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.     

The coexistence of γ(γ′) and θ alumina observed by STM and LEED on top of oxide layer grown on CoAl(1 0 0)

We report the coexistence of γ(γ′) and θ alumina grown on the CoAl(1 0 0) surface. Both phases were observed after annealing of alumina at 1150 K by means of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). The crystal structures of γ(γ′) and θ alumina were indexed based on low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and STM experimental data.     

Some applications of thermal field theory to quark-gluon plasma

We briefly introduce the thermal field theory within imaginary time formalism, the hard thermal loop perturbation theory and some of its applications to the physics of the quark-gluon plasma, possibly created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions     

Making equation of state models predictive: Part 2: An improved PCP-SAFT equation of state

We use the PCP-SAFT equation of state, which is of the Van der Waals type and has a sound physical basis, to predict mixture properties, such as vapor–liquid and liquid–liquid equilibria, as well as excess enthalpies. We use molecular properties, such as dipole moment, quadrupole moment, polarizability and dispersion interaction coefficients, that have been determined quantum mechanically in Part I of this publication and adjust the remaining three pure compound parameters to pure compound data. We finally present a new combination rule for the dispersion energy parameter ? that is based on the quantum mechanically determined data. The predictions based on quantum mechanically determined pure compound properties along with the new combination rule show an improved performance compared to the original PCP-SAFT combination rule.     

扩频通信系统相位的捕获与跟踪技术

本文讨论扩展频谱通信系统中有关相位的捕获与跟踪技术问题，道德在扩频通信系统原理的基础上结合实际系统中的应用条件，详细分析了捕获的方法、性能特点，给出了比较适用的2种捕获与跟踪原理图。理论分析与实验结果表明，所采用的分析方法和捕获方案是可行的。     

最有效的相容剂是两嵌段还是多嵌段聚合物？

采用Monte Carlo模拟方法研究了多嵌段聚合物在A／B／嵌段聚合物三组份体系作为相容剂使用的有效性．占总体积19％的A组份在体系中为分散相．模拟结果显示了两嵌段和多嵌段聚合物在界面上的聚集行为,以及如何影响这个不相容体系的相形为．两嵌段聚合物趋于直立在相界面上,而多嵌段聚合物更容易横跨在相界面上并占据较大的界面积．从而导致多嵌段聚合物更有效的阻止体系相分离的发生．     

Multiporous hollow polymer particles

Hollow particles with interconnected cavities have been prepared by a simple modified suspension polymerization of acrylate monomers in the incorporation of a phase inversion process and polymerizable emulsifier. The morphology of particles has been characterized by scanning electron micrographs (SEMs). Based on observations made using an optical microscope equipped with a digital camera and SEM images of particles obtained under different conditions, the formation mechanisms for multiporous hollow particles are discussed.     

Extension of the range of resonator scanning spectrometer into submillimeter band and some perspectives of its further developments

Extension of the working frequency of modern resonator spectrometers into submillimeter wave range is described. Experimental record of atmospheric absorption spectrum covering 45-370 GHz range is demonstrated for the first time, and measured water vapor J′_{ka′, kc′}-J_{ka, kc} = 5_1,5-4_2,2 at 325 GHz line parameters are presented. For the first time pressure lineshift for the 325-GHz water vapor line is measured. Further extension of working range is discussed. New estimations of physical limits of time needed for measurements of absorption in the whole Backward Wave Oscillator (BWO) range are given for phase continuous synthesizer regime. Basic schemes of fast broadband continuous phase synthesized sources are discussed. Verification of the previous measurements of water vapor 3_1,3-2_2,0 at 183 GHz line parameters is presented. Comparisons with ringdown resonator spectrometers are given.     

On bulk-service MAP/PH L,N /1/N G-Queues with repeated attempts

We consider a retrial queue with a finite buffer of size N, with arrivals of ordinary units and of negative units (which cancel one ordinary unit), both assumed to be Markovian arrival processes. The service requirements are of phase type. In addition, a PH^L,N bulk service discipline is assumed. This means that the units are served in groups of size at least L, where 1≤ L≤ N. If at the completion of a service fewer than L units are present at the buffer, the server switches off and waits until the buffer length reaches the threshold L. Then it switches on and initiates service for such a group of units. On the contrary, if at the completion of a service L or more units are present at the buffer, all units enter service as a group. Units arriving when the buffer is full are not lost, but they join a group of unsatisfied units called “orbit”. Our interest is in the continuous-time Markov chain describing the state of the queue at arbitrary times, which constitutes a level dependent quasi-birth-and-death process. We start by analyzing a simplified version of our queueing model, which is amenable to numerical calculation and is based on spatially homogeneous quasi-birth-and-death processes. This leads to modified matrix-geometric formulas that reveal the basic qualitative properties of our algorithmic approach for computing performance measures. AMS Subject Classification: Primary 60K25 Secondary 68M20 90B22.     

Low-temperature property investigation of the lead indium-niobate-lead nickel-niobate solid solution

The complex perovskite solid solution (1−x) Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃-(x) Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ has been successfully prepared by the Columbite precursor method. The temperature dependencies of the dielectric constant and pyroelectric coefficient were measured between −261 and 200 °C. Relaxor ferroelectric behavior has been noticed in all compositions across the solid solution. The room-temperature electrostrictive coefficient, Q₃₃, was 1.83×10⁻² C²/m⁴ for x=0.10. No room-temperature piezoelectric activity was detected; however, upon cooling to −261 °C the maximum coupling coefficients k_p=29%, k_t=11%, and k₃₃=31% were observed for the composition x=1.00.