Technical Proposals Research Articles

A-207 Enhancing Healthcare Delivery Network Laboratories: The Role of Third-Party Consultants in Benchmarking and Reviewing RFP Results

Abstract Background Healthcare delivery networks, particularly laboratory services, play a critical role in patient care and diagnosis. However, ensuring the quality and efficiency of these services can be challenging due to the complex and dynamic nature of healthcare systems. Third-party consultants offer valuable expertise in benchmarking and reviewing Request for Proposal (RFP) results, which can improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of laboratory services within healthcare networks. Methods To evaluate the role of third-party consultants in enhancing healthcare delivery network laboratories, the author conducted surveys to 50 laboratory leaders with a 50% response rate and analyzed the following aspects: Benchmarking: Comparing laboratory performance metrics with industry best practices and peer institutions to identify areas for improvement. RFP Review: Utilizing subject matter experts to assess the technical and financial proposals submitted by vendors to ensure compliance with RFP requirements and to identify the most suitable vendor for the network. Emotional Procurement: Minimizing the influence of emotional factors, such as personal relationships or brand loyalty, during the RFP process. Results Improved Quality: 65% said they can save >50 hours of labor utilizing a 3rd party for RFP, thus able to focus on patient results and quality. Cost Savings: 76% of respondents said consultants can help networks reduce expenses and improve their financial performance by 10-20% above and beyond incumbent negotiations. Emotional Procurement Mitigation: While the specific statistics supporting the influence of consultants on mitigating emotional factors in procurement decisions are not readily available, the broader impact of emotions on decision-making is well-documented. Therefore, while direct statistics may be limited, the influence of emotions on procurement decisions is a recognized factor in the field of decision science and consumer behavior. Turn around time: 70% of respondents said utilizing a 3rd party can reduce the turnaround time of a sourcing event from >3 months to < 1months. Conclusions Third-party consultants can provide valuable insights and expertise in benchmarking and reviewing RFP results, leading to several benefits. They can play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare delivery network laboratories by providing valuable expertise in benchmarking, reviewing RFP results, communication and reducing turnaround time. By improving quality, reducing costs, mitigating emotional procurement based on brand loyalty, and enhancing collaboration, consultants can help networks deliver high-quality services to patients and improve their overall performance. Consultants can facilitate more focused communication and partnership development between laboratories, vendors, and other stakeholders, ensuring a seamless transition and optimal performance without scope creep. As healthcare networks continue to evolve and face new challenges, the role of third-party consultants will become increasingly important in ensuring the quality and efficiency of laboratory services, potentially resulting in $100’s of millions in cost takeout across the country.

Radar Defense and Active Interception of Kamikaze Drones

The modern combat environment is marked by the active use of kamikaze drones, posing a serious threat to lightly armored vehicles. The development of radar technologies combined with microcontroller-based control systems allows for the effective detection and neutralization of these threats. This paper examines a complex of technical means for detecting and countering kamikaze drones, utilizing radar detection and active interception methods. An analysis of existing solutions in this field is conducted, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and technical proposals for constructing a radar control system, guidance unit, and countermeasure device are provided. Special attention is given to the integration of systems to enhance efficiency and automate processes. The presented results confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solutions in real combat conditions, as evidenced by their application during Russia's war against Ukraine.

Determination of volume of radioactive waste in activated VVER-1200 reactor structures

The results of calculation studies of the amount of solid high-level, intermediate-level, low-level, very lowlevel radioactive waste (HLW, ILW, LLW, VLLW, respectively) generated during neutron activation of structural materials adjacent to the core of the VVER-1200 reactor plant, depending on the time after the final stopping it. An assessment of the volumes of radioactive waste (RAW) of activation origin generated over 60 years of operation of a VVER-1200 type reactor was carried out on the basis of computational studies of the induced activity of structural and protective materials using reactor and Monte Carlo program codes (SERPENT 2, TVS-M, DYN3D , MCU-PD). Specific activities for each isotope, total specific activities and activities, masses and volumes of activated structural and protective reactor materials for various categories of radioactive waste were calculated after the specified period of operation of VVER-1200 and over time after the final shutdown of the reactor. The obtained dependences of changes in the masses and volumes of activated materials over time after the final shutdown of the reactor make it possible to determine these parameters of materials separately for each category of radioactive waste and in total at any point in time. Thus, the masses of activated materials related to radioactive waste will decrease by 264 tons (from 713 to 449 tons) over 200 years of aging, and the volumes will decrease by 74.3 m3 (from 169 to 94.7 m3). Forecast quantitative data on the volumes and mass of activated reactor structures, depending on the duration of their exposure after the final shutdown of the power unit, will make it possible to develop technical proposals, forecast plans and schedules for organizing a radioactive waste management system during the decommissioning of the VVER-1200 reactor plant, as well as possible technological and design solutions for the disposal system for these radioactive waste.

Сучасний стан висотної мережі України, дослідження технічних характеристик нівелірних знаків

The goal is to determine the current state of points of height networks of I and II classes based on the analysis of technical characteristics of leveling points and regulatory documents with the aim of presenting the scientific and industrial geodetic community with author’s proposals. Method. The following methods of scientific knowledge – analysis, toponymic, etymological, statistical, systematic, historical, monographic, as well as methods – generalization, abstraction, concretization, were used to process the information on the technical characteristics of leveling points, presented on the geoportal of the State Government of Ukraine. The results. The quantitative and qualitative composition of leveling networks of the I and II classes is given, which showed together the technical and technological inconsistency of regulatory documents with the current state of the leveling (altitude) network, which necessitates the use of complex methods for monitoring leveling points on the territory of Ukraine. Scientific novelty. A comprehensive analysis of the information source on the state (technical characteristics) of leveling networks of I and II classes, which is the geoportal of the State Ministry of Ukraine, with the analysis of the provisions of the relevant regulatory documents, is the basis for the development of scientific and technical proposals for the long-term operation of leveling points of the State Ministry of Ukraine and will allow to identify weak aspects of their functioning caused by changes in their surrounding environment. The practical significance of the work shows the inconsistency of the provisions of the instructions and orders during monitoring of the state of leveling points and. accordingly, during the preparation of reporting documentation, which is due to the large number of types of centers, benchmarks of brands in leveling networks of I and II classes, as well as a significant amount of available at all levels, different in terms of physical and historical information about the surrounding environment of leveling points, proposals are proposed to solve the scientifically identified – technical contradictions when using leveling networks of I and II classes. The basis of the scientific proposals is the long-term scientific research conducted by the authors.

Функциональная модель объединенного источника комплексной системы синхронизации и доставки шкалы времени для крупной и распределенной системы технологического назначения

Purpose: to develop scientific and technical proposals and requirements for building sources of synchrosignals and messages of a single time for the integrated system of synchronization and delivery of the time scale depending on the requirements in frequency-time support signals and the current communication chain architecture in the framework of solving a unified synchronization system in phase time and the frequency in large territorially distributed and industrial technological systems. Methods: the applied research methods include the fundamental provisions of the theory of constructing synchronization systems, as well as infocommunication systems and networks. Results: a functional model of a united source of the integrated system of synchronization and delivery of the time scale, which includes a complete set of elements to perform the functions of synchronization and delivery of single-time signals in existing and promising complex heterogeneous networks with various architecture and heterogeneous equipment that differs from the existing fully taking into account the existing ones in Currently, technologies for delivery of single time and frequency signals, both on the basis of switching packages and on the basis of switching of channels. The proposed functional model of the united source of the integrated system of synchronization and delivery of the time scale will allow to reasonably approach the design of the means of transmitting and delivering single time and frequency signals to various and heterogeneous communication networks, taking into account all the needs for frequency-time support signals and limiting existing communication networks. Practical significance: the use of sources of single-time and frequency signals, which are based on the proposed functional model, will ensure a flexible infrastructure to ensure the unity of the unity of the unified time and clock network synchronization necessary for the correct functioning of communication equipment; Satisfy the requirements of synchronization signals and uniform messages for promising and existing consumers as much as possible; ensure the possibility of a phased transition of the construction of communication networks from the technologies of the channels to the technology of switching packages due to flexibility in the use of routes and transmission systems necessary for the spread of synchrosignals and uniform messages.

Properties and technical applications of antenna arrays focused on a broadband signal

Background. Currently, antenna arrays focused in the near-radiated field zone are being actively studied. The basic properties and characteristics of focused antenna systems using narrowband signals are known. It is possible to expand the technical capabilities of devices using focused electromagnetic fields through the use of broadband signals. This article is devoted to a description of the properties and a number of technical applications of antenna arrays focused in the near-radiated field zone using a broadband signal.
 Aim. The main aim of this article is to describe the basic properties of focused broadband electromagnetic fields and develop practical application options based on them.
 Methods. Achieving the goal of the article is due to the use of well-known principles of electrodynamics and aperture theory of antennas.
 Results. The features of the formation of focused broadband electromagnetic fields are shown and their main properties are given. Options for the technical application of focused broadband antennas in radio communication and direction finding tasks are proposed.
 Conclusion. The results obtained confirm the importance of assessing the properties of broadband focused antennas and developing a number of technical proposals based on them

A MODAL SHIFT, BUT HOW?

In this paper, we investigate the conditions that must be met for modal shift (i.e., the transfer of freight transport from road to rail). In addition to describing the competitiveness conditions, the paper makes technical and organizational proposals for rail freight traffic management. One of the most important conditions is that rail-road intermodal freight transport must be competitive in time and price with unimodal road freight transport. The freight transport model presented in this article provides a solution to this problem and an approach to estimating the additional intermodal freight traffic. Another important criterion is the relatively dense network of road-rail links, known as intermodal transshipment points (ITPs) along main railway lines. The proposed model can be compared to the freight transport model described in the term Physical Internet, with the addition that the objective is to minimize road haulage when locating ITPs (or hubs). ITPs are rail-road terminals or, more precisely, transshipment points, which differ substantially from the commonly used continental terminals. The third condition to be met is a horizontal container handling procedure that can be applied efficiently (i.e., at low cost) under the railway catenary and is capable of handling intermodal units used in continental traffic and maritime freight. Finally, an example for the Visegrád countries is presented. The essence of the example is the potential additional freight traffic or modal shift that could be included in the proposed ITP network. We believe that a modal shift could occur for up to 50% of the indicated heavy goods vehicle (HGV) traffic if the offer is competitive.

SIMULATION OF THE PROCESS OF VIBRATING SUNFLOWER DRYING

This work is devoted to the research and substantiation of the technology of drying sunflower seeds and the development of technological and technical proposals for the creation of drying equipment that would ensure work on this crop, both in seed and food modes. The technological value of sunflower seeds is determined by their oil content. Therefore, it is important to preserve the quantity and quality of oil. Under optimal drying conditions, the oil content in sunflower seeds increases. Therefore, the question of selecting technological equipment for the drying process arises. Analysis of the mechanical and technological parameters of series-produced dryers showed that these machines are mainly intended for the processing of grain crops. The disadvantages of well-known mine grain dryers are low moisture removal during one pass of the material through the dryer, overheating of the seed and a decrease in its quality in the area of contact with the surface of the intake boxes, increased fire hazard. Drum grain dryers when drying sunflower seeds are very fire-hazardous and do not allow obtaining seeds with uniform moisture content, and the use of high-temperature modes leads to a decrease in the sowing qualities of seeds due to overheating. When drying sunflower seeds in recirculation type dryers, it is very important to evenly distribute the seeds over the entire cross-section of the chamber, as well as to prevent the accumulation of oil dust in the heating chamber and to eliminate the ingress of sparks from the furnace into the heating chamber. One of the promising methods of drying bulk materials is the method of drying in a vibrating fluidized bed, which can be achieved on vibrating dryers of various types. A number of experiments were conducted to substantiate the technological and technical proposals for the process of drying sunflower seeds and to determine the operating parameters of the dryer. Based on the results, graphs were constructed. The results of the research proved the expediency and necessity of using vibrating dryers during drying of sunflower seeds. The best parameters of the infrared radiation drying process with a selected wavelength of 1,5-3,0 μm , a sunflower seed layer height of 15 mm, and a heat flow density of IR radiation were found. 5 kW/m 2 , the height of the placement of the IR generator blocks relative to the layer of the irradiated product is 25 mm, while the drying time will be 11 minutes.

Technical and algorithmic proposals for the implementation of the third decision scheme in the interests of ensuring the efficiency of receiving and processing broadband noise-like signals based on a two-fold derivative of a non-nested non-embedded non-linear recurrent sequences

Technical and algorithmic proposals for the implementation of the third decision scheme in the interests of ensuring the efficiency of receiving and processing broadband noise-like signals based on a two-fold derivative of a non-nested non-embedded non-linear recurrent sequences

Survey on the LAN MCS Gap Analysis (LMGA)

Abstract This survey paper can fill a literature gap in LAN/Ethernet modulation and coding scheme. During the past several decades, even though there were many technical papers on MCS technologies in the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard development process, those papers are only technical discussions for specific technical proposals and analysis for special application scenarios. There is no paper providing a historical overview of IEEE LAN/Ethernet MCS system. This paper is proposing to establish a research project to cover MCS deficiency gap analysis in the application field of LAN (Ethernet) communications systems. Research on LMGA is a mission to collect information on LAN MCS technologies, conduct analysis on the gaps between MCS practices and market needs so that in the future MCS Innovation development stages including technical requirements and proposal selections, LAN MCS gaps can be filled and to facilitate quick application and adoption into the field for new MCS technologies.

A Study on Research Trends and Technical Proposals for Double-Sided PV applied to Building Envelopes

A Study on Research Trends and Technical Proposals for Double-Sided PV applied to Building Envelopes

Possibilities of exploitation of graphite deposit in the Czech republic

This article deals with mining technical proposals for the renewal of graphite raw material mining in the immediate vicinity of the town of Český Krumlov, where there are three sub-locations called Městský Vrch, Lazec-Křenov and Bíca. These sites are significant in terms of the quantity of natural graphite reserves, a raw material listed as a critical raw material by the EU. This list is regularly updated to reflect changing economic importance and supply challenges based on industrial availability. The article describes possible alternatives for the resumption of graphite mining in the Český Krumlov deposit (Městský Vrch and Lazec – Křenov localities). It describes the initial situation at the Český Krumlov deposit after the end of mining and the alternatives for the design of opening and mining operations. The authors conclude by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed alternatives.

Ways to increase the maneuverability characteristics of the CCGT when operating in load control modes (for example, CCGT-450)

THE PURPOSE The article is devoted to the analysis of the problems that arise during the operation of heating CCGTs of the type CCGT-450 at reduced loads with their participation in the regulation of electrical and thermal loads. The description of the main limitations of the adjustment range of gas turbines, and the maneuverability characteristics of the CCGT, an analysis of some existing technical proposals for expanding the adjustment range is given. It is shown that the application of these proposals, expanding the boundaries of the adjustment range in small quantities, does not solve the problem as a whole. The description and research results of the proposed new technical solutions to expand the adjustment range and maneuverability characteristics of the CCGT - 450 are given.METHODS. When solving the tasks, the analysis, comparison and generalization of energy characteristics, modeling of modes were carried out.RESULTS. It is shown that: the use of methods for converting part of the central heating system and the central heating system as a whole of the T-125/150 steam turbine into a low-steam mode together with bypass steam distribution will expand the adjustment range to a level comparable to the adjustment range of condensing power units on gas-fuel oil;. when shutting down the CCGT-450 operating in condensation mode and when operating it in the GTU-CHP mode during periods of night failure of the electrical load, the conversion of the steam turbine to motor mode significantly improves the maneuverability and reliability characteristics of the steam turbine and the CCGT as a whole. conclusion. The use of methods for transferring part of the central heating system and central heating system as a whole and bypass steam distribution expand the adjustment range of the CCGT-450, respectively, by 7.8, 10.1 and 16.0% of the rated power; When the CCGT-450 is operating in condensation mode when the CCGT is stopped and when it is operating in the GTU-CHP mode during periods of night failure of the electric load, the steam turbine is transferred the MR significantly improves the maneuverability and reliability characteristics of the steam turbine by reducing the duration of start-up and loading of the steam turbine by 40 and 14.5 minutes, respectively, reducing starting fuel losses, eliminating temperature fluctuations of steam and metal of the steam intake organs of the central pump and the control stage during start-up;

Having your Privacy Cake and Eating it Too: Platform-supported Auditing of Social Media Algorithms for Public Interest

Social media platforms curate access to information and opportunities, and so play a critical role in shaping public discourse today. The opaque nature of the algorithms these platforms use to curate content raises societal questions. Prior studies have used black-box methods led by experts or collaborative audits driven by everyday users to show that these algorithms can lead to biased or discriminatory outcomes. However, existing auditing methods face fundamental limitations because they function independent of the platforms. Concerns of potential harmful outcomes have prompted proposal of legislation in both the U.S. and the E.U. to mandate a new form of auditing where vetted external researchers get privileged access to social media platforms. Unfortunately, to date there have been no concrete technical proposals to provide such auditing, because auditing at scale risks disclosure of users' private data and platforms' proprietary algorithms. We propose a new method for platform-supported auditing that can meet the goals of the proposed legislation. The first contribution of our work is to enumerate the challenges and the limitations of existing auditing methods to implement these policies at scale. Second, we suggest that limited, privileged access to relevance estimators is the key to enabling generalizable platform-supported auditing of social media platforms by external researchers. Third, we show platform-supported auditing need not risk user privacy nor disclosure of platforms' business interests by proposing an auditing framework that protects against these risks. For a particular fairness metric, we show that ensuring privacy imposes only a small constant factor increase (6.34x as an upper bound, and 4× for typical parameters) in the number of samples required for accurate auditing. Our technical contributions, combined with ongoing legal and policy efforts, can enable public oversight into how social media platforms affect individuals and society by moving past the privacy-vs-transparency hurdle.

Void and narrative in the clinic of addictions: A theoretical proposal.

We propose a connection between the void and addiction via psychoanalysis and current developments in narration in the context of the psychoanalytic clinic. We maintain that the addicted subject is shaped in particular by a relationship to the void evolving from the disruptive effects of the narrative. Our modern era is marked by a parallel evolution towards an unbearable void, to be filled at all costs. The neo-liberal promise of 'filling' the void with consumer objects in turn feeds the illusion of a so-called freedom, based on alienation to the inseparable duos of growth/jouissance and productivism/consumerism. The void has a multidisciplinary heritage (philosophy, physics, art, psychology) underlining certain aspects of a dialectic of the void that fluctuates between nothing at all and everything as potential. Taking this dialectic into account allows us to construct a concept of the void centred around two types of void: a narrative void and an a-narrative void. We maintain that the toxic in addiction can be interpreted as a narco-narrative that is constructed upon an a-narrative void. The clinical implications and technical proposals are briefly explored as openings to a clinical consideration of the void in the field of addictology.

What is enlightened agriculture? A multi-normative approach to the nature and values of food production systems

The sustainable development of farming is an agenda with strong normative undertones, yet beyond the call to combine enhanced agricultural output with better environmental outcomes, this normativity is rarely unpacked or analysed with respect to different worldviews and value systems. The normative practices approach is a values-explicit framework for analysing the normativity of social practices; here it is applied to agriculture to provide a critique of sustainability. This helps to clarify the nature of farming and the breadth of sometimes incommensurable visions for its sustainable intensification. It also leads to a values-explicit concept of “enlightened agriculture”, defined as models for agricultural systems that explicitly realise aesthetic, jural and moral benefits, possibly at some cost to economic productivity. While any implementation of this qualitative definition will be worldview-dependent, it appears that land-sparing approaches and the promotion of biodiversity per se are unlikely to qualify as enlightened farming, but farming with concern for the wellbeing of humans and non-humans probably does. The recognition that normative worldviews direct social practices implies that there will be profound diversity among visions of good farming, which technical and political proposals ought to account for. In the face of accelerating global change, this diversity may provide both resilience and fertile grounds for new context-sensitive and community-led initiatives.

Product Engineering Assessment of Subsea Intervention Equipment Using SWARA-MOORA-3NAG Method

Oilfields must increase their production due to the current price of oil barrels. The sale of these oilfields by big companies enabled new companies to enter the exploration and production segment of brownfields to increase oil and gas production through subsea intervention projects. However, these projects require specific product development that involves technical requirements that the engineering department must analyze. This research aims to apply the SWARA-MOORA-3NAG multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) method in analyzing the technical proposals of subsea intervention equipment for ordering suppliers according to the engineering requirements defined at the initial stage of the projects of an oil and gas company. The research methodology was divided into five stages: (1) identification of the problem through observation of the current process and interviews with engineers; (2) data collection through bibliographic research in the Scopus database; (3) problem modeling; (4) proposition of the solution with the application of the SWARA-MOORA-3NAG method; and (5) analysis of the results found. The application of the SWARA-MOORA-3NAG method brought a new ordering of suppliers to the analyzed case, enabling comparison between the method previously used by the engineering department and the method proposed by this research, emphasizing that the MCDA methods can be inserted into the analysis processes of technical proposals in the engineering department of the company analyzed.

The Road to Prosperity. Reflections on Polish Antitrust in Turbulent Times

The “end of history”, which was once speculated, did not happen. In international politics, this resulted in much turbulence, in particular in 2022. In antitrust, in turn, there is a renewed interest in discussing its goals and assessment methods. When it comes to international politics and military reforms, Poland has taken important actions to ensure that in spite of the turbulent times, it will still take further steps on the road to prosperity, on which it had embarked in 1989. Less has been said about economic policy. Yet, it is economic policy that provides a solid base for an active international policy and the creation of a prosperous society. This article constitutes part of a “scoping exercise” aimed at facilitating a debate over antitrust policy in Poland. As a discursive text, it considers a number of more technical proposals that have been made in the last few years, and highlights some systemic issues that deserve further discussion. It concludes that even if none of those issues currently attract the attention of the general public in Poland, this does not mean that no discussion should take place.

Problems and prospects for the development of the agroindustrial complex in Russia

The article deals with the problems of the dynamics of agro-industrial complex of Russia and the tendencies of its functioning in modern conditions. The peculiarities of the agrarian sector of the country, advantages and disadvantages of the agro-industrial complex development are studied. The author expresses the opinion about the necessity of certain actions in the state policy on the regulation and support of agro-industrial production. It is necessary to develop a set of measures to stimulate the development of the introduction of alternative energy in rural areas, as well as in the areas of industrial livestock complexes, as well as to develop technological regulations for the production of agricultural organic products, its evaluation standards and mechanisms for the transition of Russian agriculture from the production of higher environmental quality to “green standards”. It is necessary to pay attention to such areas as sustainable investment development, technical and technological proposals, land reclamation infrastructure, digitalization and many others.

Шляхи зменшення різнотовщинності товстолистового прокату

The purpose of the work is to develop scientific and technical proposals for reducing the longitudinal and transverse thickness variations of thick sheets when rolling on thick sheet mills. In recent years, there has been a constant increase in the cost of energy resources and increased competition between producers of rolled steel. Therefore, increasing the efficiency of the sheet rolling process by reducing the thickness variation and reducing the consumption coefficient is an urgent task. The Iron and Steel Institute of Z. I. Nekrasov National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine investigated the possibility of solving this problem in the conditions of one of the 3600 plate mills. Experimental and analytical studies of the formation of longitudinal and transverse thickness variations in thick sheets were carried out. The well-known fact has been confirmed that the main factor in the formation of longitudinal thickness variations is the fluctuation of the rolling force. Sheets produced on the 3600 mill have an average longitudinal thickness variation of 0.35-0.58 mm (the weighted average value for the entire assortment is 0.52 mm). The main factors influencing the transverse thickness variation are roll deflection, flattening of work rolls in contact with the strip, and roll wear. The average transverse thickness variation is 0.10-0.35 mm (the average for the assortment is 0.25 mm). The influence of the mass of the assembly batch of sheets on the wear of work rolls and, accordingly, the cross-sectional profile of the sheets was experimentally established. As a result of the research, three directions for solving the problem of reducing the variation in thickness of sheets were proposed: 1) regulating the allowance for the thickness of rolled products, taking into account actual data on the longitudinal variation in thickness of sheets by assortment groups; 2) implementation of an expert system for correcting the specified final thickness of sheets on the computer of the finishing stand regulator; 3) ensuring optimal values of convexity of the transverse profile of sheets. In order to reduce the convexity of the cross-section of the sheets, an experimental study was carried out on the use of convex work rolls in the finishing stand instead of rolls with a cylindrical profile. This ensured a decrease in the average convexity of the cross-sectional profile of the sheets from approximately the average initial level of 0.25 mm to the expected 0.15 mm and, accordingly, an increase in the yield of suitable by 0.3%, as well as a decrease in the waviness of the sheets. It is recommended to introduce convex work rolls into continuous operation in the finishing stand of thick-sheet condition 3600 (convexity of the upper roll is 0.15 mm, the lower one is 0.10 mm).