Cueing the Virtual Storyteller: Analysis of cue phrase usage in fairy tales

An existing taxonomy of Dutch cue phrases, designed for use in story generation, was validated by analysing cue phrase usage in a corpus of classical fairy tales. The analysis led to some adaptations of the original taxonomy

Correlation between most 1/f noise and CCD transfer inefficiency

The 1/f noise in MOS transistors has been investigated and is shown to correlate with charge transfer inefficiency experiments on surface-channel CCDs. Both independent phenomena can be quantitatively explained by the same interface state model. The oxide trap density turns out to vary by more than a factor 10. The 1/f noise is compared with McWhorter's number fluctuation model and with the mobility fluctuation model. The oxide trap density is calculated from the charge transfer inefficiency in surface CCDs. Both the quantitative agreement between oxide trap density and 1/f noise and the observed dependence of 1/f noise on gate voltage here give strong arguments in favour of the McWhorter model. The investigated MOS transistors fall into a category that cannot be explained by the present mobility fluctuation model

Flood risk management and ‘fairness’: aspirations and reality

Flood risk management in United Kingdom has been going through a process of rapid change in the last decade or so, no doubt spurred on by a series of very serious floods since the year 2000. These changes affect flood defence and non-structural flood risk management measures alike, and involve a degree of devolution from central government to local communities and regional organisations, as central government seeks to shed responsibilities for policy implementation. This paper discusses three case studies concerning flood defence, property level protection, approaches to social justice. The results show a different pattern in each area, with flood defence moving somewhat towards a Rawlsian approach, but flood insurance and property level protection showing signs of both inefficiency and poor penetration, respectively, particularly with regard to low income residents, especially those in social housing

Charge loss experiments in surface channel CCD's explained by the McWhorter interface states model

On the basis of the McWhorter interface states model the CCD charge loss is derived as a function of bias charge, signal charge and channel width. As opposed to existing models, the charge loss is now attributed to interface states in the entire gate area, even for high bias charge levels. Experimental confirmation of the novel model is presented

Flutter prediction for a wing with active aileron control

A method for predicting the vibrational stability of an aircraft with an analog active aileron flutter suppression system (FSS) is expained. Active aileron refers to the use of an active control system connected to the aileron to damp vibrations. Wing vibrations are sensed by accelerometers and the information is used to deflect the aileron. Aerodynamic force caused by the aileron deflection oppose wing vibrations and effectively add additional damping to the system

Opportunities for private sector participation in agricultural water development and management

Irrigation management / Private sector / Public sector / Public policy / Private investment / Participatory management / Privatization / Financing / Farmers / Households / Water harvesting / Africa South of Sahara