Cycle and circle tests of balance in gain graphs: Forbidden minors and their groups

We examine two criteria for balance of a gain graph, one based on binary cycles and one on circles. The graphs for which each criterion is valid depend on the set of allowed gain groups. The binary cycle test is invalid, except for forests, if any possible gain group has an element of odd order. Assuming all groups are allowed, or all abelian groups, or merely the cyclic group of order 3, we characterize, both constructively and by forbidden minors, the graphs for which the circle test is valid. It turns out that these three classes of groups have the same set of forbidden minors. The exact reason for the importance of the ternary cyclic group is not clear. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory     

Maintenance of Soft Calibration Models in the Determination of Zinc,Cadmium, Lead and Copper by Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

A strategy for constructing a global multivariate calibration model that includes calibration samples measured over time on different days is developed and applied in electroanalysis. Both synthetic and real samples (tap, extracted and river water) are analyzed by differential‐pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, showing the suitability of the global model constructed that provides successful results similar to those of the usual multivariate calibration. In addition the capability of discrimination of this model is evaluated in prediction for the mean of three replicates with estimation of probability of false noncompliance, α, and false compliance, β, being found 3.1, 11.2, 6.7 and 64.7 nM for nominal concentrations of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper of 96.0, 40.4, 37.3 and 328.0 nM respectively when α=β=0.05. It has been proven that the use of the global calibration does not imply a loss of multivariate analytical sensitivity, using this parameter as quality index of the analytical procedure. The viability of using calibration maintenance strategies with electroanalytical techniques is shown, providing a way to save time and experimental effort when these techniques are used in routine analysis.     

“Optimization of aircraft maintenance/support infrastructure using genetic algorithms—level of repair analysis”

Level of repair analysis (LORA) is an approach used during the design stage of complex equipment for analysis of the cost effectiveness of competing maintenance strategies. LORA is carried as a part of the life cycle cost and cost of ownership analysis and plays a significant role in minimizing the life cycle cost and cost of ownership of the capital equipment. Since many purchasing decisions of complex equipment are based on cost of ownership, it has become essential to carry out LORA to compete in the market. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for LORA and propose a solution methodology based on genetic algorithms. The concept is illustrated using a hypothetical aircraft engine.     

Optimal inspection and perfect repair

Models are developed for decision making about monitoring andmaintenance of systems whose performance through time is describedby a general stochastic process. The system is monitored andpreventive and corrective maintenance actions are carried outin response to the observed system state. The decision processis simplified by using the maximum process as a decision variable.The models developed generalize age replacement models and othersimple maintenance strategies. The approach can deal with failuresthat prevent the system functioning further, and also failuresthat are defined by regulation or economic considerations. Attentionis restricted to perfect repair and inspection, but the structureprovides the framework for further developments.     

基于累积损伤过程的不完全预防维护决策

基于累积损伤过程研究旧系统的不完全预防维护策略,冲击服从非时齐Poisson过程,并产生随机的损伤量,损伤量是加法累加的.系统在累积损伤量达到k或系统运行年龄达到T时进行计划内预防维护.在两次计划内预防维护之间,当累积损伤量达到预定水平K (k K)时,对系统进行计划外维护,其费用高于计划内预防维护,利用再生过程理论得到单位时间维护成本,讨论在时齐Poisson过程下的时间预防维护策略与水平预防维护策略,同时给出算例.     

6291型热变形温度和维卡软化温度测试仪的校准及故障排除

介绍6291型热变形温度和维卡软化温度测试仪的温度校准和位移校准方法，对测试仪的一些常见故障，例如电源故障，主温度传感器故障，电加热系统控制单元故障及测试站的温度偏差较大等进行了分析，并给出了排除故障的方法。     

贝克曼离心机故障排除两例

简要介绍贝克曼离心机触摸键盘失控和控制参数显示混乱两例故障的故障现象、故障分析以及故障排除方法。     

Effects of glucose,glutamine, and malate on the metabolism of spodoptera frugiperda clone 9 (sf9) cells

Optimal design and operation of bioreactors for insect cell culture is facilitated by functional relations providing quantitative information on cellular metabolite consumption kinetics, as well as on the specific cell growth rates (μ_G). Initial specific consumption rates of glucose, malate, and oxygen, and associated changes in μ_G, were measured forSpodoptera frugiperda clone 9 (Sf9) cells grown in batch suspension culture in medium containing 7–35 mM glucose, 0–16 mM malate, and 4–16 mM glutamine. The initial specific glucose consumption rate (q _G ) could be described by a modified Michaelis-Menten equation treating malate as a “competitive” inhibitorK ₁ = 6.5 mM) and glutamine as a “noncompetitive” inhibitorK _I = 14 mM) ofq _G , with aK _m of 7.1 mM for glucose. All three carbon sources were found to increase μ_G in a saturable manner, and a modified Monod equation was employed to describe this relationship (μ_Gmax = 0.047 h^-1). The initial specific oxygen consumption rate (q_O2) in Sf9 cells could be related to μ_G by the maintenance energy model, and it was calculated that, under typical culture conditions, about 15–20% of the cellular energy demand comes from functions not related to growth. Fitted parameters in mathematical expression for μg: K₄, Monod constant for glucose (mM); K₅, modified Monod constant for malate (mM); K₆, Monod constant for glutamine (mM); m_o2, specific consumption rate of oxygen by the cells under zero-growth conditions (nmol/cell/h); q_F, initial specific fumarate production rate (nmol/cell/ h);q _G , initial specific glucose consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); q_Gmax, maximum initial specific glucose consumption rate (nmol/cell/h);q _M , initial specific malate consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); q_o2, initial specific oxygen consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); Y_o2, cell yield on oxygen (cells/nmol); μ, initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1); μ_g, initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1); μG_max, maximum initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1).     

Operation and preventive maintenance scheduling for containerships: Mathematical model and solution algorithm

This paper considers the problem of determining operation and maintenance schedules for a containership equipped with various subsystems during its sailing according to a pre-determined navigation schedule. The operation schedule, which specifies working time of each subsystem, determines the due-date of each maintenance activity and the maintenance schedule specifies the actual start time of each maintenance activity. The main constraints are subsystem requirements, workforce availability, working time limitation, and inter-maintenance time. To represent the problem mathematically, a mixed integer programming model is developed. Then, due to the complexity of the problem, we suggest a heuristic algorithm that minimizes the sum of earliness and tardiness between the due-date and the actual start time for each maintenance activity. Computational experiments were done on various test instances and the results are reported. In particular, a case study was done on a real instance and a significant amount of improvement is reported over the experience based conventional method.     

Experimental investigation on the effectiveness of sorption energy recovery wheel in ventilation system

The object of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of sorption energy exchanger and the impact of the operational and thermal environmental conditions on their efficiency under steady-state conditions. To achieve this object, a test facility was installed into the Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Laboratory of BUTE University. A molecular 3Å sieve sorption wheel with high latent effectiveness is integrated into the experimental setup. In this study, the correlation between the sensible, latent, total effectiveness under different ambient air temperature and humidity values and different rotational speeds of the wheel is investigated in detailed by experimental tests.