In the last decade, mass valuation system is applied in Albania in addition to individual valuation system for real estate valuation. This system is used for compiling the land value map and apartments value map. Due ...In the last decade, mass valuation system is applied in Albania in addition to individual valuation system for real estate valuation. This system is used for compiling the land value map and apartments value map. Due to the lack of experience in the compilation of these maps, the methodology of valuation is based on the experiences of other countries with similar development of real estate market. The mass assessment, which is applied in determining the values for specific purposes, such as expropriation, compensation and taxes for property transfer through the methodology adopted for this aim, is analyzed in the light of the finding of issues that accompany this application. The aim of this research is to highlight the problems to provide the ways of overcoming them in order to approximate the values of map values with market values. The mass appraisal process requires effective valuation models and proper management of resources. Its accuracy depends upon the extent and quality of property data available. Because of this reason, it is recommended the usage of the GIS (geographic information system), an automated system for collection and processing of the data necessary for valuation, as the first point of integration between two process of valuation, individual and mass valuation.展开更多
The study aimed to evaluate soil quality using microarthopods density, diversity and soil biological quality index (QBS-ar) under different land use systems and elevation gradients. A secondary aim was to determine ...The study aimed to evaluate soil quality using microarthopods density, diversity and soil biological quality index (QBS-ar) under different land use systems and elevation gradients. A secondary aim was to determine the relationship among soil biological and physiochemical indicators. Three groups of soil microarthropods were recognized viz. (1) Collembola (38%) (2) Acarina (33%) and (3) other microarthropods (29%). ANOVA indicated that total microarthropods densities differed significantly with land use and elevation. Population density of Acarina and other mieroarthropods were weakly significant different according to land use, while Collembola and Acarina densities showed highly significant difference with elevation. Total microarthropods, Acarina and Collembola densities were positively significantly correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC) and moisture but negatively correlated with bulk density, pH and temperature of the soil. SOC and soil moisture appeared to be good indicators of soil quality as reflected by the higher density and diversity of soil total microarthropods, Collembola, Acarina and other microarthropods group. The use of microarthropods for soil quality assessment could be effective and relatively inexpensive tool; however, further research is required to evaluate the impact of agricultural practices and elevation gradient on soil microarthropods density, diversity and species composition for the sustainable management of agro ecosystems.展开更多
An accurate assessment of the property value is very important to make a deal, property tax, and mortgage for loan. The mass appraisal system has been developed in some foreign countries, especially in American for a ...An accurate assessment of the property value is very important to make a deal, property tax, and mortgage for loan. The mass appraisal system has been developed in some foreign countries, especially in American for a long time. In Taiwan, we still have few experiences in using computer-assisted mass appraisal system, especially using artificial neural network (ANN). This article has two objectives: (1) to illustrate application of ANN to the Kaohsiung property market by the method of back-propagation. The study is based on the properties data of sales price, we also use multiple regressions in the same data; (2) to evaluate the performance of two models by using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and hit ratio (HR). This paper finds that using artificial neural network (ANN) is able to overcome multiple regressions' methodological problems and also get better performance than multiple regression model (MRA). These results are useful in helping local government to assess their assessment value.展开更多
Translation Quality Assessment (TQA) is a central concern for both academic research and translation practice. Yet consensus on the issue has almost never been reached among theorists and practitioners. In this pape...Translation Quality Assessment (TQA) is a central concern for both academic research and translation practice. Yet consensus on the issue has almost never been reached among theorists and practitioners. In this paper, a detailed comparison between academic and professional assessment has been made mainly in terms of text type, assessment criteria and models. It is believed that a "one size fits all" model across academy and industry is neither possible nor necessary. However, the gaps in between could be narrowed down by increasing communication and cooperation between theorists and practitioners, who are advised to turn their focus to translator's competence and evaluation process.展开更多
In order to make more available methods for natural jadeite quality evaluation,this study applied rigorous coupled wave theory to calculate and simulate the reflection characteristics of various natural jadeites,and e...In order to make more available methods for natural jadeite quality evaluation,this study applied rigorous coupled wave theory to calculate and simulate the reflection characteristics of various natural jadeites,and establish evaluation standard based on the relationship between refractive index and reflectivity and responses of reflection efficiency to refractive index,grating thickness and incident angles,etc.The results suggest that reflection efficiency varies significantly as a function of the natural jadeite quality,which can provide a new method to evaluate natural jadeite.展开更多
Fuzzy association rules (FARs) can be powerful in assessing regional soil quality, a critical step prior to land planning and utilization; however, traditional FARs mined from soil quality database, ignoring the impor...Fuzzy association rules (FARs) can be powerful in assessing regional soil quality, a critical step prior to land planning and utilization; however, traditional FARs mined from soil quality database, ignoring the importance variability of the rules, can be redundant and far from optimal. In this study, we developed a method applying different weights to traditional FARs to improve accuracy of soil quality assessment. After the FARs for soil quality assessment were mined, redundant rules were eliminated according to whether the rules were significant or not in reducing the complexity of the soil quality assessment models and in improving the comprehensibility of FARs. The global weights, each representing the importance of a FAR in soil quality assessment, were then introduced and refined using a gradient descent optimization method. This method was applied to the assessment of soil resources conditions in Guangdong Province, China. The new approach had an accuracy of 87%, when 15 rules were mined, as compared with 76% from the traditional approach. The accuracy increased to 96% when 32 rules were mined, in contrast to 88% from the traditional approach. These results demonstrated an improved comprehensibility of FARs and a high accuracy of the proposed method.展开更多
Quality is considered as one of the most important elements in the construction industry. The factors affecting quality in the construction industry should be assessed. This paper aims to introduce a new model to asse...Quality is considered as one of the most important elements in the construction industry. The factors affecting quality in the construction industry should be assessed. This paper aims to introduce a new model to assess these factors. The model is namely Fuzzy Assessment Model for Quality (FAMQ). Fuzzy set theory provides a useful way to deal with ill-defined and complex problems in a decision-making environment that incorporates vagueness. The proposed model employs the combined effect of both; the factors probability of occurrence and their impacts on the quality of construction. Twenty five logical rules for each factor were implemented in the model. The model was evaluated using data that collected from the infrastructure projects in Egypt. It was applied to many factors that affect the quality of this kind of projects as a case study. The results of the study proved that the proposed model can be used successfully in the assessment of factors affecting quality in the construction industry. In addition, the results provided a platform of useful assessment reference to those infrastructure's finns, who plan to establish their businesses in Egypt.展开更多
Many biomass recycling facilities have been established in Japan, but its environmental efficiencies have been studied little. MIC has stated that these facilities do not work as well as expected. The environmental an...Many biomass recycling facilities have been established in Japan, but its environmental efficiencies have been studied little. MIC has stated that these facilities do not work as well as expected. The environmental and economic efficiencies ofa biomass recycling center (representative of other recycling facilities) in Hita city are assessed here. The center was built to decrease the amount of waste needing to be disposed of, and is unusual in that it generates electricity using the methane produced. Electricity produced from biomass sells at a higher price than electricity sold by electricity companies in Japan, and this strongly affects the recycling center operation. The environmental efficiency of the recycling center was assessed using a lifecycle assessment method, and the economic efficiency was assessed from the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted and the running costs. As the result, it was clear that the recycling center emits about 20% of the greenhouse gases that were previously emitted. Treating biomass at the recycling center costs 1,356 yen per ton of biomass throughout the year. In conclusion, the recycling center decreases the environmental footprint of Hita city. The cost of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions is about 1,400 yen per ton of biomass.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for fibromyalgiasyndrome.METHODS: Two review authors independently selected the trials for the Meta-analysis, assessed their method...OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for fibromyalgiasyndrome.METHODS: Two review authors independently selected the trials for the Meta-analysis, assessed their methodological quality and extracted relevant data. A quality assessment was conducted according to the Cochrane Review Handbook 5.0.RevMan 5.0.20 software was used in the statistical analysis.RESULTS: A total of 523 trials were reviewed and 9trials were selected for Meta-analysis.(a) Compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture, there was a significant difference in the visual analogue scale,but no difference in the pressure pain threshold.Additionally,and there was a difference in the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire and the multidisciplinary pain inventory after 4 weeks of treatment,but no difference after 7 weeks of therapy. There was no difference in the numerical rating scale in weeks 3, 8 and 13.(b) Acupuncture versus drugs.There were differences in the VAS after 20 days of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment comparing with the drug amitriptyline, and after 4 weeks of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment comparing with the drug fluoxetine and amitriptyline.There were also differences in the number of tender points when comparing acupuncture with amitriptyline or fluoxetine. There was no difference in total efficiency when comparing acupuncture with amitriptyline after 4 weeks of treatment, but there were differences between the two groups 45 days after treatment.There were also differences in total efficiency comparing acupuncture with fluoxetine,and when comparing 4 weeks post-treatment of acupuncture with a combination of amitriptyline,oryzanol and vitamin B.(c) A comparison of acupuncture, drugs and exercise with drugs and exercise showed PPT differences in months 3 and 6.There was no difference between the two comparison groups after follow-up visits in months 12 and 24.CONCLUSION: Compared with sham acupuncture,there was not enough evidence to prove the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Some evidence testified that the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy for fibromyalgia was superior to drugs; however, the included trials were not of high quality or had high bias risks.Acupuncture combined with drugs and exercise could increase pain thresholds in the short term, but there is a need for higher quality randomized controlled trials to further confirm this.展开更多
文摘In the last decade, mass valuation system is applied in Albania in addition to individual valuation system for real estate valuation. This system is used for compiling the land value map and apartments value map. Due to the lack of experience in the compilation of these maps, the methodology of valuation is based on the experiences of other countries with similar development of real estate market. The mass assessment, which is applied in determining the values for specific purposes, such as expropriation, compensation and taxes for property transfer through the methodology adopted for this aim, is analyzed in the light of the finding of issues that accompany this application. The aim of this research is to highlight the problems to provide the ways of overcoming them in order to approximate the values of map values with market values. The mass appraisal process requires effective valuation models and proper management of resources. Its accuracy depends upon the extent and quality of property data available. Because of this reason, it is recommended the usage of the GIS (geographic information system), an automated system for collection and processing of the data necessary for valuation, as the first point of integration between two process of valuation, individual and mass valuation.
文摘The study aimed to evaluate soil quality using microarthopods density, diversity and soil biological quality index (QBS-ar) under different land use systems and elevation gradients. A secondary aim was to determine the relationship among soil biological and physiochemical indicators. Three groups of soil microarthropods were recognized viz. (1) Collembola (38%) (2) Acarina (33%) and (3) other microarthropods (29%). ANOVA indicated that total microarthropods densities differed significantly with land use and elevation. Population density of Acarina and other mieroarthropods were weakly significant different according to land use, while Collembola and Acarina densities showed highly significant difference with elevation. Total microarthropods, Acarina and Collembola densities were positively significantly correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC) and moisture but negatively correlated with bulk density, pH and temperature of the soil. SOC and soil moisture appeared to be good indicators of soil quality as reflected by the higher density and diversity of soil total microarthropods, Collembola, Acarina and other microarthropods group. The use of microarthropods for soil quality assessment could be effective and relatively inexpensive tool; however, further research is required to evaluate the impact of agricultural practices and elevation gradient on soil microarthropods density, diversity and species composition for the sustainable management of agro ecosystems.
文摘An accurate assessment of the property value is very important to make a deal, property tax, and mortgage for loan. The mass appraisal system has been developed in some foreign countries, especially in American for a long time. In Taiwan, we still have few experiences in using computer-assisted mass appraisal system, especially using artificial neural network (ANN). This article has two objectives: (1) to illustrate application of ANN to the Kaohsiung property market by the method of back-propagation. The study is based on the properties data of sales price, we also use multiple regressions in the same data; (2) to evaluate the performance of two models by using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and hit ratio (HR). This paper finds that using artificial neural network (ANN) is able to overcome multiple regressions' methodological problems and also get better performance than multiple regression model (MRA). These results are useful in helping local government to assess their assessment value.
文摘Translation Quality Assessment (TQA) is a central concern for both academic research and translation practice. Yet consensus on the issue has almost never been reached among theorists and practitioners. In this paper, a detailed comparison between academic and professional assessment has been made mainly in terms of text type, assessment criteria and models. It is believed that a "one size fits all" model across academy and industry is neither possible nor necessary. However, the gaps in between could be narrowed down by increasing communication and cooperation between theorists and practitioners, who are advised to turn their focus to translator's competence and evaluation process.
文摘In order to make more available methods for natural jadeite quality evaluation,this study applied rigorous coupled wave theory to calculate and simulate the reflection characteristics of various natural jadeites,and establish evaluation standard based on the relationship between refractive index and reflectivity and responses of reflection efficiency to refractive index,grating thickness and incident angles,etc.The results suggest that reflection efficiency varies significantly as a function of the natural jadeite quality,which can provide a new method to evaluate natural jadeite.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.40671145 and 60573115)the Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong,China (Nos.04300504 and 05006623)
文摘Fuzzy association rules (FARs) can be powerful in assessing regional soil quality, a critical step prior to land planning and utilization; however, traditional FARs mined from soil quality database, ignoring the importance variability of the rules, can be redundant and far from optimal. In this study, we developed a method applying different weights to traditional FARs to improve accuracy of soil quality assessment. After the FARs for soil quality assessment were mined, redundant rules were eliminated according to whether the rules were significant or not in reducing the complexity of the soil quality assessment models and in improving the comprehensibility of FARs. The global weights, each representing the importance of a FAR in soil quality assessment, were then introduced and refined using a gradient descent optimization method. This method was applied to the assessment of soil resources conditions in Guangdong Province, China. The new approach had an accuracy of 87%, when 15 rules were mined, as compared with 76% from the traditional approach. The accuracy increased to 96% when 32 rules were mined, in contrast to 88% from the traditional approach. These results demonstrated an improved comprehensibility of FARs and a high accuracy of the proposed method.
文摘Quality is considered as one of the most important elements in the construction industry. The factors affecting quality in the construction industry should be assessed. This paper aims to introduce a new model to assess these factors. The model is namely Fuzzy Assessment Model for Quality (FAMQ). Fuzzy set theory provides a useful way to deal with ill-defined and complex problems in a decision-making environment that incorporates vagueness. The proposed model employs the combined effect of both; the factors probability of occurrence and their impacts on the quality of construction. Twenty five logical rules for each factor were implemented in the model. The model was evaluated using data that collected from the infrastructure projects in Egypt. It was applied to many factors that affect the quality of this kind of projects as a case study. The results of the study proved that the proposed model can be used successfully in the assessment of factors affecting quality in the construction industry. In addition, the results provided a platform of useful assessment reference to those infrastructure's finns, who plan to establish their businesses in Egypt.
文摘Many biomass recycling facilities have been established in Japan, but its environmental efficiencies have been studied little. MIC has stated that these facilities do not work as well as expected. The environmental and economic efficiencies ofa biomass recycling center (representative of other recycling facilities) in Hita city are assessed here. The center was built to decrease the amount of waste needing to be disposed of, and is unusual in that it generates electricity using the methane produced. Electricity produced from biomass sells at a higher price than electricity sold by electricity companies in Japan, and this strongly affects the recycling center operation. The environmental efficiency of the recycling center was assessed using a lifecycle assessment method, and the economic efficiency was assessed from the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted and the running costs. As the result, it was clear that the recycling center emits about 20% of the greenhouse gases that were previously emitted. Treating biomass at the recycling center costs 1,356 yen per ton of biomass throughout the year. In conclusion, the recycling center decreases the environmental footprint of Hita city. The cost of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions is about 1,400 yen per ton of biomass.
基金Supported by the State Key Program of National Natural Science of China(No.81330088)
文摘OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for fibromyalgiasyndrome.METHODS: Two review authors independently selected the trials for the Meta-analysis, assessed their methodological quality and extracted relevant data. A quality assessment was conducted according to the Cochrane Review Handbook 5.0.RevMan 5.0.20 software was used in the statistical analysis.RESULTS: A total of 523 trials were reviewed and 9trials were selected for Meta-analysis.(a) Compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture, there was a significant difference in the visual analogue scale,but no difference in the pressure pain threshold.Additionally,and there was a difference in the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire and the multidisciplinary pain inventory after 4 weeks of treatment,but no difference after 7 weeks of therapy. There was no difference in the numerical rating scale in weeks 3, 8 and 13.(b) Acupuncture versus drugs.There were differences in the VAS after 20 days of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment comparing with the drug amitriptyline, and after 4 weeks of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment comparing with the drug fluoxetine and amitriptyline.There were also differences in the number of tender points when comparing acupuncture with amitriptyline or fluoxetine. There was no difference in total efficiency when comparing acupuncture with amitriptyline after 4 weeks of treatment, but there were differences between the two groups 45 days after treatment.There were also differences in total efficiency comparing acupuncture with fluoxetine,and when comparing 4 weeks post-treatment of acupuncture with a combination of amitriptyline,oryzanol and vitamin B.(c) A comparison of acupuncture, drugs and exercise with drugs and exercise showed PPT differences in months 3 and 6.There was no difference between the two comparison groups after follow-up visits in months 12 and 24.CONCLUSION: Compared with sham acupuncture,there was not enough evidence to prove the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Some evidence testified that the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy for fibromyalgia was superior to drugs; however, the included trials were not of high quality or had high bias risks.Acupuncture combined with drugs and exercise could increase pain thresholds in the short term, but there is a need for higher quality randomized controlled trials to further confirm this.