“Optimization of aircraft maintenance/support infrastructure using genetic algorithms—level of repair analysis”

Level of repair analysis (LORA) is an approach used during the design stage of complex equipment for analysis of the cost effectiveness of competing maintenance strategies. LORA is carried as a part of the life cycle cost and cost of ownership analysis and plays a significant role in minimizing the life cycle cost and cost of ownership of the capital equipment. Since many purchasing decisions of complex equipment are based on cost of ownership, it has become essential to carry out LORA to compete in the market. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for LORA and propose a solution methodology based on genetic algorithms. The concept is illustrated using a hypothetical aircraft engine.     

On nearly parallel G2-structures

A nearly parallel G₂-structure on a seven-dimensional Riemannian manifold is equivalent to a spin structure with a Killing spinor. We prove general results about the automorphism group of such structures and we construct new examples. We classify all nearly parallel G₂-manifolds with large symmetry group and in particular all homogeneous nearly parallel G₂-structures.     

Kravchuk polynomials and group representations

Kravchuk polynomials of a discrete variable and different types of Kravchuk q-polynomials are determined. The importance of these polynomials for the theory of representations of Lie and Chevalley groups and the theory of symmetric and quantum groups is shown. The article presents a survey of the contemporary results in these areas.Translated from Ukrainskii Matematicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 44, No. 7, pp. 888–901, July, 1992.     

Improved quantitation of 13-cis- and all-trans-acitretin in human plasma by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A reliable analytical method has been developed for measurement of 13-cis- and all-trans-acitretin (Neotigason) in human plasma by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, with ultraviolet detection. Human plasma was obtained after centrifugation of whole blood samples and deproteinized by ethanolic denaturation. After liquid-liquid extraction with water-n-hexane, and aliquot ws chromatographed on a silica column using isocratic elution with n-hexane-methylsalicylate-acetic acid (200:18:0.6, v/v). The wavelength was set at 360 nm, and for plasma samples a limit of quantification of 3-4 ng/ml was obtained. All manipulations were carried out under dim light conditions to prevent photoisomerization.     

New olefinic functionalized disilanes. Synthesis and NMR spectroscopical investigations

The new olefinic substituted aminodisilanes, which are obtained from the reaction of organometallic reagents with aminochlorodisilanes, are converted into the chlorodisilanes by equilibration reactions or treatment with HCI. The resulting olefinic functionalized disilanes are identified by means of ²⁹Si, ¹³C, ¹H NMR and GC MS measurements.     

Raman spectroscopy of carbon fibres

Investigations of coated carbon fibres are reported using Raman spectroscopy. Relationships between different process parameters (for example precursor concentration, reactor temperature and various precursors) and the resulting types of carbon fibres are discussed.