Analyzing the effect of the inventory policy on order and inventory variability with linear control theory

In this paper we apply linear control theory to study the effect of various inventory policies on order and inventory variability, which are key drivers of supply chain performance. In particular, we study a two-echelon supply chain with a stationary demand pattern under the influence of three inventory policies: an inventory-on-hand policy that bases orders on the visible inventory at an installation, an installation-stock policy that bases orders on the inventory position (on-hand plus on-order inventory) at an installation, and an echelon-stock policy that bases orders on the inventory position at that installation and all downstream installations. We prove analytically that the inventory-on-hand policy is unstable in practical settings, confirming analytically what has been observed in experimental settings and in practice. We also prove that the installation-stock and echelon-stock policies are stable and analyze their effect on order and inventory fluctuation. Specifically, we show the general superiority of the echelon-stock in our setting and demonstrate analytically the effect of forecasting parameters on order and inventory fluctuations, confirming the results in other research.     

2‐Cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of acrylonitrile targeting a polymer with a higher molecular weight

The reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) mediated by 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate was first applied to synthesize polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with a high molecular weight up to 32,800 and a polydispersity index as low as 1.29. The key to success was ascribed to the optimization of the experimental conditions to increase the fragmentation reaction efficiency of the intermediate radical. In accordance with the atom transfer radical polymerization of AN, ethylene carbonate was also a better solvent candidate for providing higher controlled/living RAFT polymerization behaviors than dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. The various experimental parameters, including the temperature, the molar ratio of dithiobenzoate to the initiator, the molar ratio of the monomer to dithiobenzoate, the monomer concentration, and the addition of the comonomer, were varied to improve the control of the molecular weight and polydispersity index. The molecular weights of PANs were validated by gel permeation chromatography along with a universal calibration procedure and intrinsic viscosity measurements. ¹H NMR analysis confirmed the high chain‐end functionality of the resultant polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1272–1281, 2007     

On the Use of the Restitution Condition in Flexible Body Dynamics

The difference between the classical treatment offlexible body impact and the treatment of impact in flexiblemultibody dynamics is due to several fundamental reasons. Inthe classical impact theory, simple structures such as beamsand plates are used. Infinite dimensional models can bedeveloped for these simple structural elements to study theimpact dynamics and the wave propagation problem. Flexiblemultibody impact problems, on the other hand, involve bodieswith complex geometry that cannot be modeled using infinitenumber of degrees of freedom. Furthermore, the classicalimpact theory has been mainly concerned with the impactbetween a rigid mass that moves without constraints beforeit impacts a simple flexible structure. This is not amultibody simulation scenario in which the impact occursbetween kinematically constrained bodies that are subjectedto impulsive constraint forces in addition to the impactforces. These constraint forces can influence the motion ofthe two bodies immediately after impact, and as aconsequence, the simple classical theory scenario of impactdoes not apply. It is the objective of this paper to discussthe use of the restitution condition in flexible multibodyimpact problems and demonstrate that the use of thisapproach does not exclude the classical formulation.Nonetheless, the impulse momentum balance approach can serveas an effective and efficient procedure for solving theimpact problem in finite dimensional models that do not obeythe classical wave theory. Energy results of simplestructural elements are presented in order to demonstratethe consistency of using the impulse momentum balanceapproach in solving impact problems in finite dimensionalflexible body applications.     

Corrected mirror systems with double reflection

We propose objectives consisting of two mirrors with central holes for passage of a light beam. The optical layout ensures multiple reflection of rays from both mirrors. We consider several approaches to calculating the design parameters for which three and four aberrations do not occur. The objectives can be used in optical devices operating in the UV and IR regions of the spectrum. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 267–270, March–April, 2007.     

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.     

Evaluation of gap length fluctuation with harmonic analysis method

Gap length (GL) of reading head is one of the most critical parameters for high-density magnetic recording systems. A novel method is proposed for quantitative evaluation of the GL fluctuation among a batch of magneto-resistive/giant magneto-resistive heads with same structure design. The method works at head-gimbal assembly level and the evaluation can be done with any read/write analysis equipment. The testing process is based on harmonic analysis of the readback signal. The testing system consists of a selected reference head and sample heads for evaluation. A GL variation function is introduced for the evaluation of GL deviation between the reference head and sample head. This method proved to be easy for implementation and results suggest that variation of GL is considerable and has obvious effect on recording performance in high recording density systems.     

Micromagnetic analysis of transition noise for high-density perpendicular recording

In this paper, specific issues related to high-density perpendicular magnetic recording processes, such as transition noise properties and cross-track correlation lengths, were investigated with the help of micromagnetic analysis. The effects of media parameters were taken into consideration, including intergranular exchange coupling, and exchange distribution, irregular grain shapes, magnetization saturation distribution, and anisotropy distribution. The micromagnetic simulation results showed that the effect of anisotropy distribution on transition noise is more significant than magnetization saturation distribution, and it is crucial to reduce this effect to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, a new method to further estimate the partial erasure threshold was proposed to approximate the partial erasure effects, and the relation between the microtrack jitter and total track jitter was investigated.     

200MW非再热双抽供热机组变工况计算及工况图的绘制

工况图在热电厂的设计和运行中具有广泛的用途。本文根据引进型双抽非再热200MW供热机组的技术特点，通过编程在纯凝汽工况、单抽工业抽汽工况、单抽采暖抽汽工况和双抽供热等典型变工况计算的基础上，完成了当新蒸汽负荷、工业抽汽负荷和采暖抽汽负荷发生改变时的变工况计算，并绘制了该机组的运行工况图．     

Practical stopping criteria for validating safety-critical software by estimating impartial reliability

In this research, we investigate stopping rules for software testing and propose two stopping rules from the aspect of software reliability testing based on the impartial reliability model. The impartial reliability difference (IRD-MP) rule considers the difference between the impartial transition-probability reliabilities estimated for both software developer and consumers at their predetermined prior information levels. The empirical–impartial reliability difference (EIRD-MP) rule suggests stopping a software test when the computed empirical transition reliability is tending to its estimated impartial transition reliability. To insure the high-standard requirement for safety-critical software, both rules take the maximum probability (MP) of untested paths into account.     

Multi-dimensional asymptotically quasi-Toeplitz Markov chains and their application in queueing theory

Multi-dimensional asymptotically quasi-Toeplitz Markov chains with discrete and continuous time are introduced. Ergodicity and non-ergodicity conditions are proven. Numerically stable algorithm to calculate the stationary distribution is presented. An application of such chains in retrial queueing models with Batch Markovian Arrival Process is briefly illustrated. AMS Subject Classifications Primary 60K25 · 60K20