An Investigation of the Relationship Between Selected Hotel Characteristics and Performance in the Extended Stay Hotel Segment

As extended stay hotels gain influence their performance. in popularity across the US, it is important to understand how certain hotel factors The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between selected hotel characteristics （location, scale, size, and operation arrangement） and its performance （revenue per available room （RevPAR）） in the US extended stay market. A multiple regression model is performed on a national dataset, which is available from Smith Travel Research （STR）. The findings show that hotels located in urban areas perform the best among all location categories. Upper-tier hotels are able to achieve better results than their lower-tier counterparts. In addition, larger hotels are associated with better performance. Lastly, hotels are advised to adopt the franchise approach as the operation arrangement to achieve higher performance.

Mechanical properties and failure characteristics of fractured sandstone with grouting and anchorage

Based on uniaxial compression experimental results on fractured sandstone with grouting and anchorage, we studied the strength and deformation properties, the failure model, crack formation and evolution laws of fractured sandstone under different conditions of anchorage. The experimental results show that the strength and elastic modulus of fractured sandstone with different fracture angles are significantly lower than those of intact sandstone. Compared with the fractured samples without anchorage,the peak strength, residual strength, peak and ultimate axial strain of fractured sandstone under different anchorage increase by 64.5–320.0%, 62.8–493.0%, and 31.6–181.4%, respectively. The number of bolts and degree of pre-stress has certain effects on the peak strength and failure model of fractured sandstone. The peak strength of fractured sandstone under different anchorage increases to some extent, and the failure model of fractured sandstone also transforms from tensile failure to tensile–shear mixed failure with the number of bolts. The pre-stress can restrain the formation and evolution process of tensile cracks, delay the failure process of fractured sandstone under anchorage and impel the transformation of failure model from brittle failure to plastic failure.

Physical Properties of Crushed Air-cooled Blast Furnace Slag and Numerical Representation of Its Morphology Characteristics

Physical properties and geometrical morphologies of crushed air-cooled blast furnace slag （SCR） and crushed limestone （LCR） were comparatively investigated. The shape, angularity, surface texture and internal pore structure of aggregate particles for different size and gradation were numerically represented by sphericity （ψ） and shape index （SI）, angularity number （AN）, index of aggregate particle shape and texture （IAPST）, porosity and pore size, respectively. The results show that SCR is a porous and rough aggregate. Apparent density, void, water absorption and smashing index of SCR are obviously higher than those of LCR with the same gradation, respectively. However, bulk density of SCR is lower than that of LCR with the same gradation. SI, AN, IAPST and porosity of SCR are obviously higher than those of LCR with the same gradation, respectively. The smaller particle size of SCR, the larger of its AN, IAPST and porosity.

Additive manufacturing of magnesium and its alloys: process-formabilitymicrostructure-performance relationship and underlying mechanism

Magnesium and its alloys,as a promising class of materials,is popular in lightweight application and biomedical implants due to their low density and good biocompatibility.Additive manufacturing(AM)of Mg and its alloys is of growing interest in academia and industry.The domain-by-domain localized forming characteristics of AM leads to unique microstructures and performances of AM-process Mg and its alloys,which are different from those of traditionally manufactured counterparts.However,the intrinsic mechanisms still remain unclear and need to be in-depth explored.Therefore,this work aims to discuss and analyze the possible underlying mechanisms regarding defect appearance and elimination,microstructure formation and evolution,and performance improvement,based on presenting a comprehensive and systematic review on the relationship between process parameters,forming quality,microstructure characteristics and resultant performances.Lastly,some key perspectives requiring focus for further progression are highlighted to promote development of AM-processed Mg and its alloys and accelerate their industrialization.

High-yield Seed Production Techniques of Late Japonica Hybrid Rice Tongyoujing 1

The differences in growth period and seeding to heading duration of both parents of Tongyoujing 1 are 4-6 and 3-5 d, respectively. Plant height of the male parent was 6-8 cm higher than that of the female parent, and blooming time of the male parent was 30-60 min earlier than that of the female parent. The seed pro-duction technology points of Tongyoujing 1 include appropriate seeding （the differ-ence in sowing period of both parents is 3-5 d）, timely transplanting, reasonable layout （ratio of rows between both parents is 2：（6-8））, strengthening variety isolation, scientific fertilizer and water management （high fertilization for male parent and ade-quate fertilization for female parent）, reasonably regulating flowering period （to pro-mote flower synchronization）, artificial pollination （to improve outcrossing rate）, paying attention to miscel aneous plant removal and pest control and timely harvest.

Exterior Quality and Physical Properties of Hongda Tobacco in Yunnan Province

[Objective] The aim was to analyze the exterior quality and physical prop- erties of Hongda Tobacco in Yunnan Province, thus providing references for planting planning, technology and selection of raw materials. [Method] Hongda C3F progenies were chosen from 24 villages and towns in Qujing, Kunming, Baoshan and Dali, and the concerning exterior quality and physical properties were analyzed through cluster analysis. [Result] The openness and width of C3F differed significantly among Qujing, Kunming, Baoshan and Dali. The thickness, stem content, equilibrium moisture con- tent extremely differed, and density and filling power varied significantly. Most physi- cal properties, such as equilibrium moisture content and density, of Dali Hongda were quite different from those in Qujing, Kunming and Baoshan, indicating that Dali Hongda enjoys special characteristics in physical properties. In addition, stem content in east, center and west areas of Yunnan Province differed significantly and Hongda in Yunnan could be classified into four species according to physical property. [Conclusion] The research has laid basis for planting planning, technology and raw mate- rials selection of Hongda tobacco.

Mechanical and damage evolution properties of sandstone under triaxial compression

To study the mechanical and damage evolution properties of sandstone under triaxial compression, we analyzed the stress strain curve characteristics, deformation and strength properties, and failure process and characteristics of sandstone samples under different stress states. The experimental results reveal that peak strength, residual strength, elasticity modulus and deformation modulus increase linearly with confining pressure, and failure models transform from fragile failure under low confining pressure to ductility failure under high confining pressure. Macroscopic failure forms of samples under uniaxial compression were split failure parallel to the axis of samples, while macroscopic failure forms under uniaxial compression were shear failure, the shear failure angle of which decreased linearly with confin- ing pressure. There were significant volume dilatation properties in the loading process of sandstone under different confining pressures, and we analyzed the damage evolution properties of samples based on acoustic emission damage and volumetric dilatation damage, and established damage constitutive model, realizing the real-time Quantitative evaluation of samnles damage state in loading process.

Simple PID Parameter Tuning Method Based on Outputs of the Closed Loop System

Most of the existing PID parameters tuning methods are only effective with pre-known accurate system models, which often require some strict identification experiments and thus infeasible for many complicated systems. Actually, in most practical engineering applications, it is desirable for the PID tuning scheme to be directly based on the input-output response of the closed-loop system. Thus, a new parameter tuning scheme for PID controllers without explicit mathematical model is developed in this paper. The paper begins with a new frequency domain properties analysis of the PID controller. After that, the definition of characteristic frequency for the PID controller is given in order to study the mathematical relationship between the PID parameters and the open-loop frequency properties of the controlled system. Then, the concepts of M-field and θ-field are introduced, which are then used to explain how the PID control parameters influence the closed-loop frequency-magnitude property and its time responses. Subsequently, the new PID parameter tuning scheme, i.e., a group of tuning rules, is proposed based on the preceding analysis. Finally, both simulations and experiments are conducted, and the results verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed methods. This research proposes a PID parameter tuning method based on outputs of the closed loop system.

Characteristic Properties of Perspective Sets for Finite Stochastic Decision

For a perspective set that is derived by finite consequences with probabilities, this paper introduces the conception of basis that is proved and the uniqueness of basis over a perspective set holds. These give the characteristic properties of perspective sets and finite consequences with probabilities. These properties are applied to the utility defined by the consequences.

Microstructures and Electrochemical Properties of Cobalt-Free LaNi_(4.0)Al_(0.2)Fe_(0.4)Cu_(0.4-x)Sn_x (x=0～0.4) Electrode Alloys Prepared by Casting

The microstructure, hydriding performance, and electrochemical properties of LaNi4.0Ai0.2Fe0.4Cu0.4-x Snx（x = 0- 0.4） hydrogen storage alloys prepared by casting were investigated using XRD, SEM, pressure-composition isotherms, and electrochemical measurements. Substitution of Sn for Cu leads to the precipitation of LaNiSn phase. With increasing amount of tin substitution, cell volume, plateau pressures, and discharge capacities of the alloys decrease, whereas the cycle life of the alloys improves.

Improved Breakdown Strength in(Ba_(0.6)Sr_(0.4))_(0.85)Bi_(0.1)TiO_3 Ceramics with Addition of CaZrO_3 for Energy Storage Application

（Ba（0.6） Sr（0.4））（0.85） Bi（0.1） TiO3 ceramics doped with x wt%CaZrO3（x= 0-10） were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The effects of CaZrO3 amount on the dielectric properties and structure of（Ba（0.6）Sr（0.4））（0.85） Bi（0.1） TiO3 ceramics were investigated. X-ray diffraction results indicated a pure cubic perovskite structure for all samples and that the lattice parameter increased till x=5 and then slightly decreased. A homogenous microstructure was observed with the addition of CaZrO3. Dielectric measurements revealed a relaxor-like characteristic for all samples and that the diffusivity γ reached the maximum value of 1.78 at x=5. With the addition of CaZrO3, the dielectric constant dependence on electric field was weakened, insulation resistivity enhanced and dielectric breakdown strength improved obviously and reached 19.9 k V/mm at x=7.5. In virtue of low dielectric loss（tan d〈0.001 5）, moderate dielectric constant（er 〉1 500） and high breakdown strength（Eb 〉17.5 k V/mm）, the CaZrO3 doped（Ba（0.6）Sr（0.4））0.85 Bi（0.1） TiO3 ceramic is a potential candidate material for high power electric applications.

Comparative Study on the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Flour and Starch from Dioscorea opposita Thunb

The objective of this work was to investigate and compare the structural and physicochemical properties of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. flour（DF）, starch（DS） and purified starch（PDS）. DS and PDS showed higher total starch and amylose content as compared to DF. Starch granules of DF were oval shape with rough surface while DS and PDS were relatively smooth by SEM. According to XRD measurements, FT-IR spectroscopy and 13 C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy, all samples displayed C-type crystalline pattern, and PDS displayed the highest relative crystallinity and short-range order structure. However, DF contained the greatest content of the amorphous-phase. DF displayed the absorption peaks at 1730 and 1560 cm^-1 related to the characteristic groups of lipid and protein using FT-IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, DF exhibited significantly higher pasting temperature while DS displayed the great peak and breakdown viscosity, as well as PDS had the highest setback and final viscosity, presumably due to the chemical composition and structural differences. DF exhibited the highest gelatinization temperature whereas PDS displayed the greatest gelatinization enthalpy. The pasting and gelatinization properties of flour and starch might be related to the relative crystallinity, short-range order structure or the interactions between starch and its associated compounds. The results allow the improvement in the manufacture of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. flour and starch with desirable pasting and gelatinization properties.

Study of interfacial transition zones between magnesium phosphate cement and Portland cement concrete pavement

The Portland cement concrete pavement(PCCP)often suffers from different environmental distresses and vehicle load failure,resulting in slab corner fractures,potholes,and other diseases.Rapid repair has become one of the effective ways to open traffic rapidly.In this study,a novel type of rapid repair material,basalt fiber reinforced polymer modified magnesium phosphate cement(BFPMPC),is used to rapidly repair PCCP.Notably,the mechanical properties and characteristics of the repair interfaces which are named interfacial transition zones(ITZs)formed by BFPMPC and cement concrete are focused on as a decisive factor for the performance of the rapid repair.The changing trend of the elastic moduli was studied by nanoindentation experiments in the ITZs with the deconvolution analysis that the elastic moduli of certain kinds of substances can be determined.The experimental results show that the elastic modulus of ITZ-1 with a width of about20μm can be regarded as 0.098 times of the aggregate,and 0.51 times of the ordinary Portland cement(OPC)mortar.The BFPMPC-OPC mortar ITZ has roughly the same mechanical properties as the ITZ between aggregate and BFPMPC.A multi-scale representative two-dimensional model was established by random aggregate and a two-dimensional extended finite element method(XFEM)to study the mechanical properties of the repair interface.The simulation results show that the ITZ formed by the interface of BFPMPC and OPC mortar and basalt aggregate is the most vulnerable to failure,which is consistent with the nano-indentation experimental results.

Rietveld refinement,microstructure,mechanical properties and oxidation characteristics of Fe-28Mn-xAl-1C(x=10 and 12 wt.%)low-density steels

The quantitative relationship between microstructure and properties of austenitic Fe-28Mn-xAl-1C（x=10 and 12 wt.%）low-density steels was evaluated using Rietveld method to refine X-ray diffraction（XRD）patterns.The results showed that a typical three-phase austenitic steel was obtained in the forged Mn28Al10（i.e.Fe-28Mn-10Al-1C）steel,which included about 92.85 wt.% γ-Fe（Mn,Al,C）（austenite）,5.28 wt.%（Fe,Mn）_3AlC_（0.5）（κ-carbide）,and 1.87 wt.% α-Fe（Al,Mn）（ferrite）.For the forged Mn28Al12（i.e.Fe-28Mn-12Al-1C）steel,nevertheless,only about 76.64 wt.% austenite,9.63 wt.%κ-carbide,9.14 wt.%ferrite and 4.59 wt.% Fe_3Al（DO_3）could be obtained.Nanometerκ-carbide and DO_3 were mainly distributed in austenite grains and at the interface between austenite and ferrite,respectively.The forged Mn28Al10 steel had a better combination of strength,ductility and specific strength as compared with the forged Mn28Al12 steel.The ductility of the forged Mn28Al12 steel was far lower than that of the forged Mn28Al10 steel.The oxidation kinetics of Mn28Al10 steel oxidized at 1323 Kfor 5-25 h had two-stage linear rate laws,and the oxidation rate of the second stage was faster than that of the first stage.Although the oxidation kinetics of Mn28Al12 steel under this condition also had two-stage linear rate laws,the oxidation rate of the second stage was slower than that of the first stage.When the oxidation temperature increased to 1373K,the oxidation kinetics of the two steels at 5-25 hhad only onestage linear rate law,and the oxidation rates of the two steels were far faster than those at 1323K for5-25 h.The oxidation resistance of Mn28Al12 steel was much better than that of Mn28Al10 steel.Ferrite layer formed between the austenite matrix and the oxidation layer of the two Fe-Mn-Al-C steels oxidized at high temperature.

Optical extinction characteristics of three biofuel producing microalgae determined by an improved transmission method

The optical extinction characteristics of the three kinds of microalgae Nannochloropsis maritirna, Ellip- soidion sp. （277.03）, and Dunaliella tertiolecta were determined using an improved transmission method, in the 300-1800 nm spectral range. These three microalgae are promising candidates for the production of biofuels such as bio-hydrogen and biodiesel. The improved transmission method determines the spec- tral extinction coefficient of the microalgae. This is based on the measured transmittance, and employs an optical model that takes into consideration multiple reflections and refractions at the air-glass and glass-liquid interfaces. Silicon dioxide microspheres of monodisperse size were used as a model to verify the proposed method. The optical constants of the culture medium, size distributions, and extinction cross-sections of the microalgae cells were measured and analyzed. The improved transmission method is demonstrated to yield more accurate results than the traditional method. The spectral extinction effi- ciencies of the three kinds of microalgae show significant differences in the near ultraviolet and visible spectral regions. The spectral extinction efficiencies also exhibit small differences in the longer wave- length range of 950-1800 rim, with values generally less than 1.0. The measured extinction characteristics data of the three microalgae and the presented measurement method will facilitate process modeling in ohotobioreactors for biofuel oroduction.

The effect of annealing temperature and the characteristics of p-n junction diodes based on sprayed polyaniline/ZnO thin films

Polyaniline,ZnO and polyaniline/ZnO nanocomposite thin films are coated on glass substrates using the spray pyrolysis technique.The samples are characterized by the XRD,SEM,EDAX,UV-Vis and I-V characteristics. The XRD analyses confirm that the spray-coated polyaniline and ZnO thin films have orthorhombic and hexagonal structures,respectively,and optical bandgap energy decreases from 3.81 to 3.41 eV with the addition of a Zn atom.SEM analysis of the polyaniline/ZnO nanocomposite thin films shows that there is an agglomeration of ZnO particles with uniform distribution in the polyaniline matrix,and the diode characteristics of the polyaniline /ZnO nanocomposite show weak rectification behavior.Parameters such as the ideality factor,reverse saturation current and barrier height are calculated from the I-V characteristics.

Exploring the potential of graphene materials in marine and shipping industries-A technical review for prospective application on ship operation and material-structure aspects

Advance development of materials technology introduces graphene as a powerful material for various applications in any branch of engineering and industries.Marine and shipping are one of the projected industries which are affected by graphene improvement.The conventional approach of technical manufactures and processes on ship and maritime environments,such as water treatment,oil separation and evacuation,is proven to be developed into more practical ways by utilizing characteristics and properties of graphene-based material.This work is addressed to study graphene as an engineering material in which structural arrangement,mechanical strength,electrical conductivity,and permeability of the material are discussed.Instrumental and cycle applications related to ship operations are defined to be an initial milestone to assess dedicated works in graphene and ship.Potential and future projections based on the works are linked with existing challenges and problems on boards,such as free surface effects and materials coating.Several works showed that graphene-based baffle has the potential to replace the current baffle style in oil tankers and liquid carriers.The electrical conductivity of the graphene is also useful for structural coating for ships that can operate in extremely cold regions,e.g.,the Arctic and Antartica.

Insights into channel potentials and electron quasi-Fermi potentials for DG tunnel FETs

A detailed investigation carried out, with the help of extensive simulations using the TCAD device simulator Sentaurus, with the aim of achieving an understanding of the effects of variations in gate and drain potentials on the device characteristics of a silicon double-gate tunnel field effect transistor（Si-DG TFET） is reported in this paper. The investigation is mainly aimed at studying electrical properties such as the electric potential, the electron density, and the electron quasi-Fermi potential in a channel. From the simulation results, it is found that the electrical properties in the channel region of the DG TFET are different from those for a DG MOSFET. It is observed that the central channel potential of the DG TFET is not pinned to a fixed potential even after the threshold is passed（as in the case of the DG MOSFET）; instead, it initially increases and later on decreases with increasing gate voltage, and this is also the behavior exhibited by the surface potential of the device. However, the drain current always increases with the applied gate voltage. It is also observed that the electron quasi-Fermi potential（e QFP）decreases as the channel potential starts to decrease, and there are hiphops in the channel e QFP for higher applied drain voltages. The channel regime resistance is also observed for higher gate length, which has a great effect on the I–V characteristics of the DG TFET device. These channel regime electrical properties will be very useful for determining the tunneling current; thus these results may have further uses in developing analytical current models.