The influence of reflections from the train body and the ground on the sound radiation from a railway rail

Purpose – The vibration of the rails is a significant source of railway rolling noise, often forming the dominantcomponent of noise in the important frequency region between 400 and 2000 Hz. The purpose of the paper is toinvestigate the influence of the ground profile and the presence of the train body on the sound radiation fromthe rail.Design/methodology/approach – Two-dimensional boundary element calculations are used, in which therail vibration is the source. The ground profile and various different shapes of train body are introduced in themodel, and results are observed in terms of sound power and sound pressure. Comparisons are also made withvibro-acoustic measurements performed with and without a train present.Findings – The sound radiated by the rail in the absence of the train body is strongly attenuated by shieldingdue to the ballast shoulder. When the train body is present, the sound from the vertical rail motion is reflectedback down toward the track where it is partly absorbed by the ballast. Nevertheless, the sound pressure at thetrackside is increased by typically 0–5 dB. For the lateral vibration of the rail, the effects are much smaller. Oncethe sound power is known, the sound pressure with the train present can be approximated reasonably well withsimple line source directivities.Originality/value – Numerical models used to predict the sound radiation from railway rails have generallyneglected the influence of the ground profile and reflections from the underside of the train body on the soundpower and directivity of the rail. These effects are studied in a systematic way including comparisons with measurements.

Conversion hip arthroplasty for failed nailing of intertrochanteric fracture: Reflections on some important aspects

In this editorial,I present my comments on the article by Solarino et al.Conversion hip arthroplasty,which is an optional salvage procedure performed following unsuccessful fixation of intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly pati-ents,entails more complex processes and higher rates of operative complications than primary arthroplasty.Hence,it is important to consider the appropriateness of the primary treatment choice,as well as the adequacy of nailing fixation for intertrochanteric fractures.This article briefly analyzes the possible factors contributing to the nailing failure of intertrochanteric fractures and attempts to find corresponding countermeasures to prevent fixation failures.It also analyzes the choice of treatment between nailing fixation and primary arthroplasty for intertrochanteric fractures.

Reflections on Non-English Major Postgraduate English Teaching Reform

This paper presents some reflections on non-English major postgraduate English teaching reform. The author points out some understandings on the English proficiency of non-English major postgraduate students and curriculum changes in the reform. The author thinks that postgraduate English teaching reform is a systematic project, with a goal to meet the practical needs of postgraduate students and improve their ability to use English in their study and work. Hence, every effort of the reform should be made to satisfy the practical needs of the students and to make their English study contribute to their achievements in their own subject area.

Reflections on Communicative Language Teaching Approach Based on Observation of Management Course

Communicative language teaching approach is effective in cultivating students' communicative competence. It has changed the way of teaching as well as learning. This paper, based on class observation of one semester's "management"course,reflects on the teaching approach employed by the teacher, discusses its benefits and problems within the class, and explores the underlying principles of the approach adopted.

Reflections on Humanity from the Modern Vampirism

Vampirism is a very popular theme in modern novels, movies or other forms of literature genres. This paper tries to explore the development of vampirism literatures and by doing so makes some deep reflections on humanity from the modern vampirism.

A Free Surface Frequency Domain Green Function with Viscous Dissipation and Partial Reflections from Side Walls

The free-surface Green function method is widely used in solving the radiation or diffraction problems caused by a ship or ocean structure oscillating on the waves. In the context of inviscid potential flow, hydrodynamic problems such as multi-body interaction and tank side wall effect cannot be properly dealt with based on the traditional free-surface frequency domain Green function method, in which the water viscosity is omitted and the energy dissipation effect is absent. In this paper, an open-sea Green function with viscous dissipation was presented within the theory ofvisco-potential flow. Then the tank Green function with a partial reflection from the side walls in wave tanks was formulated as a formal sum of open-sea Green functions representing the infinite images between two parallel side walls of the source in the tank. The new far-field characteristics of the tank Green function is vitally important fur improving the validity of side-wall effects evaluation, which can be used in supervising the tank model tests.

Characteristics of seismic reflections in central region of the South China Sea and their geological significance

More than 4 000 km 48-channel seismic reflection data from the central region of the South China Sea have been interpreted. Five seismic interfaces have been distinguished, named T1, T2, T4, T6 and Tg respectively Meanwhile, five seismic sequences numbered I - V have been divided with the ages of Quaternary and Pliocene, Later Mocene, Earlier and Middle Miocene, Oligocene and Pre- Oligocene separately. Sequences I-II overlie all parts of the area. In the continental slope and island slope, Sequences III-V are mainly found in the grabens. Sequence III is found at moot profiles of the deep-sea basin, and Sequnce IV is seen not only at the margins of the east subbasin but also at the margins of the southwest subbasin. Strong reflection from Moho is found at most profiles of the deep-sea basin. The depth of Moho varies between 10 and 12 km, with a thickness of 6- 8 km for the crust. Calculated by age-basement depth correlation formula, the age of basaltic basement in the southwest subbasin is 51-39 Ma. It is indicated that the evolution of the southwest subbasin is simultaneous with or earlier than that of the east subbasin.

Reflections on Tools and Methods for Differentiated Assessments of Individual Scientists, Groups of Scientists and Scientific Journals

Requirements for research assessments There are huge differences in mission, emphasis, inherent capability, and targeted utilization of research among scientific institutions. Hence, when it comes to assessments, a one-size-fits-all approach cannot meet the goal(s) of these assessments. Probably even larger differences exist between individuals, research teams and departments.

Reflections on the Criticisms of Mainstream Linguistics

In this paper,the author starts with a discussion of what mainstream linguistics is,in aim of clearly defining mainstream linguistics.Then the author further makes a distinction and comparison between mainstream linguistics and non-mainstream linguistics.In the third part of the paper,the author probes into and reflects on the main criticisms of mainstream linguistics.

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE PROPAGATION IN MAGNETIC MULTILAYERS-NON-RECIPROCAL REFLECTIONS'

A theory of EM wave propagation through magnetic multilayers and superlattices is presented based on the propagation matrix of a magnetic film. By using the P matrix, the transmission and reflection coefficients of layered magnetic media, including: (l)semi-infinite magnetic surfaces, (2) magnetic multilayers, (3) semi-infinite magnetic superlattices are obtained. The numerical results show that the EM modes of a magnetic layer system is excited and manifested as the sharp dips in the S-polarized reflection and the dispersion curves of the magnetic polaritons can be measured by a method similar to the attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique.

Collisions, or Reflections and Rotations, Leading to the Digits of π

We analyze a problem of elastic collisions between elements of a system composed of two balls and a wall. Thanks to a change of variables, the problem is reduced to a sequence of reflections and rotations. Moreover, the total number of collisions is easily found. For specific ratios of ball weights, the number of collisions is related to the first successive digits of π.

Cooperative User-Scheduling and Resource Allocation Optimization for Intelligent Reflecting Surface Enhanced LEO Satellite Communication

Lower Earth Orbit(LEO) satellite becomes an important part of complementing terrestrial communication due to its lower orbital altitude and smaller propagation delay than Geostationary satellite. However, the LEO satellite communication system cannot meet the requirements of users when the satellite-terrestrial link is blocked by obstacles. To solve this problem, we introduce Intelligent reflect surface(IRS) for improving the achievable rate of terrestrial users in LEO satellite communication. We investigated joint IRS scheduling, user scheduling, power and bandwidth allocation(JIRPB) optimization algorithm for improving LEO satellite system throughput.The optimization problem of joint user scheduling and resource allocation is formulated as a non-convex optimization problem. To cope with this problem, the nonconvex optimization problem is divided into resource allocation optimization sub-problem and scheduling optimization sub-problem firstly. Second, we optimize the resource allocation sub-problem via alternating direction multiplier method(ADMM) and scheduling sub-problem via Lagrangian dual method repeatedly.Third, we prove that the proposed resource allocation algorithm based ADMM approaches sublinear convergence theoretically. Finally, we demonstrate that the proposed JIRPB optimization algorithm improves the LEO satellite communication system throughput.

A crosstalk-free dual-mode sweat sensing system for naked-eye sweat loss quantification via changes in structural reflectance

Sweat loss monitoring is important for understanding the body’s thermoregulation and hydration status,as well as for comprehensive sweat analysis.Despite recent advances,developing a low-cost,scalable,and universal method for the fabrication of colorimetric microfluidics designed for sweat loss monitoring remains challenging.In this study,we propose a novel laserengraved surface roughening strategy for various flexible substrates.This process permits the construction of microchannels that show distinct structural reflectance changes before and after sweat filling.By leveraging these unique optical properties,we have developed a fully laser-engraved microfluidic device for the quantification of naked-eye sweat loss.This sweat loss sensor is capable of a volume resolution of 0.5µL and a total volume capacity of 11µL,and can be customized to meet different performance requirements.Moreover,we report the development of a crosstalk-free dual-mode sweat microfluidic system that integrates an Ag/AgCl chloride sensor and a matching wireless measurement flexible printed circuit board.This integrated system enables the real-time monitoring of colorimetric sweat loss signals and potential ion concentration signals without crosstalk.Finally,we demonstrate the potential practical use of this microfluidic sweat loss sensor and its integrated system for sports medicine via on-body studies.

Projections and Reflections in Vector Space

We study projections onto a subspace and reflections with respect to a subspace in an arbitrary vector space with an inner product. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for two such transformations to commute. We then generalize the result to affine subspaces and transformations.

Hyperbolic Reflections Leading to the Digits of ln(2)

We analyze a problem of interactions between elements of an ideal system which consists of two point masses and a wall in a hyperbolic setting. Thanks to a change of variables, the problem is reduced to a sequence of reflections on a hyperbola. For specific ratios of the two masses, the number of interactions is related to the first numerical digits of the logarithmic constant ln (2).

Audible Threshold of Early Reflections with Different Orientations and Delays

Early reflection is an important component in an enclosedsound field. Due to the precedence effect, the early reflection maynot be the dominant factor in sound source localization;however,it still has obvious influences on spatial position, loudness, timbre,and etc. Till now, there have sparse studies on evaluation of theaudible threshold of early reflections with lacking of general andquantitative results. This work investigated the audible thresholdof early reflection with a simplified sound field model undervarious experimental conditions including the combination ofeight incidence angles and five time delays. Three-down-one-upadaptive strategy with three-interval three-alternativeforced-choice (3I-3AFC) paradigm was used due to its efficiencyand robustness. Results indicate that (1) the audible threshold ofearly reflections decreases monotonically with increasing timedelay relative to the direct sound. Furthermore, a linear equationbetween early reflection threshold and time delay is establishedwith correlation coefficient higher than 0.9;(2) When the directsound and the reflection locate in the same half-plane, the audiblethreshold of early reflections decreases with increasing angledeviation between the direct sound and the reflection. Moreover,a front-back symmetry of early reflection threshold is observedfor stimuli below 5 kHz;(3) Considerable variations in earlyreflection threshold are found among individuals, especially atlarge angle deviation and time delay of early reflections relativeto the direct sound.

Reflections on Hong Kong

AMONG the topics I think I know well, I do not count Hong Kong. Although I visit Hong Kong, have friends there, and have researched the place for my writings — for example, its repatriation to China and the Asian Financial Crisis, both in 1997, and the recent Greater Bay Area coordinated development plan — I do not know Hong Kong like I know Beijing. That is why, when the protest movement began there, and then the violence, I was reluctant, at least initially, to accept interview requests from the international media.

English Language Education in China： Progress, Problems and Reflections

The thesis is aimed at putting forward to some problems existing in contemporary China＇s English teaching by showing progress made in recent years. Reflections have formed by contemplating the gaps of English teaching with that of Asian ＆ European countries. This thesis, through a general perspective, outlines what English teachers will do to push Chinese English learning to a new level.

Reflections on,and Improvements of,the Mediation Functions of People's Assessors

Legislatively,the people’s assessors are defined as individuals who share judicial power.However,in the context of dispute resolutions,their role is restricted by the courts,which affects the extent of their assessorial activities.It is imperative to reconsider the implications of the people’s assessors’deep involvement in mediation from the standpoint of societal division of labor.To enhance this division of labor,it is advisable that the people’s assessors relinquish their mediation roles.It is necessary to redefine the distinctions between people’s assessors,judges,and people’s mediators,including specially invited mediators.This would not only make up the deficiencies in the role of professional judges but also relieve the tension between judicial professionalism and popular accountability.

Simulating Ultrasound Reflections Using Rayleigh Integral Method in Complex Biological Media

This paper exploits the Rayleigh integral method to simulate the propagation of transmitted ultrasonic waves and received echoes through various media. Performed simulations study the effect of apodization using different types of windows and the effect of medium properties on the reflections obtained. All estimations are done using the Rayleigh integral method simplified by the Fresnel approximation. Five different interfaces are considered： tissue-bone-tissue, tissue-fat-bone, fat-muscle-bone, air-fat-bone and water-fat-bone. The apodization simulations show that the hamming window is more efficient than the rectangular and triangular windows for obtaining a more consistent beam. In the second set of simulations, reflections are mapped with respect to the depth from which these reflections are generated. It demonstrates that the solid and water media allow for the attainment of echoes from deeper regions as compared to the air medium. Matlab is used as the simulation framework.