Starting and operating regimes of vacuum plasmatrons with hollow cathodes

Optimization of starting regimes of industrial plasmatrons is considered. Dependences of the surface temperature in the bath with liquid metal on the inputted specific power are obtained. These dependences may be used for determining the optimal melting conditions and calculating the kinetic regimes for refining metals.     

Digital forecasting control with the use of neural predictors

The use of prognostic control methods in the digital systems controlling asynchronous electric drives are considered. The methodology for synthesizing predictors on the basis of neural networks is explained. An example of the synthesis of a numeral predictor for a closed control loop is considered.     

Textural states of a hot-worked MA2-1 magnesium alloy

Quantitative texture analysis is used to study texture formation in an MA2-1 magnesium alloy subjected to axisymmetric upsetting at temperatures of 250–450°C and strain rates of 10^?4–10^{0 ?1}. The deformed structure is examined by optical microscopy, and the results obtained are used to plot the structural-state diagram of the alloy after 50% upsetting. The experimental textures are compared with the textures calculated in terms of a thermoactivation model.     

Bilateral control of teleoperators with time delay

A control law for teleoperators is presented which overcomes the instability caused by time delay. By using passivity and scattering theory, a criterion is developed which shows why existing bilateral control systems are unstable for certain environments, and why the proposed bilateral control law is stable for any environment and any time delay. The control law has been implemented on a single-axis force-reflecting hand controller, and preliminary results are shown. To keep the presentation clear, a single-degree-of-freedom (DOF) linear time-invariant (LTI) teleoperator system is discussed. Nevertheless, results can be extended, without loss of generality, to an n-DOF nonlinear teleoperation system     

Mutagenicity of three agricultural soils

A chemical and biological testing protocol was employed to evaluate the mutagenic potential of the organic compounds extracted from three agricultural soils. The analytical procedures used included bioassays with Salmonella typhimurium and Aspergillus nidulans for the detection of point mutations and a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/computer system to identify major organic constituents. The extracts of all three soils exhibited mutagenic response in the bioassays. At a dose level of 1000 micrograms per plate, the organic extract of the Bastrop clay induced 434 net revertants; while at the same dose level the Norwood sandy clay and the Sassafrass sandy loam induced 35 and 178 net revertants, respectively, in the Salmonella assay with metabolic activation. In the Aspergillus assay, the extract of the Norwood and Bastrop soils induced a positive response without metabolic activation; this effect was reduced or eliminated in the presence of metabolic activation. Chemical analysis identified a variety of initiators, promotors, inhibitors, and cocarcinogens; however, there were no mutagenic compounds identified in any of the soil extracts. The results of this combined testing protocol indicate that the agricultural soils tested had an inherent level of mutagenic activity, which was not detected by GC/MS analysis alone, and this activity may be related to the past history of agricultural practices, including biocide applications, fertilization, and cultivation.     

Influence of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose and of Manufacturing Technique on in Vitro Performance of Selected Antacids

Factors affecting the performance of antacids F-MA 11, dihydroxy aluminum aminoacetate, magaldrate and magnesium hydroxide were studied in vitro using Schaub's acid neutralization test, a modified Reheis reaction velocity test and the USP test. From the results obtained it was evident that type and combination of antacid, the adjuvants and formulation techniques used in preparation of antacids affect their performance. The USP preliminary antacid test and acid neutralization test are not optimal in vitro tests to evaluate in vitro onset and duration of action of antacids.     

Electrical passivation of the silicon surface by organic monolayers of 1-octadecene

The electrical properties of structures consisting of a monolayer of 1-octadecene deposited on the Si surface are investigated depending on the method of passivation of the surface prior to the deposition of the film (hydrogen and ion passivation) and the intensity of illumination which activates the addition reaction of molecules of 1-octadecene to the Si atoms. The monolayer of 1-octadecene on the Si surface is stable and provides the chemical passivation of the surface. Two types of traps are found, namely, traps for holes and electrons, whose density can be varied during deposition of the monolayer by the choice of intensity of illumination and by the method of passivation of the surface. In the case of a low level of illumination and/or the use of the iodine passivation of the surface, the electron traps prevail, and, in the case of high intensity of illumination and/or hydrogen passivation of the surface, the hole traps prevail. It is shown that the use of these films provides conductivity in thin near-surface layers of Si due to providing the mode of flat bands or accumulation of carriers near the surface.