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We propose the first non-trivial generic decoding algorithm for codes in the sum-rank metric. The new method combines ideas of well-known generic decoders in the Hamming and rank metric. For the same code parameters and number of errors, the new generic decoder has a larger expected complexity than the known generic decoders for the Hamming metric and smaller than the known rank-metric decoders. Furthermore, we give a formal hardness reduction, providing evidence that generic sum-rank decoding is computationally hard. As a by-product of the above, we solve some fundamental coding problems in the sum-rank metric: we give an algorithm to compute the exact size of a sphere of a given sum-rank radius, and also give an upper bound as a closed formula; and we study erasure decoding with respect to two different notions of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain hardness is the single most important trait in determining technological properties and end-use quality of wheat product. This trait is controlled by two genes (Pina—D1 and Pinb—D1) at the Hardness (Ha) locus. Soft endosperm kernels are characterized by the presence of alleles 'a' in both genes (Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1a), while the medium hard and hard grain is the result of deletion in the Pina-D1 gene or single mutation of the Pinb-D1 gene. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between common wheat grain hardness and the presence of puroindoline genes. Eighty-one spring common wheat cultivars from Europe were analysed for grain hardness by SKCS (Single Kernel Characterization System) and Pin—D1 genes. The analysed genotypes were divided into three hardness classes: hard, medium and soft and they showed four allelic combinations in Pin-D1 genes. The SKCS results showed that hard wheat was the major type in European cultivars, whereas molecular analysis showed differential allelic combinations of puroindoline genes among these classes. The conducted analyses suggest that another major gene or other factors were influencing kernel texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain hardness is the single most important trait in determining technological properties and end-use quality of wheat product. This trait is controlled by two genes (Pina—D1 and Pinb—D1) at the Hardness (Ha) locus. Soft endosperm kernels are characterized by the presence of alleles 'a' in both genes (Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1a), while the medium hard and hard grain is the result of deletion in the Pina-D1 gene or single mutation of the Pinb-D1 gene. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between common wheat grain hardness and the presence of puroindoline genes. Eighty-one spring common wheat cultivars from Europe were analysed for grain hardness by SKCS (Single Kernel Characterization System) and Pin—D1 genes. The analysed genotypes were divided into three hardness classes: hard, medium and soft and they showed four allelic combinations in Pin-D1 genes. The SKCS results showed that hard wheat was the major type in European cultivars, whereas molecular analysis showed differential allelic combinations of puroindoline genes among these classes. The conducted analyses suggest that another major gene or other factors were influencing kernel texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid steel girder is a welded girder with different steel grades in flanges and web. Usually, the flanges are made of high strength steel (HSS) like S690 and the web of a lower grade say S355 but combinations like S460 and S355 are also used. Such girders are more economical than homogenous girders. Hybrid girders have been used in the US since long but they are not commonly used in Europe. Some examples of the use of hybrid girders in Sweden are presented together with economic comparisons. Design rules for hybrid girders are presented together with justifications. Typically, hybrid girders are of cross-section class 4 according to Eurocode 3. The resistance in bending in ultimate limit state is influenced by the local yielding of the web, which limits the stresses in the web and affects the effective width of the web as well. Simplified formulae for the bending resistance are presented. For serviceability limit states, the local yielding of the web has to be accepted but the requirement of reversible behaviour will still be fulfilled. For the limit state of fatigue, Eurocode 3 states a restriction that the stress range should not exceed 1.5 times the yield strength. For hybrid girders, it is shown that this restriction applies to the yield strength of the flanges and that yielding of the web does not influence the fatigue strength. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Slightly retrograded rocks for edge-ground tool manufacture were used in two different supply systems during recent European prehistory. Mechanical properties of five of these rock types were tested to determine if the most exploited and circulated materials were also the most adequate ones. A series of mechanical tests were chosen to characterize their hardness, elasticity, resistance to friction, and Charpy impact toughness. The results were compared with petrographic variables (mineralogical composition, density, homogeneity, grain size, anisotropy, and presence of retrogression). Subsequent correlations between the tested mechanical properties confirm that density is a good proxy to estimate hardness, elasticity, and resistance to friction of the given rocks. It emerged that the amphibolic hornfels (MJH) most used in Neolithic Central Europe and circulated over large distances was harder than most other tested rocks and compositionally more homogeneous. On a broader European scale, however, MJH is not superior in quality to Iberian gabbros. Both rocks show much poorer mechanical qualities than Alpine high-pressure meta-ophiolites, which were largely ignored by the Early Neolithic populations of Central Europe. Analogies from the Iberian Peninsula also indicate that rocks comparable in quality to MJH, and transformed into Neolithic axe heads, only circulated in an area a few hundred kilometers from their sources. Long-distance transport of MJH is thus only partially explained by its mechanical qualities and rather reflects a wide and well-functioning social and economic network established over large parts of Central Europe which has no parallels in the European Neolithic. • No parallels for the long-distance transport of MJH have been found in the European Early Neolithic. • The use of MJH during LBK was not based on its mechanical features but on social/political factors. • Rocks used for Neolithic axe head manufacture were usually more elastic and less hard than knapped stone materials (flints). • Density is a good proxy for the suitability of fine-grained rocks for axe head manufacture. • Amphibolic hornfels (MJH) used for axe head manufacture is inferior in quality to several Alpine high-pressure rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]