Total positivity in multivariate extremes

Positive dependence is present in many real world data sets and has appealing stochastic properties. In particular, the notion of multivariate total positivity of order 2 ($\text{MTP}_2$) is a convex constraint and acts as an implicit regularizer in the Gaussian case. We study positive dependence in multivariate extremes and introduce $\text{EMTP}_2$, an extremal version of $\text{MTP}_2$. This notion turns out to appear prominently in extremes and, in fact, it is satisfied by many classical models. For a H\"usler--Reiss distribution, the analogue of a Gaussian distribution in extremes, we show that it is $\text{EMTP}_2$ if and only if its precision matrix is a Laplacian of a connected graph. We propose an estimator for the parameters of the H\"usler--Reiss distribution under $\text{EMTP}_2$ as the solution of a convex optimization problem with Laplacian constraint. We prove that this estimator is consistent and typically yields a sparse model with possibly non-decomposable extremal graphical structure. At the example of two data sets, we illustrate this regularization and the superior performance compared to existing methods

Processing of a Martensitic Tool Steel by Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing

This work investigates the processability of hot-work tool steels by wire-arc additive manufacturing (DED-Arc) from metal-cored wires. The investigations were carried out with the hot-work tool steel X36CrMoWVTi10-3-2. It is shown that a crack-free processing from metal-cored wire is possible, resulting from a low martensite start (Ms) temperature, high amounts of retained austenite (RA) in combination with increased interpass temperatures during deposition. Overall mechanical properties are similar over the built-up height of 110 mm. High alloying leads to pronounced segregation during processing by DED-Arc, achieving a shift of the secondary hardness maximum towards higher temperatures and higher hardness in as-built + tempered condition in contrast to hardened + tempered condition, which appears to be beneficial for applications of DED-Arc processed material at elevated temperatures

More than recycling : the potential of the circular economy shown by a case study of the metal working industry

The steel industry is responsible for a quarter of all industrial greenhouse gas emissions. So far, the environmental savings are mainly due to steel recycling. Besides recycling, the circular economy offers strategies to increase material efficiency and thus decrease the primary raw material demand. However, the potentials remain unexploited because circular economy concepts with a higher degree of circularity are not considered. The presented case study of an industrial machining knife illustrates how the production process can be improved by implementing various circular strategies. The environmental performance is analyzed by calculating and comparing the carbon footprint, the cumulative energy demand and the material footprint, and the material efficiency indicator. The results show that the implementation of the three overarching strategies of the circular economy - narrowing, closing, and slowing - contributes to a significant increase in material efficiency. The implementation also has a positive effect on the overall environmental performance. The circular production processes require less energy and resources and cause fewer emissions. Auxiliary processes such as additional transport routes are relevant, as they can reduce or even overcompensate for savings. These processes must be adequately considered and designed

NdFeB Magnets with Well‐Pronounced Anisotropic Magnetic Properties Made by Electric Current‐Assisted Sintering

Electric current-assisted sintering (ECAS) technologies are highly promising for processing of NdFeB magnets. Due to the combination of direct Joule heating and application of external load, even powders, whose particle size distribution and morphology are not optimum for conventional powder processing like melt-spun powders or magnet scrap, can be easily sintered to high densities. A systematic study is done to demonstrate the potential of field-assisted sintering technique/spark plasma sintering (FAST/SPS) and flash spark plasma sintering (flash SPS) for sintering of NdFeB powders. Melt-spun, commercial NdFeB powder (Magnequench MQU-F) is used as starting material. Its platelet-like shape makes this powder extremely difficult to sinter by conventional methods. This study clearly reveals that especially in the case of flash SPS application of external pressure in combination with short cycle times enables to achieve well-pronounced anisotropic magnetic properties without the need of subsequent upset forging. Optimized flash SPS parameters are applied to NdFeB magnet scrap with broad particle size distribution, demonstrating the general potential of ECAS technologies for recycling of waste magnet materials. Finally, the results are benchmarked with respect to established NdFeB processing technologies and electrodischarge sintering (EDS), another promising ECAS technology with very short cycling time

Influence of a partial substitution of Co by Fe on the phase stability and fatigue behavior of a CoCrWC hard alloy at room temperature

The deformation-induced phase transition from fcc to hcp causes local embrittlement of the metal matrix in Cobalt-base alloys, facilitating subcritical crack growth under cyclic loading and reducing fatigue resistance. Our approach to increasing the fatigue life of Co-based hard alloys is to suppress the phase transition from fcc to hcp by an alloy modification that increases the stacking fault energy (SFE) of the metal matrix. Therefore, we substitute various contents (15, 25, and 35 mass pct) of Co by Fe and analyze the effect on the fatigue life and resistance against subcritical crack growth. Subcritical crack growth in the specimens takes place in a cyclic load test. The proceeding crack growth and the occurrence of phase transformations are monitored by scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigations and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). We determined an SFE of 35 $mJ/m^{2}$ at an iron content of 35 mass pct, which leads to a change of the main deformation mechanism from deformation-induced martensitic transformation to deformation twinning. Analysis of cyclically loaded specimens revealed that the resistance against subcritical crack growth in the metal matrix is facilitated with increasing Fe content, leading to a significant increase in fatigue life

LifeStyle-Specific-Islands (LiSSI): Integrated Bioinformatics Platform for Genomic Island Analysis

Distinct bacteria are able to cope with highly diverse lifestyles; for instance, they can be free living or host-associated. Thus, these organisms must possess a large and varied genomic arsenal to withstand different environmental conditions. To facilitate the identification of genomic features that might influence bacterial adaptation to a specific niche, we introduce LifeStyle-Specific-Islands (LiSSI). LiSSI combines evolutionary sequence analysis with statistical learning (Random Forest with feature selection, model tuning and robustness analysis). In summary, our strategy aims to identify conserved consecutive homology sequences (islands) in genomes and to identify the most discriminant islands for each lifestyle

Linear Amine-Linked Oligo-BODIPYs: Convergent Access via Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling

A convergent route towards nitrogen-bridged BODIPY oligomers has been developed. The synthetic key step is a Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reaction of an alpha-amino-BODIPY and the respective halide. Not only does the selective synthesis provide control of the oligomer size, but the facile preparative procedure also enables easy access to this type of dyes. Furthermore, functionalized examples were accessible via brominated derivatives