A Recursive Algorithm for Order Cycle-time that Minimizes Logistics Cost

A firm's logistics cost, including shipping and inventory-carrying, is a substantial percentage of its sales. Nevertheless, typical inventory-control methods ignore or insufficiently represent the shipping cost. This paper describes a recursive algorithm that determines the reorder cycle-time that minimizes total logistics cost. It allows for a realistic accounting of shipping cost, which is modelled here as a function of shipping distance and weight. The algorithm uses a relaxation procedure to identify a suitable initial approximation to the optimal order cycle-time and then, through a series of recursive steps, moves to the optimal result. We demonstrate the algorithm with a single item, with a group of items that share a common order cycle, and with multi-items when item demands are random variables. Experience with this algorithm indicates that it converges to the optimal result in a very few steps.     

On the variational representation of solutions to some quasilinear equations and systems of hyperbolic type on the basis of potential theory

We demonstrate a method that permits to obtain generalized solutions for some quasilinear equations and systems of hyperbolic type. The corresponding variational principle is constructed using the theory of equilibrium of a potential in an external field. Dedicated to the memory of B. M. Levitan Supported by RFBR grants Nos. 05-01-00522 and NSh-1551.2003.1, by Program No. 1 of the Branch of Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences, and by INTAS project No. 03-51-6637.     

Observation of the nonlinear effect in relativistic Thomson scattering of electron and laser beams

Thomson scattering of high-power laser and electron beams is a good test of electrodynamics in the high-field region. We demonstrated production of high-intensity X-rays in the head-on collision of a CO₂ laser and 60-MeV electron beams at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Accelerator Test Facility. The energy of an X-ray photon was limited at 6.5 keV in the linear (lowest order) Thomson scattering, but the nonlinear (higher order) process produces higher energy X-rays. We measured the angular distribution of the high-energy X-rays and confirmed that it agrees with theoretical predictions.     

Direct C–H arylation of 3-methoxythiophene catalyzed by Pd. Application to a more efficient synthesis of π-alkoxy-oligothiophene derivatives

The direct regioselective C–H arylation of 3-methoxythiophene and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was performed successfully under ‘Heck-type’ experimental conditions. This novel synthetic methodology has been used to prepare in a more simple way a series of oligothiophenes interesting for the electronic industry to build new synthetic organic materials.     

Stereocontrolled spirocyclic bislactams derived from pyroglutamic acid

The synthesis of rigid spirocyclic bislactams derived from pyroglutamic acid has been established.     

Standard enthalpy of formation of La2CoO4(cr)

The enthalpies of reactions of La₂CoO₄(cr) and CoCl₂(cr) with hydrochloric acid were measured with an isothermal-jacket calorimeter. The results obtained and the available literature data were used to calculate the standard enthalpy of formation of La₂CoO₄(cr) at 298.15 K, Δ_f H ^o = ?2179 ± 7 kJ/mol.     

Spatial structure of acousto-optic phase matching in uniaxial crystals

The spatial structure of Bragg angles and the transfer functions of an acousto-optic cell are calculated for the cases of isotropic and anisotropic light diffraction in a uniaxial crystal. Their change with ultrasound frequency is traced. The possibility of image processing by acousto-optic filtration of the spatial spectrum of an image is considered. The results of experimental visualization of the transfer functions of a calcium molybdate crystal cell are presented.