Library transfer between distinct Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy systems with shared standards

The mutual incompatibility of distinct spectroscopic systems is among the most limiting factors in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The cost related to setting up a new LIBS system is increased, as its extensive calibration is required. Solving the problem would enable inter-laboratory reference measurements and shared spectral libraries, which are fundamental for other spectroscopic techniques. In this work, we study a simplified version of this challenge where LIBS systems differ only in used spectrometers and collection optics but share all other parts of the apparatus, and collect spectra simultaneously from the same plasma plume. Extensive datasets measured as hyperspectral images of heterogeneous specimens are used to train machine learning models that can transfer spectra between systems. The transfer is realized by a pipeline that consists of a variational autoencoder (VAE) and a fully-connected artificial neural network (ANN). In the first step, we obtain a latent representation of the spectra which were measured on the Primary system (by using the VAE). In the second step, we map spectra from the Secondary system to corresponding locations in the latent space (by the ANN). Finally, Secondary system spectra are reconstructed from the latent space to the space of the Primary system. The transfer is evaluated by several figures of merit (Euclidean and cosine distances, both spatially resolved; k-means clustering of transferred spectra). The methodology is compared to several baseline approaches.Comment: 32 pages, 22 figure

Overview of selected hydraulic devices supporting road rescue operations

The intense human activity determines the continuous development of systems and means of transport, which contributes to the intensification of existing road traffic risks and the emergence of new ones. Reduction in the number of fatalities of road accidents is dependent on investment in transport infrastructure, the development of safety systems for means of transport and the care for the technical condition of vehicles. Furthermore, the human factor is manifested in the growing awareness of hazards and improving skills of vehicle drivers. The article presents the construction, operating principles and technical capabilities of the most commonly used hydraulic rescue tools. All this was presented against the background of selected problems occurring during rescue operations while releasing victims caught in car wrecks

The characteristics of vehicles for the transport of gas fuels

Transport paliw gazowych jest bardzo złożonym zagadnieniem technicznym i logistycznym. W artykule przedstawiono i krótko scharakteryzowano środki transportu służące do przewozu paliw gazowych. Zaprezentowano dostępne na rynku pojazdy specjalizowane umożliwiające odpowiedni wybór rozwiązań konstrukcyjnych dla danego rodzaju przewożonego paliwa gazowego. W artykule zwrócono uwagę na konstrukcje cystern i autocystern oraz system oznakowania i kodowania tych pojazdów w ruchu drogowym.Gas fuels transportation is technically and logistically a very complex issue. This paper presents and briefly characterizes means of transport for the transport of gas fuels. Presented vehicles available on the market enabling appropriate selection of specialized structural solutions for a specific type of fuel gas transported. The article draws attention to the construction of cisterns and tank trucks as well as a marking and coding system of these vehicles in road traffic

Examination of the vehicle light intensity in terms of road traffic safety: a case study

Road transport is an essential part of modern life. It brings with itself, besides the desired effects, negative aspects as well. Negative aspect is not only the emissions production but also the traffic accidents occurrence even with tragic consequences. In proportion to traffic intensity, accidents during decreased visibility represent a significant share. A driver has a limited source of information at this time, since only vehicle headlights illuminate the runway and its surroundings. However, these do not only illuminate the roadway ahead of the vehicle, but part of the emitted light also falls into the drivers’ eyes of vehicles in the opposite direction. Thus, the eyes of such glared drivers worse recognize details, or lose the ability to see at all, i.e. vision ability. The level of vision loss depends on the light intensity that falls into the drivers’ eyes in the opposite direction. This light intensity is related not only to the correct headlights alignment (setting) but also to their design. In this paper, three generations of headlights in terms of the light intensity falling into the driver’s eyes of the vehicle in the opposite direction are compared. The headlights alignment of the examined vehicles was checked prior to measurements in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. Given the fact that intensity of the emitted light is also related to the age of the used source, they have been replaced by the new ones. For the reason of objectivity, examination was performed at night at the New Moon phase, thus it did not light up. The starlight also did not affect the measurement results because it was cloudy, but it did not rain. There were no artificial sources of light near the measuring point

Cu3(tmen)3(tma)2(H2O)2Cu_3(tmen)_3(tma)_2(H_2O)_2 · 6.5H2O6.5H_2O - New S = 1/2 "Sawtooth" Chain?

The results of the investigation of magnetic susceptibility, magnetization and specific heat of $Cu_3(tmen)_3(tma)_2(H_2O)_2$ · $6.5H_2O$ (tmen = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethane-1,2 diamine; $H_3$ tma = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) are reported. The spatial arrangement of magnetic Cu(II) ions and network of covalent bonds suggest that the studied material might be a representative of S = 1/2 sawtooth chain with moderate exchange coupling J/$k_{B}$. The investigation of the temperature dependence of susceptibility and magnetic field dependence of magnetization yielding J/$k_{B}$ ≈ - 0.63 K is consistent with the structural features. In addition, specific heat data reveal short-range correlations in milikelvin temperature range and indicate long-range ordering below 150 mK

Chosen aspects of safety of maritime transport in the Baltic Sea Basin

Gospodarka morska jest w szczególny sposób narażona na niebezpieczeństwo ze względu na środowisko swojej działalności. Zagrożenia te wynikają zarówno z działań umyślnych, jak i przypadkowych (warunki hydrometeorologiczne, mechaniczne itp.). Są to zagrożenia zależne i niezależne od człowieka np. środowiskowe, bezpieczeństwo zdrowia i życia ludzi, czy mienia. Pomimo podejmowania prób ograniczania ryzyka niebezpieczeństwa, niemożliwe jest jego całkowite wyeliminowanie. Pomocne mogą być wszelkiego rodzaju systemy bezpieczeństwa, alarmowe, ratunkowe, oraz działania legislacyjne i edukacyjne armatorów i załóg statków do działań obronnych. W artykule przedstawiono wybrane aspekty bezpieczeństwa transportu w basenie morza Bałtyckiego oraz podjęto próbę analizy stanu bezpieczeństwa na tym akwenie.The maritime economy is particularly exposed to danger due to the environment of its operations. These risks result from deliberate actions, as well as incidental (hydrometeorological conditions, mechanical, etc.). These are the threat dependent and independent of human eg. environmental, safety health and life of humans or belongings. In spite of attempts to limit the risk of danger, it is impossible to completely eliminate it. May be helpful here all kinds of security systems, alarm, emergency, legislative and educational of ship owners and crews to the defense activities. The article presents some aspects of the state of transportation safety in the Baltic Sea Basin as well as undertaken the attempt to analyze the security state of this sea area

The State of Road Transport Safety in Poland and Slovakia in 2004-2014

W artykule dokonano analizy porównawczej stanu bezpieczeństwa w ruchu drogowym w Polsce i na Słowacji na przestrzeni ostatnich dziesięciu lat. Analizę uzupełniono o prezentację danych odnośnie do programów i działań na rzecz poprawy bezpieczeństwa realizowanych w obu państwach. W pracy ukazano różnice w skuteczności prowadzonych działań i dokonano próby wyjaśnienia przyczyn ich występowania.In the article is performed the comparative analysis of the state of road safety in Poland and Slovakia over the past ten years. The analysis was complemented by a presentation of data concerning the programs and activities aimed at improving safety implemented in both countries. In the paper are the differences in the effectiveness of their actions were made the attempts to explain the reasons for their occurrence

THE RESEARCH ON AGEING OF GLYCOL-BASED BRAKE FLUIDS OF VEHICLES IN OPERATION

The road safety depends on many factors, including the efficiency of the technical system and the disposal of the driver of the vehicle. As wear of most of the vehicle assemblies threatened only with a breakdown, excessive wear of the braking system components may pose a risk of a traffic accident. The article presents a study on the quality of the brake fluid conductivity as a function of temperature and water content conducted for a selected group of vehicles. This group of vehicles was characterized by different production date and had a different of vehicle mileage. We presented the methodology of statistical analysis of the quality of brake fluid tests in selected 38 passenger vehicles in operation

Research on brake fluids in personal cars

Na bezpieczeństwo w ruchu drogowym składa się wiele czynników, jednym z nich są sprawność techniczna pojazdu i dyspozycja kierowcy. W artykule przedstawiono badania jakości płynu hamulcowego zrealizowane na wybranej grupie samochodów osobowych. W przeprowadzonych badaniach określano temperaturę wrzenia płynu hamulcowego oraz procentową zawartość wody w płynie. Wykazano, że regularna wymiana płynu hamulcowego jest konieczna, a jej optymalna częstotliwość zależy nie tylko od konstrukcji układu, ale przede wszystkim od jakości płynu.The road traffic safety consists of many factors, one of them is technical performance of vehicle and disposition of driver. This paper presents research on the quality of the brake fluid conducted for a selected group of cars. The present study determined the boiling point of the brake fluid and the percentage of water in the fluid. It has been shown that regular replacement of brake fluid is required, and the optimum frequency depends not only on the design of the system, but also on the quality of the liquid

Operation Safety and Performance of Milling Cutters with Shank Style Holders of Tool Inserts

AbstractPaper introduces results related to the application of advanced milling cutters provided with shank style of tool insert holder. Design of prototypes of tool bodies is based on calculations of theoretical number of tool edges. Bodies of milling cutter include holes to mount tool insert holder while two types of insert shape as round and octagonal are used in milling cutter design. Based on measuring of cutting forces when milling planar surfaces, critical cutting conditions leading to the tool damage are identified and they are compared with commercial milling cutters. Applying cutting force data, operation safety is being studied concerning outer appearance of tool failure. Application of Finite Element Method is used to assess the critical spots leading to the insert holder failure. Maximum stress which brings about ductile fracture of shank style's insert holder has been found out by FEM modelling. Operation capability of tool inserts is compared with tool performance data. Surface roughness and short term tool wear testing was used as tool performance criteria to asses capability of new cutting tools in face milling operations. Surface quality produced by that kind of milling cutter is referred to as semi finishing and finishing cut. Advantages and limitations of that milling cutter innovation are discussed.Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Branch Office of Slovak Metallurgical Society at Faculty of Metallurgy and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice