Fully-angular polyhex chains with minimal total π-electron energy

By Hückel molecular orbital (HMO) theory, the calculation of the total energy of all π-electrons in conjugated hydrocarbons can be reduced to that of E(G)=|λ₁|+|λ₂|+?+|λn|, where λi are the eigenvalues of the corresponding graph G. Denote by Ψn the set of all fully-angular polyhex chains with n hexagons. In this paper, we show that Hn has the minimum total π-electron energy among chains in Ψn, where Hn is the helicene chain.     

A molecular network model to describe the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of polymers

A transient molecular network model is built to describe the nonlinear viscoelasticity of polymers by considering the effect of entanglement loss and regeneration on the relaxation of molecular strands. It is an extension of previous network theories. The experimental data on three thermoplastic polymers (ABS, PVC and PA6) obtained under various loading conditions are used to test the model. Agreement between the theoretical and experimental curves shows that the suggested model can describe successfully the relaxation behavior of the thermoplastic polymers under different loading rates by using relatively few relaxation modes. Thus the micromechanism responsible for strain-rate dependence of relaxation process and the origin of nonlinear viscoelasticity may be disclosed. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Doctorial Fund     

A simple formula for mean multiplexing delay for independent regenerative sources

Simple expressions are given for the mean delay, mean waiting time, and mean busy period length in a multiplexer. Data streams with active periods having a general distribution are permitted, and the data rate during the active periods can be random. Data can also arrive in batches. The key restrictions of the model are that the sources are independent, idle periods are exponentially distributed, and a source generates at least enough data during an active period to keep the server busy throughout the period. The exact formulas allow evaluation of the error in approximations such as a heavy traffic diffusion approximation.Both continuous and discrete time models are considered. The discrete-time model includes that studied by Viterbi and subsequently generalized by Neuts. The Pollaczek-Khinchine formula for the mean amount of work in anM/GI/1 queue is retrieved as a limiting case.Preliminary version presented at IEEE INFOCOM, San Francisco, April 1993.     

A diffusion approximation result for two parameter processes

Summary We consider a one-dimensional linear wave equation with a small mean zero dissipative field and with the boundary condition imposed by the so-called Goursat problem. In order to observe the effect of the randomness on the solution we perform a space-time rescaling and we rewrite the problem in a diffusion approximation form for two parameter processes. We prove that the solution converges in distribution toward the solution of a two-parameter stochastic differential equation which we identify. The diffusion approximation results for oneparameter processes are well known and well understood. In fact, the solution of the one-parameter analog of the problem we consider here is immediate. Unfortunately, the situation is much more complicated for two-parameter processes and we believe that our result is the first one of its kind.Partially supported by ONR N00014-91-J-1010     

Self-similar solutions and large time asymptotics for the dissipative quasi-geostrophic equation

We analyze the well-posedness of the initial value problem for the dissipative quasi-geostrophic equations in the subcritical case. Mild solutions are obtained in several spaces with the right homogeneity to allow the existence of self-similar solutions. While the only small self-similar solution in the strong L^p{\cal L}^{p} space is the null solution, infinitely many self-similar solutions do exist in weak- L^p{\cal L}^{p} spaces and in a recently introduced [7] space of tempered distributions. The asymptotic stability of solutions is obtained in both spaces, and as a consequence, a criterion of self-similarity persistence at large times is obtained.     

Four-wave mixing based 10-Gb/s tunable wavelength conversion in dispersion-flattened microstructure fibers

All-optical wavelength conversion of 10-Gb/s signal based on four-wave mixing is experimentally demonstrated in a 30-m-long dispersion-flattened microstructure fiber with small positive dispersion. For an average pump power of 26 dBm, the conversion efficiency was around -19.5 dB with the fluctuation less than ±1.4 dB, covering a conversion bandwidth of 20 nm. The eye diagram of the converted signal shows good eye opening.     

Coupled channel description of O+Nd scattering around the Coulomb barrier using a complex microscopic potential

Angular distributions of elastic scattering and inelastic scattering from 2⁺₁ state are measured for ¹⁶O+^142,144,146Nd systems at several energies in the vicinity of the Coulomb barrier. The angular distributions are systematically analyzed in coupled channel framework. Renormalized double folded real optical and coupling potentials with DDM3Y interaction have been used in the calculation. Relevant nuclear densities needed to generate the potentials are derived from shell model wavefunctions. A truncated shell model calculation has been performed and the calculated energy levels are compared with the experimental ones. To simulate the absorption, a ‘hybrid’ approach is adopted. The contribution to the imaginary potential of couplings to the inelastic channels, other than the 2⁺₁ target excitation channel, is calculated in the Feshbach formalism. This calculated imaginary potential along with a short ranged volume Woods–Saxon potential to simulate the absorption in fusion channel reproduces the angular distributions for ¹⁶O+¹⁴⁶Nd quite well. But for ¹⁶O+^142,144Nd systems additional surface absorption is found to be necessary to fit the angular distribution data. The variations of this additional absorption term with incident energy and the mass of the target are explored.     

On the Use of the Restitution Condition in Flexible Body Dynamics

The difference between the classical treatment offlexible body impact and the treatment of impact in flexiblemultibody dynamics is due to several fundamental reasons. Inthe classical impact theory, simple structures such as beamsand plates are used. Infinite dimensional models can bedeveloped for these simple structural elements to study theimpact dynamics and the wave propagation problem. Flexiblemultibody impact problems, on the other hand, involve bodieswith complex geometry that cannot be modeled using infinitenumber of degrees of freedom. Furthermore, the classicalimpact theory has been mainly concerned with the impactbetween a rigid mass that moves without constraints beforeit impacts a simple flexible structure. This is not amultibody simulation scenario in which the impact occursbetween kinematically constrained bodies that are subjectedto impulsive constraint forces in addition to the impactforces. These constraint forces can influence the motion ofthe two bodies immediately after impact, and as aconsequence, the simple classical theory scenario of impactdoes not apply. It is the objective of this paper to discussthe use of the restitution condition in flexible multibodyimpact problems and demonstrate that the use of thisapproach does not exclude the classical formulation.Nonetheless, the impulse momentum balance approach can serveas an effective and efficient procedure for solving theimpact problem in finite dimensional models that do not obeythe classical wave theory. Energy results of simplestructural elements are presented in order to demonstratethe consistency of using the impulse momentum balanceapproach in solving impact problems in finite dimensionalflexible body applications.     

Capacity augmentation of a supply chain for a short lifecycle product: A system dynamics framework

For an innovative product characterized by short product lifecycle and high demand uncertainty, investment in capacity buildup has to be done cautiously. Otherwise either the product’s market diffusion is impeded or the manufacturer is left with unutilized capacity. Using the right information for making capacity augmentation decisions is critical in facing this challenge. In this paper, we propose a method for identifying critical information flows using the system dynamics model of a two-echelon supply chain. The fundamental premise of system dynamics methodology is that (system) structure determines (its) behavior. Using loop dominance analysis method we study the feedback loop structure of the supply chain system. The outcome is a set of dominant loops that determine the dynamics of capacity growth. It is revealed that the delivery delay information has little effect while the loop that connects retail sales with production order affects the dynamics significantly. Modifying this loop yields appropriate capacity augmentation decisions resulting in higher performance. What-if analyses bring out effects of modifying other structural elements. In conclusion, we claim that the information feedback based methodology is general enough to be useful in designing decision support systems for capacity augmentation. The limitations of the model are also discussed and possible extensions identified.