Search results

This paper aims to explore the feasibility of rapid prototyping for human hand bones and additional artery with topological preservation.

A serial of slices derived from spiral computed tomography human hand specimen was imported into 3DSlicer 4.4.0 to obtain a three-dimensional virtual model. The model is exported as a standard template library file. Additional arteries were structured according to the atlas and the bone model. Then, a real model was printed based on the virtual model. Measurements were approached in 11 parts of the virtual and real model.

There is no statistical difference between virtual and real model in 11 parts, and the topological characters were preserved.

This method can be used in reconstruction of clinical iconological blood vessel and anatomical education.

This paper shows that it is possible to keep the topological structure of blood vessel not only in painting but also in clinical data.

Geographical conditions monitoring (GCM) has elicited significant concerns from the Chinese Government and is closely related to the “Digital China” program. This research aims to focus on object-based change detection (OBCD) methods integrating very-high-resolution (VHR) imagery and vector data for GCM.

The main content of this paper is as follows: a multi-resolution segmentation (MRS) algorithm is proposed for obtaining homogeneous and contiguous image objects in two phases; a post-classification comparison (PCC) method based on the nearest neighbor algorithm and an image-object analysis (IOA) technique based on a differential entropy algorithm are used to improve the accuracy of the change detection; and a vector object-based accuracy assessment method is proposed.

Results show that image objects obtained using the MRS algorithm attain the objectives of the “same spectrum within classes” and “different spectrum among classes”. Moreover, the two OBCD methods can detect over 85 per cent of the changed regions. The PCC strategy can obtain the categories of image objects with a high degree of precision. The IOA technique is easy to use and largely automated.

On the basis of the VHR satellite imagery and vector data, the above methods can effectively and accurately provide technical support for GCM implementation.

This chapter is a narrative account of a Ford Foundation sponsored project from mid-2005 through 2008 for investigating into the causes and engineering a solution to the migrant workers education access problems in manufacturing areas in Shanghai, China. The project team was comprised of faculty members and students from East China Normal University, consulted by two professors from Columbia University. This chapter describes how the team arrived at a solution to the problem by investigating the problems, socializing with the migrant workers, and doing experiments that helped us to make adjustments on the proposed solution from time to time. Unlike the popular understanding of the educational needs of the migrant workers that the workers just need some short-term training for a job, our finding is that the workers need degree and certificate programs too. They need further education for personal and career development, not just a job that can feed them. The workers are Internet fans too, most of those who want further education would prefer a blended learning. We ran quite a few courses and a learning center to observe the learning behavior of the workers, which allowed us to actually interact with the workers and see how they respond to our experimental stimuli. While most of the migrant workers show an interest in learning, we did not observe much active learning involvement of the migrant workers. We identified seven factors that limit access to learning engagement: (1) inadequate transportation means; (2) very long work days and weeks and irregular shifts; (3) difficult living conditions; (4) restricted computer and Internet access; (5) inaccessibility of information; (6) unsupportive social environment; (7) lack of educational infrastructure. As a solution to the identified problem, we propose a learning center based community college network in all the manufacturing areas. A learning center serves as a social learning incubator to nurture the learning practices of the academically less prepared learner, the migrant workers.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the serious corrosion problems of the water injection system on the offshore oil field and to study the type, and effect factors and mechanisms of corrosion on the offshore oil field in order to develop an effective corrosion inhibitor for the sea water injection system.

The corrosion of metal in a water injection system was studied by weight‐loss and electrochemical methods.The effect factors and mechanisms of corrosion on the offshore oil field were proposed from the trend of corrosion.

FeCO₃ is the main corrosion product in the water injection system of the Chengdao Offshore Oil Field. The corrosion rate of coupons in sea water injection systems reaches a maximum peak at a temperature of 50‐60°C. The corrosion rate of coupons exposed in all three water samples increased with an increase in the dissolved oxygen concentration. When the mixed ratio of sea water and produced water and well water is 1:3:1 or 1:2:2, the corrosion rate of carbon steel is lower than is the case in pure water. The electrochemical mechanism of corrosion indicates that corrosion in the well water, produced water, and sea water samples were all controlled by the oxygen absorption process, which controlled the cathodic reaction. The corrosion rate of coupons followed the ranking order: well water; produced water; sea water.

This paper provides the main corrosion product in the water injection system of the Chengdao Offshore Oil Field, and provides new information on the effect factors and mechanisms of corrosion on the offshore oil field.

There are many different pollution reduction strategies even within different ports in the same country. Every port can learn from these environmental protection strategies. What remains universally key, though, is to select the optimum strategy to reduce pollution. This paper aims to use a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to prioritize the relative weights of key criteria assessing the port environmental protection and select the best port in Taiwan.

Four criteria and eleven sub-criteria of the FAHP model are developed through expert interviews and relevant literature review. Three alternative ports considered are Kaohsiung, Keelung and Taichung. The expert questionnaire samples (23) include four groups: shipping operators, port operators, governmental officials and academics.

Results indicate that finance is the most important evaluation criteria, followed by port environmental policy, technology and stakeholders. Among the three ports compared, Kaohsiung Port is selected as the best port, followed by Keelung and Taichung port.

The result of this paper can help fill the gap in the existing literature regarding decision analysis techniques for port pollution regulation and expect to present a holistic picture of the important evaluation criteria related to port environmental protection as well as raise issues of public awareness concern and consequently improve green port sustainability.

Short-sea shipping (SSS) plays an important role in regional transportation networks by supporting regional trade and improving inter-modality. In particular, countries in north-east Asia, such as China, South Korea and Japan have been served well by local SSS services. While SSS markets in Northeast Asia (NEA) have been developed by bilateral routes with sub-markets, the market structure of each sub-markets varies depending on concentration and competition levels as well as government intervention. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the market structure of SSS markets in the Northeast Asia.

Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) and concentration ratio are adopted to measure the market concentration from 2013 to 2017 for SSS markets in NEA. Additionally, the balance between supply and demand is investigated by measuring the capacity utilisation factor (CUF) based on slot capacity.

The market structure in the NEA SSS markets is influenced by firms’ behaviour under different levels of governmental intervention. Shipping firms in a market with more governmental intervention in market entry tend to focus on balancing supply and demand rather than increasing market share, whereas firms in a market with less intervention (and more competition) tend to increase their market share by pursuing efficient capacity management.

The period of data set is limited to 2013–2017. Furthermore, prices or revenue for specific routes are not available.

This paper sheds light on the market structure and behaviour of players in SSS market. In addition, the work has value to measure capacity utilisation based on slot capacity.