Approximation algorithms for scheduling problems with a modified total weighted tardiness objective

We study the approximability of minimum total weighted tardiness with a modified objective which includes an additive constant. This ensures the existence of a positive lower bound for the minimum value. Moreover the new objective has a natural interpretation in just-in-time production systems.     

Some new integral inequalities of Bellman–Bihari type with delay for discontinuous functions

In this article we investigate some integral functional inequalities of Bellman–Bihari type for piecewise-continuous functions with some fixed points of discontinuity. We also prove a new analogy and generalization of results which were obtained by Bellman and Bihari to integro-sum inequalities with delay and discontinuities that do not belong to Lipschitz’s type.     

Voltage ‐ Current Study of an Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharge

The discharge behaviour of an atmospheric dielectric barrier parallel plate discharge, used for surface treatment, is studied. Since an uniform plasma is preferable for surface treatment, filaments must be avoided in the discharge. The occurrence of filaments can be detected by measuring the current flowing through the discharge. Current and voltage measurements give an indication of the power consumption by the plasma. The power consumption of the plasma as function of the applied frequency is examined. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Numerical solution of the linear inverse problem for the Euler-Darboux equation

An inverse problem of the reconstruction of the right-hand side of the Euler-Darboux equation is studied. This problem is equivalent to the Volterra integral equation of the third kind with the operator of multiplication by a smooth nonincreasing function. Numerical solution of this problem is constructed using an integral representation of the solution of the inverse problem, the regularization method, and the method of quadratures. The convergence and stability of the numerical method is proved.     

An unflexural refined model of deformation of multilayered plates on an undeformable foundation

The stress-strain state of multilayered plates on an undeformable foundation is investigated. The design diagram of a transversely loaded plate is formed by supplementing it with a symmetric one about the contact surface of the foundation. The double-thickness plate obtained becomes loaded bilaterally and symmetrically about its midsurface. In such a way, only unflexural deformations can be modeled, which reduces the number of unknowns and the general order of differentiation of the resolving system of equations. The refined continual model developed takes into account the deformations of transverse shear and transverse compression in high iterative approximations. The cases of a rigid contact between the foundation and the plate and frictionless slip of the plate over the foundation are considered. Calculations confirm the efficiency of such an approach, which allows one to obtain solutions qualitatively and quantitatively close to three-dimensional ones. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 643–654, September–October, 2006.     

Structure and mechanical properties of Al/AlN multilayer with different AlN layer thickness

Nanometer scale Al/AlN multilayers have been prepared by dc magnetron sputtering technique with a columnar target. A set of Al/AlN multilayers with the Al layer thickness of 2.9 nm and the AlN layer thickness variation from 1.13 to 6.81 nm were determined. Low angle X-ray diffraction (LAXRD) was used to analyze the layered structure of multilayers. The phase structure of the coatings was investigated with grazing angle XRD (GAXRD). Mechanical properties of these multilayers were thoroughly studied using a nanoindentation and ball-on-disk micro-tribometer. It was found that the multilayer hardness and reduced modulus showed no strong dependence on the AlN layer thickness. Al2.9 nm/AlN1.13 nm multilayer had more excellent tribological properties than single layers and other proportion multilayers with a lowest friction coefficient of 0.15. And the tribological properties of all the multilayers are superior to the AlN single layer.     

The photon two-point function in unitary approximation

The photon two-point function is calculated using the exponential representation for the time-evolution operator taking into account terms up to second order ine in the exponent. The limiting case of vanishing electron mass is examined and it is shown that mass singularities cancel by means of unitarity. Near mass shell the causal Green function exhibits in the limit of vanishing electron mass the expected cut behaviour, off mass shell we recover the result of the usual perturbation theory.     

Linear Relations, Differential Inclusions, and Degenerate Semigroups

A generalized linear differential equation in a Banach space is studied. The construction of a phase space and solutions with the help of the spectral theory of linear operators, ergodic theorems, and degenerate semigroups of linear operators is carried out.