A lack of experience in operation is one of the major difficulties associated with the use of advanced energy saving distillation methods. The detailed operational studies of an ideal internal thermally coupled distillation column (ITCDIC) were carried out in this work paved the way for further control and design studies and its practical application.

One purpose of this work is to establish the nominal description of mixed H₂/l₁ optimization problems evolving from mixed H₂/l₁ control problems for SISO discrete time systems. Some assumptions on mixed H₂/l₁ optimization problems are made. Another purpose of this work is to study the structure of the closure of feasible region for mixed H₂/l₁ optimization problems. The feasible region is the set of a map of a free parameter which is rational stable and satisfies some constraints. It is shown that the closure is exactly the set of the same map, where the free parameter is stable and satisfies the same constraints. It is convenient to describe mixed H₂/l₁ optimization problems with a stable free parameter. For mixed H₂/l₁ optimization problems with stable free parameter, the existence and uniqueness of the solution can be easily obtained.

SIMUPRO series operator training systems(SOTS) for complicated industrial processes are introduced in detail in this paper, which discusses their main structure, software design, functions and features. SOTS have been successfully applied in practice. Operation results verify that SOTS are effective tools for operator training.

This paper introduces the MHSC Methodology, and proposes an evolution-based integrated developing environment for MHSC; and addresses the components and their interrelations in the IDE (Integrated Developing Environment), based on which the evolutionary prototyping system development can be supported effectively.

This paper presents a survey on the status of current research on software evolution and computer-aided prototyping system; and also puts forward extension on computer-aided software evolution and prototyping, to provide a framework for integrating software evolution activities.

This paper presents a new proposal to synthesize natural sounds with less control parameters by combining the inverse speech production and pitch-synchronous articulatory synthesis. The pitch-synchronous excited Reflection-Type Line Analog (RTLA) model is employed as the synthesis filter. Multi-rate system sampling and dynamic scattering wave adjustment are used to handle the variable VT length and the acoustic continuity. The synthesizer is controlled by vocal-tract (VT) area functions. Given the targets of formant trajectories, the dynamic VT area function which is modeled by time variant VT length is derived using an inverse solution of speech production. A distinguishing feature of this method is that artificially specified formant trace can be precisely aimed in the synthetical sounds. Experimental results show that the formant target can be well matched by the synthetic sounds. Potential application to text-to-speech conversion of this method is discussed.

This paper proposes a new structure of serial hybrid active power filter which can reduce the power rating of the active power filter dramatically, and has good performance for harmonic suppression. The principle and designing rules are analyzed. The proposed structure is rational and feasible for high kVA applications. Simulation results are presented too.

Edge detection is a crucial step to computer vision. Currently, there is not a single edge detector that has both efficiency and reliability. Traditional differential filter-based algorithms have the advantage of theoretical strictness , but require excessive post-processing. This paper introduces a neural network edge detector that takes advantage of moments features. It functions as a neural pattern classifier that directly estimates the posterior probability from the training data set. Two subsystems can be distinguished and different kinds of learning rules are used. For the end-user, it works as a black box that directly transforms raw images into the edge maps so no complicated postprocessing is required. Tests on both simulated and real images showed the proposed neural network edge detector is superior to traditional operators.

With the development of computer simulation technique for room acoustics, diffuse reflection is considered more and more important. In this paper, some models are developed by considering two diffuse factors in a room-diffuse reflection due to room surfaces and scattering due to objects. The surface diffusion is treated by two different methods on the basis of probability analysis or Energy Conservation Law, and the scattering among objects is simulated as a multiple random ray-tracing process. Thus the sound pressure level distribution in a diffuse sound field can be calculated more precisely and easily. Agreement between the computer simulation results and measurements shows the accuracy of the mathematical and physical model and the applicability of the computer simulation methods. These models can be used in noise control engineering, as well as in the practice of acoustical design.

This paper presents a new method (GA-ANN) developed by combining genetic algorithm (GA) and artificial neural networks (ANN) for determining parameters of soils and retaining walls of deep excavation. This method has the advantages of nonlinear projection of neural networks, networks reasoning, prediction and good overall characteristics. It was first used for back analysis of the problem of mechanics parameters for excavation. Case studies showed that the GA-ANN method is effective and practical for back analysis of determining parameters.

This paper introduces a formula for the vertical pressure on a buried pipeline by using a modification of the basic assumptions of Marston\'s theory. The fill\'s cohesion is considered. The included angle between the slide surface above the pipeline and the horizontal surface is assumed to be equal to the fill\'s angle of friction. The friction is calculated by multiplying the active earth pressure on the outer column and the coefficient of the friction on the slide planes. It was found that the fill\'s cohesion had important influence on the vertical pressure, whose vertical pressure C_c decreases with increase of the fill depth, a relationship according with that observed in practice. At the end of the paper, the formula is employed to analyze a practical case.

This paper deals with the along-wind dynamic response of tall buildings passively controlled by Cross-Tensioned Spring Damper (CTSD) mechanisms. In order to estimate the dynamic response more accurately and efficiently, the building and its CTSD controllers were considered as a coupled non-classical damping system and a new stochastic response analysis method, complex-modal state-space method, was proposed based on the combination of complex modes of the structural system rather than on the real-modal decomposition as usual. As numerical examples, the displacement response of a 2-degree-of freedom system to white-nosie input is first considered and the validity and accuracy of the proposed method are demonstrated through comparison with the exact results. The wind-induced dynamic responses of a tall building controlled by two CTSD mechanisms are the analyzed. The calculation results showed that the proposed method is much more appropriate and accurate than the conventional real-modal decomposition method in the analysis of dynamic responses of passively controlled tall buildings.

An ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHV/CVD) system with reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) was introduced. The Si epilayers and SiGe strained-layers on three-inch Si (100) substrates were grown in this UHV/CVD system. The substrate temperature during growth was from 550°C to 780°C. The properties of epilayers were characterized by high-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM), double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXRD), and spreading resistance (SPR). A B-doped SiGe epilayer with uniform resistivity distribution was grown.

The authors\' analysis of the chemical components and sedimentary characteristics of the well developed Triassic strata in the southeastern part of western Kunlun Shan led them to conclude that the sediments comprise a set of typical deep-water to semi-deep-water flysch that formed in the passive continental margin of the Qiangtang Block. This suit of strata had undergone strong deformation giving rise to a SW-thrusting duplex, imbricate fans, high-angle thrust fault, recumbent fold, SW-inverted fold, etc.. The deformational intensity weakens gradually southeastward. This is a foreland fold and thrust belt caused by the collision between the Qiangtang Block and the island arc on the southern margin of the the Tarim Plate at the end of late Triassic.\nThe sedimentary and deformational characteristics of the Triassic strata were used to reconstruct the evolution of this foreland fold and thrust belt as proposed below. Before the end of Triassic, this region was a passive continental margin in the north of the Qiangtang Block. The end of Triassic to Jurassic was a stage of thrusting, folding, uplifting and development of the foreland basin. The evolution of the fold and thrust was completed in Cretaceous.

Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2) isolate P158 was characterized and the complete nucleotide sequence of viral genomic RNA2 was determined. P158 has 30 nm diameter isometric particles. Double immunodiffusion test suggested that P158 has high antigenicity homology with BBWV2 isolate B935. SDS-PAGE result showed that the coat protein of P158 was comprised of two types of polypeptide with molecular weight of 44.7 kD and 21.9 kD, respectively. The genome of P158 was made up of two RNA molecules with the length of 6.0 kb and 3.6 kb, respectively. cDNA of RNA2 was cloned by RT-PCR and sequenced. RNA2 was composed of 3597 nucleotide (nt) residues excluding the poly(A) tail and contained single long open reading frame extending from nt 230 to nt 3424 in the viral sense RNA, and encoded a polyprotein of Mr 119002 (119K). Comparison of the polyprotein and the counterpart of isolate B935 indicated that the polyprotein was cleaved at Q/G (465/466) and Q/A (867/868), to release three mature proteins: a protein of unknown function, large and small subunit. Sequence comparisons of P158 with fabaviruses showed P158 had very high sequence homology with BBWV2 isolates and patchouli mild mosaic virus, but to a less extent with BBWV1 isolates.

An incubation study was conducted to investigate the effects of metsulfuron-methyl herbicide on the soil microbial biomass in loamy sand soil. The herbicide was applied to the soil at four concentrations: control, 0.01, 0.10, and 1.00 μg.g^-1 soil. Determinations of microbial biomass-C and microbial biomass-N contents were carried out 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 25, and 45 days after herbicide application. In comparison to untreated soil, the microbial biomass-C and biomass-N decreased significantly in soils treated with herbicide at concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 μg.g^-1 soil within the first 7 days of incubation. The application of metsulfuron-methyl herbicide to the soil reduced the C_mic/C_org and N_mic/N_total percentages, which decreased with increasing application rate of metsulfuron-methyl herbicide. Compared to the untreated control, a marked increase in the microbial biomass C: N ratio was observed in the herbicide treated soil. This effect was transitory and was significant only at the higher rates of metsulfuron-methyl.

Freshwater fish, topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasobora parva), were pretreated with piperronyl butoxide (PBO) or triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and then exposed to different concentrations of fenitrothion (FNT) in a static system. Evaluation of brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity after 24, 48 and 96 h pesticide exposure indicated that AchE activity decreased as the concentration increased. Fish pretreated with TPP exhibited significantly decreased AchE activity whilst in the PBO pretreated group, increased activity was observed as compared with those exposed to FNT alone. The pattern of AchE recovery was also assessed in fish previously exposed for 96h and then transferred to clean (chemical free) water. Following 8 days of recovery period, the AchE activity of those exposed to FNT alone and pretreated with TPP was still lower than that of the control. This study showed that FNT may cause hazard to fish after field application.

Objective: To evaluate the benefit of intraoperative ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the treatment of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis. Methods: Fifty-two patients with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis(as determined by intraoperative cholangiography) were randomly divided into 2 groups during LC. In group A (27 patients), common bile duct stones were extracted by intraoperative EST during LC .In group B(25 patients), common bile duct (CBD) stones were extracted by conversion to open CBD exploration and cholecyctectomy. Results: The success rate was 26/27 (96.3%) in group A and 25/25 (100%) in group B (0.25

Hegel\'s practical philosophy must not be underestimated. The basis of practical philosophy was established only after Hegel understood consciousness as self-consciousness and expounded and proved the constitution of self-consciousness, i. e. found the intersubjective structure in self-consciousness.

Based on a new ternary logic(triad logic), triad philosophy and triad science are introduced. In triad philosophy, triad ontology, triad methodology and triad epistemology have been developed. In triad science, The concept of quantity coordinate is introduced and that the idea of quantity-space-time cannot be separated is established. Einstein gravitational field, Maxwell electromagnetic field and Yang-Mills gauge field have been unified in form with a unified action. Eleven dimension field and vacuum are interpreted by the unified theory. A new triad cosmos model and the idea of substance generation have been proposed. With triad methodology, a new unified philosophical and scientific system has been established for combining all human knowledge together as a whole.

This paper first examines the relationship of the components of communicative competence to culture, pointing out that strategic competence, unlike sociolinguistic or discourse competence, is not culture-specific and therefore is supposed to play a more crucial role in intercultural communication. And then it discusses research on strategic competence, particularly the contributions it can make to our efforts to understand and improve intercultural communication. Some questions that further research should address are also raised. Finally it stresses the special significance of exploring strategic competence for studying intercultural communication and indicates implications that the exploration may have for second- and foreign-language teaching.