Expert consensus in solo voice performance evaluation

Experts were interviewed to identify criteria for evaluation of vocal performance. A scale was then constructed and inter- and intrajudge reliability assessed. Experts listened to 19 different performances, plus 6 presented a second time. Interjudge reliability for one judge was modest, but increased dramatically as the size of the judge panel increased. The most reliable items were overall score and intonation accuracy. Diction was less reliable than other items. Intrajudge reliability was higher for overall score than for any other item. A factor analysis on the test items yielded factors labelled intrinsic quality, execution, and diction. Another factor analysis, using the experts as variables, revealed two underlying evaluative dimensions. It was found that 13 experts were primarily influenced by execution, and that 8 were mainly affected by intrinsic quality. Interjudge and intrajudge reliabilities of these two groups differed.     

USING A SYSTEM DYNAMICS APPROACH TO MODEL SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN AUSTRALIA

ABSTRACT. An indicator defined as a function of the total water diversion through the Coleambally canal and the potential irrigation demand is selected to represent the sustainability of the irrigation water system in the Coleambally irrigation area, Australia. A simulation procedure using a system dynamics approach was developed to evaluate the indicator. The procedure includes water diversion assessment, potential crop water demand and total gross margin. Three cases of water supply options (surface water, ground water pumping and water trading), two cases of changes in the total agricultural area and three cropping pattern scenarios were simulated to better understand their impact on sustainability. The simulated results indicate that increasing the agricultural area reduces the sustainability of the irrigation system because the demand of water increased despite increase in the gross margin. The scenarios show that imposed water trading and ground water pumping would considerably increase the supply system having a positive impact on the sustainability. The paper concludes that a multi‐objective sustainability indicator taking account of economic and environmental issues could be more useful.     

The Discrete Approximation of Continuous-state Nonlinear Branching Processes in Lévy Random Environments北大核心CSCD

In this paper, we establish the discrete approximation of continuous-state nonlinear branching processes in Lévy random environments by using tightness and convergence sequence in infinite dimensional product space via stochastic differential equations. Taking α-stable branching as an example, the conditions which are given to discretize continuous-state nonlinear branching processes in Lévy random environments are verified. © 2022 Chinese Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.     

Self-avoiding walks on random fractal environments

Self-avoiding random walks (SAWs) are studied on several hierarchical lattices in a randomly disordered environment. An analytical method to determine whether their fractal dimensionD _saw is affected by disorder is introduced. Using this method, it is found that for some lattices,D _saw is unaffected by weak disorder; while for othersD _saw changes even for infinitestimal disorder. A weak disorder exponent is defined and calculated analytically [ measures the dependence of the variance in the partition function (or in the effective fugacity per step)vL on the end-to-end distance of the SAW,L]. For lattices which are stable against weak disorder (<0) a phase transition exists at a critical valuev=v ^* which separates weak- and strong-disorder phases. The geometrical properties which contribute to the value of are discussed.     

Dynamic structure factor in a random diffusion model

Let {X _t:0} denote random walk in the random waiting time model, i.e., simple random walk with jump ratew ^–1(X _t), where {w(x):x^d} is an i.i.d. random field. We show that (under some mild conditions) theintermediate scattering function F(q,t)=E ₀ (q^d) is completely monotonic int (E ₀ denotes double expectation w.r.t. walk and field). We also show that thedynamic structure factor S(q, w)=2 ₀ cos(t)F(q, t) exists for 0 and is strictly positive. Ind=1, 2 it diverges as 1/||^1/2, resp. –ln(||), in the limit 0; ind3 its limit value is strictly larger than expected from hydrodynamics. This and further results support the conclusion that the hydrodynamic region is limited to smallq and small such that ||D |q|², whereD is the diffusion constant.     

Quality assurance and statistical control

In scientific research laboratories it is rarely possible to use quality assurance schemes, developed for large-scale analysis. Instead methods have been developed to control the quality of modest numbers of analytical results by relying on statistical control: Analysis of precision serves to detect analytical errors by comparing thea priori precision of the analytical results with the actual variability observed among replicates or duplicates. The method relies on the chi-square distribution to detect excess variability and is quite sensitive even for 5–10 results. Interference control serves to detect analytical bias by comparing results obtained by two different analytical methods, each relying on a different detection principle and therefore exhibiting different influence from matrix elements; only 5–10 sets of results are required to establish whether a regression line passes through the origo. Calibration control is an essential link in the traceability of results. Only one or two samples of pure solid or aqueous standards with accurately known content need to be analyzed. Verification is carried out by analyzing certified reference materials from BCR, NIST, or others; their limited accuracy of 5–10% make them less suitable for calibration purposes.     

STUDIES ON PREPARATION OF INACTIVATED VACCINES FROM CELL CULTURES OF MINK ENTERITIS VIRUS (MEV) AND THEIR IMMUNITY

In this paper, superhigh reproductive rate strains of MEV with titre more than HA8192* or TCID50 log9.7 10 have been achieved both by cultivation in cell lines with different susceptibility to MEV and by isolating and identifying in field by the author. The systematic tests proved that S18 and L12 strains of MEV are the best strains for vaccine preparation. In this study, the best means for the tissue cultivation of MEV and the most advanced technological process for the production and detection of serum-free cell-cultured MEV fluids with super-high HA titre in batches in large quantities have been established for the first time. Optimum conditions for MEV inactivation were determined, and safe and effective inactivated vaccines with mineral oil or A1(OH)3 gel adjuvant were successfully prepared with serum-free cell-cultured MEV fluids. Both vaccines with different adjuvants can be manufactured in batches in large quantities and have been widely used all over China since 1986. The change laws of the imm     

Application of differential scanning calorimetry in food research and food quality assurance

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the most widely used thermal analytical technique in food research and it has a great utility in quality assurance of food. Proteins are the most studied food components by thermal analysis including studies on conformation changes of food proteins as affected by various environmental factors, thermal denaturation of tissue proteins, food enzymes and enzyme preparations for the food industry, as well as effects of various additives on their thermal properties. Freezing-induced denaturation of food proteins and the effect of cryoprotectants are also monitored by DSC. Polymer characterization based on DSC of polysaccharides, gelatinization behaviour of starches and interaction of starch with other food components can be determined, and phase transitions during baking processes can be studied by DSC. Studies on crystallization and melting behaviour of fats observed by DSC indicate changes in lipid composition or help characterizing products. Thermal oxidative decomposition of edible oils examined by DSC can be used for predicting oil stability. Using DSC in the freezing range has a great potential for measuring and modelling frozen food thermal properties, and to estimate the state of water in foods and food ingredients. Research in food microbiology utilizes DSC in better understanding thermoadaptive mechanisms or heat killing of food-borne microorganisms. Isothermic microcalorimetric techniques provide informative data regarding microbial growth and microbial metabolism.     

The American (USA) perspective six years after implementation of CLIA'88 (Federal) regulations

 On September 1, 1992 all testing sites in the United States were required to comply with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA'88). These regulations, based on both total quality management (TQM) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) principles, reshaped the environment for more than 90% of laboratories. CLIA'88 represented a revolutionary change by imposing universal, uniform regulations based on test complexity for all sites examining materials derived from the human body for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease. CLIA'88 specifies minimum requirements for personnel, quality control, and proficiency testing (PT). In addition, laboratories are required to follow manufacturers' directions and comply with other specified good laboratory practices. PT is mandated for most of the frequently run analyses and quality assurance requirements integrate the principles of CQI as well as TQM into the regulatory process. Biannual inspection is integral to CLIA'88, however, laboratories can choose other federally approved ("deemed") professional organizations, such as the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation, the College of American Pathologists, or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization, having standards that meet or exceed those of CLIA'88. CLIA'88 has still not been finalized. This article discusses the impact and changes since CLIA's implementation in 1992. Received: 5 October 1998 · Accepted: 20 October 1998