A genetic algorithm for the two-stage supply chain distribution problem associated with a fixed charge

This paper considers a two-stage distribution problem of a supply chain that is associated with a fixed charge. Two kinds of cost are involved in this problem: a continuous cost that linearly increases with the amount transported between a source and a destination, and secondly, a fixed charge, that incurs whenever there exists a transportation of a non-zero quantity between a source and a destination. The objective criterion is the minimisation of the total cost of distribution. A genetic algorithm (GA) that belongs to evolutionary search heuristics is proposed and illustrated. The proposed methodology is evaluated for its solution quality by comparing it with the approximate and lower bound solutions. Thus, the comparison reveals that the GA generates better solution than the approximation method and is capable of providing solution either equal or closer to the lower bound solution of the problem.     

Effective Relaxations and Partitioning Schemes for Solving Water Distribution Network Design Problems to Global Optimality

In this paper, we address the development of a global optimization procedure for the problem of designing a water distribution network, including the case of expanding an already existing system, that satisfies specified flow demands at stated pressure head requirements. The proposed approach significantly improves upon a previous method of Sherali et al. (1998) by way of adopting tighter polyhedral relaxations, and more effective partitioning strategies in concert with a maximal spanning tree-based branching variable selection procedure. Computational experience on three standard test problems from the literature is provided to evaluate the proposed procedure. For all these problems, proven global optimal solutions within a tolerance of 10^–4% and/or within 1$ of optimality are obtained. In particular, the two larger instances of the Hanoi and the New York test networks are solved to global optimality for the very first time in the literature. A new real network design test problem based on the Town of Blacksburg Water Distribution System is also offered to be included in the available library of test cases, and related computational results are presented.     

非圆截面环流器等离子体对于高n理想磁流体气球模的最佳压强分布

本文假定等离子体局部压强梯度由理想磁流体高n气球模所限定,讨论了非圆截面环流器的最佳压强剖面。分析了椭圆及三角变形的效应,发现三角变形对提高稳定性很有利;q剖面对平均比压值及中心比压值都有强烈影响,而沿半径下降的q剖面对提高比压值很有利。     

非合作n人投标报价服从N(μ,σ~2)分布时局中人投标报价策略的研究

推导了矩阵对策模型 ,对非合作 n人投标报价的分布进行 x2 检验。当非合作 n人投标报价服从N (μ,σ2 )分布时 ,根据参数区间公式 ,估计非合作 n人有效报价平均数的范围 ,局中人 最佳报价可根据矩阵对策模型来确定。该方法确定的报价与最佳标底的误差能控制在较小的范围内 ,适用于招标中合成标底的评标办法 ,对确定报价具有一定的实用价值。     

Reindarstellung von Erbiumoxid durchCraig-Verteilung

1.6 kg of yttrium earth mixtures (4–6% Er) were concentrated to 60% erbium oxide by repeatedCraig-distributions with 4M HNO₃ lower phase for separation of yttrium, and with 11M for separation of holmium and thulium. During these experiments the optimal conditions were studied with regard to acidity and input. The 60% Er₂O₃ was further purified by using 4M followed by 11M HNO₃ lower phase several times. There resulted nearly 20 g Er₂O₃ 99.9% pure. The concept of the effective distribution coefficients characterising preparativeCraig-distributions was further verified by discussion of the values of selected separations.

Dem Vorstand des Instituts, Herrn Prof. Dr.K. L. Komarek, mit den besten Wünschen zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

A novel route to prepare pH- and temperature-sensitive nanogels via a semibatch process

A novel method via a semibatch process in the absence of surfactant has been adopted to prepare pH- and temperature-sensitive nanogels. The shape, charge distribution, temperature, and pH-induced volume phase transition behavior of the latexes were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy, zeta potentials, dynamic laser light scattering, and UV/vis spectroscopy. It was found that, in the absence of surfactant, with increasing the amount of AAc from 5 to 20 mol% of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), the hydrodynamic diameters (D_H) decrease from 230 to 60 nm. With increasing pH value from 3 to 11, the D_H values increase slightly, which is different than the dramatic increase seen when using a conventional batch method with a range from 680 to 1700 nm. However, at pH 3, the turbidity curves of these kinds of particles increase dramatically at temperatures between 33 and 37 °C, while remaining constant at first and then increasing directly at pH 11. Furthermore, the distribution of carboxylic groups located not only on the interior but also on the exterior of colloidal particles as a result of adoption of the semibatch method, other than simple surface distribution of poly(NIPAM-co-AAc) latexes via the batch method.     

Coordinated control of distribution supply chains in the presence of fuzzy customer demand

This paper considers a single product inventory control in a Distribution Supply Chain (DSC). The DSC operates in the presence of uncertainty in customer demands. The demands are described by imprecise linguistic expressions that are modelled by discrete fuzzy sets. Inventories at each facility within the DSC are replenished by applying periodic review policies with optimal order up-to-quantities. Fuzzy customer demands imply fuzziness in inventory positions at the end of review intervals and in incurred relevant costs per unit time interval. The determination of the minimum of defuzzified total cost of the DSC is a complex problem which is solved by applying decomposition; the original problem is decomposed into a number of simpler independent optimisation subproblems, where each retailer and the warehouse determine their optimum periodic reviews and order up-to-quantities. An iterative coordination mechanism is proposed for changing the review periods and order up-to-quantities for each retailer and the warehouse in such a way that all parties within the DSC are satisfied with respect to total incurred costs per unit time interval. Coordination is performed by introducing fuzzy constraints on review periods and fuzzy tolerances on retailers and warehouse costs in local optimisation subproblems.     

Rheological insights on the evolution of sonicated cellulose nanocrystal dispersions

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are promising biomaterials, but their tendency to agglomerate when dried limits their use in several applications. Ultrasonication is commonly used to disperse CNCs in water, bringing enough energy to the suspension to break agglomerates. While the optimized parameters for sonication are now well defined for small volumes of low concentration CNC suspensions, a deeper understanding of the influence of the dispersing process is needed to work with larger volumes, at higher concentrations. Herein, rheology is used to define the distribution and dispersion states upon ultrasonication of a 3.2 wt% CNC suspension. After considering the importance of the measurement sampling volume, the behavior of a more concentrated suspension (6.4 wt%) is examined and compared with a never-dried suspension of the same concentration to validate the dispersion state.     

Porous polycrystals built up by uniformly and axisymmetrically oriented needles: homogenization of elastic propertiesPolycristaux poreux constitués d'aiguilles orientées de façon uniforme ou axisymétrique : homogénéisation des propriétés élastiques

Porous polycrystal-type microstructures built up of needle-like platelets or sheets are characteristic for a number of biological and man-made materials. Herein, we consider (i) uniform, (ii) axisymmetrical orientation distribution of linear elastic, isotropic as well as anisotropic needles. Axisymmetrical needle orientation requires derivation of the Hill tensor for arbitrarily oriented ellipsoidal inclusions with one axis tending towards infinity, embedded in a transversely isotropic matrix; therefore, Laws' integral expression of the Hill tensor is evaluated employing the theory of rational functions. For a porosity lower 0.4, the elastic properties of the polycrystal with uniformly oriented needles are quasi-identical to those of a polycrystal with solid spheres. However, as opposed to the sphere-based model, the needle-based model does not predict a percolation threshold. As regards axisymmetrical orientation distribution of needles, two effects are remarkable: Firstly, the sharper the cone of orientations the higher the anisotropy of the polycrystal. Secondly, for a given cone, the anisotropy increases with the porosity. Estimates for the polycrystal stiffness are hardly influenced by the anisotropy of the bone mineral needles. Our results also confirm the very high degree of orientation randomness of crystals building up mineral foams in bone tissues. To cite this article: A. Fritsch et al., C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).     

中国红层的分布及地质环境特征

根据我国红层的分布特征及形成背景 ,将我国红层划分为西南地区红层、西北地区红层、中南、东南地区红层和其他地区 (西藏及华北的部分地区 )红层。重点研究了以川滇红层为代表的西南地区红层和以甘肃红层为代表的西北地区红层 ,研究了各个区域红层的地质构造特征、地形地貌特征、气候环境特征等工程地质环境特征 ,根据工程地质环境特征 ,将研究区域的红层划分为四川盆地红层、西昌—滇中红层、滇西红层和甘肃红层.