Optimisation of fault-tolerant fabric-cutting schedules using genetic algorithms and fuzzy set theory

In apparel industry, manufacturers developed standard allowed minutes (SAMs) databases on various manufacturing operations in order to facilitate better scheduling, while effective production schedules ensure smoothness of downstream operations. As apparel manufacturing environment is fuzzy and dynamic, rigid production schedules based on SAMs become futile in the presence of any uncertainty. In this paper, a fuzzification scheme is proposed to fuzzify the static standard time so as to incorporate some uncertainties, in terms of both job-specific and human related factors, into the fabric-cutting scheduling problem. A genetic optimisation procedure is also proposed to search for fault-tolerant schedules using genetic algorithms, such that makespan and scheduling uncertainties are minimised. Two sets of real production data were collected to validate the proposed method. Experimental results indicate that the genetically optimised fault-tolerant schedules not only improve the operation performance but also minimise the scheduling risks.     

Idempotency of Extensions via the Bicompletion

Let Top ₀ be the category of topological T ₀-spaces, QU ₀ the category of quasi-uniform T ₀-spaces, T : QU ₀ → Top ₀ the usual forgetful functor and K : QU ₀ → QU ₀ the bicompletion reflector with unit k : 1 → K. Any T-section F : Top ₀ → QU ₀ is called K-true if KF = FTKF, and upper (lower) K-true if KF is finer (coarser) than FTKF. The literature considers important T-sections F that enjoy all three, or just one, or none of these properties. It is known that T(K,k)F is well-pointed if and only if F is upper K-true. We prove the surprising fact that T(K,k)F is the reflection to Fix(TkF) whenever it is idempotent. We also prove a new characterization of upper K-trueness. We construct examples to set apart some natural cases. In particular we present an upper K-true F for which T(K,k)F is not idempotent, and a K-true F for which the coarsest associated T-preserving coreflector in QU ₀ is not stable under K. We dedicate this paper to the memory of Sérgio de Ornelas Salbany (1941–2005).     

Effect of various adsorbates in dephasing and population decay of the Cu(1 0 0) image potential states

A theoretical study of the electron dynamics in image potential states on Cu(1 0 0) surfaces with different types of adsorbates is presented. Scattering of the image state electron by an adsorbate induces inter-band and intra-band transitions leading respectively to the population decay and to the dephasing of the image state. We compare results obtained with low coverage (typically 1 adsorbate atom per 1000 surface atoms) Cs, Ar, and a model electronegative adsorbates. As follows from our results, Cs adsorbates lead to both appreciable dephasing and decay, while electronegative adsorbates mostly affect the dephasing rate. The effect of low coverage Ar adsorbates is small, consistent with their neutrality.     

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.     

An extension of gap functions for a system of vector equilibrium problems with applications to optimization problems

In this paper, the notion of gap functions is extended from scalar case to vector one. Then, gap functions and generalized functions for several kinds of vector equilibrium problems are shown. As an application, the dual problem of a class of optimization problems with a system of vector equilibrium constraints (in short, OP) is established, the concavity of the dual function, the weak duality of (OP) and the saddle point sufficient condition are derived by using generalized gap functions. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10671135) and the Applied Research Project of Sichuan Province (05JY029-009-1).     

Ageing of wet-synthesized oxide powders

Wet chemical synthesis of precursor oxide ceramics is a method to obtain small particulate powders. Such powders are far more prone to ageing in air than more traditional precursors. Thermogravimetric analysis is used to highlight the species responsible for the ageing of ceramic precursors. Indeed water and carbon dioxide are observed to evolve from aged powders. Ceramics obtained from aged precursors can reach a very low final density with respect to the theoretical value. A large degree of the original sintering properties can be recovered after washing the aged powders with ethanol in a basic medium.     

Studies on the curing kinetics of epoxy resins using mixture of nadic/or maleic anhydride and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone

Curing kinetics of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) in the presence of maleic anhydride (MA)/or nadic anhydride (NA) or mixture of MA/NA: 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) in varying molar ratios were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. Curing behaviour of DGEBA in the presence of varying amounts of DDS:MA/NA was evaluated by recording DSC scans at heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20°C min⁻¹. The peak exotherm temperature depends on the heating rate, structure of the anhydride as well as on the ratio of anhydride: DDS. Thermal stability of the isothermally cured resins was evaluated by thermogravimetry. The char yield was highest in case of resins cured using mixture of DDS:MA (0.75:0.25; sample EM-1) and DDS:NA (0.75:0.25, sample EN-1).     

Micellar effect in hydroformylation of high olefin catalysed by water-soluble rhodium complexes associated with sulfonated diphosphines

High linear alkenes (1-octene and 1-decene) have been hydroformylated using water-soluble rhodium complexes associated with sulfonated diphosphines in the presence of ionic surfactants or methanol. In all cases, the hydroformylation activities were higher than in experiments without additives. The selectivity in aldehydes was higher when we used cetyltrimethylammonium hydrogensulfate (CTAHSO₄) as the surfactant or methanol as the co-solvent.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic detection of hydroxylated benzoic acids as an indirect measure of hydroxyl radical in heart: its possible link with the myocardial reperfusion injury.

The present report describes a method suitable for the indirect assay of hydroxyl radical (OH.), which is likely to be produced during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium. Isolated rat heart perfused by the Langendorff technique was subjected to 30 min of ischemia, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Salicylic acid (2 mM) was added to the perfusion circuit to trap any OH. radical generated during the experiment. 2,5- and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acids (hydroxylated products of salicylic acid) were identified by authentic standards as well as by pure OH.-generating system using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In addition to serving as a chemical trap for the detection of OH., salicylate attenuated myocardial reperfusion injury as evidenced by reduced formation of creatine kinase, decreased lipid peroxidation, and improved myocardial contractile functions during reperfusion. These results thus provide direct evidence for the presence of OH. in heart and link it to the myocardial reperfusion injury.