An adaptive parallel algorithm for finite language decomposition

The computationally hard problem of finite language decomposition is investigated. A finite language L is decomposable if there are two languages L₁ and L₂ such that L = L₁L₂. Otherwise, L is prime. The main contribution of the paper is an adaptive parallel algorithm for finding all decompositions L₁L₂ of L. The algorithm is based on an exhaustive search and incorporates several original methods for pruning the search space. Moreover, the algorithm is adaptive since it changes its behavior based on the runtime acquired data related to its performance. Comprehensive computational experiments on more than 4000 benchmark languages generated over alphabets of various sizes have been carried out. The experiments showed that by using the power of parallel computing the decompositions of languages containing more than 200000 words can be found. Decompositions of languages of that size have not been reported in the literature so far.

     

Nonlinearly Weighted First‐order Regression for Denoising Monte Carlo Renderings

We address the problem of denoising Monte Carlo renderings by studying existing approaches and proposing a new algorithm that yields state‐of‐the‐art performance on a wide range of scenes. We analyze existing approaches from a theoretical and empirical point of view, relating the strengths and limitations of their corresponding components with an emphasis on production requirements. The observations of our analysis instruct the design of our new filter that offers high‐quality results and stable performance. A key observation of our analysis is that using auxiliary buffers (normal, albedo, etc.) to compute the regression weights greatly improves the robustness of zero‐order models, but can be detrimental to first‐order models. Consequently, our filter performs a first‐order regression leveraging a rich set of auxiliary buffers only when fitting the data, and, unlike recent works, considers the pixel color alone when computing the regression weights. We further improve the quality of our output by using a collaborative denoising scheme. Lastly, we introduce a general mean squared error estimator, which can handle the collaborative nature of our filter and its nonlinear weights, to automatically set the bandwidth of our regression kernel.     

Dynamic anti‐windup compensator for fractional‐order system with time‐delay

This paper describes the results of introducing an additional dynamic element to an anti‐windup compensator from control quality and stability area anslysis viewpoint. The analyzed system consists of a first‐order plant with time delay and a fractional‐order PI controller, to present the discussed approach. The controller is tuned based on Hermite‐Biehler and Pontryagin theorems. In the paper, the stability analysis and tracking performance are presented based on both simulation and experimental results. The experiments have been performed using Inteco Modular Servo System with performance evaluated on the basis of the selected performance criterion, namely the Integral of Absolute Error, to verify the applicability of the proposed method. The results have proven that use of the additional dynamic element provides a wider range of controller parameters to ensure stability of the closed‐loop system and better tracking performance in comparison to the system without anti‐windup compensation or system with a standard anti‐windup compensator. It is actually the first time that this type of analysis for dynamic element compensation in anti‐windup framework has been presented for fractional‐order systems. In addition, all the obtained results are referred to the experimental data.     

Extreme entropy machines: robust information theoretic classification

Most existing classification methods are aimed at minimization of empirical risk (through some simple point-based error measured with loss function) with added regularization. We propose to approach the classification problem by applying entropy measures as a model objective function. We focus on quadratic Renyi’s entropy and connected Cauchy–Schwarz Divergence which leads to the construction of extreme entropy machines (EEM). The main contribution of this paper is proposing a model based on the information theoretic concepts which on the one hand shows new, entropic perspective on known linear classifiers and on the other leads to a construction of very robust method competitive with the state of the art non-information theoretic ones (including Support Vector Machines and Extreme Learning Machines). Evaluation on numerous problems spanning from small, simple ones from UCI repository to the large (hundreds of thousands of samples) extremely unbalanced (up to 100:1 classes’ ratios) datasets shows wide applicability of the EEM in real-life problems. Furthermore, it scales better than all considered competitive methods.     

Assessment of aliphatic poly(ester-carbonate-urea-urethane)s potential as materials for biomedical application

Selected mechanical and biological properties of biodegradable elastomeric poly(ester-carbonate-urea-urethane)s (PECUUs) point towards their potential to be applied as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Here we explore their medical applicability taking into account their hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity. The influence of the ester monomer (derivatives of adipic and succinic acids), as well as diisocyanate type (IPDI and HDI) on the investigated PECUUs properties is presented. The presence of aliphatic diisocyanates, cyclic IPDI or linear HDI, governs the adhesion of Candida cells to these polymers offering the possibility to control the biofilm formation on their surface. In comparison to the linear form, cyclic diisocyanates with pentamethylene succinate or adipate fragments had two to three times lower biofilm mass formation on their surface. Reduced hemoglobin release from red blood cells observed during incubation of tested polymers with human erythrocytes suspension indicates their potential biocompatibility with human tissues. PECUUs were also able to support the growth of human keratinocytes HaCaT on their surface when coated with collagen. In effect, IPDI derivatives might possess a high potential for use in biomedical applications.     

Alkyl Xylosides: Physico‐Chemical Properties and Influence on Environmental Bacteria Cells

A group of four selected non‐ionic surfactants based on carbohydrates, namely octyl d ‐xyloside (C₈X), nonyl d ‐xyloside (C₉X), decyl d ‐xyloside (C₁₀X) and dodecyl d ‐xyloside (C₁₂X), have been investigated to accomplish a better understanding of their physico‐chemical properties as well as biological activities. The surface‐active properties, such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), emulsion and foam stability, the impact of the compounds on cell surface hydrophobicity and cell membrane permeability together with their toxicity on the selected bacterial strains have been determined as well. The studied group of surfactants showed high surface‐active properties allowing a decrease in the surface tension to values below 25 mN m^?1 for dodecyl d ‐xyloside at the CMC. The investigated compounds did not have any toxic influence on two Pseudomonas bacterial strains at concentrations below 25 mg L^?1. The studied long‐chain alkyl xylosides influenced both the cell inner membrane permeability and the cell surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the alkyl chain length, as well as the surfactant concentration, had a significant impact on the modifications of the cell surface properties. The tested non‐ionic surfactants exhibited strong surface‐active properties accompanied by the significant influence on growth and properties of Pseudomonas bacteria cells.     

Low-Pressure Carbonylation of Benzyl Bromide with Palladium Complexes Modified with PNS (PNS = Ph2PCH2CH2C(O)NHC(CH3)2CH2SO3Li) or P(OPh)3. Structural Identification of Palladium-Catalyst Intermediate

The catalytic activities of two palladium complexes with water soluble phosphine PNS (PNS = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂C(O)NHC(CH₃)₂CH₂SO₃Li) (I) and phosphite P(OPh)₃ (II) were tested in the carbonylation of benzyl bromide in methanol at 40–50°C and 1 atm of CO. The first catalyst, (I), was formed in situ from PdCl₂(cod) and PNS, the second one, (II), was based on the PdCl₂(P(OPh)₃)₂ complex. At the ratio of [NEt₃]:[PhCH₂Br] equal to 2.5 the yields of phenylacetic acid methyl ester were 83–86% in the carbonylation with PNS and 100% in the carbonylation with P(OPh)₃. The palladium catalyst with P(OPh)₃ produced under the same conditions 70% of phenylacetic acid methyl ester in the carbonylation of benzyl chloride and 60% of 2-methylphenylacetic acid methyl ester in the carbonylation of 1-bromoethylbenzene. The lower rate of carbonylation of 1-bromoethylbenzyl bromide in comparison to that of benzyl bromide was explained by the lower rate of the substrate oxidative addition step leading to palladium benzyl complexes. Two palladium benzyl complexes, cis-PdBr(PhCH₂)(P(OPh)₃)₂ and trans-PdBr(PhCH(Me))(P(OPh)₃)₂ have been isolated and characterized (X-ray, ³¹P and ¹H NMR).     

Hydroxyapatite/Hydroxyapatite-Whisker Composites without Sintering Additives: Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Evolution

Hydroxyapatite/0%-30% hydroxyapatite-whisker (HAp/0%-30%HAp(w)) composites have been fabricated by pressureless sintering, hot pressing, and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Composites that were HIPed at 1000°-1100°C (2 h, 190 MPa) exhibited the best properties: relative densities of 97.0-99.5%, fracture toughness of 1.4-2.0 MPa·m^1/2 (as compared with 1.0 MPam^1/2 for the nonreinforced HAp matrix). Compressive pre-stressing and crack deflection contributed mostly to the increase of fracture toughness. Depending on processing conditions, grain growth in the HAp matrix and/or Rayleigh instability of the HAp whiskers were probably responsible for microstructural changes in the composites. The HAp/HAp(w) composites exhibited improved toughness, attaining the lower fracture-toughness limit of bone without a decrease of bioactivity and biocompatibility.     

Marine Propeller Shaft Bearings under Low-Speed Conditions: Water vs. Oil Lubrication

Abstract

The bearings used in shipbuilding, hydropower, and water pumps have undergone a metamorphosis in recent decades. Due to environmental regulations, lubrication with grease or mineral oil is prohibited. Thus, the standard solutions include water-lubricated bearings with polymer bushings or sealed systems lubricated with oil. When properly designed, assembled, and operated, bearings can operate reliably for years. However, specific operating conditions, such as a low rotational speed of the shaft, may result in intensive wear and premature failure. In this study, four sliding bearings approved for use in shipbuilding were experimentally tested. The test results showed that the choice of the bearing type has a key effect on friction during low-speed operation. Some of the tested bearings had significant static friction with intense slip–stick phenomena; they should not be used in applications requiring low-speed operation.