A comparative study of modeling and solution approaches for the coordinated lot-size problem with dynamic demand

In the coordinated lot-size problem, a major setup cost is incurred when at least one member of a product family is produced and a minor setup cost for each different item produced. This research consolidates the various modeling and algorithmic approaches reported in the literature for the coordinated replenishment problem with deterministic dynamic demand. For the two most effective approaches, we conducted extensive computational experiments investigating the quality of the lower bound associated with the model’s linear programming relaxation and the computational efficiency of the algorithmic approaches when used to find heuristic and optimal solutions. Our findings indicate the superiority of the plant location type problem formulation over the traditional approach that views the problem as multiple single-item Wagner and Whitin problems that are coupled by major setup costs. Broader implications of the research suggest that other classes of deterministic dynamic demand lot-size problems may also be more effectively modeled and solved by adapting plant location type models and algorithms.     

Mechanism of combustion dynamics in a backward-facing step stabilized premixed flame

Combustion dynamics leading to thermoacoustic instability in a rearward-facing step stabilized premixed flame is experimentally examined with the objective of investigating the fluid dynamic mechanism that drives heat release rate fluctuations, and how it couples with the acoustic field. The field is probed visually, using linear photodiode arrays that capture the spatiotemporal distribution of CH* and OH*; an equivalence ratio monitor; and a number of pressure sensors. Results show resonance between the acoustic quarter wave mode of the combustion tunnel and a fluid dynamic mode of the wake. Under unstable conditions, the flame is convoluted around a large vortex that extends several step heights downstream. During a typical cycle, while the velocity is decreasing, the vortex grows, and the flame extends downstream around its outer edge. As the velocity reaches its minimum, becoming mostly negative, the vortex reaches its maximum size, and the flame collides with the upper wall; its leading edge folds, trapping reactants pockets, and its trailing edge propagates far upstream of the step. In the next phase, while the velocity is increasing, the heat release grows rapidly as trapped reactant’ pockets are consumed by flames converging towards their centers, and the upstream flame is dislodged back downstream. The heat release rate reaches its maximum halfway into the velocity rise period, leading the maximum velocity by about 90°. In this quarter-wave mode, the pressure leads the velocity by 90° as well, that is, it is in phase with the heat release rate. Numerical modeling results support this mechanism. Equivalence ratio contribution to the instability mechanism is shown to be minor, i.e., heat release dynamics are governed by the cyclical formation of the wake vortex and its interaction with the flame.     

On Some Euler Sequence Spaces of Nonabsolute Type

In the present paper, we introduce Euler sequence spaces e ₀ ^r and e _c ^r of nonabsolute type that are BK-spaces including the spaces c ₀ and c and prove that the spaces e ₀ ^r and e _c ^r are linearly isomorphic to the spaces c ₀ and c, respectively. Furthermore, some inclusion theorems are presented. Moreover, the α-, β-, γ- and continuous duals of the spaces e ₀ ^r and e _c ^r are computed and their bases are constructed. Finally, necessary and sufficient conditions on an infinite matrix belonging to the classes and are established, and characterizations of some other classes of infinite matrices are also derived by means of a given basic lemma, where 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞.__________Published in Ukrains’kyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 3–17, January, 2005.     

Quantities of adult, fetal and embryonic globin chains in the blood of eighteen- to twenty-week-old human fetuses

The prenatal diagnostic program, established at Hacettepe University in Ankara for the purpose of detecting beta-thalassemia (beta-thal), sickle cell anemia (SS), and Hb S-beta-thal, offered the opportunity of evaluating the relative quantities of adult (beta A, beta S), fetal (G gamma, A gamma, A gamma T), and embryonic (epsilon, zeta) chains in 26 fetuses, aged 18-20 weeks. Methodology involved micro high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedures and immunology using an mAb, specific for the embryonic epsilon chain. A good correlation was observed between the beta/gamma in vitro chain synthesis ratio and the level of beta A and/or beta S chains determined by reversed-phase HPLC; the combination of these two sets of data strengthens the prenatal diagnostic approach of detecting beta-thal major but not beta-thal trait. The levels of the different gamma chains were about as observed in newborn babies; the frequency of the A gamma T variant in the 26 fetuses was the same as observed for a larger group of Turkish newborn babies. The level of the embryonic zeta chain was higher than seen in full-term babies and varied between 0 and 1.3%; 5 of the 26 fetuses showed the complete absence of zeta. The embryonic epsilon chain was not detectable, not even in babies with beta-thal major. These data indicate that the synthesis of epsilon is completely turned off in fetuses at the age of 18-20 weeks, while that of zeta continues, albeit at a low level.     

Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations by Fluctuationlessness theorem

This paper presents a numerical method based on Fluctuationlessness Theorem for the solution of Ordinary Differential Equations over appropriately defined Hilbert Spaces. We focus on the linear differential equations in this work. The approximated solution is written in the form of an nth degree polynomial of the independent variable. The unknown coefficients are obtained by setting up a system of linear equations which satisfy the initial or boundary conditions and the differential equation at the grid points, which are constructed as the independent variable’s matrix representation restricted to an n dimensional subspace of the Hilbert Space. An error comparison of the numerical solution and the MacLaurin series with the analytical solution is performed. The results show that the numerical solution obtained here converges to the analytical solution without using too many mesh points.     

On the fundamental equations of piezoelasticity of quasicrystal media

The three-dimensional fundamental equations of elasticity of quasicrystals with extension to quasi-static electric effect are expresses in both differential and variational invariant forms for a regular region of quasicrystal material. The principle of conservation of energy is stated for the regular region and the constitutive relations are obtained for the piezoelasticity of material. A theorem is proved for the uniqueness in solutions of the fundamental equations by means of the energy argument. The sufficient boundary and initial conditions are enumerated for the uniqueness. Hamilton’s principle is stated for the regular region and a three-field variational principle is obtained under some constraint conditions. The constraint conditions, which are generally undesirable in computation, are removed by applying an involutory transformation. Then, a unified variational principle is obtained for the regular region, with one or more fixed internal surface of discontinuity. The variational principle operating on all the field variables generates all the fundamental equations of piezoelasticity of quasicrystals under the symmetry conditions of the phonon stress tensor and the initial conditions. The resulting equations, which are expressible in any system of coordinates and may be used through simultaneous approximation upon all the field variables in a direct method of solutions, pave the way to the study of important dislocation, fracture and interface problems of both elasticity and piezoelasticity of quasicrystal materials.     

On the lower-order theories of continua with application to incremental motions,stability and vibrations of rods

The relative merit of lower-order theories, which have been deduced from the three-dimensional theories of continua, is evaluated with respect to the quantified and un-quantified errors in mathematically modeling the physical response of structural elements. Then, the one-dimensional theories are derived with high accuracy, internal consistency and flexibility from the three-dimensional theory of elasticity in order to govern the nonlinear and incremental motions and stability of a functionally graded rod. First, a kinematic-based method of separation of variables is introduced as a method of reduction, which may lead to the lower-order theories with the same order of errors of the three-dimensional theories, and the nonlinear theories of the rod are derived under Leibnitz’s postulate of structural elements by use of Hamilton’s principle. A theorem of uniqueness is proved in solutions of the linear equations of the rod by means of the logarithmic convexity argument. Next, the kinematic basis is expressed by the power series expansion in the cross-sectional coordinates using Weierstrass’s theorem. Mindlin’s method is used so as to derive the equations in an invariant and fully variational form for the small motions superposed on a static finite deformation, the stability analysis and the high-frequency vibrations of the rod. Moreover, the free vibrations of the rod are considered, the basic properties of eigenvalues are examined, and Rayleigh’s quotient is obtained. The invariant equations of the rod, which are expressible in any system of orthogonal coordinates, may provide simultaneous approximations on all the field variables in a direct method of solutions. The equations are indicated to contain some of earlier equations of rods, as special cases, and also, the numerical elasticity solution of a sample application is presented.     

Win–win match using a genetic algorithm

As the service industries grow, tasks are not directly assigned to the skills but the knowledge of the worker which is to be valued more in finding the best match. The problem becomes difficult mainly because the match has to be seen with the objectives of both sides. Assignment methods fail to respond to a multi-objective, multi-constraint problem with complicated match; whereas, metaheuristics is preferable based on computational simplicity. A conditional genetic algorithm is developed in this study to propose both global and composite match using different fitness functions. This algorithm kills the infeasibilities to achieve the maximum number of matches. The proposed algorithm is applied on an academic problem of multi-alternative candidates and multi-alternative tasks (m × n problem) in two stages. In the first stage, four different fitness functions are evaluated and in the second stage using one of the fitness functions global and composite matching have been compared. The achievements will contribute both to the academic and business world.