Determinants of foreign direct investment in the mining sector in Asia: A comparison between China and India

The aim of this paper is to assess the conditions that influence foreign direct investment in the mineral industries of China and India. The paper first surveys literature on the determinants of foreign direct investment to identify key conditions, under which host countries attract mining FDI. It then builds an evaluative framework which allows for comparative analysis. The paper then comparatively evaluates the performance of foreign investment regimes that govern mineral industries in China and India. Its findings show that the overall conditions for foreign mining investment in China and India are not favourable and that substantial policy, regulatory and other changes in both countries need to be made if more investment is to flow.     

Winter storm-related injuries in Oklahoma, January 2007

Introduction

A January 2007 ice storm occurred in Oklahoma, causing power outages and hazardous travel conditions. The objective of this investigation was to describe the nature of winter storm-related injuries among Oklahoma residents, to determine populations at risk, and to inform prevention-planning personnel.

Methods

Winter storm-related injuries were a temporarily reportable condition; all acute-care hospitals and the state medical examiner logged storm-related injuries and deaths during January 12 − 30, 2007. Medical records were retrospectively abstracted.Risk of injury was described by demographic group, injury type, and mechanism.

Results

Among 6,047 persons experiencing winter storm-related injuries, 74% were injured in falls, 13% in motor-vehicle collisions (MVCs), 8% while sledding, 1% by unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, 1% in cleanup activities, and 3% by other mechanisms. Median age of injured persons was 39 years. Persons aged ≥ 40 years were 1.4 times more likely to experience falls as the cause of injury than those aged < 40 years, and falls were twice as likely as other mechanisms to cause fractures among persons aged ≥ 40 years. Injured persons aged < 40 years were 2.2 times more likely to experience MVC-related injuries, and 19 times more likely to experience sledding-related injuries than persons aged ≥ 40 years.

Conclusions

Younger persons were more likely injured in MVCs and sledding incidents, whereas older persons were more likely to experience falls and fractures.

Impact on industry

Prevention messages for winter storm-related injuries should target winter-driving safety tips to younger adults and precautions regarding falls to older adults.     

建筑物火灾疏散中人的失误研究

火灾是人类所面临的最为严重的灾害之一。通过建筑物火灾现场勘察表明 ,造成火灾中人员伤害的重要原因之一是火灾现场疏散人员行为的失误。而火灾现场疏散人员行为的失误是一个极为复杂的问题 ,它既与影响疏散中人的行为因素有关 ,又与火灾疏散中人的认知模式有关。因此 ,笔者基于行为学的基本原理和建筑物火灾的特点 ,定义了建筑物火灾中人失误的内涵 ,对建筑物火灾中疏散人员失误的机理和分类进行了分析 ,建立了相应的模型 ,讨论了减少建筑物火灾中疏散人员失误的措施 ,并着重讨论了火灾疏散教育和培训的内容和形式。     

Automatic multistage classification system for plastic bottles recycling

In this work, an artificial intelligent plastic bottles classification system is proposed, developed and tested. Classifying bottles based on their chemical composition and color is attempted. Near infrared (NIR) reflectance measurements are used to identify bottle composition class. Charged coupled device (CCD) camera with the fusion of quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) and tree classifiers are used to detect the bottle color.Results have shown that the dip wavelength and average values of the reflective NIR spectrum could be used as features to distinguish between chemical compositions. This resulted in 94.14% classification accuracy. In addition to various preprocessing techniques, the use of principal component analysis algorithm for bottle orientation facilitates the detection of the bottle color avoiding mixing it with the bottle's label or cap. Ninety-two percent color classification accuracy is achieved for clear bottles while 96% is achieved for opaque one, with proposed method. The aggregate classification accuracy of the combined system (i.e. accurate classification of color as well as chemical composition) is 83.48%.     

Determination of the performance limits of flame arresters at increased oxygen concentrations

This investigation shows how an increased oxygen concentration influences the performance limits of crimped ribbon deflagration flame arresters at elevated pressures. An evaluation of the maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) as reliable criterion for describing the performance limits under non-atmospheric conditions is given. Measurements of MESGs and flame arrester performance tests were performed. Various fuel/oxygen/air mixtures containing ethylene and propane were used as testing gases. Former studies on the pressure dependence and the influence of oxygen on the MESG were initially confirmed. Furthermore, performance tests using a commercial deflagration flame arrester revealed that such a flame arrester may prevent flame transmission also at non-atmospheric conditions within a limited range. For various oxygen concentrations the performance limits were reached at the same MESG. Hence, it can be assumed that a flame arrester possesses a device- and fuel-specific maximum experimental safe gap for a specific gas mixture in different concentrations and at different pressures. This performance-related maximum safe gap can be used as a parameter for estimating and describing the performance limits of a flame arrester. It offers an attempt to simplify the testing and qualification of deflagration flame arresters for non-atmospheric conditions.     

洛阳市饮用水地下水源保护区划分研究

城市饮用水地下水源保护区划分,目的是保护水源供水井水质不受污染。从地下水动力学观点出发,通过对水源环境调查、历史污染事故分析、土壤净化能力和弥散试验等工作,划分了洛阳市饮用水地下水源一、二、三级保护区。该研究在洛阳城市水源保护和城建规划中已得到应用      

Support vector machine based prediction of photovoltaic module and power station parameters

ABSTRACT

The uncertainty in the output power of the photovoltaic (PV) power generation station due to variation in meteorological parameters is of serious concern. An accurate output power prediction of a PV system helps in better design and planning. The present study is carried out for the prediction of output power of PV generating station by using Support Vector Machines. Two cases are considered in the present study for prediction. Case-I deals with the prediction of PV module parameters such as V_oc, I_sh, R_s, R_sh, I_max, V_max, P_max, and case-II deals with the prediction of power generation parameters such as P_DC, P_AC, and system efficiency. Historical data of PV power station with an installed capacity of 10 MW and weather information are used as input to develop four different seasons-based SVM models for all parameters. The performance results of the models are presented in terms of Mean Relative Error (MRE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Additionally, the performance results obtained with polynomial and Radial Based Function kernel are also compared to show that which kernel has better prediction accuracy, and practicability. The result shows that the minimum average RMSE and MRE for case-I with Radial Based Function kernel are 0.034%, 0.055%, 0.002%, 1.726%, 0.044%, 0.047%, 2.342%, and 0.005%, 0.014%, 0.079%, 0.885%, 0.005%, 0.007%, 0.013%, and for case-II with poly kernel are 0.014%, 0.016%, 0.149% and 0.011%, 0.0175, 1.03%, respectively. The present study will be helpful to provide technical guidance to the prediction of the PV power System.     

灰色聚类——模糊综合评价在空气质量分析中的应用

根据营口市2005年4个自动监测点位的监测数据,应用灰色系统理论,建立了环境空气质量聚类指标体系,确定了不同环境灰类的灰数,给出了不同灰类的白化函数,标定了灰色聚类权重,并计算出了灰色聚类系数及模糊综合评价级数。针对各监测点位进行了灰色聚类分析,又对全市环境空气质量进行了模糊综合评价,确定了营口市环境空气质量状况。     

Conceptual classification model for Sustainable Flood Retention Basins

The aim of this paper is to recommend a rapid conceptual classification model for Sustainable Flood Retention Basins (SFRB) used to control runoff in a temperate climate. An SFRB is an aesthetically pleasing retention basin predominantly used for flood protection adhering to sustainable drainage and best management practices. The classification model was developed on the basis of a database of 141 SFRB using the River Rhine catchment in Baden (part of Baden-Württemberg, Germany) as a case study. It is based on an agglomerative cluster analysis and is intended to be used by engineers and scientists to adequately classify the following different types of SFRB: Hydraulic Flood Retention Basin, Traditional Flood Retention Basin, Sustainable Flood Retention Wetland, Aesthetic Flood Retention Wetland, Integrated Flood Retention Wetland and Natural Flood Retention Wetland. The selection of classification variables was supported by a principal component analysis. The identification of SFRB in the data set was based on a Ward cluster analysis of 34 weighted classification variables. Scoring tables were defined to enable the assignment of the six SFRB definitions to retention basins in the data set. The efficiency of these tables was based on a scoring system which gave the conceptual model for the example case study sites an overall efficiency of approximately 60% (as opposed to 17% by chance). This conceptual classification model should be utilized to improve communication by providing definitions for SFRB types. The classification definitions are likely to be applicable for other regions with both temperate oceanic and temperate continental climates.