Panel LM unit root tests with level and trend shifts

This paper considers a Lagrange multiplier (LM) based panel unit root test that allows for heterogeneous structural breaks in both the intercepts and slopes of a series. We note that many popular time series variables are likely to exhibit changing means and/or trends over time. Given that the usual tests will depend on the nuisance parameters indicating the locations of the trend breaks, we adopt a transformation procedure that makes our new panel unit root tests invariant to the nuisance parameters. To illustrate the importance of the power gain provided by our test, we examine the convergence hypothesis using relative ratios of per capita health care expenditures in 20 OECD countries. Our results provide evidence that the convergence hypothesis is supported.     

A hybrid information approach to predict corporate credit risk

This study proposes a hybrid information approach to predict corporate credit risk. In contrast to the previous literature that debates which credit risk model is the best, we pool information from a diverse set of structural and reduced‐form models to produce a model combination based on credit risk prediction. Compared with each single model, the pooled strategies yield consistently lower average risk prediction errors over time. We also find that while the reduced‐form models contribute more in the pooled strategies for speculative‐grade names and longer maturities, the structural models have higher weights for shorter maturities and investment grade names.     

Design Methodology and Area Sensitivity Analysis of Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands

An approach is presented to satisfy the demand for simple criteria, guidelines and models for the preliminary sizing of horizontal subsurface flow (SF) constructed wetland systems. This approach eliminates time-consuming calculations and iterations by providing graphical solutions for wetland system sizing. Therefore, it can be used for the preliminary assessment of new or performance evaluation of existing subsurface flow constructed wetland systems. The validity of this methodology is checked with data from existing systems and is found to be quite satisfactory. This methodology is combined with simple equations predicting the maximum wetland capacity in summer, so as to assist designers in sizing installations in tourist areas with increased summer populations. Furthermore, based on this methodology, a sensitivity analysis is performed of the area requirements for wastewaters of various strengths and various design conditions and performance criteria. The results provide a useful overview to engineers and further simplify the design methodology of new subsurface flow constructed wetland systems.     

国有基层水管单位困境及其出路

针对贺州地区基层水管单位存在的农业水价低、水费征收难和经济困难等现状,对基层水管单位的出路进行了一些探索,提出了一些解决对策。     

Connecting the second exhaust-heat boiler to the operating first one under the conditions of flow circuits of combined-cycle plants with two gas-turbine units and one steam turbine

Problems arising with connecting the second exhaust-heat boiler to the first exhaust-heat boiler under load in the case of flow circuits of combined-cycle plants of type PGU-450 are considered. Similar problems exist for two-boiler single-turbine units of type PGU-325 and for two-boiler single-turbine units of traditional steampower plants with an output of 200–300 MW upon connection of the second furnace of a two-furnace boiler to the operating first furnace. Analysis of the temperature-induced stressed state and of the cyclic strength of thick-walled elements of the steam-water conduit of PGU-450 and of two-furnace boilers of two-boiler single-turbine units with an output of 200–300 MW (the check valve, the inlet header of the water economizer) is used for determining the steam temperature differences in the high-pressure conduits to the steam turbine and the order of connection of the second exhaust-heat boiler to the operating fist one. Modes of enabling a two-boiler single-turbine unit of a combined-cycle plant, which are most “rigid” from the standpoint of thermal strength, are determined. __________ Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 2, February 2006, pp. 11–17.     

川中丘陵区一种新型小流域径流输沙模型的建立与应用

径流输沙模型对定量评价水沙的输出响应具有重要的意义。本研究在已有研究成果的基础上，通过对四川盐亭县林山西沟小流域的径流、泥沙进行现场观测与分析，提出含沙量单位线的定义及其确定方法，建立了适应该小流域的径流输沙模型。并应用实测资料进行比较，表明模型的模拟结果可靠，模拟过程确定性系数达0．8以上，为川中丘陵区小流域径流输沙过程的预测预报提供了一个新方法。     

天楼地枕水电站的综合自动化改造

天楼地枕水电公司为实现水电站"无人值班,少人值守"的目标,对水电站进行了综合自动化改造,论述了该自动化系统的结构特点及实施情况.     

计及PMU的混合非线性状态估计新方法

提出一种将同步相量测量单元（PMU）的直接电压相量量测变换为间接支路电流量测，并与监控与数据采集（SCADA）量测量一起进行混合迭代的非线性状态估计方法。对构造等效电流修正量而带来的间接量测误差进行了详细和定量的分析，并对该混合估计算法的精度进行了定性分析和定量计算。理论分析和算例表明，该方法可以获得较高的估计精度，在收敛次数和滤波效果上也有所改进。     

Development,construction, and use of pneumometric tubes for measurement of steam flow in the steam lines of PVG-1000 at NPP

A system for the direct measurement of steam flow in steam lines after a steam generator, which utilizes a special design of pneumometric tubes and a computing unit that accounts for variation in steam pressure, has been developed to improve the quality of water-level regulation in the steam generators of VVéR-1000 power-generating units in the stationary and transitional modes. The advantage of the pneumometric tubes consists in their structural simplicity, high erosion resistance, and absence of irrevocable losses during measurement of steam flow. A similar measurement system is used at foreign NPP. The measurement system in question has been placed in experimental service at the No. 3 unit of the Balakovo NPP, and has demonstrated its worthiness. This measurement system can also be used to determine steam flow in the steam lines of NPP units with VVéR-1000 and VVéR-440 reactors, and PBMK-1000 power-generating units. __________ Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 3, March 2007, pp. 23–26.