Quadratic distances for capacity and bi-capacity approximation and identification

The application of multi-attribute utility theory based on the Choquet integral requires the prior identification of a capacity if the utility scale is unipolar, or of a bi-capacity if the utility scale is bipolar. In order to implement a minimum distance principle for capacity or bi-capacity approximation or identification, quadratic distances between capacities and bi-capacities are studied. The proposed approach, consisting in solving a strictly convex quadratic program, has been implemented within the GNU R kappalab package for capacity and nonadditive integral manipulation. Its application is illustrated on two examples.      

Design of high-capacity,reversible polymeric adsorbents for acidic gases

Polyethyleneimine (PEIM) samples crosslinked by a commercial epoxy resin (Epon 828) were prepared, and their adsorption capacity for acidic gases was studied. The swelling and deswelling characteristics of the crosslinked samples were also examined as part of this program. Reactivation of these adsorbents could be carried out by heat, or by a combination of heat and treatment in dilute alkalies.     

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.     

Capacity factors and peak widths in the gradient elution reversed phase separation of high molar mass polystyrenes

Summary A simplex method for determining the constantsS andk _o from the equation lnk’=lnk _o−S ϕ (was developed and applied to the reversed phase separation of high molar mass polystyrenes using gradients of any curvature. Experimental retention times described using the equation had a standard deviation of 1.1%. The inclusion of a quadratic term in the equation was found to be unwarranted. BothS and lnk _o varied linearly with ln molar mass. The logarithm of peak width of an eluting polystyrene peak was found to be a linear function of the mobile phase composition at elution. The slope was equal toS.     

Erosion of efficiency in non-uniform linear chromatography

In linear chromatography (i.e. chromatography performed in the absence of sample overloading), when the plate height of a column is roughly uniform along its length, variations in the velocities of solutes are the only possible causes of erosion of efficiency. The sources of these variations (variations in capacity ratio and in the density of the mobile phase, etc.) play no direct role in the erosion of efficiency except through their effect on solute velocities. In other words, what eventually causes the erosion of efficiency is merely variation in the time required for solutes to traverse equally small segments of a column. Significant erosion can only arise from abrupt and deep deceleration of solutes in one or several relatively small segments of a column. If erosion of efficiency caused by pressure gradients in linear SFC is to be large, the depth and the sharpness of the deceleration of a solute must go beyond that hitherto confirmed experimentally. Many relevant examples are analyzed graphically.     

PVC DISULFIDE AS CATHODE MATERIALS FOR SECONDARY LITHIUM BATTERIES

PVC disulfide (2SPVC) was synthesized by solution crosslink and its molecular structure was confirmed by infrared spectrum. 2SPVC's specific area is 36.1 m2·g-1 tested by stand BET method, and granularity experiment gives out the particle size of d0.5= 11.3μm. With SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) experiment the surface morphology and particle shape of 2SPVC were observed. Cyclic voltammetry (scan rate: 0.5 mV·s-1) shows that 2SPVC experience an obvious S-S redox reaction in charge-discharge process. When 2SPVC was used as cathode material for secondary lithium battery in a 1 mol·L-1 solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (Li(CF3SO2)2N) in a 5:45:50 volume ratio mixture of o-xylene (oxy), diglyme (DG) and dimethoxymethane (DME) at 30℃, the first discharge capacity of 2SPVC is about 400.3 mAh·g-1 which is very close to its theoretical value (410.5 mAh·g-1) at a constant discharge current of 15 mA·g-1. It can retain at about 346.1 mAh·g-1 of discharge capacity after 30 charge-discharge cycles. So 2SPVC is a very promising cathode candidate for rechargeable lithium batteries.     

A capacity reservation game for suppliers with multiple blocks of capacity

This paper studies a supplier competition model in which a buyer reserves capacity from a number of suppliers that each have multiple blocks of capacity (e.g., production or power plants). The suppliers each submit a bid that specifies a reservation price and an execution price for every block, and the buyer determines what blocks to reserve. This game involves both external competition between suppliers and internal competition between blocks from each supplier. We characterize the properties of pure-strategy Nash equilibria for the game. Such equilibria may not always exist, and we provide the conditions under which they do.     

Evaluation of the limit of performance of an analytical method based on a statistical calculation of its critical concentrations according to ISO standard 11843: Application to routine control of banned veterinary drug residues in food according to European Decision 657/2002/EC

Traceability of the measurement of analytical parameters capable of evaluating the performance of methods is an important concept for the assessment of quality for the routine control, especially for residue monitoring of non-authorized medicinal substances in food from animal origin. The European Decision no. 657/2002/EC recommends to calculate two statistical limits, CCα and CCβ, which allow to evaluate the critical concentrations above which the method reliably distinguish and quantify a substance taking into account the variability of the method and the statistical risk to take a wrong decision. The calculation, which can be derived from the ISO standard no. 11843 is applied on a routine basis. An example displays a very simple way for evaluating the performance of an LC-MSMS method which has been validated a few years ago and is qualified onto a Micromass Quattro LCZ tandem mass spectrometer to monitor and confirm the nitrofuran metabolite residues in food from animal origin. Community Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Veterinary Drug Residue Control in Food from Animal Origin     

Elution behavior of styrene oligomer fractions in supercritical fluid chromatography

Summary In supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), the elution behavior of styrene oligomers in pentane depends greatly on the degree of oligomerization, n. The influence of capacity ratio, k, on the lower oligomers up to about n=11 resembles the behavior of other substrates of low molecular weight, like aromatic hydrocarbons. Thus, with pentane of 100 bar and below, minima are found in plots of k versus temperature. In contrast, the k of oligomers of higher molecular weight (n>11) increase monotonously with increasing temperature. The studies were performed using oligostyrene fractions obtained by semipreparative SFC fractionation.     

Coupled LC-GC: The capacity of silica gel (HP)LC columns for retaining fat

Many applications of coupled LC-GC in food analysis require that LC separates large quantities of triglycerides from the components of interest. The capacities of silica gels to retain triglycerides have been determined for n-hexane as mobile phase as well as some eluent mixtures. Conclusions are drawn for practical applications.