Weighted argument systems: Basic definitions, algorithms, and complexity results

We introduce and investigate a natural extension of Dung's well-known model of argument systems in which attacks are associated with a weight, indicating the relative strength of the attack. A key concept in our framework is the notion of an inconsistency budget, which characterises how much inconsistency we are prepared to tolerate: given an inconsistency budget β, we would be prepared to disregard attacks up to a total weight of β. The key advantage of this approach is that it permits a much finer grained level of analysis of argument systems than unweighted systems, and gives useful solutions when conventional (unweighted) argument systems have none. We begin by reviewing Dung's abstract argument systems, and motivating weights on attacks (as opposed to the alternative possibility, which is to attach weights to arguments). We then present the framework of weighted argument systems. We investigate solutions for weighted argument systems and the complexity of computing such solutions, focussing in particular on weighted variations of grounded extensions. Finally, we relate our work to the most relevant examples of argumentation frameworks that incorporate strengths.     

Canadian Field Soils I. Mineral Composition by XRD/XRF Measurements

Forty Canadian soils were laboratory tested for the presence of quartz and other minerals using X-ray diffraction/X-ray fluorescence techniques. On average, the highest quartz content was observed in soil samples from sites in Nova Scotia followed by Prince Edward Island sites, whereas soil sample from British Columbia sites had the lowest quartz content. The second most abundant mineral was albite that mainly occurred in soil samples from Ontario and Quebec sites. Illite was the third most abundant and prevailed in soils mainly from British Columbia and New Brunswick sites. Soil samples from British Columbia sites had the highest combined clay and silt content and were composed of illite, albite, kaolinite, and chlorite. The lowest clay content was found in the samples from the Quebec sites. The highest microcline (a potassium feldspar) content was observed in Quebec, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island sites. In contrast to other provinces, samples from Quebec and Ontario sites also included amphibole. Soil samples from Saskatchewan and Manitoba sites also comprised carbonates, i.e., calcite and dolomite. Iron oxides (e.g., goethite) were present in all soils, except the Quebec sites, but their occurrence was rather insignificant.     

A model relating tool torque and its associated power and specific energy to rotation and forward speeds during friction stir welding/processing

Torque (M) is a very important quantity in the friction stir welding (FSW) process but a satisfactory model relating M to the two major FSW parameters, rotation speed (ω) and forward speed (v), has not been well developed. In this work, a better model of the form, M=f(ω, v), was sought. Experimentally, FSW of an aluminium alloy was conducted over a wide range of ω and v values and M was measured. An exponential decay function has been found to fit all the M versus ω data well and is meaningful for any ω value. The effect of v on M can approximately be accounted for through linearly relating the model parameters to v. The model allows for a detailed evaluation of the sensitivity of M to changes in ω and v. The model decay and the pre-exponential parameters need to be adjusted to make predictions for different aluminium alloys in the low ω range. Both the model and experimental data demonstrate a diminishing alloy effect on material flow resistance as ω increases. Furthermore, models of tool power (P_Tool) and specific energy (E_s) can be derived from the model for M and give predictions that are also meaningful over the entire range of ω values. Finally, the dependences of P_Tool and E_s on ω and v and the relationship between E_s and the processing zone temperature will be discussed.     

Materials applications of photoelectron emission microscopy

Photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) is a versatile technique that can image a variety of materials including metals, semiconductors and even insulators. Under favorable conditions the most advanced aberration corrected instruments have a spatial resolution approaching 2 nm. Although PEEM cannot compete with transmission or scanning electron microscopies for ultimate resolution, the technique is much gentler and has the unique advantage of imaging structure as well as electronic and magnetic states on the nanoscale. Since the image contrast is derived from spatial variations in electron photoemission intensity, PEEM is ideal for interrogating both static and dynamic electronic properties of complex nanostructured materials. Here, we review the key principles and contrast mechanisms of PEEM and briefly summarize materials applications of PEEM.     

Relationship Between Embedding Depth and Residual Stress in the cBN Grain of Monolayer Brazed Abrasive Tools

The relationship between the embedding depth and the residual stress in the brazed cBN grains is analyzed experimentally in order to optimize the embedding depth of grains in the monolayer brazed abrasive tools. It is found that the residual stress is stable without remarkable gradient in the core zones of the brazed grains. However, the stress distribution gradient is rather great in the regions such as both ends of the central axis, the margin region of the central plane in the cBN grains, and the margin region of the section plane between the grains and the filler top. The maximum tensile stress in the margin zone of the brazed cBN grains has the most important influence on the mechanical property of the grains. The embedding depth is accordingly optimized at 30-40% of the total height of cBN grain.     

Recovery kinetics in the presence of precipitates: The softening response of an Al–Mg–Sc alloy

Recovery of an Al–Mg–Sc alloy in the presence of Al₃Sc precipitates has been studied. The results demonstrate that recovery can be separated into two stages. The initial stage is precipitate-independent and consistent with the recovery kinetics of binary Al–Mg alloys. The second is strongly influenced by the presence of precipitates. Precipitates slow recovery, allowing recovered microstructures to be maintained over long annealing times to high homologous temperatures without recrystallization. A physically based model that accounts for the precipitate dependence of recovery is presented and compared to experimental results.