and methodological are closely interconnected. Methodological direction is algorithms and computer programs to transfer, process and get information about traffic accident. The article analyses experience of use of different elements of ITS with purpose of controlling transport flows and increase of safety on the roads in EU countries. The author drives at conclusion that developed and used systems are not related to each other by common concept of Single European ITS. The author also analyses the studies of home scientists on methodological direction of ITS. The author reasonably argues that methodological direction of ITS use to provide safety of traffic in our country has just started.

A Note on the Fractal Behavior of Hydraulic Conductivity and Effective Porosity for Experimental Values in a Confined Aquifer

Hydraulic conductivity and effective porosity values for the confined sandy loam aquifer of the Montalto Uffugo (Italy) test field were obtained by laboratory and field measurements; the first ones were carried out on undisturbed soil samples and the others by slug and aquifer tests. A direct simple-scaling analysis was performed for the whole range of measurement and a comparison among the different types of fractal models describing the scale behavior was made. Some indications about the largest pore size to utilize in the fractal models were given. The results obtained for a sandy loam soil show that it is possible to obtain global indications on the behavior of the hydraulic conductivity versus the porosity utilizing a simple scaling relation and a fractal model in coupled manner.

Water Woes in Zimbabwe’s Urban Areas in the Middist Of Plenty: 2000 -Present

Zimbabwe’s urban areas are choking under the weight of over-crowdedness amidstdilapidated infrastructure that is characterised by constant service failure. The water andsewer systems of the country’s major urban centres are on the verge of collapse, thusputting millions of people in danger of consuming contaminated water, including thatfrom underground sources. Waste management and water supply problems manifestthemselves as challenges bedevilling many an urban area in the country. The quality andquantity of water supplied in Zimbabwe’s urban centres has plummeted in recent yearsand has assumed crisis proportions owing to the difficult economic situation and otherchallenges faced by the country. The situation is desperate and dire, as is evidenced by thepoor quality of delivered water, severe water rationing and the outbreak of water-bornediseases in the urban areas dotted across the country. The situation demands and dictatesthat solutions be proffered as a matter of urgency.The recent outbreak of epidemics hasbeen blamed on lack of access to safe water and poor sanitation, two crucial factors incontrolling the spread of diseases. An overly bureaucratic environment, where decisionsand processes take longer, makes life complicated for poor urban residents. Such ascenario motivated the researchers to examine the problem with a view to suggest waysand means of intervening to mitigate and resolve the problem. It emerged from thefindings that the problem is multifaceted in nature, hence a whole range of measures needto be adopted if a long-term solution is to be provided.

Experimental investigation of pressure drop in structured packings

Several studies have been performed to measure pressure drop in packed towers, however, most of them have focused on distillation and random packings and the correlations obtained may not be directly applicable to reactive absorption. In this paper, results from a study of pressure drop in 3 different structured packings; Mellapak 2X from Sulzer, Koch-Glitsch Flexipac 2Y HC, and Montz-Pak B1-250M, are presented. The fluid systems tested were: air/water, air/ aqueous sugar solutions with liquid viscosities from 2.5 to 12cP and finally air/30wt% MEA. The column used had a 5m packing height with an inner diameter of 0.5m. Pressure drop across the packing height was obtained as function of gas and liquid flow rate both as total pressure drop and as pressure change along the packing. A slight influence of viscosity on pressure drop and flooding point was found. The experimental results were compared with estimates made using the software packages provided by the various suppliers for their own packings. Comparisons between estimated and experimental results showed that the selected software in general gives reliable predictions of pressure drop up to an F-factor of about 3Pa0.5, but that deviations may occur even for lower F-factors at high liquid loads. For low liquid loads (<10m3/m2h) the software estimations are good in the whole range of measurements (F-factor <4.5–5Pa0.5). For reactive systems at all liquid loads there is hardly any change at all for the Flexipac 2Y HC and B1-250M. For the Mellapak 2X the effect of the reactive system is significant for high liquid loads.

Development of Current Sensor Based on Magnetic Fluid Magnetic Bridge

Demands for dc current sensors have recently been increasing. We developed a hysteresis-free current sensor based on a magnetic bridge by using magnetic fluid as a core material, which is super-paramagnetic and has no magnetic hysteresis. In the experiment, the core size was 42 mm in outer diameter, 28 mm in inner diameter, and 3.5 mm in height. The sensor became saturated at ±200 A input current, but no hysteresis was observed throughout the whole range of measurement. In a measurement range of ±20 A, the sensitivity was 0.603 mV/A, the linearity error was ±0.7 %, and the temperature error characteristics were -0.2 %/°C from 0 °C to 30 °C. This hysteresis-free current sensor would be useful in energy-efficient power systems to enable accurate current monitoring, especially in dc power-distribution systems.

Reliability of novel multidirectional lip-closing force measurement system

This study aimed to quantify the directional specificity of multidirectional lip-closing force (LCF) and evaluate the reliability of multidirectional LCF measurements made using a novel system. In fourteen healthy subjects (seven females, seven males, median age = 28 years), LCFs in eight directions and electromyograms (EMGs) from four parts of the orbicularis oris muscles (OOM) were recorded during voluntary pursing-like lip closure tasks. The quantitative reliability was assessed from repeated measurements of the LCFs in the eight directions and from summed values for all eight directions [total lip-closing force (TLCF)]. The intra- and inter-investigator reliabilities for TLCF were assessed by the interclass correlation of the measurements by the same investigator and two investigators, respectively. Lip-closing forces showed directional specificity in vertical, horizontal and oblique directions but those in oblique and horizontal directions were symmetrical bilaterally. The quantitative reliability of measurements was between 0·735 and 0·948 in the eight directions and that of TLCF was 0·934. Interclass correlations of intra- and inter-investigator reliabilities were 0·96 [lower limit of 95% confidence interval (95% LL), 0·87] and 0·96 (95% LL, 0·91), respectively. The intra- and inter-investigator differences of measurements were randomly distributed in the whole range of measurements. The 95% confidence intervals of these differences were significantly narrower than those of the limits of agreement (mean ± 1·96 s.d.). In 13 subjects, Pearson's correlation coefficients between LCF and EMGs from OOM were above 0·95. We conclude that this system has a reasonable quality and reliability for quantitative measurements of multidirectional LCF for evaluating lip functions.

Linear regression analysis for comparing two measurers or methods of measurement: But which regression?

1. There are two reasons for wanting to compare measurers or methods of measurement. One is to calibrate one method or measurer against another; the other is to detect bias. Fixed bias is present when one method gives higher (or lower) values across the whole range of measurement. Proportional bias is present when one method gives values that diverge progressively from those of the other. 2. Linear regression analysis is a popular method for comparing methods of measurement, but the familiar ordinary least squares (OLS) method is rarely acceptable. The OLS method requires that the x values are fixed by the design of the study, whereas it is usual that both y and x values are free to vary and are subject to error. In this case, special regression techniques must be used. 3. Clinical chemists favour techniques such as major axis regression ('Deming's method'), the Passing-Bablok method or the bivariate least median squares method. Other disciplines, such as allometry, astronomy, biology, econometrics, fisheries research, genetics, geology, physics and sports science, have their own preferences. 4. Many Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to try to decide which technique is best, but the results are almost uninterpretable. 5. I suggest that pharmacologists and physiologists should use ordinary least products regression analysis (geometric mean regression, reduced major axis regression): it is versatile, can be used for calibration or to detect bias and can be executed by hand-held calculator or by using the loss function in popular, general-purpose, statistical software.

Breaking wave loads at vertical seawalls and breakwaters

This paper presents recent advances in knowledge on wave loads, based on experimental work carried out in the CIEM/LIM large flume at Barcelona within the framework of the VOWS (Violent Overtopping by Waves at Seawalls) project. Both quasi-static and impact wave forces from the new data set have been compared with predictions by empirical and analytical methods. The scatter in impact forces has been found to be large over the whole range of measurements, with no existing method giving especially good predictions. Based on general considerations, a simple and intuitive set of prediction formulae has been introduced for quasi-static and impact forces, and overturning moments, giving good agreement with the new measurements. New prediction formulae have been compared with previous measurements from physical model tests at small and large scale, giving satisfactory results over a relatively wide range of test conditions. The time variation of wave impacts is discussed, together with pressure distribution up the wall, which shows that within experimental limitations the measured pressures are within existing limits of previous study.

Method of determining the energy-force characteristics and other parameters of the helical rolling of bars and tubes on universal mill PVP 20-60

The proposed measurement method and the structure of the recommended measurement system offer a wide range of possibilities for completing all the operations that need to be performed with the signals received in the system. The signals and their extrema are digitally analyzed and recorded with the computer’s processor and are subjected to arithmetic and logic operations, differentiation, integration, etc. The proposed measurement system was installed on universal mill PVP 20-60 (VILS) and has been used to roll bars made of hypereutectoid aos and pierce them into shells. The given measurement method makes it possible to perform a whole range of measurements and calculations of energy-force characteristics and other process parameters that collectively can satisfactorily describe the operation of helical rolling.

Development of a Highly Sensitive and Specific Assay to Detect Staphylococcus aureus in Bovine Mastitic Milk

Diagnosis of udder infections with Staphylococcus aureus by bacteriological milk testing of quarter milk samples is often not satisfactory. To get reliable results, repeated sampling is necessary, which is normally too expensive. Therefore, we developed a test that allows the highly specific detection of Staph. aureus in bovine milk samples at very low concentrations. It is based on a fast procedure to prepare bacteria from milk, followed by DNA extraction and quantitative PCR. The whole analysis is done within 5h. For clinical milk samples, the analytical sensitivity of the assay was 50.7 times and 507 times higher than conventional bacteriology with 100 and 10μL, respectively. The diagnostic specificity was 100%. The test is further characterized by a low intra- and interassay variability as well as by a good recovery of Staph. aureus from raw milk. Furthermore, a high correlation (R = 0.925) between the agar plate counts and the quantitative PCR methodology over the whole range of measurement was found. In addition, our test revealed considerably more positive results than bacteriology. Due to its favorable properties, the assay might become an important diagnostic tool in the context of bovine mastitis caused by Staph. aureus.

Evolution of Mercedes-Benz’s four-cylinder diesel engine

For years now, Mercedes-Benz’s proven four-cylinder diesel has been in demand as an entry-level power solution, particularly for the mid-range sedans of the C- and E-Classes. In pace with refinement of the E-Class and in preparation for the new C-Class, this tried and true power unit has received another significant upgrade of its power output and torque. A whole range of measures has been taken to bring its longevity and ease of handling to still higher levels. The result is a remarkable product that meets customers’ demands for road behaviour, silence and good fuel economy.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in depression

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relatively non-invasive technique to interfere with the function of small cortical areas through currents induced by alternating magnetic fields emanating from a handheld coil placed directly above the targeted area. This technique has clear effects on a whole range of measures of brain function and has become an important research tool in neuropsychiatry. More recently, TMS has been studied in psychiatry mainly to assess its putative therapeutic effects in the treatment of refractory major depression. Most studies indicate that both low-frequency TMS and higher (20 Hz) frequency repetitive TMS may have some antidepressant properties. This is most interesting and opens a whole new avenue of low invasive techniques to stimulate the brain in major depression. However, definite therapeutic effects of clinical significance still remain to be demonstrated.

Continental and Sub-Continental Income Inequality

Income inequality can be measured at different levels of aggregation such as global, continental, international and national levels. Here we consider income inequality at regions defined as equivalent of continental and sub-continental levels. We investigate the economic disparity between regions of the world and among countries within each continent or sub-continent. The empirical results for data availability reasons are mainly based on the second half of the 20th century. The review covers a whole range of measures and methods frequently employed in empirical analysis of the global and regional income inequality and income distribution. Different determinant factors along with quantification of their impacts are presented and empirical results from different case studies are discussed. Finally, these results are contrasted to those obtained based on the WIID covering almost the same period and group of countries.

Regional Income Inequality in Selected Large Countries

Income inequality can be measured at different levels of aggregation such as global, continental, international and national levels. Here we consider income inequality at the national level but the focus is on the within country regional inequality. Regional inequality in income distribution in a selection of large countries measured by the size of their population and land area with regional, provincial or federation division is examined. The empirical results reported are based on the second half of the 20th century. The countries considered here cover large transition, developing and industrialised countries. The review cover a whole range of measures and methods frequently employed in empirical analysis of income inequality and income distribution. Different determinant factors and their impacts from different studies are presented. Empirical results from the literature is compared with those obtained based on the WIID data covering post 1950.

Surfactants Based on Renewable Raw Materials

SummaryUnder the European Commission's European Climate Change Programme, a group of experts studied the possibilities of using more renewable raw materials as chemical feedstock and assessed the related potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Surfactants were among the products studied. Surfactants are currently produced from both petro‐chemical feedstocks and renewable resources (oleochemical surfactants). Assuming, in a first step, that total surfactant production in the European Union remains constant until 2010, it was estimated that the amount of oleochemical surfactants could be increased from about 880 kilotons (kt) in 1998 to approximately 1, 100 kt in 2010 (an increase of 24%). This substitution reduces the life‐cycle CO2 emissions from surfactants by 8%; the theoretical maximum potential for total substitution is 37%. Because the surfactant market is expected to grow, the avoided emissions will probably exceed 8% of the current life‐cycle CO2 emissions from surfactants. If compared to the CO2 emissions from the total industrial sector and, even more so, if compared to the total economy, the relative savings are much lower (0.02% to 0.09%). This leads to the conclusion that the increased production and use of biobased surfactants should be part of an overall GHG emission reduction strategy consisting of a whole range of measures addressing both energy demand and supply. This article also discusses policies and measures designed to increase the use of biobased surfactants.

Le difficile contrôle des activités et comportements de la police: le cas de la Sûreté du Québec

Police, as agents of the state, affect its legitimacy by their acts and the way they carry them out. They enjoy considerable powers and autonomy, in comparison with most public employees. Oddly, public administration studies almost ignore them. During the 1990s, the Sûreté du Québec experienced a number of problems of control and responsibility, not because of corruption but because of excess zeal, irresponsibility and sometimes incompetence. Several inquiries and studies, culminating with the massive Poitras Commission report of 1998, revealed a variety of problems, but many points in common. These studies show that while the SQ has known familiar problems rooted in police culture and the power of the police union, a whole range of measures could be pursued by the Department of Public Security and by the SQ to make it more open, more effective and more responsible. Several reforms now taking place could change the orgnizational culture of the Sûreté.

The role of flood forecasting and warning in sustainability of flood defence

Flood defence measures do not provide a total solution to flood management but can significantly mitigate flood risks. They are often implemented as a combination of a whole range of measures, including flood forecasting and warning services. Historically, these services have often been provided as a last resort without identifying their relative contribution to overall flood protection. This paper offers one possible solution for integrating these services into the body of other flood management measures through quantifying the relative contribution of the individual measures. The need for the realisation of the solution depends on stems from two major projects: (a) a research and development project on real-time modelling commissioned by the National Flood Warning Centre of the Environment Agency (the Agency); and (b) the project of Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs) run by the Agency and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The paper outlines the context of both projects and shows that flood forecasting and warning, as the management of flooding incidents, is integrated qualitatively to CFMPs. It also presents a tentative solution for integrating the relative contribution of individual flood management measures to mitigating flood risks.

Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of affective disorders.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relatively noninvasive technique to interfere with the function of small cortical areas through currents induced by alternating magnetic fields emanating from a handheld coil placed directly above the targeted area. This technique has clear effects on a whole range of measures of brain function and has become an important research tool in neuropsychiatry. More recently, TMS has been studied in psychiatry mainly to assess its putative therapeutic effects in treatment refractory major depression. Most studies indicate that both low-frequency TMS and higher (20 Hz) frequency repetitive TMS may have some antidepressant properties. However, definite therapeutic effects of clinical significance still remain to be demonstrated.