A practical assessment of risk-averse approaches in production lot-sizing problems

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an empirical assessment of four state-of-the-art risk-averse approaches to deal with the capacitated lot-sizing problem under stochastic demand. We analyse two mean-risk models based on the semideviation and on the conditional value-at-risk risk measures, and alternate first and second-order stochastic dominance approaches. The extensive computational experiments based on different instances characteristics and on a case-study suggest that CVaR exhibits a good trade-off between risk and performance, followed by the semideviation and first-order stochastic dominance approach. For all approaches, enforcing risk-aversion helps to reduce the cost-standard deviation substantially, which is usually accomplished via increasing production rates. Overall, we can say that very risk-averse decision-makers would be willing to pay an increased price to have a much less risky solution given by CVaR. In less risk-averse settings, though, semideviation and first-order stochastic dominance can be appealing alternatives to provide significantly more stable production planning costs with a marginal increase of the expected costs.     

Torsional statics of two-dimensionally functionally graded microtubes

A size-dependent governing equation is derived to investigate the torsional static behaviors of two-dimensionally functionally graded microtubes based on the modified couple stress theory. The shear modulus is assumed to vary along the tube’s length direction according to an exponential distribute function, and varies along the tube’s radius direction according to a power-law function. A generalized differential quadrature method is developed to determine the rotational angle and shear stresses. Some illustrative examples are given to investigate the effects of applied torques, the length scale parameter and various material compositions on the torsional angle and shear stresses.     

Binary Ti–Fe system. Part I: Experimental investigation at high pressure

The present work illustrates the effect of quasi-hydrostatic pressure on the positions and widths of the homogeneity ranges of the intermetallic phases TiFe and TiFe₂ at high temperatures. The experiments were performed with Ti–Fe diffusion couples that were heat treated in a multi-anvil press at 2.5 GPa. The solubility limits of the phases were derived from the concentration profiles that were measured using electron probe microanalysis. It was found that the homogeneity ranges of TiFe and TiFe₂ extend to higher titanium concentrations, if the pressure is applied. The positions of the phase boundaries of the intermetallics on the iron-rich side are not affected by the pressure. The accuracy of the experimental data including the homogeneity ranges and temperatures was verified by comparing the homogeneity ranges of β-Ti(Fe), α/δ-Fe(Ti) and γ-Fe measured in this study with the homogeneity ranges taken from literature. The pressure was calibrated using the pressure-induced phase transitions of bismuth.     

三光子吸收效应对孤子对传输的影响

用分步傅里叶变换法求解含三光子吸收效应的光孤子NLS方程，研究了三光子吸收效应对孤子对在传输中相互作用的影响。研究发现，在特定条件下，三光子吸收效应能使孤子对无离合地平行传输。     

两段式热脱焦油煤气炉在环形加热炉上的开发应用

介绍了两段式煤气发生炉热脱焦油煤气在无缝钢管环形加热炉上的开发与应用 ,以及两段式煤气发生炉热脱焦油煤气站的设计和采用热脱焦油煤气代替重油所产生的经济效益     

Mg-Si基热电化合物的研究现状

重点综述了Mg-Si基热电化合物的基本特性，该体系热电材料的制备方法与掺杂改性的研究进展，并提出了要重点解决的问题。     

Second-law-based thermodynamic analysis of two-stage and mechanical-subcooling refrigeration cycles

Thermodynamic analysis of HFC-134a vapor-compression refrigeration cycles is investigated by both the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Second-law analysis is carried out for both two-stage and mechanical-subcooling refrigeration cycles. The analysis is performed on each of the system components to determine their individual contribution to the overall system irreversible losses. It is found that most of the losses are due to a low compressor efficiency. Irreversibilities of expansion valves and condenser are also significant. In addition, it is shown that the optimum inter-stage pressure for two-stage and mechanical-subcooling refrigeration systems is very close to the saturation pressure corresponding to the arithmetic mean of the refrigerant condensation and evaporation temperatures. These results are compared with the existing practice in the industry. Furthermore, theoretical results of a two-stage refrigeration system performance are also compared with experimental values for a CFC-22 system.     

纳米超晶格热电材料的研究进展

随着热电材料制备技术和性能研究的发展，纳米超晶格热电薄膜已受到人们的关注，简要介绍了有关纳米超晶格热电材料的结构、热电机理及制作技术，并指出了存在的问题和可能的发展方向。