A family of merit functions are proposed, which are the generalization of several existing merit functions. A number of favorable properties of the proposed merit functions are established. By using these properties, ...A family of merit functions are proposed, which are the generalization of several existing merit functions. A number of favorable properties of the proposed merit functions are established. By using these properties, a merit function method for solving nonlinear complementarity problem is investigated, and the global convergence of the proposed algorithm is proved under some standard assumptions. Some preliminary numerical results are given.展开更多
Food additive is a double-edged sword. It has merits and demerits. Food additives have such merits as improving sensory properties of foods,preventing deterioration and extending the shelf life,increasing varieties of...Food additive is a double-edged sword. It has merits and demerits. Food additives have such merits as improving sensory properties of foods,preventing deterioration and extending the shelf life,increasing varieties of foods,enhancing convenience of foods,facilitating food processing,and satisfying other demands. However,excessive and illegal use of food additives will exert adverse influence on food security.Therefore,it is required to take proper measures to bring merits of food additives into full play,and get rid of their demerits.展开更多
We investigate the sensitivity and figure of merit （FOM） of a localized surface plasmon （LSP） sensor with gold nanograting on the top of planar metallic film. The sensitivity of the localized surface plasmon senso...We investigate the sensitivity and figure of merit （FOM） of a localized surface plasmon （LSP） sensor with gold nanograting on the top of planar metallic film. The sensitivity of the localized surface plasmon sensor is 317 nm/RIU, and the FOM is predicted to be above 8, which is very high for a localized surface plasmon sensor. By employing the rigorous coupled-wave analysis （RCWA） method, we analyze the distribution of the magnetic field and find that the sensing property of our proposed system is attributed to the interactions between the localized surface plasmon around the gold nanostrips and the surface plasmon polarition on the surface of the gold planar metallic film. These findings are important for developing high FOM localized surface plasmon sensors.展开更多
Figure of merit analysis is a general methodology used to evaluate whether a hybrid power plant could produce more power than two stand-alone power plants. In this paper, the assessment methodology using figure of mer...Figure of merit analysis is a general methodology used to evaluate whether a hybrid power plant could produce more power than two stand-alone power plants. In this paper, the assessment methodology using figure of merit analysis was re-examined for a hybrid solar-geothermal power plant. A new definition of the figure of merit was introduced specifically for a solar boosted geothermal plant to include both the technical and economic factors. The new definition was then applied in a case study of a hypothetical demonstration hybrid solar-geothermal power plant in Australia. The power plant was considered to have a typical net power output of 2.2 MW with a solar energy fraction of 27%. The analysis was performed to compare the power output and capital cost of the hybrid plant with the state-of-the-art (SoA) and existing stand-alone solar and geothermal plants. Based on the new definition, the hybrid plant was found to generally outperform the two existing stand-alone plants. Moreover, at an ambient temperature of 5 °C, the hybrid plant was found to outperform the SoA stand-alone plants when the geothermal temperature was greater than 150 °C. For geothermal temperature of 180 °C on the other hand, the hybrid plant outperformed the SoA stand-alone plants at ambient temperatures lower than 33 °C.展开更多
Aristotle's Poetics represents the first major work of literature criticism. In this masterpiece,Aristotle expresses his literary and aesthetical theories. By introducing the merits in Aristotle's Poetics,this...Aristotle's Poetics represents the first major work of literature criticism. In this masterpiece,Aristotle expresses his literary and aesthetical theories. By introducing the merits in Aristotle's Poetics,this thesis tends to reveal Aristotle's large and enduring influence on modern literary criticism.展开更多
Under some assumptions, the solution set of a nonlinear complementarity problem coincides with the set of local minima of the corresponding minimization problem. This paper uses a family of new merit functions to deal...Under some assumptions, the solution set of a nonlinear complementarity problem coincides with the set of local minima of the corresponding minimization problem. This paper uses a family of new merit functions to deal with nonlinear complementarity problem where the underlying function is assumed to be a continuous but not necessarily locally Lipschitzian map and gives a descent algorithm for solving the nonsmooth continuous complementarity problems. In addition, the global convergence of the derivative free descent algorithm is also proved.展开更多
A new thermoelectric material Ag8SnS6, with ultra-low thermal conductivity in thin film shape, is prepared on indium tin oxide coated g/ass （ITO） substrates using a chemical process via the electrodeposition techniq...A new thermoelectric material Ag8SnS6, with ultra-low thermal conductivity in thin film shape, is prepared on indium tin oxide coated g/ass （ITO） substrates using a chemical process via the electrodeposition technique. The structural, thermal and electrical properties are studied and presented in detail, which demonstrate that the material is of semiconductor type, orthorhombic structure, with a band gap in the order of 1.56eV and a free carrier concentration of 1.46 × 10^17 cm-3. The thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal conduction mode, Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity are determined using the photo-thermal deflection technique combined with the Boltzmann transport theory and Cahill＇s model, showing that the AgsSnS6 material has a low thermal conductivity of 3.8 Wm - 1K- 1, high electrical conductivity of 2.4 × 10^5 Sm- 1, Seebeck coefficient of -180μVK-1 and a power factor of 6.9mWK-2m-1, implying that it is more efficient than those obtained in recently experimental investigations for thermoelectric devices.展开更多
In a recent issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science,García-Pinillos et al.~1 reviewed evidence on the effects of highintensity intermittent training(interval training)(HIIT)on muscular and performance ad...In a recent issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science,García-Pinillos et al.~1 reviewed evidence on the effects of highintensity intermittent training(interval training)(HIIT)on muscular and performance adaptations in recreational runners.展开更多
With growing tendency and widespread application, TBLT has attracted considerable attention from educator teachers,theorists and researchers. The paper commences by offering some influential definitions of‘task',...With growing tendency and widespread application, TBLT has attracted considerable attention from educator teachers,theorists and researchers. The paper commences by offering some influential definitions of‘task', varying classifications of differ-ent types of task, and criteria for judging a task. Then, compared with teaching approaches before the emergence of CLT, TBLT isnew and has many distinct merits. Meanwhile, since it is a newly-established approach, some problems and difficulties in comple-menting TBLT are inevitable. A number of genuine issues raised in Asian language teaching classrooms are examined.展开更多
Purpose:Accounts for failures of merit pay in educational settings were stagnated by the“political obstruction hypothesis,”which blamed teacher unions for impeding the merit pay schemes from proper function.It requi...Purpose:Accounts for failures of merit pay in educational settings were stagnated by the“political obstruction hypothesis,”which blamed teacher unions for impeding the merit pay schemes from proper function.It required stronger evidence from both public and private schools to refute this hypothesis.Design/Approach/Methods:Accountability typology was conceptualized to uncover the power relations underpinning merit pay schemes,and teachers'motivational status was described from the perspective of Self-Determination Theory(SDT)to analyze the corresponding consequences.One public school and three private schools were purposefully sampled,and data included principal interviews,teacher interviews,school documents,and relevant policy documents.Findings:Our findings suggested an opposite conclusion to the“political obstruction hypothesis”that the more dependent on market,the more intense the conflict between external accountabilities and the nature of teaching.Thus,we supported the“nature of teaching hypothesis”that merit pay was inapplicable in educational settings due to the inherent contradictions between market accountability and professional accountability.Originality/Value:Policymakers and school administrators had been misled by the neoliberal initiative of borrowing merit pay into educational settings to promote the quality of teaching.Our findings provided strong evidence to refute this hypothesis and to restore the appreciation of professional autonomy.展开更多
In the present study,we have synthesized Ag2Te nanoparticles using the hydrothermal method and showed significant improvement in the thermoelectric properties compared to the bulk Ag2Te sample.Ag2Te nanoparticles show...In the present study,we have synthesized Ag2Te nanoparticles using the hydrothermal method and showed significant improvement in the thermoelectric properties compared to the bulk Ag2Te sample.Ag2Te nanoparticles showed the highest figure of merit(zT)of 1.37 at 373 K,which is the highest zT reported for this undoped material.This high zT in Ag2Te nanoparticles is mainly due to about~2 times higher electrical conductivity(1967 S/cm)and subsequently~2 times lower thermal conductivity(0.53 W/(m$K))as compared to the bulk Ag2Te sample.The higher electrical conductivity in Ag2Te nanoparticles can be accredited for two reasons(i)better mobility of the charge carrier and(ii)increased carrier concentration.The low thermal conductivity is associated with the enhanced scattering of phonons at the interface of the Ag2Te nanoparticles.展开更多
Zachary Howlett's book provides a new account of meritocracy in China.Unlike economists with their single-minded ideas of merits vis-a-vis individualized skills,Howlett deconstructs the concept to its social found...Zachary Howlett's book provides a new account of meritocracy in China.Unlike economists with their single-minded ideas of merits vis-a-vis individualized skills,Howlett deconstructs the concept to its social foundations.The book's central subject is Gaokao,the national college entrance examination,where merits are constructed,tested,and publicly displayed.展开更多
Electricity prices in liberalized markets are determined by the supply and demand for electric power,which are in turn driven by various external influences that vary strongly in time.In perfect competition,the merit ...Electricity prices in liberalized markets are determined by the supply and demand for electric power,which are in turn driven by various external influences that vary strongly in time.In perfect competition,the merit order principle describes that dispatchable power plants enter the market in the order of their marginal costs to meet the residual load,i.e.the difference of load and renewable generation.Various market models are based on this principle when attempting to predict electricity prices,yet the principle is fraught with assumptions and simplifications and thus is limited in accurately predicting prices.In this article,we present an explainable machine learning model for the electricity prices on the German day-ahead market which foregoes of the aforementioned assumptions of the merit order principle.Our model is designed for an ex-post analysis of prices and builds on various external features.Using SHapley Additive exPlanation(SHAP)values we disentangle the role of the different features and quantify their importance from empiric data,and therein circumvent the limitations inherent to the merit order principle.We show that load,wind and solar generation are the central external features driving prices,as expected,wherein wind generation affects prices more than solar generation.Similarly,fuel prices also highly affect prices,and do so in a nontrivial manner.Moreover,large generation ramps are correlated with high prices due to the limited flexibility of nuclear and lignite plants.Overall,we offer a model that describes the influence of the main drivers of electricity prices in Germany,taking us a step beyond the limited merit order principle in explaining the drivers of electricity prices and their relation to each other.展开更多
This study sets up two new merit functions,which are minimized for the detection of real eigenvalue and complex eigenvalue to address nonlinear eigenvalue problems.For each eigen-parameter the vector variable is solve...This study sets up two new merit functions,which are minimized for the detection of real eigenvalue and complex eigenvalue to address nonlinear eigenvalue problems.For each eigen-parameter the vector variable is solved from a nonhomogeneous linear system obtained by reducing the number of eigen-equation one less,where one of the nonzero components of the eigenvector is normalized to the unit and moves the column containing that component to the right-hand side as a nonzero input vector.1D and 2D golden section search algorithms are employed to minimize the merit functions to locate real and complex eigenvalues.Simultaneously,the real and complex eigenvectors can be computed very accurately.A simpler approach to the nonlinear eigenvalue problems is proposed,which implements a normalization condition for the uniqueness of the eigenvector into the eigenequation directly.The real eigenvalues can be computed by the fictitious time integration method(FTIM),which saves computational costs compared to the one-dimensional golden section search algorithm(1D GSSA).The simpler method is also combined with the Newton iterationmethod,which is convergent very fast.All the proposed methods are easily programmed to compute the eigenvalue and eigenvector with high accuracy and efficiency.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(10871144)the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin(07JCYBJC05200)
文摘A family of merit functions are proposed, which are the generalization of several existing merit functions. A number of favorable properties of the proposed merit functions are established. By using these properties, a merit function method for solving nonlinear complementarity problem is investigated, and the global convergence of the proposed algorithm is proved under some standard assumptions. Some preliminary numerical results are given.
文摘Food additive is a double-edged sword. It has merits and demerits. Food additives have such merits as improving sensory properties of foods,preventing deterioration and extending the shelf life,increasing varieties of foods,enhancing convenience of foods,facilitating food processing,and satisfying other demands. However,excessive and illegal use of food additives will exert adverse influence on food security.Therefore,it is required to take proper measures to bring merits of food additives into full play,and get rid of their demerits.
基金Project supported by the National Key Research Program of China(Grant No.2011ZX01015-001)
文摘We investigate the sensitivity and figure of merit （FOM） of a localized surface plasmon （LSP） sensor with gold nanograting on the top of planar metallic film. The sensitivity of the localized surface plasmon sensor is 317 nm/RIU, and the FOM is predicted to be above 8, which is very high for a localized surface plasmon sensor. By employing the rigorous coupled-wave analysis （RCWA） method, we analyze the distribution of the magnetic field and find that the sensing property of our proposed system is attributed to the interactions between the localized surface plasmon around the gold nanostrips and the surface plasmon polarition on the surface of the gold planar metallic film. These findings are important for developing high FOM localized surface plasmon sensors.
文摘Figure of merit analysis is a general methodology used to evaluate whether a hybrid power plant could produce more power than two stand-alone power plants. In this paper, the assessment methodology using figure of merit analysis was re-examined for a hybrid solar-geothermal power plant. A new definition of the figure of merit was introduced specifically for a solar boosted geothermal plant to include both the technical and economic factors. The new definition was then applied in a case study of a hypothetical demonstration hybrid solar-geothermal power plant in Australia. The power plant was considered to have a typical net power output of 2.2 MW with a solar energy fraction of 27%. The analysis was performed to compare the power output and capital cost of the hybrid plant with the state-of-the-art (SoA) and existing stand-alone solar and geothermal plants. Based on the new definition, the hybrid plant was found to generally outperform the two existing stand-alone plants. Moreover, at an ambient temperature of 5 °C, the hybrid plant was found to outperform the SoA stand-alone plants when the geothermal temperature was greater than 150 °C. For geothermal temperature of 180 °C on the other hand, the hybrid plant outperformed the SoA stand-alone plants at ambient temperatures lower than 33 °C.
文摘Aristotle's Poetics represents the first major work of literature criticism. In this masterpiece,Aristotle expresses his literary and aesthetical theories. By introducing the merits in Aristotle's Poetics,this thesis tends to reveal Aristotle's large and enduring influence on modern literary criticism.
基金Supported by the National Science foundation of China(10671126, 40771095)the Key Project for Fundamental Research of STCSM(06JC14057)+1 种基金Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project(S30501)the Innovation Fund Project for Graduate Students of Shanghai(JWCXSL0801)
文摘Under some assumptions, the solution set of a nonlinear complementarity problem coincides with the set of local minima of the corresponding minimization problem. This paper uses a family of new merit functions to deal with nonlinear complementarity problem where the underlying function is assumed to be a continuous but not necessarily locally Lipschitzian map and gives a descent algorithm for solving the nonsmooth continuous complementarity problems. In addition, the global convergence of the derivative free descent algorithm is also proved.
基金Supported by the Scientific Research Deanship of University of Dammam under Grant No 2014264
文摘A new thermoelectric material Ag8SnS6, with ultra-low thermal conductivity in thin film shape, is prepared on indium tin oxide coated g/ass （ITO） substrates using a chemical process via the electrodeposition technique. The structural, thermal and electrical properties are studied and presented in detail, which demonstrate that the material is of semiconductor type, orthorhombic structure, with a band gap in the order of 1.56eV and a free carrier concentration of 1.46 × 10^17 cm-3. The thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal conduction mode, Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity are determined using the photo-thermal deflection technique combined with the Boltzmann transport theory and Cahill＇s model, showing that the AgsSnS6 material has a low thermal conductivity of 3.8 Wm - 1K- 1, high electrical conductivity of 2.4 × 10^5 Sm- 1, Seebeck coefficient of -180μVK-1 and a power factor of 6.9mWK-2m-1, implying that it is more efficient than those obtained in recently experimental investigations for thermoelectric devices.
文摘In a recent issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science,García-Pinillos et al.~1 reviewed evidence on the effects of highintensity intermittent training(interval training)(HIIT)on muscular and performance adaptations in recreational runners.
文摘With growing tendency and widespread application, TBLT has attracted considerable attention from educator teachers,theorists and researchers. The paper commences by offering some influential definitions of‘task', varying classifications of differ-ent types of task, and criteria for judging a task. Then, compared with teaching approaches before the emergence of CLT, TBLT isnew and has many distinct merits. Meanwhile, since it is a newly-established approach, some problems and difficulties in comple-menting TBLT are inevitable. A number of genuine issues raised in Asian language teaching classrooms are examined.
文摘Purpose:Accounts for failures of merit pay in educational settings were stagnated by the“political obstruction hypothesis,”which blamed teacher unions for impeding the merit pay schemes from proper function.It required stronger evidence from both public and private schools to refute this hypothesis.Design/Approach/Methods:Accountability typology was conceptualized to uncover the power relations underpinning merit pay schemes,and teachers'motivational status was described from the perspective of Self-Determination Theory(SDT)to analyze the corresponding consequences.One public school and three private schools were purposefully sampled,and data included principal interviews,teacher interviews,school documents,and relevant policy documents.Findings:Our findings suggested an opposite conclusion to the“political obstruction hypothesis”that the more dependent on market,the more intense the conflict between external accountabilities and the nature of teaching.Thus,we supported the“nature of teaching hypothesis”that merit pay was inapplicable in educational settings due to the inherent contradictions between market accountability and professional accountability.Originality/Value:Policymakers and school administrators had been misled by the neoliberal initiative of borrowing merit pay into educational settings to promote the quality of teaching.Our findings provided strong evidence to refute this hypothesis and to restore the appreciation of professional autonomy.
基金The Department of Science and Technology(DST)of the Government of India(project no.RP03530)and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY)have both offered financial assistance.The authors also thank Nanoscale Research Facility(NRF)for using different characterization techniques.Author A.K.Gautam is also grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)for the senior research fellowship(SRF)Grant.
文摘In the present study,we have synthesized Ag2Te nanoparticles using the hydrothermal method and showed significant improvement in the thermoelectric properties compared to the bulk Ag2Te sample.Ag2Te nanoparticles showed the highest figure of merit(zT)of 1.37 at 373 K,which is the highest zT reported for this undoped material.This high zT in Ag2Te nanoparticles is mainly due to about~2 times higher electrical conductivity(1967 S/cm)and subsequently~2 times lower thermal conductivity(0.53 W/(m$K))as compared to the bulk Ag2Te sample.The higher electrical conductivity in Ag2Te nanoparticles can be accredited for two reasons(i)better mobility of the charge carrier and(ii)increased carrier concentration.The low thermal conductivity is associated with the enhanced scattering of phonons at the interface of the Ag2Te nanoparticles.
文摘Zachary Howlett's book provides a new account of meritocracy in China.Unlike economists with their single-minded ideas of merits vis-a-vis individualized skills,Howlett deconstructs the concept to its social foundations.The book's central subject is Gaokao,the national college entrance examination,where merits are constructed,tested,and publicly displayed.
文摘Electricity prices in liberalized markets are determined by the supply and demand for electric power,which are in turn driven by various external influences that vary strongly in time.In perfect competition,the merit order principle describes that dispatchable power plants enter the market in the order of their marginal costs to meet the residual load,i.e.the difference of load and renewable generation.Various market models are based on this principle when attempting to predict electricity prices,yet the principle is fraught with assumptions and simplifications and thus is limited in accurately predicting prices.In this article,we present an explainable machine learning model for the electricity prices on the German day-ahead market which foregoes of the aforementioned assumptions of the merit order principle.Our model is designed for an ex-post analysis of prices and builds on various external features.Using SHapley Additive exPlanation(SHAP)values we disentangle the role of the different features and quantify their importance from empiric data,and therein circumvent the limitations inherent to the merit order principle.We show that load,wind and solar generation are the central external features driving prices,as expected,wherein wind generation affects prices more than solar generation.Similarly,fuel prices also highly affect prices,and do so in a nontrivial manner.Moreover,large generation ramps are correlated with high prices due to the limited flexibility of nuclear and lignite plants.Overall,we offer a model that describes the influence of the main drivers of electricity prices in Germany,taking us a step beyond the limited merit order principle in explaining the drivers of electricity prices and their relation to each other.
基金the National Science and Tech-nology Council,Taiwan for their financial support(Grant Number NSTC 111-2221-E-019-048).
文摘This study sets up two new merit functions,which are minimized for the detection of real eigenvalue and complex eigenvalue to address nonlinear eigenvalue problems.For each eigen-parameter the vector variable is solved from a nonhomogeneous linear system obtained by reducing the number of eigen-equation one less,where one of the nonzero components of the eigenvector is normalized to the unit and moves the column containing that component to the right-hand side as a nonzero input vector.1D and 2D golden section search algorithms are employed to minimize the merit functions to locate real and complex eigenvalues.Simultaneously,the real and complex eigenvectors can be computed very accurately.A simpler approach to the nonlinear eigenvalue problems is proposed,which implements a normalization condition for the uniqueness of the eigenvector into the eigenequation directly.The real eigenvalues can be computed by the fictitious time integration method(FTIM),which saves computational costs compared to the one-dimensional golden section search algorithm(1D GSSA).The simpler method is also combined with the Newton iterationmethod,which is convergent very fast.All the proposed methods are easily programmed to compute the eigenvalue and eigenvector with high accuracy and efficiency.
