DSS research and practice in perspective

The aim of this paper is to assess the state-of-the-art in the Decision Support Systems (DSS) field from both a research and a practice perspective. Three main dimensions of DSS research and practice are addressed: 1) supporting human decision-making processes, 2) integrating DSS into the organizational context, and 3) identifying new application domains. The related analysis and discussion provides a better understanding of past developments in the DSS field and insights into future evolution patterns.     

On basic definitions of unified fracture mechanics terminology

The adoption of unified fracture mechanics terminology (UFMT) will promote efficient communication between specialists in different fields of fracture research, harmonization of national and international standards relating to fracture mechanics, and last but not least improvement of the existing methodology for teaching and education in fatigue and fracture. In this paper the definitions of some basic and related terms included in different standards on fracture mechanics terminology are confronted with one another. Alternative definitions of the same terms are offered. By this strategy the author tries to show that the definitions of basic and related terms appropriate for the UFMT should emerge as a consequence of harmonizing a crack model with an actual crack and then both taken together with a fracture model, laboratory test methods, and failure assessment codes.Published in Problemy Prochonsti, No. 1, pp. 17–29, January, 1996.This paper is published as a matter of discussion.     

Reliability and performance analysis of time – space – time switching networks with multiple separated space switches

Since electronic switching systems usually require very strict reliability requirements as well as good performance objectives, we need to jointly analyse the performance and reliability of switching systems. In this paper, we compare conventional time–space–time switches with single space switches with those with multiple separated space switches, from the viewpoints of reliability and performance. We consider time–space–time switching networks which consist of N incoming time switches, i.e. one NxN space switch, two (N/2)x(N/2) space switches, and four (N/4)x(N/4) space switches. We introduce a Markov reliability model to study the effect of failures and analyse the reliability and performance of three different types of switching networks in terms of average blocking probability and the mean time to unreliable operation, as we vary the offered traffic. As a result, T–S–T switching networks with multiple separated space switches exhibit better performance and reliability than those with single space switches.     

Effect of Bi and Sr concentrations on the formation of the 2223 phase in Bi-Pb-Sb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O materials, obtained under different conditions of thermal treatment

The superconducting properties and the phase and chemical composition of Bi _x Pb_0.3Sb_0.1Sr _y Ca₂Cu₃O_z (x=1.5, 1.6, and 1.7;y=1.9, 2.0, and 2.1) materials synthesized by one-step and multistep thermal treatments have been investigated. The multistep annealing between 825–875°C promotes the 2223 phase. The change of Bi concentration has little effect on the 2223 phase formation, regardless of the kind of thermal treatment used, but increasing the Sr concentration (y> 2) strongly inhibits this phase. It has also been established that the loss of Pb after synthesis depends on the initial Bi concentration. The loss of Pb decreases when the initial Bi content is lower.     

Modified atmosphere packaging of a mixed prepared vegetable salad dish

The aim of this study was to design a modified atmosphere package for a mixed vegetable salad consisting of 75 g of cut carrot, 55 g of cut cucumber, 20 g of sliced garlic and 50 g of whole green pepper. Respiration data of all the components were combined with film permeability data to predict package atmospheres and design optimal packages for experimental testing for improved shelf-life of the produce. The optimal package avoided minimum O₂ and maximum CO₂ tolerance limits, and chilling injury temperatures for any component. A pouch form package made of 27 mm low density polyethylene developed a modified atmosphere of 2.0–2.1% O₂ and 5.5–5.7% CO₂, which was beneficial for all components and provided better quality retention than other test packages.     

一种简便的评定引战配合效率方法

在导弹近炸引信起爆延时具有随机性基础上，本文建立了一种用延时及其数学特征表示的评定引战配合效率的简便方法，并对有关应用问题进行了讨论。     

红外加热胶接技术

提出了红外加热胶接的思想，并对红外加热胶接技术作了简单阐述。介绍了一种红外加热胶接矿用阻燃、防腐、橡塑风筒布的装置。     

Ti,N,Mg对M2高速钢凝固组织和硬度的影响

为了改善Ｍ２高速钢共晶碳化物的分布，本文利用小凝固试样变质的方法研究了Ｔｉ，Ｎ和Ｍｇ对Ｍ２高速钢凝固组织和硬度的影响。试验结果表明，加入Ｔｉ或Ｔｉ－Ｎ后，共晶碳化物形态和分布有很大改善，而加入Ｔｉ－Ｎ后对凝固组织有轻微的细化作用，但只添加Ｔｉ不补碳时，钢的淬火硬度和回火硬度均下降；加入适量的Ｍｇ可以使片状的Ｍ２Ｃ型共晶碳化物转为鱼骨状的Ｍ６Ｃ型共晶碳化物，使其分布有所改善，Ｔｉ和Ｍｇ复合加入可以明     

A Survey of Inverse Surface Design From Light Transport Behavior Specification

Inverse surface design problems from light transport behavior specification usually represent extremely complex and costly processes, but their importance is well known. In particular, they are very interesting for lighting and luminaire design, in which it is usually difficult to test design decisions on a physical model in order to avoid costly mistakes. In this survey, we present the main ideas behind these kinds of problems, characterize them, and summarize existing work in the area, revealing problems that remain open and possible areas of further research.