Spin-orbit-like terms in semileptonic weak Hamiltonian

It is shown that new spin-orbit-like terms appear in the effective nonrelativistic weak Hamiltonian for nucleon provided that nuclear potential is taken into account. Arguments for their considerable enhancement, in particular, in relativistic nuclear model of Walecka are advanced. Received: 29 July 1999     

The Super-Kamiokande experiment

Super-Kamiokande has accumulated data on atmospheric neutrinos and solar neutrinos for 1117–1289 live days. We present updated results on the flavor ratio, the zenith angle distribution of atmospheric neutrinos and the zenith angle distribution of upward going muons. We also present results on the energy spectrum and the day–night variation of solar neutrinos. The data on atmospheric neutrinos show clear evidence of neutrino oscillation.     

A General Vehicle Routing Problem

In this paper, we study a rich vehicle routing problem incorporating various complexities found in real-life applications. The General Vehicle Routing Problem (GVRP) is a combined load acceptance and generalised vehicle routing problem. Among the real-life requirements are time window restrictions, a heterogeneous vehicle fleet with different travel times, travel costs and capacity, multi-dimensional capacity constraints, order/vehicle compatibility constraints, orders with multiple pickup, delivery and service locations, different start and end locations for vehicles, and route restrictions for vehicles. The GVRP is highly constrained and the search space is likely to contain many solutions such that it is impossible to go from one solution to another using a single neighbourhood structure. Therefore, we propose iterative improvement approaches based on the idea of changing the neighbourhood structure during the search.     

Making decisions in the absence of clear facts

Bennis and O’Toole [Bennis, W.G., O’Toole, J., 2005. How business schools lost their way. Harvard Business Review 83, 96–104] have recently argued that decision makers need guidance in ‘making decisions in the absence of clear facts’. As such, decision makers must be able to resourcefully use whatever limited information is available and advantageously portray its implications. Based on recently published theory which directly addresses this requirement, this paper demonstrates, through a practical example, how decision makers can make systemic decisions in situations characterized by extremely limited information and, furthermore, what form such decisions can take. Evidence is provided, therefore, that operational research can effectively address what appears to be a gap in management training.     

Lehmer's problem for compact Abelian groups

We formulate Lehmer's Problem concerning the Mahler measure of polynomials for general compact abelian groups, introducing a Lehmer constant for each such group. We show that all nontrivial connected compact groups have the same Lehmer constant and conjecture the value of the Lehmer constant for finite cyclic groups. We also show that if a group has infinitely many connected components, then its Lehmer constant vanishes.

     

方酸菁染料的光伏效应及HMO计算

本文测试了六个方酸菁染料太阳电池的光伏效应,发现其最大量子效率随染料端基杂环碱性的降低而增大。通过这些染料的溶液吸收曲线与光电流光谱响应曲线的比较,可以认为真空升华固态薄膜中染料分子的聚集状态有利于导电性。此外,应用HMO理论计算的染料分子跃迁能与其最大光电流对应的波数之间有较好的线性关系。     

Improving the efficiency of thin film tandem solar cells by plasmonic intermediate reflectors

Thin film tandem solar cells made of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon provide renewable energy at the benefit of low material consumption. As a drawback, these materials do not posses the high carrier mobilities of their crystalline counterpart which limits the feasible material thickness. For maintaining the light absorption as high as possible, photon management is required. Here we show that metallic nanodiscs that sustain localized plasmon polaritons can increase the efficiency of such solar cells if they are incorporated into the dielectric intermediate reflector separating the top and the bottom cell. We provide quantitative estimates for the possible absorption enhancement of optimized bi-periodic nanodiscs that are feasible for fabrication. Emphasis is also put on discussing the impact of obliquely incident sun light on the solar cell performance.     

DPSIR = A Problem Structuring Method? An exploration from the “Imagine” approach

The Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact and Response or DPSIR framework has been with us for over a decade now and it is widely used as a means to assess and measure and, eventually provide a guide to managing the environment. With its repertoire of diagnostic and analytical components the DPSIR can be argued to be a Problem Structuring Method or PSM. Criticisms of the framework abound but it has a resilience which is noteworthy. Some argue that DPSIR, by its nature, is a narrowly formulated, engineering device, incompatible with the multiple perspectives which human interaction in global ecology requires. Is there a value in DPSIR being more flexible in expression and experience of users? In this article it is shown how the DPSIR framework was applied within a multi-methodology approach called Imagine in a number of coastal management projects around the Mediterranean and in other contexts. The article argues that DPSIR, whilst admittedly limited in its scope and approach can, if applied in a participatory and systemic multi-methodology, combine with other tools and help to create outcomes of value to local populations.     

A survey of berth allocation and quay crane scheduling problems in container terminals

Due to the variety of technical equipments and terminal layouts, research has produced a multitude of optimization models for seaside operations planning in container terminals. To provide a support in modeling problem characteristics and in suggesting applicable algorithms this paper reviews the relevant literature. For this purpose new classification schemes for berth allocation problems and quay crane scheduling problems are developed. Particular focus is put on integrated solution approaches which receive increasing importance for the terminal management.