Loss-based quality costs and inventory planning: General models and insights

In this paper, we examine a joint lot-sizing and process investment problem with random yield and backorders. We allow for inspection and develop stochastic models which provide the optimal inspection and lot-sizing policy as well as the optimal process investment for variance reduction. The process quality loss profile around the target is captured via a modification of the Reflected Normal loss function. We conduct numerical experiments assuming that the proportion of defectives follows a Uniform distribution while the process quality characteristic follows either a Normal or Uniform distribution. We also develop closed-form solutions that depend on at most the first two moments of any general probability distribution of defective units and which allow us to examine the nature of optimal policies. We demonstrate via numerical experiments the value of our integrated approach for jointly determining optimal inventory, inspection, and investment policies. Overall, our models and analyses provide some interesting insights into this reasonably complex inventory-quality problem and open up several avenues for future work in this area.     

Microwave Induced Synthesis of Geminal Diacetates from Aldehydes Using Envirocat EPZ10® Without Solvent

Summary.  A simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly synthesis of geminal diacetates using Envirocat EPZ10^? under microwave activation and solvent-free conditions is described. Easy separation and recyclability of the catalyst, high reaction rates, high yields, and easy work-up are important advantages of this method. Received November 3, 1999. Accepted November 24, 1999     

Analytic and harmonic maps into a topological space

The relationship between the harmonicity and analyticity of a continuous map from the open unit disc to the underlying space of a real algebra is investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of myristic acid capped silver nanoparticles

Reduction of silver myristate (AgMy) under mild thermal reaction conditions in a dipolar aprotic solvent i.e. N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) has been carried out. UV–visible absorption measurements of dried and re-dispersible brown flocculants showed broad features of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) due to silver nanoparticles. The freshly isolated particles showed absorption bands at 414 and 485 nm, respectively, due to inter-particle coupling or clustering of silver ions and silver atoms. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of fcc zero-valent silver resulted in crystallite size of about 10 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed formation of rod shaped silver with increasing reaction temperature. Thermal analysis (TGA) showed about 10% weight loss due to organic capping.     

Transition metal complexes of pyrazole head 24-membered polyazamacrocyclic bimetal cores: synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry and spectral study

A series of new 24-membered macrocyclic Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II complexes of the ligands L¹H₂ and L²H₂ were prepared by the non-template and template methods respectively. The ligand L¹H₂ was formed by the condensation of pyrazole-3,5-dicarbohydrazide and glyoxal and all attempts to isolate the ligand L²H₂ were unsuccessful. These, ligand and transition metal complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, ¹HNMR, UV–Visible, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ESR, conductivity measurements, FAB-mass and thermal analysis. The redox behavior of metal ions in the polyazamacrocyclic ligand field is also studied. Electroreduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide is mainly focused on using polydentate azamacrocyclic ligands with amine and imine functionalities, based on the electrochemical behavior of nickel (II) ion in the macrocyclic territory.     

Anticonvulsant activity and toxicity evaluation of Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal complexes derived from triazole-quinoline ligands

A novel Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of triazolo-quinoline derivatives were synthesized by in situ method and were characterized by the spectro-analytical methods and their pharmacological properties were evaluated. The compound C3 has exhibited promising anticonvulsant activity towards the electroshock induced seizures in Wistar rats and possesses low toxicity, providing a high safety profile.     

Concentration and refractive index sensor for methanol using short period grating fiber

This paper reports on the spectral (response) characteristics of fiber Bragg grating sensor to various methanol concentrations. A complete experimental analysis on the use of Ge-B co-doped fiber Bragg grating sensor for a concentration and refractive index measurement is presented. The spectral changes in the grating response due to variation of concentration have been investigated in relation to new sensing configurations. The results also highlight the possibilities of using the sensor for medical and biological applications.     

Structural,dielectric, and conductivity studies of yttrium-doped LiNiPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode materials

Olivine-structured pure LiNiPO₄ and yttrium-doped LiNiPO₄ have been synthesized by a Pechini-type polymerizable precursor method. Compound formation temperature is confirmed from thermogravimetry to differential thermal analysis. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of phase pure LiNiPO₄ compound with an orthorhombic structure with fine crystallite size. Presence of preferred local cation environment is understood from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. XRD and FTIR studies show that doped yttrium ion entered in the lattice of LiNiPO_4. It has been found that the ionic conductivity of LiNiPO₄ is enhanced by around two orders of magnitude by doping yttrium. Dielectric spectra show the decrease in dielectric constant with increase in frequency. Dielectric loss spectra reveal that dc conduction contribution predominates in the sample.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Studies of Novel Benzodipyran Analog of Chloramphenicol

A synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial study of a novel benzodipyran analog of chloramphenicol was carried out. Structure–antimicrobial activity relationship study indicates that benzodipyran analog of chloramphenicol was most active against Gram‐positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungal strains Rhizoctonia bataticola and Penicillium even at minimum inhibitory concentration 10 µg/mL and showed moderate activity in other bacterial and fungal organisms. All the compounds synthesized during the present investigation were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI‐MS, and elemental analysis.