On the Determination of Single Sampling Attribute Plans Based upon a Linear Cost Model and a Prior Distribution

The linear cost model previously formalized by Hald [4], [5], [9] is reviewed. Techniques are described which permit easy determination of sampling plans based on that model. The degenerate, the beta, and the two point distributions are considered as prior distributions of p, the process fraction defective. For calculations only standard tables and a desk calculator are required.     

Raman investigation of single oxidized carbon nanotubes

The oxidation process of single-walled carbon nanotubes via nitric acid treatment was followed by IR-, UV-Vis-NIR, and single bundle Raman spectroscopy. The introduction of functional, oxygen-containing groups is revealed by an additional absorption band at 1725 cm⁻¹, characteristic of carbonyl stretch vibrations. No significant shift of the optical absorption bands could be detected after oxidation. The combination of atomic force microscopy and confocal scanning resonance-enhanced Raman microscopy was used to investigate thin bundles and, eventually, individual nanotubes in detail. These experiments enabled determination of the dependence of the Raman intensity of the G-line (around 1590 cm⁻¹) on the bundle height for both non-oxidized and oxidized tubes. The Raman cross-section of the oxidized tubes was found to be reduced by a factor of ˜4, compared to the pristine tubes. This observation is ascribed to all tubes within a bundle that are oxidized to the same degree.     

In-situ measurement of higher-order strain derivatives for advanced analysis of forming processes using spatio-temporal optical flow

In-situ full-field measurements became one of the drivers for process understanding, model creation, validation and inverse analysis. Therefore, a novel spatio-temporal optical flow method for the robust measurement of higher-order strain derivatives is proposed. This computer vision approach overcomes inherent restrictions of established DIC methods. For advanced process analysis of shear cutting processes, the deformation curvature (2nd-order displacement derivative) and the respective rate (3rd-order displacement derivative) are of high interest. For the first time, it is possible to quantify experimentally these higher-order derivatives in sufficient quality with the proposed spatio-temporal optical flow approach. In addition, interesting correlations between the microstructure of the material and macroscopic process results are determined. This demonstrates the potential of the novel in-situ measurement approach for the advanced process analysis of metal forming processes in general.     

Current Trends in Pretreatment and Fractionation of Lignocellulose as Reflected in Industrial Patent Activities

The pretreatment process to disintegrate lignocellulose and to fractionate its three main components hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, is a crucial step to enable sustainable and economic value chains based on biomass feedstock. This review provides an overview of the recent patenting activities on pretreatment. Most of these activities focus on optimization of different known processes to improve economics, such as increased catalyst efficiency, effluents recirculation, or lignin valorization. However, also a number of patents and demonstration activities based on emerging concepts for pretreatments are observed.     

Dynamic X-ray radiography for the determination of foamed bitumen bubble area distribution

Foam bitumen is highly efficient in wetting and coating the surface of mineral aggregate at lower temperature. In order to improve understanding and characterization of the bitumen foam, X-ray radiography was used to study the formation and decay of bitumen foam in 2D representation. Image segmentation analysis was used to determine the foam bubble size distribution. In addition, the main parameters influencing foam bitumen formation, water content, and temperature were also investigated. The results demonstrate the influence of the water content on morphology and expansion of foam bitumen bubbles. Adding more water in the foaming process leads to quick collapse of bubbles and intensifies coalescence of foam bitumen. Higher temperatures produces larger bubbles at early foaming stage compared to lower temperature. Moreover the morphology of bubble formation depends on the types of bitumen used. An exponential function has been implemented to represent the bubble area distribution.     

Search unemployment and new economic geography

This paper develops a general equilibrium geographical economics model, which uses matching frictions on the labor market to generate regional unemployment disparities alongside the usual core-periphery pattern of industrial agglomeration. In the model, regional wage differentials do not only influence migration decisions of mobile workers, but also affect the bargaining process on local labor markets, leading to differences in vacancies and unemployment as well. In a setting with two regions, both higher or lower unemployment rates in the core region are possible equilibrium outcomes, depending on transport costs and the elasticity of substitution. Stylized facts suggest that both patterns are of empirical relevance.