To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presuma...To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presumably cultural, components. The results demonstrate that, in the traditional patrilineal Chinese family, both genetic relatedness and the cultural factor of generation were important in determining kinship status for male agnates (genetically related relatives). For female agnates, however, only genetic relatedness was important. Another surprising finding was that the influence of gender was not as important as genetic relatedness. The most interesting finding in this study, however, was that kin selection and culture (i.e., seniority in generation and age) played vastly different roles in different lineages in the Chinese family: for collateral (indirect) agnates, genetic relatedness was the most important factor in determining their kinship status, but for lineal (direct) agnates, its importance was overridden by seniority in generation and age, a cultural factor. Several other bio-cultural factors also explained a considerable amount of variance in kinship status. Since kinship profoundly affected, and was often the foundation of, the legal and social systems in dynastic China, kin selection, while its strength may differ remarkably between lineal and collateral relatives, could act as a selective force in Chinese families展开更多
The purpose of this paper is to discuss corporate failure issues in the context of the global financial crisis. After considering some key issues, the paper shows how relevant these issues are relevant in the present ...The purpose of this paper is to discuss corporate failure issues in the context of the global financial crisis. After considering some key issues, the paper shows how relevant these issues are relevant in the present financial fiasco. It is clear that corporate failure brings untold hardships to all stakeholders. Again the problem of predicting corporate failure in the midst of the financial contagion could be overcome with sound risk management structure in place. The discussion mainly focuses on corporate failure within the context of the global financial distress. To the best of our knowledge this study is the first of its kind, which provides conceptual insights on predicting corporate failure and the global financial distress.展开更多
The aquaculture of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) has grown rapidly during recent years and has become an important sector of the marine industry in Northern China. However, with th...The aquaculture of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) has grown rapidly during recent years and has become an important sector of the marine industry in Northern China. However, with the rapid growth of the industry and the use of non-standard culture techniques, epidemic diseases of A. japonicus now pose increasing problems to the industry. To screen the genes with stress response to bacterial infection in sea cucumber at a genome wide level, we constructed a cDNA library from A. japonicus Selenka (Aspidochirotida: Stichopodidae) after infecting them with Vibrio sp. for 48 h. Total RNA was extracted from the intestine, mesentery and coelomocyte of infected sea cucumber using Trizol and mRNA was isolated by Oligotex mRNA Kits. The ligated cDNAs were transformed into DH5α, and a library of 3.24×105 clones (3.24×105 cfu mL-1) was obtained with the sizes of inserted fragments ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 kb. Sequencing the cDNA clones resulted in a total of 1106 ESTs that passed the quality control. BlastX and BlastN searches have identified 168 (31.5%) ESTs sharing significant homology with known sequences in NCBI protein or nucleotide databases. Among a panel of 25 putative immunity-related genes, serum lectin isoform, complement component 3, complement component 3-like genes were further studied by real-time PCR and they all increased more than 5 fold in response to Vibrio sp. challenge. Our library provides a valuable molecular tool for future study of invertebrate immunity against bacterial infection and our gene expression data indicates the importance of the immune system in the evolution and development of sea cucumber.展开更多
Water level is an important index for studying hydrologic processes. Water level rise processes were studied in three catchments(catchment I, II, III in Chen Jiagou watershed in the Three Gorge Reservoir Area) with di...Water level is an important index for studying hydrologic processes. Water level rise processes were studied in three catchments(catchment I, II, III in Chen Jiagou watershed in the Three Gorge Reservoir Area) with different areas to provide useful information to inform data extension from a gauged-catchment to an ungauged catchment. The results showed that there are seasonal changes in the dominant driving mode of the rise of the water level. The rise of the water level in March is likely mainly driven by the mode of stored-full runoff, and in September or October, it is mainly driven by Horton-flow. The correlation coefficients of all indexes were significant among the three catchments, suggesting that these catchments have similarities and that water level data extension is likely to be completed successfully between the large catchment(III-Catchment) and the small catchment(ICatchment). It was confirmed that there is good similarity between the 0.6 km^2 and 6 km^2 catchments, and the data correlation is good between the catchments with the area differences in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. In addition, the rise processes of the water level in the catchments were not only different under the same rain conditions, but this difference could also change with the rain condition.展开更多
The ability to recognise video events has become increasingly more popular owing to its extensive practical applications.Most events will occur in certain scene with certain people,and the scene context and group cont...The ability to recognise video events has become increasingly more popular owing to its extensive practical applications.Most events will occur in certain scene with certain people,and the scene context and group context provide important information for event recognition.In this paper,we present an algorithm to recognise video events in different scenes in which there are multiple agents.First,we recognise events for each agent based on Stochastic Context Sensitive Grammar(SCSG).Then we propose the model of a scene in order to infer the scene in which the events occur,and we use a co-occurrence matrix of events to represent the group context.Finally,the scene and group context are exploited to distinguish events having similar structures.Experimental results show that by adding the scene and group context,the performance of events recognition can be significantly improved.展开更多
Harmonization of tax policy at European level is the result of compromise that must be achieved between member states' sovereignty and obstacles that create differences in legal regime for different categories of tax...Harmonization of tax policy at European level is the result of compromise that must be achieved between member states' sovereignty and obstacles that create differences in legal regime for different categories of taxes. The current level of harmonization achieved by the member states clearly shows that the process of reconciliation of taxes will not be a spontaneous, nor will evolve rapidly. With the occasion of European Union [EU] enlargement in 2004 and 2007, disparities in income levels matter between nationals of member states have put more pressure on the cooperation between member states, but some progress has been made including in this area. The idea of harmonization of taxes in the European plan is not new. Context of pertinent and uniform EU position has occurred since the first treaties concluded between member states. The free movements of goods, persons, services and capital, without any obstruction became absolute values. Creating a European tax, set and charged uniformly to all and by all member states, would be possible only if the criteria of budgetary requirements, criteria of efficiency and equity criteria are taken into consideration. Ruling a uniform level of charging would lead to establishing a single tax, mission almost impossible as long as the legal framework on taxation and civil duties remains under the responsibility of each member of EU. This analysis seems to greatly restrict the area of taxes that may meet all requirements listed. EU is still far from time to harmonize VAT (value added tax) levels perceived, but it is noted that the value added tax, income tax and tax on benefits eventually could meet the characteristics of a uniform European tax, achieving unanimous agreement among member states.展开更多
Chinese-American literature that grew up at the end of 1960s and the beginning of 1970s not only increased in quantity but also broke through in theme and genre. From 1970s, Chinese-American literature has developed b...Chinese-American literature that grew up at the end of 1960s and the beginning of 1970s not only increased in quantity but also broke through in theme and genre. From 1970s, Chinese-American literature has developed by leaps and bounds and a group of outstanding and innovative writers also appeared who earned the respect of literary critics and enjoyed a large number of American readers--for example, Maxine Hong Kingston (1940-) and Amy Tan (1952-) as novelists and David Henry Hwang (1957-) as a playwright. The woman warrior in particular is regarded as the work that marks the rise of Chinese-American literature in modem American literary history. This paper intends to argue the investigation of individual identity of Maxine Hong Kingston as a Chinese-American woman and the deliberate misinterpretation of Chinese traditions in The woman warrior. In addition, to create the collective identity of Chinese-Americans, the author actually takes the way of traditional Chinese movies that she has inherited and uses the highlights which are most appreciated by the Westerners to cater to their interests and fantasies.展开更多
Although serious efforts are made internationally and nationally, it is a slow process to make our physical environment accessible. In the actual design process, architects play a major role. But what kinds of knowled...Although serious efforts are made internationally and nationally, it is a slow process to make our physical environment accessible. In the actual design process, architects play a major role. But what kinds of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, do practicing architects make use of when designing accessible environments? The answer to the question is crucially important since it affects how knowledge is distributed and how accessibility can be ensured. In order to get first-hand knowledge about the design process and the sources from which they gain knowledge, 11 qualitative interviews were conducted with architects with experience of designing for accessibility. The analysis draws on two theoretical distinctions. The first is research-based knowledge versus knowledge used by architects. The second is context-independent knowledge versus context-dependent knowledge. The practitioners found their primary support in context-dependent knowledge, whereas context-independent knowledge was criticized as being too prescriptive. Further, they tended to ask for assistance from the researcher in person rather than reading research publications. The findings challenge research in two ways--first, to produce context-dependent knowledge to structure the first step of the design process, second, to develop new ways to ensure a knowledge flow between research and practice.展开更多
During last two decades a shift in marketing, corporate strategy, organizational, and market dynamics has been recorded. A series of corporate scandals like ENRON and others has shown that corporations have a signific...During last two decades a shift in marketing, corporate strategy, organizational, and market dynamics has been recorded. A series of corporate scandals like ENRON and others has shown that corporations have a significant impact on a number of stakeholders and particularly customers. The notion that the customers can shift from one product or service provider to the other may not be as valid as some theories suggest. The markets are not perfect mechanisms and customers are not rational decision makers. Although marketing has introduced the corporate culture--the customer-centric approach, the results are not as positive as they should be. The paper shows that marketing and corporate governance systems have many common elements and in fact they can be complementary in practice and theory. To establish the connection-correlation between them, the author is going to review the literature from both disciplines. As a next step, an analysis of impact of the customer as a party that has an interest in the firm is going to take place. Finally, two examples of this impact will depict the importance of a change in scope----goal, strategy, and practices used by both disciplines in achieving the firm's mission and goals. The author shows that both can be benefit from the integration of mechanisms, principles, and practices used by the marketing and corporate governance. The paper is the first step to create a theoretical convergence framework for these disciplines that seem completely separate. Marketing and corporate governance specialists and theorists may design a more comprehensive and holistic approach to customer that is more customer friendly, more long term and establishes a more successful and value creation (for both the customer and the corporation) relationship.展开更多
The purpose of this paper is looking for associations between environmental factors and morphological parameters in tambaqui (Piaractus brachypomus) individuals to differentiate this species in lentic environments ...The purpose of this paper is looking for associations between environmental factors and morphological parameters in tambaqui (Piaractus brachypomus) individuals to differentiate this species in lentic environments (lake) and lotic (river). In this, regard studied 30 specimens, 15 from lentic environment (lake) and 15 from lotic (river). Also, on right profile of these 25 morphometric variables were measured. On data matrix a PCA (principal components analysis) based on morphometric correlations matrix, which was defined in the new morphologic space of these specimens (3 principal components) which explain 73.23% of variability. Fish projection in first two principal components showed a morphological differentiation between two environments (lentic and lotic), with variables as, horizontal eye diameter, length maxilla, suggesting greater response of these fish in lotic environment by their adaptation to light conditions, predators threat and food distribution. Finally, in lotic environment these fish have thinner caudal peduncle, indicating greater plasticity, namely stylized fish.展开更多
In this paper, a numerical modeling tool is described which can be used to explore various aspects of four dimensional variational data assimilation and parameter estimation arising in geophysical, environmental, biol...In this paper, a numerical modeling tool is described which can be used to explore various aspects of four dimensional variational data assimilation and parameter estimation arising in geophysical, environmental, biological and engineering sciences. A major component of this tool is a coupled chaotic dynamical system obtained by coupling two versions of the well-known Lorenz (1963) model with different time scales which differ by a certain time-scale factor. A tangent linear model and its adjoint are considered that correspond to a coupled chaotic system. The general idea of applying sensitivity measures (sensitivity functions) to coupled systems, emphasizing the data assimilation aspects, is explored as well by the forward sensitivity approach. For this purpose the set of sensitivity equations is derived from the nonlinear equations of the coupled dynamical system. To estimate the influence of model parameter uncertainties on the simulated state variables the relative error in the energy norm is used.展开更多
According to the relationships among state transition probability matrixes with different step lengths, an improved Markov chain model based on autocorrelation and entropy techniques was introduced. In the improved Ma...According to the relationships among state transition probability matrixes with different step lengths, an improved Markov chain model based on autocorrelation and entropy techniques was introduced. In the improved Markov chain model, the state transition probability matrixes can be adjusted. The steps of the historical state of the event, which was significantly related to the future state of the event, were determined by the autocorrelation technique, and the impact weights of the event historical state on the event future state were determined by the entropy technique. The presented model was applied to predicting annual precipitation and annual runoff states, showing that the improved model is of higher precision than those existing Markov chain models, and the determination of the state transition probability matrixes and the weights is more reasonable. The physical concepts of the improved model are distinct, and its computation process is simple and direct, thus, the presented model is sufficiently general to be applicable to the prediction problems in hydrology and water resources.展开更多
This paper deals with a case study of a context-sensitive solution of the Jamestown Corridor, located along James City County and the City of Williamsburg in Virginia. The corridor is an important passageway to many t...This paper deals with a case study of a context-sensitive solution of the Jamestown Corridor, located along James City County and the City of Williamsburg in Virginia. The corridor is an important passageway to many tourist attractions in the Historic Triangle of Hampton Roads. During the improvement process, the project should minimize the congestions impacts, maximize convenience, safety and reliability of the surrounding transportation systems, minimize social impact to the local community and address long-term capacity issues. Through the project, the agencies involved learned that projects near any of the historic resources must be context-sensitive and should include all stakeholders early and often to make sure that a comprehensive schedule was developed. They also learned that time should be considered for review and input from key regional stakeholders for a variety of issues.展开更多
Axial age theory suggests that a major transformation of thought occurred across several civilisations, including ancient Greece, in the period 800-200 BCE. This paper questions whether any such transformation can be ...Axial age theory suggests that a major transformation of thought occurred across several civilisations, including ancient Greece, in the period 800-200 BCE. This paper questions whether any such transformation can be identified in ancient Greece. It focuses on texts associated with "mystery religions" and the works of Presocratic philosophers as potential evidence for transformation. It demonstrates that there was a continuity of thought throughout the period, and that "rationality" was never seen to be in conflict with "traditional religious ideas".展开更多
In standard canonical correlation analysis (CCA), the data from definite datasets are used to estimate their canonical correlation. In real applications, for example in bilingual text retrieval, it may have a great po...In standard canonical correlation analysis (CCA), the data from definite datasets are used to estimate their canonical correlation. In real applications, for example in bilingual text retrieval, it may have a great portion of data that we do not know which set it belongs to. This part of data is called unlabeled data, while the rest from definite datasets is called labeled data. We propose a novel method called regularized canonical correlation analysis (RCCA), which makes use of both labeled and unlabeled samples. Specifically, we learn to approximate canonical correlation as if all data were labeled. Then, we describe a generalization of RCCA for the multi-set situation. Experiments on four real world datasets, Yeast, Cloud, Iris, and Haberman, demonstrate that, by incorporating the unlabeled data points, the accuracy of correlation coefficients can be improved by over 30%.展开更多
Zhao Cui-ying, researcher, female, born in 1940, doctoral supervisor, is an instructor at the research studio of Shanghai famous and senior Chinese medical practitioners' academic experience, used to enjoy the specia...Zhao Cui-ying, researcher, female, born in 1940, doctoral supervisor, is an instructor at the research studio of Shanghai famous and senior Chinese medical practitioners' academic experience, used to enjoy the special allowance of State Council. She graduated in 1964 from the Department of Medicine, Shanghai Second Medical University, and at the same year came to work in Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian up to today, used to be a director of the Immunology Research Room of Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, and a consultant of Grade 3 Laboratory of Acupuncture Immunology of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is a vice chairwoman and deputy secretary general of Shanghai Professional Committee for the Respiratory Diseases of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine. Zhao Cui-ying has been engaged in the clinical, research and teaching work in the field of immune-related diseases treated by acupuncture and moxibustion for over 40 years, with abundant and distinguished experience, has undertaken over 10 state and provincial subjects and offered many important viewpoints in the research of acupuncture treatment of immune-related diseases, and has obtained several scientific and technological achievements, and published totally 80 academic papers, and has been honored with 10 awards, including 6 provincial awards. As a tutor or instructor, she has trained 7 doctoral students and 16 master students.展开更多
文摘To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presumably cultural, components. The results demonstrate that, in the traditional patrilineal Chinese family, both genetic relatedness and the cultural factor of generation were important in determining kinship status for male agnates (genetically related relatives). For female agnates, however, only genetic relatedness was important. Another surprising finding was that the influence of gender was not as important as genetic relatedness. The most interesting finding in this study, however, was that kin selection and culture (i.e., seniority in generation and age) played vastly different roles in different lineages in the Chinese family: for collateral (indirect) agnates, genetic relatedness was the most important factor in determining their kinship status, but for lineal (direct) agnates, its importance was overridden by seniority in generation and age, a cultural factor. Several other bio-cultural factors also explained a considerable amount of variance in kinship status. Since kinship profoundly affected, and was often the foundation of, the legal and social systems in dynastic China, kin selection, while its strength may differ remarkably between lineal and collateral relatives, could act as a selective force in Chinese families
文摘The purpose of this paper is to discuss corporate failure issues in the context of the global financial crisis. After considering some key issues, the paper shows how relevant these issues are relevant in the present financial fiasco. It is clear that corporate failure brings untold hardships to all stakeholders. Again the problem of predicting corporate failure in the midst of the financial contagion could be overcome with sound risk management structure in place. The discussion mainly focuses on corporate failure within the context of the global financial distress. To the best of our knowledge this study is the first of its kind, which provides conceptual insights on predicting corporate failure and the global financial distress.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (No. 2006BAD09A01)the Special Fund for Ocean-scientific Research in the Public Interest (200905020)the Key Project of Youth Marine Science funded for Oceanography (No. 2009119)
文摘The aquaculture of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) has grown rapidly during recent years and has become an important sector of the marine industry in Northern China. However, with the rapid growth of the industry and the use of non-standard culture techniques, epidemic diseases of A. japonicus now pose increasing problems to the industry. To screen the genes with stress response to bacterial infection in sea cucumber at a genome wide level, we constructed a cDNA library from A. japonicus Selenka (Aspidochirotida: Stichopodidae) after infecting them with Vibrio sp. for 48 h. Total RNA was extracted from the intestine, mesentery and coelomocyte of infected sea cucumber using Trizol and mRNA was isolated by Oligotex mRNA Kits. The ligated cDNAs were transformed into DH5α, and a library of 3.24×105 clones (3.24×105 cfu mL-1) was obtained with the sizes of inserted fragments ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 kb. Sequencing the cDNA clones resulted in a total of 1106 ESTs that passed the quality control. BlastX and BlastN searches have identified 168 (31.5%) ESTs sharing significant homology with known sequences in NCBI protein or nucleotide databases. Among a panel of 25 putative immunity-related genes, serum lectin isoform, complement component 3, complement component 3-like genes were further studied by real-time PCR and they all increased more than 5 fold in response to Vibrio sp. challenge. Our library provides a valuable molecular tool for future study of invertebrate immunity against bacterial infection and our gene expression data indicates the importance of the immune system in the evolution and development of sea cucumber.
基金funded by West Light Foundation of The Chinese Academy of Sciences,CASthe State Council Three Gorges Construction Committee Project of China
文摘Water level is an important index for studying hydrologic processes. Water level rise processes were studied in three catchments(catchment I, II, III in Chen Jiagou watershed in the Three Gorge Reservoir Area) with different areas to provide useful information to inform data extension from a gauged-catchment to an ungauged catchment. The results showed that there are seasonal changes in the dominant driving mode of the rise of the water level. The rise of the water level in March is likely mainly driven by the mode of stored-full runoff, and in September or October, it is mainly driven by Horton-flow. The correlation coefficients of all indexes were significant among the three catchments, suggesting that these catchments have similarities and that water level data extension is likely to be completed successfully between the large catchment(III-Catchment) and the small catchment(ICatchment). It was confirmed that there is good similarity between the 0.6 km^2 and 6 km^2 catchments, and the data correlation is good between the catchments with the area differences in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. In addition, the rise processes of the water level in the catchments were not only different under the same rain conditions, but this difference could also change with the rain condition.
基金partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.61203291the Specialised Research Fund for the Doctoral Program under Grant No.20121101110035
文摘The ability to recognise video events has become increasingly more popular owing to its extensive practical applications.Most events will occur in certain scene with certain people,and the scene context and group context provide important information for event recognition.In this paper,we present an algorithm to recognise video events in different scenes in which there are multiple agents.First,we recognise events for each agent based on Stochastic Context Sensitive Grammar(SCSG).Then we propose the model of a scene in order to infer the scene in which the events occur,and we use a co-occurrence matrix of events to represent the group context.Finally,the scene and group context are exploited to distinguish events having similar structures.Experimental results show that by adding the scene and group context,the performance of events recognition can be significantly improved.
文摘Harmonization of tax policy at European level is the result of compromise that must be achieved between member states' sovereignty and obstacles that create differences in legal regime for different categories of taxes. The current level of harmonization achieved by the member states clearly shows that the process of reconciliation of taxes will not be a spontaneous, nor will evolve rapidly. With the occasion of European Union [EU] enlargement in 2004 and 2007, disparities in income levels matter between nationals of member states have put more pressure on the cooperation between member states, but some progress has been made including in this area. The idea of harmonization of taxes in the European plan is not new. Context of pertinent and uniform EU position has occurred since the first treaties concluded between member states. The free movements of goods, persons, services and capital, without any obstruction became absolute values. Creating a European tax, set and charged uniformly to all and by all member states, would be possible only if the criteria of budgetary requirements, criteria of efficiency and equity criteria are taken into consideration. Ruling a uniform level of charging would lead to establishing a single tax, mission almost impossible as long as the legal framework on taxation and civil duties remains under the responsibility of each member of EU. This analysis seems to greatly restrict the area of taxes that may meet all requirements listed. EU is still far from time to harmonize VAT (value added tax) levels perceived, but it is noted that the value added tax, income tax and tax on benefits eventually could meet the characteristics of a uniform European tax, achieving unanimous agreement among member states.
文摘Chinese-American literature that grew up at the end of 1960s and the beginning of 1970s not only increased in quantity but also broke through in theme and genre. From 1970s, Chinese-American literature has developed by leaps and bounds and a group of outstanding and innovative writers also appeared who earned the respect of literary critics and enjoyed a large number of American readers--for example, Maxine Hong Kingston (1940-) and Amy Tan (1952-) as novelists and David Henry Hwang (1957-) as a playwright. The woman warrior in particular is regarded as the work that marks the rise of Chinese-American literature in modem American literary history. This paper intends to argue the investigation of individual identity of Maxine Hong Kingston as a Chinese-American woman and the deliberate misinterpretation of Chinese traditions in The woman warrior. In addition, to create the collective identity of Chinese-Americans, the author actually takes the way of traditional Chinese movies that she has inherited and uses the highlights which are most appreciated by the Westerners to cater to their interests and fantasies.
文摘Although serious efforts are made internationally and nationally, it is a slow process to make our physical environment accessible. In the actual design process, architects play a major role. But what kinds of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, do practicing architects make use of when designing accessible environments? The answer to the question is crucially important since it affects how knowledge is distributed and how accessibility can be ensured. In order to get first-hand knowledge about the design process and the sources from which they gain knowledge, 11 qualitative interviews were conducted with architects with experience of designing for accessibility. The analysis draws on two theoretical distinctions. The first is research-based knowledge versus knowledge used by architects. The second is context-independent knowledge versus context-dependent knowledge. The practitioners found their primary support in context-dependent knowledge, whereas context-independent knowledge was criticized as being too prescriptive. Further, they tended to ask for assistance from the researcher in person rather than reading research publications. The findings challenge research in two ways--first, to produce context-dependent knowledge to structure the first step of the design process, second, to develop new ways to ensure a knowledge flow between research and practice.
文摘During last two decades a shift in marketing, corporate strategy, organizational, and market dynamics has been recorded. A series of corporate scandals like ENRON and others has shown that corporations have a significant impact on a number of stakeholders and particularly customers. The notion that the customers can shift from one product or service provider to the other may not be as valid as some theories suggest. The markets are not perfect mechanisms and customers are not rational decision makers. Although marketing has introduced the corporate culture--the customer-centric approach, the results are not as positive as they should be. The paper shows that marketing and corporate governance systems have many common elements and in fact they can be complementary in practice and theory. To establish the connection-correlation between them, the author is going to review the literature from both disciplines. As a next step, an analysis of impact of the customer as a party that has an interest in the firm is going to take place. Finally, two examples of this impact will depict the importance of a change in scope----goal, strategy, and practices used by both disciplines in achieving the firm's mission and goals. The author shows that both can be benefit from the integration of mechanisms, principles, and practices used by the marketing and corporate governance. The paper is the first step to create a theoretical convergence framework for these disciplines that seem completely separate. Marketing and corporate governance specialists and theorists may design a more comprehensive and holistic approach to customer that is more customer friendly, more long term and establishes a more successful and value creation (for both the customer and the corporation) relationship.
文摘The purpose of this paper is looking for associations between environmental factors and morphological parameters in tambaqui (Piaractus brachypomus) individuals to differentiate this species in lentic environments (lake) and lotic (river). In this, regard studied 30 specimens, 15 from lentic environment (lake) and 15 from lotic (river). Also, on right profile of these 25 morphometric variables were measured. On data matrix a PCA (principal components analysis) based on morphometric correlations matrix, which was defined in the new morphologic space of these specimens (3 principal components) which explain 73.23% of variability. Fish projection in first two principal components showed a morphological differentiation between two environments (lentic and lotic), with variables as, horizontal eye diameter, length maxilla, suggesting greater response of these fish in lotic environment by their adaptation to light conditions, predators threat and food distribution. Finally, in lotic environment these fish have thinner caudal peduncle, indicating greater plasticity, namely stylized fish.
文摘In this paper, a numerical modeling tool is described which can be used to explore various aspects of four dimensional variational data assimilation and parameter estimation arising in geophysical, environmental, biological and engineering sciences. A major component of this tool is a coupled chaotic dynamical system obtained by coupling two versions of the well-known Lorenz (1963) model with different time scales which differ by a certain time-scale factor. A tangent linear model and its adjoint are considered that correspond to a coupled chaotic system. The general idea of applying sensitivity measures (sensitivity functions) to coupled systems, emphasizing the data assimilation aspects, is explored as well by the forward sensitivity approach. For this purpose the set of sensitivity equations is derived from the nonlinear equations of the coupled dynamical system. To estimate the influence of model parameter uncertainties on the simulated state variables the relative error in the energy norm is used.
基金Under the auspices of Major Special Technological Program of Water Pollution Control and Management (No.2009ZX07106-001)National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51079037, 50909063)
文摘According to the relationships among state transition probability matrixes with different step lengths, an improved Markov chain model based on autocorrelation and entropy techniques was introduced. In the improved Markov chain model, the state transition probability matrixes can be adjusted. The steps of the historical state of the event, which was significantly related to the future state of the event, were determined by the autocorrelation technique, and the impact weights of the event historical state on the event future state were determined by the entropy technique. The presented model was applied to predicting annual precipitation and annual runoff states, showing that the improved model is of higher precision than those existing Markov chain models, and the determination of the state transition probability matrixes and the weights is more reasonable. The physical concepts of the improved model are distinct, and its computation process is simple and direct, thus, the presented model is sufficiently general to be applicable to the prediction problems in hydrology and water resources.
文摘This paper deals with a case study of a context-sensitive solution of the Jamestown Corridor, located along James City County and the City of Williamsburg in Virginia. The corridor is an important passageway to many tourist attractions in the Historic Triangle of Hampton Roads. During the improvement process, the project should minimize the congestions impacts, maximize convenience, safety and reliability of the surrounding transportation systems, minimize social impact to the local community and address long-term capacity issues. Through the project, the agencies involved learned that projects near any of the historic resources must be context-sensitive and should include all stakeholders early and often to make sure that a comprehensive schedule was developed. They also learned that time should be considered for review and input from key regional stakeholders for a variety of issues.
文摘Axial age theory suggests that a major transformation of thought occurred across several civilisations, including ancient Greece, in the period 800-200 BCE. This paper questions whether any such transformation can be identified in ancient Greece. It focuses on texts associated with "mystery religions" and the works of Presocratic philosophers as potential evidence for transformation. It demonstrates that there was a continuity of thought throughout the period, and that "rationality" was never seen to be in conflict with "traditional religious ideas".
基金Project (No. 5959438) supported by Microsoft (China) Co., Ltd
文摘In standard canonical correlation analysis (CCA), the data from definite datasets are used to estimate their canonical correlation. In real applications, for example in bilingual text retrieval, it may have a great portion of data that we do not know which set it belongs to. This part of data is called unlabeled data, while the rest from definite datasets is called labeled data. We propose a novel method called regularized canonical correlation analysis (RCCA), which makes use of both labeled and unlabeled samples. Specifically, we learn to approximate canonical correlation as if all data were labeled. Then, we describe a generalization of RCCA for the multi-set situation. Experiments on four real world datasets, Yeast, Cloud, Iris, and Haberman, demonstrate that, by incorporating the unlabeled data points, the accuracy of correlation coefficients can be improved by over 30%.
基金supported by Scientific Research Budget Project of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (09jw55)Special Scientific Research Fund for Selection and Cultivation of Elite in College and University (szy10071)National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2009CB522900)
文摘Zhao Cui-ying, researcher, female, born in 1940, doctoral supervisor, is an instructor at the research studio of Shanghai famous and senior Chinese medical practitioners' academic experience, used to enjoy the special allowance of State Council. She graduated in 1964 from the Department of Medicine, Shanghai Second Medical University, and at the same year came to work in Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian up to today, used to be a director of the Immunology Research Room of Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, and a consultant of Grade 3 Laboratory of Acupuncture Immunology of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is a vice chairwoman and deputy secretary general of Shanghai Professional Committee for the Respiratory Diseases of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine. Zhao Cui-ying has been engaged in the clinical, research and teaching work in the field of immune-related diseases treated by acupuncture and moxibustion for over 40 years, with abundant and distinguished experience, has undertaken over 10 state and provincial subjects and offered many important viewpoints in the research of acupuncture treatment of immune-related diseases, and has obtained several scientific and technological achievements, and published totally 80 academic papers, and has been honored with 10 awards, including 6 provincial awards. As a tutor or instructor, she has trained 7 doctoral students and 16 master students.