A multi-agent architecture for dynamic scheduling of steel hot rolling

Steel production is a complex process and finding coherent and effective schedules for the wide variety of production steps, in a dynamic environment, is a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a multi-agent architecture for integrated dynamic scheduling of the hot strip mill (HSM) and the continuous caster. The scheduling systems of these processes have very different objectives and constraints, and operate in an environment where there is a substantial quantity of real-time information concerning production failures and customer requests. Each process is assigned to an agent which independently, seeks an optimal dynamic schedule at a local level taking into account local objectives, real-time information and information received from other agents. Each agent can react to real-time events in order to fix any problems that occur. We focus here, particularly, on the HSM agent which uses a tabu search heuristic to create good predictive–reactive schedules quickly. The other agents simulate the production of the coil orders and the real-time events, which occur during the scheduling process. When real-time events occur on the HSM, the HSM agent might decide whether to repair the current schedule or reschedule from scratch. To address this problem, a range of schedule repair and complete rescheduling strategies are investigated and their performance is assessed with respect to measures of utility, stability and robustness, using an experimental simulation framework.     

Efficient similarity-based operations for data integration

Dealing with discrepancies in data is still a big challenge in data integration systems. The problem occurs both during eliminating duplicates from semantic overlapping sources as well as during combining complementary data from different sources. Though using SQL operations like grouping and join seems to be a viable way, they fail if the attribute values of the potential duplicates or related tuples are not equal but only similar by certain criteria. As a solution to this problem, we present in this paper similarity-based variants of grouping and join operators. The extended grouping operator produces groups of similar tuples, the extended join combines tuples satisfying a given similarity condition. We describe the semantics of this operator, discuss efficient implementations for the edit distance similarity and present evaluation results. Finally, we give examples of application from the context of a data reconciliation project for looted art.     

动态多目标决策问题的灰色分析方法

将用于固定时间截面下静态多目标决策的灰色关联理论推广到动态情形，引入局部理想最优效果和整体理想最优效果的概念，提出一种新型的动态多目标决策问题的灰色关联模型，并通过算例说明该方法的合理可行性。     

TCP/IP网络的动态模型描述

拥塞现象成为TCP/IP网络发展面临的一个重要问题。因此，拥塞控制对TCP/IP网络的鲁棒性和稳定性具有重要作用。目前，网络拥塞控制策略主要包括两类：端到端的控制机制，如TCP拥塞控制算法；网络内部的主动队列管理(AQM)策略。但由于缺乏对网络系统动态特性的了解，这些拥塞控制策略大都基于专家经验，并没有建立完整的理论分析框架。为此，本文从数据流的角度出发，通过建立网络基本单元状态方程模型来实现IP网络系统的数学解析模型，然后用混杂系统来描述TCP带有拥塞控制策略的数据传输过程，建立了TCP/IP网络的动态模型，为网络系统中动态性能的分析、拥塞控制策略的设计奠定了基础。实验结果表明，该数学模型与NS仿真实验的结果相一致。     

Reduced modified quadratures for quadratic membrane finite elements

Reduced integration is frequently used in evaluating the element stiffness matrix of quadratically interpolated finite elements. Typical examples are the serendipity (Q8) and Lagrangian (Q9) membrane finite elements, for which a reduced 2 × 2 Gauss–Legendre integration rule is frequently used, as opposed to full 3 × 3 Gauss–Legendre integration. This ‘softens’ these element, thereby increasing accuracy, albeit at the introduction of spurious zero energy modes on the element level. This is in general not considered problematic for the ‘hourglass’ mode common to Q8 and Q9 elements, since this spurious mode is non‐communicable. The remaining two zero energy modes occurring in the Q9 element are indeed communicable. However, in topology optimization for instance, conditions may arise where the non‐communicable spurious mode associated with the elements becomes activated. To effectively suppress these modes altogether in elements employing quadratic interpolation fields, two modified quadratures are employed herein. For the Q8 and Q9 membrane elements, the respective rules are a five and an eight point rule. As compared to fully integrated elements, the new rules enhance element accuracy due to the introduction of soft, higher‐order deformation modes. A number of standard test problems reveal that element accuracy remains comparable to that of the under‐integrated counterparts. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fast and accurate 4‐node quadrilateral

An accurate and variationally consistent 4‐node quadrilateral element is introduced where high coarse mesh accuracy and low mesh distortion sensitivity are characteristic qualities, even when incompressibility is approached for plane strain. One‐point quadrature integration procedure is adopted and a new improved stabilization technique is developed. Orthogonality conditions are utilized so that the patch test is satisfied for arbitrary quadrilaterals. Several numerical examples including a convergence rate study are presented which confirm the excellent performance of this element. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating dynamic performance: The influence of salient Gestalt characteristics on performance ratings.

It is well recognized that performance changes over time. However, the effect of these changes on overall assessments of performance is largely unknown. In a laboratory experiment, we examined the influence of salient Gestalt characteristics of a dynamic performance profile on supervisory ratings. We manipulated performance trend (flat, linear-improving, linear-deteriorating, U-shaped, and ∩-shaped), performance variation (small, large), and performance mean (negative, zero, positive) within subjects and display format (graphic, tabular) between subjects. Participants received and evaluated information about the weekly performance of different employees over a simulated 26-week period. Results showed strong main effects on performance ratings of both performance mean and performance trend, as well as interactions with display format. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aspects of rapid crack propagation in silicon

Fracture experiments with silicon specimens in recent years have shown the need for a new approach to the analysis of rapidly propagating cracks in single crystals. Behaviour and phenomena have been revealed that fracture in these materials is rather different from the fracture of both amorphous and polycrystalline materials. We show that continuum mechanics is insufficient for analyzing crack propagation in single crystals since it is unable to consider atomistic‐scale phenomena. Accordingly, we describe basic phenomena associated with rapid crack propagation in silicon : (i) anisotropic velocity‐dependent R‐curve behaviour, as a key phenomenon dictating atomistic scale behaviour, (ii) crack deflection from one cleavage plane to another as a mesoscopic scale phenomenon in single‐crystal fracture, (iii) the Rayleigh surface wave speed as the limiting crack tip velocity is re‐examined, (vi) the lowest crack velocity in brittle crystals is examined, and finally (v) the interaction between crack path and preferred cleavage planes in single crystals is depicted.     

Healing the psyche through music, myth, and ritual.

According to Carl Jung, a person's symptoms occur as a result of the psyche's creative attempt to self-regulate. These symptoms are viewed as the symbol-making function of the psyche. Music therapy as a therapeutic tool is also viewed as having a symbol-making function in that the physical act of making music involves conceptualizing one's symptoms into sounds. The sound serves as a musical symbol of the symptom. The myth of Orpheus is offered as an example of how early man amplified the creative potential contained in music to heal from life's woes. The Orphic archetype illustrates that music serves as a medium for healing and as an expression of Self. That psyche can be healed by music is a reminder of the connection between music therapy and the myth of Orpheus. In using the therapeutic tool of music one can transcend, through the symbol making process inherent in music therapy, the tension of opposites that are created at the crossroads of disease and wellness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)