Phase transition for a contact process with random slowdowns

Motivated by a model of an area-wide integrated pest management, we develop an interacting particle system evolving in a random environment. It is a generalised contact process in which the birth rate takes two possible values, determined either by a dynamic or a static random environment. Our goal is to understand the phase diagram of both models by identifying the mechanisms that permit coexistence or extinction of the process.Comment: 27 pages, 3 figures, 4 tables ; corrected typos, improved clarity, results unchange

Examination of Multiparticle Transport as a Function of Slope and Sediment Volume

Recent studies of sediment transport have shifted from the traditional continuum paradigm to a particle-based approach. A previous dry ravel flume experiment on single particle transport showed that the angle of repose represented a shift between friction-controlled gentle slopes dominated by local transport and inertia-driven steep slopes dominated by nonlocal transport. My flume study explored multiparticle transport and the effect of sediment volume on transport distance. The flume experiments revealed a negative relationship between sediment volume and transport distance. As sediment volume increased, inter-particle collisions increased, which led to particle jamming and a reduction in transport distance. Furthermore, a higher transition slope was required for transport to shift into the inertial regime as a result of greater sediment volume

Cyber Fantasies: Rina Sawayama, Asian Feminism, and Techno-Orientalism in the Age of Neoliberalism

In the 21st century, neoliberalism and technological innovations in Asia produce techno-Orientalism, a new framework by which the West dominates Asia. In this process, Asian bodies are configured as inherently technological beings who exist solely for the production of information and neoliberal goods. Techno-Orientalism is a byproduct of the violence wrought by modernity. Yet, Rina Sawayama, a British-Japanese music artist, produces a new form of resistance that can be characterized as diasporic Asian cultural production. Her work challenges the white hegemonic masculine gaze by interrogating modernity in her lyrics, aesthetic, and performance. Sawayama\u27s aesthetic and music videos produce a new sense of Asian subjectivity via the hacking of Western epistemologies. Sawayama\u27s artistry provides a new praxis of counter-hegemonic resistance within the neoliberal era

A boundary driven generalised contact process with exchange of particles: Hydrodynamics in infinite volume

International audienceWe consider a two species process which evolves in a finite or infinite domain in contact with particles reservoirs at different densities, according to the superposition of a generalised contact process and a rapid-stirring dynamics in the bulk of the domain, and a creation/annihilation mechanism at its boundaries. For this process, we study the law of large numbers for densities and current. The limiting equations are given by a system of non-linear reaction-diffusion equations with Dirichlet boundary conditions

Applying the Technology Acceptance Model to Explore the Cambodian Consumer’s Intention to Purchase Beauty and Personal Care Products Online

Master of Business Administration (International program), 2021This study aims to study applying the technology acceptance model to explore the Cambodian consumer’s intention to purchase beauty and personal care products online. The Technology Acceptance Model (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) was used as the base of the conceptual framework. The researcher added two more independent variables: perceived risk and perceived value following previous research. Online trust was considered as a mediator variable between independent variables (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, and perceived value) and dependent variable (intention to purchase). The scope is aged at least 18 years, having experience purchasing beauty and personal care products online, living in Phnom Penh. The sample size was 385 samples. The online survey of the questionnaire was made through Google Forms. The questionnaire was posted and shared via social media such as Facebook status in public, messenger, and public groups of Telegram with the help of a Cambodian research assistant. The path analysis using SPSS AMOS 23 was utilized to analyze the data. The data was cleaned using univariate and multivariate analysis. Then, data was used to find reliability, validity, and correlation. Afterward, the researcher analyzed data to demographic information of respondents. Finally, the researcher used path analysis to find the relationship between variables. The result found that perceived usefulness, perceived value, and online trust had a positive relationship with intention to purchase. Perceived ease of use had a positive relationship with perceived usefulness. The result also showed an insignificant relationship. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived risk were not significant with online trust. In conclusion, the researcher suggested that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are needed for technology adoption for beauty and personal care products online. Perceived value was essential to encourage online trust and intention to purchase beauty and personal care products online in Cambodia. Online trust was a mediator with a medium effect size between perceived value and intention to purchase

Survey of the southern provinces of Cambodia in the pre-Angkor period.

Recent archaeological excavations in various parts of South East Asia have brought abundant, fresh material to scholars. Consequently, new ideas and hypotheses have been put forward by those who work in this particular field of studies. In Cambodia, prior to the recent tragic events, a number of new sites have been discovered. Fresh evidence has come to light and eventually led scholars to reconsider some views hitherto accepted as established, The present "Survey of the Southern Provinces of Cambodia in the pre-Angkor period" aims to be a re-examination of the archaeological and some epigraphical material available in the hope of seeing whether it is possible as yet to establish any relation between the numerous sites and to provide a preliminary sketch of the culture of the area. The scope of the present work is limited geographically to certain southern provinces of present day Cambodia, namely Kandal, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampot and Prey Veng; it also includes the deltaic area of South Vietnam from which only some of the most important sites will be considered. Chronologically, the period involved is that commonly known as Funan and pre-Angkor periods, which run roughly from the 1st to the 8th century A.D. The work consists of a study of various archaeological remains and other sculptures so far found on, or near the sites. Attempts will be made to date them more closely in the light of recent research. Inscriptions found in the vicinity of the area will be examined in order to try to relate them to the other data. While examining epigraphic documents efforts will he made to see whether there are any possible connections between place names mentioned in the inscriptions and those of the present day. This kind of historical geography is mainly concerned with names involving topographical features such as water tanks, lakes, hills, mounds, forests which still persist abundantly in many parts of Cambodia, particularly in the province of Takeo

Radio-frequency tissue ablation of the liver: in vivo and ex vivo experiments with four different systems

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of four different radio-frequency ablation (RFA) systems in normal hepatic parenchyma in large animals. The RFA was applied to pig livers in vivo and to calf livers ex vivo using the Radionics cluster needle, RITA starburst XL needle, Radiotherapeutics Le Veen 4.0 needle, and the Berchtold 14-G saline-perfused 15-mm active-tip needle based on constructor specifications. The volume of tissue coagulation from RF was calculated from measurements of the vertical diameter (Dv) and transverse diameter (Dt). Lesion shape was characterized using the ratio between Dt/Dv. Radiotherapeutics and RITA produced in vivo lesion volume of 42±10, 39±4cm3 with a reproducible spherical shape (Dt/Dv of 1.01±0.16 and 0.97±0.1, respectively). Radionics produced in vivo RF lesions volume of 29±11cm3 with an ovoid shape (Dt/Dv 0.88±0.09). The RF lesions with the Berchtold device could not be assessed in vivo as 5 of 8 animals died during treatment. Ex vivo RF lesions had similar volumes with each system; however, the Radiotherapeutics device produced more reproducible shaped lesions than the other systems. In our experimental study, we found no difference between expandable needle systems in vivo. Cooled needles produced slightly smaller and ovoid shape in vivo lesion

Digitalized Evaluation of Welder Skill by using Cyclogram Characteristics

This paper proposes a new evaluation method for welder skill in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) process in term of studying the natural hand-movement that affect the signal processing. Weld quality of GMAW generally depends on welder skill to maintain the uniform of hand movement. Therefore, the welder skill is considered as the critical point to maintain the weld quality. Hence, welding current and voltage signal could be an alternative way for monitoring and assessing the skill of welder based on the signal variation of the welding process. This research defines in two stages, first is the physical-simulation using robot welding Fanuc Arc Mate 100iB and monitoring the signal using Cyclogram technique. Second is comparing the Cyclogram characteristic of robot welding and manual welder. By using the data acquired, the characteristic of Cyclogram was analyzed by varying Torch angle change (W1) and Torch-height change (W2) to investigate the signal processing. Furthermore, the data of current and voltage were generated as a quantitative method to determine the size of Cyclogram. The results show that the method capable of differentiating the two beginner welders compare to the robot welding performance based area of Cyclogram characteristic. Finally, the Cyclogram could be a novel tool for monitoring and evaluating the welder skill with high sensitivity to detect hand motion

Computed Analysis of Three-Dimensional Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Angiography for Determination of Tumor-Feeding Vessels During Chemoembolization of Liver Tumor: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate computed analysis of three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the liver for determination of subsegmental tumor-feeding vessels (FVs). Eighteen consecutive patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) from January to October 2008 for 25 liver tumors (15 hepatocellular carcinomas [HCCs] and 10 neuroendocrine metastases). Anteroposterior projection angiogram (two-dimensional [2D]) and 3D cone-beam CTA images were acquired by injection of the common hepatic artery. Retrospectively, FVs were independently identified by three radiology technologists using a software package (S) that automatically determines FVs by analysis of 3D images. Subsequently, three interventional radiologists (IRs) independently identified FVs by reviewing the 2D images followed by examination of the 3D images. Finally, the “ground truth” for the number and location of FVs was obtained by consensus among the IRs, who were allowed to use any imaging―including 2D, 3D, and all oblique or selective angiograms―for such determination. Sensitivities, durations, and degrees of agreement for review of 2D, 3D, and S results were evaluated. Sensitivity of 3D (73%) was higher than 2D (64%) images for identification of FVs (P = 0.036). The sensitivity of S (93%) was higher than 2D (P = 0.02) and 3D (P = 0.005) imaging. The duration for review of 3D imaging was longer than that for 2D imaging (187 vs. 94 s, P = 0.0001) or for S (135 s, P = 0.0001). The degree of agreement between the IRs using 2D and 3D imaging were 54% and 62%, respectively, whereas it was 82% between the three radiology technologists using S. These preliminary data show that computed determination of FVs is both accurate and sensitive

Evaluation of a systematic substitution of zidovudine for stavudine-based HAART in a program setting in rural Cambodia

Mexico AIDS Conference 200