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The aim of this paper is to enhance the understanding of the consumer attitudes and behaviour towards a new currency, euro, before the process of the changeover. The approach of the current study differs from most past research on the same topic as consumer attitudes are surveyed before the currency changeover, not retrospectively based on consumer recall. The research attempts to achieve the following set of objectives: to identify the general consumer attitudes towards euro and pinpoint sources of tension, resistance and uncertainty before the currency changeover process; to identify the pre‐adoption assessment of euro value scales and inflation expectations; and to identify various emotional factors related to the national and European identity in the euro adoption process.

The data analysis of the current research adopts a qualitative methodology. To gather a full insight into the pre‐changeover attitudes, opinions, fears and hopes, a total of 29 qualitative interviews were conducted.

The results suggest that consumer attitudes and opinions towards the changeover process are multifaceted and concerns and uncertainties rise from various sources – from rational economic aspects to emotional aspects related to national identity. This research points also to the underestimated role of national pride in the process of transfer from the national currency to euro.

The study is one of the first attempts to research consumers before a forthcoming changeover; thus it is exploratory in its nature and has the traditional limitations of an exploratory research. Based on the initial findings, it would be possible to design a quantitative research for the subsequent countries adopting euro.

The research identifies the attitudes of consumers before the changeover, outlining their doubts, fears and prejudices. The results can be used by subsequent countries adopting euro while planning their changeover strategies. The efforts of the strategy developers should be directed towards addressing the real challenges people face before the changeover.

A distinctive contribution of this study lies in the addressing of the pre‐changeover attitudes and opinions before the currency change took place. Although there have been surveys asking respondents to recall their pre‐changeover opinions, the accuracy of the respondents' memory over time has decreased, which is why such surveys may not give a valid picture. This paper contributes to the understanding of the pre‐adoption phase in a currency changeover process as seen from the point of view of consumers.

In certain cases, traction–separation laws do not reflect the behaviour sufficiently so that thin volumetric elements, Internal Thickness Extrapolation formulations, bulk material projections or various other approaches are applied. All of them have disadvantages in the formulation or practical application.

Damage within thin layers is often modelled using at cohesive zone elements (CZE). The constitutive behaviour of cohesive zone elements is usually described by traction–seperation laws (TSLs) that consider the (traction separation) relation in normal opening and tangential shearing direction. Here, the deformation (separation) as well as the reaction (traction) are vectorial quantities.

In this contribution, a CZE is presented that includes damage from membrane modes.

Membrane mode-related damaging effects that can be seen in physical tests that could not be simulated with standard CZEs are well captured by membrane mode–enhanced cohesive zone elements.

The purpose of this paper is to point out the possibilities for friction welding of dissimilar steels which are used in various industries. In addition, friction welding is a welding method that is applied for executing the very responsible joints. This research is focused on friction and tribological processes in the friction plane of the two pieces during the welding.

The present study research has been conducted based on the experimental testing of cylindrical specimens and results are analyzed.

The austenite grain size is affected by several factors through the friction process phase and the compacting phase during the welding. The very fine grain is the consequence of the high degree of the plastic deformation of the near-the-contact layers even in the friction phase. The viscous layer, which is formed during the stable friction phase, is the area where the moving of matter occurs according to a very complex mechanism.

The paper contains useful results from the area of conventional friction welding of dissimilar steels and it can be very useful to researchers and engineers who deal with similar problems.

The purpose of this study is to present a comprehensive review of the fundamental concepts and terminologies pertaining to different types of aluminium metal matrix composites, their joining techniques and challenges, friction stir welding (FSW) process, post-welding characterizations and basic control theory of FSW, followed by the discussions on the research reports in these areas.

Joining of aluminium metal matrix composites (Al-MMC) poses many challenges. These materials have their demanding applications in versatile domains, and hence it is essential to understand their weldability and material characteristics. FSW is a feasible choice for joining of Al-MMC over the fusion welding because of the formation of narrow heat affected zone and minimizing the formation of intermetallic compounds at weld interface. The goal in FSW is to generate enough thermal energy by friction between the workpiece and rotating tool. Heat energy is generated by mechanical interaction because of the difference in velocity between the workpiece and rotating tool. In the present work, a detailed survey is done on the above topics and an organised conceptual context is presented. A complete discussion on significance of FSW process parameters, control schemes, parameter optimization and weld quality monitoring are presented, along with the analysis on relation between the interdependent parameters.

Results from the study present the research gaps in the FSW studies for joining of the aluminium-based metal matrix composites, and they highlight further scope of studies pertaining to this domain.

It is observed that the survey done on FSW of Al-MMCs and their control theory give an insight into the fundamental concepts pertaining to this research area to enhance interdisciplinary technology exploration.

To study the metallurgical characteristics obtained from the process of diffusion bonding of 316L stainless steel (SS) using a commercial Ni‐based amorphous alloy interlayer and its effect on the corrosion resistance of the self‐joined SS‐amorphous alloy‐SS junction zone.

Squared samples of austenitic SS were joined using a brazing metallic foil BMF‐15^® in a sandwich‐like arrangement. The samples were then placed into a resistance furnace with a controlled N₂ atmosphere. The joining process was carried out at 1105 and 1170°C holding the samples in the furnace for periods of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 min. The junction zone was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to determine the metallurgical structure induced during the process. The corrosion resistance of the SS/BMF‐15^®/SS joints were evaluated using DC electrochemical methods on joined samples immersed in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution.

The samples of 316L SS showed self‐diffusion bonding at both temperatures which are quality depended upon the holding times. A concentration of second phases was observed by SEM at the BMF‐15^®. The joints developed crevice corrosion at open circuit potential due to a galvanic couple formed between the SS and the amorphous alloy, and presented preferential dissolution of the Ni‐amorphous alloy under anodic polarization in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution at room temperature.

This work presents a systematic study of the self‐diffusion bonding process of SS pieces jointed with an amorphous alloy interlayer and the metallurgical effects on its corrosion resistance of in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution.

To elaborate on the model terms for the effective integration in Russia's special economic zones in the long term.

The statistical method, comparative method and a formalised model of game theory are used in this research.

The research is aimed at determining the model conditions for effective integration in Russia's special economic zones. The proprietary methodology envisages the following stages: establishment of the case experience of the development of Russia's special economic zones and determination of requirements that are set to residents (players) for entrance; comparison of the functioning of players of one of the studied integration structures under the conditions of individual development and the conditions of business integration; description of advantages; development of the practical implications to improve the business strategies of residents (players). The analysis is performed based on the materials of the development of Industrial Production SEZ ‘Alabuga’ (Republic of Tatarstan) and its residents, as well as the evaluation of the system of regulation of the parameters of joining special economic zones of different types. The assessed residents of Industrial Production SEZ ‘Alabuga’ (Republic of Tatarstan) are Trakya Glass Rus and Automotive Glass Alliance Rus (in 2021, the name was changed to Shishejam Automotive Rus), which started functioning within the association in 2017.

The originality and scientific value of this research are due to the description of the specific features and perspective directions of integration in Russia's special economic zones.

In January 2011, during the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jason Sterling, a hedge fund manager, was conducting online research to see if he could trade on any newsworthy information emerging from the summit. Sterling's fund traded primarily in sovereign debt, and he needed to figure out if European leaders would be able to come up with a viable solution to the crisis or whether the debt crisis would lead to the default of several European nations. He knew that if a solution was not found in the coming weeks, the sovereign debt markets could be thrown into turmoil.

The results of a study of friction welding of ductile cast iron using stainless steel interlayer are presented. Based on the microstructure evolution at the region close to the ductile cast iron‐stainless steel interface, the phenomena accompanying the process of joining were evaluated. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to take a closer look into metallurgical phenomena accompanying the friction welding of ductile cast iron.

In this paper, ductile cast iron and austenitic‐stainless steel are welded using the friction welding method. The tensile strength of the joints was determined using a conventional tensile test machine. Moreover, the hardness across the interface ductile cast iron‐stainless steel interface was measured on a metallographic specimen. The microstructure of the joints was examined using light metallography as well as electron microscopy. In this case, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied. Energy Dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS) was carried out across the section of friction welded ductile iron‐stainless steel interface.

On the basis of careful analysis of experimental data it was concluded that the process of friction welding was accompanied with diffusion of Cr, Ni and C atoms across the ductile cast iron‐stainless steel interface. This leads to an increase of carbon concentration in stainless steel where chromium carbides were formed, the size and distribution of which was dependent on the distance from the interface.

The main value of this paper is to contribute to the literature on friction welding of ductile cast iron.

A hedge-fund strategist had two decisions to make. First, what was the path of core euro zone long-term interest rates likely to be over the next year? Was the dramatic decline in German long rates over the past few years an aberration that would soon be reversed, or was it part of the “new normal” that would persist for some time? Second, how would periphery long rates evolve relative to core rates? That is—the spread between long rates in the likes of Greece, Spain, and Ireland and those in Germany—how would they evolve over the next year? Was the dramatic divergence in euro zone long rates likely to persist, or would the coming year see a continuation of the modest reconvergence that has occurred since mid–2012? He knew many factors influenced long-term interest rates; he would have to use his entire toolkit to address this issue. The evidence was in no way clear-cut. Some factors pointed toward lower German rates, some toward higher, some toward a widening of euro zone spreads (even a dissolution of the euro zone as we know it?), and some toward reconvergence.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prominence of mechanical excitations at the time of welding. In the past years, the process of welding technology has expanded its influence in manufacturing. The crucial drawback of conventional welding is prompted by internal stresses and distortions, which is the focal reason for weld defects. These weld defects can be diminished by the process called post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), which consumes more working hours and needs skilled workers. To replace these PWHT processes, mechanical vibrations are introduced during the process of welding to diminish these weld defects.

In the current research, the mechanical vibrations are transferred to weld-pool through vibro-motor and DC motor connected to the electrode. As per standards, the tensile test specimens were prepared for welding with different voltages of vibro-motor and DC motor respectively. The weld joints were tested for tensile strength and analyzed the microstructure at the fusion zone.

Melt-ability at fusion zone of 1018 mild steel was investigated by the single-stroke intense heat process of fusion welding. It is observed that the mechanical vibrations technique has a profound influence on the enhancement of the fusion zone characteristics and grain structure. The peak value of the tensile strength is observed at 100 s of vibration, 190 V of vibro-motor voltage and 18 V of electrode voltage. The tensile strength of the welded joints with vibrations is increased up to 22.64% when it is compared with conventional welding. The enhancement of the tensile strength of the weld bead was obtained because of the formation of fine grain structure. So, mechanical vibrations are identified as the most convenient method for improving the mild steel alloys weld quality.

A novel approach called mechanical vibrations during the process of welding is implemented for fusion zone refinement.