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.     

Polytypism in the lithium-aluminum layered double hydroxides: the [LiAl2(OH)6]+ layer as a structural synthon

The [LiAl(2)(OH)(6)](+) layer obtained from gibbsite-Al(OH)(3) belongs to the layer group symmetry P-312/m. This layer satisfies the defining characteristics of a synthon in that it predicts all the polymorphic modifications of the layered double hydroxides of Li and Al. The various possible ways of stacking these layers can be derived by the systematic elimination of the principal symmetry elements comprising the layer group. This approach yields the complete universe of possible structures. When the 3 axis of the layer is conserved in the stacking, the resultant crystal adopts the structure of the 1H, 2H, or 3R polytypes (H, hexagonal; R, rhombohedral). When the 3 axis is destroyed and the 2/m axis is retained, the crystal adopts monoclinic symmetry and crystallizes in the structures of the 1M(1) or 1M(2) (M, monoclinic) polytypes; the two polytypes differ only in their translational component. Experimentally, gibbsite-based precursors yield the 2H polytype, and bayerite-based precursors yield the 1M polytype. Faulted structures incorporating differently oriented 1M(1) motifs or a mixture of 1M(1) and 1M(2) motifs are also obtained. These stacking faults result in cation disorder along the c axis and produce signature effects on the line shapes of select reflections in the powder X-ray diffraction patterns. This symmetry-guided approach is general and can be extended to other classes of layered solids.     

Grease immobilized on polyethyleneimine cotton cloth

Jack bean urease was immobilized on polyethylenimine-coated cotton cloth by adsorption following by crosslinking with dimethyl suberimidate. Of the various methods used, crosslinking with dimethyl suberimidate was found to stabilize the enzyme with minimal inactivation. Cloth-bound urease showed a shift in pH optimum towards the acidic side without appreciable change in temperature optimum and thermostability. Cloth-bound urease could be used repeatedly for urea hydrolysis without appreciable loss in activity. Alternatively, urease cloth could be stitched in the form of a bag containing ammonia adsorbent and used for urea hydrolysis with simultaneous removal of ammonia.     

Cyanoethylation of methyl and ethyl ethers of dimethylphenols

The C-cyanoethylation of the methyl and ethyl ethers of dimethylphenols has been carried out with acrylonitrile in the presence of anhydrous AlCl₃ to furnish propionitrile derivatives. The latter on hydrolysis to the corresponding propionic acids followed by cyclization with PPA afforded the appropriate indanones, whose structures have been established on the basis of spectral data and by the formation of 2, 4-DNP derivatives.     

Tritium in water bodies around the Kaiga generating station

Tritium concentration was monitored in different water sources collected around Kaiga Nuclear Power plant, India. The concentration was in the ranges?<?1.9–27.4 Bq L^?1 (GM?=?4.0 Bq L^?1) for groundwater,?<?1.9–42.1 Bq L^?1 (GM?=?3.5 Bq L^?1) for surface water and in 12.4–42.0 Bq L^?1 (GM?=?24.07 Bq L^?1) for reservoir water. The concentration values observed in this study are similar to those reported for other PHWR stations of the world. The radiation dose to the public due to ingestion of Tritium through groundwater was computed to be 0.08 μSvy^?1.

     

Dynamics of L-tryptophan in aqueous solution by simultaneous laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS)

An experimental system for measuring simultaneously photoacoustic (PA) and fluorescence signals is described. The simultaneous measurement of laser induced fluorescence and photoacoustic signals provide a suitable method for the study of different quenching phenomena occurring in fluorescent systems. In this paper we report tryptophan solvation dynamics in water using fluorescence and photoacoustic spectra recorded simultaneously by photoacoustic and fluorescence signals as functions of concentration, indicate that quantum yield is maximum at low concentrations. Also, the energy lost in the fluorescence path of tryptophan, due to different quenching phenomena like self quenching, Resonance energy transfer (RET), solvation relaxation, etc. is clearly seen from the photoacoustic signal intensity which increases as the fluorescence intensity decreases.     

Solution decomposition of the layered double hydroxide of Co with Fe: phase segregation of normal and inverse spinels

The nitrate-intercalated layered double hydroxide of Co with Fe decomposes on hydrothermal treatment to yield an oxide residue at a temperature as low as 180 degrees C. The oxide product is phase segregated into a Co(3)O(4)-type normal spinel and a CoFe(2)O(4)-type inverse spinel. Phase segregation is facilitated as decomposition in a solution medium takes place by dissolution of the precursor hydroxide followed by reprecipitation of the oxide phases. In contrast, thermal decomposition takes place at 400 degrees C. This temperature is inadequate to induce diffusion in the solid state whereby phase segregation into the thermodynamically stable individual spinels is suppressed. The result is a single-phase metastable mixed spinel oxide. This is rather uncommon in that a hydrothermal treatment yields thermodynamically stable products where as thermal decomposition yields a metastable product.     

A roe-average algorithm for a granular-gas model with non-conservative terms

A Roe-average algorithm has been derived for a granular-gas model, proposed by Goldshtein and Shapiro [Goldshtein, Shapiro, Mechanics of collisional motion of granular materials: Part 1. General hydrodynamic equations, J. Fluid Mech. 282 (1995) 75–114], which contains non-conservative terms in the Euler-like hyperbolic governing equations apart from sink terms, which arise from inelastic collision of granules and are present only in the energy equation. The non-conservative terms introduce non-isentropic effects in acoustic-wave propagation within granular media and they also contribute to the Rankine–Hugoniot relations across a discontinuity. A Roe-average algorithm, based on the same granular-gas model, was derived in the literature [V. Kamenetsky, A. Goldshtein, M. Shapiro, D. Degani, Evolution of a shock wave in a granular gas, Phys. Fluids, 12 (2000) 3036–3049] which then required the implementation of a shock-fitting technique at a discontinuity. In the present work, Roe-averaged variables have been obtained from the Rankine–Hugoniot jump relations and the non-conservative terms have been incorporated in the numerical flux formula consistent with upwind principles associated with the granular speed of sound. Results for unsteady one-dimensional granular flows, colliding with a wall, demonstrate the capability of the proposed algorithm to capture strong shocks in addition to flow features not found in molecular gases, such as a fluidized region downstream of the shock and a compacted solid-block region adjacent to the wall.