The site drilling packer permeability test and TEM to the 2100 workface in Gucheng coalmine determined the two-zone height under sublevel strip mining.The conclusion considers that the lying strata deterioration law o...The site drilling packer permeability test and TEM to the 2100 workface in Gucheng coalmine determined the two-zone height under sublevel strip mining.The conclusion considers that the lying strata deterioration law of the strip mining is similar to that of the sublevel mining.Thus, against that the actually measured data lacked, it is feasible to refer to the reservation of the waterproof coal pillar in the neighbor coalmine under sublevel situation.However, it is necessary to further launch the research on lying strata deterioration law under sublevel striping mining for the purpose of providing the right foundation for the layout of the workface not mined so far and the reservation of the waterproof coal pillar in the mining area.展开更多
Diesel particulate matter(DPM) is a by-product from operating diesel engines. Since diesel powers are one of the major sources of energy for mobile underground mining equipment, the adverse health effects of DPM are o...Diesel particulate matter(DPM) is a by-product from operating diesel engines. Since diesel powers are one of the major sources of energy for mobile underground mining equipment, the adverse health effects of DPM are of a great concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics(CFD) method to study the effect of entry inclination on DPM plume distribution in a dead end entry. An upward mining face and a downward mining face were built with a truck and a loader in loading operation close to the face area. A species transport model with incorporated buoyancy effect was used to examine the DPM dispersion pattern for the above steady-state scenarios. High DPM and temperature regions were identified for the two different faces. The model was used to assess the role of auxiliary ventilation in reducing DPM exposures of underground miners working in those entries. In this study, it is suggested to provide local ventilation at least three times of the diesel exhaust rate to be able to lower the average DPM level for the mining upward face. The requirement for local ventilation is much less for the mining downward face. This can provide guidelines for good working practices and selection of diesel emission reduction technologies underground.展开更多
A computational mass transfer model is proposed for predicting the concentration profile and Murphree efficiency of sieve tray distillation column. The proposed model is based on using modified c'2 -εc' two equatio...A computational mass transfer model is proposed for predicting the concentration profile and Murphree efficiency of sieve tray distillation column. The proposed model is based on using modified c'2 -εc' two equations formulation for closing the differential turbulent mass transfer equation with improvement by considering the vapor injected from the sieve hole to be three dimensional. The predicted concentration distributions by using proposed model were checked by experimental work conducted on a sieve tray simulator of 1.2 meters in diameter for desorbing the dissolved oxygen in the feed water by blowing air. The model predictions were confirmed by the experimental measurement. The validation of the proposed model was further tested by comparing the simulated result with the performance of an industrial scale sieve tray distillation column reported by Kunesh et al. for the stripping of toluene from its water solution. The predicted outlet concentration of each tray and the Murphree tray efficiencies under different operating conditions were in agreement with the published data. The simulated turbulent mass transfer diffusivity on each tray was within the range of the experimental result in the same sieve column reported by Cai et al. In addition, the prediction of the influence of sieve tray structure on the tray efficiency by using the proposed model was demonstrated.展开更多
When workflow task needs several datasets from different locations m cloud, data transfer becomes a challenge. To avoid the unnecessary data transfer, a graphical-based data placement algo- rithm for cloud workflow is...When workflow task needs several datasets from different locations m cloud, data transfer becomes a challenge. To avoid the unnecessary data transfer, a graphical-based data placement algo- rithm for cloud workflow is proposed. The algorithm uses affinity graph to group datasets while keeping a polynomial time complexity. By integrating the algorithm, the workflow engine can intelligently select locations in which the data will reside to avoid the unnecessary data transfer during the initial stage and runtime stage. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce data transfer during the workflow' s execution.展开更多
The front abutment pressure of a fully-mechanized workface of 11061 soft coal isolated island of Liangbei Coal Mine was measured and studied using a self-developed mining-induced stress monitoring system associated wi...The front abutment pressure of a fully-mechanized workface of 11061 soft coal isolated island of Liangbei Coal Mine was measured and studied using a self-developed mining-induced stress monitoring system associated with electromagnetic radiation technology, and the effects of abutment pressure distribution on strata behavior we discussed. The results indicate that the miningdnduced influencing distance advanced at the fully-mechanized working face of soft coal isolated island is larger than that at the gen- eral working face at the isolated island, besides the fracture zone in front of working face was widened to some extent, and the influencing range caused by relaxations on both roadways became bigger with the advancing working face. Moreover, it can be indicated that mining has significant effect on strata behav- ior of fully-mechanized working face of soft coal isolated island, which is mostly distributed in the area of stress concentration. The research results have an important reference value for revealing the distribution pattern of the front abutment pressure of a fully-mechanized working face of soft coal isolated island, and controlling the coal-rock dynamic disaster occurrence under similar mining conditions.展开更多
This study used Corona KH-4A and Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) PRISM images to generate digital terrain models (DTMs) of the distal part of Imja Glacier,where a few supraglacial ponds (~0.07 km 2) expanded...This study used Corona KH-4A and Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) PRISM images to generate digital terrain models (DTMs) of the distal part of Imja Glacier,where a few supraglacial ponds (~0.07 km 2) expanded into the large Imja Glacier Lake (Imja Tsho,~0.91 km 2) between 1964 and 2006.DTMs and subsequently derived topographical maps with contour intervals of 1 m were created from the high-resolution images (Corona in 1964 and ALOS in 2006) in the Leica Photogrammetric Suite (LPS) platform.The DTMs and topographic maps provided excellent representation of the elevation and micro-topography of the glacier surface,such as its supra-glacial ponds/lake,surface depressions,and moraine ridges,with an error of about +/-4 m (maximum).The DTMs produced from the Corona and ALOS PRISM images are suitable for use in studies of the surface change of glaciers.The topographical maps produced from the Corona data (1964) showed that part of the dead ice in the down-glacier area was even higher than the top of the lateral moraine ridges,while the glacier surface in the up-glacier area was noticeably lower than the moraine crests.This suggests more extensive melting of glacier ice in the up-glacier area before 1964.The average lowering of the glacier surface from 1964 to 2006 was 16.9 m for the dead-ice area west of the lake and 47.4 m for the glacier surface east of the lake;between 1964 and 2002,the lake surface lowered by 82.3 m.These figures represent average lowering rates of 0.4,1.1,and 2.2 m/year for the respective areas.展开更多
Knowledge of the airflow patterns and methane distributions at a continuous miner face under different ventilation conditions can minimize the risks of explosion and injury to miners by accurately forecasting potentia...Knowledge of the airflow patterns and methane distributions at a continuous miner face under different ventilation conditions can minimize the risks of explosion and injury to miners by accurately forecasting potentially hazardous face methane levels. This study focused on validating a series of computational fluid dynamics(CFD) models using full-scale ventilation gallery data that assessed how curtain setback distance impacted airflow patterns and methane distributions at an empty mining face(no continuous miner present). Three CFD models of face ventilation with 4.6, 7.6 and 10.7 m(15, 25, and 35 ft) blowing curtain setback distances were constructed and validated with experimental data collected in a full-scale ventilation test facility. Good agreement was obtained between the CFD simulation results and this data.Detailed airflow and methane distribution information are provided. Elevated methane zones at the working faces were identified with the three curtain setback distances. Visualization of the setback distance impact on the face methane distribution was performed by utilizing the post-processing capability of the CFD software.展开更多
Given the problem of harmful gas discharge in unsealing coal mining faces, we numerically simulated the process of change of gas flows and movements, We have pointed out that, at the moment of unsealing a closed stope...Given the problem of harmful gas discharge in unsealing coal mining faces, we numerically simulated the process of change of gas flows and movements, We have pointed out that, at the moment of unsealing a closed stope, the gas discharge is naturally divided into two parts, i.e., the discharge of gas in the working face and that in the goaf, because of the difference in the spatial medium. The absolute volume of gas discharged has a tendency to decrease from its initial peak value to a final stable value. The rate of decrease and the time needed to reach a stable discharge are related to the scale of the mining stope. The discharge of gas from the working face is closely related to the amount of air distributed in the air return way. The most important thing in unsealing a stope is to have the initial peak volume of gas discharged well under control. A commonly used method in solving this problem is at first to use a small amount of air and then increasing it gradually. Our study shows that, by extracting gas from the upper corner, we can use a large volume of air at first in order to shorten considerably the discharge time and improve efficiency, thereby making mining, activitv safer.展开更多
The results of the assessment of the influence of paper insulation on the discharge initiation in oil were presented in this paper. This assessment based on the results of performed experimental works and on the analy...The results of the assessment of the influence of paper insulation on the discharge initiation in oil were presented in this paper. This assessment based on the results of performed experimental works and on the analysis of electrical field distribution. Both types of the studies were connected with the model HV (high voltage) electrode setups covered by paper and immersed in oil. Experimental works indicated that the source of "weak points" of paper-oil model electrode setup is oil, not the surface of metal or insulation wrapping. Such hypothesis, resulting mainly from the measured times to initiations of discharges developing from bare and insulated HV electrodes, was verified by the analysis of electrical field distribution performed on the basis of finite element method applied in the COMSOL Multiphysics software. This analysis confirmed preliminary the made hypothesis. Correlation with the most stressed oil volume law was also observed.展开更多
Limited resources are available on the application of wind generation systems interconnected to weak powemetworks. With the need to further interface DG (distributed generation) including WG (wind generation) to w...Limited resources are available on the application of wind generation systems interconnected to weak powemetworks. With the need to further interface DG (distributed generation) including WG (wind generation) to weak networks, it is necessary to establish a means of determining what is the most efficient quantity of WG that can be applied in order to maintain stability in the network. This paper establishes a concept that can be applied to weak networks. The aim is to estimate how much WG can be installed on weak networks as well as establishing characteristic responses to generation loss without and with faulted conditions. The main contribution is a thorough understanding of weak network limitation proved to be the most critical parameter in these calculations.展开更多
For a low permeability single coal seam prone to gas outbursts, pre-drainage of gas is difficult and inefficient, seriously restricting the safety and efficiency of production. Radical measures of increasing gas extra...For a low permeability single coal seam prone to gas outbursts, pre-drainage of gas is difficult and inefficient, seriously restricting the safety and efficiency of production. Radical measures of increasing gas extraction efficiency are pressure relief and infrared antireflection. We have analyzed the effect of mining conditions and the regularity of mine pressure distribution in front of the working face of a major coal mine of the Jiaozuo Industrial (Group) Co. as our test area, studied the width of the depressurization zone in slice mining and analyzed gas efficiency and fast drainage in the advanced stress relaxation zone. On that basis, we further investigated and practiced the exploitation technology of shallow drilling, fan dril- ling and grid shape drilling at the working face. Practice and our results show that the stress relaxation zone is the ideal region for quick and efficient extraction of gas. By means of an integrated extraction technology, the amount of gas emitted into the zone was greatly reduced, while the risk of dangerous outbursts of coal and gas was lowered markedly. This exploration provides a new way to control for gas in working faces of coal mines with low permeability and risk of gas outbursts of single coal seams in the Jiaozuo mining area.展开更多
A dynamic cooperation model of multi-agent is established by combining reinforcement learning with distributed artificial intelligence(DAI),in which the concept of individual optimization loses its meaning because of ...A dynamic cooperation model of multi-agent is established by combining reinforcement learning with distributed artificial intelligence(DAI),in which the concept of individual optimization loses its meaning because of the dependence of repayment on each agent itself and the choice of other agents.Utilizing the idea of DAI,the intellectual unit of each robot and the change of task and environment,each agent can make decisions independently and finish various complicated tasks by communication and reciprocation between each other.The method is superior to other reinforcement learning methods commonly used in the multi-agent system.It can improve the convergence velocity of reinforcement learning,decrease requirements of computer memory,and enhance the capability of computing and logical ratiocinating for agent.The result of a simulated robot soccer match proves that the proposed cooperative strategy is valid.展开更多
Gweru Women AIDS Prevention Association (GWAPA) is an organization that works with commercial sex-workers in the Midlands Province to try and stymie the tide of HIV/AIDS. The organization premises its activities upo...Gweru Women AIDS Prevention Association (GWAPA) is an organization that works with commercial sex-workers in the Midlands Province to try and stymie the tide of HIV/AIDS. The organization premises its activities upon the belief that sex workers are forced into prostitution by poverty and thus offers them alternative livelihood strategies such as piggery projects, chicken rearing, and vegetable vending projects as well as seed money with which to start flea market projects. The organization also runs a condom promotion project, a legal literacy project, and an advocacy project, all in a bid to empower the sex workers cognitively. The study was carried out between April and October 2008, using bar-based observations, interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary evidence. The study found participation to have been more of a fallacy in as far as programming depended more on the whims of donor funders than the actual needs of programme beneficiaries. In the top-down manner that is typical of development communication, the organization would engage donors and secure funding for certain projects which they would then try to convince the sex workers to take up, with mixed results. The research also found limited evidence of real empowerment of beneficiaries in the long run, with the sex workers themselves insisting that the "piece-meal" efforts of the organization were not sustainable enough to induce them to abandon sex work altogether. The study did, however, find that the organization and its programming had actually managed to score notable success in promoting safer sex within the context of prostitution, albeit without eradicating sex work altogether.展开更多
The aim of this paper is to show how qualitative and quantitative approaches can be complementary to study internet financial communication in a thesis by papers and how grounded theory (GT) can be the link among th...The aim of this paper is to show how qualitative and quantitative approaches can be complementary to study internet financial communication in a thesis by papers and how grounded theory (GT) can be the link among the different papers of the thesis. The study context of our thesis was the unregulated markets of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Euronext Brussels and the problematic rose from this context: What is the voluntary effort of communication when there is no obligation of internet financial communication? Four papers tried to answer this central question and other following research questions. To answer those research questions, several methodological approaches were used: content analysis of websites and scoring, linear regression, paired sample, and interviews. At the end of our thesis by papers, we discovered that GT was the general methodological travel among the papers: Every article had for vocation to try to answer the questions raised by the previous article.展开更多
基金Supported by Fujian Administration of Education for Science Research (JB08232)the State Key Development Program for Basic Research of China(2006CB202200)
文摘The site drilling packer permeability test and TEM to the 2100 workface in Gucheng coalmine determined the two-zone height under sublevel strip mining.The conclusion considers that the lying strata deterioration law of the strip mining is similar to that of the sublevel mining.Thus, against that the actually measured data lacked, it is feasible to refer to the reservation of the waterproof coal pillar in the neighbor coalmine under sublevel situation.However, it is necessary to further launch the research on lying strata deterioration law under sublevel striping mining for the purpose of providing the right foundation for the layout of the workface not mined so far and the reservation of the waterproof coal pillar in the mining area.
基金financial support provided by the Western US Mining Safety and Health Training & Translation Center by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of America (NIOSH) (No.1R25OH008319)
文摘Diesel particulate matter(DPM) is a by-product from operating diesel engines. Since diesel powers are one of the major sources of energy for mobile underground mining equipment, the adverse health effects of DPM are of a great concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics(CFD) method to study the effect of entry inclination on DPM plume distribution in a dead end entry. An upward mining face and a downward mining face were built with a truck and a loader in loading operation close to the face area. A species transport model with incorporated buoyancy effect was used to examine the DPM dispersion pattern for the above steady-state scenarios. High DPM and temperature regions were identified for the two different faces. The model was used to assess the role of auxiliary ventilation in reducing DPM exposures of underground miners working in those entries. In this study, it is suggested to provide local ventilation at least three times of the diesel exhaust rate to be able to lower the average DPM level for the mining upward face. The requirement for local ventilation is much less for the mining downward face. This can provide guidelines for good working practices and selection of diesel emission reduction technologies underground.
基金Supported by the National lqatural Science Foundation of China (20736005).
文摘A computational mass transfer model is proposed for predicting the concentration profile and Murphree efficiency of sieve tray distillation column. The proposed model is based on using modified c'2 -εc' two equations formulation for closing the differential turbulent mass transfer equation with improvement by considering the vapor injected from the sieve hole to be three dimensional. The predicted concentration distributions by using proposed model were checked by experimental work conducted on a sieve tray simulator of 1.2 meters in diameter for desorbing the dissolved oxygen in the feed water by blowing air. The model predictions were confirmed by the experimental measurement. The validation of the proposed model was further tested by comparing the simulated result with the performance of an industrial scale sieve tray distillation column reported by Kunesh et al. for the stripping of toluene from its water solution. The predicted outlet concentration of each tray and the Murphree tray efficiencies under different operating conditions were in agreement with the published data. The simulated turbulent mass transfer diffusivity on each tray was within the range of the experimental result in the same sieve column reported by Cai et al. In addition, the prediction of the influence of sieve tray structure on the tray efficiency by using the proposed model was demonstrated.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.60903137,60970132)
文摘When workflow task needs several datasets from different locations m cloud, data transfer becomes a challenge. To avoid the unnecessary data transfer, a graphical-based data placement algo- rithm for cloud workflow is proposed. The algorithm uses affinity graph to group datasets while keeping a polynomial time complexity. By integrating the algorithm, the workflow engine can intelligently select locations in which the data will reside to avoid the unnecessary data transfer during the initial stage and runtime stage. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce data transfer during the workflow' s execution.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 40874070,40904028 and 51104156)the Self-Researched Subject of State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Mine Safety (No. SKLCRSM09X01)the Specialized Fund for the Basic Research Operating Expenses Program of Central College (No. 2010QNB01)
文摘The front abutment pressure of a fully-mechanized workface of 11061 soft coal isolated island of Liangbei Coal Mine was measured and studied using a self-developed mining-induced stress monitoring system associated with electromagnetic radiation technology, and the effects of abutment pressure distribution on strata behavior we discussed. The results indicate that the miningdnduced influencing distance advanced at the fully-mechanized working face of soft coal isolated island is larger than that at the gen- eral working face at the isolated island, besides the fracture zone in front of working face was widened to some extent, and the influencing range caused by relaxations on both roadways became bigger with the advancing working face. Moreover, it can be indicated that mining has significant effect on strata behav- ior of fully-mechanized working face of soft coal isolated island, which is mostly distributed in the area of stress concentration. The research results have an important reference value for revealing the distribution pattern of the front abutment pressure of a fully-mechanized working face of soft coal isolated island, and controlling the coal-rock dynamic disaster occurrence under similar mining conditions.
基金the Japan Science Society (Sasagawa Research Fund)the Global Centre of Excellence (GCOE) programme by JSPS for partial funding
文摘This study used Corona KH-4A and Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) PRISM images to generate digital terrain models (DTMs) of the distal part of Imja Glacier,where a few supraglacial ponds (~0.07 km 2) expanded into the large Imja Glacier Lake (Imja Tsho,~0.91 km 2) between 1964 and 2006.DTMs and subsequently derived topographical maps with contour intervals of 1 m were created from the high-resolution images (Corona in 1964 and ALOS in 2006) in the Leica Photogrammetric Suite (LPS) platform.The DTMs and topographic maps provided excellent representation of the elevation and micro-topography of the glacier surface,such as its supra-glacial ponds/lake,surface depressions,and moraine ridges,with an error of about +/-4 m (maximum).The DTMs produced from the Corona and ALOS PRISM images are suitable for use in studies of the surface change of glaciers.The topographical maps produced from the Corona data (1964) showed that part of the dead ice in the down-glacier area was even higher than the top of the lateral moraine ridges,while the glacier surface in the up-glacier area was noticeably lower than the moraine crests.This suggests more extensive melting of glacier ice in the up-glacier area before 1964.The average lowering of the glacier surface from 1964 to 2006 was 16.9 m for the dead-ice area west of the lake and 47.4 m for the glacier surface east of the lake;between 1964 and 2002,the lake surface lowered by 82.3 m.These figures represent average lowering rates of 0.4,1.1,and 2.2 m/year for the respective areas.
文摘Knowledge of the airflow patterns and methane distributions at a continuous miner face under different ventilation conditions can minimize the risks of explosion and injury to miners by accurately forecasting potentially hazardous face methane levels. This study focused on validating a series of computational fluid dynamics(CFD) models using full-scale ventilation gallery data that assessed how curtain setback distance impacted airflow patterns and methane distributions at an empty mining face(no continuous miner present). Three CFD models of face ventilation with 4.6, 7.6 and 10.7 m(15, 25, and 35 ft) blowing curtain setback distances were constructed and validated with experimental data collected in a full-scale ventilation test facility. Good agreement was obtained between the CFD simulation results and this data.Detailed airflow and methane distribution information are provided. Elevated methane zones at the working faces were identified with the three curtain setback distances. Visualization of the setback distance impact on the face methane distribution was performed by utilizing the post-processing capability of the CFD software.
基金Project 50574038 supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Chinathe Scientific Research Foundation of Liaoning Technical University (No.2004-241)
文摘Given the problem of harmful gas discharge in unsealing coal mining faces, we numerically simulated the process of change of gas flows and movements, We have pointed out that, at the moment of unsealing a closed stope, the gas discharge is naturally divided into two parts, i.e., the discharge of gas in the working face and that in the goaf, because of the difference in the spatial medium. The absolute volume of gas discharged has a tendency to decrease from its initial peak value to a final stable value. The rate of decrease and the time needed to reach a stable discharge are related to the scale of the mining stope. The discharge of gas from the working face is closely related to the amount of air distributed in the air return way. The most important thing in unsealing a stope is to have the initial peak volume of gas discharged well under control. A commonly used method in solving this problem is at first to use a small amount of air and then increasing it gradually. Our study shows that, by extracting gas from the upper corner, we can use a large volume of air at first in order to shorten considerably the discharge time and improve efficiency, thereby making mining, activitv safer.
文摘The results of the assessment of the influence of paper insulation on the discharge initiation in oil were presented in this paper. This assessment based on the results of performed experimental works and on the analysis of electrical field distribution. Both types of the studies were connected with the model HV (high voltage) electrode setups covered by paper and immersed in oil. Experimental works indicated that the source of "weak points" of paper-oil model electrode setup is oil, not the surface of metal or insulation wrapping. Such hypothesis, resulting mainly from the measured times to initiations of discharges developing from bare and insulated HV electrodes, was verified by the analysis of electrical field distribution performed on the basis of finite element method applied in the COMSOL Multiphysics software. This analysis confirmed preliminary the made hypothesis. Correlation with the most stressed oil volume law was also observed.
文摘Limited resources are available on the application of wind generation systems interconnected to weak powemetworks. With the need to further interface DG (distributed generation) including WG (wind generation) to weak networks, it is necessary to establish a means of determining what is the most efficient quantity of WG that can be applied in order to maintain stability in the network. This paper establishes a concept that can be applied to weak networks. The aim is to estimate how much WG can be installed on weak networks as well as establishing characteristic responses to generation loss without and with faulted conditions. The main contribution is a thorough understanding of weak network limitation proved to be the most critical parameter in these calculations.
基金the Major State Basic Research Program of China which provided for our financial support (No. 2005CB221501)
文摘For a low permeability single coal seam prone to gas outbursts, pre-drainage of gas is difficult and inefficient, seriously restricting the safety and efficiency of production. Radical measures of increasing gas extraction efficiency are pressure relief and infrared antireflection. We have analyzed the effect of mining conditions and the regularity of mine pressure distribution in front of the working face of a major coal mine of the Jiaozuo Industrial (Group) Co. as our test area, studied the width of the depressurization zone in slice mining and analyzed gas efficiency and fast drainage in the advanced stress relaxation zone. On that basis, we further investigated and practiced the exploitation technology of shallow drilling, fan dril- ling and grid shape drilling at the working face. Practice and our results show that the stress relaxation zone is the ideal region for quick and efficient extraction of gas. By means of an integrated extraction technology, the amount of gas emitted into the zone was greatly reduced, while the risk of dangerous outbursts of coal and gas was lowered markedly. This exploration provides a new way to control for gas in working faces of coal mines with low permeability and risk of gas outbursts of single coal seams in the Jiaozuo mining area.
文摘A dynamic cooperation model of multi-agent is established by combining reinforcement learning with distributed artificial intelligence(DAI),in which the concept of individual optimization loses its meaning because of the dependence of repayment on each agent itself and the choice of other agents.Utilizing the idea of DAI,the intellectual unit of each robot and the change of task and environment,each agent can make decisions independently and finish various complicated tasks by communication and reciprocation between each other.The method is superior to other reinforcement learning methods commonly used in the multi-agent system.It can improve the convergence velocity of reinforcement learning,decrease requirements of computer memory,and enhance the capability of computing and logical ratiocinating for agent.The result of a simulated robot soccer match proves that the proposed cooperative strategy is valid.
文摘Gweru Women AIDS Prevention Association (GWAPA) is an organization that works with commercial sex-workers in the Midlands Province to try and stymie the tide of HIV/AIDS. The organization premises its activities upon the belief that sex workers are forced into prostitution by poverty and thus offers them alternative livelihood strategies such as piggery projects, chicken rearing, and vegetable vending projects as well as seed money with which to start flea market projects. The organization also runs a condom promotion project, a legal literacy project, and an advocacy project, all in a bid to empower the sex workers cognitively. The study was carried out between April and October 2008, using bar-based observations, interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary evidence. The study found participation to have been more of a fallacy in as far as programming depended more on the whims of donor funders than the actual needs of programme beneficiaries. In the top-down manner that is typical of development communication, the organization would engage donors and secure funding for certain projects which they would then try to convince the sex workers to take up, with mixed results. The research also found limited evidence of real empowerment of beneficiaries in the long run, with the sex workers themselves insisting that the "piece-meal" efforts of the organization were not sustainable enough to induce them to abandon sex work altogether. The study did, however, find that the organization and its programming had actually managed to score notable success in promoting safer sex within the context of prostitution, albeit without eradicating sex work altogether.
文摘The aim of this paper is to show how qualitative and quantitative approaches can be complementary to study internet financial communication in a thesis by papers and how grounded theory (GT) can be the link among the different papers of the thesis. The study context of our thesis was the unregulated markets of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Euronext Brussels and the problematic rose from this context: What is the voluntary effort of communication when there is no obligation of internet financial communication? Four papers tried to answer this central question and other following research questions. To answer those research questions, several methodological approaches were used: content analysis of websites and scoring, linear regression, paired sample, and interviews. At the end of our thesis by papers, we discovered that GT was the general methodological travel among the papers: Every article had for vocation to try to answer the questions raised by the previous article.