High-strength braze joints between copper and steel

High-strength braze joints between copper and steel are produced by plating the faying surface of the copper with a layer of gold. This reduces porosity in the braze area and strengthens the resultant joint

Internally supported flexible duct joint

An internally supported, flexible duct joint for use in conducting fluids under relatively high pressures in systems where relatively large deflection angles must be accommodated is presented. The joint includes a flexible tubular bellows and an elongated base disposed within the bellows. The base is connected through radiating struts to the bellows near mid-portion and to each of the opposite end portions of the bellows through a pivotal connecting body. A motion-controlling linkage is provided for linking the connecting bodies, whereby angular displacement of the joint is controlled and uniformity in the instantaneous bend radius of the duct is achieved as deflection is imposed

Tight local approximation results for max-min linear programs

In a bipartite max-min LP, we are given a bipartite graph \myG = (V \cup I \cup K, E), where each agent $v \in V$ is adjacent to exactly one constraint $i \in I$ and exactly one objective $k \in K$. Each agent $v$ controls a variable $x_v$. For each $i \in I$ we have a nonnegative linear constraint on the variables of adjacent agents. For each $k \in K$ we have a nonnegative linear objective function of the variables of adjacent agents. The task is to maximise the minimum of the objective functions. We study local algorithms where each agent $v$ must choose $x_v$ based on input within its constant-radius neighbourhood in \myG. We show that for every $\epsilon>0$ there exists a local algorithm achieving the approximation ratio ${\Delta_I (1 - 1/\Delta_K)} + \epsilon$. We also show that this result is the best possible -- no local algorithm can achieve the approximation ratio ${\Delta_I (1 - 1/\Delta_K)}$. Here $\Delta_I$ is the maximum degree of a vertex $i \in I$, and $\Delta_K$ is the maximum degree of a vertex $k \in K$. As a methodological contribution, we introduce the technique of graph unfolding for the design of local approximation algorithms.Comment: 16 page

Local Approximation Schemes for Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

We present two local approaches that yield polynomial-time approximation schemes (PTAS) for the Maximum Independent Set and Minimum Dominating Set problem in unit disk graphs. The algorithms run locally in each node and compute a (1+ε)-approximation to the problems at hand for any given ε > 0. The time complexity of both algorithms is O(TMIS + log*! n/εO(1)), where TMIS is the time required to compute a maximal independent set in the graph, and n denotes the number of nodes. We then extend these results to a more general class of graphs in which the maximum number of pair-wise independent nodes in every r-neighborhood is at most polynomial in r. Such graphs of polynomially bounded growth are introduced as a more realistic model for wireless networks and they generalize existing models, such as unit disk graphs or coverage area graphs

Next-to-Next-to-Leading Electroweak Logarithms for W-Pair Production at LHC

We derive the high energy asymptotic of one- and two-loop corrections in the next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic approximation to the differential cross section of $W$-pair production at the LHC. For large invariant mass of the W-pair the (negative) one-loop terms can reach more than 40%, which are partially compensated by the (positive) two-loop terms of up to 10%.Comment: 23 pages, 9 figures, added explanations in section 3, corrected typos and figures 7, 8,

Diffusion and Interdiffusion in Binary Metallic Melts

We discuss the dependence of self- and interdiffusion coefficients on temperature and composition for two prototypical binary metallic melts, Al-Ni and Zr-Ni, in molecular-dynamics (MD) computer simulations and the mode-coupling theory of the glass transition (MCT). Dynamical processes that are mainly entropic in origin slow down mass transport (as expressed through self diffusion) in the mixture as compared to the ideal-mixing contribution. Interdiffusion of chemical species is a competition of slow kinetic modes with a strong thermodynamic driving force that is caused by non-entropic interactions. The combination of both dynamic and thermodynamic effects causes qualitative differences in the concentration dependence of self-diffusion and interdiffusion coefficients. At high temperatures, the thermodynamic enhancement of interdiffusion prevails, while at low temperatures, kinetic effects dominate the concentration dependence, rationalized within MCT as the approach to its ideal-glass transition temperature $T_c$. The Darken equation relating self- and interdiffusion qualitatively reproduces the concentration-dependence in both Zr-Ni and Al-Ni, but quantitatively, the kinetic contributions to interdiffusion can be slower than the lower bound suggested by the Darken equation. As temperature is decreased, the agreement with Darken's equation improves, due to a strong coupling of all kinetic modes that is a generic feature predicted by MCT.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure

Efficacy of collateral types used by financial intermediaries in KwaZulu-Natal

Collateral is an important incentive device used by lenders to encourage loan repayment. However, collateral must have secure and transferable title, it must be marketable, have low lender liquidation costs and lenders must be able to attach the collateral. Study results for rural and micro-enterprise finance institutions in KwaZulu-Natal showed that assets such as vehicles and equipment were not effective as collateral due to high costs in attaching the asset. Cessions on crops were often constrained by flaws in collection mechanisms. Secure and transferable property rights were important preconditions for land to have value as collateral. Collateral substitutes such as joint liability mechanisms were less effective when lending to large farmer groups (30-60 members) compared with small groups (4-6 individuals) of micro-entrepreneurs operating in urban areas.Agricultural Finance,

Assessing the efficacy of a South African microlender's loan screening mechanism

Bivariate probit analysis was used to assess the efficacy of a South African microlender’s loan screening process. This micro-lender grants short-term cash loans to individuals who are employed and earning a fixed salary. Loan applicants with more stable incomes, who are contactable via telephone or post, who are employed in less risky business sectors, who have more disposable income relative to debt, and who have had a good credit history with other lenders, are more likely to be accepted. None of the factors with a significant effect on the loan screening decision could explain subsequent loan default by accepted applicants. The microlender may have screened out very risky clients and accepted a riskier, profitable pool of loan applicants with risk being controlled through effective monitoring. This is important where tangible collateral is unavailable and where the risk must be acceptable to commercial lenders wanting to link up with profitable micro-lenders.Financial Economics,