MODELING OF THE STANDARD MACHINE TO REPRODUCE FIELDS OF MECHANICAL STRESSES

The paper concerns the problem of practical measurement of mechanical stresses in industrial objects. The signal dependencies of different nondestructive testing devices on the stresses are discussed. Results of numerical modeling of the mechanical stresses that can be reproduced by the suggested standard machine are presented. A number of questions that should be solved to turn nondestructive testing into the measurements of mechanical stresses is discussed.

Design of Magnetic Focusing system for a Compact Ka band Helix TWT

In this paper we discuss the design of Magnetic focusing system (MFS) for a compact helix travelling wave tube (TWT) operating in Ka-band. Issues related to the design of the magnetic focusing system have been discussed in detail along with practical measurement results. The key design parameters considered for this TWT are: the cathode voltage is around 9.3kV, beam current is 200mA and total length of the tube not more than 6 inch with minimal weight.

Practical measurement of changes in leg length discrepancy after a myofascial release on the thoracolumbar fascia in patients with acute low back pain. A pilot study.

Background: A relationship between leg length discrepancy (LLD), pelvic obliquity and acute low back pain (aLBP) is discussed in recent work. Myofascial release (MFR) techniques are probably one approach to tread aLBP. It is proposed to use anamnestic LLD survey in aLBP patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate a practical measurement of LLD and the feasibility of MFR in the setting of a randomized control trial (RCT).Methodology: In 12 subjects (7 female, 5 male) with aLBP and a LLD greater than 3 mm, a MFR technique was performed on the thoracolumbar fascia. At baseline, post-intervention and follow-up, LLD was measured with a cross-line laser, pain with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and finger floor distance (FFD). Patients completed a survey after follow-up to assess their acceptance of the study procedure. The therapist evaluated the methods in terms of practicability.Results: The cost on time and resources for the LLD measurement and the MFR treatment was low. The participants voted with medium to high acceptance for the study procedure. The LLD decreased by 5.00 mm after treatment and by 4 mm to follow-up. The minimum detectable changes were exceeded in 7 out of 12 cases after intervention and in 2 of 9 cases at follow-up. The VAS showed a reduction in pain of 17.50 mm to follow-up but not after treatment. The FFD revealed no clinically relevant differences.Conclusion: Measurement of LLD is applicable in daily practice in a manual therapy setting, but it cannot be assumed to be a valid method for an RCT. Valid methods such as video raster stereography are therefore recommended. A comprehen-sive RCT with an MFR arm to investigate the impact of this intervention on leg length is feasible.

An Auxiliary Index for Reducing Brent Crude Investment Risk—Evaluating the Price Relationships between Brent Crude and Commodities

Examining the price relationships of Brent Crude with 78 global commodities, our study shows that the spot price of a certain commodity, New York Harbor No. 2 Heating Oil Spot Price FOB, can serve as an auxiliary forecasting index of the rise and fall of the monthly Brent Crude oil price. With an innovative view for evaluating the price relationship and prediction based on simple, practical measurement, our findings provide a helpful auxiliary index tool for investors and analysts by offering a high success rate (82.98%) and predicting the rise and fall of the monthly Brent Crude oil price three weeks in advance.

Essay Writing as a Skill. What is Graded and How

This article analyzes the problems that arise in the measurement and grading of writing skills in one of the main genres of school-level texts – the essay. After analyzing the current grading criteria according to the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science (MES), the author reaches the conclusion that an adequate and objective grading scale is possible only after we have clearly defined the criteria that constitute the competence of essay writing. The author’s main proposition is that this competence is dual in its nature – on the one hand, it is content-related, and on the other – communication-related. Neither of these two competences is defined clearly enough in the current educational criteria. The article describes in detail all aspects of the essay writing competence and offers a clear working algorithm. Hence the author offers the idea that an adequate grading scale can only be created if one follows the classic rhetorical scheme which describes the three main components of any discourse formation – inventio, dispositio, and elocutio. A practical measurement and grading scale is proposed. Its usage would grant two major advantages: it would allow the authorities to assess the students’ results adequately and objectively, and it would frame a clear and systematic working algorithm for the acquisition of essay writing skills. According to Bulgarian school programs, this competence is supposed to be taught for four entire years within the two high-school stages of the secondary education.