On the dynamic nature of response criterion in recognition memory: Effects of base rate, awareness, and feedback.

The authors examined whether participants can shift their criterion for recognition decisions in response to the probability that an item was previously studied. Participants in 3 experiments were given recognition tests in which the probability that an item was studied was correlated with its location during the test. Results from all 3 experiments indicated that participants' response criteria were sensitive to the probability that an item was previously studied and that shifts in criterion were robust. In addition, awareness of the bases for criterion shifts and feedback on performance were key factors contributing to the observed shifts in decision criteria. These data suggest that decision processes can operate in a dynamic fashion, shifting from item to item. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optimal predictor for a singular random process

An optimal predictor is developed for a singular random process generated by a known system driven by a white noise sequence. The properties of the predictor are compared with those of the optimal predictor for a nonsingular random process.     

A time aggregation approach to Markov decision processes

We propose a time aggregation approach for the solution of infinite horizon average cost Markov decision processes via policy iteration. In this approach, policy update is only carried out when the process visits a subset of the state space. As in state aggregation, this approach leads to a reduced state space, which may lead to a substantial reduction in computational and storage requirements, especially for problems with certain structural properties. However, in contrast to state aggregation, which generally results in an approximate model due to the loss of Markov property, time aggregation suffers no loss of accuracy, because the Markov property is preserved. Single sample path-based estimation algorithms are developed that allow the time aggregation approach to be implemented on-line for practical systems. Some numerical and simulation examples are presented to illustrate the ideas and potential computational savings.     

铁水脱硫扒渣是包钢发展的重要环节

脱硫扒渣站的建成,既解放了炼铁厂的高炉,又减轻了炼钢厂转炉冶炼的负担,同时可以实现铁水预脱硫→顶底复吹转炉炼钢→钢水二次精炼→连铸这一炼钢四位一体的现代化生产工艺流程,从而生产有市场竞争力的产品.镁基脱硫剂是世界上冶金企业采用最先进的脱硫剂,脱硫技术和设备也是世界上最先进的.     

Determination of friction coefficient encountered in large deformation processes

A new technique, namely, the open-die backward extrusion test technique, was developed as an alternative method to the ring compression test in order to quantitatively evaluate the coefficient of friction, μ, at the die/workpiece interface. This technique relates the percentage deformation in height of the specimen to the percentage increase in extruded height of the specimen. In this study, the open-die backward extrusion tests (ODBET) were simulated for different aspect ratios, (H/D), and different die geometries, (d/D), by utilizing an elastic-plastic finite element code (ANSYS) in order to obtain the friction calibration curves (FCCs). The results indicated that the extruded height is related to the friction conditions at the die/workpiece interface. Therefore, ODBET can be used to generate FCCs to determine the coefficient of friction at the die/workpiece interface in large deformation processes.     

Design and characterisation of a close-concentric annular reactor for kinetic studies at high temperatures

A novel annular reactor for kinetic studies at high temperature and flow conditions has been designed to keep eccentricity tolerances below 10%. In a previous work, we have shown that it is very important to keep such low eccentricity values in order to collect reliable kinetic data from this type of reactors. As proposed in this study, a modified reactor with the use of a spacer could guarantee an annular duct with low levels of eccentricity. Manufacturing tolerances or deformation effects giving rise to eccentricity can be significantly minimised when using this apparatus. The reactor has been both experimentally and theoretically characterised. Carbon monoxide oxidation was used as a model reaction under mass-transfer limited conditions revealing an eccentricity of ∼5%. With such small eccentricity levels, a concentric annular form can be assumed in the reactor analysis. Simple 1D or 2D models can therefore be inexpensively used in the evaluation of the kinetic data. Also, prior to the design of the annular reactor, a numerical investigation was carried out to clarify the effects of eccentricity, physical properties of the carrier gas and the annular aspect ratio on mass-transfer limitations. Contrary to expectations, a considerable increase in the fuel mass-diffusivity by carrier gas substitution did not change the mass-transfer rates for cases when eccentricity and aspect ratios were high.     

A time series approach to fatigue crack propagation

The inherently nonlinear phenomenon of fatigue crack propagation is modeled as a linear random process. To a first approximation, simple, nonstationary time series models are introduced and standard techniques for determining the parameters of autoregressive integrated moving-average processes are applied. Multiplicative time series models are next utilised for the representation of a group of crack history curves. Implementation of the models on the Virkler experimental data set yields satisfactory results. Reliable Gaussian approximations to the distribution of the time required by a crack to reach a specified critical length are obtained, and the usefulness of the approach is demonstrated when updating lifetime predictions after periodic inspections.     

An approximate method for solving gas-solid non-catalytic reactions

A simple treatment for obtaining the solution of single isothermal gas-solid non-catalytic reactions is presented. The model is formulated under a local volumetric approach and permits to incorporate non-linear chemical kinetics and the change in porous structure during conversion. The methodology developed in this work is based on the quantize method for decoupling the solid and gas equations and on perturbation and matching techniques for approximating the gas conservation equation. With this strategy, the calculation of gas concentration and solid conversion at any time and position are reduced to the solution of two coupled algebraic equations. The model compares favourably with the exact (numerical) solution for a variety of cases. This procedure provides an effective and general tool for obtaining the solution of gas-solid reactions with minor calculations.     

Nanocrystalline orthoferrite powders: Synthesis and magnetic properties

Nanocrystalline orthoferrite powders were synthesised at low temperatures by employing an aqueous sol–gel process. Colloidal sols and water re-dispersible gels of orthoferrite precursors were prepared by room-temperature processing of inexpensive metal salts. The average diameter (Z_av) of the precursor particles was in the size range from 4 to 7 nm; the diameters had a narrow size distribution. Water re-dispersible translucent gel monoliths were obtained by concentrating the aqueous sols followed by drying them under reduced pressure (10⁻² Torr) at room temperature. The sol–gel transition was found to be completely reversible. Nanocrystalline fine powders of orthoferrites of general formula, LnFeO₃ (Ln = La, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb and Y) having a crystallite size of about 25 nm were prepared by heating the gel precursors at 650–700 °C in air. Powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry, respectively, were employed to identify perovskite phase formation and delineate thermal events that lead to gel to crystallite conversion. Magnetic measurements were carried out on the resultant powders at room temperature and down to 40 K. Nanocrystalline orthoferrite powders exhibited weak ferromagnetic behaviour, and reduced magnetic moments.