The authors present results of experimental evaluation of ability of surface layers of nitride steels and alloys to resist damage under conditions of deformation during friction. A new approach to comparative evaluation and selection of nitriding mode of parts and friction joints is proposed.

The article considers comparison of coating properties made of tool steel R6M5, created by means of gas-powder cladding with pulse and continuous laser emission. The renewal of cutting tools and equipment at machine-building factories is an urgent problem of production modernization and reduction of its costs. The laser gas-powder cladding technology allows to simplify the process of renewing and to make it local and precise. The authors investigate microstructure, microhardness, porosity and wear resistance of coatings made with pulse and continuous laser emission.

It was shown in the article that any technological process can be considered as an energy conversion device. Each method, approach, means of treatment has a single-piece tool which is external energy. Performance factors are formed at the expense of both transformation and numeric distribution of external heat and maintenance of energy run-off conditions. The required output parameters of the forming process are achieved by controlling the internal processes and effects occurring in the work zone.

In this article a promising outlook of Raman spectroscopy application in research of polymer composite materials is shown. The author also considers a possibility of Raman spectroscopy application in research of structure polymer material and estimation of adhesion between fiber and polymer matrix for determination of stress transfer from fiber to polymer through interphase layer.

In this article the authors present polymer composite materials based on polyester matrix modified with carbon nanotube; these materials were investigated and manufactured. The obtained results of microstructural investigation of samples indicate a promising outlook of using carbon nanotube as nano-modificator for increasing the strength characteristics of polymer composites.

 This paper describes researches on inseparable methods of microorganism's biomass production, particularly - yeast biomass production by electro-flotation. The obtained data show that electro-flotation rate with separation of electrode spaces is approximately twice as high as the rate of regular flotation. For intensification of regular flotation and obtaining stable results, a laboratory plant with ejection flotation was created. Such flotation plant has advantages in formation of very small air bubbles. A set of experiments was carried out to prove the possibility of yeast suspension separation with vibration filters (acoustical filters) and hydro cyclones. The obtained data show high potential of inseparable methods of microorganism's biomass production including methods based on flotation. On the basis of these results, the electro-flotation tank allowing one essentially to increase efficiency of water purification at smaller specific energy consumption was developed and patented.

The article presents information about the most common car parking systems based on the use of mechanized equipment. The author highlights key design features of these types of systems.

In the article the author describes the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method theory and its parallel implementation for simulation of incompressible fluids. Implementation of Predictive-Corrective Incompressible SPH (PCISPH) method is described in detail. Parallel techniques are introduced to specify and to process initial and boundary conditions in fluid simulation. The author presents results for two- and three-dimensional cases of collapse of column of fluid such as comparison of simulation with real experiments and with results obtained by other authors, performance comparison of CPU and GPU implementations.

Two-dimensional phase unwrapping problem was considered. Phase unwrapping is a key step of generating digital elevation model with the use of topographic radar interferometry. Difficulty of phase unwrapping problem is caused by unknown location of discontinuities on the interferogram and large interferogram sizes. On the base of Bayesian approach the mathematical model of the phase slopes on radar topographic interferograms was developed. Phase unwrapping may be considered as an optimization problem. For this statement of the problem a mathematical method based on the developed mathematical model was proposed. The computational experiment confirmed practical value of the obtained results.

In this paper we consider two etimations of the unknown parameter in the Lehmann-Cox power-law model. These estimates are obtained by minimization of two different functionals: Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Savage ones. The type of these functionals was obtained by using non-parametric statistics proposed by authors in their previous articles. We demonstrated the advantage of one statistics over the other by use of the methods of statistical modeling when the Lehmann-Cox power-law model is valid. It was proposed using a correction coefficient calculated with Monte Carlo method to eliminate bias of estimates for small sample sizes.

The authors proposes an analytical and optimization method of aberration synthesis in optical system to allow automated analysis of lenses with fifth-order aberrations. The method is based on expansion of lateral aberration into Chebyshev polynomials, followed by minimization of the expansion coefficients.

The authors consider approaches to creation of security features for information and telecommunication equipment in an unmanned space vehicle (SV) with electromagnetic launch. It is shown that the main element of the microelectromechanical sensor element - the key - is a beam with a loaded core. The authors provide theoretical calculations and a table of geometric dimensions of sensor elements for two thresholds achieved with electromagnetic starting of SV - 2500 and 3000 acceleration of gravity of free fall (g). The authors consider MEMS key manufacturing technology and propose several ways to make them. The results of experimental studies under static and dynamic g forces are also presented in the article.

The authors developed a design technique of a two-sectional primary measuring converter for the air ion counter with complex spectral structure. Primary measuring converter providing mobility separation of air ions was proposed as a basic element of the small-sized air ion spectrometer. The proposed technique allows to estimate behavior of air ions in the measuring chamber representing a two-chamber cylindrical condenser, and to calculate values of the current created by a stream of air ions through the chosen cylindrical site of the measuring chamber. It also allows one to separate air ions by mobility over their sedimentation in different chambers of the primary measuring converter.

In this paper the authors describe a laser method of detecting oil pollution on rough sea surface by means of angle scanning. It was shown that the laser method allows to detect oil pollutions in a broad band on sea surface with high probability of correct detection and low probability of false alarm.

The authors investigated the possibility of obtaining a synchronous chaotic response to the signal generated by PLL using extended Kalman filter. The mechanism of onset of chaos in PLL system with 2-nd order astaticism was studied. The domains of stable generation of chaotic signal were obtained. By varying time update equation parameters for various SNR and sampling periods, the quality of signal recovery was investigated by using extended Kalman filter.

The model of the wheeled robot with automobile configuration of wheels in a problem of path stabilisation is considered. Conditions at which transition from the Cartesian coordinates to the trajectory coordinates at the path stabilization problem is correct are investigated. Performance of these conditions for the elementary types of a trajectory of the robot is analyzed.

The article considers creating panoramic images in the data coming from the camera video recording automobile stream. The authors describe each of the steps and give a description of the sequence of actions to achieve the final result. The analysis of the results is also provided.

The authors consider the ontology knowledge bases focused on support of decision-making in corporate information systems. The authors believe that search for decision in these knowledge bases is carried out with the use of metadata of the document. Implementation of this approach leads to a graph-coarsening problem. The authors present some methods for solving this problem, and the results of the research of their efficiency.

The authors consider the problem of integral estimation of multi-criterion alternatives; they propose a formal statement of the problem and methods of solving it. The method transforms the problem into global conditional multidimensional optimization. To solve that problem Mind Evolutionary Computation algorithm is used. Implementation of this method is described. The results of efficiency research are given.

 Several prediction models, methods of qualitative assessment of predictions and model selection methodology are presented in this article. Prediction accuracy was evaluated by comparing models with one other. Prediction accuracy of the described models was higher than the prediction of extrapolated average speed. Longtime testing, new models and factors affecting the traffic situation are planned to be considered. 

A neural network algorithm of balancing the non-ideal ring resonator of solid-state wave gyro is considered in the article. The algorithm is based on principles of combinatorial optimization and minimization of the Hopfield network energy; the algorithm allows harmonics compensation of angular mass distribution. The proposed approach can be generalized on various models of discrete balancing and combined with other tools of artificial intelligence: genetic algorithms, simulation annealing et al.

The author considers nanoscale systems of noninteracting fermions with cylindrical symmetry (quantum wires) which are in the simplest rectangular confining potential. It was shown that for low-dimensional quantum systems, the degeneracy of levels is primarily determined by the symmetry of the problem, and - depending on the type of building -  not only degeneration caused by the presence of axial symmetry is possible, but also accidental degeneracy. Thus, the state with the same energy corresponds to different spatial distributions of electrons, which leads to divergence of results for electron density, which determines, in particular, system response to external stimuli. It follows that the usual method for estimating reliability of theoretical analysis results - comparison of energy performance characteristics – does not to allow judge how close to reality the result of calculating the electron density is.

The authors developed a method for numerical evaluation of the mechanical momentum transferred to the wall by the gas-bubble cavitation at the moment when it collapses near the wall of the channel. For the first time the impact of the cavitation bubble on the wall is considered as a point explosion in an incompressible fluid. The impact of the empty cavity formed on the spot of the explosion of the bubble on the wall of the channel. The authors obtained the dependence of the momentum transferred to the channel wall on the initial bubble radius and the distance to the wall on which the bubbles collapses. The cavitation bubble is considered spherical, and the process of its evolution is adiabatic. In the calculations the authors considered water as the liquid.

The authors investigated conversion of broadband infrared radiation in lithium niobate crystal of stoichiometry and congruent compositions at noncritical 90°- phase-matching condition for vector interactions of light waves. It was shown that conversion efficiency, spectral width and position of the spectrum maximum of the converted broadband radiation depend on the ratio R = Li /Nb in the crystal of lithium niobate. The authors proposed to use the dependence of spectrum maximum of the converted broadband radiation on the composition and structure of crystal as the exact experimental criterion to determine the ratio R = Li/Nb in the crystal of lithium niobate.

This paper presents the results of optimization of a closed Brayton cycle gas turbine power plant with capacity of 10 kW with an electric heater as a heat source. The authors present the results of calculations of assemblies and units included in the model sample of the closed two-loop gas turbine power plant. Analysis of design and arrangement solution required for optimal location of the model sample in the limited dimensions of the room was carried out. Various configuration solutions are also included in the article.

Design and parameters of steering system are the main factors of maintaining controllability and stability of the vehicle. The subject of this paper is the steering system of a three-axle vehicle with steered front and rear wheels. Calculated relations for determination of the required ratio between the front and rear steered wheels’ rotation to ensure controllability and stability of a car were obtained. Recommendations on control parameters for wheel turning were drawn; a new steering control scheme was also proposed. The results presented in this paper can be used for upgrading off-road trucks which are similar to those discussed and operating under similar conditions.

Structural models of relational tables and information in tabular form are considered in this article. Their similarities and distinct features were revealed. It was stated that the method of transformation of information in tabular form into relational tables was based on exclusion of information which make this model different from a the model of relational tables.

Ensuring it has a place in the rapidly expanding market for online programmes, Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management today launched the Online Fully Employed MBA. Targeted towards working professionals, the programme aims to minimise the impact on work and home life schedules but will mirror the school’s existing on-campus programme.

Recognizing the increasing role of non-profit organizations in today's economy, Indiana University is poised to launch the nation's first School of Philanthropy. The university already is a leader in philanthropic studies. The nationally renowned research-based Center on Philanthropy is based at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. The university also offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in philanthropic studies through the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI.And now, with a growing market for non-profit workers, university officials say the time has come for a formal school at IUPUI. If the university receives state approval this year, as is expected, classes could begin in the 2013-14 academic year.

Some 570 Chinese universities and colleges have promised to enroll a total of 10,000 more students from the country's 14 least developed areas in central, southwest and northwest China this year. This is the first time for China's universities to offer privileged admission to students from poverty stricken areas. This gives disadvantaged students a better opportunity to realize their university dream.

Students studying environmental sciences enjoy increasing employment opportunities in China, according to a recent survey.Environmental ecology undergraduate students had an employment rate as high as 94.3 percent in 2011, marking the third consecutive year of surging employment, according to the Chinese College Graduates' Employment Annual Report 2012.The employment rate of environmental ecology undergraduates ranks sixth among the most sought-after majors, followed by power and energy, geology and mining engineering, nursing, civil engineering and agricultural engineering.

Employers and universities have been putting their heads together. Recently the Higher Education Academy reported on the outcomes of eight flexible learning pathfinder projects, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which found that employers favoured distance learning as a way of delivering career-related study.Such distance-learning degrees, which are often designed to appeal to mid-career professionals looking to develop their roles in specific sectors, such as banking, law, finance and nursing, are a growth area for many universities.Dan Hiskey, who is a corporate banking analyst for HSBC, has just graduated with a BSc in banking practice and management studied by distance learning at a private university, ifs School of Finance.

Two Australian universities are going through the final planning phases before the prototype of a free online learning platform aimed at disadvantaged people particularly in developing nations is given its first test run.The University of Southern Queensland and Wollongong University are among 15 institutions which will contribute courses to the Open Education Resource University, which is being run by WikiEducator.

American colleges say they are more supportive than ever of international education, but in many cases their efforts to internationalize may fall short, a new report from the American Council on Education suggests.Half of all colleges surveyed said they include international or global education in their institutional mission statements, while a like number reported internationalization among their top five strategic priorities. A majority said internationalization efforts on their campuses had accelerated in recent years.

Few PhD students explore new technologies in their research or understand the range of information available to them, a report commissioned by the British Library and higher education technology body Jisc has found.Researchers of Tomorrow, published on 28 June, surveyed more than 17,000 PhD students over three years, following 60 in depth and looking in particular at those born between 1982 and 1994, the so-called Generation Y.It states that despite being technologically savvy, Generation Y doctoral students know little about the range and authenticity of research information available in new formats such as online databases, e-journals and repositories, and few know how to access it.

A brief review of the main works and achievements of Gulielmo Marconi was presented. He was an Italian inventor who performed the first transatlantic wireless radio. It led to the development of wireless technology in the whole world. Some biographical information of Gulielmo Marconi was given, as well as some interesting facts about his life and work.