Properties of a family of merit functions and a merit function method for the NCP

A family of merit functions are proposed, which are the generalization of several existing merit functions. A number of favorable properties of the proposed merit functions are established. By using these properties, a merit function method for solving nonlinear complementarity problem is investigated, and the global convergence of the proposed algorithm is proved under some standard assumptions. Some preliminary numerical results are given.

Merits and Demerits of Food Additives

Food additive is a double-edged sword. It has merits and demerits. Food additives have such merits as improving sensory properties of foods,preventing deterioration and extending the shelf life,increasing varieties of foods,enhancing convenience of foods,facilitating food processing,and satisfying other demands. However,excessive and illegal use of food additives will exert adverse influence on food security.Therefore,it is required to take proper measures to bring merits of food additives into full play,and get rid of their demerits.

A high figure of merit localized surface plasmon sensor based on a gold nanograting on the top of a gold planar film

We investigate the sensitivity and figure of merit （FOM） of a localized surface plasmon （LSP） sensor with gold nanograting on the top of planar metallic film. The sensitivity of the localized surface plasmon sensor is 317 nm/RIU, and the FOM is predicted to be above 8, which is very high for a localized surface plasmon sensor. By employing the rigorous coupled-wave analysis （RCWA） method, we analyze the distribution of the magnetic field and find that the sensing property of our proposed system is attributed to the interactions between the localized surface plasmon around the gold nanostrips and the surface plasmon polarition on the surface of the gold planar metallic film. These findings are important for developing high FOM localized surface plasmon sensors.

Figure of Merit Analysis of a Hybrid Solar-geothermal Power Plant

Figure of merit analysis is a general methodology used to evaluate whether a hybrid power plant could produce more power than two stand-alone power plants. In this paper, the assessment methodology using figure of merit analysis was re-examined for a hybrid solar-geothermal power plant. A new definition of the figure of merit was introduced specifically for a solar boosted geothermal plant to include both the technical and economic factors. The new definition was then applied in a case study of a hypothetical demonstration hybrid solar-geothermal power plant in Australia. The power plant was considered to have a typical net power output of 2.2 MW with a solar energy fraction of 27%. The analysis was performed to compare the power output and capital cost of the hybrid plant with the state-of-the-art (SoA) and existing stand-alone solar and geothermal plants. Based on the new definition, the hybrid plant was found to generally outperform the two existing stand-alone plants. Moreover, at an ambient temperature of 5 °C, the hybrid plant was found to outperform the SoA stand-alone plants when the geothermal temperature was greater than 150 °C. For geothermal temperature of 180 °C on the other hand, the hybrid plant outperformed the SoA stand-alone plants at ambient temperatures lower than 33 °C.

Interpreting the Merits In Aristotle's Poetics

Aristotle's Poetics represents the first major work of literature criticism. In this masterpiece,Aristotle expresses his literary and aesthetical theories. By introducing the merits in Aristotle's Poetics,this thesis tends to reveal Aristotle's large and enduring influence on modern literary criticism.

Merit functions for nonsmooth complementarity problems and related descent algorithm

Under some assumptions, the solution set of a nonlinear complementarity problem coincides with the set of local minima of the corresponding minimization problem. This paper uses a family of new merit functions to deal with nonlinear complementarity problem where the underlying function is assumed to be a continuous but not necessarily locally Lipschitzian map and gives a descent algorithm for solving the nonsmooth continuous complementarity problems. In addition, the global convergence of the derivative free descent algorithm is also proved.

High Thermoelectric Figure of Merit of Ag8SnS6 Component Prepared by Electrodeposition Technique

A new thermoelectric material Ag8SnS6, with ultra-low thermal conductivity in thin film shape, is prepared on indium tin oxide coated g/ass （ITO） substrates using a chemical process via the electrodeposition technique. The structural, thermal and electrical properties are studied and presented in detail, which demonstrate that the material is of semiconductor type, orthorhombic structure, with a band gap in the order of 1.56eV and a free carrier concentration of 1.46 × 10^17 cm-3. The thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal conduction mode, Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity are determined using the photo-thermal deflection technique combined with the Boltzmann transport theory and Cahill＇s model, showing that the AgsSnS6 material has a low thermal conductivity of 3.8 Wm - 1K- 1, high electrical conductivity of 2.4 × 10^5 Sm- 1, Seebeck coefficient of -180μVK-1 and a power factor of 6.9mWK-2m-1, implying that it is more efficient than those obtained in recently experimental investigations for thermoelectric devices.

Running slow or running fast;that is the question:The merits of high-intensity interval training

In a recent issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science,García-Pinillos et al.~1 reviewed evidence on the effects of highintensity intermittent training(interval training)(HIIT)on muscular and performance adaptations in recreational runners.

Task-based Language Teaching： Merits and Issues

With growing tendency and widespread application, TBLT has attracted considerable attention from educator teachers,theorists and researchers. The paper commences by offering some influential definitions of‘task', varying classifications of differ-ent types of task, and criteria for judging a task. Then, compared with teaching approaches before the emergence of CLT, TBLT isnew and has many distinct merits. Meanwhile, since it is a newly-established approach, some problems and difficulties in comple-menting TBLT are inevitable. A number of genuine issues raised in Asian language teaching classrooms are examined.

基于MERIT和SCM整合方法的会展项目可行性分析——以山西智慧养老技术与服务展览会为例

为了避免盲目投资和资源浪费,大型会展项目在启动初期都需要进行可行性分析。通过整合运用MERIT和SCM方法,本文以山西智慧养老技术与服务展览会为例,从市场、经济效益、资源条件、创新性、发展趋势五个方面开展全面评估,提出对人员、物资、资金、信息技术等各类要素进行有效规划控制,以此探讨得出在山西策划组织智慧养老技术与服务展览会是非常必要的且具创新性、可行性的结论,以期为该展会的立项与实施提供一定的参考与借鉴。

Enhanced thermoelectric figure of merit at near room temperature in n-type binary silver telluride nanoparticles

In the present study,we have synthesized Ag2Te nanoparticles using the hydrothermal method and showed significant improvement in the thermoelectric properties compared to the bulk Ag2Te sample.Ag2Te nanoparticles showed the highest figure of merit(zT)of 1.37 at 373 K,which is the highest zT reported for this undoped material.This high zT in Ag2Te nanoparticles is mainly due to about~2 times higher electrical conductivity(1967 S/cm)and subsequently~2 times lower thermal conductivity(0.53 W/(m$K))as compared to the bulk Ag2Te sample.The higher electrical conductivity in Ag2Te nanoparticles can be accredited for two reasons(i)better mobility of the charge carrier and(ii)increased carrier concentration.The low thermal conductivity is associated with the enhanced scattering of phonons at the interface of the Ag2Te nanoparticles.

Meritocracy's Disguise

Zachary Howlett's book provides a new account of meritocracy in China.Unlike economists with their single-minded ideas of merits vis-a-vis individualized skills,Howlett deconstructs the concept to its social foundations.The book's central subject is Gaokao,the national college entrance examination,where merits are constructed,tested,and publicly displayed.

Understanding electricity prices beyond the merit order principle using explainable AI

Electricity prices in liberalized markets are determined by the supply and demand for electric power,which are in turn driven by various external influences that vary strongly in time.In perfect competition,the merit order principle describes that dispatchable power plants enter the market in the order of their marginal costs to meet the residual load,i.e.the difference of load and renewable generation.Various market models are based on this principle when attempting to predict electricity prices,yet the principle is fraught with assumptions and simplifications and thus is limited in accurately predicting prices.In this article,we present an explainable machine learning model for the electricity prices on the German day-ahead market which foregoes of the aforementioned assumptions of the merit order principle.Our model is designed for an ex-post analysis of prices and builds on various external features.Using SHapley Additive exPlanation(SHAP)values we disentangle the role of the different features and quantify their importance from empiric data,and therein circumvent the limitations inherent to the merit order principle.We show that load,wind and solar generation are the central external features driving prices,as expected,wherein wind generation affects prices more than solar generation.Similarly,fuel prices also highly affect prices,and do so in a nontrivial manner.Moreover,large generation ramps are correlated with high prices due to the limited flexibility of nuclear and lignite plants.Overall,we offer a model that describes the influence of the main drivers of electricity prices in Germany,taking us a step beyond the limited merit order principle in explaining the drivers of electricity prices and their relation to each other.

数字资本主义技术代码视域下功绩主体的自我剥削与自由悖论

数字技术作为数字资本主义的重要基点,既承载了数字生产力的纯粹要素方面,也维持和重塑着数字生产关系。数字资本主义的技术代码表征了数字技术生产力与生产关系、技术需求与社会需求的内聚统一,形塑了数字资本主义下崭新的功绩社会。功绩社会下,驯化主体被功绩主体所代替,功绩主体将传统的否定禁止和他者剥削翻转为肯定示好和自我剥削,自我剥削打着自我发展、自我实现、自我优化和自我完善的幌子,实际却是自我征服、自我促逼、自我耗散和自我毁灭,由此呈现出自由的功绩主体不自由的悖论景象。对此,我们需要求教和回归马克思历史唯物主义和技术批判的原则方法,透视和掌握数字资本主义的技术代码和技术本质,识破功绩主体自我剥削的不自由真相,分析其深层本质和致因逻辑,并在此基础上阐明一种真正自由的可能的未来方向。

天山北坡平原荒漠灌区9个紫花苜蓿品种生产性能综合评价

【目的】筛选出适宜在天山北坡平原荒漠区推广种植的紫花苜蓿品种。【方法】采用单因素随机区组设计,测定9个紫花苜蓿品种的株高、草产量、品质等指标,并利用灰色关联法对9个品种进行综合评价。【结果】随种植年限增加,供试材料的鲜草和干草产量均呈下降趋势,其中第1年的干草产量占比较高,平均为37.77%;佰苜341的株高积累量最大,为939.8 cm,显著高于其他品种;骑士T干草总产量、粗蛋白含量和相对饲喂价值最高,分别为61602.03 kg/hm^(2)、16.83%和119.16%;灰色关联度综合评价结果由高到低的顺序为:骑士T>佰苜202>大银河>阿迪娜>佰苜341>佰苜371>挑战者>佰苜401>康赛。【结论】骑士T的综合表现较好,建议在天山北坡平原荒漠灌区引种种植。

Highly Accurate Golden Section Search Algorithms and Fictitious Time Integration Method for Solving Nonlinear Eigenvalue Problems

This study sets up two new merit functions,which are minimized for the detection of real eigenvalue and complex eigenvalue to address nonlinear eigenvalue problems.For each eigen-parameter the vector variable is solved from a nonhomogeneous linear system obtained by reducing the number of eigen-equation one less,where one of the nonzero components of the eigenvector is normalized to the unit and moves the column containing that component to the right-hand side as a nonzero input vector.1D and 2D golden section search algorithms are employed to minimize the merit functions to locate real and complex eigenvalues.Simultaneously,the real and complex eigenvectors can be computed very accurately.A simpler approach to the nonlinear eigenvalue problems is proposed,which implements a normalization condition for the uniqueness of the eigenvector into the eigenequation directly.The real eigenvalues can be computed by the fictitious time integration method(FTIM),which saves computational costs compared to the one-dimensional golden section search algorithm(1D GSSA).The simpler method is also combined with the Newton iterationmethod,which is convergent very fast.All the proposed methods are easily programmed to compute the eigenvalue and eigenvector with high accuracy and efficiency.

当代教育中的身份焦虑及其应对

当代教育中所潜藏的精英主义情结及其所导致的身份、资源等排他性竞争,使得教育易于成为身份焦虑的诱发器。教育中的身份焦虑在深层次上是一种自我认同的焦虑,在外显的层次上则体现为追求“绩优者”身份的焦虑以及获取社会资源的焦虑。身份焦虑制造了“分离的个体”,它导致了个体与“内在的人”的分离、个体与他者的分离以及个体与共同体生活的分离。这种分离难以使人成长为具有健全品格的人,难以促进人对美好人格、美好生活的追求。教育必须要对身份焦虑及其背后的教育机制有所回应,这就要求教育要重构“内在的人”的理念,促进人对于自我的健全的认同;建构“与他者共生”的学习共同体,打破“与他者竞技”的教育机制;培养国家及社会公民的身份认同,使人们担负起公共责任与使命,最终实现培养全面发展的人的教育目标。

发挥功勋荣誉表彰精神引领作用的历史图景、价值意蕴与实现路径

党和国家功勋荣誉表彰人物是中华民族的闪亮坐标,屹立起价值永恒的精神丰碑。党的十八大以来,党和国家建立了统一规范的功勋荣誉表彰制度。发挥功勋荣誉表彰的精神引领作用是增强实现中华民族伟大复兴精神力量的内在要求,具有促进精神富裕、净化社会风尚、弘扬主流价值、激发历史主动精神等多重属性的价值意蕴;需要夯实功勋荣誉表彰精神引领的价值根基,催化功勋荣誉表彰精神引领的大众传播,拓展功勋荣誉表彰精神引领的实践场域,强化功勋荣誉表彰精神引领的条件保障。

热电材料及其高压合成

着重分析了高压合成技术在方钴矿、Bi_(2)Te_(3)基、SnSe基、PbTe基、Mg_(2)Si基等典型热电材料的制备及性能调控中的应用,阐释了该技术在推动热电材料发展的独到之处,对高压合成技术在热电材料领域今后的研究发展方向进行了展望。

Investigating the Potential of Quasi-One-Dimensional Organic Crystals of TTT(TCNQ)2 for Thermoelectric Applications

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of investigations on quasi-one-dimensional organic crystals of tetrathiotetracene-tetracyanoquinodi- methane (TTT(TCNQ)2) from the prospective of thermoelectric applications. The calculations were performed after analytical expressions, obtained in the frame of a physical model, more detailed than the model presented earlier by authors. The main Hamiltonian of the model includes the electronic and phonon part, electron-phonon interactions and the impurity scattering term. In order to estimate the electric charge transport between the molecular chains, the physical model was upgraded to the so-called three-dimen- sional (3D) physical model. Numeric computations were performed to determine the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, thermoelectric power factor and thermoelectric figure-of-merit as a function on charge carrier concentrations, temperatures and impurity concentrations. A detailed analysis of charge-lattice interaction, consisting of the exploration of the Peierls structural transition in TCNQ molecular chains of TTT(TCNQ)2 was performed. As result, the critical transition temperature was determined. The dispersion of renormalized phonons was examined in detail.