Exact Max-SAT solvers for over-constrained problems

We present a new generic problem solving approach for over-constrained problems based on Max-SAT. We first define a Boolean clausal form formalism, called soft CNF formulas, that deals with blocks of clauses instead of individual clauses, and that allows one to declare each block either as hard (i.e., must be satisfied by any solution) or soft (i.e., can be violated by some solution). We then present two Max-SAT solvers that find a truth assignment that satisfies all the hard blocks of clauses and the maximum number of soft blocks of clauses. Our solvers are branch and bound algorithms equipped with original lazy data structures, powerful inference techniques, good quality lower bounds, and original variable selection heuristics. Finally, we report an experimental investigation on a representative sample of instances (random 2-SAT, Max-CSP, graph coloring, pigeon hole and quasigroup completion) which provides experimental evidence that our approach is very competitive compared with the state-of-the-art approaches developed in the CSP and SAT communities. Research partially supported by projects TIN2004-07933-C03-03 and TIC2003-00950 funded by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. The second author is supported by a grant Ramón y Cajal.     

Mechanistic Insights into the Reversible Formation of Iodosylarene–Iron Porphyrin Complexes in the Reactions of Oxoiron(IV) Porphyrin π‐Cation Radicals and Iodoarenes: Equilibrium,Epoxidizing Intermediate,and Oxygen Exchange

We have shown previously that iodosylbenzene–iron(III ) porphyrin intermediates ( 2 ) are generated in the reactions of oxoiron(IV ) porphyrin π‐cation radicals ( 1 ) and iodobenzene (PhI), that 1 and 2 are at equilibrium in the presence of PhI, and that the epoxidation of olefins by 2 affords high yields of epoxide products. In the present work, we report detailed mechanistic studies on the nature of the equilibrium between 1 and 2 in the presence of iodoarenes (ArI), the determination of reactive species responsible for olefin epoxidation when two intermediates (i.e., 1 and 2 ) are present in a reaction solution, and the fast oxygen exchange between 1 and H₂¹⁸O in the presence of ArI. In the first part, we have provided strong evidence that 1 and 2 are indeed at equilibrium and that the equilibrium is controlled by factors such as the electronic nature of iron porphyrins, the electron richness of ArI, and the concentration of ArI. Secondly, we have demonstrated that 1 is the sole active oxidant in olefin epoxidation when 1 and 2 are present concurrently in a reaction solution. Finally, we have shown that the presence of ArI in a reaction solution containing 1 and H₂¹⁸O facilitates the oxygen exchange between the oxo group of 1 and H₂¹⁸O and that the oxygen exchange is markedly influenced by factors such as ArI incubation time, the amounts of ArI and H₂¹⁸O used, and the electronic nature of ArI. The latter results are rationalized by the formation of an undetectable amount of 2 from the reaction of 1 and ArI through equilibrium that leads to a fast oxygen exchange between 2 and H₂¹⁸O.     

Ekeland’s principle for vector equilibrium problems

In this paper, the authors deal with bifunctions defined on complete metric spaces and with values in locally convex spaces ordered by closed convex cones. The aim is to provide a vector version of Ekeland’s theorem related to equilibrium problems. To prove this principle, a weak notion of continuity of a vector-valued function is considered, and some of its properties are presented. Via the vector Ekeland’s principle, existence results for vector equilibria are proved in both compact and noncompact domains.     

Sobolev-Type Classes of Functions with Values in a Metric Space. II

We prove equivalence of the definitions by the author and by Korevaar and Schoen of the Sobolev classes of mappings of a domain of an arithmetic n-dimensional space to a metric space.     

Eigenvalue and stability of singular differential delay systems

The eigenvalue and the stability of singular differential systems with delay are considered. Firstly we investigate some properties of the eigenvalue, then give the exact exponential estimation for the fundamental solution, and finally discuss the necessary and sufficient condition of uniform asymptotic stability.     

GA optimization on multi-segments muffler under space constraints

Whilst the space volume of muffler in noise control system is often constrained for maintenance in practical engineering work, the maximization on muffler’s performance becomes important and essential. In this paper, a novel approach genetic algorithms (GAs) based on the principles of natural biological evolution will be used to tackle this optimization of muffler design [M. Mitchell, An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms, The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1996]. Here, the shape optimization of multi-segments muffler coupled with the GA searching technique is presented. The techniques of binary genetic algorithms (BGA) together with the commercial MATLAB package [G. Lindfield, J. Penny, Numerical Method Using Matlab, second ed., Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 2000] are applied in GA searching. In addition, a numerical case of pure tone elimination with 2-5 segments on muffler is introduced and fully discussed. To achieve the best optimization in GA, several GA parameters are on trial in various values. Results show that the GA operators, including crossover mutation and elitism, are essential in accuracy. Consequently, results verify that the optimal sound transmission loss at the designed frequency of 500 Hz is exactly maximized. The GA optimization on multi-segments muffler proposed in this study surely provides a quick and correct approach.     

水平管外强化凝结传热的数值解

以Nusselt理论为基础,运用三维坐标建立了肋片侧面的冷凝传热模型,对肋片侧面的冷凝传热机理进行了分析,得出了肋片侧面表面传热系数的积分表达式。利用此法对水平环肋单管表面传热系数进行计算并将结果与传统解法进行比较。     

燃煤烟气中As、Se、Pb的形态分布及S、Cl元素对其形态分布的影响

基于化学热力学平衡分析方法，计算分析了燃煤烟气中重金属As、Se、Pb的形态分布规律，研究了S、Cl等元素对As、Se、Pb的形态分布规律的影响。结果表明，氧化性气氛下，As以As₂O₅、As₄O₆、AsO等氧化物的形式存在；Se主要以SeO₂形式存在；Pb在1000 K以下主要是固态PbSO₄，1200 K以上为气态PbO。还原性气氛下，As在较低温度时为固态As₂S₂，900-1400 K以As₂、AsS、AsN气体共存，2000 K以上全部转化为气态AsO。Se在1100 K以下主要以气态H₂Se存在，1100 K开始生成SeS和Se₂气体，1800 K时主要是气态Se和少量气态SeO；Pb在中低温时主要是PbS，1800 K以上气态Pb为主要存在形态。S在还原性气氛下增大了AsS（g）、PbS（g）、SeS（g）的比例，氧化性气氛下对As、Se、Pb形态分布基本无影响；Cl无论在氧化还是还原气氛下对As、Se影响均较小，但对Pb的形态分布影响较大。     

On the Global Stability of Solutions of Moment Systems in Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics

In this paper, we study the linearization of the Cauchy problem and the mixed problem for the system of Grad--Hermite moments in nonequilibrium thermodynamics in the neighborhood of the equilibrium state. Stability conditions for solutions of the Cauchy problem are proved as a generalization of the classical Hermite--Biller theorem on stable polynomials. For the mixed problem, we prove an analog of the Vishik--Lyusternik theorem on small singular perturbations of general elliptic problems. The last observation allows us to introduce the Shapiro--Lopatinskii condition, which implies the well-posedness of the mixed problem.     

A Variable Neighborhood Search for the Multi Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows

The aim of this paper is to propose an algorithm based on the philosophy of the Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) to solve Multi Depot Vehicle Routing Problems with Time Windows. The paper has two main contributions. First, from a technical point of view, it presents the first application of a VNS for this problem and several design issues of VNS algorithms are discussed. Second, from a problem oriented point of view the computational results show that the approach is competitive with an existing Tabu Search algorithm with respect to both solution quality and computation times.