Performance analysis of IEEE 802.11 DCF networks

This paper presents an analytical saturation throughput model of IEEE 802.11 DCF (distributed coordination function) with basic access in ad hoc mode. The model takes into account freezing of the backoff timer when a station senses busy channel. It is shown that taking into account this feature of DCF is important in modeling saturation throughput by yielding more accurate and realistic results than models known from literature. The proposed analytical model also takes into account the effect of transmission errors. All essential features of the proposed analytical approach are illustrated with numerical results. The presen-tation of the model is proceeded by an overview of approaches to IEEE 802.11 network performance evaluation presented in the literature.

Microstructure and corrosion resistance of a duplex structured Mg–7.5Li–3Al–1Zn

This study describes the corrosion resistance of extruded,and extruded with post-processing annealing,Mg–7.5 Li–3 Al–1 Zn alloys.The results demonstrate that extrusion at 350°C with an extrusion speed 0.5 s^(-1) does not lead to the full recrystallization of the alloy,and the material still exhibits a dendritic microstructure.The post-processing annealing triggers the microstructure transformation,and the relative composition of the alloy changes.The ratio ofβ(Li)toα(Mg)in the extruded alloy was 29–71%;after annealing amount ofβ(Li)increased,and the ratio ofβ(Li)toα(Mg)in the annealed alloy was 35–65%.Corrosion testing shows that in 3.5 wt%Na Cl the extruded alloys immediately undergo strong dissolution.As a result of the subsequent annealing,an improvement of corrosion resistance is observed.The higher amount ofβ(Li)in the annealed alloy reduces the area ratio of cathodic to anodic sites of corrosion,and this makes the annealed alloy more resistive under the analyzed conditions.

Complex experimental analysis of rifle-shooter interaction

In this study, a complex analysis of a man-weapon interaction based on experimental effort is presented.The attention is focused on how a shooter can influence on a rifle, opposite to generally considered in literature rifle's impact on a shooter. It is shown, based on the kbk AKM weapon, that each support point of the rifle has an substantial impact on the system. It is said that identifying human reactions on weapon may let to describe gun movement and thus may be applied to weapon accuracy determination.

A comparison of the microstructure-dependent corrosion of dual-structured Mg-Li alloys fabricated by powder consolidation methods:Laser powder bed fusion vs pulse plasma sintering

In this study, powder metallurgy methods were used to fabricate Mg-7.5Li-3Al-Zn alloys from repowdered extruded alloys. Extruded alloys were powdered using ultrasonic atomization, and then laser powder bed fusion(LPBF) and pulse plasma sintering(PPS) were used to consolidate the bulk materials. A comparison of the properties of the fabricated alloys with those of a conventionally extruded one was carried out using methods that characterized the microstructure and corrosion resistance. When compared to their conventionally extruded counterpart, LPBF and PPS materials exhibited refined microstructures with low enrichment in Al Li and coarse Al, Zn, Mn precipitates. The main drawback of the LPBF alloy, printed for the needs of this study, was its porosity, which had a negative effect on its corrosion. The presence of unrecrystallized particle boundaries in the PPS alloy was also unbeneficial with regard to corrosion. The advantage of the LPBF and PPS processes was the ability to change the proportion of α(Mg) to β(Li), which when the complete consolidation of the material is achievable, may increase the corrosion resistance of dual-structured Mg-Li alloys. The results show that powder metallurgy routes have a wide potential to be used for the manufacture of Mg-Li based alloys.

Laboratory and Field Investigations of Polymer and Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen

In this paper, properties of new kind of modified bitumen are presented. Bituminous binder was modified with mix modification using polymer and additive of crumb rubber. Terminal blend process at the refinery was applied to produce the mixed modified binder. Laboratory tests were focused on the characterization of the properties of 45/80-55 CR binder with comparison to reference 50/70 and conventional polymer modified 45/80-55 bitumen. Based on conventional binder tests such as penetration, softening point and Fraass breaking point as well as BBR （bending beam rheometer） and DSR （dynamic shear rheometer） tests, rheological properties were investigated. For determination of stability of the polymer and crumb rubber, modified bitumen tube testing method was used. Based on the results analysis, improvement of the viscoelastic properties of polymer and crumb rubber modified bitumen was observed. Conventional properties and stability tests showed that it is possible to pass standard requirements for polymer modified bitumen. Mixed modification and terminal blend allow to use crumb rubber as a modifier with elimination of the separation of crumb rubber during transportation and storage at high temperature. In this paper, experience from filed sections with use of the asphalt mixture with new kind of modified bitumen is presented.

Parametric vibrations in offset printing units

Vibrations of offset printing presses are serious problem, which cause many difficulties while printing and impair quality of the prints. The biggest problem lies in construction of printing unit. It mainly consists of three cylinders, but two of them are in a direct contact generate undesired vibrations. Construction of the cylinders makes that stiffness of the unit varies periodically while printing. In this paper model of offset printing unit is presented. The model is described by the system of two parametric differential equations. Computer simulations of the behaviour of the printing unit have been performed. Conditions in which parametric resonance appears are also appointed here.

Effect of arc sprayed coatings on tensile properties of a type 316 steel

The effect of Al- and AlSiRE-coatings obtained by arc spray (AS) and high velocity arc spray (HVAS) technologies, on the tensile properties of type 316 steel specimens strained at elevated temperatures in air and vacuum has been systematically investigated. It is found that both temperature and environment play an important role in determining the mechanical properties of the coated 316 steel specimens strained at elevated temperatures. And the quantitative changes of surface roughness of coatings before and after straining correspond to the mechanical properties of the 316 steel substrate.

Investigation of droplet breakup in liquid–liquid dispersions by CFD–PBM simulations：The influence of the surfactant type

The accurate prediction of the droplet size distribution(DSD)in liquid–liquid turbulent dispersions is of fundamental importance in many industrial applications and it requires suitable kernels in the population balance model.When a surfactant is included in liquid–liquid dispersions,the droplet breakup behavior will change as an effect of the reduction of the interfacial tension.Moreover,also the dynamic interfacial tension may be different with respect to the static,due to the fact that the surfactant may be easily desorbed from the droplet surface,generating additional disruptive stresses.In this work,the performance of five breakup kernels from the literature is assessed,to investigate their ability to predict the time evolution of the DSD and of the mean Sauter diameter,when different surfactants are employed.Simulations are performed with the Quadrature Method of Moments for the solution of the population balance model coupled with the two-fluid model implemented in the compressible Two Phase Euler Foam solver of the open-source computational fluid dynamics(CFD)code Open FOAM v.2.2.x.The time evolution of the mean Sauter diameter predicted by these kernels is validated against experimental data for six test cases referring to a stirred tank with different types of surfactants(Tween 20 and PVA 88%)at different concentrations operating under different stirrer rates.Our results show that for the dispersion containing Tween 20 additional stress is generated,the multifractal breakup kernel properly predicts the DSD evolution,whereas two other kernels predict too fast breakup of droplets covered by adsorbed PVA.Kernels derived originally for bubbles completely fail.

Corrosion behavior of fine-grained Mg-7.5Li-3Al-1Zn fabricated by extrusion with a forward-backward rotating die(KoBo)

The microstructure-dependent corrosion resistance of dual structured fine-grained Mg-7.5 Li-3 Al-lZn has been investigated.The alloys were extruded using extrusion with a forward-backward rotating die(KoBo,a newly developed SPD method)at two different extrusion ratios.The fine-grained microstructures formed in the alloys were characterized,and the influence of grain refinement on corrosion resistance was analyzed.For fine-grained(α+β)Mg-Li alloys,a higher extrusion ratio led to more intensive grain refinement;however,this relationship did not improve their corrosion resistance in a chloride-containing solution.The corrosion resistance of the alloys was mainly controlled by the refinement ofα(Mg)andβ(Li),along with the distribution of second phases.The presence of MgLi_(2) Al at grain boundaries facilitated their dissolution.

Reverse Engineering, Some Board Games as a Key to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Construction of Economic Models

Reverse engineering, also called back engineering, is the process of extracting knowledge or designing information from anything： mechanical device electronic components, computer programs, or biological, chemical matters, and--subsequently--analyzing its components. Reverse engineering can be applied for the sake of creating artificial intelligence, e.g. when the used methods are based on very old games, such as Go and chess. Many generations of computers are able to play at the same level as human grandmasters. A computers＇ arrival at that level is due to imitation of human Go or chess play. A particular emphasis shall be placed upon the Go game, known for 5,500 years. Invented in China, it may be classified as the oldest board game, having its ardent enthusiasts until present times. Old physical issues can be easily projected upon the modeling of new economic phenomena and quantum games. The aim of this paper is to discuss the applications of reverse engineering, traditional social games and other domains, such as quantum physics, to the analysis of utterly new social as well as economic phenomena.

Behavioural and Neurophysiological Effects of a Stroke Rehabilitation Program on Emotional Processing in Tuberothalamic Infarct—Case Study

The aim of the study was to assess the neurophysiological and behavioural effects of a stroke rehabilitation involving Treatment As Usual (TAU) combined with Social Cognitive Training (SCT) in a right-handed patient suffered from tuberothalamic infarct compared to healthy controls (HCs) (n = 13). Methods: Both HCs and the patient were assessed by means of the following measures: Penn Emotion Perception Battery (ER40, EmoDiff40, PEAT40, PFMT), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale alongside clinical scales (Mini Mental State Examination, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Hamilton Depression Scale). The SCT was delivered individually for 60 minutes weekly in a 12-week program (12 sessions). The subject participated twice in a fMRI scanning session including the event-related task of implicit processing of 100% fearful expressions to detect physiological changes after TAU plus SCT and compared them with HCS who underwent the same assessment once. Results: Compared with HCs, the patient before therapy revealed lower scores in emotion recognition;particularly perception of anger was affected alongside worse performance on both emotion discrimination and acuity tests. After therapy, B.D. showed improvement in emotional processing. B.D. had less post-therapy activation maps compared with pretherapy ones and more significantly activated pre-and post-central gyrus and right cerebellum in response to fearful faces. Interestingly, no amygdala was significantly activated as the response to fearful stimuli before or after therapy was completed. Conclusions: Further research was needed to increase understanding about efficacy of SCT and the theory of neuroplasticity, thus helping rehabilitation programs.

Analysis of seasonal position variation for selected GNSS sites in Poland using loading modelling and GRACE data

In this study we compared weekly GNSS position time series with modelled values of crustal deformations on the basis of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment （GRACE） data. The Global Navigation Satellite Systems （GNSS） time series were taken from homogeneously reprocessed global network solutions within the International GNSS Service （IGS） Reprucessing 1 project and from regional solutions performed by Warsaw University of Technology （WUT） European Permanent Network （EPN） Local Analysis Center （LAC） within the EPN reprocessing project. Eight GNSS sites from the territory of Poland with observation timespans between 2.5 and 13 years were selected for this study. The Total Water Equivalent （TWE） estimation from GRACE data was used to compute deformations using the Green＇s function formalism. High frequency components were removed from GRACE data to avoid aliasing problems. Since GRACE observes mainly the mass transport in continental storage of water, we also compared GRACE deformations and the GNSS position time series, with the deformations computed on the basis of a hydrosphere model. We used the output of Water GAP Hydrology Model （WGHM） to compute deformations in the same manner as for the GRACE data. The WGHM gave slightly larger amplitudes than GNSS and GRACE. The atmospheric non-tidal loading effect was removed from GNSS position time series before comparing them with modelled deformations. The results confirmed that the major part of observed seasonal variations for GNSS vertical components can be attributed to the hy- drosphere loading. The results for these components agree very well both in the amplitude and phase. The decrease in standard deviation of the residual GNSS position time series for vertical components corrected for the hydrosphere loading reached maximally 36% and occurred for all but one stations for both global and regional solutions. For horizontal components the amplitudes are about three times smaller than for vertical components therefore the comparison is much more complicated and the conclusions are ambiguous.

The Effect of Tightening on the Corrosion Properties of the PVD Layers on Magnesium AZ91D Alloy

The corrosive properties of PVD TiN-Ti-Al type composite titanium nitride layer with titanium and aluminium sub-layers system on the AZ91D magnesium alloy and its sub-layers were investigated by using polarization method and impedance spectroscopy, specifically, in terms of the hydrothermal tightening effect. The aim was to explain the mechanisms which contribute to high anticorrosive properties obtained by hydrothermal tightening. It was stated that the hydrothermal treatment changes the surface topography of the examined layers, most probably due to the formation of a continuous titanium oxides film. Tightening significantly modifies the corrosion resistance of the particular component sub-layers of the TiN-Ti-Al layer which exhibits optimum electrochemical parameters. It was shown that the increase of the electrochemical parameters is controlled by tightening of the outside titanium nitride layer, whereas the aluminium sub-layer plays a critical role in creating proper conditions for the hydrothermal tightening of titanium nitride.

Estimation of Isotropic Hyperelasticity Constitutive Models to Approximate the Atomistic Simulation Data for Aluminium and Tungsten Monocrystals

In this paper,the choice and parametrisation of finite deformation polyconvex isotropic hyperelastic models to describe the behaviour of a class of defect-free monocrystalline metal materials at the molecular level is examined.The article discusses some physical,mathematical and numerical demands which in our opinion should be fulfilled by elasticity models to be useful.A set of molecular numerical tests for aluminium and tungsten providing data for the fitting of a hyperelastic model was performed,and an algorithm for parametrisation is discussed.The proposed models with optimised parameters are superior to those used in non-linear mechanics of crystals.

Crystallization process and soft magnetic properties of nanocrystalline (Fe0.5 Co0.5 ) 86 Hf7 B6 Cu1 alloy used in elevated temperature applications

Nanocrystalline (Fe0.5 Co0.5 )86 Hf7 B6 Cu1 HITPERM alloy was investigated as the candidate of soft magnetic material for high temperature applications, compared with Fe86 Hf7B6 Cu1 NANOPERM alloy. Amorphous alloy ribbons were prepared by single-roller melt-spinning technology. Crystallization process of as-quenched ribbon was investigated using differential scanning calorimeter at different heating rates. The coercivity was determined from quasi-static hysteresis loop measured at room temperature using a computerized hysteresis loop tracer. X-ray diffraction with Cu Kα radiation was used to determine the structure. The vibrating sample magnetometer was usedto measure the magnetization as a function of temperature of the nanocrystllized alloys. That Co substitution for Fein alloy enhances the Curie temperature of amorphous alloy and the magnetization of nanocrystalline alloy at hightemperature. After annealing amorphous precursor, the optimum nanocrystalline alloy obtained shows the local minimum coercivity. The coercivity increases with the increasing annealing temperature corresponding to the formation of ferromagnetic phase in the secondary crystallization.

Joining and surfacing of advanced materials

The application of advanced materials, i.e. advanced ceramics, glasses, intermetallic phases and various type of composites, not only depends on their manufacture processes including a great input of know-how, but also on their abilities for processing, among which the joining processes play an important role. The uses of advanced materials are changing rapidly, with a major emphasis on technical applications, especially the components of machines, apparatus and technical devices expected to withstand very heavy exploitation conditions. Furthermore,these materials are becoming more complex, in terms of being strengthened and toughened by transformation processes as well as by the addition of other ceramic or metallic materials including nanomaterials. The successful use of advanced materials requires the development of equally advanced joining materials, processes and technology. Some selected examples of results of joining advanced materials with the use of various procedures as well as surface modification of structural components with the use of advanced materials obtained in the Welding Engineering Department of Warsaw University of Technology, Poland, are presented.

Structure and properties of diffusive titanium nitride layers produced by hybrid method on AZ91D magnesium alloy

A diffusive titanium nitride layers were produced on AZ91 D magnesium alloy by a hybrid method which combines the titanium coating physical vapor deposition（PVD） with subsequent nitriding. The layers are composed of a thin surface zone of titanium nitrides and oxides, an intermediate titanium zone and Ti-Al-Mg type diffusive zone. Since the layers improve the corrosion resistance, the best corrosion resistance is obtained when the layers are produced on aluminum base sub-layer by oxynitriding.

Celebrations for the 50-years anniversary of IFToMM

During the 15th IFToMM World Congress on Mechanism and Machine Science(MMS)in Krakow,Poland on 30 June-4 July 2019,a special opening session has been organized to celebrate the 50-years anniversary o f IFToMM with unveiling of a bronze commemorative plaque,Fig.1.

Deep learning enabled single-shot absolute phase recovery in high-speed composite fringe pattern profilometry of separated objects

A recent article in the Opto-Electronic Advances(OEA)journal from Prof.Qian Chen and Prof.Chao Zuo’s group introduced a new and efficient 3D imaging system that captures high-speed images using deep learning-enabled fringe projection profilometry(FPP).In this News&Views article,we explore potential avenues for future advancements,including expanding the measurement range through an extended number-theoretical approach,enhancing quality through the incorporation of horizontal fringes,and integrating data from other modalities to broaden the system's applications.

The design analyze of new hybrid drive concept

This paper presents the design method of hybrid drive system for the minibus with some limited conditions. The approach of design hybrid drive system is based on the dynamic modeling and simulation of the hybrid minibus with planetary gear system. The main target of the design is to obtain the optimal design with the proper hybrid drive configuration and control for a given set of design constraints. In oder to meet the design target, it＇s necessary to adjust some parameters such as mechanical ratios and parameters of battery pack as well as control by simulation. During simulation the transient operating process can be studied in details with the dynamic model in Matlab/Simulink. The control strategy can be optimized by running the simulation and monitoring the operation of each components： the operating area of internal combustion engine （ICE）, fuel consumption （energy consumption）, the power distribution, the torque and rotary speed of ICE and motor, the operating efficiency of motor, the aheration of battery state of charge （SOC）, current and voltage.