The Impact of Core-cities Growth on the Regional Economic Development in China

China has achieved a remarkable economic growth in the past two decades. However, the rapid economic development has led to regional disparities between the advanced coastal regions and the other regions. Regional development planning in China has sought to achieve the redress of regional disparities as well as a high economic growth. This paper aims to examine the role of core cities in the development of Chinese regional economy and their impact on regional differentials. Following a brief review of regional development planning in China, the paper examines the role of core cities on the regional development and the trends in regional disparities using data for seven coastal provinces (Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei and Liaoning) and three municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai) in the period 1989-1997. It shows that while the coastal regions achieved a high economic growth, the extent of regional disparities and the contributions of core cities to the reduction of economic differentials varied among provinces. The paper concludes by proposing future issues on regional development planning in China

High Linearity SAR ADC for Smart Sensor Applications

This paper presents capacitive array optimization technique to improve the Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) and Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion Ratio (SNDR) of Successive Approximation Register (SAR) Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for smart sensor application. Monte Carlo simulation results show that capacitive array optimization technique proposed can make the SFDR, SNDR and (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) SNR more concentrated, which means the differences between maximum value and minimum value of SFDR, SNDR and SNR are much smaller than the conventional calibration techniques, more stable performance enhancement can be achieved, and the averaged SFDR is improved from 72.9 dB to 91.1 dB by using the capacitive array optimization method, 18.2 dB improvement of SFDR is obtained with only little expense of digital logic circuits, which makes it good choice for high resolution and high linearity smart sensing systems

Effective operations management for selling fresh produce in Supermarket

This research report will be divided into eight parts: introduction, research aim, problem or question, literature review, research methods, research results, discussion, conclusions, and recommendations. The introduction part will include the background to the research and the organisational context of Newsave Supermarket. The research aim, problem or question part will identify the specific focus of the report that it wants to achieve, which is a basis for all the other parts of the report. The literature review part will be a discussion of the relevant points from sources that have already been published, which are all the ideas referenced from the used sources. The research methods part will identify how to complete this research, which includes the reasons for the choice of methods how they were analysed. The research results part will describe the results of this research. The discussion part will analyse the results and show how they fit with other research in the area. The conclusions part will summarise the discussion shortly, which connect the analysis with the original research assumption/ problem or question. Last, the recommendations part will provide informed suggestions for solving the problem or implementing the answer to the question, which is not included in all reports

Capacitor Mismatch Calibration Technique to Improve the SFDR of 14-Bit SAR ADC

This paper presents mismatch calibration technique to improve the SFDR in a 14-bit successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for wearable electronics application. Behavioral Monte-Carlo simulations are applied to demonstrate the effect of the proposed method where no complex digital calibration algorithm or auxiliary calibration DAC needed. Simulation results show that with a mismatch error typical of modern technology, the SFDR is enhanced by more than 20 dB with the proposed technique for a 14-bit SAR ADC

Methods and protocol flow cells: technique used for studying microbial biofilms

Biofilms are sessile communities of microorganisms growing on material surfaces and embedded in self-accumulated extracellular polymers. A comprehensive analysis of physical, chemical and biological factors including hydrodynamic and nutrient conditions that regulate their formation is required to adequately gain insight to this complex multicellular microbial life style. Reproducible experimental models that consider all the conditions under which they grow and develop also remain a required tool for studying the biofilms. As a result of its ability to create hydrodynamic and nutrient conditions coupled with continuous and non-destructive ability to grow biofilms, flow cell technology has become one of the most recently patronised models used to study microbial biofilms. This article focuses on recent advancements, principles and practical application of flow cell technology to study microbial biofilms

High-Resolution ADCs Design in Image Sensors

This paper presents design considerations for high-resolution and high-linearity ADCs for biomedical imaging ap-plications. The work discusses how to improve dynamic spec-ifications such as Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) and Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion Ratio (SNDR) in ultra-low power and high-resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) including successive approximation register (SAR) for biomedical imaging application. The results show that with broad range of mismatch error, the SFDR is enhanced by about 10 dB with the proposed performance enhancement technique, which makes it suitable for high resolution image sensors sensing systems

Kompetensi kaunseling pelbagai budaya dan kompetensi spiritual dalam kalangan kaunselor berdaftar di Malaysia

This study aimed to examine the level of spiritual competence and multicultural counselling competence among registered counselors in Malaysia. This study also would like to identify the different levels of spiritual competence and multicultural counseling competence based on demoghraphic factors such as gender, age, religion, ethnicity, educational level and tenure approval. A survey was conducted by administering a set of questionnaire consisting "the spiritual competency scale" by Young, Cashwell, Wiggins-Frame and Belaire (2002) and "Multicultural Competency Inventory" by Sodowsky, (1993). Both scales have been translated to Malay language. A total of 240 registered counselors participated in this study. The results showed that most counselors have a moderate level of spiritual competence with a mean of 3.64 as well as moderate level of multicultural competence with a mean of 2.78. In terms of differences in the level of spiritual competence, there is no significant differences based on gender, age, education level and years of service. Only the religious and ethnicity factor has a significant difference in the levels of counselors' spiritual competence. As for multicultural competence, there is a significant difference in age factor. Therefore, some suggestions have been made based on the findings of this study