bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Performative Role of Hashtags in the Politicization of Europe
Authors: Murru Maria Francesca
Published: February 2016

The chapter analyses Twitter as one of the several fora where the general public sphere manifests itself. The Twitter debate generated in Italy during the campaign for EP2014 is used as a prism for looking in depth into the mutual shaping between the specific grammar of the micro-blogging platform and the ongoing politicization of the EU within and across national politics. The contribution looks at the ways in which specific socio-communicative features of Twitter have became deeply interlaced with the emergence of Europe-related structure of meanings. Special attention is paid to the performative role of hashtags in summoning publics and in triggering a peculiar kind of ambient affiliation that is more than mere connectivity and rather involves the opening of a discursive space where negotiation of meanings becomes possible.
Post as Much and as Diversely as Possible
Authors: Maksuti Alem , Deželan Tomaž
Published: February 2016

The daily interaction between political parties and voters is a driving force in election campaigns and can influence their outcomes. The theory of campaign intensity holds that the timing of message delivery in an election campaign is a key component of the strategies used by political actors. However, this theory also warns political actors to be cautious about the timing of different types of messages sent during the election campaign. Our objective is to examine the intensity and types of messages Slovenian political actors communicated through Twitter during different stages in the 2014 national election campaign. Our study conducts a content analysis of 7,113 tweets posted during the last four weeks of the official election campaign. It includes 17 official accounts of Slovenian parties, party leaders, and influential party twitterians. The results indicated that the stage of the campaign and the differences between established and fringe political parties significantly influenced the intensity of Twitter communications during the study period. The results also revealed that the political actors tweeted different types of political messages (e.g., to inform and to persuade voters) during different stages of the campaign.
Evaluation of Nosocomial Infection Risk Using a Hybrid Approach
Authors: Neves José , Silva Eva , Neves João , Vicente Henrique
Published: February 2016

Nosocomial infections have severe consequences for the patients and the society in general, being one of the causes that increase the length of stay in healthcare facilities. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to be preventive, being aware of how probable is to have that kind of infection, although it is hard to do with traditional methodologies and tools for problem solving. Therefore, this work will focus on the development of a decision support system that will cater for an individual risk evaluation tool with respect to catch nosocomial infections. The Knowledge Representation and Reasoning procedures used will be based on an extension to the Logic Programming language, allowing the handling of incomplete and/or default data. The computational framework in place will be centered on Artificial Neural Networks. It may be emphasized that in addition to the nosocomial infections risk evaluation, it is provided the Degree-of-Confidence that one has on such a happening.
Evaluation of the Length of Hospital Stay through Artificial Neural Networks Based Systems
Authors: Abelha Vasco , Marins Fernando , Vicente Henrique
Published: February 2016

The mentality of savings and eliminating any kind of outgoing costs is undermining our society and our way of living. Cutting funds from Education to Health is at best delaying the inevitable “Crash” that is foreshadowed. Regarding Health, a major concern, can be described as jeopardize the health of Patients – Reduce of the Length of Hospital. As we all know, Human Health is very sensitive and prune to drastic changes in short spaces of time. Factors like age, sex, their ambient context – house conditions, daily lives – should all be important when deciding how long a specific patient should remain safe in a hospital. In no way, ought this be decided by the economic politics. Logic Programming was used for knowledge representation and reasoning, letting the modeling of the universe of discourse in terms of defective data, information and knowledge. Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms were used in order to evaluate and predict how long should a patient remain in the hospital in order to minimize the collateral damage of our government approaches, not forgetting the use of Degree of Confidence to demonstrate how feasible the assessment is.
A Multiplatform Decision Support Tool in Neonatology and Pediatric Care
Authors: Guimarães Tiago , Coimbra Ana , Frutuoso Simão , Abelha António
Published: February 2016

As regards the dosage of drug, children are a much more vulnerable population than the adults. With this in mind it is extremely important the administration of the correct dosage. For this purpose, it was develop a framework, based on a prototype already tested in a real environment, with the main concern to help pediatricians in their daily tasks. Thus, this framework includes tools that can help in the preparation of Total Parenteral Nutrition prescriptions, table pediatric and neonatal emergency drugs, medical scales of morbidity and mortality, anthropometry percentiles (weight, length/height, head circumference and BMI), utilities for supporting medical decision on the treatment of neonatal jaundice and anemia and other calculators. This paper presents the architecture, their functionalities and a SWOT analysis of the solution proposed.
Evolutionary Intelligence and Quality-Of-Information
Authors: Pereira Eliana , Silva Eva , Fernandes Bruno , Neves José
Published: February 2016

The strategy of making predictions for a specific case or problem, in particular regarding scenarios with incomplete information, should follow a dynamic and formal model. This chapter presents a specific case concerning the employment of professionals for a health institution, as technicians and physicians, to demonstrate a model that requires the Quality-of-Information and the Degree-of-Confidence of the extensions of the predicates that model the universe of discourse. It is also mentioned a virtual intellect, or computational model, in order to maximize the Degree-of-Confidence that is associated with each term in the extensions of the predicates, according to the approximate representation of the universe of discourse. This model is prepared to be adopted by a Business Intelligence platform in order to increase the Quality-of-Information and the Degree-of-Confidence of the extensions in healthcare.
Agile Supply Chain Management
Authors: Banerjee Arnab
Published: February 2016

This chapter reviews some basic researches on agility and derives the various factors, aspects, dimensions, characteristics and distinguishing attributes that drive an agile supply chain. The chapter further explores characteristics for an overall agile supply chain and the finer detailed nuances of each echelons of an agile supply chain. This chapter discusses certain specifics to enable agility for retail businesses. Resilience is another aspect that is very important in today's retail supply chain and the characteristics of agility further helps achieve the same. Technology is an inseparable aspect of today's cutting edge supply chain and this chapter explores the various ways in which digitization enables an agile supply chain.
Customer Experience Impacting Retail Management
Authors: Saurav Swapnil
Published: February 2016

The customers' profile is evolving at an enormous pace. The differences between retailers are not significant in terms of value delivered; hence it is important that they understand the customer profiles and create differentiation by fulfilling the customers' needs. Looking at the shopping orientation of the shoppers, it indicates that the shoppers seek emotional value more than the functional value of shopping. Over the years, the shoppers' orientation towards this routine activity has been changing. The innovations brought by retailers and marketers in the practice of retailing have been providing new paradigms in the way shoppers have been disposed towards their act of shopping. This has also led to a body of knowledge that aims to understand the orientation of shoppers towards shopping and utilize it to develop typologies.
An Overview of Fruits and Vegetables' Retail Supply Chain Models in India
Authors: Negi Saurav , Anand Neeraj
Published: February 2016

India is the second largest food producer in the world. Various high temperate Fruits and Vegetables (F&V) are widely grown in Himalayas and Terai region of India. They are important to the various retailers in the plain areas across all the seasons. It has gained its credibility for providing sustainable income, nutritional security and for providing employment opportunities by retailing, both in rural and urban areas. As the population is increasing, demand for fresh F&V are also increasing day by day, but at the same time various issues are hindering the growth of retail sector. This chapter presents an overview of F&V retail supply chain in India as it plays a very vital role in the growth of Indian economy, and is also directly related to the health and happiness of the customers. The different types of retail supply chain models which are currently followed by Indian F&V retail formats/retailers (traditional or unorganized retailers and modern or organized retailers) and various issues related to the retail supply chain of this sector are also discussed in this chapter.
Omni-Channel Retailing
Authors: Pollamarasetty Saikiran , Potti Ravi
Published: February 2016

Omni-channel can be defined as a synchronized operating model in which all of the retailer's channels are aligned and present a single face to the customer, along with one consistent way of doing business. In this model, companies replace the many views of the customer they often hold today with one unified view of the customer—enabling them to respond in a consistent way to the customer's constantly evolving needs. This paper concentrates on various challenges faced by retailers in implementing the omni-channel and strategies implemented by them to achieve highest customer satisfaction. Also this chapter talks about future outlook for the Omni-channel retailing in terms of challenges and opportunities for the players in this industry. As part of our research, this chapter covers some of the well known companies' strategies from their annual reports, earnings call and other company presentations. Other articles from top supply chain magazines/websites have also been referred for the study. A mix of both qualitative and quantitative methods have been used for analysis.
Retail Healthcare Market in India
Authors: Das Rupali
Published: February 2016

The main objective of this paper is to explore the motivations and willingness of Indian consumers to accept and consult retail clinics if they are made available in India. A total of 218 participants, including those seeking treatment (Patients/ consumers) and those providing treatment (Doctors/ providers) were randomly sampled in the age group 18- 72 years. They provided with same questionnaire by mail. Response rate was 69% (141 of 218 questionnaires were completed). RESULTS: Majority of the participants were unaware of retail clinics. The young adults in the age group 18-36 yrs were most interested in using retail clinics. 13% of the participants would never visit retail clinics. The chapter concludes that the future of retail clinics in India will most likely be determined by their service and cost-effectiveness.
Redesigning Teacher Education in the Context of Multiple Reform Initiatives
Authors: DeMink-Carthew Jessica , Hyler Maria E , Valli Linda
Published: February 2016

Numerous teacher educators are revising their programs by focusing on high-leverage practices (HLPs). Concurrently, edTPA has been adopted by a number of states as a way to assess teacher candidates' readiness to teach. There is considerable conceptual congruence in these reform strategies. Both are practice-based, focusing on the authentic work of teaching. Nonetheless, the origins of these strategies, language, and materials are not seamless. HLPs, and ways of teaching them, are generated by local teacher educators themselves; edTPA was developed on a national scale with one purpose being to provide a common assessment of readiness to teach. This chapter illustrates the collective efforts of one teacher education program to productively handle the challenges that emerge in this dual reform climate while simultaneously meeting accreditation association requirements, including a conceptual framework for educator preparation programs. A model is subsequently presented for meaningful integration of edTPA, HLPs, and institutional conceptual frameworks.
One University's Pathway to a Change in Practice
Authors: Moran Renee , Keith Karen , Hong Huili
Published: February 2016

This chapter focuses on the process of implementing problem based assessment at the college/university level in teacher education. Past research points to an overemphasis on factual information, lecture, and paper and pencil tests in higher education. Performance based assessment is discussed as an alternative and a measure that calls for students to demonstrate more active participation, critical thinking, and work that aligns more closely to what they will actually be engaged in in the field of education after graduation. Particularly, a case study of one university's path in the implementation of performance based assessment is highlighted. The process of implementing three specific performance based assessments are considered as well as roadblocks, assets, and specific methods found to be beneficial and/or challenging.
Using edTPA Data to Improve Programs
Authors: Cuthrell Kristen C. , Lys Diana B. , Fogarty Elizabeth A. , Dobson Ellen E.
Published: February 2016

This chapter will share a model for teacher preparation programs to consider when attempting program improvement through the use of edTPA data. This model, regardless of the edTPA context, mandated or voluntary, provides a frame in which teacher education programs can begin using edTPA data for program improvement and can advance their data use towards transformative, institutional improvements. This additive model takes time, commitment, and vision in order to systematically create programmatic improvements. Performance assessment data provides the structure and information needed for units and programs to make these purposeful changes. The increasingly explicit culture of assessment in teacher education, in conjunction with the promise of valid and reliable performance assessments, invites teacher education programs to engage in third spaces with renewed focus.
Creating Faculty Buy-In for edTPA and Other Performance-Based Assessments
Authors: Hart Laura C. , Wakeman Shawnee
Published: February 2016

As candidate performance-based assessments like edTPA grow in use nationally, facilitating faculty buy-in of the assessment processes becomes paramount for implementation success. Many faculty, used to an environment of academic freedom and autonomous curriculum choices, may balk at the notion of implementing a structured assessment like edTPA across their teacher preparation programs. Identifying obstacles and developing responses that allow faculty a voice while maintaining a respectful and open dialogue becomes crucial. The selection of faculty leadership to carry out the initiative, the decision to score the products locally by faculty or externally through a third party, and a discussion of the impact of adopting the assessment on faculty workload are all part of this work. Developing appropriate faculty supports and resources and involving faculty in processes to embed knowledge and skills related to the assessment into formative coursework can prove to be invaluable strategies for EPPs going through these processes.
Examination of Content Validity for edTPA
Authors: Lim Woong , Lischka Alyson E.
Published: February 2016

In this chapter, the authors examine the content validity of edTPA for middle grades and secondary mathematics and raise critical questions regarding the edTPA's emphasis on academic language and the required use of representation as part of the subject-specific pedagogy. The authors compare the edTPA description and published validity information to standards for validity and the mathematics education research base. The discussion suggests that there is limited evidence for content validity and more work is necessary to support characterizing the edTPA as research-based and correlated with increasing student performance. Future research is suggested for improving the implementation and validation of performance assessments along with discussion of implications for teacher education programs.
edTPA Preparation
Authors: Suleiman Randa , Byrd Clavon
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this study was to discover and describe the effectiveness of edTPA mentoring and support program designed by the researchers measured by teacher candidates' perceptions. Within that research purpose, a research theory and/or model was constructed to describe a framework for effective preparation and teacher candidates' support program, which might lead to a successful completion/submission of edTPA entry and increase the probability of attaining a state teaching license. The research question was: What are the teacher candidates' perceptions of the edTPA preparation and support procedures designed by the researchers? This research utilized mixed method interactive program evaluation. An online survey collected teacher candidates' perceptions of mentoring and support for edTPA. The survey questions were organized around four constructs: Preparedness, understanding, submission and support from instructor, university supervisors, cooperating teacher, and resources. A comprehensive data analysis was conducted that identified areas of strength and need of the program.
Portfolios
Authors: Lachance Joan
Published: February 2016

Graduate level teacher candidates preparing to work with English learners participate in coursework related to theory and practice for many aspects of second language acquisition. In this presentation the author describes and discusses an innovative capstone project, completed in the context of the second language acquisition course, which conceptualizes and embodies performance-based assessments. What makes this exceptional is that teacher candidates demonstrate deep insight regarding the authenticity of using performance-based assessments with K-12 English learners while simultaneously connecting the concepts to their own pre-service teaching performance-based assessments; Portfolios2.
Supporting Teacher Candidates Completing the edTPA
Authors: Greenblatt Deborah
Published: February 2016

The edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment) is an enormous undertaking that requires much time and effort. This can create a stressful situation that can have an impact on the teacher candidates and affect on their student teaching experience. With this in mind, schools of education have to look for ways to support teacher candidate and make the process less burdensome while not losing sight of the goals of student teaching or their school missions. This chapter will start with an explanation of the acceptable guidelines for support for the edTPA. It will then move into explaining the challenges teacher candidates face such as mastering unfamiliar language, test documents, and digital literacy skills followed by support strategies. The next section considers the populations of teacher candidates who might need specialized support due to the lack of local scoring and the inherent biases embedded in standardized assessments for a diverse population. The chapter concludes with the benefits and consequences of providing support for teacher candidates to pass the edTPA.
Supporting Teacher Education Candidates through the edTPA Process
Authors: Petty Teresa , Heafner Tina L. , Lachance Joan , Polly Drew
Published: February 2016

edTPA is a performance-based, content-specific assessment process designed by educators to determine whether new teachers are ready for the job. This chapter provides a thorough description of how two departments at the University of North Carolina implemented edTPA in teacher licensure programs and how candidates were supported through the process. Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Foreign Language Education programs are described and implementation details of edTPA are provided. Formative supports for each program are presented. Finally, the chapter discusses future directions and next steps.
Using a Literacy-Based Classroom Partnership to Prepare Teacher Candidates for the edTPA
Authors: Hunzicker Jana Lynn , Arquette Cecile M. , Olson Peter , Atkins Douglas
Published: February 2016

This chapter chronicles the progression of one university's efforts to create authentic learning experiences and performance-based assessments for teacher candidates through an established school-university partnership. The chapter focuses on one particular professional development school (PDS) initiative: an ongoing classroom partnership between Bradley University's ETE 313: Methods of Literacy I course and kindergarten through second grade classrooms at neighboring Whittier Primary School. Opening and closing with vignettes illustrating Bradley's ETE 313/Whittier classroom partnership, the chapter presents detailed descriptions of two different professors' efforts to provide authentic learning experiences and prepare teacher candidates for state licensure, including successful completion of the Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), over four years' time. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the evolving classroom partnership in terms of student learning outcomes, the need for ongoing curricular modifications, and strategies for sustaining classroom partnerships.
Collaborative Video-Based Action Research Studies to Assess Classroom Teaching Performances and Improve Educator Programs
Authors: Catelli Linda A. , Carlino Joan , Petraglia GinaMarie , Godek Patricia , Jackson Valerie
Published: February 2016

Race to the Top (RttT) reforms in States around the nation have initiated changes in the way teachers are evaluated and in the way new teachers are certified. The focus of this chapter is on sets of video-based action research studies aimed at analyzing and assessing classroom teaching performances and evaluating program effectiveness in a Professional Development School (PDS) partnership setting. The studies were part of a larger longitudinal research project begun in 1998. Authors present selected sets of studies as exemplars of a model research approach for continually changing and improving classroom teaching and the PDS's integrative pre-and inservice teacher education program. Readers are provided with the research and inquiry questions of the studies, key findings, and how findings were used to provide evidence of program effectiveness.
Performance-Based Assessment Evaluated by Croatian Preschool Teachers and Students
Authors: Vorkapić Sanja Tatalović , Katić Vesna
Published: February 2016

Performance-based assessment strongly relies on the observation of children's behavior, preschool teachers' objectivity and accuracy, and presents a significant part of documenting children's development. Therefore, the main aim of this chapter is to analyze the PBA-use and its evaluation by Croatian preschool teachers and students from the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Rijeka. 60 undergraduate students and 64 preschool teachers participated in this empirical research by filling out self-rated questionnaires. As it was expected, students and preschool teachers demonstrated positive attitudes toward PBA and its documentation in general and if it is applied (will be applied) in practice. However, the students' positive attitudes, satisfaction and perceived usefulness of PBA are significantly higher than those of preschool teachers. These last findings definitely imply the need for modifications of the policy of the preschool education system, as well as significant changes that should be done in practice and relevant study programs.
Teacher Effect Model for Impacting Student Achievement
Authors: Heafner Tina L.
Published: February 2016

Teachers are a significant factor associated with student achievement. Research recognizes that the greatest determinate of student achievement is the teacher, yet questions remain as to what characteristics of teachers are the most influential and where these attributes can be influenced through professional development. This paper explores the teacher effect through the evaluation of the interaction among characteristics of four teacher profiles using Surveys of Enacted Curriculum®. This Teacher Effect Model was designed to evaluate the future impacts of sustained professional development.
Effects of Mechanical Alloying on Solid Solubility
Authors: Patra Anshuman , Karak Swapan Kumar , Pal Snehanshu
Published: February 2016

Mechanical alloying (MA) is a potential processing method for various equilibrium and non-equilibrium alloy phases such as supersaturated solid solution, metastable crystalline, amorphous, quasi-crystalline phases, nanostructures. Compared to conventional high temperature material processing such as melting and casting, improvement of solid solubility limit results from mechanical alloying at room temperature. The solid solubility increases with increase in milling time due to enhanced stress assisted atomic diffusion during particle refinement and reaches a saturation level at higher milling time. The extension of solid solubility is attributed to thermodynamic, dynamic or kinetic factors such as high dislocation density due to severe plastic deformation during particle refinement and enhanced diffusivity during MA. The review aims to discuss the insight of MA than other non-equilibrium processing in terms of achieving higher solubility, reasoning and mechanism of solubility improvement during MA of different alloy systems.
Effect of Relative Density and Strain Rate on the Deformation Behaviour Ni-Ti Foam Made through Powder Metallurgy Route Using NH4(HCO3) as Space Holder
Authors: Mondal D.P. , Barnwal Ajay Kumar , Dasgupta Rupa , Venkat A.N.Ch.
Published: February 2016

Ni-Ti foams of varying relative densities have been made by varying the size and volume fraction of NH4(HCO3), which was used as space holder. The green compacted pellets, after evaporation of NH4(HCO3), were sintered at 1100°C for 2 hrs. The XRD and EDX analysis confirms that there is no residual space holder. The extent of openness of cell walls increases with increase in porosity. The compressive stress-strain behavior of these foams varies with the relative density. The peak stress and energy absorption of these foam increases with relative density following power law and linear relationships respectively, and the densification strain decreases with relative density following a linear relationship. The pseudo elastic recovery strain and shape recovery strain decrease with increase in porosity. The overall recovery increases with decrease in degree of deformation. This phenomenological behavior indicates that these foams can be used for their shape memory effect.
Study of Mechanical Properties of Electroless Nickel-Phosphorus Coatings with Influence of Surfactant on AZ91 Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Imran Ansari Mohd , Thakur Dinesh Singh G.
Published: February 2016

Electroless Nickel-Phosphorus (ENi-P) coating is well-known in surface engineering techniques and is preferred in various mechanical, chemical and electronic industries view its extraordinary resistance to wear and corrosion. The paper summerizes the effect of surfactant on the mechanical properties of electroless Nickel-Phosphorus (Ni-P) alloy coating obtained from an acidic bath. The endeavor of this study is to analyse the influence of surfactant Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) concentration on the microhardness, surface roughness and wettability of ENi-P deposit on AZ91 Mg alloy substrate. It was observed that there was significant improvement in the rate of deposition, microhardness and wettability, along with reduction in surface roughness (Ra) by addition of ALS surfactant in the chemical bath.
Effect of Tomato Juice on Electrochemical Properties of Brass, Galvanized and Stainless Steel
Authors: Adetunji Olayide Rasaq , Afolayan Ayobami A. , Adekunle Nurudeen O. , Adeosun Olayemi J. , Okediran Kayode Iliyasu
Published: February 2016

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), is a fleshy berry regarded as very popular perishable fruit as well as vegetable grown throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world. This research work investigated the effect of tomato juice on the electrochemical properties of brass, galvanized and stainless steel using potentiostatic polarization method and weight loss technique at room temperature. The samples were cut into sizes, 2 cm by 2 cm for galvanized and stainless steel, while brass a cylindrical shape of 2.5 mm diameter was cut into 5 cm height, the cut metallic samples was weighed using a sensitive weighing balance and recorded. The pH of the tomato juice was measured and the cut metallic samples were immersed into the containers filled with tomato juice and exposed for a period of 30 days. Weight losses of samples and pH of the tomato juice were determined at an interval of 5 days and the corrosion rates were evaluated. The results showed that brass and stainless steel had very low corrosion rates which decreased with time. High corrosion attack was observed on the galvanized steel and this is shown by the high corrosion current density and corrosion rate obtained on the polarization curve showing active corrosion reaction properties. The pH of the tomato progressed to neutrality within five days and to alkalinity at the end of the thirty days test for galvanized steel while the pH of the tomato juice was less acidic at the end of the thirty days test for both brass and stainless steel. Stainless steel was confirmed as best storage material for tomato juice in this study.Keywords: Corrosion, electrochemical, potentiostatic polarization, weight loss, tomato, metal
Design Improvement and Structural Analysis of a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Star Sensor "Baffle".
Authors: Vinyas M. , Srinivasa Rao G. , Venkatesha C.S. , Vishwas M.
Published: February 2016

For any space mission to be successful it is necessary to guide the satellite to revolve in the right orbit and gather all the required data without any flaws. Among the many spacecraft subsystems contributing in this regard, Star sensors are the attitude estimation sensors installed in the satellites in order to determine the exact location of the satellite. It helps to bring back the satellite to the required position if there is any deviation from its path. Star sensor captures the image of any of the predetermined reference star. This image is compared with that of the image of the same star captured from the Earth. By this comparison and with the help of star catalogs, digitizers and microprocessors, the attitude and inclination of the satellite is determined.
Electrochemical Corrosion of Magnesium Alloy for Cardiac Implants in Artificial Plasma Solution
Authors: Przondziono Joanna , Zbrzeski Piotr , Hadasik Eugeniusz , Walke Witold , Szala Janusz , Basiaga Marcin
Published: February 2016

The study presents results of electrochemical corrosion tests of extruded magnesium alloy WE43 used for stents in cardiology. Corrosion tests were performed in artificial plasma with application of the system for electrochemical tests VoltaLab PGP201. Potentiodynamic tests enabled to register polarisation curves. Scanning microscope were used for assessment of the surface of tested alloy after corrosion tests. It was proved that the alloy is susceptible to pitting corrosion. Options of magnesium alloy WE43 application in cardiology are connected with the need for application of protective layers on implants made of the tested alloy.
Effect of Neodymium Addition on the Microstructure of Ti-47Al-2W-0.5Si Alloy
Authors: Szkliniarz Wojciech
Published: February 2016

In the study there was conducted characteristics of macro-and microstructure of casted Ti-47Al-2W-0.5Si alloy, based on intermetallic TiAl phase. There were presented possibilities for change of unfavorable parameters of this structure – large grain and high content of columnar grains – through the use of modifier in the form of a crystalline neodymium. There was shown the effect of modification process on selected properties of the alloy. There were determined: the content of modifier, by which changes in structure are largest, and the form, in which the modifier is present in the modified alloy.
The Influence of Substrate Roughness on the Surface Condition of WC-Co Coatings Obtained Using the Supersonic Method
Authors: Mendala Jacek , Szymański Krzysztof
Published: February 2016

Thermal spraying process is one of the main methods of obtaining the protective coatings. Coating quality largely depends on the proper selection of coating materials, technology and spraying equipment and the method of substrate preparation. The article presents the problem of the effect of surface preparation process on selected properties of the coating produced by supersonic thermal spraying – HVOF. Blast cleaning and supersonic thermal spraying processes were characterized. The influence of blasting parameters on the resulting surface profile and selected properties of the coating, such as roughness, porosity and structure were determined by means of surface profilometry, light microscopy and digital image analysis.
Effect of Two Different Solutionizing Heat Treatments on the Microstructure of the CMSX-4 Ni-Based Superalloy
Authors: Szczotok Agnieszka
Published: February 2016

The heat-treatment processes for the precipitation-strengthened nickel-based superalloys are extremely complicated. The solution heat treatments are designed to dissolve the gamma-prime and the secondary carbide phases and allow the optimum re-precipitation of these phases upon cooling or after aging, for various precipitation-strengthened superalloys. The study was conducted to examine the effects of two solutionizing heat treatments on the microstructure of the CMSX4 superalloy. A comparison between the two obtained microstructures was performed.
Tribological Properties of In Situ Composite Obtained from Sintered Mg-Ti-Al Powder Mixture
Authors: Olszówka-Myalska Anita
Published: February 2016

In the experiment reported in this paper, the friction coefficient (μ) and the mass loss of the metal matrix composite obtained from a powder mixture of Mg, Ti and Al sintered at 640, 650 and 660ºC, with the other parameters held constant, were determined in the dry sliding test at the total distance of 120 m. The sliding speeds of 0.06, 0.09 and 0.14 m/s, and the loads of 2.3, 5 and 9.3 N were applied, as well as a slider made of the EN-GJL300 cast iron. The value of the friction coefficient decreased with the speed and the load, and, for most of the applied friction parameters, it was very low (0.025-0.2). Some influence of the sintering temperature on the mean value of μ and the profile of μ versus the friction distance curve was revealed, yet in the case of the lowest friction speed and load only. An increase of the composite mass loss with the load was revealed, but the wear was generally very low. For a characterization of the composite and its surface after tribological tests, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was employed. On the worn surface, effects of abrasion and deformation were visible, but no Ti particle degradation or pulling out were found.
Erosion Resistance of the ZnAl22Cu3 Alloy
Authors: Michalik Rafał , Iwaniak Aleksander
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of soaking on the erosion resistance of ZnAl22Cu3 alloy. The following samples were examined: as-cast, soaked at 185 °C and after solutionizing at a temperature of 385 °C. The scope of the examination included: Brinell hardness test, test of resistance to erosion and the examination of the surface of the samples after erosion tests. The examination showed a high resistance to erosion of ZnAl22Cu3 alloy. Heat treatment had no significant effect on the erosion resistance of the tested alloy. A significant impact on erosion resistance exerted the abrasive incidence angle. Consumption was greater when the angle of incidence was lower.
Effect of Preheating before Welding on the Microstructure and the Properties of SA213 T12 and SA387Gr11CL2 Steels Joints on the Example of a Sheet Piling
Authors: Sieczkowski Kamil , Szczotok Agnieszka
Published: February 2016

The paper presents the results of the investigations of welded joints of the tube-flat bar type made of SA213 T12 and SA387Gr11CL2 steels. The joints were produced in two variants: 1) with heating up to 200°C, 2) without heating. The materials were joined by the submerged arc welding method. The temperatures of preheating before welding were determined, and it was verified whether the empiric relations (1) and (2), used to determine the minimal temperature of heating before welding for steel, can be applied under production conditions. The produced welded joints were evaluated quality-wise. Hardness measurements were performed in the particular joint areas. Finally, the effect of preheating on the obtained joints was compared.
Computer Aided Design and Analysis of Prototype Rotary Furnace Using Visual Basic Software
Authors: Adetunji Olayide Rasaq , Adeyemi Adetona John , Okediran Kayode Iliyasu
Published: February 2016

The rising demand for high quality castings necessitates that vast amount of manufacturing knowledge be incorporated in manufacturing system like computer aided design and manufacturing. Rotary furnace fabrication involves several critical parameters like, capacity of furnace, flame length, length of furnace due to the available installation space and determination of type and thickness of materials needed. A complex relationship exists between these fabrication parameters and hence there is a need to develop models which can capture this complex interrelationship and enable fast computation. In this project a computer model is designed and run, taking a 5kg rotary furnace calculated parameters as prototype to facilitate the production of a rotary furnace, using Microsoft visual basic language embedded with the necessary and required design and analysis formulae needed to fabricate different sizes of rotary furnaces.
The Impact of the Heat Transfer Coefficient on High-Temperature Distributions in Steam Valve
Authors: Marek Anżelina
Published: February 2016

The paper attempted to assess the impact of a variable over time heat transfer coefficient on the courses of temperature obtained in the selected areas of the analysed element. The object of the tests was a steam valve. A constant value of this coefficient during such component design is assumed in standards. However, in view of the fact that in devices used in power engineering the state of aggregation of the medium and its flow rate frequently change, the value of the coefficient should be treated as variable. Its value depends on the temperature and pressure. It has been shown that changes in time of the heat transfer coefficient have a strong influence on the temperature distributions in the component.
The Deformability of Fe-Ni Superalloy during High Temperature Deformation
Authors: Ducki Kazimierz J. , Rodak Kinga , Wojtynek Lilianna
Published: February 2016

The influence of initial soaking and parameters of plastic deformation on the deformability of A-286 superalloy have been presented. The hot-torsion tests were executed at constant strain rates of 0.1 and 1.0 s-1, at testing temperatures in the range 900-1150°C and were conducted until total fracture of the samples. Plastic properties of the alloy were characterized by worked out flow curves and the temperature relationships of flow stresses and strain limits. Activation energy for hot working Q was assessed for the alloy after two variants of previous heating, i.e. 1100°C/2 h and 1150°C/2 h.
The Influence of the Components of the Bimetallic Tubes for the Way of Deforming in the Hollow Drawing Process
Authors: Halaczek Dariusz , Hadasik Eugniusz
Published: February 2016

Processes for producing bimetallic tubes can be divided for: producing the bimetallic tubes in the cold process, with preheating or with the heat treatment after each pull. First method relates to the metal with high ductility (copper, copper alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, zinc, etc.), second to the metals or bi-metal components, in one of which has significantly different plastic properties from the second for example: low-carbon steel, high alloy steel, etc. One of the methods for the production of bimetallic tubes is hollow cold drawing process. In this process the wall thickness is changed, which means the wall becomes thicker, the wall becomes thinner or remains unchanged. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the influence of the share of components of bimetallic cooper tube species M1E, and the copper tube - species M63 in the arrangement M1E - M63 and M63 - M1E in the tubes hollow drawing process for the distribution and size of deformation of the individual layers. The research program included:- production of the bimetallic tubes by hollow drawing with a different percentage of the cross-section components and with a variable arrangement of layers,- determination of the size and distribution of true strain of the individual layers on the cross-section of bimetallic tube,- determination of replacement/equivalent strain for the deformable wall of the bimetallic tube,- evaluation of the usability of the graph of changes in thickness of the tube wall in the hollow drawing process for the drawing process of the bimetallic tubes.
Mechanism of Hot Cracking Welds of Nickel Alloy Inconel 625
Authors: Kocurek Robert , Adamiec Janusz
Published: February 2016

Generally, nickel superalloy Inconel 625 is good weldability. However, it should be kept in mind his tendency to hot cracking during welding. Gamma matrix is strengthening by the alloying elements chromium, titanium, niobium. These elements favour the formation of carbides and intermetallic compounds that may cause embrittlement and hot cracking in a welded joint. Based on research the system Gleeble 3800 and transvarestraint test appointed criterion for susceptibility to hot cracking and high embrittlement temperature range (HTBR). Analysis of results allowed for evaluation of hot cracking structural mechanism of welded joints Inconel 625.
Trends Development of Machines Operation Maintenance in Metallurgical Companies in Poland
Authors: Gajdzik Bożena , Janiszewski Krystian , Wieszała Robert
Published: February 2016

European metallurgy industry has to invest in technologies and machines in order to remain competitive on the world market. One of the areas of innovational solutions is concept of TPM – Total Productive Maintenance. The article presents the development of productive maintenance concept in chronological order in the conditions of economic system transformation (from central planning economy to the rules of free market) in metallurgical companies in Poland.
Precipitation and Growth of Intermatallic Phases in an Fe-Ni Superalloy during Prolonged Ageing
Authors: Ducki Kazimierz J. , Rodak Kinga , Wojtynek Lilianna
Published: February 2016

The influence of prolonged aging on the precipitation process of intermetallic phases, as well as carbide and boride in an Fe-Ni superalloy has been studied. The samples were subjected to a solution heat treatment at 980°C for 2 h and water quenched, and then aged at 715, 750 and 780°C for 0.5-500 h. The samples were analysed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. Direct measurements on the electron micrographs allowed to calculate the mean diameter () of the γ’ phase. The growth step of the γ’ phase particles has been analysed on the basis of the LSW theory, as well as the activation energy of the γ’ phase coagulation has been estimated.
Structure and Hardness of the ZnAl40Cu(1-2)Ti(1-2) Alloys
Authors: Mikuszewski Tomasz , Michalik Rafał
Published: February 2016

The purpose of the examination was to determination of influence of microstructure and hardness of Zn-Al-Cu alloys with titanium addition. The subject of examination was were ZnAl40Cu2Ti, ZnAl40Cu1.5Ti1.5 and ZnAl40Ti2Cu alloys. The scope of test included Brinell hardness tests, tests on optical microscope, tests on scanning microscope and X-ray microanalysis. It was found that tested ZnAl40Cu(1-2)Ti(1-2) alloys are characterized by homogeneous, fine- grained structure. Carried out tests pointed out, that addition of titanium to ZnAl40Cu(1-2)Ti(1-2) alloy influences on hardness increasing. It was also found, that the titanium forms Ti-Al precipitates in ZnAl40Cu(1-2)Ti(1-2) alloys and does not take part in solution strengthening process.
Application of a Digital Strain Analyzer AutoGrid at Thin Sheet Metals Mechanical Characteristics Preparation and Assessment of their Drawability
Authors: Hyrcza-Michalska Monika
Published: February 2016

The paper presents the results of mechanical properties testing of thin sheet metal of INCONEL 625 and 718 alloys. These studies are a continuation of experience in the preparation of the technological characteristics of metal strips plasticity necessary for carrying out numerical simulations [1]. In order to process sheets now become necessary to design the process using software such as thermo-mechanical simulation e.g. Eta/DYNAFORM. On the road of numerical simulation are sought optimal conditions for processing sheets. It brings reducing the cost of industrial tests. However, becomes strictly necessary characteristics of mechanical and technological properties describing the characteristics of the charges for forming. Here the problem is solved if we forming limit curves (FLCs) designated and technological tests conducted. Using the FLCs is comprehensively defined stamping sheet metal press formability and technological tests allow the mapping of the actual operating conditions selected stamping operations. In the presented study used modern digital analyzer AutoGrid of local deformations and the method of image analysis of deformed mesh subdivision. The use of mesh analyzer and vision systems method significantly speeds up the possibility of producing FLCs. Also measurement accuracy is very high. Selected Inconel alloys are evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by preparing their properties characterization. The acquired data entered into the database material properties of sheet metal and used in the numerical simulation of stamping process of Inconel 625 cone drawpiece. The legitimacy of the use of modern strain analyzer AutoGrid has been confirmed.
Corrosion Resistance of ZnAlMg Alloys for Batch Hot Dip Galvanizing
Authors: Saternus Mariola , Fornalczyk Agnieszka , Kania Henryk , Mendala Jacek
Published: February 2016

In the paper the results of corrosion resistance tests on ZnAlMg alloys used as batch hot dip galvanizing baths are presented. The tests were carried out on ZnAl alloys with 7 wt.% Al with the addition of 3 wt.% and 6 wt.% Mg. Corrosion resistance of tested alloys was compared with corrosion resistance of the traditional zinc bath alloy. Corrosion resistance of the alloys was defined by comparative methods in two standard corrosion tests in neutral salt spray and in moist atmosphere containing SO2. Electrochemical parameters of the corrosion process were determined on the basis of potentiodynamic tests. It was determined that the alloy of ZnAl7 has better corrosion resistance than the corrosion resistance of the alloy of a traditional zinc bath and that the addition of Mg to the alloy increases the corrosion resistance.