Employing geographical principles for sampling in state of the art dialectological projects

The aims of this paper are twofold: First, we locate the most effective human geographical methods for sampling across space in large-scale dialectological projects. We propose two geographical concepts as a basis for sampling decisions: Geo-demographic classification, which is a multidimensional method used for the socio-economic grouping of areas. We also develop an updated version of functional regions that can be used in sociolinguistic research. We then report on the results of a pilot project that applies these models to collect data regarding the acceptability of vernacular morpho-syntactic forms in the North-East of England. Following the method of natural breaks advocated for dialectology by Horvath and Horvath (2002), we interpret breaks in the probabilistic patterns as areas of dialect transitions. This study contributes to the debate about the role and limitations of spatiality in linguistic analysis. It intends to broaden our knowledge about the interfaces between human geography and dialectology

Prototyping Large-Sized Objects Using Freeform Thick Layers of Plastic Foam

Current Rapid Prototyping systems are primarily aimed at small-sized objects containing many shape details. In this paper a Rapid Prototyping technology is presented that is aimed at largesized objects having a complex, freeform outer shape. This new technology builds the model out ofthick layers, each having freeform outside faces. The paper will present: an overview of current methods to produce large prototypes, the basics of the new method, the technology used to produce the layers, the toolpath planning and finally the overall system design.Mechanical Engineerin

Hysteresis phenomenon in deterministic traffic flows

We study phase transitions of a system of particles on the one-dimensional integer lattice moving with constant acceleration, with a collision law respecting slower particles. This simple deterministic ``particle-hopping'' traffic flow model being a straightforward generalization to the well known Nagel-Schreckenberg model covers also a more recent slow-to-start model as a special case. The model has two distinct ergodic (unmixed) phases with two critical values. When traffic density is below the lowest critical value, the steady state of the model corresponds to the ``free-flowing'' (or ``gaseous'') phase. When the density exceeds the second critical value the model produces large, persistent, well-defined traffic jams, which correspond to the ``jammed'' (or ``liquid'') phase. Between the two critical values each of these phases may take place, which can be interpreted as an ``overcooled gas'' phase when a small perturbation can change drastically gas into liquid. Mathematical analysis is accomplished in part by the exact derivation of the life-time of individual traffic jams for a given configuration of particles.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figures, corrected and improved version, to appear in the Journal of Statistical Physic

An Efficient test of Fiscal Sustainability

We suggest a multivariate efficient test of the 'strong' fiÂ…scal sustainability hypothesis, based on Horvath and Watson's (1995) cointegration test when cointegration vectors are pre-specified. Using data for a set of developed and developing economies, we show that, unlike our procedure, conventional methodologies tend to penalize the sustainability hypothesis.

Field dependence of the switching field for nonellipsoidal single domain particles

Experimental data on a model system of a two-dimensional array of single domain garnet particles, switching by incoherent rotation, are presented to show that the switching field of individual particles, H-sw, and the coercivity of the major hysteresis loop for similar to1000 particles, H-c, depend on the previously applied saturating field. For the system measured the asymptotic, "true" value of H-c in large fields is 321 Oe, in contrast with H-c=225 Oe, measured in an applied field of H-sat=188 Oe, i.e., the smallest field adequate to close the major loop. Statistical data were collected on switching of a single particle, with an asymptotic value of H-sw=150 Oe. After the application of H-sat=160 Oe H-sw decreased to 111 Oe. Due to the nonellipsoidal shape of the particles, a significant canting of the magnetization near corners and edges persists up to very high fields. The torque, due to these canted magnetic moments, facilitates premature switching in lower fields. It is proposed that defects are responsible for the irreversibility of the process

Macroeconomic implications of virtual shopping : a theoretical approach

Recently, parallel to developments in the communication technology, online shopping has become increasingly popular for many products, like books, CDs, software, and computers. Most analysts conjecture that the future will witness a wider basket of products and a higher trade volume via the Internet. This paper investigates the economic implications of Internet shopping in a Ricardian equilibrium framework. First, it shows the necessary and sufficient condition for the shift to Internet shopping. Next, it indicates that macroeconomic variables like consumption and income rise when this shift takes place. Thus, this paper shows that the economic implications of Internet shopping will be higher than the current experience and Internet shopping will become an important element of the `new economy\' when the bulky part of the shopping is done via the Internet.