Contracts for the sale of land and personal property:the equitable interests of the purchaser

As property lawyers, we are all familiar with the general principle that a contract for the sale of land, which is capable of specific performance, operates in equity so as to confer a trust on the purchaser pending completion of the sale. Although some controversy exists as to the exact nature of the trust, it is well established that, upon exchange of contracts, equity will ‘‘treat that as done which ought to be done’’1 with the consequence that the purchaser acquires equitable ownership even though full (legal) title to the land will not pass until completion (and registration). As land is unique, specific performance is readily available in the context of sales of land where damages would, clearly, not be an adequate remedy. The same cannot be said for contracts for the purchase of personal property where invariably the subject matter is not unique and where a substitute can easily be acquired in the open market. In circumstances, however, where the property is unique or scarce (for example, a rare painting or vintage car), the maxim that ‘‘equity treats as done that which ought to be done’’ may be invoked so as to confer on the seller an equitable obligation to transfer the property to the purchaser in fulfilment of the contract. Where, therefore, the contract is specifically enforceable in this way, the seller, it is submitted, will again hold the property on trust for the purchaser where, as in a contract for the sale of land, there is an interval between the date of the contract and completion of the sale. The notion that a seller holds personal property upon trust for the purchaser pending completion of the sale is admittedly controversial, but this article seeks to argue that the same principles governing equity’s intervention in sales of land should apply in the context of sales of personalty. It is submitted that equity’s role in imposing a trust on the vendor both in relation to sales of land and personalty may be important in safeguarding the interests of the purchaser prior to, as well as after, completion of the transaction.

Enhancing the performance of intelligent control systems in the face of higher levels of complexity and uncertainty

Modern advances in technology have led to more complex manufacturing processes whose success centres on the ability to control these processes with a very high level of accuracy. Plant complexity inevitably leads to poor models that exhibit a high degree of parametric or functional uncertainty. The situation becomes even more complex if the plant to be controlled is characterised by a multivalued function or even if it exhibits a number of modes of behaviour during its operation. Since an intelligent controller is expected to operate and guarantee the best performance where complexity and uncertainty coexist and interact, control engineers and theorists have recently developed new control techniques under the framework of intelligent control to enhance the performance of the controller for more complex and uncertain plants. These techniques are based on incorporating model uncertainty. The newly developed control algorithms for incorporating model uncertainty are proven to give more accurate control results under uncertain conditions. In this paper, we survey some approaches that appear to be promising for enhancing the performance of intelligent control systems in the face of higher levels of complexity and uncertainty.

Em Estimation of the Offspring Distribution in Mutitype Branching Processes - a Model in Cell Kinetics

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 60J80, 60J85, 62P10, 92D25.

Clinical techniques to assess the visual and optical performance of intraocular lenses:a review

A number of clinical techniques are available to assess the visual and optical performance of the eye. This report aims to review the advantages and limitations of techniques used in previous studies of patients implanted with intraocular lenses (IOLs), whose designs are ever increasing in optical complexity. Although useful, in-vitro measurements of IOL optical quality cannot account for the wide range of biological variation in ocular anatomy and corneal optics, which will impact on the visual outcome achieved. This further highlights the need for a standardised series of visual performance tests that can be applied to a wide range of IOL designs. The conclusions of this report intend to assistresearchers in developing a comprehensive series of investigations to evaluate IOL performance. Repeatable and reproducible in-vivo assessments of visual and optical performance are desirable to further develop IOL concepts and designs, in the hope of improving current postoperative visual satisfaction. © 2013 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Az exportteljesítmények és a hátterükben álló vállalati jellemzők elemzése (Export performance clusters of the Hungarian enterprises)

A tanulmány célja a Magyarországon működő exportáló vállalatok jellemzőinek feltárása volt a 2009-es vállalati versenyképességi felmérés alapján. Több tanulmány vizsgálta a vállalatok exportteljesítményét vállalati méret és tulajdonosi szerkezet szerinti bontásban, az elemzésben a szerző viszont ettől eltérő szemléletmódot alkalmazott. A vállalatok exportteljesítménye áll (exportértékesítés volumene, aránya, exportárbevétel változása, jövedelmezőség), a vállalati csoportképzés, klaszterelemzés középpontjában. Három jól elkülöníthető klasztert sikerült azonosítani: a jelentős exporthányaddal és folyamatos növekedéssel jellemezhető sikeres exportáló vállalatok csoportját, a stagnálással, s gyakran csökkenő exportértékesítéssel jellemezhető vállalatcsoportot, s végül a harmadik klasztert azok a jelenleg még alacsony export-ár bevétellel és alacsony exportaránnyal jellemezhető vállalatok képezték, melyekre a növekedés és a kiugróan magas jövedelmezőség volt a jellemző. Az elemzés egyediségét az adja, hogy a vállalati versenyképességi felmérés adatbázisa lehetővé tette a különböző exportteljesítmények hátterében álló működési jellemzők vizsgálatát, amelynek eredményeit a cikk bemutatja. Fő következtetésként megállapítható, hogy a sikeres exportáló vállalatok csoportja mindegyik jellemző szerint jobb működési jellemzőkkel rendelkezik a másik két csoporthoz viszonyítva. / === / The purpose of the paper is to reveal the main characteristics of the Hungarian export oriented firms. It is based on the Hungarian Competitiveness Research Survey 2009. 85% of enterprises were small or medium size in the sample. The aim of the analysis was to identify main factors and tendencies of the overall export performance. Several papers discussed the export activities of firms according to their size and ownership structure in Hungary. A different method was used here. The overall export performance (measured by volume, change, and share of export revenues, and firm profitability ratios) was put in the centre of cluster analysis. Three different clusters were identified. Firms in the firstcluster had significant export performance and growth rate. The second cluster was the group of stagnating firms and the third one contained those whose export performance was low but signaled growth with excellent profitability ratios. The uniqueness of the paper derived from the Competitiveness Research Survey because it provided an opportunity to analyse the connection between export performance and other management and operational characteristics of enterprises. The paper may induce futher research in exploring main enterprise level factors of export performance of the Hungarian firms.

A study of branching fluid networks for enhancing the performance of thermal -fluid devices

Compact thermal-fluid systems are found in many industries from aerospace to microelectronics where a combination of small size, light weight, and high surface area to volume ratio fluid networks are necessary. These devices are typically designed with fluid networks consisting of many small parallel channels that effectively pack a large amount of heat transfer surface area in a very small volume but do so at the cost of increased pumping power requirements. ^ To offset this cost the use of a branching fluid network for the distribution of coolant within a heat sink is investigated. The goal of the branch design technique is to minimize the entropy generation associated with the combination of viscous dissipation and convection heat transfer experienced by the coolant in the heat sink while maintaining compact high heat transfer surface area to volume ratios. ^ The derivation of Murray's Law, originally developed to predict the geometry of physiological transport systems, is extended to heat sink designs which minimze entropy generation. Two heat sink designs at different scales are built, and tested experimentally and analytically. The first uses this new derivation of Murray's Law. The second uses a combination of Murray's Law and Constructal Theory. The results of the experiments were used to verify the analytical and numerical models. These models were then used to compare the performance of the heat sink with other compact high performance heat sink designs. The results showed that the techniques used to design branching fluid networks significantly improves the performance of active heat sinks. The design experience gained was then used to develop a set of geometric relations which optimize the heat transfer to pumping power ratio of a single cooling channel element. Each element can be connected together using a set of derived geometric guidelines which govern branch diameters and angles. The methodology can be used to design branching fluid networks which can fit any geometry. ^

Performance of a single liquid column damper for the control of dynamic responses of a tension leg platform

Tuned liquid column dampers have been proved to be successful in mitigating the dynamic responses of civil infrastructure. There have been some recent applications of this concept on wind turbines and this passive control system can help to mitigate responses of offshore floating platforms and wave devices. The control of dynamic responses of these devices is important for reducing loads on structural elements and facilitating operations and maintenance (O&M) activities. This paper outlines the use of a tuned single liquid column damper for the control of a tension leg platform supported wind turbine. Theoretical studies were carried out and a scaled model was tested in a wave basin to assess the performance of the damper. The tests on the model presented in this paper correspond to a platform with a very low natural frequency for surge, sway and yaw motions. For practical purposes, it was not possible to tune the liquid damper exactly to this frequency. The consequent approach taken and the efficiency of such approach are presented in this paper. Responses to waves of a single frequency are investigated along with responses obtained from wave spectra characterising typical sea states. The extent of control is quantified using peak and root mean squared dynamic responses respectively. The tests present some guidelines and challenges for testing scaled devices in relation to including response control mechanisms. Additionally, the results provide a basis for dictating future research on tuned liquid column damper based control on floating platforms.

Impact of primary networks on the performance of energy harvesting cognitive radio networks

In this paper, we investigate the effect of of the primary network on the secondary network when harvesting energy in cognitive radio in the presence of multiple power beacons and multiple secondary transmitters. In particular, the influence of the primary transmitter's transmit power on the energy harvesting secondary network is examined by studying two scenarios of primary transmitter's location, i.e., the primary transmitter's location is near to the secondary network and the primary transmitter's location is far from the secondary network. In the scenario where the primary transmitter locates near to the secondary network, although secondary transmitter can be benefit from the harvested energy from the primary transmitter, the interference caused by the primary transmitter suppresses the secondary network performance. Meanwhile, in both scenarios, despite the fact that the transmit power of the secondary transmitter can be improved by the support of powerful power beacons, the peak interference constraint at the primary receiver limits this advantage. In addition, the deployment of multiple power beacons and multiple secondary transmitters can improve the performance of the secondary network. The analytical expressions of the outage probability of the secondary network in the two scenarios are also provided and verified by numerical simulations.

Biofloc contribution to antioxidant defence status, lipid nutrition and reproductive performance of broodstock of the shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris: Consequences for the quality of eggs and larvae

The aim of this study was to determine biofloc contributions to the antioxidant status and lipid nutrition of broodstock of Litopenaeus stylirostris in relationship with their reproductive performance and the health of larvae produced. Shrimp broodstock reared with Biofloc technology (BFT) compared to Clear water (CW) exhibited a higher health status with (i) a better final survival rate during the reproduction period (52.6% in CW against 79.8% in BFT); (ii) higher glutathione level (GSH) and total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio and a higher spawning rate and frequency as well as higher gonado-somatic index and number of spawned eggs. Finally, larvae from broodstock from BFT exhibited higher survival rates at the Zoe 2 (+ 37%) and Post Larvae 1 (+ 51%) stages when compared with those from females from CW treatment. The improved reproductive performance of the broodstock and higher larvae survival rate resulting from BFT treatment may be linked to the dietary supplement obtained by the shrimp from natural productivity during BFT rearing. Indeed, our study confirms that biofloc particulates represent a potential source of dietary glutathione and a significant source of lipids, particularly essential phospholipids and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) for shrimps. Thus, broodstock from BFT treatment accumulated phospholipids, n-3 HUFA and arachidonic acid, which are necessary for vitellogenesis, embryogenesis and pre-feeding larval development. The predominant essential fatty acids, arachidonic acid (ARA), eicopentaeonic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), had levels in the eggs that were, respectively, 2.5, 2.8 and 3 fold higher for BFT compared to the CW treatment. Statement of Relevance Today, the influence of biofloc technology on shrimp broodstock is not enough described and no information was available on the larvae quality. Moreover, two key pieces of new information emerge from the present study. Firstly, biofloc is a source of further dietary lipids that can act as energetic substrates, but also as a source of phospholipids and essential fatty acids necessary to sustain reproduction, embryonic and larval development. Second, improving the reproduction of the broodstock also leads to an improvement in the quality of the larvae. We think that our research is new and important to increase knowledge on biofloc topic. We believe the paper will contribute to the development of more efficient and therefore more sustainable systems.

Role of nitrogen doping on the performance of carbon nanotube catalysts: a catalytic wet peroxide oxidation application

Four magnetic carbon nanotube samples (CNTs: undoped, completely N-doped and two selectively N-doped) have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. The materials were tested in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of highly concentrated 4 nitrophenol solutions (4-NP, 5 g L-1). Relatively mild operating conditions were considered (atmospheric pressure, T = 50 ºC, pH = 3), using a catalyst load of 2.5 g L-1 and the stoichiometric amount of H2O2 needed for the complete mineralization of 4-NP. N doping was identified to influence considerably the CWPO performance of the materials. In particular, undoped CNTs, with a moderate hydrophobicity, favor the controllable and efficient decomposition of H2O2 into highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (HO•), thus showing high catalytic activity for 4-NP degradation. On the other hand, the completely N-doped catalyst, fully hydrophilic, favors a quick decomposition of H2O2 into non-reactive O2 and H2O species. The selectively N-doped amphiphilic catalysts, i.e. hybrid structures containing undoped sections followed by N-doped ones, provided intermediate results, namely: a higher N content favored H2O2 decomposition towards non-reactive H2O and O2 species, whilst a lower N content resulted in the formation of HO•, increasing 4-NP mineralization. Catalyst stability and reusability were also investigated by consecutive CWPO runs.

Boosting the performance of metaheuristics for the MinLA problem using a more discriminating evaluation function

International audience

Factors Contributing to the Academic Performance of BEI Learners

Se analizan los factores que intervienen en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes del Bachillerato en la Enseñanza del Inglés (BEI) de la Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica). El contexto universitario, el papel de los profesores, la motivación en los estudiantes y los hábitos de estudio son condiciones para fomentar el éxito académico. Según los resultados, los aprendientes necesitan ciertas características personales, motivación y metas para tener éxito en su trabajo académico. Este estudio de caso contribuye a una mejor percepción de los factores que influyen en el mejoramiento de las aptitudes de estudio y aprendizaje, así como los que intervienen en el logro de las metas académicas.This analysis refers to factors contributing to the academic performance of the students majoring in the teaching of English at the Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica). The university context, the professors' role, students' motivation and their study habits are conditions for fostering academic success. The findings indicate that learners need certain personality traits, motivation and goals to succeed in their academic work. This case study provides insight on the factors that influence the enhancement of study skills and leaming, as well as other factors that contribute to the accomplishment of academic goals.

Analyzing the Effect of Soiling on the Performance of a Photovoltaic System of Different Module Technologies in Kalkbult, South Africa

The fact that most of the large scale solar PV plants are built in arid and semi-arid areas where land availability and solar radiation is high, it is expected the performance of the PV plants in such locations will be affected significantly due to high cell temperature as well as due to soiling. Therefore, it is essential to study how the different PV module technologies will perform in such geographical locations to ensure a consistent and reliable power delivery over the lifetime of the PV power plants. As soiling is strongly dependent on the climatic conditions of a particular location a test station, consisted of about 24 PV modules and a well-equipped weather station, was built within the fences of Scatec’s 75 MW Kalkbult solar PV plant in South Africa. This study was performed to a better understand the effect of soiling by comparing the relative power generation by the cleaned modules to the un-cleaned modules. Such knowledge can enable more quantitative evaluations of the cleaning strategies that are going to be implemented in bigger solar PV power plants. The data collected and recorded from the test station has been analyzed at IFE, Norway using a MatLab script written for this thesis project. This thesis work has been done at IFE, Norway in collaboration with Stellenbosch University in South Africa and Scatec Solar a Norwegian independent power producer company. Generally for the polycrystalline modules it is found that the average temperature corrected efficiency during the period of the experiment has been 15.00±0.08 % and for the thin film-CdTe with ARC is 11.52% and for the thin film without ARC is about 11.13% with standard uncertainty of ±0.01 %. Besides, by comparing the initial relative average efficiency of the polycrystalline-Si modules when all the modules have been cleaned for the first time and the final relative efficiency; after the last cleaning schedule which is when all the reference modules E, F, G, and H have been cleaned for the last time it is found that poly3 performs 2 % and 3 % better than poly1 and poly16 respectively, poly13 performs 1 % better than poly15 as well as poly5 and poly12 performs 1 % and 2 % better than poly10 respectively. Besides, poly5 and poly12 performs a 9 % and 11 % better than poly7. Furthermore, there is no change in performance between poly6 and poly9 as well as poly4 and poly15. However, the increase in performance of poly3 to poly1, poly13 to poly15 as well as poly5 and poly12 to poly10 is insignificant. In addition, it is found that TF22 perform 7% better than the reference un-cleaned module TF24 and similarly; TF21 performs 7% higher than TF23. Furthermore, modules with ARC glass (TF17, TF18, TF19, and TF20) shows that cleaning the modules with only distilled water (TF19) or dry-cleaned after cleaned with distilled water(TF20) decreases the performance of the modules by 5 % and 4 % comparing to its respective reference uncleanedmodules TF17 and TF18 respectively.

Performance comparison of C-V2X and WAVE protocols for vehicular to infrastructure communications: simulation of the highway use case

The objective of this thesis is the analysis and the study of the various access techniques for vehicular communications, in particular of the C-V2X and WAVE protocols. The simulator used to study the performance of the two protocols is called LTEV2Vsim and was developed by the CNI IEIIT for the study of V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) communications. The changes I made allowed me to study the I2V (Infrastructure-to-Vehicle) scenario in highway areas and, with the results obtained, I made a comparison between the two protocols in the case of high vehicular density and low vehicular density, putting in relation to the PRR (packet reception ratio) and the cell size (RAW, awareness range). The final comparison allows to fully understand the possible performances of the two protocols and highlights the need for a protocol that allows to reach the minimum necessary requirements.

Numerical simulation of the flow and performance evaluation of an aerospike engine

The main focus of this work is to define a numerical methodology to simulate an aerospike engine and then to analyse the performance of DemoP1, which is a small aerospike demonstrator built by Pangea Aerospace. The aerospike is a promising solution to build more efficient engine than the actual one. Its main advantage is the expansion adaptation that allows to reach the optimal expansion in a wide range of ambient pressures delivering more thrust than an equivalent bell-shaped nozzle. The main drawbacks are the cooling system design and the spike manufacturing but nowadays, these issues seem to be overcome with the use of the additive manufacturing method. The simulations are performed with dbnsTurbFoam which is a solver of OpenFOAM. It has been designed to simulate a supersonic compressible turbulent flow. This work is divided in four chapters. The first one is a short introduction. The second one shows a brief summary of the theoretical performance of the aerospike. The third one introduces the numerical methodology to simulate a compressible supersonic flow. In the fourth chapter, the solver has been verified with an experiment found in literature. And in the fifth chapter, the simulations on DemoP1 engine are illustrated.