Centrifugal pumps for rocket engines

The use of centrifugal pumps for rocket engines is described in terms of general requirements of operational and planned systems. Hydrodynamic and mechanical design considerations and techniques and test procedures are summarized. Some of the pump development experiences, in terms of both problems and solutions, are highlighted

Improving "bag-of-keypoints" image categorisation: Generative Models and PDF-Kernels

In this paper we propose two distinct enhancements to the basic ''bag-of-keypoints" image categorisation scheme proposed in [4]. In this approach images are represented as a variable sized set of local image features (keypoints). Thus, we require machine learning tools which can operate on sets of vectors. In [4] this is achieved by representing the set as a histogram over bins found by k-means. We show how this approach can be improved and generalised using Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs). Alternatively, the set of keypoints can be represented directly as a probability density function, over which a kernel can be de ned. This approach is shown to give state of the art categorisation performance

Two view learning: SVM-2K, theory and practice

Kernel methods make it relatively easy to define complex highdimensional feature spaces. This raises the question of how we can identify the relevant subspaces for a particular learning task. When two views of the same phenomenon are available kernel Canonical Correlation Analysis (KCCA) has been shown to be an effective preprocessing step that can improve the performance of classification algorithms such as the Support Vector Machine (SVM). This paper takes this observation to its logical conclusion and proposes a method that combines this two stage learning (KCCA followed by SVM) into a single optimisation termed SVM-2K. We present both experimental and theoretical analysis of the approach showing encouraging results and insights

Impact of CO2 fertilization on maximum foliage cover across the globe's warm, arid environments

Satellite observations reveal a greening of the globe over recent decades. The role in this greening of the "CO2 fertilization" effect-the enhancement of photosynthesis due to rising CO2 levels-is yet to be established. The direct CO2 effect on vegetatio

Infinite-randomness critical point in the two-dimensional disordered contact process

We study the nonequilibrium phase transition in the two-dimensional contact process on a randomly diluted lattice by means of large-scale Monte-Carlo simulations for times up to $10^{10}$ and system sizes up to $8000 \times 8000$ sites. Our data provide strong evidence for the transition being controlled by an exotic infinite-randomness critical point with activated (exponential) dynamical scaling. We calculate the critical exponents of the transition and find them to be universal, i.e., independent of disorder strength. The Griffiths region between the clean and the dirty critical points exhibits power-law dynamical scaling with continuously varying exponents. We discuss the generality of our findings and relate them to a broader theory of rare region effects at phase transitions with quenched disorder. Our results are of importance beyond absorbing state transitions because according to a strong-disorder renormalization group analysis, our transition belongs to the universality class of the two-dimensional random transverse-field Ising model.Comment: 13 pages, 12 eps figures, final version as publishe

Recovering the corporate brand through stakeholder co-creation.

Corporate brands may encounter failure or suffer crises due to their own actions or from the actions of others. Such crises weaken the brand not only in the eyes of its customers but also with its stakeholders. Actions therefore need to be taken to recover the corporate brand. Existing research on brand recovery concentrates on the brand/customer interaction but recent branding literature acknowledges the significance of customers and stakeholders in brand co-creation. Responding to several calls for further research, this study aims is to investigate corporate brand recovery from the perspective of stakeholder co-creation. Using multiple data sources, the conclusions from this study include the following. First, empirical evidence is provided for the importance of stakeholders in the corporate brand recovery process. Second, although corporate brand recovery shares some characteristics with re-branding, there is a strong emphasis on repairing trust. Third, recovery efforts extend beyond those identified previously to include core functions and tangible evidence. These finding provide a theoretical account of recovery processes brought about by stakeholder co-creation and offer an initial recovery framework for corporate brand managers

A Brave New World: Branding in Financial Services

The financial services sector worldwide still resonates from the financial crisis of 2008 after which major brands suffered severe damage to their reputations. If the reckless lending practices of well-known brands were not enough, further revelations about money laundering, rate fixing and mis-selling continue to emerge. The news of these misdeeds has led to high levels of distrust amongst stakeholders of financial institutions (FIs). Many FIs are heavy investors in branding but, as a result of their own corporate misdeeds or those of their competitors, many brands have tarnished reputations. Although it may be tempting to blame this situation purely on malpractice, we argue that this is a good opportunity to assess branding in financial services as a whole. Were FI brands in a healthy position before the crises and on-going revelations? Did customers find the messages in the communication of brands consistent with their experience? Complaint columns, media analysis and financial blogs suggest that the customer experience was not always consistent with the brand communications. We would contend therefore that many FI branding attempts were not well conceived and even before the crises revealed gaps between brand promise and experience. As FIs formulate new strategies so that they can begin to regain the trust of their stakeholders, they also have the opportunity to revisit their brand strategies to realign them with changes in the marketplace and developments in marketing. To this end, this chapter proposes a model of financial services branding that addresses the issues faced by UK based FIs and incorporates contemporary marketing thinkin