ELECTROCHEMICAL MACHINING OF CURVILINEAR SURFACES

In this work a theoretical analysis of the ECM process of curvilinear surfaces has been presented. The purpose of this analysis is to predict the shape evolution of the machined object using: a shaping surface of small thickness (flat issue) and a blade of hydrodynamic machine (quasi-three dimensional issue). ECM modeling involves prediction of the machined surface shape evolution and distribution of physical-chemical parameters inside the interelectrode gap. The problem has been solved with the use of an equation of the electrolyte and hydrogen mixture (liquid and gas) flat flow inside the interelectrode gap. After introducing simplifying assumptions for the flow, void fraction distribution and the gap thickness, the equations were solved partly analytically, partly numerically. The obtained solutions for assigned parameters of the machining process are presented graphically in the form of distributions of: static pressure, the mixture flow rate, temperature, void fraction and evolution of the machined surface shape evolution.     

An empirical analysis of heuristics for solving the two-machine flow shop problem with job release times

The theoretical analysis of heuristics for solving intractable optimization problems has many well-known drawbacks. Constructed instances demonstrating an exceptionally poor worst-case performance of heuristics are typically too peculiar to occur in practice. Theoretical results on the average-case performance of most heuristics could not be established due to the difficulty with the use of probabilistic analysis. Moreover, the heuristics for which some type of asymptotic optimality has been proven are likely to perform questionably in practice. The purpose of this paper is to confront known theoretical results with our empirical results concerning heuristics for solving the strongly NP-hard problem of minimizing the makespan in a two-machine flow shop with job release times. The heuristics' performance is examined with respect to their average and maximum relative errors, as well as their optimality rate, that is, the probability of being optimal. In particular, this allows us to observe that the asymptotic optimality rate of so called “almost surely asymptotically optimal” heuristic can be zero. We also present a new heuristic with short worst-case running time and statistically prove that it outperforms all heuristics known so far. However, our empirical experiments reveal that the heuristic is on average slower that its competitors with much longer worst-case running times.     

Incompetence and impact of training in bimatrix games

The concept of games with incompetence has been introduced to better represent games where players may not be capable of executing strategies that they select. In particular this paper introduces incompetence into bimatrix games and investigates the properties of such games. The results obtained describe both the general dependence of “extreme Nash equilibrium payoffs” on incompetence and special behaviour arising in particular cases. The dependence of the payoffs can be complex and include non-linearities and transition points. Transition points occur when kernels change and may result in the number of “extreme Nash equilibria” changing. Understanding these changes allows the determination of the benefits of regimes that seek to decrease a player’s incompetence. While the games we consider are normally static, in our context there is a hidden dynamics resulting from the fact that players will strive to improve their equilibrium payoffs by changing their incompetence levels. This might require training, in the case of games like tennis, or it might require the purchase of new equipment costing billions of dollars, in the case of military applications.     

A new generation of power supplies for electron beam welding machines

Widely used electron beam welding machines are equipped with heavy power supplies, located in a special oil tank and connected with an electron gun to a high-voltage cable. A special system detects electric discharges in the electron gun space, which may arise during welding and then it tries to switch off the high voltage to interrupt an electric arc. Such disadvantages have been eliminated with the novel power supply described here. The Q of resonance circuit of this supply is stabilized and as a result circulating power appears. During an electric discharge in the gun, power is not sent to the electron gun but circulates between the electronic parts of the resonance circuit without losses and “waits” for the break in the short circuit. The power supply is much smaller and lighter than supplies of similar rating used nowadays. It is connected directly to the electron gun chamber without a high-voltage cable. The first construction of the supply was designed for electron beam welding machine of 5 kW power and 60 kV accelerating voltage. Tests of the new power supply in laboratory and industrial conditions have shown its usefulness for electron beam welding.     

Organic‐polymer thin‐film transistors for active‐matrix flat‐panel displays?

Abstract— Organic‐polymer‐based thin‐film transistors (OP‐TFTs) look very promising for flexible, large‐area, and low‐cost organic electronics. In this paper, we describe devices based on spin‐coated organic polymer that reproducibly exhibit field‐effect mobility values around 5 × 10^?3 cm²/V‐sec. We also address fabrication, performance, and stability issues that are critical for the use of such devices in active‐matrix flat‐panel displays.     

A comparison of two MLEM2 rule induction algorithms extended to probabilistic approximations

A probabilistic approximation is a generalization of the standard idea of lower and upper approximations, defined for equivalence relations. Recently probabilistic approximations were additionally generalized to an arbitrary binary relation so that probabilistic approximations may be applied for incomplete data. We discuss two ways to induce rules from incomplete data using probabilistic approximations, by applying true MLEM2 algorithm and an emulated MLEM2 algorithm. In this paper we report novel research on a comparison of both approaches: new results of experiments on incomplete data with three interpretations of missing attribute values. Our results show that both approaches do not differ much.     

Applications of fuzzy‐based linguistic patterns for the assessment of computer screen design quality

The main objective of this study was to develop a modeling framework which would unify different aspects of computer screen design and result in a quantitative criterion for an optimized computer screen format. The fuzzy set‐based linguistic design patterns were utilized as a tool to build this model. The linguistic patterns are based on categories of expressions related closely to natural language and truth values, which are close to a human designer's intuition. The proposed framework is capable of assessing the quality of computer screen design based on existing knowledge in human‐computer interface domain using the fuzzy‐based linguistic pattern approach. Exemplary patterns for an optimal screen density, information grouping, and some aspects of screen layout are presented, along with a sequence of calculations based on the exemplary screen format. This study showed that it is possible to achieve a rational and relatively easy to interpret assessment of different screen designs in the form of the degrees of truth. Such an evaluation criterion reflects the compatibility of a given screen design with the optimal one based on the current knowledge in the field. It is believed that the proposed methodological framework for computer screen design should significantly augment the efforts of human designers.     

The Effect of Implanted Al and/or Y on the Scale Formation on Low-Al Fe20Cr2Al Alloy

The very early stages of the oxidation of an Fe20Cr2Al alloy, unmodified and ion-implanted by aluminium, yttrium and a combination of both elements, Al and Y, were studied at 1100 °C in oxygen using two-stage-oxidation exposures with ¹⁸O₂ as a tracer and subsequent characterisation of the scales using SIMS analyses of distribution of oxygen isotopes and oxide-related negative ion clusters, SEM observations of the surface morphology and photoluminescence spectroscopy analysis of the phase composition. The scales formed in all cases, except for the Al-implanted alloy, exhibited layered structures, with the outer part comprising Fe- and Cr-rich oxide, and the inner part being Al₂O₃, which grew due to a mixed outward–inward mechanism . The alumina sub-layers contained the transient oxides and α-Al₂O₃. Implanted Al significantly affected the mechanism of the scale growth, providing that the scale consisted essentially of α-Al₂O₃, and grew via a mixed inward-outward mechanism typical for scales on alumina formers.     

Creation of arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis in octogenarians

Elderly patients, defined as octogenarians and nonagenarians, are an increasing population entering renal replacement therapy. Advanced age appears as an exclusive factor negatively influencing dialysis practice. Elderly patients are referred late for the initiation of hemodialysis and more likely are offered catheters rather than arteriovenous fistulae (AVF), which increase mortality and negatively affect quality of life. We present our approach to the creation of vascular access for hemodialysis in this demanding population. In 2006–2012, 39 patients aged 85.9 ± 2.05 with end‐stage renal disease, mainly resulting from ischemic nephropathy, were admitted to the Department of Nephrology to establish permanent vascular access for hemodialysis: preferably AVF. Temporary dialysis catheters were implanted in uremic emergency to bridge the time to fistula creation/maturation. AVF was attempted in 87.2% of the patients. Primary AVF function was achieved in 54% of the patients. Cumulative proportional survival of AVF at months 12 and 24 was 81.5%. Ninety‐four percent of AVF were localized on the forearm: 74% in the distal and 20% in the proximal part. Mean duration of hemodialysis therapy was 20.80 ± 19.45 months. The mean time of AVF use was 15.9 ± 20.2 months. Until present, 38% have been dialyzed using AVF for 31.0 ± 18.8 months. Five patients died with functioning fistula. Eight patients initiated hemodialysis therapy with fistula. During further observation, the use of AVF increased to 62%. Elderly patients should not be denied creation of AVF as a rule. The outcome of AVF benefits more from acknowledging individual vascular conditions rather than age of the patient.