253 research outputs found
An experimental approach for the determination of axial and flexural wavenumbers in circular exponentially tapered bars.
No full textData and code (as Jupyter notebook) allowing for generating results presented in figures in Michał K. Kalkowski, Jen M. Muggleton, Emiliano Rustighi, An experimental approach for the determination of axial and flexural wavenumbers in circular exponentially tapered bars, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Volume 390, 3 March 2017, Pages 67-85, ISSN 0022-460X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2016.10.018
Work was funded by EPSRC, Assessing the Underworld (EP/K021699/1) </span
Spinal fusion for lumbar instability: does it have a scientific basis?
No full textSummary: The validity of spinal fusion for lumbar instability is considered. Some difficulty lies in the interpretation of the term instability. The differing interpretations in the clinical, radiologic, and biomechanical contexts are discussed. These interpretations may only be reconciled if the confusion between hypermobility and instability is removed and some recourse is made to soft tissue integrity. Fusion is considered in the context of the functioning spine as a whole. Although the aim of the surgery is usually to produce a solid arthrodesis, some studies show that this can compromise the functioning of the rest of the spine. Furthermore, there is some evidence that pseudarthrosis itself may not be detrimental. Dynamic imaging offers the potential for improved diagnosis and assessment, but further work is needed to pave the way for better selection criteria and treatment strategies
Vibration of an exponentially tapered rod embedded in an elastic solid - A piecewise uniform approach
No full textExponentially tapered rods can serve as a simplified physical model for tree roots. Based on an analytical solution for axial waves in a uniform embedded rod, we present a piecewise uniform formulation for modelling the dynamics of a tapered embedded rod. First, we revisit the uniform rod solution and discuss its characteristics. The piecewise uniform approach, in which the tapered rod is approximated as a multi-step structure composed of a number of uniform components, is presented next. The dynamics of the built-up waveguide are written in terms of propagating waves that scatter at the junctions. The assumption is made that the surrounding elastic medium has no effect on the scattering. We conduct a numerical convergence study and verify the accuracy of our model against an axisymmetric finite element (FE) simulation with perfectly absorbing boundaries. Both predictions are in very good agreement except for the low frequency range, where an assumption regarding the boundary contidions is expected to play a role. Finally, some basic observations are given in the context of the dynamics of a free tapered rod.</p
Supplementary material to 'An experimental approach for the determination of axial and flexural wavenumbers in circular exponentially tapered bars' : First release
No full text<p>Supplementary material to 'An experimental approach for the determination of axial and flexural wavenumbers in circular exponentially tapered bars' by Michał K. Kalkowski, Jen M. Muggleton, Emiliano Rustighi, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Volume 390, 3 March 2017, Pages 67-85, ISSN 0022-460X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2016.10.018</p>
Supplementary Material To 'An Experimental Approach For The Determination Of Axial And Flexural Wavenumbers In Circular Exponentially Tapered Bars' : First Release
No full textSupplementary material to 'An experimental approach for the determination of axial and flexural wavenumbers in circular exponentially tapered bars' by Michał K. Kalkowski, Jen M. Muggleton, Emiliano Rustighi, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Volume 390, 3 March 2017, Pages 67-85, ISSN 0022-460X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2016.10.018</span
Site assessment of multiple sensor approaches for buried utility detection
Get PDFThe successful operation and maintenance of buried infrastructure within urban environments is fundamental to the conservation of modern living standards. Breakdown in supply of utilities is quickly noticed and requires a swift response to repair the network. Open-cut methods are predominantly used, in preference to trenchless technology, to effect a repair, or replace or install a new section of the network. This is, in part, due to the inability to determine the position of all utilities below the carriageway, making open-cut methods desirable in terms of dealing with uncertainty since the buried infrastructure is progressively exposed during excavation. However, open cut methods damage the carriageway and disrupt society’s functions. This paper describes the progress of a research project that aims to develop a multi-sensor geophysical platform that can improve the probability of complete detection of the infrastructure buried beneath the carriageway. The multi-sensor platform is being developed in conjunction with a knowledge-based system that aims to provide information on how the properties of the ground might affect the sensing technologies being deployed. The fusion of data sources (sensor data and utilities record data) is also being researched to maximise the probability of location. The project has reached a stage where the majority of the sensing technologies being developed for the multi-sensor device have undergone initial testing on site and this has shown some interesting findings. This paper describes the outcome of the initial phase of testing along with the development of the knowledge-based system and the fusing of data to produce utility map
Public Support for the Financing of RD&D Activities in New Clean Energy Technologies
Get PDFSeveral market failures, as well as other technical, economic and regulatory barriers to the market penetration of clean energy technologies result in under-investment of private innovators in RD&D. Therefore, public support is needed in order to induce innovations. Policy tools creating market conditions that are attractive for the exploitation of clean technologies (market pull) must be combined with other tools directly supporting the development of these technologies through the provision of public funds (technology push). Thereby, financing policy instruments should be chosen so that their characteristics match with those of the specific innovation process being targeted at the same time that social welfare is maximized. We develop an analytical framework to define the form of public support and to provide recommendations on the optimal choice of both technology push and market pull instruments.clean energy technologies; innovation finance; public support; technology push; market pull
This (traumatized, kinky, queer) body holds a story
No full textThe chapter, "This (traumatized, kinky, queer) body holds a story" was written by Amber Dawn (Douglas College Faculty). Personal stories of surviving after the trauma of sexual assault. In the era of #MeToo, we’ve become better at talking about sexual assault. But sexual assault isn’t limited to a single, terrible moment of violence: it stays with survivors, following them wherever they go. Through the voices of twelve diverse writers, Whatever Gets You Through offers a powerful look at the narrative of sexual assault not covered by the headlines—the weeks, months, and years of survival and adaptation that people live through in its aftermath. With a foreword by Jessica Valenti, an extensive introduction by editors Stacey May Fowles and Jen Sookfong Lee, and contributions from acclaimed literary voices such as Alicia Elliott, Elisabeth de Mariaffi, Heather O’Neill, and Juliane Okot Bitek, the collection explores some of the many different forms that survival can take. From ice hockey to kink, boxing to tapestry-making, these striking personal essays address experiences as varied as the writers who have lived them. With candor and insight, each writer shares their own unique account of enduring: the everyday emotional pain and trauma, but also the incredible resilience and strength that can emerge in the aftermath of sexual assault. --From publisher description.Published
Catholic University Fu Jen in Peking Serving Evangelisation
No full textArtykuł K.J. Riviniusa dotyczy utworzenia i rozwoju chrześcijańskich misji w Chinach (XVI wiek), a szczególnie roli, jaką odegrał Uniwersytet Fu-Jen (od 1933 uczelnia werbistowska). We wstępie autor zawarł krótki rys historyczny działalności misyjnej podjętej w Państwie Środka przez jezuitów (M. Ricci), którzy od samego początku wyznawali zasadę, że wiarę przekazywać należy szerząc szeroko rozumianą kulturę. Celem tego typu zabiegów miało być ukazanie wyższości chrześcijaństwa nad rodzimymi religiami. W tym czasie wzrost zainteresowania Chinami w Europie doprowadził do swoistej wymiany kulturowej: misjonarze nieśli Chińczykom chrześcijaństwo, a sprawozdania z ich działalności (opisy kraju, ludzi i ich zwyczajów), znalazły odzwierciedlenie w dziełach wybitnych twórców Oświecenia. Kres tej wymiany przyniosła tzw. wojna opiumowa (1840-1842). Od czasu jej zakończenia, ta pierwotnie wszechstronna wymiana nabrała zabarwienia komercjalnego. Kupcy upowszechniali negatywny obraz Chin. W tym duchu i Kościół przyczynił się do upowszechniania w Chinach zachodniej kultury i nauki (głównie filozofii i socjologii); protestanckie placówki misyjne podjęły krytykę konfucjanizmu, proponując w zamian zachodni pragmatyzm. Po Powstaniu Bokserów zwrócono szczególną uwagę na zacofanie Chin w porównaniu np. z Japonią, która uległa wtedy procesowi europeizacji. Zainicjowano tzw. „Reformę 100 dni”. Potrzebę nowoczesnego wykształcenia pomagały zaspokoić misje protestanckie i katolickie; chciały wpłynąć na rozwój Chin poprzez absolwentów swych szkół. Sytuacja ta okazała się korzystna do powstania pierwszego w Chinach katolickiego uniwersytetu.
Vincent Ying Lien Chih (1867-1926), zaangażowany katolik, zwrócił się z petycją do papieża Piusa X (1835-1914) z prośbą o wyrażenie zgody na utworzenie katolickiego uniwersytetu, który byłby dostępny i dla katolików i dla niechrześcijan. Początkowo brak było oddźwięku ze strony Stolicy Apostolskiej, co było spowodowane niekorzystną sytuacją polityczną (I wojna światowa). Po zakończeniu wojny papież Benedykt XV – w porozumieniu z wizytatorem apostolskim Jean-Baptiste Budes de Guébriant – podjął to zagadnienie w encyklice misyjnej Maximum illud, gdzie wyraził również ubolewanie z powodu braku w Chinach uczelni katolickich.
Utworzenie uniwersytetu powierzono amerykańskim benedyktynom; jego pierwszym rektorem miał zostać George Barry O’Toole, a Vincent Ying Lien Chih – jego prezydentem. Dnia 1 października 1925 roku otwarta została „Akademia Studiów Chińskich” – MacManus- Academie, która okazała się de facto pierwszym etapem powstania uniwersytetu. Po jej rozbudowie powstało więcej wydziałów. W roku 1931 uczelnia została oficjalnie uznana przez państwo. W 1938 utworzono w niej „oddział” dla kobiet – do tej inicjatywy przyłączyły się Siostry Służebnice Ducha Świętego. Rozbudowie uczelni i powiększaniu wykładanych tam dyscyplin (teologia, filozofia, studia chińskie, sztuki wyzwolone i literatura, nauki przyrodnicze) sprzyjała wtedy korzystna sytuacja polityczna; Chiny miały dobre relacje ze Stolicą Apostolską. W tych też latach nadano uczelni nazwę Fu Jen Da Xue (Uniwersytet Fu Jen). Później uczelnia borykała się z wieloma trudnościami – głównie natury finansowej, co miało związek ze światowym kryzysem gospodarczym lat trzydziestych. W roku 1933 nastąpiła zmiana kierownictwa: papież Pius XI przekazał Uniwersytet Zgromadzeniu Słowa Bożego. Przełożonym Generalnym Zgromadzenia był wówczas Józef Grendel. Dwa lata po przejęciu uniwersytetu przez werbistów zaczął się ukazywać biuletyn „Monumenta Serica” (Magazyn Studiów Orientalnych); wcześniej wydawano „Biuletyn Katolickiego Uniwersytetu w Pekinie”. Wspomniane biuletyny rozpowszechniały osiągnięcia duszpasterskie misjonarzy oraz ich odkrycia naukowe w zakresie etnologii. Wydawanie tych publikacji świadczyło również o wysokim poziomie Uniwersytetu Fu Jen.
Różne były koleje losu pisma „Monumenta Serica”. Przed przejęciem władzy przez komunistów (1949) redakcję pisma i bibliotekę zdołano przenieść najpierw do Japonii, a potem – przez USA – do Sankt Augustin w Niemczech (1972).
Oprócz biuletynów Werbiści zamierzali wydać również encyklopedię katolicką z myślą o elitach chińskich. Dla wyjaśnienia chrześcijańskiej doktryny wiary posłużono się elementami myśli chińskiej.
Wielki wpływ na rozwój misyjnej działalności w Chinach miała wizyta Wilhelma Schmidta w Państwie Środka w 1935 roku. Dokonał on oceny sytuacji na Uniwersytecie Fu Jen. Postanowił zaprosić do współpracy młodych chińskich naukowców. Chciał w ten sposób zaradzić problemowi słabego przygotowania językowego i kulturowego misjonarzy europejskich i amerykańskich, oraz podnieść poziom wykształcenia kleru rodzimego. Wilhelm Schmidt nierzadko spotykał się z brakiem zrozumienia i krytyką swoich poglądów – nie wszystkie jego plany udało się zrealizować.
Rok 1949 oznacza koniec działalności Uniwersytetu Fu Jen, z powodu przejęcia władzy w Chinach przez komunistów. Do tego momentu zdołano jednak wykształcić 13 tysięcy młodych ludzi, którzy uzyskali stopień uniwersytecki. W roku 1961 podjęto plan przeniesienia uczelni na Tajwan. Oficjalne otwarcie nowej placówki nastąpiło w 1963 roku. Prowadzona jest ona wspólnie przez jezuitów, werbistów i Diecezję Taipei. Uczelnia otwarta jest również studentów z Chin kontynentalnych.The article by K.J. Rivinius concerns the foundation and development of the Christian mission in China (16th century), its determining factors which influenced their spread and activity, and especially the role that was played by Fu Jen University. In the introductory remarks, the author gives a brief history of the mission work undertaken in China by the Jesuits (M. Ricci), who – from the very beginning – followed the principle that faith should be conveyed alongside with general knowledge. The aim of such procedures was to prove the superiority of Christianity to the native world of religious thought. At that time, Europe became increasingly interested in China and kind of cultural exchange – missionaries offered Christian faith to the Chinese, and their reports about their missionary activities, descriptions of the land and its people were reflected in the works of the outstanding writers of the Enlightment. The so-called Opium War (1840-1842) put an end to that exchange. Since it was over, the originally fruitful and interesting exchange had acquired a rather commercial character. Merchants spread a rather negative image of China. In that spirit, also the Church contributed a lot to spreading western culture and science in China (mainly philosophy and sociology); protestant mission posts undertook criticism of Confucianism, suggesting its replacement with western pragmatism and practical attitude. As a result of the Boxers’ Uprising a particular attention was paid to China’ backwardness in comparison to Japan for instance, which – at that time – was influenced to a high extent by European culture and way of life. The so-called “100 Day-Reform” was initiated. The whole country felt the need of modern education, which was satisfied by protestant and catholic missions. They attempted to exert influence on China by means of higher schools’ graduates’ activities. All that created an appropriate atmosphere for the foundation of China’s first catholic university. Vincent Ying Lien Chih (1867-1962), a dedicated Catholic, turned to Pope Pius X (1835-1914) with a petition to consent to establishing a Catholic university, which both Catholics and non-Christians would be granted an access to. In the beginning, there was no reaction to this proposal on the part of the Holy See, which was apparently caused by an inconvenient political situation (the World War I); only after it had been ended, Pope Benedict XV, in agreement with the apostolic visitator Jean-Baptiste Budes de Guebriant, focused on that issue in his mission encyclical Maximum illud. He also expressed a conviction that China desperately needs Catholic schools; he expressed his concern as well.
Establishing a university was entrusted to American Benedictines, George Barry O’Toole was to become its first rector, and Vincent Ying Lien Chih – its president. On October 1, 1925, the “Academy of Chinese Studies” – MacManus – was solemnly inaugurated, a school which was supposed to be a kind of preparatory stage of the new university. Later it was developed, new faculties were added, until, in 1931, it was officially recognised by the state. In 1938, a faculty for women was established; it was then that the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit joined the University. The political situation at that time was quite convenient as to foster a further development of the University and broadening its didactic sector that gradually embraced more and more teaching disciplines, such as theology, philosophy, Chinese studies, liberal arts and literature, sciences – China maintained good relations with the Holy See. At that time the school got its official name Fu Jen Da Xue (Fu Jen University). The further period was characterised by many difficulties of mainly financial nature which was connected with the world economic crisis at the beginning of the thirties. In 1933, the management of the University was passed over to the Society of the Divine Word by Pope Pius XI. Joseph Grendel was the SVD Superior General by then. Although there were quite a few personal problems and tensions, the school was undergoing continuous development. Two years after, it had been taken over by the SVD, the bulletin „Monumenta Serica” started to be published (Magazine of Oriental Studies); earlier, it was preceded by the “Peking Catholic University Bulletin.” The aim of the missionaries involved in initiating both the bulletins was to combine the missionary activities with ethnological and cultural research. Publishing those two periodicals was a proof of the Fu Jen University’s high level.
The bulletin „Monumenta Serica” had to undergo all kinds of vicissitudes – before the communists seized power in 1949, the publishing house and library had been transferred to Japan first, and later, via the USA, to Sankt Augustin in Germany (1972).
Apart from the bulletins mentioned above, the SVDs wanted to publish a Catholic encyclopedia as well, wishing to serve the needs of educated people in China. To better explain the Christian doctrine of faith, some suitable elements of the Chinese religious thought were used in order to reach that goal.
A considerable influence on the development of the mission activities in China was exerted by Wilhelm Schmidt, who arrived here in 1935. He assessed the situation in Fu Jen University. He hoped to attract young Chinese scholars to cooperation. It was supposed to help face challenges as miserable linguistic and cultural preparation of European and American missionaries, as well as the rather low level of the native Chinese clergy. Wilhelm Schmidt often met with strong criticism and misunderstanding of his attempts which is why only a part of them could be put into practice.
The year 1949 marks the end of Fu Jen University’s activity in connection with the seize of power by the communists. Up till that moment, however, some 13,000 young people managed to graduate from the University and get a degree. In 1961, it was decided to continue University educational activity in Taiwan. The official opening of the new school took place in 1963. It is being run commonly by Jesuits, SVDs and the Taipei Diocese. Students from the Mainland China are also granted access
[[alternative]]A Research on the Overexcitability Traits of Gifted and Talented Students in Taiwan.
No full text[[abstract]]A RESEARCH ON THE OVEREXCITABILITY TRAITS OF GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS IN TAIWAN, ROC
Hsin-Jen Chang
Abstract
The main purposes of this research were to construct an overexcitability scale （The Me Scale） and to explore the overexcitability（OE） traits of gifted students in Taiwan, ROC.
2046 elementary, junior and senior high school students, currently attending regular classes nationwide, were selected as norm sample and 951 gifted and talented counterparts in Taipei Area were also included in this study. Furthermore, 4 gifted students, scoring higher than 93 percentile rank on ‘The Me Scale’, their teachers and parents were interviewed on subjects’ OE traits. The data gathered were processed by three-way ANOVA and the qualitative data were recorded as detailed dialogue.
The main findings of this research are stated as follows:
1.The coefficient of internal consistency of ‘The Me Scale’（Cronbach α）is .710~.913 ; the coefficient of test-retest reliability is .702~.754.
2.Gender and grade differences are at significant level（p<.05） on five subscales of OE except gender difference on subscale of T OE.
3.Among the five OEs, G/T students display most T OE, the followings are M OE and S OE and the least P and E OE.
4.The G/T students exhibit more significant T, M, and S OEs than regular students do. （p<.001）
5.The Male G/T students show more significant P and T OEs than female students（p<.05）; female G/T students, on the other hand, show more significant S and E OEs than the male.
6.High school G/T students display a higher level of S and E OEs than elementary students（p<.05）; junior high school G/T students also display more significant S OE than elementary students do（p<.05）. However, there is no significant difference between senior high schoolers and junior high schoolers on S and E OEs.
7.Academically gifted students are reported owing more significant T OE than art talented students.
8.Highly gifted students（IQ≧137.5） own more significant T OE than ordinary gifted counterparts.
9.The comment among teachers, parents, and students him/her self are more consistent on case B and case D than on case A and case C. Furthermore, comment between cases and parents are more consistent than that between cases and teachers.
10.Gifted student thought that peers, teachers and parents hold positive attitude towards their ‘moral thinking’, ‘creativity’ and hold negative attitude towards ‘workaholic’, ‘having impulse to move’, ‘pursuing delicate objects’ and ‘day dreaming’.
11.Eight possible environmental factors could make OEs significant. They are, ‘family atmosphere’, ‘ parents’ indulgence in pursuing materialistic life style’, ‘ family educational environment’, ‘teachers’ attitude’, ‘ peers interaction and school experience’, ‘low challenge on school work’ , ‘students’ own hobbies’, and ‘ religion’.
Key words: G/T students, overexcitability
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