Search

Objective: To explore whether the optimal objective function weightings change when using a digital human model (DHM) to predict origin and destination lifting postures under unfatigued and fatigued states. Background: The ability to predict human postures can depend on state-based influences (e.g., fatigue). Altering objective function weightings within a predictive DHM could improve the ability to predict tasks specific lifting postures under unique fatigue states. Method: A multi-objective optimization-based DHM was used to predict origin and destination lifting postures for ten anthropometrically scaled avatars by using different objective functions weighting combinations. Predicted and measured postures were compared to determine the root mean squared error. A response surface methodology was used to identify the optimal objective function weightings, which was found by generating the posture that minimized error between measured and predicted lifting postures. The resultant weightings were compared to determine if the optimal objective function weightings changed for different lifting postures or fatigue states. Results: Discomfort and total joint torque weightings were affected by posture (origin/destination) and fatigue state (unfatigued/fatigued); however, post-hoc differences between fatigue states and lifting postures were not sufficiently large to be detected. Weighting the discomfort objective function alone tended to predict postures that generalized well to both postures and fatigue states. Conclusion: Lift postures were optimal predicted using the minimization of discomfort objective function regardless of fatigue state. Application: Weighting the discomfort objective can predict unfatigued postures, but more research is needed to understand the optimal objective function weightings to predict postures during a fatigued state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined how age of acquisition in Spanish heritage speakers and L2 learners interacts with implicitness vs. explicitness of tasks in gender processing of canonical and non-canonical ending nouns. Twenty-three Spanish native speakers, 29 heritage speakers, and 33 proficiency-matched L2 learners completed three on-line spoken word recognition experiments involving gender monitoring, grammaticality judgment, and word repetition. All three experimental tasks required participants to listen to grammatical and ungrammatical Spanish noun phrases (determiner-adjective-noun) but systematically varied the type of response required of them. The results of the Gender Monitoring Task (GMT) and the Grammaticality Judgment Task (GJT) revealed significant grammaticality effects for all groups in accuracy and speed, but in the Word Repetition Task (WRT), the native speakers and the heritage speakers showed a grammaticality effect, while the L2 learners did not. Noun canonicity greatly affected processing in the two experimental groups. We suggest that input frequency and reduced language use affect retrieval of non-canonical ending nouns from declarative memory in L2 learners and heritage speakers more so than in native speakers. Native-like processing of gender in the WRT by the heritage speakers is likely related to context of acquisition and particular experience with oral production.

This study examined whether type of early language experience provides advantages to heritage speakers over second language (L2) learners with morphology, and investigated knowledge of gender agreement and its interaction with diminutive formation. Diminutives are a hallmark of Child Directed Speech in early language development and a highly productive morphological mechanism that facilitates the acquisition of declensional noun endings in many languages (Savickiene and Dressler, 2007). In Spanish, diminutives regularize gender marking in nouns with a non-canonical ending. Twenty-four Spanish native speakers, 29 heritage speakers and 37 L2 learners with intermediate to advanced proficiency completed two picture-naming tasks and an elicited production task. Results showed that the heritage speakers were more accurate than the L2 learners with gender agreement in general, and with non-canonical ending nouns in particular. This study confirms that early language experience and the type of input received confer some advantages to heritage speakers over L2 learners with early-acquired aspects of language, especially in oral production. (Contains 8 tables, 5 figures and 7 notes.)

Currently, there are concerns about access restrictions to bouldering, a form of rock climbing, and other outdoor activities practiced at the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve located near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The Niagara Parks Commission is currently in the process of exploring ways to balance protection of the natural area with sustainable recreational use. The purpose of this study was to describe setting perceptions of a husband and wife climbing partnership toward the Niagara Glen using a case study approach. This approach was used to analyze the couple's experiences and reflections using a place-based conceptual lens to highlight interactions with the Niagara Glen over 12 years. Four major themes were identified with respect to setting perception including: 1) Specific rock memories, 2) Community and friendship, 3) Setting location and 4) Environmental degradation. Implications for environmental perspectives are discussed.

Multi-objective optimization digital human models permit users to predict postures that follow performance criteria, such as minimizing torques. Currently, it is unknown how to weight different objective functions to best predict postures. Objective one was to describe a response surface method to determine optimal objective function weightings to predict lift postures. Objective two was to evaluate the sensitivity of different error calculation methods. Our response surface approach has utility for determining optimal objective function weightings when using a digital human model to evaluate human-system interactions in early design stages. The approach was not dependent on variations in error calculation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there are concerns about access restrictions to bouldering, a form of rock climbing, and other outdoor activities practiced at the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve located near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The Niagara Parks Commission is currently in the process of exploring ways to balance protection of the natural area with sustainable recreational use. The purpose of this study was to describe setting perceptions of a husband and wife climbing partnership toward the Niagara Glen using a case study approach. This approach was used to analyze the couple's experiences and reflections using a placebased conceptual lens to highlight interactions with the Niagara Glen over 12 years. Four major themes were identified with respect to setting perception including: 1) Specific rock memories, 2) Community and friendship, 3) Setting location and 4) Environmental degradation. Implications for environmental perspectives and policy are discussed., Restrictions to access at a number of rock climbing areas in southern Ontario, Canada are due to negative environmental impacts, plant and animal protection, and recreational overuse associated with the [...]

IP owners who litigate in China often complain about the low damages awarded by the courts, which then has limited deterrent effect on infringers and can erode the worthwhileness of enforcement steps. This article discusses the use of a number of strategies through which IP owners can reduce or shift the high evidential burden placed on them in China to prove infringement damages. Some cases from the Chinese court will be discussed to illustrate the application of these strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined how age of acquisition in Spanish heritage speakers and L2 learners interacts with implicitness vs. explicitness of tasks in gender processing of canonical and non-canonical ending nouns. Twenty-three Spanish native speakers, 29 heritage speakers, and 33 proficiency-matched L2 learners completed three on-line spoken word recognition experiments involving gender monitoring, grammaticality judgment, and word repetition. All three experimental tasks required participants to listen to grammatical and ungrammatical Spanish noun phrases (determiner–adjective–noun) but systematically varied the type of response required of them. The results of the Gender Monitoring Task (GMT) and the Grammaticality Judgment Task (GJT) revealed significant grammaticality effects for all groups in accuracy and speed, but in the Word Repetition Task (WRT), the native speakers and the heritage speakers showed a grammaticality effect, while the L2 learners did not. Noun canonicity greatly affected processing in the two experimental groups. We suggest that input frequency and reduced language use affect retrieval of non-canonical ending nouns from declarative memory in L2 learners and heritage speakers more so than in native speakers. Native-like processing of gender in the WRT by the heritage speakers is likely related to context of acquisition and particular experience with oral production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes how British Petroleum Inc. (BP) and other large government contractors evade suspension and debarment for environmental crime and misconduct. It describes the regulatory framework underlying the suspension and debarment regime, focusing on the procedural and substantive rules that are specified in the federal acquisition regulation (FAR) of the U.S. It reflects on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's suspension and debarment program in this context offers proposals for reforming the system to ensure compliance with the environmental statutes.

This comment looks at tactics that may be used in order to have evidence heard in Chinese courts in parallel US/China misappropriation of trade secret proceedings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 1 April 2017, the latest amendments of the Chinese Patent Examination Guidelines (the Guidelines) came into force. It is the third time the Guidelines have been amended since this current edition was published in 2010. This comment considers the changes made to the new edition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author argues that China's Provisions on Recognition and Protection of Well-Known Trademarks 2014 legislation, which became effective on August 3, 2014, imposes stricter rules on the application, use, and recognition of "well-known trade mark" status. The People's Republic of China (PRC) Trademark Law and the PRC Implementing Regulations for the Trademark Law are mentioned, along with the scope of evidence in China and the nation's Trademark Office.

The article focuses on the Chinese court case Ryohin Keikaku v. Trade Mark Review and Adjudication Board, which dealt with the use of trademarks in Chinese original equipment manufacturing (OEM). Topics include reputation under trademark law, trademark violations of identical or similar goods, and third-party application for trademarks.

The article focuses on Asia Pacific Publishing Pte. Ltd. v Pioneers & Leaders (Publishers) Pte. Ltd., a court case in the Singapore Court of Appeal that dealt with licensing in copyright law. Information is provided on the importance of authorship in copyright registration and the Singapore Copyright Act.

In this article the author looks at the amendments to the law which is introduced by the government in Hong Kong, China to overcome the problem of the emergence of shadow companies. The author asserts that under the old law, the aggrieved trade mark or the brand name owner could file a trade mark infringement claim against the shadow company. He asserts that under the new law, the Registrar of Companies could replace the infringing company's name.