The shape of the utility or value function in stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis

Stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA) is a decision support method that allows representing uncertain, imprecise, and partially missing criteria measurements and preference information as probability distributions. In this paper, we test how the assumed shape of the utility or value function affects the results of SMAA in two different problem settings: identifying the most preferred alternative and ranking all the alternatives. A linear value function has been most frequently applied, because more precise shape information can be difficult to obtain in real-life applications. In this paper, we analyse one past real-life problem and a large number of randomly generated test problems of different size using additive functions of different shape. The shape varies from linear to increasingly concave and convex exponential utility or value functions corresponding to different attitudes on marginal value or risk. The results indicate that in most cases slight non-linearity does not significantly affect the results. The proposed method can be used for evaluating how robust a particular real-life decision problem is with respect to the shape of the function. Based on this information, it is possible to determine how accurately the DMs’ preferences need to be assessed in a particular problem, and if it is possible to assume a simple linear shape.     

Roughened glass slides and a spectrophotometer for the detection of the wavelength-dependent refractive index of transparent liquids

We describe a method to determine the wavelength-dependent refractive index of liquids by measurement of light transmittance with a spectrophotometer. The method is based on using roughened glass slides with different a priori known refractive indices and immersing the slides into the transparent liquid with unknown refractive index. Using the dispersion data on the glass material it is possible to find the index match between the liquid and the glass slide, and hence the refractive index of the liquid.     

Synthesis of graphene nanoribbons encapsulated in single-walled carbon nanotubes

A novel material, graphene nanoribbons encapsulated in single-walled carbon nanotubes (GNR@SWNT), was synthesized using confined polymerization and fusion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. Formation of the GNR is possible due to confinement effects provided by the one-dimensional space inside nanotubes, which helps to align coronene or perylene molecules edge to edge to achieve dimerization and oligomerization of the molecules into long nanoribbons. Almost 100% filling of SWNT with GNR is achieved while nanoribbon length is limited only by the length of the encapsulating nanotube. The PAH fusion reaction provides a very simple and easily scalable method to synthesize GNR@SWNT in macroscopic amounts. First-principle simulations indicate that encapsulation of the GNRs is energetically favorable and that the electronic structure of the encapsulated GNRs is the same as for the free-standing ones, pointing to possible applications of the GNR@SWNT structures in photonics and nanoelectronics.     

Real-time simulation of heat transfer in continuous casting

A real-time heat-transfer model for continuous slab casting is presented. The model calculates the strand temperatures and the solid shell thickness profile along the machine as a function of the actual casting variables, strand geometry, and steel grade. The special requirements con-cerning the real-time use of the model and, in general, the accuracy of the model are also studied and discussed. The model has been tested by carrying out industrial trials. Some examples of the differences between the calculated and measured surface temperatures are presented. A spe-cial procedure to determine the boundary conditions for the secondary cooling zones from tem-perature measurements is also described.     

Der Schwefelgehalt von Sulfitsprit und Spritsorten anderen Ursprungs

Zusammenfassung Die Gesamtschwefelgehalte verschiedener Sulfitspritproben und einiger Sprit-Sorten anderen Ursprungs wurden mit der früher von uns beschriebenen Lampen Methode bestimmt. Gleichzeitig wurde die Verteilung des im Sulfitsprit enthaltenen Schwefels in den Fraktionen bei einer einfachen Destillation untersucht. Der Mittelwert des Gesamtschwefelgehalts der untersuchten rohen Sulfitspritmuster betrug 95 g/100 ml, derjenige der rohen methanolfreien Sulfitspritproben 47 g/100 ml. Der Gesamtschwefelgehalt der untersuchten Kartoffel- und Getreiderohspritmuster schwankte zwischen 125 und 193 g/100 ml, während derjenige des Hefelüftungs-sprits etwa 400 g/100 ml erreichte. Der GEsamtschwefelgehalt des Sulfitfeinsprits wurde zu 22 g/100 ml gefunden, derjenige des Kartoffelfeinsprits zu 118 g/100 ml.Die Verteilung des im Sulfitsprit enthaltenen Schwefels bei der fraktionierten Destillation zeigt eine individuelle Variation zwischen den Erzeugnissen jeder einzelnen Fabrik. Die Anteile leicht und schwer destillierbarer Schwefelverbindungen sing recht verschieden, während der Schwefelgehalt der Mittelfraktionen allgemeim klein ist.     

Flaxseed in Breadmaking: Effects on Sensory Quality, Aging, and Composition of Bakery Products

ABSTRACT:  This paper describes the effect of flaxseed on two bread formulations. The quality of bread rolls—containing flaxseed—and the quality of cinnamon rolls—containing flaxseed and flaxseed oil—is determined by sensory evaluation (texture, odor, and flavor), instrumental texture measurement and chemical analysis (fatty acids, fiber, secoisolarisiresinol diglycoside, and cadmium). Bread aging is monitored by measuring sensory attributes during storage. The results indicate that the flaxseed rolls retain moisture and softness more efficiently than the control rolls that do not contain flaxseed. No off-odors were detected during the storage period from 0 to 6 d at room temperature (+22 °C), although flaxseed rolls and cinnamon rolls were discovered to be high in unsaturated fats. The major fatty acid in both bakery samples that contained flaxseed was α-linolenic acid. The flaxseed rolls were also high in fiber. Therefore, from a nutritional viewpoint flaxseed shows beneficial properties in breadmaking. It has a positive impact on the texture parameters during storage as well as on the nutritional composition, for example, the content of fiber and unsaturated fats.     

Worst Practices for Domain-Specific Modeling

Interest in creating domain-specific modeling (DSM) languages is surging, but little guidance is available on how to do it right. Along with heeding best practices, learning what not to do—including how to handle common pitfalls and recognize troublesome areas—can help first-time developers. The authors have identified several worst practices based on an analysis of 76 DSM cases spanning 15 years, four continents, several tools, around 100 language creators, and projects with from three to more than 300 modelers. They present these worst practices in the order that language developers would encounter them over the life of a project.     

Total amitraz residues in bee honeys]

A total of 330 bee honey samples was analysed in 1986-1990, and the results are reported. Analysis was performed according to the method for the amitraz total residue determination by hydrolysis and steam distillation as described. 60% of the honeys were practically not contamined (total residue content amounting to 0.01 mg/kg), 8.5% of the honeys contained more than 0.05 mg/kg. Maximal values of 0.2-0.5 mg/kg were stated. 54% of the rape-honeys contained more than 0.01 mg/kg, 19% more than 0.05 mg/kg.     

Detection of copper in water using on-line plasma-excited atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)

A measurement method and apparatus was developed to measure continuously toxic metal compounds in industrial water samples. The method was demonstrated by using copper as a sample metal. Water was injected into the sample line and subsequently into a nitrogen plasma jet, in which the samples comprising the metal compound dissolved in water were decomposed. The transmitted monochromatic light was detected and the absorbance caused by copper atoms was measured. The absorbance and metal concentration were used to calculate sensitivity and detection limits for the studied metal. The sensitivity, limit of detection, and quantification for copper were 0.45 ± 0.02, 0.25 ± 0.01, and 0.85 ± 0.04 ppm, respectively.