A trust negotiation system for digital library Web services

A scalable approach to trust negotiation is required in digital library (DL) environments that have large and dynamic user populations. In this paper we introduce Trust-Serv, a model-driven trust negotiation framework for Web services, and show how it can be used to effectively handle trust negotiation in DLs. The framework employs a model for trust negotiation based on state machines, extended with security abstractions. High-level specifications expressed with the state-machine-based model are then translated into formats suitable for automating the trust negotiation process. The proposed framework also supports negotiation policy lifecycle management, an important trait in the dynamic environments that characterize DLs. In particular, we present a set of policy change operations that enable the dynamic evolution of negotiation policies without disrupting ongoing negotiations. The proposed approach has been implemented as a container-centric mechanism that is transparent to the DL and to the developers of DL Web services, simplifying DL development and management as well as enabling scalable deployments.     

Adaptive memory search for multidemand multidimensional knapsack problems

We describe a simple adaptive memory search method for the 0/1 Multidemand Multidimensional Knapsack Problem (0/1 MDMKP). The search balances the level of infeasibility against the quality of the solution, and uses a simple dynamic tabu search mechanism. A weighting scheme to balance out the differences in the tightness of the constraints is also implemented. Computational results on a portfolio of test problems taken from the literature are reported, showing very favorable results, both in terms of solution quality and the ability of the search to find feasible solutions.     

Transport priorities,risk perception and worry associated with mode use and preferences among Norwegian commuters

There is currently scant research on the role of transport priorities, risk perception and worry for travel mode use and preferences. The present study aims to examine these factors in relation to mode use and preferences among Norwegian commuters. A web-based survey was conducted in a randomly obtained representative sample of daily commuters in the extended greater Oslo area (n = 690). The results showed that those who prioritized efficiency and flexibility tended to commute by car, while those who prioritized safety and comfort used public (e.g. metro, tram, and train) or active (e.g. walking and cycling) transport. In a free choice scenario, the respondents who prioritized flexibility reported a preference for using a car, whereas those who prioritized safety and comfort preferred public and active transport for their commuter travels. Risk perception of high impact events, such as terrorism and major accidents, as well as risk perception related to personal impact risks (theft, violence etc.) were related to car use on commuter travels. Transport-related worry exerted weak influences on mode use and preferences. Increased speed on rail transport and more frequent departures may be effective in reducing car use on commuter travels. Risk communication should focus on highlighting the low risk of experiencing security and safety issues in the public transport sector, and this message should be complemented by efforts to reduce the probability of negative events affecting public transport.     

Modeling Trust Negotiation for Web Services

As Web services become more widely adopted, developers must cope with the complexity of evolving trust negotiation policies spanning numerous autonomous services. The Trust-Serv framework uses a state-machine-based modeling approach that supports life-cycle policy management and automated enforcement.     

Financial Viability of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bridges

The application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) technology to bridges can provide performance enhancements at a time when there is a large and growing need to replace aging bridges in the United States. However, construction costs are significantly higher than with traditional methods, and it is not clear if this technology can become competitive in the standard short-span bridge market. This study investigates current and future costs to determine how cost competitive this technology is likely to become, taking into account the expected improvements in manufacturing, transport, and installation, as well as life-cycle differences. Based on two demonstration FRP bridges and the learning curve approach, the results show that anticipated improvements would not be sufficient to compete on cost with reinforced-concrete bridges. Unless significant improvement also occurs in the cost of component material, this technology will not be cost competitive for the standard short-span bridge, and the application of FRP technology will be limited to other segments of the market, such as bridge deck construction and bridge repair.     

Model study for subsurface trajectory of 75FeSi and SiMn ferroalloys in steel

The present study, using a low temperature model, is aimed at examining the feasibility of subsurface melting of 75FeSi and SiMn alloys added to steel baths. Wooden objects, simulating 75FeSi and SiMn of various sizes and shapes, were prepared so as to have same density ratio of 75FeSi and SiMn to steel, and their subsurface trajectories in water or zinc chloride solution following three meters of free fall through air were analyzed using video images. In general, subsurface retention times were observed to gradually increase with size of object up to a steady value. For those objects simulating 75FeSi, it was found to be dependent on shapes, spherical objects having longer retention times. The effect of shape was less pronounced for objects simulating SiMn. In a gas stirred bath, smaller cuboids for SiMn were entrained. Comparisons with estimated melting times of 75FeSi suggest that regular sized 75FeSi (ex. 20 to 50 mm) will float up and melt at the surface, when dropped to the steel bath in a ladle. A similar situation is expected with SiMn alloys. Subsurface melting may be feasible by reducing the size of 75FeSi addition from 1 to 5 mm dia. and of SiMn down to about 10 mm while simultaneously applying sufficient turbulent mixing of steel bath or providing entraining downflow velocities in the range of 10 to 30 cm/s.     

采用高频磁场去除太阳能级硅熔体中的SiC粒子(英文)

高质量硅材料在光伏太阳能和电子设备中具有重要应用,然而原料中的非金属颗粒和金属杂质严重影响其电学性能和力学性能。由于SiC粒子会降低光伏电池的力学性能并导致分流问题,因此在制备太阳能电池之前必须将这些杂质从硅材料中去除。利用磁场去除液态金属中的非金属杂质是制备高纯金属的一项尖端技术。利用该方法去除冶金级硅材料中的SiC粒子,并结合杂质去除经典模型和计算流体力学对熔体中粒子浓度和分离效率进行计算。为检验该方法的有效性,采用感应炉进行多次实验。结果表明:该方法能有效去除非金属杂质,提纯硅熔体,且实验结果与模型的预测结果相符。     

Transmit beamforming for optimal second-harmonic generation

A simulation study of transmit ultrasound beams from several transducer configurations is conducted to compare second-harmonic imaging at 3.5 MHz and 11 MHz. Second- harmonic generation and the ability to suppress near field echoes are compared. Each transducer configuration is defined by a chosen f-number and focal depth, and the transmit pressure is estimated to not exceed a mechanical index of 1.2. The medium resembles homogeneous muscle tissue with nonlinear elasticity and power-law attenuation. To improve computational efficiency, the KZK equation is utilized, and all transducers are circular-symmetric. Previous literature shows that second-harmonic generation is proportional to the square of the transmit pressure, and that transducer configurations with different transmit frequencies, but equal aperture and focal depth in terms of wavelengths, generate identical second-harmonic fields in terms of shape. Results verify this for a medium with attenuation f1. For attenuation f1.1, deviations are found, and the high frequency subsequently performs worse than the low frequency. The results suggest that high frequencies are less able to suppress near-field echoes in the presence of a heterogeneous body wall than low frequencies.     

Colour of post-harvest ripened and vine ripened tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) as related to total antioxidant capacity and chemical composition

Greenhouse grown tomatoes (cvs ‘Durinta’, ‘Favorita’ and ‘Liberto’) were harvested green and vine ripe. Colour measurements and chemical analyses were performed on green, post‐harvest red and vine‐ripe fruits. Partial least square (PLS) regression was applied to predict the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) by means of colour measurements (L*, a* and b*). The PLS showed that 78% of the variation in colour were able to predict 74% of the variation in FRAP value. Chemical variables and colour variables together were able to predict 88% of the variation in FRAP by means of PLS regression. Linear regression showed a high negative correlation between high values of L*, b* and FRAP, and a high positive correlation between titratable acidity, a*, hue, a*/b*, soluble solids, vitamin C, dry matter and FRAP values. Thus, colour measurements of intact tomatoes can be used as a non‐destructive method to assess total antioxidant capacity of tomatoes.     

Element Distribution in Silicon Refining: Thermodynamic Model and Industrial Measurements

To establish an overview of impurity elemental distribution among silicon, slag, and gas/fume in the refining process of metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si), an industrial measurement campaign was performed at the Elkem Salten MG-Si plant in Norway. Samples of in- and outgoing mass streams, i.e., tapped Si, flux and cooling materials, refined Si, slag, and fume, were analyzed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS), with respect to 62 elements. The elemental distributions were calculated and the experimental data compared with equilibrium estimations based on commercial and proprietary, published databases and carried out using the ChemSheet software. The results are discussed in terms of boiling temperatures, vapor pressures, redox potentials, and activities of the elements. These model calculations indicate a need for expanded databases with more and reliable thermodynamic data for trace elements in general and fume constituents in particular.