A profit-maximizing supply chain network design model with demand choice flexibility

We present a profit-maximizing supply chain design model in which a company has flexibility in determining which customers to serve. The company may lose a customer to competition if the price it charges is too high. We show the problem formulation and solution algorithm, and discuss computational results.     

Multicriteria decision making under uncertainty

Formalization for problems of multicriteria decision making under uncertainty is constructed in terms of guaranteed and weak estimates. A relevant definition of the vector maximinimax value is given. Parameterization and approximation of maximum, minimax, and maximinimax values based on the inverse logical convolution are suggested. An application for multicommodity networks is considered. Received: December 13, 2000 / Accepted: August 21, 2001?Published online May 8, 2002     

Analysis of G/D/1 Queueing Systems with Inputs Satisfying Large Deviation Principle under Weak* Topology

The large deviation principle (LDP) which has been effectively used in queueing analysis is the sample path LDP, the LDP in a function space endowed with the uniform topology. Chang [5] has shown that in the discrete-time G/D/1 queueing system under the FIFO discipline, the departure process satisfies the sample path LDP if so does the arrival process. In this paper, we consider arrival processes satisfying the LDP in a space of measures endowed with the weak^* topology (Lynch and Sethuraman [12]) which holds under a weaker condition. It is shown that in the queueing system mentioned above, the departure processes still satisfies the sample path LDP. Our result thus covers arrival processes which can be ruled out in the work of Chang [5]. The result is then applied to obtain the exponential decay rate of the queue length probability in an intree network as was obtained by Chang [5], who considered the arrival process satisfying the sample path LDP.     

网络环境下的物理实验教学模式

目前网络环境下的物理实验教学新模式主要有物理实验专题网站、实验教学网络管理、实验类网络课程及远程控制物理实验.本文简要介绍了各个模式的特点及实施方法.     

Silicon-Based Integrated Optic Pressure Sensor Using Intermodal Interference between TM-Like and TE-Like Modes

In this paper, a silicon-based integrated optic pressure sensor using an intermodal interference between the fundamental TM-like and TE-like modes is described. The sensor consists of a micromachined rectangular diaphragm and a straight polystyrene optical waveguide passing over the diaphragm. Its sensitivity is theoretically known to be strongly dependent on the position of the waveguide over the diaphragm. To experimentally investigate such dependence, we fabricated a sensor with a 1.2 mm ×10 mm ×20 μm diaphragm, over which waveguides were placed at 50 μm intervals. The measured phase sensitivity was 98 mrad/kPa for the waveguide nearest to the diaphragm edge. The measurement was also carried out for the other waveguides. As theoretically expected, the largest sensitivity was obtained for the waveguide nearest to the edge.     

Toward Fuzzy Optimization without Mathematical Ambiguity

Fuzzy programming has been discussed widely in literature and applied in such various disciplines as operations research, economic management, business administration, and engineering. The main purpose of this paper is to present a brief review on fuzzy programming models, and classify them into three broad classes: expected value model, chance-constrained programming and dependent-chance programming. In order to solve general fuzzy programming models, a hybrid intelligent algorithm is also documented. Finally, some related topics are discussed.     

Lower Bounds from State Space Relaxations for Concave Cost Network Flow Problems

In this paper we obtain Lower Bounds (LBs) to concave cost network flow problems. The LBs are derived from state space relaxations of a dynamic programming formulation, which involve the use of non-injective mapping functions guaranteing a reduction on the cardinality of the state space. The general state space relaxation procedure is extended to address problems involving transitions that go across several stages, as is the case of network flow problems. Applications for these LBs include: estimation of the quality of heuristic solutions; local search methods that use information of the LB solution structure to find initial solutions to restart the search (Fontes et al., 2003, Networks, 41, 221–228); and branch-and-bound (BB) methods having as a bounding procedure a modified version of the LB algorithm developed here, (see Fontes et al., 2005a). These LBs are iteratively improved by penalizing, in a Lagrangian fashion, customers not exactly satisfied or by performing state space modifications. Both the penalties and the state space are updated by using the subgradient method. Additional constraints are developed to improve further the LBs by reducing the searchable space. The computational results provided show that very good bounds can be obtained for concave cost network flow problems, particularly for fixed-charge problems.     

Active long pulse shaping technique of pulsed CO2 laser using multi-pulse discharge control

We describe the pulse forming of pulsed CO₂ laser using multi-pulse superposition technique. Various pulse shapes, high duty cycle pulse forming network (PFN) are constructed by time sequence. This study shows a technology that makes it possible to make various long pulse shapes by activating SCRs of three PFN modules consecutively at a desirable delay time with the aid of a PIC one-chip microprocessor. The power supply for this experiment consists of three PFN modules. Each PFN module uses a capacitor, a pulse forming inductor, a SCR, a high voltage pulse transformer, and a bridge rectifier on each transformer secondary. The PFN modules operate at low voltage by driving the primary of HV pulse transformer. The secondary of the transformer has a full-wave rectifier, which passes the pulse energy to the load in a continuous sequence.We investigated various long pulse shapes as different trigger time intervals of SCRs among three PFN modules. As a result, we could obtain laser beam with various pulse shapes and durations from about 250 to 1000 μs.     

Experimental analysis, modeling, and theoretical design of McMaster pore-filled nanofiltration membranes

A side-by-side comparison of the performance of McMaster pore-filled (MacPF) and commercial nanofiltration (NF) membranes is presented here. The single-salt and multi-component performance of these membranes is studied using experimental data and using a mathematical model. The pseudo two-dimensional model is based on the extended Nernst–Planck equation, a modified Poisson–Boltzmann equation, and hydrodynamic calculations. The model includes four structural properties of the membrane: pore radius, pure water permeability, surface charge density and the ratio of effective membrane thickness to water content. The analysis demonstrates that the rejection and transport mechanisms are the same in the commercial and MacPF membranes with different contributions from each type of mechanism (convection, diffusion and electromigration). Solute rejection in NF membranes is determined primarily by a combination of steric and electrostatic effects. The selectivity of MacPF membranes is primarily determined by electrostatic effects with a significantly smaller contribution of steric effects compared to commercial membranes. Hence, these membranes have the ability to reject ions while remaining highly permeable to low molecular weight organics. Additionally, a new theoretical membrane design approach is presented. This design procedure potentially offers the optimization of NF membrane performance by tailoring the membrane structure and operating variables to the specific process, simultaneously. The procedure is validated at the laboratory scale.     

Time Series Prediction Based on Chaotic Attractor

A new prediction technique is proposed for chaotic time series. The usefulness of the technique is thatit can kick off some false neighbor points which are not suitable for the local estimation of the dynamics systems. Atime-delayed embedding is used to reconstruct the underlying attractor, and the prediction model is based on the timeevolution of the topological neighboring in the phase space. We use a feedforward neural network to approximate thelocal dominant Lyapunov exponent, and choose the spatial neighbors by the Lyapunov exponent. The model is testedfor the Mackey-Glass equation and the convection amplitude of lorenz systems. The results indicate that this predictiontechnique can improve the prediction of chaotic time series.