Local search algorithms for the min-max loop layout problem

In the min-max loop layout problem, machines are to be arranged around a loop of conveyor belt. The ordering of the machines dictates the number of circuits of the conveyor belt required to manufacture each of several products. The goal is to find an ordering of the machines that minimises the maximum number of circuits required for the manufacture of any of the products. Since the problem is strongly NP-hard, the study of heuristic methods is of interest. This paper proposes iterated descent and tabu search algorithms, and a randomised insertion algorithm. Results of extensive computational tests show that all of our algorithms outperform a previously known algorithm that applies a greedy heuristic to the solution of a linear programming relaxation. The best quality solutions are obtained with iterated descent. This adds further evidence to the belief that iterated descent can produce high quality solutions to a variety of combinatorial optimisation problems. Moreover, unlike some other local search algorithms, iterated descent does not require much tuning in order to be competitive.     

Combining PSMs with hard OR methods: the philosophical and practical challenges

Combinations of problem structuring methods with hard OR methodologies are seldom described in the literature. This paper will reflect on the barriers to such combinations that can be seen at the philosophical level—paradigm incommensurability—and cognitive level—type of personality and difficulty of switching paradigm. This paper examines the combination of Soft Systems Methodology and Discrete Event Simulation within an Intermediate Care case study. The paper will argue, by way of the practical application, that these problems are not insurmountable and that the result can be seen as interplay of the soft and hard paradigms. The idea of yin and yang is proposed as a metaphor for this process.     

A new microtensile tester for the study of MEMS materials with the aid of atomic force microscopy

An apparatus has been designed and implemented to measure the elastic tensile properties (Young's modulus and tensile strength) of surface micromachined polysilicon specimens. The tensile specimens are “dog-bone” shaped ending in a large “paddle” for convenient electrostatic or, in the improved apparatus, ultraviolet (UV) light curable adhesive gripping deposited with electrostatically controlled manipulation. The typical test section of the specimens is 400 μm long with 2 μm×50 μm cross section. The new device supports a nanomechanics method developed in our laboratory to acquire surface topologies of deforming specimens by means of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to determine (fields of) strains via Digital Image Correlation (DIC). With this tool, high strength or non-linearly behaving materials can be tested under different environmental conditions by measuring the strains directly on the surface of the film with nanometer resolution.     

一个新的四维混沌系统理论分析与电路实现

分析了一个新的复杂的四维混沌系统的基本特性，该系统每个方程中包含一个三次交叉乘积项，共有9个平衡点，它们相对于原点和坐标轴具有完美的对称性，并且相对于线性特性和不变流形具有很好的相似性.描述了两个同时共存的对称双翼吸引子.最后，设计了一个模拟电路来实现这个新的四维混沌系统，表明数值仿真和电路实现具有很好的一致性，同时说明在应用上由于频率不同导致的仿真与物理实现之间的重要区别. 关键词： 四维混沌系统 Lyapunov 指数 共存双翼吸引子 电路实现     

Searching for a counterfeit coin with b-balance

We consider the classical problem of searching for a heavier coin in a set of n coins, n-1 of which have the same weight. The weighing device is b-balance which is the generalization of two-arms balance. The minimum numbers of weighings are determined exactly for worst-case sequential algorithm, average-case sequential algorithm, worst-case predetermined algorithm, average-case predetermined algorithm.We also investigate the above search model with additional constraint: each weighing is only allowed to use the coins that are still in doubt. We present a worst-case optimal sequential algorithm and an average-case optimal sequential algorithm requiring the minimum numbers of weighings.     

Implicit difference approximation for the time fractional diffusion equation

In this paper, we consider a time fractional diffusion equation on a finite domain. The equation is obtained from the standard diffusion equation by replacing the first-order time derivative by a fractional derivative (of order 0 < α < 1 ). We propose a computationally effective implicit difference approximation to solve the time fractional diffusion equation. Stability and convergence of the method are discussed. We prove that the implicit difference approximation (IDA) is unconditionally stable, and the IDA is convergent withO(Τ +h ²), where Τ andh are time and space steps, respectively. Some numerical examples are presented to show the application of the present technique.     

The Casimir effect of Reissner-NordstrSm black hole

The stress tensor of a massless scalar field satisfying a mixed boundary condition in a （1 ＋ 1）-dimensional Reissner- Nordstrom black hole background is calculated by using Wald＇s axiom. We find that Dirichlet stress tensor and Neumann stress tensor can be deduced by changing the coefficients of the stress tensor calculated under a mixed boundary condition. The stress tensors satisfying Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions are discussed. In addition, we also find that the stress tensor in conformal flat spacetime background differs from that in flat spacetime only by a constant.     

关于不含k-C-圈的n阶r-一致超图的若干结果

主要讨论了不含k-C-圈的n阶r-一致超图,对不同的k,分别得出了它的极大边数的一个下界,并且得出在有些情况下它的下界是最大的.另外,我们得到了Krn含k-C-圈的一个充分必要条件.     

拟南芥胚的不同区域对MeV离子辐照的响应

利用不同能量的质子在大气环境中辐照拟南芥的含水种子，能量从1.1MeV到6.5MeV.根据模拟计算结果，相应能量的离子对种子的损伤区域分别为胚的浅层、胚的一半和整个胚.本实验中，具有较高能量的质子可以完全均匀地作用于拟南芥生长、发育及遗传密切相关的胚茎端分生组织，而能量较低的质子则不能直接作用于茎端分生组织.实验所用质子注量范围为4×10⁹ions/cm²—1×10¹⁴ions/cm².实验结果显示，虽然拟南芥种子的发芽率和幼苗存活率随离子注量增加都呈现下降的趋势，但对应于不同的胚损伤区域，即在不同的入射质子能量条件下，注量曲线具有各自的特征.实验结果显示，拟南芥种子中除了胚茎端分生组织作为对离子辐照敏感的辐射主靶外，茎端分生组织之外的胚区域可能作为离子辐射次靶，影响到最终的辐射生物学效应. 关键词： 离子辐照 拟南芥 胚区域 生物效应     

中间层Re的加入对覆膜钡钨阴极性能的改善

研究了一种新型的覆膜钡钨阴极——双层膜(Os-W/Re膜)钡钨阴极.对这种新型阴极的发射性能进行了测试，重点对其老炼前后表面薄膜的微观形貌进行了分析，表明中间层Re膜的加入使覆膜钡钨阴极的性能得到了改善.通过对Os-W双元合金膜钡钨阴极和Os-W/Re双层膜钡钨阴极发射特性的比较，发现Os-W/Re双层膜阴极的直流发射性能好于Os-W合金膜阴极.对两种阴极激活后发射表面的X射线光电子能谱分析表明，Os-W/Re双层膜阴极激活后表面形成的三元合金膜是其发射特性优于Os-W合金膜阴极的主要原因.应用扫描电子显微镜分析比较两种阴极激活老炼后的表面状态，结果表明：Os-W合金膜阴极在老炼一段时间后，其表面薄膜出现开裂，这会导致阴极发射均匀性下降；而Os-W/Re双层膜阴极在同样老炼条件下，发射表面薄膜均匀并保持完整，从而确保覆膜钡钨阴极发射均匀性和工作可靠性. 关键词： 双层膜钡钨阴极 Os-W/Re膜 Os-W膜 薄膜开裂