Using discrete optimization algorithms to find minimum energy configurations of slender cantilever beams with non-convex energy functions

This paper deals with a new solution technique for approximately solving certain variational problems in elasticity by using discrete optimization techniques that were originally used in information theory. This allows us to easily and approximately solve large deformation buckling problems for slender cantilever beams (including post-buckling behavior) as well as problems where the strain energy function is non-convex.The core idea is to quantize or discretize the variables describing the possible configurations of the body. This, when combined with the fact that the variational problem has an inherent Markov structure allows us to use computationally efficient search techniques based on dynamic programming (equivalent to finding the shortest path in a weighted directed graph) to find optimal solutions within the quantized state space. The results can be used in two ways: (1) directly as a fast approximate solution to the variational problem (2) As a means for finding very good (nearly minimum energy) initial configurations for application of conventional minimization techniques, which might otherwise fail because of a poor starting configurations which are far from the global minimum. We demonstrate both these uses in the paper.     

An overview of innovation in industrial drying: current status and R&D needs

Over the past three decades there has been nearly exponential growth in drying R&D on a global scale. Although thermal drying had always been the workhorse of almost all major industrial sectors, the need for and opportunities in basic as well as industrial research became clear only after the energy crisis of the early 1970s. Although the price of oil did drop subsequently the awareness of the significance of improving the drying operation to save energy, improve product quality as well as reduce environmental effect remained and indeed has flourished over recent years. New drying technologies, better operational strategies and control of industrial dryers, as well as improved and more reliable scale-up methodologies have contributed to better cost-effectiveness and better quality dried products. Yet there is no universally or even widely applicable drying theory on the horizon. Most mathematical models of drying remain product-equipment specific for a variety of reasons. In this paper, we examine the role of innovation in drying in various industrial sectors, e.g. paper, wood, foods, agriculture, waste management, etc. Progress made over the past three decades and the challenges ahead are outlined. Some areas in need of further research are identified. Examples of intensification of innovation in dryer designs via mathematical modeling are discussed. Finally, the need for closer interaction between academia and industry is stressed as the key to successful drying R&D in the coming decade.     

Palladium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular aminoacetoxylation of sugar derived alkenyl tosylsulfonamide: Total synthesis of l-deoxyallonojirimycin

Palladium catalyzed intramolecular aminoacetoxylation of d-ribose derived alkenyl tosylsulfonamide to deliver l-deoxyallonojirimycin in an overall yield of 19%. The preliminary screening of l-deoxyallonojirimycin against carbohydrate processing enzymes showed moderate inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (yeast) and α-mannosidases.     

Population Genetic Structure and Marker Trait Associations Using Morphological,Phytochemical and Molecular Parameters in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Habenaria edgeworthii</Emphasis>—a Threatened Medicinal Orchid of West Himalaya,India

Habenaria edgeworthii Hook. f. ex Collett is an important terrestrial orchid used in different Ayurvedic formulations. In the present study, variations among morphological, phytochemical and molecular markers were assessed. A significant difference was observed among populations using morphological traits. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) data revealed lower genetic diversity at population level (He = 0.207) as compared to species level (He = 0.334). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicates 74 % variation among populations and 26 % within population. Tuber extracts showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher total phenolics and flavonoids among the populations. Antioxidant activity determined by 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays exhibited considerable antioxidant potential. Furthermore, the associations between molecular and morphological and phytochemical attributes were studied using multiple regression analysis (MRA). Several ISSR fragments were associated with some morphological and phytochemical traits. These ISSR fragments can be useful for breeding programme of the species when no other genetic information, such as linkage maps and quantitative trait loci, is available.     

Monoclinic CuO nanoflowers on resin support: recyclable catalyst to obtain perylene compound

Monoclinic CuO crystallite in grams has been obtained from resin bound Cu(II)-1,10-phenanthroline complex, R(-)[Cu(1,10-phen)(2)](2+) that becomes a recyclable catalyst for oxidative phenol coupling (OPC) reaction. Thus an exclusively intuitive blue fluorescing perylene derivative is derived from colorless 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene (2,7-DHN) in high yield.     

Fabrication of Large‐Scale Hierarchical ZnO Hollow Spheroids for Hydrophobicity and Photocatalysis

We report here the preparation of a crystalline, pure hexagonal phase of ZnO as hollow 500–800 nm spheroids in the presence of organic bases, such as pyridine, using zinc acetate as the precursor salt. The spheroids exhibit unique 3D hierarchical architectures, like cocoons, and demonstrate improved superhydrophobic (water contact angle, 150°) character due to the inherited air‐trapped capillarity within the cocoon structure. The simple synthetic strategy used in this process is modified hydrothermolysis (MHT), which represents a general approach and may contribute to the formation mechanism of the hollow nanostructures with highly improved porosity. Depending on the concentration of the precursor salt, it has been possible to cover glass plates or the inner wall of a reaction vessel with ZnO nanocrystals. A low salt concentration (<0.01 M ) allows the easy preparation of a superhydrophobic glass surface, whereas a high salt concentration (>0.01 M ) results in the precipitation of cocoons at the bottom of the reaction vessel as a solid mass together with a deposited thin film of ZnO nanocrystals covering the inner wall of the glass vessel. The thickness of the film successively grows through repetitive hydrothermolysis processes for which a low salt concentration (<0.01 M ) was employed. Because of the hollow cocoonlike morphology, the surface area of the film is greatly increased, which makes it accessible for functionalization by incoming substrates from both sides (internally and externally) and helps to drive a competent photocatalytic dye degradation pathway. The heterocyclic base pyridine exclusively develops cocoons. Thus, the mechanism of self‐aggregation of ZnO nanocrystals under MHT reaction conditions has been studied and the characterization of the compounds has been supported with physical measurements.     

Shelf-life extension of convenience meat products sold in Indian supermarkets by radiation processing

A variety of ready-to-cook meat products available in Indian supermarkets (mutton mince, chicken mince, chicken chunks, and chicken legs) were studied. The samples were irradiated (2.5 kGy), or left untreated as control, and stored at 0–3 °C for up to 21 days. The effect of irradiation on the microbiological, chemical, and sensory properties was evaluated at intervals during the storage period. Irradiated samples had a longer shelf-life at 0–3 °C compared with the corresponding non-irradiated samples. Fecal coliforms were eliminated by irradiation treatment. Radiation processed samples had lower counts of Staphylococcus spp. There were no significant organoleptic changes in irradiated samples stored at chilled temperatures.     

Failure in anisotropic nonwoven materials at finite deformation

The current work proposes a finite deformation strong discontinuity approach based modeling of failure in anisotropic materials with reorientation based micromechanical network model for the bulk response. These materials consist of randomly cross-linked one dimensional filaments at their microstructure which undergo non-affine deformation as well as reorientation upon loading before undergoing complete failure. The computationally efficient strong discontinuity approach allows to capture the failure kinematics by introducing a local problem where a strong discontinuity exists, thereby leading to an enhanced deformation gradient. A precise evaluation of the bulk response is done by homogenizing the physical microscopic response of constituent filaments where reorientation is introduced with an initial straightening effect of fiber undulations. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An algorithm for single-item economic lot-sizing problem with general inventory cost, non-decreasing capacity, and non-increasing setup and production cost

This paper considers an economic lot-sizing model with non-decreasing capacity constraint, non-increasing setup cost and production cost, and a general inventory cost. We prove that when periodic starting inventory is not less than a certain critical value, it is optimal to produce nothing; this critical value can be computed easily which results in a new effective algorithm.