Verification of Depth Adjustment Factor in Eurocode 5 for Tropical Hardwood Timbers

The depth adjustment factor for bending strength stated in Eurocode 5(EC5)is only applicable to timbers having a characteristic density below 700 kg/m^(3).However,most Malaysian timbers are hardwood,some with a characteristic density reaching above 700 kg/m^(3).Therefore,the objective of this study was to examine whether the depth adjustment factor stipulated in EC5 is valid for Malaysian hardwood timbers.Six timber species were selected for this study,namely Kapur(Dryobalanops C.F.Gaertn.),Kempas(Koompassia Maingay ex Benth.),Keruing(Dipterocarpus C.F.Gaertn.),Light red meranti(Shorea Roxb.ex C.F.Gaertn.),Geronggang(Cratoxylum Blume)and Balau(Shorea Roxb.ex C.F.Gaertn.).The determination of bending strength and characteristic density was conducted according to BS EN 408:2010 and BS EN 384:2016,respectively.A graph for mean bending strength vs.(150/h)was plotted for each timber species.The power function was selected to analyze the relationship between the two variables.The power of the regression equations varied depending on the characteristic density of the timber species.For species with a characteristic density below 700 kg/m^(3),such as Kapur,Keruing,and Light red meranti,the power was between 0.16 to 0.17.In contrast,for species having a characteristic density above 700 kg/m^(3),namely Kempas and Balau,the power was higher at 0.23 and 0.24,respectively.Geronggang was an exception to this pattern.These values are close to the depth adjustment factor given in EC5,which is 0.2.Based on the results,it can be suggested that the adjustment factor of 0.2 is also applicable to Malaysian hardwood timbers with a characteristic density above 700 kg/m^(3).

A Pilot Study about Recurrence of Cancer： Impact ofPsychosocial Factors on Patients＇ Adjustment

The need to prevent cancer leads the authors to propose three innovative courses of cancer as categories of disease. Theobjectives of the research are to study the impact of different factors on adaptation to the recurrence of cancer and to assess the qualityof life, the anxiety as a state and the depression as a state and the evolution of the disease on a period of three months. During thislongitudinal and prospective study, the author met 32 subjects after announcing the recurrence of their cancer, and saw again 21 of them,three months later. In two times of the study, the author made fill out several questionnaires concerning various variables. The mainresults allow showing that the majority of the subjects did not present new recurrence of cancer and that the use of the Fighting spiritstrategy is representative of them. The author＇s linear regressions and the author＇s comparisons of averages allowed the authors severalrelations about to different categories of disease. Supporting therapies and management programs for stress would be beneficial for thepatients who have recurrence of their cancer.

ADJUSTMENT FACTORS AND ADJUSTMENT STRUCTURE

In this paper, adjustment factors J and R put forward by professor Zhou Jiangwen are introduced and the nature of the adjustment factors and their role in evaluating adjustment structure is discussed and proved.

Impacts of automated passenger cars on the capacity of a freeway basic section: applicability in the determination of vehicle adjustment factors in mixed traffic

The highway capacity manual(HCM)provides a formula to calculate the heavy vehicle adjustment factor(fHV)as a function of passenger car equivalent factors for the heavy vehicle(ET).However,a significant drawback is that the methodology was established solely based on human-driven passenger cars(HDPC)and human-driven heavy vehicles(HDHV).Due to automated passenger cars(APCs),a new adjustment factor(fAV)might be expected.This study simulated traffic flows at different percentages of HDHVs and APCs to investigate the impacts of HDHVs and APCs on freeway capacity by analyzing their influence on fHV and fAV values.The simulation determined observed adjustment factors at different percentages of HDHVs and APCs(fobserved).The HCM formula was used to calculate(fHCM).Modifications to the HCM formula are proposed,and vehicle adjustment factors due to HDHVs and APCs were calculated(fproposed).Results showed that,in the presence of APCs,while fobserved and fHCM were statistically significantly different,fobserved and fproposed were statistically equal.Hence,this study recommends using the proposed formula when determining vehicle adjustment factors(fproposed)due to HDHVs and APCs in the traffic stream.

The Effect of Self-confidence in SLA

Krashen's affective filter theory drew researchers' attention to the fresh field of internal factors of learners.But researchers seem to pay too much attention to the other factors while tending to neglect a factor that we cannot afford to play down in language learning research-self-confidence.This paper is designed to discuss the close relationship between self-confidence and some of the other important affective factors,and furthermore raise appropriate concern over self-confidence.

Effect of Facet Displacement on Radiation Field and Its Application for Panel Adjustment of Large Reflector Antenna

Large reflector antennas are widely used in radars, satellite communication, radio astronomy, and so on. The rapid developments in these fields have created demands for development of better performance and higher surface accuracy. However, low accuracy and low effi- ciency are the common disadvantages for traditional panel alignment and adjustment. In order to improve the surface accuracy of large reflector antenna, a new method is pre- sented to determinate panel adjustment values from far field pattern. Based on the method of Physical Optics （PO）, the effect of panel facet displacement on radiation field value is derived. Then the linear system is constructed between panel adjustment vector and far field pattern. Using the method of Singular Value Decomposition （SVD）, the adjustment value for all panel adjustors are obtained by solving the linear equations. An experiment is conducted on a 3.7 m reflector antenna with 12 segmented panels. The results of simulation and test are similar, which shows that the presented method is feasible. Moreover, thediscussion about validation shows that the method can be used for many cases of reflector shape. The proposed research provides the instruction to adjust surface panels efficiently and accurately.

Optimal fuzzy PID controller with adjustable factors based on flexible polyhedron search algorithm

A new kind of optimal fuzzy PID controller is proposed, which contains two parts. One is an on line fuzzy inference system, and the other is a conventional PID controller. In the fuzzy inference system, three adjustable factors x p, x i , and x d are introduced. Their functions are to further modify and optimize the result of the fuzzy inference so as to make the controller have the optimal control effect on a given object. The optimal values of these adjustable factors are determined based on the ITAE criterion and the Nelder and Mead′s flexible polyhedron search algorithm. This optimal fuzzy PID controller has been used to control the executive motor of the intelligent artificial leg designed by the authors. The result of computer simulation indicates that this controller is very effective and can be widely used to control different kinds of objects and processes.

A Flux DC Bias Suppression Scheme of Single-stage Full-bridge PFC Converters Based on Dead Zone Adjustment

由于单级桥式功率因数校正（power factor correction,PFC）AC/DC变换技术电路的特点,导致高频变压器存在偏磁现象,影响了系统正常工作。传统方式通过增加变压器气隙或使用隔直电容来防止变压器出现偏磁,但是该类方案影响了系统性能,并增加了电路的复杂程度。结合有源钳位单级PFC变换器工作特点,提出一种基于死区调节的偏磁抑制策略,通过改变系统的开关时序,能够有效抑制偏磁,具有不增加主电路复杂程度、不影响系统性能、数字控制和模拟控制都能够实现等优点。在提出抑制策略的基础上,设计实现电路,给出死区设计方法及影响规律,最后进行实验研究。理论分析及实验结果表明,该策略能够在不影响系统性能的基础上,有效抑制单级桥式PFC变换器的高频变压器偏磁。

Research of Sail Height Adjustment on Sail-Assisted Ship in Different Loading and Wind Conditions

The relationship between ship stability and sail area is firstly investigated based on the sail-assisted ship＇s stability in this paper. Then a height-adjustable sail structure is proposed that could be automatically adjusted according to the wind conditions, ship loading and other requirements. The influences on the sail height in different ship load conditions, different wind apparent velocity and wind direction are analyzed of a sail-assisted bulk carrier. Finally a control procedure of sail height adjustment in real time is proposed according to the actual load conditions, wind conditions, ship velocity and other parameters to make the best use of wind energy, which is significant for the practical application of sail-assisting technology in the future.

Suggested Work Modifications for Patients with Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and scarring, primarily affecting areas rich in apocrine glands. Environmental and occupational risk factors, including prolonged exposure to heat, friction, and certain chemicals, have been identified as exacerbating conditions for HS. Yet, there remains a lack of tailored recommendations for modifying work environments to alleviate these triggers. This review presents novel suggestions for work modifications to reduce HS flare-ups, such as implementing breathable, friction-reducing workwear, ergonomic adjustments to minimize pressure on affected areas, and introducing low-irritant hygiene protocols in workplaces with chemical exposure. These recommendations are grounded in emerging evidence linking specific occupational exposures to the exacerbation of HS symptoms. The novelty of this approach lies in its proactive stance, shifting from reactive management of HS symptoms to preventative environmental modifications. Future studies should explore the long-term efficacy of these modifications and investigate the potential for personalized work environment adjustments based on individual patient profiles. Targeted workplace interventions may significantly improve the quality of life for HS patients, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary collaboration between dermatologists, occupational health specialists, and employers.

Psychosocial factors and their association with reflux oesophagitis,Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma

AIM:To investigate the role of psychological characteristics as risk factors for oesophageal adenocarcinoma(OAC),as well as the reflux-mediated precursor pathway.METHODS:An all-Ireland population-based case-control study recruited 230 reflux oesophagitis(RO),224 Barrett's oesophagus(BO) and 227 OAC patients and 260 controls.Each case/control group completed measures of stress,depression,self-efficacy,self-esteem,repression and social support.A comparative analysis was undertaken using polytomous logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders.RESULTS:Compared to controls,OAC patients were almost half as likely to report high stress levels over their lifetime(P = 0.010,OR 0.51;95%CI:0.29-0.90)and 36% less likely to report having experienced depression(OR 0.64;95%CI:0.42-0.98).RO patients reported significantly higher stress than controls particularly during middle-and senior-years(P for trends < 0.001).RO patients were 37% less likely to report having been highly emotionally repressed(OR 0.63;95%CI:0.41-0.95).All case groups(OAC,RO and BO) were more likely than controls to report having had substantial amounts of social support(OR 2.84;95%CI:1.63-4.97;OR 1.97;95%CI:1.13-3.44 and OR 1.83;95%CI:1.03-3.24,respectively).CONCLUSION:The improved psychological profile of OAC patients may be explained by response shift.The role of psychological factors in the development of OAC requires further investigation.

A Modified Transformed Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index for Cropland in Jilin Province,China

1 Introduction Vegetation indices(VIs)derived from satellite observations are an essential source of information for operational monitoring of the Earth’s vegetation(Qu et al.,2018;Yan et al.,2008).However,soil background dramatically affects the performances ofⅥs(Baret and Guyot,1991;Gilabert et al.,2002;Huete,1988;Qi et al,1994).

Carbon Emission Trends of Manufacturing and Influencing Factors in Jilin Province,China

This paper constructed a carbon emission identity based on five factors： industrial activity, industrial structure, energy inten- sity, energy mix and carbon emission parameter, and analyzed manufacturing carbon emission trends in Jilin Province at subdivided industrial level through Log-Mean Divisia Index （LMDI） method. Results showed that manufacturing carbon emissions of Jilin Province increased 1.304 ~ 107t by 66% between 2004 and 2010. However, 2012 was a remarkable year in which carbon emissions decreased compared with 2011, the first fall since 2004. Industrial activity was the most important factor for the increase of carbon emissions, while energy intensity had the greatest impact on inhibiting carbon emission growth. Despite the impact of industrial structure on carbon emissions fluctuated, its overall trend inhibited carbon emission growth. Further, influences of industrial structure became gradually stronger and surpassed energy intensity in the period 2009-2010. These results conclude that reducing energy intensity is still the main way for carbon emission reduction in Jilin Province, hut industrial structure can not be ignored and it has great potential. Based on the analyses, the way of manufacturing industrial structure adjustment for Jilin Province is put forward.

Fuel consumption,vehicle quantities,and total factor inefficiency in China

Scale-controlling and technology-upgrading measures are considered effective for mitigating vehicle exhaust emissions.This study investigated the impacts of fuel consumption and vehicle quantities on the total factor inefficiency in China’s highway transport sector during 2011-2015,based on the Bounded Adjusted Measure Data Envelopment Analysis(BAM-DEA)model combined with natural and managerial disposability scenarios.The results showed that the average global inefficiency(GIE)score of the exhaust emissions(CO,HC,NOx,and PM)was 0.41 under the assumption of natural disposability and 0.23 in the managerial disposability situation.Moreover,the main causes of total factor inefficiency scores from the perspective of natural disposability were road length,fuel consumption,and exhaust emissions,whereas those from a managerial disposability perspective were road length and exhaust emissions.These two results suggested that environmental efficiency can be promoted by increasing the quantities of clean-energy vehicles and high-quality gasoline/diesel consumption.In terms of the spatial distribution of GIE,the scores showed a decreasing trend from China’s northwestern inland regions to its southeastern coastal regions under both natural and managerial disposability.Environmental efficiency in some provinces(such as Yunnan)demonstrated good progress under managerial disposability,but other regions did not(such as Hebei and Ningxia).Thus,each province should choose appropriate strategies regarding vehicle quantities and fuel consumption according to the technical inefficiency scores of differing disposability situations.

What Drives China’s Transformational Growth:Technology,Efficiency or Factor Cost?

With rising costs of capital, labor and energy, cost efficiency and cost management have become important questions confronting the next stage of China＇s economic growth. By building a parametric cost frontier model using panel data, this paper investigates the drivers of economic growth transformation from a cost perspective. According to our research, among various effects triggering corporate cost variations and in addition to the expansion of production scale, the largest effect is from technological progress, followed by the effect of factor price adjustment and the effect of efficiency gains. Within the decomposition of factor price adjustment effect, the energy factor effect is the most significant. Furthermore, energy price fluctuations are likely to become major factors restricting saving-based growth. Further study reveals that both the ownership reform and opening up of SOEs are favorable to reducing the costs generated by inefficiency. This paper provides empirical evidence for the driving mechanism of saving-based growth transformation as well as empirical evidence to support to the further deepening of property rights and market-oriented reforms.

Contrastive Analysis of Impact by Affective Factors on Adult Foreign Language Learning and Child Language Development

Affective factors are the meaning of"decisive essence "in foreign language learning. Adult foreign language learning is much influenced by affective factors than children language development in the process of language development. In this paper, on the basis of a Krashen's"Affective Filter Hypothesis", the writer analyses the reasons, and analyses adult foreign language learning and child language development affect differently from four main affective factors: motivation, self-confidence,anxiety and empathy.

基于改进蚁群算法的自动落布车路径规划

针对自动落布车在使用蚁群算法(ant colony algorithm,ACA)进行路径规划过程中出现的收敛次数多、收敛速度较慢且容易陷入局部最优的问题,提出一种改进蚁群算法(improved ant colony algorithm,IACA)。首先对信息素挥发系数ρ进行自适应调整,令其做动态变化,克服算法的收敛次数过多,加快算法收敛速度,减少算法的收敛时间;其次引入细菌觅食算法中趋化操作的趋化步长因子对信息素更新公式进行改进,削减算法迭代的后期信息素浓度值,使算法在后期跳出局部最优值,提高算法全局搜索能力。利用MATLAB将改进后的算法在3种不同的栅格环境中进行仿真验证。结果表明:相比传统蚁群算法,改进后的算法收敛次数减少81.1%,最小路径长度减少6.3%,收敛时间减少20.7%。最后搭建ROS小车实验平台,利用ROS机器人系统对改进蚁群算法在模拟的织布车间环境中进行实验验证。结果表明:对比传统蚁群算法,改进蚁群算法在寻优时间上减少了8.6%。

护士领导调节聚焦行为、逆境商与创新行为的关系

目的:调查研究北京市某三级甲等医院护士创新行为现状,并分析其与领导调节聚焦行为、护士逆境商的关系。方法:采用便利抽样法,于2022年10月—12月采用一般资料调查表、领导调节聚焦行为量表、逆境商量表和护士创新行为量表对北京市某三级甲等医院的560名护士进行横断面调查。结果:护士感知的领导调节聚焦行为条目均分为(5.70±0.80)分,其中促进型聚焦维度条目均分为(6.19±1.02)分,防御型聚焦维度条目均分为(5.27±0.92)分;逆境商条目均分为(3.29±0.62)分,其中控制维度条目均分(3.39±0.64)分,归因维度条目均分(3.10±0.73)分,延伸维度条目均分(3.37±0.68)分,忍耐维度条目均分(3.31±0.67)分;护士创新行为条目均分(3.81±0.74)分;领导调节聚焦行为、护士逆境商与护士创新行为均呈正相关。结论:促进型的领导调节聚焦行为对护士的创新行为具有重要影响,逆境商在一定程度上影响护士创新行为。医院管理者应注重培养临床护理管理者的调节聚焦行为,提高护士逆境商,从而提升护士的创新行为能力,促进护理专业发展。

我国城镇职工养老保险精算因子测算与比较——基于退休制度改革的探讨

为缓解老龄化趋势下养老金支出不断增加的压力,以我国城镇职工养老保险体系的可持续发展为着眼点,探讨延迟退休的养老金待遇给付标准设计。建立养老金财富精算模型,从精算中性的视角测算我国9个省份精算因子Φ值和α值,并测算利率变化对精算中性调整系数α值的影响。实证结果表明,在北京、海南、河南和黑龙江,按照目前的养老金给付制度,延迟退休会增加参保人的养老金财富。若改革退休制度、延迟退休年龄,对不同退休年龄参保人养老金待遇的给付标准可以参考α值设定。