An advanced implementation of the Dantzig—Wolfe decomposition algorithm for linear programming

Since the original work of Dantzig and Wolfe in 1960, the idea of decomposition has persisted as an attractive approach to large-scale linear programming. However, empirical experience reported in the literature over the years has not been encouraging enough to stimulate practical application. Recent experiments indicate that much improvement is possible through advanced implementations and careful selection of computational strategies. This paper describes such an effort based on state-of-the-art, modular linear programming software (IBM's MPSX/370).     

红外光谱法快速测定润滑油添加剂

利用ＰＥ－ＦＴＩＲ红外光谱仪及ＰＥ公司“Ｑｕａｎｔ”计算机软件,测定润滑油添加剂单剂与复合剂含量,实际测定了１５Ｗ／４０ＳＥ、１５／３０ ＳＥ／ＣＤ、１５／Ｗ４０ＣＤ、１５Ｗ／３０ＣＣ油品试样。测量范围为０．２％￣９０％,测定相对误差小于１０％。     

Polynuclear manganese grids and clusters—A magnetic perspective

High nuclearity paramagnetic, spin-coupled transition metal clusters and grids are fascinating chemists and physicists partly because of their structural beauty, and the challenge of creating them, but also because of their novel physical properties. Magnetic interactions between the spin centers are a primary focus. This review will examine a selection of Mn(II) polynuclear grids and clusters, with nuclearities in the range Mn₄ to Mn₉. Theoretical treatments of the magnetic properties are discussed, and approaches to solving the exchange problem for ‘large’ spin systems related to computational difficulties. A freely available software package (MAGMUN4.1) is presented as a means of dealing simply with spin-coupled clusters in general, and symmetry reduction methods are discussed briefly as a means of dealing with ‘large’ spin systems.     

New tools: Expert systems for uncertainty budgets

An important part of quality assurance in any analytical laboratory is the production of comprehensive results integrating uncertainty measurements. Many testing laboratories face the problem that the expenditure required to evaluate small uncertainties (high precision and high accuracy) is often uneconomic. In most cases an uncertainty of high reliability has to be calculated from only a few data (one calibration, few replications, etc.). This problem can be solved by an expert system. To achieve this the analytical procedure has to be structured into a dialouge and divided into parts. The uncertainty has to be calculated for each part of the procedure. Addition of the individual uncertainties results in the combined and expanded uncertainty. During the dialouge the system should advise the analyst how to get an efficient and effective calculation of uncertainty. All calculations, mathematical and statistical procedures have to be surveyable but running the system should not be too time consuming for economic reasons. Within the scope of the EURECA-project initiated by the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (EMPA), St. Gallen, Switzerland, expert system software is being developed in cooperation with other research institutes and manufacturers of analytical instruments. Using this software it will be possible to calculate the uncertainty for analytical procedures such as titration, atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and gas- and liquid chromatography (GC, HPLC).     

How gamma radiation processing systems are benefiting from the latest advances in information technology

This paper discusses how gamma irradiation plants are putting the latest advances in computer and information technology to use for better process control, cost savings, and strategic advantages.

Some irradiator operations are gaining significant benefits by integrating computer technology and robotics with real-time information processing, multi-user databases, and communication networks. The paper reports on several irradiation facilities that are making good use of client/server LANs, user-friendly graphics interfaces, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed I/O with real-time sensor devices, trending analysis, real-time product tracking, dynamic product scheduling, and automated dosimetry reading. These plants are lowering costs by fast and reliable reconciliation of dosimetry data, easier validation to GMP requirements, optimizing production flow, and faster release of sterilized products to market.

There is a trend in the manufacturing sector towards total automation using “predictive process control”. Real-time verification of process parameters “on-the-run” allows control parameters to be adjusted appropriately, before the process strays out of limits. Applying this technology to the gamma radiation process, control will be based on monitoring the key parameters such as time, and making adjustments during the process to optimize quality and throughput. Dosimetry results will be used as a quality control measurement rather than as a final monitor for the release of the product. Results are correlated with the irradiation process data to quickly and confidently reconcile variations. Ultimately, a parametric process control system utilizing responsive control, feedback and verification will not only increase productivity and process efficiency, but can also result in operating within tighter dose control set points.     

软体微手鲁棒非线性控制设计

软体驱动器是构建智能软体机器人的基石。然而,由于软体驱动器具有非线性、耦合和不确定性等复杂的特性,如何对其进行有效建模与控制是目前极需解决的难题。以一种由三支单腔双向弯曲软驱动器构成的软体微手为研究对象,对其进行了鲁棒非线性控制设计研究。首先,进行了鲁棒非线性控制系统的总体结构设计分析。其次,对如何设计算子控制器、跟踪控制器、算子观测器实现其对软体微手的弯曲角度和力进行控制进行了分析和讨论。接着,分析和研究了鲁棒稳定和跟踪条件。最后,通过基于实验数据的仿真验证了所提方案的可行性和有效性。     

基于USB的卫星通用化地面测试软件的设计

本文将软件工程中的组件技术引入卫星测试领域,提出了利用测试功能组件构建通用化测试软件的设计思路。首先,对现有卫星型号的地面测试任务做共性研究;其次,总结通用化测试软件的研制需求;然后,进行软件概要设计和详细设计;最后,软件实现。经验证,本文提出的基于USB接口的卫星通用化地面测试软件,通用性强,能较好的满足多个分系统单机设备的测试要求。     

概率统计教学的几点建议

概率统计是大学数学的基础课程之一,我们通过具体的例子分析了概率统计课程教学应该重视的几个问题,并提出了解决问题的建议．这对概率统计课程的教学有一定的借鉴意义．     

Dotplot: A Program for Exploring Self-Similarity in Millions of Lines of Text and Code

Abstract

An interactive program, dotplot, has been developed for browsing millions of lines of text and source code, using an approach borrowed from biology for studying homology (self-similarity) in DNA sequences. With conventional browsing tools such as a screen editor, it is difficult to identify structures that are too big to fit on the screen. In contrast, with dotplots we find that many of these structures show up as diagonals, squares, textures, and other visually recognizable features, as will be illustrated in examples selected from biology and two new application domains, text (AP news, Canadian Hansards) and source code (5ESS®). In an attempt to isolate the mechanisms that produce these features, we have synthesized similar features in dotplots of artificial sequences. We also introduce an approximation that makes the calculation of dotplots practical for use in an interactive browser.     

The Plot-Data Interface in Statistical Graphics

Abstract

Statistical software systems include modules for manipulating data sets, model fitting, and graphics. Because plots display data, and models are fit to data, both the model-fitting and graphics modules depend on the data. Today's statistical environments allow the analyst to choose or even build a suitable data structure for storing the data and to implement new kinds of plots. The multiplicity problem caused by many plot varieties and many data representations is avoided by constructing a plot-data interface. The interface is a convention by which plots communicate with data sets, allowing plots to be independent of the actual data representation. This article describes the components of such a plot-data interface. The same strategy may be used to deal with the dependence of model-fitting procedures on data.